Letter to the Editor by Debra Orben, LEPOCO member

republished from The Morning Call

I recently had the privilege of spending time with about 100 beautiful, kind and creative people in Allentown at the 27th year of Peace Camp. Some were between the ages of 5 and 14 and some were older teens or adults. Some, the children of immigrants, were proud to share how to say hello, welcome and peace in their native languages. Some came to help those younger than themselves and share their visions of peace and justice. All of them came together in friendship to learn about being peacemakers.

It is easy to scapegoat othersand blame our problems on them. It is hard to assume responsibility for our own misperceptions. It takes courage to recognize that we need to overcome our own fears, ignorance, indifference and prejudices in order to create a safe and sustainable world.

I am proud to stand with the children who know that we must work together to understand and listen to one another if we are ever to create a world free from fear and violence. Lessons we all can learn from Peace Camp are everyone is welcome and making peace can be fun.