This article appeared in the Urban Journal the week of March 21, 2003.
A World of Peace?
Dona A. Vassall-Fall, Ed.D.
It is very difficult to write a column in such serious times. Without question, what is most on my mind is the US war
with Iraq. At this time, I think with great sadness of the young men and women of the US armed forces who are in
harm’s way. It is with sadness that I think, as well, of the people of Iraq who will surely suffer because of this war.
In the midst of all of this, my spirits were lifted today when I was told about a drawing done by a little girl whose
mother works inside Farmers Market. I was told that this little girl drew a picture of the world with hearts all around
it. Her picture had the following captions: All Countries Let’s Come Together -Our World of Peace. She said she
had drawn the picture and was going to take it around and show it to everyone in the Farmers Market.
This truly lifted my spirits and inspired me to write this column. She said it so well. Some might think it the simple,
naive, wishes of a child. However, that is exactly what we need. We need all countries to come together and for us
to live in a world of peace.
It is good to know that there are children who think this way since we need a world full of grown-ups with this
mindset. Perhaps there is hope for the future. Let’s hope that this little girl, and others like her, will keep that spirit
and that as they grow older they will spread the vision of a peaceful world. Perhaps they will be able to make that
vision into reality.
Her wish for a world of peace reminds me of the first line of a song I learned growing up in Jamaica. The song
starts this way: “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” That is indeed the best starting point.
Dr. Vassall-Fall is president of Learning Link, a consulting firm that promotes education, diversity and cultural understanding.
Contact her at info@learninglinkco.net. www.learninglinkco.net.
Click here to go back to News page.
A World of Peace?
Dona A. Vassall-Fall, Ed.D.
It is very difficult to write a column in such serious times. Without question, what is most on my mind is the US war
with Iraq. At this time, I think with great sadness of the young men and women of the US armed forces who are in
harm’s way. It is with sadness that I think, as well, of the people of Iraq who will surely suffer because of this war.
In the midst of all of this, my spirits were lifted today when I was told about a drawing done by a little girl whose
mother works inside Farmers Market. I was told that this little girl drew a picture of the world with hearts all around
it. Her picture had the following captions: All Countries Let’s Come Together -Our World of Peace. She said she
had drawn the picture and was going to take it around and show it to everyone in the Farmers Market.
This truly lifted my spirits and inspired me to write this column. She said it so well. Some might think it the simple,
naive, wishes of a child. However, that is exactly what we need. We need all countries to come together and for us
to live in a world of peace.
It is good to know that there are children who think this way since we need a world full of grown-ups with this
mindset. Perhaps there is hope for the future. Let’s hope that this little girl, and others like her, will keep that spirit
and that as they grow older they will spread the vision of a peaceful world. Perhaps they will be able to make that
vision into reality.
Her wish for a world of peace reminds me of the first line of a song I learned growing up in Jamaica. The song
starts this way: “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” That is indeed the best starting point.
Dr. Vassall-Fall is president of Learning Link, a consulting firm that promotes education, diversity and cultural understanding.
Contact her at info@learninglinkco.net. www.learninglinkco.net.
Click here to go back to News page.
Learning Link Article