2008 SECOND PLACE

WHAT ABOUT PEACE?
Matthew Wu
15 years old, New York

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding." I believe that this quote explains the best and most logical way to attaining peace in our world today.

It can be said that many, if not most, conflicts and wars arise out of a lack of understanding other peoples culture, religion, ideas, or actions. Misunderstanding of other religion has been one of the main catalysts of war and atrocity for thousands of years, and continues to be one today. Misunderstanding of other cultures has often led to conflict and occasionally, genocide. Just look at the conflicts in Darfur that continue this very moment. On a less grand scale, racism and intolerance cause problems within our own communities. Misunderstanding only leads to violence and social problems in our society.

Therefore, understanding and tolerance are the logical paths to peace. We all know we could possibly change some of our conceptions of others, even if we consider ourselves tolerant people. Maybe there is someone we just don't particularly like or a group we don't completely agree with. Instead of letting the problem fester, we should attempt to take a walk in other people's shoes to try and understand them. Though the saying may be a cliché, it explains the problem perfectly. We don't have to completely agree with them, but we must try and understand our fellow humans.

In conclusion, the path to peace starts at the level of the individual. When this concept of complete tolerance is ingrained in world culture, only then will true peace be achieved. Though very likely we will never see this day, and neither may our near ancestors, it remains an attainable goal, however far off it may be. But it has to start sometime, and now is as good a time as ever.