Celebrating Peace

* Franklin D. Roosevelt once wrote, “If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships--the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together in the same world at peace.”

Before, during and since the days of FDR we, supposedly the most powerful nation on Earth, have wrestled with various conflicts around the world as well as at home.

As this millennium draws to a close, our communities have yet come together effectively to celebrate peace. More often than not, we gather to sporadically join forces to express our concerns over the deaths of our neighbors and, more recently, our children. Yet a consistent voice has yet been found to eradicate the killing fields.

With bittersweet emotions, I have attended peace gatherings where only a few people came. This brings to mind the phrase, “What if there was a war and no one came?” In an ironic twist, I have thought, “What if there was a peace gathering and no one came?”

Have we become a people quick to give up on our friends and neighbors, even our children? In the absence of actions, not just words, toward resolving the conditions that breed violence in our communities, have we declared that it is hopeless to continue?

James Baldwin wrote, “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders but they have never failed to imitate them.”

So what are we going to want our children to do, listen to our words of peace and community or imitate our actions.?

RICARDO MELENDEZ

Oxnard