Mayde Creek Jr. High School

Brandon Dam

          I have always questioned about violence. Why do people fight? I never understood the reason people do these things. Violence is supposed to be wrong, yet people do such things. Ever since elementary, people have been taught that violence was never the correct way to solving anything. Violence is often associated with bullying and sinful crimes. Violence is very serious and can hurt a person physically and mentally. It’s never right to bully or hurt anyone. You can see examples of violence in the media: Television, books, magazines, video games, and music. Real-life examples exist, too. In school, at home, or places that people frequently visit. Now, I realize that violence is becoming a key part of teenagers’ lives, especially the kids of this generation. Some people can say that it can be much safer to live back then. During that time, cyber-bullying didn’t ever exist and some people felt comfortable enough that they didn’t even have to lock their doors. Nowadays, we have a lot of caution lingering in our heads when we go out.

          Violence has many reasons for existing. It can be for vengeance, money, or love. Studies show that people who have been exposed to violence in early parts of their life tend to be violent. Bad parenting like child abuse, poor communication in the family, lack of supervision, and parental neglect will make somebody violent. Violence can be a way to express your anger, or to make yourself feel more powerful. Sometimes, it is because of peer pressure or social acceptance. Any reason for violence would be still unacceptable regardless of why you did it. Is it worth going to prison for these serious actions?

          One reason how violence has affected my life is how it changed my life and my destiny. During the civil war of Vietnam, my dad’s side of family escaped to America. That decision now affects how I think of myself. Because of this, my culture, language, education, and customs have changed significantly. As an American citizen, this has given me knowledge and the perspective of both cultures. Exposure to both sides has opportunities in the future in the US. It gives me an understanding at how it directly affects my dad’s life and how my family came to America. However, because of the war I can’t imagine what my dad and his family would have felt at the time. How much did they suffer from the pain of being in the middle of the war? My dad would never forget the injuries, deaths, and casualties he had seen in the war.

          Purifying yourself from wrath or fury is essential if you want to live a happy life. To rid the world of violence, you must help other people come to a realization that they need to release themselves of rage, and not to be attached to one emotion. I have to be an understanding person if I would want to help solve violence. If someone who is feeling down, I should help them feel better, and cheer them up. Talking to people about their problems is a good way to help people who are feeling gloomy. I also try to use calm words when speaking to a person. Of course, trusted adults like the counselor will know how to deal with these sorts of problems. From what I learned from being Buddhist, it is better to relieve yourself of all anger.

Từ trái: GS Hiệu Trưởng Mayde Creek Jr. High School, GS dạy Anh ngữ, Brandon Dam, GS Phụ tá Hiệu Trưởng