The World Bank has launched a website to engage a global discussion on conflict. Throughout history, conflict has challenged mankind and will continue to do so until we work together and communicate as a global community. The World Bank has invited A Better LA to enter this dicussion and contribute our unique outlook on conflict and strategies for resolving it. We believe that our methods of addressing conflict are universally applicable and hope that by sharing our voice we can help become part of the solution. Here is one of our recent blog posts, created by USC student blogger, Janet Edbrooke.
What is Conflict?
Conflict is a problem that is occurring in our own backyard. Conflict is junior high school children being afraid to walk to school because they are afraid of the violence that they will encounter. Conflict is daily fights breaking out over walking space due to the bottleneck caused by fourteen hundred children used to violence trying to get out of school. Conflict is children hopping the fence to leave school and break into homes in order to steal iPods and video games. Conflict is a preparatory high school being known not as preparation for college but for life in prison. Conflict is a high school producing four current death row inmates and countless inmates for life. Conflict is a janitor being out of a job because he felt the need to arm himself due to threats made by junior high school gang members. Conflict is a child sitting in prison because he brought a gun to school in order to defend his sister against the mother of a girl she was fighting with. Conflict is a young boy being shot in the head by a thirty-nine year old gang member while he is trying to retrieve his baseball glove from the field so that he can play ball and make something of himself.
Conflict, however, is something which can be resolved through change.
Change is a former gang leader stepping up to stop kids in his neighborhood from following in his footsteps. Change is that man considering each of the children his own, and saying that he would give up all of his tomorrows to make sure the kids have a good day today. Change is a committed team of adults creating the CURE program and monitoring the streets to ensure a “Safe Passage” for children walking to school. Change is an increase in attendance levels because children feel comfortable. Change is a drop in early morning burglaries because children are in school, not out on the surrounding streets. Change is a faculty that won’t allow disruptive students to take away from the education of children who want to learn. Change is problem children not being sent home on suspension to get into even more trouble, but rather placing them in a program where they will receive special attention to ensure they succeed. Change is a student being excited to arrive at school to learn and eager to share how well she’s doing in school and how long she’s been trouble-free. Change is a strong tutoring program that causes a tremendous increase in student grades, allowing a huge percentage of the senior class to graduate with a 4.0 grade point average. Change is kids channeling their energy into athletic programs and school work. Change is children greeting adults each morning with words like “Good morning Mr. Robinson, how are you?” or “Hey coach, I’m gonna play for you next year!” instead of greeting them only with a menacing stare. Change is young athletes feeling a commitment to their sports team, not their gang. Change is a high school being known for its athletic programs, with running backs signing to top schools like Oregon and USC. Change is a six year period of peace in what was formerly one of the most dangerous hot spots of gang violence, allowing for a 75% drop in homicides and a 43% reduction in aggravated assaults. Change is what is creating A Better LA.
Please continue to view and vote for our posts at www.conflictconvo.com. The top contributors will be invited to attend the final Conflict Convo with the World Bank in Washington D.C.
Add Your Comment Apr 4, 2011 - 10:51 pm
Help Us Get The Word Out. Share
The World Bank has launched a website to engage a global discussion on conflict. Throughout history, conflict has challenged mankind and will continue to do so until we work together and communicate as a global community. The World Bank has invited A Better LA to enter this dicussion and contribute our unique outlook on conflict and strategies for resolving it. We believe that our methods of addressing conflict are universally applicable and hope that by sharing our voice we can help become part of the solution. Here is one of our recent blog posts, created by USC student blogger, Janet Edbrooke.
What is Conflict?
Conflict is a problem that is occurring in our own backyard. Conflict is junior high school children being afraid to walk to school because they are afraid of the violence that they will encounter. Conflict is daily fights breaking out over walking space due to the bottleneck caused by fourteen hundred children used to violence trying to get out of school. Conflict is children hopping the fence to leave school and break into homes in order to steal iPods and video games. Conflict is a preparatory high school being known not as preparation for college but for life in prison. Conflict is a high school producing four current death row inmates and countless inmates for life. Conflict is a janitor being out of a job because he felt the need to arm himself due to threats made by junior high school gang members. Conflict is a child sitting in prison because he brought a gun to school in order to defend his sister against the mother of a girl she was fighting with. Conflict is a young boy being shot in the head by a thirty-nine year old gang member while he is trying to retrieve his baseball glove from the field so that he can play ball and make something of himself.
Conflict, however, is something which can be resolved through change.
Change is a former gang leader stepping up to stop kids in his neighborhood from following in his footsteps. Change is that man considering each of the children his own, and saying that he would give up all of his tomorrows to make sure the kids have a good day today. Change is a committed team of adults creating the CURE program and monitoring the streets to ensure a “Safe Passage” for children walking to school. Change is an increase in attendance levels because children feel comfortable. Change is a drop in early morning burglaries because children are in school, not out on the surrounding streets. Change is a faculty that won’t allow disruptive students to take away from the education of children who want to learn. Change is problem children not being sent home on suspension to get into even more trouble, but rather placing them in a program where they will receive special attention to ensure they succeed. Change is a student being excited to arrive at school to learn and eager to share how well she’s doing in school and how long she’s been trouble-free. Change is a strong tutoring program that causes a tremendous increase in student grades, allowing a huge percentage of the senior class to graduate with a 4.0 grade point average. Change is kids channeling their energy into athletic programs and school work. Change is children greeting adults each morning with words like “Good morning Mr. Robinson, how are you?” or “Hey coach, I’m gonna play for you next year!” instead of greeting them only with a menacing stare. Change is young athletes feeling a commitment to their sports team, not their gang. Change is a high school being known for its athletic programs, with running backs signing to top schools like Oregon and USC. Change is a six year period of peace in what was formerly one of the most dangerous hot spots of gang violence, allowing for a 75% drop in homicides and a 43% reduction in aggravated assaults. Change is what is creating A Better LA.
Please continue to view and vote for our posts at www.conflictconvo.com. The top contributors will be invited to attend the final Conflict Convo with the World Bank in Washington D.C.