Erica Bryant’s column in the Democrat and Chronicle Chronicle exposes the devastating effects of post traumatic stress disorder on urban inner city children who witness or are primary or secondary victims of, violence.

While this is undoubtedly an extremely relevant and serious problem, it is not exclusive to children of the impoverished inner-city.

Until we realize and understand that children everywhere are subject to the PTSD of violent encounters we only continue to place band-aids on wounds requiring amputation.

Violence does not encapsulate itself within races, colors, creeds, or cultures. Violence respects no one.

It is the desensitization to relationship building that creates in our children and society a disconnection to our humanity, making the choice to commit an act of violence against another human being acceptable.

The system of education provides the most relevant solution to this problem as these children generally attend school every day to escape the violence of their home life.

The video below “What Role Do Relationships Play In Learning” explains why it is so vitally important to change the focus of education so that it concentrates on building positive experiences and relationships with our children.

What Role Do Relationships Play In Learning?

Violence is not a problem in our schools it is an indictment of our society. Our current system of education has cultivated an attitude of self-hatred and apathy in our children that is manifesting itself, within our community, as an unprecedented number of violent crimes committed by our children.

All adults in the educational environment must role model positive attitudes, positive behaviors, and positive problem solving skills. School may be the only model of positive behavior and attitude some children have.

A child centered education that concentrates on discovering, developing, and directing the gifts and talents of ALL children will not erase the violence too many children experience in their day to day lives.

Changing the system of education so that it focuses on the child will offer every child the opportunity to rise above the negative situations in their lives and become a successful positive adult.

Join the Movement to Save Our Children!