Peace. When we boomers were growing up, the broadcaster Dave Garroway signed off his newscasts with that one simple word. We seemed to take it seriously for awhile. We even stopped the Vietnam War. But look at us now; back where we started. Stupid people lobbing smart bombs on innocents. Where have all the flower children gone?

Of course, these global hostilities are our parent's fault. They shouldn't have spanked us. Spanking taught us that violence is the ultimate way to resolve conflicts. When sending us to our rooms without supper (sanctions) didn't control our individualism, they got out the belt (bombs). We learned that violence begins at home.

We're not just talking sticks and stones. Words do hurt. Verbal abuse is the root of physical violence. One student, bullied and teased because of his perceived sexual orientation, took his rifle to school to get even. He killed three and wounded five.

This unfortunately is not an isolated case. Victims who feel alienated and misunderstood now have weapons of mass destruction to make themselves seen and heard. Bullies on the international front honed their skills in the schoolyard. Their victims, now assailants, are coming to a water supply near you. So what do we do? How large should our stockpile of bottled water be? How thick a bulletproof vest should our children wear to school? How can we promote tolerance of diversity? How do we break down stereotypes? How can we help our students ask the right questions so they can learn that differences are enriching, not threatening? How do we help them find a common ground?

There is a voice of reason. Every year at TESOL, she brings her calm manner and reassuring attempts to promote Peace Education. Darlene Larson, past president of TESOL and professor at NYU, continues her mission to encourage teachers, publishers, materials writers, and school administrators to incorporate tolerance into their lesson plans. With her colleagues Christopher Renner and Anita Wenden, Dr. Larson will host a seminar on TESOL and Social Responsibility: Language and Peace Education at the TESOL convention in March, 1999.

For those unable to attend and for all of us who need more help in promoting tolerance, the following web sites will provide you with support in developing activities. Some of the sites provide basic information about religious, ethnic, and racial groups. Other sites provide curricular materials to promote understanding and tolerance.

For general information:

http://infoplease.com/ipa/A0107644.html
InfoPlease lists most of the countries of the world with details on their geography, government, history, and demographic information.

http://langue.hyper.chubu.ac.jp/jalt/nsig/globalissues/gilinks.html
JALT, The Japanese Language Teachers' Association has a list of global issues and related links.

http://www.ummah.net/taliban/jihad/i-jihad.htm
This site introduces us to the Taliban in their own words. There is a chilling interview with a young child waging jihad, a holy war.

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/Archives/Archive.htm
Rethinking Our Schools has an archive of articles on dealing with a variety of diversity issues.

http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/Handbook/appendix9.html
This section of the P.E.R.S.O.N Project web site discusses the exemplary Seattle and Massachusetts safe schools model.

For teaching tools:

http://www.peace-ed.org/
Provides curricula divided into elementary, middle, schools as well as family projects. The materials are for sale, but some of the samples may encourage your administrators that the investment is worth it.

http://www.glstn.org/pages/sections/library/schooltools
The website of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network has a library of tools and reference materials that will help schools and community groups develop activities to promote tolerance.

http://members.aol.com/pforpeace/WorkItOut/rules.htm
The Peace Education foundation has some good tips with some unfortunate titles: Fighting Fair, Attack the problem. The illustrated stories might appeal to some school populations.

http://www.pta.org/programs/edulibr.htm#keeping
The Parents Teachers Association/Anti-Defamation League has an on-line brochure What to Tell your Child about Prejudice and Discrimination. The site also has articles on how teachers can create a curriculum to foster sensitivity and appreciation of others.