Peace Is Not Being Divided Analysis

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We have all had a moment where we are so ineffably furious that it consumed our entire mind. Everything we did revolved around that anger. Our hands shook with hatred and we could focus on nothing but the reason we were so distraught. There are two ways to solve the problem; we could let the anger overcome us and resort to violence and retaliation. Or, we could hold our hands still and quiet our minds and seek the understanding of why this happened. Those who retaliate are never permanently rewarded. They may get what they want at first, but it never lasts long and there are always consequences. Those who seek to understand what is going on and why it is are truly rewarded. In the beginning, trying to understand a different view from theirs will seem to be the hardest thing they have ever done. In the end, those who civilly come to an agreement can live in peace. This idea is supported by Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote, "Peace cannot be achieved through violence; it can only be attained through understanding." There are three main reasons why this is true: misunderstanding is the cause of unrest, understanding leads to peace through empathy, and force is simply a way to create understanding. In every circumstance, misunderstanding is the cause of any unrest or disagreement. …show more content…
It is defined as "a failure to understand something correctly, a disagreement or quarrel." People are always misunderstanding each other, both intentions and words. Simply being confused is a misunderstanding, although that may not always lead to violence. If we strive to understand everyone's position on things, it is very easy to respond in a civil and peaceful way. Some may argue that failing to understand is not a direct cause of unrest. If someone were to say something to you and you thought it was offensive, you would become defensive and possibly retaliate, which shows that it is a direct cause. Also in the definition of misunderstanding, it literally says, "a disagreement or quarrel." Misunderstanding is disagreement, unrest, and violence. Understanding leads to relating with one another, which leads to empathy, which leads to peace. If we can fully understand our opposition's arguments, then we can relate to what they are saying. We can feel empathy for their problems and the things that are leading them to disagree with us or resort to violence. This empathy leads to us trying to aid them in solving their problems and gives us the desire to help. Rather than creating and escalating problems, if we understand one another, we can find ways to fix them and create peace. It is a common opinion that people are not naturally empathetic. However, we can be empathetic if we truly want to be. If we are eager to solve the current issues, then empathy will come naturally. Finally, force is simply a way to create understanding. If two countries disagree with each other, they go to war in order to make the other side understand them and agree with them. They fight continuously until one side concedes and says 'we agree with you and your opinions' or until one side is completely destroyed and they can no longer fight. This doesn't create peace, it only deteriorates it. No countries go to war simply for the violence. A need for understanding between them is the groundwork of every war. People may argue that understanding and peace cannot be reached

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