By Ajovi Artis
Martin Luther King Jr. said violence begets violence. Some are taught that violence will solve problems in the world. That’s not true. Sometimes using a peaceful approach to any situation is better than using violence. Often violence is used to get a point across or control the situation.
When I was younger, about 9 through 16 years of age, I thought violence was the best way to solve not some but all problems. Growing up in my household, violence was frequent. Nothing was ever discussed with the next person. We were always fighting. I left for a while and learned how to combat violence with peaceful alternatives. I’ve attended programs and spoken to a clinical psychologist to help me find the root of my anger. It all begins with the family and the people you love the most. When you see someone you love commit a violent act, you think it’s right to do the same.
But violence is not the best way to solve anything. We’d rather use hate to get what we want or control. My family didn’t know that love could do just as much as anger.
I had a class called Violence Prevention Program (VPP), which shows you how to get what you want without violence. We learned various skills that helped with positive personal growth. We need to help adolescents, who think violently, that there is a way to communicate without choosing aggression. I’m not saying that you won’t ever have violent thoughts or become angry. It’s learning how to control anger and prevent poor decisions that can ruin your life.
I become stressed when I see youths on television being locked up, sentenced to prison, or killed by another youth. Hate is the biggest culprit. Hundreds of homicides happen to youths between the ages of 10-29 years of age because of acts of violence. When a young person’s anger manifests itself into adulthood, the wrong person may end up injuring that person or killing them.
‘Greatest Love of All,’ lyrics sung by Whitney Houston said, “ I believe the children are our future.
Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier.”
Yes, youths are the future, but we won’t be the future unless we change not just the things around us but the emotions of hatred and anger that we feel towards people, places, or things.
Ajovi Artis is a writer and believes that if given second opportunities, our youth can succeed. The U.S. Census designates Generation Z as “the youngest generation with adult members (born 1997 to 2013). If you have any questions, contact Ajovi at info@tncpnews.com.
