Global Eyes on Local Violence

School Violence: A World in Disbelief

I would like to share part of an email I received from a friend in Kenya, a member of the “primitive” Maasai tribe there. Many here on Long Island know John ole Parsitau as a member of Chief Joseph’s annual Masaai Cultural Tour which presents an overview of their ancient customs and traditions through programs in schools, colleges, libraries and museums in Nassau and Suffolk County each October.

John writes:

We are very sorry for the shooting that happened in a high school in California [sic]. Taking away an innocent life is very prohibited in our culture and especially from a child, woman or the elderly in the society.

They are always considered to be sacred and always treated very special in the society. Our culture embrace for the right use of weapons, which is always in self defense. -John

The disbelieving and compassionate eyes of the world are upon us.

Virginia Armstrong

Cultural Liason

www.leavingfootprints.org