This speech was given by Jordan High School Senior Veronica (Nika) Matagaono at the January 5, 2008 Kickoff Event of A Season for Nonviolence, Long Beach.

"The Breaking Point Of One’s Soul"
By Veronica Matagaono, Jordan High School Senior

The breaking point of one’s soul overpowers another’s pride, continuing a generation of hate and violence, recording and poisoning young minds, and repeating the flaws of our history books. We have not yet learned from our lost ones; our absent minds yet float with no thought. Holistic remedies have not cured us. The fallen remembrance of our loved ones has not awakened us, but yet awakens and boils up the desire of revenge. Step up; leave your ignorant, violent pride. Drift into good morals and stand tall.Remain standing.Hold your grounds and accept the change.Breathe it, live it.Have the courage to learn what is right from wrong.Be ready for change; be the change.

We have lost love ones dear to our hearts and yet, we still have the thought to force each other to a thoughtless and dark road. It is so hard to let go of a loved one and we all know it takes time to realize what we lose everyday from hate crimes. Losing my cousin Sam back in 2006 was the hardest feeling ever.It was a difficult feeling for everyone and many took it hard, and all everyone wanted to do was to seek for revenge. There’s no reason to seek for any kind of revenge; it’s just hurting the individual and yourself. Nowadays people find a reason to fight. It’s pretty idiotic and very pointless. Learn to forgive; not only others, but yourself, because it takes a strong heart to become the change. Now losing a great friend Dennis Moses should be a lesson learned.If we can at least try learning from our lost ones and try defeating a long time stereotype, we as a whole could be the seed to a new beginning and grow upon generations to make a difference and speak out loud. Losing a friend hurts, whether we lose them mentally or physically, they have the mentality to be lost into the dark shadows of the world or be buried into the cold soils of Mother Nature. Emotions run deep, and careless actions sink in, starting a brand new hate war continuing from the past. We will be the new beginning of change. Be forgiving and break away from the shadows. Make a change for the better and start over.Even if you stumble, pick yourself up and dust away the dirt, because the world is waiting for its brand new start.

I seriously think if violence was a class in school, everyone would participate and earn an A or better yet an A++. As sad as it seems, violence is a sport in our community. It is almost like a trend, but a trend I say that is not “IN”. Let’s start off fresh, let’s make a difference. We’ve come this far from learning about an intelligent African man who went beyond all odds with a dream of change, to an inspirational Hindu man of wisdom proving his into starvation, to have others adapt to his way of peace making. If Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi can make the change without any violent actions, then there shouldn’t be any excuses why we can’t follow their leadership. Our young minds remain healthy; gain the knowledge of wisdom and go beyond the limits and teach others to make wise and life changing decisions. The change starts from within; use it.