By Shristi Shreya
Peace. A concept so fundamental that we often take it for granted, until it is shattered. Like the air we breathe, we rarely acknowledge its presence until it becomes scarce. My world, once grounded in the axiomatic belief that every life matters, has been upended by the cruel reality of war.
Three months ago, my country erupted into conflict, an eruption that felt like a blow to the head. The devastation is not just in the ruins of cities but in the human lives torn apart. The pain of those who are dying and the despair of those who are left behind permeate my existence. It is a constant struggle to accept that this is not a nightmare but a brutal reality. The war has turned my world upside down, reducing the values I held dear to mere ashes.
Since childhood, I have been taught the importance of living in peace. Our ancestors paid a great price during the Second World War, and their sacrifices were meant to secure a peaceful future for us. However, the ongoing tragedy casts a shadow over these lessons. Victory Day, once a celebration of heroism and sacrifice, now feels tainted with hypocrisy. How can we honor the memory of fallen heroes while the sounds of bombs and the cries of the suffering fill the air? The festive fireworks now seem a grotesque mockery against the backdrop of ongoing violence.
Freedom of speech is another casualty of this war. In a place where people once freely expressed their opinions, any dissenting voice is now silenced with the label of "foreign agent." The very word "war" has become taboo, a forbidden term that can ignite severe repercussions. This suppression feels like a noose tightening around my neck, choking off my ability to breathe, to express, to dissent.
Why must we justify the sanctity of human life? How have we reached a point where people look for excuses to kill innocent civilians? The senselessness of genocide is undeniable, yet I find myself in the painful position of having to argue this basic truth. "People are dying!" I scream, only to be met with
cold indifference and justifications rooted in propaganda. Each dismissive response pierces my soul, leaving me questioning the sanity of the world around me.
But amidst the chaos, my faith remains. It helps me piece together my shattered world, to hold on to the belief that good will ultimately triumph over evil. I am not alone in this conviction. Together, we can strive for change. Peace, freedom of speech, and the sanctity of human life are values worth standing up for, values that must be defended.
In Ethiopia, the echoes of war have left indelible marks on the hearts of its people. The illusion of peace was shattered in November 2019, plunging the country into a civil war. Even now, as the war has ceased, the remnants of conflict linger in a state of neither peace nor war. The stark contrast between the peace we once had and the current unease makes the value of peace all the more apparent.
My grandmother's calmness during the turmoil revealed a profound truth. She reminisced about a time when people listened more and spoke less, when humanity and harmony were cherished. As desires grew unchecked, humanity began to crumble, and with it, the peace we never truly valued until it was lost. Her words resonate deeply: "This generation had it all; the knowledge, the freedom,
the resources. Yet, the unlimited want they have made them forget they are humans. They lost humanity."
Peace begins within each of us. A peaceful person fosters peace in the world. As global citizens, we must strive to create a society that values and promotes peace above all else. Imagine a world where safety and freedom are universal, where anyone can pursue their dreams without fear. This vision drives me to be a peaceful person and to advocate for a peaceful world.
Let us recognize the true value of peace. Let us nurture it within ourselves and spread it throughout the world. Only then can we hope to create a world where peace is not a fleeting dream but a lasting reality. Let us value peace. Let us be peace.
By Shristi Shreya
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