I wish to address this article to all our school children. “I am writing you this not to shame you but to admonish you as beloved children” (1Cor 4:14).
You are a group of intelligent and positive individuals who can influence and contribute positively to the society in which you live. Each of you is unique, important, special and a child of God. God loves you beyond measure. God made you and He doesn’t make junk. For this very reason you must have a keen sense of respect for others and self. To disrespect others and self is to disrespect God because He created us in his image and likeness.
You and I know that we can fall prey to disrespectful behaviour that manifests itself in the way that we treat others. Violence, both physical and verbal, is disrespectful to others and society.
“Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife and clamorous discord” (Habakkuk 1:3).
We live in a world where violence seems to be the norm. The desire for revenge is epidemic and some even say that revenge is sweet. The policy of eye for eye and tooth for tooth is very much accepted. If this is the principle that we human beings live by, then we will soon have a blind and toothless world as Mahatma Ghandi was noted for saying.
The vocation of each human being is to love. Love means that we respect the other just as we would like to be respected. It means that we forgive the other because we would like to be forgiven. Every time we say the Our Father, we pray, Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. If we need God to forgive us, we must forgive others. “No matter the wrong, do no violence to your neighbour, and do not walk the path of arrogance” (Sir 13:13).
As students, you cannot allow violent behaviour to ruin your precious opportunity of gaining an education, your good reputation and a respectable place in society. The development of our society in its moral, spiritual, physical and economical dimensions depends upon you. The integrity of your school depends upon you. You must ensure that the good reputation of your school is not destroyed. You must set a good example so that those who come to your school after you may follow in your footsteps.
The violence that is seeping its way into schools is creating some measure of serious disquiet and concern. We know that there are several causes of violence.
The media, electronic and print, promotes and advertises violence. It gives a twisted sort of recognition to the violent individual and makes others think it is either acceptable or a good idea. As students, you must be very careful and selective about the television programmes that you look at, the books that you read and the friends that you choose. You may not see the immediate effect of why, but the media and friends can in the long run exercise a powerful influence on you positively or negatively by forming your minds, shaping your philosophy of life and determining your actions. “The fruit of virtue is a tree of life, but violence takes lives away” (Proverbs 11:30).
Family values should play a vital part in your lives. Over time, we have seen in our society a breakdown of traditional family values that contribute to the problem of violence. Your families owe it to you students, especially your parents, to provide you the good example of a moral and spiritual foundation. You in turn must value your families, contribute positively to the family and seek their sound advice on personal matters. “Children, obey your parents for this is right: Honour your father and your mother. And this is the first commandment that has promise: that you may be happy and enjoy long life in the land. And you, fathers (mothers), do not make rebels of your children, but educate them by correction and instruction, which the Lord may inspire.” (Eph 6:1-4).
Drugs and alcohol seem to be a cool thing these days. Some young people tell me that the marijuana (herb) is the “healing of the nation”. As young people, you must realize that drugs and alcohol are used to create a false escape from life. They do not solve problems. Drugs are mind altering and affect adversely your academic ability and performance.
Be positive and say no to drugs. Contrary to popular belief that when you take drugs and alcohol you are in control, the use of drugs and alcohol lead to a loss of self-control which ultimately results in acts of violence. “Be on your guard and take care never to accompany men of violence” (Sir 13:13).
It is very important for students to be emotionally honest. They must share what they feel deep inside. It is important that young people like yourselves trust someone whom you can share family and personal problems with. This will eliminate from your lives much frustration, tension and anger. If feelings are bottled up inside, never talked about and dealt with, it is a recipe for aggressive and anti-social behaviour. It is not a sign of weakness to be honest about your feelings with another. In fact, it is a sign of strength and maturity.
The community in which you live should play an important role in curbing violence. As young people, I would urge you to get involved in community building projects such as clean up campaigns and so on. Get involved in playing sports. Be of service to your community. As young people, do not deprive yourselves nor let anyone deprive you of ongoing opportunities to engage in the constructive, socially responsible and life conserving activities to which human beings of all ages are entitled and which give individuals the sense of continuing accomplishment and of harmonious relationships with the community and with nature which are the basis of self-esteem. “See what the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are” (1 Jn 3:1).
The school structure can also incite violence. The cliques and social structures that are present in schools can lead to feelings of alienation and isolation. If you start gossip or rumours, then you are insecure about yourself and you contribute to the problem. This includes making fun of people who you may not like or who may be different from you. The school structure can create additional pressures in students’ lives. There are academic pressures, such as being a so-called “Smart Person” or being in the so-called “Dumb Classes”. Students are becoming more competitive and teachers should be there to help struggling students. On top of academic pressure, many of you have to deal with family problems and the stresses of transitioning into adulthood and planning for the rest of your lives. It can be very painful to deal with peer pressure and trying to fit in on top of everything else. As I mentioned earlier, it is important to have mentors and good role models. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are Children of God” (Rm 8:14).
Although it is a minority of students in the school who are demonstrating anti-social behaviour, it has ramifications for the entire school and it is the school that pays the consequences.
In concluding, I reiterate the need for mutual respect. People should be accepted for who they are, whether they are friends, family, or simply unique individuals. No matter who we are, we all deserve respect. Teachers and administrators should focus on showing students a life path they can follow, and preparing them to do that. Teachers should be involved in empowering their students by engaging them in life- conserving and life-enhancing activities.
Let us all remember that we are children of God and demonstrate this by our love for each other. Say no to violence! “And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming (1 Jn 2:28).
