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June 26, 2004 I'm from Trinidad in the Caribbean, and I've been going to my school for seven years...I love it. However, my school life is very sheltered, we're know as one of the safest schools in the country. There's another school about three blocks down from us that, in recent times has had some serious cases of school violence, stabbings and such, because of peer-pressure, the inability to fit in and a general feeling of despair. I know this because I ask, something so many people fail to do. My mother is the Guidance Officer at that school and sometimes, even though I know she can help, I fear for her safety. It's a trend here that to get heard, to be recognised, you attack those in high esteem, those who have some authourity. Hence the reason that when, recently there was a rare altercation at my school, those who were singled out were the Prefects, the representatives of the student body. I was petrified because I am the Head Prefect. The prime target along with the Head Boy. He, was singled out...taunted, pushed, shoved, slapped...along with some other prefects. It was scary. That day, my little sheltered world came crashing down around me...I saw just how real violence could be. The main reason we were picked on was because they felt left out, they felt like outsiders. Something had to be done. I decided that I, as an individual needed to start somewhere, I welcomed them, I stopped looking down my nose at them, they were with us now...they should be treated that way. This solution is intensely superficial but it has worked, There were no more fights since then. I think it lies within us to be much more aware of what occurs around us...notice the cries for help...before it's too late...Get off our high horses and remember that everyone has a viable and worthy contribution to make. Sometimes all we need to do is LISTEN. This is one of those things that peeves me. It's one of those situations that I think could be prevented, yet it isn't. These types of situations create further divisions between "us" and "them", rather than there being a collective "we". ------------ About the author Brianna McCarthy: I'm 20, this would be the first 'article' I've ever written though it's always been an interest of mine. I just want to be taken seriously, to inform and make others aware. Email: bri_maupassant@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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