Pebbles of Peace Reunion

April 2008

More than fifty people gathered on Saturday April 26, 2008 to celebrate the leadership and learning of young people involved with “Pebbles of Peace outweighing Boulders of Violence.”

Last November, youth from fifteen churches, schools and organizations gathered together to learn about different neighborhoods, and what makes it difficult for segregated cultures to mix and mingle easily. In the morning, they sat in mixed groups, meeting youth from neighborhoods they probably have never visited.

During lunch, the youth met with local community leaders and shared ideas for how to build community in our segregated area.  The adults learned as much from the youth as the youth learned from the adults.

In the afternoon, everyone returned to the groups they came with. Each school, church and organization planned a project or activity they would work on during the school year to address the issues they became most interested in.

At House of Peace, representatives from many of the student groups returned to showcase their projects, talk about what they learned, and to celebrate their role as peacemakers and leaders.

Part of the day’s festivities were lots of door prizes and several activity tables, designed to appeal to family members of all ages.  There was a political letter-writing table, complete with addresses of the US president, Wisconsin governor, mayor of Milwaukee, US senators, state senators, and other community leaders.

Participants folded peace cranes at the origami table. They learned about Sadako, a little Japanese girl who was two years old when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, August 6, 1945. She developed leukemia, the “atom bomb disease” when she was 11. She started folding cranes because of the Japanese legend that if you fold 1000 cranes, your wish would come true. She never did get well, and her friends and family continued folding cranes. Today, folding peace cranes is a gesture toward peace; people from all over the world send them to Hiroshima. There is a stature of Sadako at Hiroshima Peace Park with this quote, “This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace in the world.”

Another table had Prayer Rocks. The Lakota recognized that the rock – inyan – is the oldest thing on earth and therefore sacred. Rocks were used as a prayer tool, a way to get in touch with the Great Spirit. Sitting among the ancient rocks made them feel closer to God. Participants wrote Scriptures or words of prayer on the rocks.

As everyone arrived, they set up their display boards and power point presentations on tables all around the room, and ate some snacks. Community leaders also arrived to view the displays, talk to the students and listen to their presentations.

We had representatives from the following groups present at the event:

Early View Academy, “Diversity Fair” (week-long, school-wide event culminating with a youth rally that expresses respect, acceptance and unity)

Marquette University High School, St. Joan Antida and Divine Savior Holy Angels, “Bridging the Gap” (Structured conversations among the single gender Catholic schools: Marquette, St. Joan Antida and Divine Savior Holy Angels).

Messmer High School, “Celebrating Diversity” (pep rally/ fun fact competition about diversity), “Community Culture Day” (public event to educate participants about different cultures), “Promote Equality” (An assembly emphasizing the equality among different cultures, especially African Americans, Latinos, and Caucasians.)

Safe and Sound, “Operation Diversity” (monthly multicultural awareness events)

House of Peace, “Hope is Something You Do” (workshop they present twice a year to middle school youth)

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, “Outlook on Diversity” (Sharing information about cultural diversity to their congregation)

Alliance High School, “Photo Exhibit with a conscience” (An Artistic display of some shocking and haunting secrets that students are too often forced to keep, leading to isolation and a type of segregation not often revealed.)

After giving presentations, the youth answered questions and heard comments from parents, community leaders and other young people.

Richard Badger, from the mayor’s office, promised to keep coming to Pebbles events. Police Officer Derrick Lemmie mentioned how wonderful it is to meet young people as peacemakers in a positive setting, making a difference.

Theresa Kopac, from Radio Milwaukee 88 Nine, and Dr. Dan DiDomizio, from Cardinal Stritch University, were also on had to affirm the teenagers for their work.

Our next Pebbles youth forum is scheduled for November 18, 2008, at Cardinal Stritch University. The theme will be, “Youth and the Media: Presenting a more Positive Milwaukee.”