Key Messages For Our Children

Violence and hate are never solutions to anger. Perpetrators of violence-against fellow students or against our country--cause tremendous harm because they act violently against innocent people out of blind hate. We must not act like them by lashing out at innocent people around us, or "hating" them because of their origins, their appearance or their choice of dress.

Groups of people should not be judged by the actions of a few. It is wrong to condemn an entire group of people based on their religion, race, homeland, or other affiliations. No one likes to be blamed or threatened for the actions of others. Further, it is essential to view each person as an individual and not make assumptions about them based on their background, abilities or disabilities, religion, or manner of speech or dress.

America is strong because of our diversity. Known as the great "melting-pot" of the world, American democracy is founded on respect for individual differences. Differences in culture, religion, ideas, and ethnicity have contributed to the strength and richness of our country.

Vengeance and justice are not necessarily the same. Justice means punishing the real perpetrators, not innocent people. Hurting other children and neighbors will not make us safer, stop terrorists, or help punish students who kill and injure classmates. It will only add to the hate and anger, increasing the risk of further violence.

History shows us that intolerance only causes harm. Some of our country's darkest moments resulted from prejudice and intolerance for our own people because Americans acted out of fear. We must not repeat terrible mistakes such as our treatment of Japanese Americans and Arab Americans during times of war.

Tolerance is a lifelong endeavor. Although it is critical these days to protect our classmates and neighbors from harassment, the issues of tolerance and inclusion will not fade away. We must embrace these values towards all Americans for all time. This includes all races, religions, ethnicities, minority groups, and those with special needs.

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