Peace Makers 2009
Angela Alvrez and Amarisa Gonzalez,
Student Peacemakers of the year.
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Youth in Peril
Case Statement for South Bay Youth 4 Peace
2/20/2010
CURRENT CONDITIONS:
* High School youth in the South Bay area have few resources when considering whether or not to join the military. School guidance centers often have colorful brochures about every branch of the military, but no information about alternatives to military service or the dangers of joining the military.
* The military uses a $5.3 billion budget for recruiting, which comes to about $36,000 per recruit. In addition to recruiting on and off of school campuses, these resources contribute to the glorification of war and the warrior. Recruiting and pro-military advertising normalize the notion that military force and domination are valid foreign policy tools.
* Many youth see through this propaganda and would like to take action, but most do not know where or how to begin this work.
* Teachers are an important source of support and advice for students. Many are horrified by dishonest military recruiting tactics, but they often lack resources to support their students’ opposition to the militarization of their campuses.
* Many parents are similarly concerned, but they may not understand or be aware of the extent to which military culture and messages pervade their children’s learning environments.
* The military uses a $5.3 billion budget for recruiting, which comes to about $36,000 per recruit. In addition to recruiting on and off of school campuses, these resources contribute to the glorification of war and the warrior. Recruiting and pro-military advertising normalize the notion that military force and domination are valid foreign policy tools.
* Many youth see through this propaganda and would like to take action, but most do not know where or how to begin this work.
* Teachers are an important source of support and advice for students. Many are horrified by dishonest military recruiting tactics, but they often lack resources to support their students’ opposition to the militarization of their campuses.
* Many parents are similarly concerned, but they may not understand or be aware of the extent to which military culture and messages pervade their children’s learning environments.
THE NEED FOR SOUTH BAY YOUTH 4 PEACE:
Last year over 100 students from San Pedro High School were recruited by the Armed Forces. The numbers are similar at Banning, Carson, and Gardena High Schools. We do not have exact recruiting numbers from Port of Los Angeles High School, but the draw of the military there is all too familiar. A POLAH teacher involved with South Bay Youth 4 Peace recently expressed a concern about “back door” recruiting as well, in which youth are directed towards entities such as the Coast Guard, for example, but end up on a track to enter the Navy.
At the same time, student Peace Clubs have existed at San Pedro High and Carson High Schools for six years, at Torrance and Peninsula High Schools intermittently, and at POLAHS since the school opened. Peace Clubs have conducted rallies and demonstrations, and guerilla theater against war on- and off-campus, as well as holding regular meetings, hosting speakers, and cultivating an organizational relationship with adult peace activists.
As the organization designed to foster and enhance these relationships, South Bay Youth 4 Peace had been in touch with the students who are the initiators of peace work at their schools and has worked with these youth activists during their high school years. Through monthly activities, such as volunteering visits to the Arlington West installation, drum circles, participation in city-wide marches, organizational meetings, and the annual South Bay Youth 4 Peace Summer Camp, SBY4P has mentored, encouraged, and provided networking opportunities for these students. We have provided this support with the goal of empowering student peace activists.
At the same time, student Peace Clubs have existed at San Pedro High and Carson High Schools for six years, at Torrance and Peninsula High Schools intermittently, and at POLAHS since the school opened. Peace Clubs have conducted rallies and demonstrations, and guerilla theater against war on- and off-campus, as well as holding regular meetings, hosting speakers, and cultivating an organizational relationship with adult peace activists.
As the organization designed to foster and enhance these relationships, South Bay Youth 4 Peace had been in touch with the students who are the initiators of peace work at their schools and has worked with these youth activists during their high school years. Through monthly activities, such as volunteering visits to the Arlington West installation, drum circles, participation in city-wide marches, organizational meetings, and the annual South Bay Youth 4 Peace Summer Camp, SBY4P has mentored, encouraged, and provided networking opportunities for these students. We have provided this support with the goal of empowering student peace activists.
SBY4P MISSION STATEMENT—from adult supporters
* The mission of SBY4P is to support youth peace organizing and individual youth peace activists in their own efforts. SBY4P will provide a consistent base of support, political tools, and organizing methods to help youth find their own voices.
* The mission of SBY4P is to create and support youth-led organizations. As much as possible and appropriate, youth are regarded as the equals of their SBY4P mentors fully capable of creating their own organizations. We believe that each youth activist is fully capable of developing his/her own political consciousness, and acting according to his/her conscience.
* The mission of SBY4P is to support and/or carry out successful youth activities such as drum circles, high school peace clubs, volunteer trips to Arlington West, participation in city-wide marches, film screenings, the Youth Peacemaker of the Year awards, and the annual summer Peace Camp. These activities will attract a broad range of youth interested in and motivated to act on peace and justice issues, as well as prepare student activists for their efforts during the school year.
* The mission of SBY4P is to form and support organizations for recent high school graduates that provide space to discuss the issues of the day and understand the effects of a faltering capitalist system on the war, their community, their families, and their own lives.
* The mission of SBY4P is to provide an opportunity for high school activists to meet and network, as well as a chance for them to see themselves as a movement rather than isolated individuals.
* The mission of SBY4P is to publicize youth activism as a part of the larger peace movement, and to make the movement aware of the wisdom, courage, and autonomy these students embody. Adult peacemakers will treat youth peacemakers as equal partners in decision-making, particularly as these decisions affect youth.
* Our vision of SBY4P is a network of youth activists, conscious of the world around them and acting in the best interests of a peaceful and just society.
* The mission of SBY4P is to create and support youth-led organizations. As much as possible and appropriate, youth are regarded as the equals of their SBY4P mentors fully capable of creating their own organizations. We believe that each youth activist is fully capable of developing his/her own political consciousness, and acting according to his/her conscience.
* The mission of SBY4P is to support and/or carry out successful youth activities such as drum circles, high school peace clubs, volunteer trips to Arlington West, participation in city-wide marches, film screenings, the Youth Peacemaker of the Year awards, and the annual summer Peace Camp. These activities will attract a broad range of youth interested in and motivated to act on peace and justice issues, as well as prepare student activists for their efforts during the school year.
* The mission of SBY4P is to form and support organizations for recent high school graduates that provide space to discuss the issues of the day and understand the effects of a faltering capitalist system on the war, their community, their families, and their own lives.
* The mission of SBY4P is to provide an opportunity for high school activists to meet and network, as well as a chance for them to see themselves as a movement rather than isolated individuals.
* The mission of SBY4P is to publicize youth activism as a part of the larger peace movement, and to make the movement aware of the wisdom, courage, and autonomy these students embody. Adult peacemakers will treat youth peacemakers as equal partners in decision-making, particularly as these decisions affect youth.
* Our vision of SBY4P is a network of youth activists, conscious of the world around them and acting in the best interests of a peaceful and just society.
NOTES ON ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE—from an adult supporter
* SBY4P is self-funding.
* SBY4P is a youth-led organization.
* SBY4P’s primary activities will revolve around peace issues, but we encourage youth to pursue other peace and justice activities.
* SBY4P is a youth-led organization.
* SBY4P’s primary activities will revolve around peace issues, but we encourage youth to pursue other peace and justice activities.
SBY4P MISSION STATEMENT —from a youth activist
Youth will be aware of everything around them, not only through the mass media but by going out on their own to see what is happening.
*SBY4P can be a place to go after school.
SBY4P will be an organization that cooperates with students throughout the Los Angeles area.
SBY4P will reach out to youthful audiences (middle school students and high school freshmen) so that youth activists can be more effective.
One of SBY4P’s main goals is to keep youth out of the military.
*SBY4P can provide support for troubled youth.
There will be a family feeling within SBY4P.
We (SBY4P) will look out for one another’s best interests.
SBY4P will be a recreational group where we assist one another with our goals as human beings.
*SBY4P can be a place to go after school.
SBY4P will be an organization that cooperates with students throughout the Los Angeles area.
SBY4P will reach out to youthful audiences (middle school students and high school freshmen) so that youth activists can be more effective.
One of SBY4P’s main goals is to keep youth out of the military.
*SBY4P can provide support for troubled youth.
There will be a family feeling within SBY4P.
We (SBY4P) will look out for one another’s best interests.
SBY4P will be a recreational group where we assist one another with our goals as human beings.
SBY4P MISSION IDEA—from an adult supporter
SBY4P can develop and foster a core group of local youth activists for peace and justice issues. These activists will organize local events and opportunities for young people to earn service hours for high school, learn about peace and justice issues, and participate in the peace movement. Ideally this core group will work towards a Peace Camp scholarship through their organizing work, with the goal of providing a political opportunity for high school students needing service opportunities and spearheading key SBY4P activities.