PEACE in the House

Peace in the House is a program intended to prevent violence while promoting peace among youth. This program gives youth a chance to discuss their thoughts and perceptions about violence and peace. It also exposes them to a variety of art forms, inspiring a greater understanding of the role and value of the creative arts in preventing youth from engaging in health- and life-compromising behaviors. Youth get an opportunity, through both hands-on activities and open discussion, to:

·       Increase their awareness of the causes and effects of violence and peace;

·       Identify the factors that lead to violence as well as those promoting peace;

·       Realize that violent and peaceful behavior are choices, with short- and long-term consequences;

·       Think about peaceful solutions as alternatives to violence in conflict situations,

·       Identify positive ways to express and deal with anger;

·       Realize that peaceful solutions are desirable, and that violence is preventable; and

·       Increase their awareness that being involved in the arts is one constructive way of avoiding the potentially negative impact of violence.

The program centers around the play, “Ritual Murder,” which is a provocative look at violence among African American youth. It begins in a New Orleans nightclub when two young men enter who have been getting high and drinking. Suddenly, one of the young men, Joe Brown Jr., pulls out a gun and shoots his best friend, James Roberts[LY1] . 

Now, an evening that began with singing, dancing and drinking continues under a cloud of frustration, rage and murder.

A narrator takes you through the rest of the evening, searching for a reason for the apparently "senseless" killing. He interviews Joe Brown's mother, father, wife, boss, a former teacher, the city's director of poverty programs, a psychiatrist, the police chief, Joe Brown himself, and the murder victim, James Roberts, who returns from the dead to recreate the day leading to the late-night killing.

Although no one really knows why Joe Brown killed James Roberts, many reasons are given. Obviously, Joe Brown is bitter and angry. He lashes out at society, at his wife and children, at anything he can find. Finally, his frustration builds to aggression. He ends up lashing out at his best friend.

Discussion topics related to violence and promoting peace take place before and after the performance. The discussions are led by health facilitators, while artists observe. Importantly, the youth taking part then work with artists to develop their own expressions about violence and peace, while health facilitators observe the artistic process and assist participants.