2008 THIRD PLACE

DEFINITIONS
Emily Thomas
17 years old, New York

Definitions for "peace" vary. "State of tranquility and serenity", "a state of mutual harmony between two groups", and "silence and stillness" - are just a few examples. Our actions as a whole do not reflect any of these definitions. For centuries countries have set up "peace" treaties with one another, and yet where are we today? We are still fighting with the same people, over the same things with bigger and better weapons. A nation that spends hundreds of billions of dollars a year on weapons and defense is real peaceful, right?

Every night I watch the news while sitting at the dinner table, and all I see is violence, crime, murder, and rape, anything to "disrupt the peace." The world seems to be anything but peace these days. These actions are camouflaged in the idea that this is just what the world has come to, which simply is not right. We use the word "peace" too often and throw it around like it means nothing. I often hear the phrase, "come on, let's make peace" around school. Then two days later I see the same people who were "making peace" making a riot in the cafeteria! The phrasing etymology of our world has gone in the wrong direction and we cannot seem wrap our hands around it and nal it down to a consensus.

As time is going on, we must remind everyone where we are in this new lifetime. We are coming to a period where really, everything is soon to be technological and the peace units will only become weaker as the greed to succeed takes over. We have to keep the generations up to date with what is going on now, what was going on once, and what could be happening with their help. Growth must come from people realizing that yes: we will survive without every acre of land on this earth in our possession! Although the world has evolved quite far industrially, economically and politically no one is satisfied. Until more than just a handful of us become content with a more humble society, peace will not be achieved.

When I leave this earth I will continue to wonder what it is we will do to arrive at a state of "peace" if we haven't yet. The world could very well be lacking peace of many kinds. The technology may become so advanced that fighting will take less effort and be applied with more force. Our political leaders may have no mercy and may have led us to a world where peace treaties mean nothing until those who have absolute power, have it all. The war may always be going on, and the beautiful light of happiness may never be fully lit. But I assure you, my tranquility will be achieved because I will have done my part.