Prostitution, gang violence, murder, bullying, knives, and guns are just a few of the many harsh realities young people face in Oakland, California and urban communities around the Unites States.  Though this is the reality for many, there is a generation of youth who have refused to contribute to the violence plaguing Urban America.   These young people have experienced violence both personally and communally, however, they have chosen to stand for nonviolent alternatives.  

This summer, I've had the pleasure of working as a Beatitudes Society Summer Fellow with Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service and Hip Hop Caucus to launch the Nonviolent Options Project.  We support the emergence of a nationwide movement to stand for a nonviolent lifestyle and social change. This team has partnered with community organizations working with youth in Oakland creating powerful, creative, and respectful ways for youth to share, hear, gather, and communicate stories of 1) their experience of violence and 2) their experience of nonviolent alternatives.

I have sat down with over 15 youth who have shared their powerful testimonies. I sit hearing their voices of hurt.  A young man's mother was stabbed 27 times, a young woman walking down the street was randomly attacked and stabbed, another young man's friend was shot 17 times, multiple young women's fathers were murdered and/or sent to prison.  I hear the hurting voices, my chest tightens, my heart pounds, and the tears fall alongside the tears of the young person that I am blessed to interview.

I also sit hearing their voices of perseverance and hope.  Dance, poetry, God, mother, siblings, rap, singing, the Ella Baker Center, and Youth Uprising are some of the many seeds that have given these youth outlets of expression, release, and purpose that has helped them nurture a nonviolent lifestyle.  These testimonies have inspired me in a mighty way. 

The Nonviolent Options Project is powerful. Every young person has a story and their voice deserve to be heard! Young people need to know that they are not alone in their stance for a peaceable future even in the midst of a sometimes extremely violent world.

The youth featured in the Nonviolent Options Project share their reality and hardships with us, while also discussing how they have learned to work through struggle. Watch as these youth offer words of hope, passion, healing, and peace.  Below you can listen to Jerricka's story.  It is the first video in our series, so stay tuned for more. These testimonies will be shared at paceebene.org, hiphopcaucus.org, and other social media sites.

Jerricka Page was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois but raised in East Oakland, California.  She is a 2010 graduate of Skyline High School and a 2009-2010 fellow at the Ella Baker Center: Heal the Streets Program in Oakland, CA.  During her time at Heal the Streets she led focus groups exploring why young men often turn to selling drugs and why young women often turn to prostitution. She enjoys meeting new people, writing poetry, hanging out with family and friends, talking, and cosmetology. Jerricka resides in Hayward, CA. Now, at the age of 18, she is training at Carrington College to become a Certified Medical Assistant.

For more information on the Nonviolent Options Project please visit our website and/or call Pace e Bene, Oakland, CA office at 510-268-8765.

By Kit Evans for Pace e Bene Community and 2010 Beatitudes Summer Fellowship Program