Youth On Bloor

Youth on Bloor Project Overview: “Youth on Bloor” is the joint youth and young adult ministry of three neighboring United Church of Canada congregations in the Bloor-Spadina nexus. more... OVERCOMING VIOLENCE A Reflection by a Participant in the Germany Youth Exchange by Daniel Yoon In this feverish time of war rhetoric, anxiety and fear, I see a glimmer of hope in my surroundings. Not just hope that the powers-that-be might listen to the millions of people around the world marching for peace. Nor just that the World Council of Churches has embarked on a valiant campaign Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace for 2001-2010. I survey the church premises for indications that there are ways to overcome violence at home, in the community or anywhere on Earth, when I realize that the action is all around me: The United Church's Healing Fund, for the violence of uprooting aboriginal children from their families and their culture in many Native communities; organized peace walks, in demonstration against military violence on civilians; the White Ribbon Campaign, for raising awareness of violence towards women after 11 were murdered in Montreal in December 1989; the Out of the Cold Program, for providing a band-aid solution to systemic violence on those who cannot afford housing in Toronto and are forced to live homeless. Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God, declares the banner on the façade. There are outstanding examples of peacemakers in our community, and others will emerge in time. But I contemplate those peace-breakers who chose violence to secure their goals: who chose to steal over 30 firearms last year from a sporting goods store in North York; who chose to attack a Hindu temple in Hamilton by arson after September 11, 2001; who chose to brutally slay Matthew Shepard on October 6, 1998 because of his sexual orientation. Repercussions extend far beyond violent acts themselves. Not only affecting personal lives, they disrupt the social fabric of peace, partnership within diversity and mutual respect. Some would insist that violent actions are justified, based on a self-centric "me-first" worldview or belief that a perceived wrong must not go unpunished. But where players fight for primacy and rightness through violence, losses by victims suddenly become irrelevant. Losses cannot be irrelevant, especially when society stands to be the biggest loser. Violence polarizes the community by creating barriers of suspicion and mistrust between people. Motivating some to mobilize to address sources and causes, others begin to feel anxious, demoralized and lose hope.

Overcoming Violence continued...   Indifference to violence may be one of our biggest blunders as a society, to paraphrase George Bernard Shaw. Not just corrective but preventative action against violence might absolve us of this sin, as we strive to learn-and help others to learn-about the people in our midst. Their stories help us discern our community role as peacemakers, and motivate us to pursue ways to overcome violence.The next generation's capacity to be peacemakers also cannot be overlooked nor compromised. Just as we depend on the health and predictability of our environment, it will require thought and action to protect our natural resources, like the Oak Ridges Moraine, wildlife habitats and air, from development and pollution, to preserve their foundation of peaceful and productive living in the near future. The exchange of young people between our church with the Gelsenkirchen-Buer parish in Germany calls us all to become more aware and responsive of ways people overcome violence. I realize that faith is required to fully recognize this burden of love of combating violence, and that God calls us to create hope for others. They say it only takes a spark to get a fire going: I'm getting ready to light mine! Danke!