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Op Ed: Nation Needs Department of Peace |
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By Christine Johnson
Posted 2007-05-18
Virginia Daily News Record
A recent editorial (May 28) poked fun at legislation, HR 808, aimed at
creating a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence. While we all need
a little laugh now and then, I am in no mood to joke about violence or
a serious proposal to reduce and prevent it, like HR 808.
In fact, I am deeply troubled by the world conflict in which we are living. It is time to live in a world where humanity has an organized, visible and trustworthy infrastructure dedicated to reducing violence and fostering the principles that sustain healthy communities domestically and globally.
The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization consider violence a serious public health issue. And the evidence shows that violent crime is increasing.
According to the FBI, there were almost 1.4 million violent crimes reported in 2005. And now consider this: 12 children lose their life to gun violence every day. Domestic violence is the single greatest cause of injury to women. Youth suicide rates in the U.S. are 10 times higher than other industrialized nations. Homicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24 in 2001.
In 1996, some 31,000 gangs were operating in about 4,800 American cities and towns—and large cities claim that 72 percent of their school violence is attributable in part to gang activity.
Violence is costly, too. The World Health Organization reported in 2004 that the United States spends $300 billion annually on the consequences of violent crime, excluding the costs of war. A concerted effort to reduce and prevent violence would save us billions.
It’s time to value peace as a strength and actively build on expanding and improving the safety, basic needs, trust and respect for families, neighbors, police, teachers military, and for all our collective family to live a more peaceful way of life.
Funding and infrastructure provide the framework, an investment in our future and the future of our children’s children. There are proven programs that reduce youth and school violence, gang violence and prevent domestic violence. However, they exist within a fragmented system.
The U.S. Department of Peace objectives would address the epidemic of violence in our country and around the world. Within the context of a Department of Peace, leaders and experts in conflict resolution will have an institutional platform to respond to the complexities of the disease of violence.
Having a comprehensive framework that studies the root causes of the disease, and then tracks, evaluates, and identifies programs that have a positive effect on reduction and prevention of violence would be the standard and responsible course of action. Education and training is a key to the triumph over the violence that is rampant in this world.
Domestically, The Department of Peace would help develop curricula to educate students in grades K-12 to resolve conflict peacefully. There would also be a Peace Academy created. This would be on par with the Military Academies to provide training and education to civilian peacekeepers and the military. They will be trained in latest programs dedicated to nonviolent conflict resolution strategies targeting both international and domestic violence. The riches of a peaceful world support human rights, interdependence and respect within our communities.
I am dedicated to reach beyond tolerance and embrace the courage of universal responsibility to create and maintain the physical emotional and spiritual health of our communities.
So what would a Department of Peace cost? As of right now, its annual cost would be less than what we spend in just one month in Iraq and Afghanistan. That’s a bargain by any definition.
A lot of well-meaning people say we can’t afford peace. The reality is, we can’t afford the alternatives.
— Christine K. Johnson is the Virginia State Coordinator Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace and Non-violence For more info: www.thepeaceallaince.org
© 2005 Daily News-Record
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