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Creating schools of peace and nonviolence in a time of war and violence.

Cavanagh, Tom
June 4, 2015

Source: (2009) Journal of School Violence. 8: 64-80.

In this post 9/11 era Western cultures are focusing on values that
support war and violence. In this article an ethnographer explores
the impact of these values on schools. These values, seen through
the lens of restorative justice, include: (a) punishment, (b) adversarial
relationships, (c) monopolization of power, (d) problemization
and professionalization, (e) prevalence of economic interests,
(f) racism and privilege, and (g) imposition of the dominant culture.
Based on his research, the author outlines how schools can
create an alternative culture of peace and nonviolence grounded
in the restorative justice based idea of peacemaking and focusing
on: (a) building trust, (b) healing harms to relationships,
(c) restoring dignity of persons affected, (d) respecting biculturalism/
multiculturalism, (e) being aware of power differences, and
(f) creating safety. (Authors abstract).

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