Let’s act now, we can’t wait

It just amazes me that we are not advocating for Trinidad and Tobago to develop a “culture of peace”. We insist on continuing to develop the gun culture, the drug culture and the culture of violence and a culture of death. The simple definition of “culture” is the way of life of a people. Children are born into a way of life.

They are born into an environment which provides them with guidelines as to the way they must live. If our families are unable to provide the children with those guidelines, then our education system must. Why do we have an education system at all then? Headlines in the media shout to all of us, including the children: “Former National Security Ministers: Yes to guns, pepper spray”; “Kamla: Give them guns”; “Ramesh, Bring on the Death Penalty” and “Stop making excuses, bring on the death penalty.” He also said, “…..we do not need more laws, we need action.” Mahatma Gandhi made the statement, “If we are going to bring about peace in the world we have to begin with the children.” I echo Ramesh’s words “we do not need more laws, we need action.” Yes, we need action in the classroom. We need to develop a culture of peace. Would you believe that there is an entire curriculum that educators can find on the internet titled, Creating a Culture of Peace-A Practical Guide for Schools by Hetty Van Gurp.

This was piloted in 25 schools in Karachi, Pakistan. Permission has also been given to copy parts of the guide for your own school use.

There are contact numbers and emails. Educators who are serious and who understand that Peace is one of twelve Fruits of the Spirit must make Peace a part of their everyday interaction with students.

Each fruit is defined as “observable behaviours of people who have allowed the Holy Spirit to be effective in them.”(Loyola Press). The definition quoted suggests that each one of us possesses this fruit but we just have to allow it to work within us and for us. Education will facilitate this work.

I do not think that I am idealistic and have my head in icloud. We all want peace. We just have to begin the process and do not throw our hands up in the air and say that there is nothing that we can do but wait to be a victim.

Therefore, I am asking those NGOs, CBOs, Youth Groups, faithbased organisations, form teachers, principals and all who would want to begin the process of creating a culture of peace to get the practical guide. You can find the time within the curriculum, I am sure. As Ramesh said, “We need Action.” Let us act now, we cannot wait. I also know that true educators are creative and can adapt the suggested guidelines where necessary. Peace in the world is Universal. All progressive cultures are calling for peace.

Let us begin now. Know that without Peace all that we have gained will be lost. Our ancestors really suffered for us to progress and a culture of peace is the only way forward. Those crazy crapauds smoking we pipe for too long. Let us send them where they belong, into Black Stalin’s “Fire.”Here I go again. It just amazes me that we are not advocating for Trinidad and Tobago to develop a Culture of Peace.

Anna Maria Mora via email