Life-Changing Summer

by Azeb Tuji (2013 Peace Activist Trainee, junior at Foster High School in Tukwila)
This summer was really life changing. It was nice to sit down and discuss big issues in the world, and feel so powerful as youth. Throughout my life, I kept hearing I couldn’t do much because of my gender and age, but at the rallies we attended and the one we took weeks to plan, people were eager to help the youth and had a lot of faith in their ability to make change instead.

On the first day we met with Kazu Haga and we did a workshop on the “Kingian Philosophy of Nonviolence.” We learned the difference types of conflicts, the levels, and how to resolve it at each stage. I couldn’t have imagined a better way to start off the month. When you’re in a situation, it is hard to look at the big picture and think rationally on how to solve it. Trying to understand the other person and maybe everything that happened to them that led to this situation. We learned about the difference between non-violence and nonviolence. That it doesn’t mean we are passive, it means we are against some injustice and will do whatever it takes to stop and/or prevent it.

The death of Trayvon Martin and the new King County Juvenile Detention Center that is being built really sparked our desire to make our final project about police brutality and the school to prison pipeline. We thought that it was something that was relevant to what was happening at the moment and that the youth would be able to connect with.

I got to do so many “adult” things thanks to this program, learned so many skills, and have a different approach on life. I learned that me, the youth, are the future and if we want to see big change, and wipe away the injustice then we need to start with ourselves, our friends, schools, communities, our peers. I hope I can pay it forward and take everything I’ve learned, felt, and the people I’ve met with me and hopefully inspire change in others.

Learn more about the Amazing 2013 Peace Activist Trainees.