The species that invented war can invent peace
Viewpoint By Pat Sheerattan
Guyana Chronicle
April 18, 2000
WE are living in a society where violence is very prevalent. It is experienced at all levels and perpetrated by people of every race and class. Violence is usually the first option in resolving conflicts. When someone has wronged us, our first reaction is to lick them down - make them eat dirt - make them hurt real bad. It is a society of "I show me motion...you dress down... or else..."
We have experienced political crises where leaders have called on people to use violence to resolve problems. People are being influenced to turn against each other - to hold each other as enemies - to keep suspicions alive.
Political leaders who command a great degree of influence on many citizens are major contributors to the creation of a culture of intolerance within the society and intolerance denies the fundamental worth of the other person, party or race. It causes hatred and often results in violence.
Intolerance is also being practised and prompted by the media. It is used to set people against each other. I often wonder: have we lost our capacity to be inspired by wisdom and sanity? Or is it that we have probably never given ourselves the opportunity to exercise our minds to use the art of logic and good judgement? Are we so captivated by the darkness of evil that we cannot find alternatives for positive action? Whatever it is, I think that it is high time to be so disgusted and outraged that we would want to confront this vulgarity.
We need to cultivate a culture of peace in Guyana and to find other means of mediating political differences without the use of violence (physical, verbal or mental). A "people's-watch" is needed to monitor what is happening - make public the prejudices and hate propagated by public figures including the media.
We need to articulate our vision for bringing peace to this land. We must demand respect for all people, upholding all human rights and eliminating double standards. We must build upon all the positive elements in the society - the appreciation of each other's cultures. We must recognise the reality of our interdependence, common human needs and common responsibility for the future of Guyana.
A critical component in creating a culture of peace is overcoming the many historic prejudices and fears that divide us. It is said that there are few human beings that do not harbour some prejudices. The goals of self-awareness and self-esteem as well as that of creating tolerant social relationships call on all persons to become more conscious of these prejudices, to discover the origins and to understand how they affect our thinking and behaviour.
Violence is learnt and passed on from generation to generation. It was Archbishop Pantin who said that since wars begin in the minds of men and women, so peace also begins in our minds. The same species that invented war is capable of inventing peace. The responsibility lies within each of us.
We have the capacity to promote tolerance, which will produce respect for each other. Organisations like ROC must be recognised for their commitment to this worthy cause. We need to join hands with ROC and others to put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil and the power of love to overcome hatred.
The United Nations has designated the year 2000 as the International Year of the Culture of Peace. Let us pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a society emancipated from violence and to participate in that transformation. Let us persuade everyone, especially our leaders, to place a high value on the cultivation of peace in Guyana.
Let us all advocate that violence is not an acceptable option for resolving conflicts.
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