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Achieving Peace Through Today's Youth
by Catherine Chou

Imagine, if you will, that you are the title character in the book "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes," a young Japanese girl suffering from the devastating "atom bomb sickness." Sadako was a vivacious eleven-year-old with dreams of becoming a track star. Sadly, that ended when doctors diagnosed her with leukemia, An atom bomb had been dropped over her hometown of Hiroshima during W.W. II, poisoning her with its radiation.

Sadako's friend Chizuko tried to cheer her up by saying, "If a sick person folds 1000 paper cranes, the gods will grant her wish and make her well again." Each day, Sadako folded as many cranes as she could and hung them from the ceiling. They formed a colorful rainbow over her bed, watching over her while she slept at night. Nevertheless, as her condition worsened, Sadako bravely faced the truth: she was dying. She could hardly walk or even chew food because her gums were too swollen. Sadako spent her days in a wheelchair in the hospital, her body bloated from painful chemotherapy treatments. She tried to wish the hurt and her family's sorrow away by folding more cranes. Eventually, Sadako made 644 cranes. She died on October 25, 1955 with an unfinished crane clutched in her hands.

Sadako's death haunts me because the very thing that killed her -- nuclear weaponry -- is still being manufactured in at least eight countries throughout the world. Her story convinced me that today's youth must take swift action against the dangerous nuclear proliferation. America has spent nearly $6 trillion on nuclear arms since the 1940s, money that should have gone towards medical research or ending hunger, not building weapons of destruction. The effect of nuclear weapons lingers long after the initial blast. Babies born to women affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident lack arms and legs. They suffer from blindness and retardation and will never know a normal life.

Out of all this despair comes a ray of hope. Abolition 2000, a global network aiming to eliminate nuclear weapons, hopes for an international treaty halting proliferation by the new millennium. Already, more than 110 states of the Non-Aligned Movement have called for the elimination of nuclear weaponry by the next century. Several countries have given up their nuclear arms in hopes of promoting worldwide peace. Activist groups affiliated with Abolition 2000 are working to make a nuclear-free world. Their success or failure hinges on the involvement of today's youth.

First, young people can aid Abolition 2000's cause by forming "peace clubs" on school campuses. Cynicism is so pervasive in our world today that we believe a few voices can never make a difference. I say to you that a few voices can make all the difference. A few people start the ball rolling. A few people's tongues can spread the word to millions. And a few hearts can relieve the suffering of many. A peace club's primary goals would be to educate the public about the dangers of nuclear weaponry and to support programs aimed at passing legislation against proliferation. An effective way to bring the message home is by visiting every classroom with a speech about the dangers of nuclear energy. Such a speech should include the history of nuclear devastation, its effects on people and the environment, a survivor's tale, and action items -- drives and campaigns already underway and in need of support. If a few people can make all the difference, think of the good an entire school can do.

Second, young people can draft press releases and organize protests to capture the media's attention. A hard-hitting demonstration costs next to nothing. All you need are picket signs and a pair of strong lungs. Every Peace Day community youth can organize a demonstration in front of City Hall calling for nuclear disarmament. Spread the news by posting fliers, telling friends and family, and alerting news outlets. Send a press release stating what the event is about, where and when it will be held, why they should support it, and who to contact for more information, The media is the most influential institution in society. It controls what we are exposed to and the way we perceive events happening around the world. Why shouldn't youth use it to their advantage?

Third, today's youth can employ grassroots movements to pressure lawmakers into passing legislation against proliferation. Just as potent as media recognition are petitions and a barrage of letters. Consider this: If representatives receive 25 letters from their constituencies on one topic, they maybe moved to introduce legislation on the subject. 25 letters! Youth have huge political resources available to them that they are not even aware of Petitions can force action if lawmakers fail to do so. The Feminist Majority, a group working against gender apartheid in Afghanistan, started a petition targeting Unocal 76 because of its proposition to build a pipeline through the country before women's rights were restored. Time Magazine recently reported that the company was halting its project due to the voluminous number of complaints it had received. Even something so simple as a signature has proven its powerful impact.

Eventually, 2.4 million people will have died from cancer caused by nuclear testing. 9 2.4 million people will have suffered ordeals like Sadako’s, and still our government sits on its hands and refuses to abolish nuclear weaponry. America will spend some $30 billion on nuclear arms in 1999 while I in 7 people lives below the poverty line. This shameful statistic should make us question where we place our priorities.

When the Baby Boomers are gone, who will be left to care for the world but Generation X? Youth must aid Abolition 2000 by forming organizations.