2008 Woodie Awards
Tree planting promotes peace
Christina Johnson
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Buena Vista University (BVU) students will be planting a cinnamon tree on Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m. to represent national peace day. Sophmores Mychy Mathis and Janet Pedroza, and junior Jaren Greene are the students in charge of the planting of the cinnamon tree.
Mathis was the one who came up with the idea and was later joined by Pedroza and Greene.
All three of these students went to Students of Diverse Populations, Faculty Senate and other organizations to spread the word about their ideas. The campus community was able to donate $200 to the cause.
"My goal and focus on this day is to bring our campus together once more and unite for a cause that goes beyond racial boundaries. We are not only doing it to be heard but to create a change in our society," Pedroza said.
Greene explains that the reason for planting a tree was inspired by the Jena Six case. According to CNN.com, Jena Six concerns six black male teens who beat up a white classmate and are getting charged with attempted murder.
This event took place last December in central Louisiana. After the incident, nooses were hung in a tree to represent the oppression of African Americans; the tree was eventually cut down.
This act motivated the Jena Six effort on BVU's campus.
"The tree is also a symbol for peace and equality and justice, but mainly for the international day of peace to commemorate how BVU has grown in diversity," Greene said.
There are other issues surrounding peace day that do not deal just with discrimination.
There is war and fighting everywhere. Hate is another issue, and national peace day is about not fighting and showing love and kindness to fellow human beings. This day is about peace overall.
"I think that the event will bring more awareness of issues that affect our nation still today and unite the campus even more in our pursuit of a better future for all. Every time people in general see the tree my hope is that they remember why it is important to fight for peace, equality and justice," Pedroza said.
"You never know; it could be you that is discriminated against someday," Greene said.
Mathis was the one who came up with the idea and was later joined by Pedroza and Greene.
All three of these students went to Students of Diverse Populations, Faculty Senate and other organizations to spread the word about their ideas. The campus community was able to donate $200 to the cause.
"My goal and focus on this day is to bring our campus together once more and unite for a cause that goes beyond racial boundaries. We are not only doing it to be heard but to create a change in our society," Pedroza said.
Greene explains that the reason for planting a tree was inspired by the Jena Six case. According to CNN.com, Jena Six concerns six black male teens who beat up a white classmate and are getting charged with attempted murder.
This event took place last December in central Louisiana. After the incident, nooses were hung in a tree to represent the oppression of African Americans; the tree was eventually cut down.
This act motivated the Jena Six effort on BVU's campus.
"The tree is also a symbol for peace and equality and justice, but mainly for the international day of peace to commemorate how BVU has grown in diversity," Greene said.
There are other issues surrounding peace day that do not deal just with discrimination.
There is war and fighting everywhere. Hate is another issue, and national peace day is about not fighting and showing love and kindness to fellow human beings. This day is about peace overall.
"I think that the event will bring more awareness of issues that affect our nation still today and unite the campus even more in our pursuit of a better future for all. Every time people in general see the tree my hope is that they remember why it is important to fight for peace, equality and justice," Pedroza said.
"You never know; it could be you that is discriminated against someday," Greene said.
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