Opinion: War in our World

By Malia Courts 

In this world of ours, we have conflicts. Whether it’s arguing with your sibling for the last snack or dealing with someone who doesn’t listen to reason. Unfortunately, in this world, we also have arguments between governments. When tensions become too high for comfort, war may be reported as their option. War sometimes will happen without any arguing or disagreements having occurred between governments. Soldiers are sent out to do missions that their leaders make them do to win, and thousands to millions of lives are affected and killed.

Most wars can be caused by many things. The reasons can be for territory, rivalries, or conflicts. Many other things start or put wars in place, but it can be agreed that the effects of war on people are very strong. Many of these conflicts that are present now could have possibly been avoided. I believe that war can be solved in another way. I feel like we could just talk without asking questions or saying things to insult each other just because we could. The key, as I see it, is pure communication and kindness.

This may sound cliche, like some kid’s tale, but it could not be closer to the truth. So many times, in our lives, we meet amazing people who have lives, families, and friends. They have hobbies, and so do we. It’s unfair to call other enemies just because we had problems with them in the past. We need to learn to forgive those who hurt us and try to talk with them. In territorial wars, it would be easier to make a treaty rather than risk lives. If no one wants to give land, we need to learn to respect that.

With kindness, we make friends and relations with others; With communication, we find understanding and common interests. We even find uncommon interests! Kindness and communication together make a great team to reach out to people and show your respect and care for them. With cruelness and disrespect, we find ourselves in worlds of pain, and struggle. It’s easy to say kindness with communication is better.

Many may say — and believe —that kindness and communication won’t work against others who agree to act in violence, but I don’t think that is true. Many people hurt people because they are hurt people themselves. This means many people who are hurt may hurt others in response to cope or to feel power again. Some people are taught to be cruel and will act that way since it’s what they have been taught. If we show acceptance and caring, someone will listen. A single voice can hold a million words to say.

And with a single voice, many things can be heard. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist and had many wonderful speeches. One of his most popular was the “I have a dream speech.” He talked about the prejudice and racism the country of the United States had during that time. Many people came to hear his speech and felt the power of his words. We need to put power in ours to show respect, not hate.

Appreciate the people who surround you and encounter you every single day; appreciate them no matter their race, gender, or religion. We all need peace and love more when there is war around us. We also need to learn to come together and treat others with kindness no matter our problems. I wish this world could get better, but it will take all of us. With that said, have a good day.

Malia Courts is a student at Capital High School in Charleston, West Virginia