What Is A Peacemaker?
By: The Creative Writing Class, Lincoln Center of the Arts
A peacemaker is somebody who resolves conflict. Troublemakers create conflict, and they do this in three ways: by bringing disorder; by ‘talking stuff;’ and by finding ‘drama.’ This essay will describe and define these three types of conflict, and will conclude with ways to resolve these conflicts.
People who bring disorder are troublemakers because they are being disruptive. They also talk back. Troublemakers like being disrespectful to adults. They are disturbing the order of normal functions.
‘Talking stuff’ makes a lot of trouble. It means to gossip and make fun of a person or of people. ‘Talking stuff’ might feel good, but if you can’t back none of it up, you shouldn’t ‘talk stuff;’ it comes back to you. When you ‘talk stuff,’ make sure you know what you are saying because if you don’t, you can get seriously hurt. For instance, if you try to run up the leader of a gang, then the whole crew will jump on you if you try to mess with their leader!
People who find ‘drama’ are people who love seeing ‘drama’ and love being in ‘drama.’ ‘Drama’ is a very bad thing, but ‘drama’ shows action, and can become worse. People who also find ‘drama’ sometimes lose, but also, they sometimes win. ‘Drama,’ to them, is like entertainment, but it shouldn’t be, because somebody can get seriously wrecked.
People who cause or bring disorder, who ‘talk stuff,’ or who find ‘drama’ are called troublemakers. Making trouble is not good. If you are being respectful, and listening instead of ‘talking stuff,’ and solving ‘drama’ instead of bringing it, you are a peacemaker, and not a troublemaker.
February 15, 2006
Now and Then
LATOYA S.
Five years ago, I was only nineteen years old. Five years ago, I was a wild ass child. I didn’t care what nobody said to me about nothing, ‘cause I was doing me, and I was baby-free. I didn’t have a house then, but I have my own house now.
Well, first I just wanna let you know I’m no longer baby-free. I now have a 2–1/2 year son that gives me hell like I used to give to my mother, but I’m stay strong; I’m a lot stronger than I used to be. I used to love being free from kids, but now that I have my own to take care of. Now, I hold him and I cherish every moment I have with him, because I know he’s gonna be a handful like I was to my moma about 5 or 10 years ago.
Another thing that’s changed about me is the thing that I liked to do by myself, I couldn’t because everybody else always had to be there to do it wit me, and plus I wasn’t staying in my own house then. I was staying with one of my relatives. They was always there so I couldn’t have anything to myself in that house. Every room I went to, somebody was in a room. That used to piss me off a lot, because I was always the one spending my money. That was then.
Now that I stay in my own house, the thing that I liked to do so much I can do it by myself. Now, I have nobody to bother me about what I’m doing, or just walking in my room. Well, I have to worry about my son walking in, because it’s his house too. But anyways, I so what I like to do most under my roof, under my rules and nobody can change that because I’m gone always do me.
Most of all, I changed a lot since I was 19 years old. I’ve matured more. I became a mother, and a good mother I am. I’ve learned how to appreciate people more, and I have my own house so I don’t have to listen to anybody’s rules or comments on what I do, because I’m in my own place of peace – my house. A lot of people say I never changed, but I know I’ve changed a whole lot, and I’m gone continue to change as the years pass.
January 30, 2006
One Screwed-Up Government
BRUCE H.
The government is totally screwed up. They only represent for people of high class. What have they done for people of low class lately? They should take care of people regardless of income and ethnicity. They shouldn’t worry about other countries and their business.
The government has done things wrong in the past and are still making the same bad decisions. They start wars and get involved in wars in other countries. From this, many soldiers are in Iraq right now including my father, and many are dying. A lot of Americans are against the war, but it seems that doesn’t matter. If you are not of high class, your decision doesn’t count.
If the government wants to change, they should do a few things. The first thing they should do is stop the war in Iraq. The second thing, if they won’t stop the war, is they should reduce the amount of soldiers that are being used. The third thing is they should make peace with rival countries. Why can’t we be like Australia? They have peace with everybody.
How can the government do the right thing? They could elect a better president next time. They can start reducing the troops in Iraq. If they really want to look good, they should take all the troops out. Just stop the war now for the best results. They should make better decisions in the future about going to war.
Those are the reasons the government is so screwed up. If we want a better government and country, we should start making changes. It’s up to us to try and make it happen. Let’s start fresh when we get our new president. In, conclusion, that’s how I feel our government is.
November 8, 2005
T.V. and Kids
ORLANDO S.
Nowadays, kids stay tuned to the T.V. all day. They rely on T.V. for information of their favorite actors, rappers, and cars. T.V. gives kids this fantasy life that they all want to fulfill.
To kids, rappers are the most important influence. They rely on their style, music, and their way of life. For instance, P. Diddy is a popular artist that is always on T.V. He has a lot of his own shows. Most of his shows are about getting in the entertainment business. Kids learn about style when P. Diddy gives the contestants pointers. P. Diddy also has a nice collection of cars.
Cars are a big thing to kids, too. They like the different color patterns, rims, and gadgets. Cars show the kids something about the person who owns it. It gives them something to talk about. It also gives them something to hope and wish for, and try to achieve.
Actors have a big impact on kids’ lives, too. Kids see things that the actors get to do when being an actor, and admire how people approach them and ask them for autographs wherever they go. Kids would like to have that kind of attention from people.
I think that most of the influences that kids get from T.V. are good. From the rappers, they get pointers on style; from the cars that are displayed on T.V., they get hopes and wishes. The actors give them a lavish lifestyle to follow along with. Despite all the good things that kids get from T.V., there are some bad things they could get out of it, too, but the good outweighs the bad.