Name: Jameka Merriweather

School: Prairie View A & M University

“Ending the Violence!” Essay

            I watched as one mob of angry young men strutted over to another mob of angry men.  I could tell they weren’t from the same place by their differences in appearance but I didn’t know the cause for the altercation was that very reason.  As the police showed up and the mob of fighters and spectators began to disperse, I heard shouts making claims to the city of Houston on one side and D-Town, Dallas, on the other.  I thought to myself, “Is this a city versus city fight?”  When all the mayhem calmed down, it turns out that the fight was the result of two cities from the same state that just could not get along.  The worst part about the fight was not the large numbers on each side, but this incident was not the first of its kind and an ongoing problem that occurs on the campus of Prairie View A & M University.

            It is sad that senseless violence exists even among college-educated people while in the atmosphere of higher learning.  The cause of the violence is where a person was born particularly Houston, Texas versus Dallas, Texas.  These young men and surprisingly enough, women, possess so much pride in their hometowns that they are willing to fight to defend its honor.  Some go beyond fighting and are willing to shoot, steal, or kill for their hometown.  One would think that the two cities would unite as a state against outsiders but the state remains divided against it self while foreigners watch in shock and disbelief.  I cannot imagine having so much pride in my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri that I am willing to gather the “troops” and go to war with anyone who says something negative about it.  It is not that serious.

            So, when young college educated people are fighting over an issue that is so minuscule, what, if any, is the solution?  I believe the hardest part in resolving such an issue is getting the attention of the people involved.  It is easy to get people to listen but many times you end up “preaching to the choir” and the ones whose attention you want you never seem to capture.  Therefore, the solution must be one that is fun and interesting with a twist that pushes an end to violence.  Lectures are too boring and will not draw a big crowd.  Yet, a party may be too extreme and coincidently cause a fight.  The answer has to be an interesting medium that grabs the attention of the people fighting yet illustrates that fighting and violence is a pointless solution to any problem.  The two sides need to see that they can get along and exist in unity instead of hatred.  There needs to be a way that they can get cohabitate in a fun way and see they are all humans, just from different parts of the SAME state.

            The process is not one that can occur over night.  It has to be one that is slow and thoughtful with a lasting impact on the lives of these young people.  The first event of many should be a week full of peace-boosting events.  Many times on our campus organizations have a week where they sponsor various events and invite the student body to participate.  All of the major organizations on campus should unite and sponsor a “Squash the beef: Houston & Dallas-One Love, One State” week.  The week would contain different activities to get to the bottom of the issue between the two cities but in an interesting way.  The unity between the major organizations on campus from campus sponsored organizations to fraternities and sororities demonstrates that people who are different can work together.  The student body generally sees organizations as competitors and to see them unite as one is an example of ending any beef that may exist.

            The week will begin on Monday with an open forum where people from both sides address why they dislike the other.  The mediators will be people from both sides who already get along.  Many times altercations are the result of simple misunderstandings.  If both sides have a chance to voice their opinions and clear the air, then they could see that 1) the “issue” really is not an issue and 2) there are better ways to solve problems than violence.  The event will be called “Speak Your Piece as Houston and Dallas End the Beef.” There should be music from a popular DJ and food, thus it seems like a social gathering rather than a forum on ending the violence on campus.  The forum will also include a period where people who have personal issues with one particular person can sit one on one with a mediator to get to the root of the problem.  The mediator would ensure no violence erupts and that both persons are listening and acting sensibly.  Communication is the best way to resolve problems.

            The rest of the week will be full of food, fun, and games.  Tuesday will be “Table Games Tuesday” where both cities come together and play table games like Monopoly, cards, dominoes, Taboo, etc.  Again, a popular DJ and food will be provided.  Wednesday will be “Wet n’ Wild Wednesday.”  This event is a pool party with water balloons, slip and slides, and more.  Thursday is “Thoughtful Thursday” which is another open forum where participants in the week can express how successful they think the week has been and if it will impact their lives.  They could offer suggestions for the next event and ways they believe the violence can be eliminated.  “Fun Friday” will be a day of bowling and dinner at a restaurant.  This is simply for fun and to show both sides that they can do the same activity together and peacefully while still having fun.  Saturday is “Sunny Saturday” and it closely resembles a family picnic.  Regardless of where we are from, our economic backgrounds, or any other differences we possess, we are one big family.  Everyone will get together at a park and eat barbecue, listen to music, play games and sports.  The week will end with a “Soulful Sunday” dinner where both cities eat and fellowship with each other.  After a week of each other’s company, both sides could see that violence is unnecessary and they can have fun TOGETHER.

            This weeklong event would be the first of many throughout the school year.  Prairie View’s award-winning Charles Gilpin players could put on a production that shows how altercations between Houston and Dallas get started and lead to violent solutions.  My first week here, they did a performance that showcased the problems that freshmen on campus face.  It was interesting yet informative.  Our campus loves pageants so a Peacemaker Pageant with only Dallas and Houston participants would show that these two cities can work together.  The winner would receive a scholarship but also be responsible for organizing projects and events that promote peace on campus.  Also, a concert where both Houston and Dallas artists performed would be another public display of peace between the two cities.  A lot of times if “beef” exists between famous people that we consider “icons” and “role models” we tend to follow their lead without thinking for ourselves.  The more examples people see rather than hear, the more likely they are to follow.

            The hardest part of the plan is the implementation.  As a student leader on campus, I think I have the resources to make this plan a reality.  I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and as an organization we put on programs that draw large numbers quite frequently on campus. I must first bring the idea to my sorority and sell them on the idea.  Then, if we collaborate with the other sororities and fraternities, we will have touched almost every organization on campus because members of those organizations are members of other organizations.  If everyone takes the plan back to their respective organizations, together we will draw an extremely large crowd.  Each organization has their own particular crowd, but if we all work together we will be very powerful.  Each person and organization could spread the word to their followers and publicizing the event would take off.  Also, as Editor In Chief of The Panther student newspaper, I would be able to get reporters to cover the events and make sure the word is in the newspaper for everyone to read and follow.  With the help of others, this plan is feasible and a possible way to end the violence on the campus of Prairie View.

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