Our
View: Europe takes steps toward world
peace
Too
often peace is thought of as a privilege
or some distant utopian ideal that can
never be achieved. These assertions
could not be farther from the truth.
Peace
is a fundamental right that every human
being is entitled to. Sadly,
people are often denied this right
for a plethora
of different reasons, all equally ridiculous.
Recently, many Cal State Long Beach
students made their dedication for
peace known by hosting World Peace
Day. Students, faculty and religious
leaders gathered
to show their support for a more peaceful world.
Recently the hopes
of these students seem to have become a tangible goal rather than a distant
dream.
The hope of peace has become a reality for many people in Ireland where the
IRA has recently surrendered the remainder of their weapons to the British
government.
The conflict in Ireland between vehement Catholics and
radical Protestants has endured over the past three decades.
The violence between the two groups was epic. Extremist groups violated
every place most people would consider off limits, including churches and schools.
Between
1966 and 1999 nearly 4,000 people were killed and 36,000 were injured in
the conflict, according to an article on CNN.com.
The disarmament is extremely overdue and a lasting chasm between the citizens
of North Ireland has been created. The people of North Ireland have lived
in perpetual fear for the past three decades.
Many people who have
spent their entire lives in North Ireland have never known peace. Although
they may
not have suffered physical injuries, the damage they suffered psychologically
will never be fully realized.
The British government definitely blundered by not suppressing and controlling
the violent outbursts in Northern Ireland. It is the role of the government
to establish and maintain the peace among the citizens. It is absolutely
absurd and unacceptable for a government to allow such violence to continue
for so long.
Rather than suppressing the rebellion within the first few months or even
years, the British government allowed the violence to continue until the
terrorists
gave up on their own.
Although it may have saved the British money
and other resources, they failed to provide their constituents security.
Peace is something many of us have taken for granted. We live in an area
that is fairly safe and peaceful and many of us haven’t encountered
the hatred people in other parts of the country have to face daily.
Although most of us are not directly affected by the violence in other parts
of the world, we cannot neglect or forget the people who constantly fight
for their own safety and survival. It is important we show our support
and concern for those suffering in other countries.
Peace is an obtainable objective and with the recent developments in other
countries the goal of a true and lasting peace is closer than ever. As
caring and concerned people it is our obligation not to let the needs of
others be neglected.
Peace is something every person should be able to enjoy
and hopefully will soon become a reality for people everywhere.
We should take the advice of John F. Kennedy Jr. who once said, “Let
us...step back from the shadow of war and seek out the way of peace.
And
if that journey is a thousand miles, or even more, let history record that
we
in this land at this time, took the first step.”
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