I was brought up by a fairly normal, large family. We had our ups and we had our downs just like everyone else. I am one of four children and my parents divorced when I was 9 years old. During my childhood I experienced situations that no child should ever bare. These experiences have made me who I am today. I look back on my life and there are many things that I would like to change about my past but I come to the same realization every time I imagine things differently. I would not be the same optimistic, opinionated, outgoing person that I am today. I believe that no child should ever have to be put through the horrors of violence. When I was a child I was continuously told “violence is not the answer” and “your words are stronger than your actions” but I witnessed hypocrisy at is foulest potential. I have learned from my past that there is absolutely no need for violence at any time. My past has led to my belief that violence is not the answer. It does not solve problems like everyone assumes, it only creates larger conflict. I have made it my goal in life to be completely non violent. I believe that your words will do more damage then your fists. When I see altercations occur I can’t help but think to myself that those who are fighting to get their point across are just making themselves look like fools. That loose as soon as they hit the other person, doesn’t matter if they won the fight. They lost their sense to rationalize and be the better person. I believe that you will have a larger impact if you just walk away. The proof that you are a better person to not lower yourself to brutality is greater then hitting someone. I believe that violence has been portrayed to the general public as an act of normalcy. Within the past 50 years the percentage of violence in the media has increases astronomically and in my opinion it is corrupting our minds. I am still a high school student and during one week I counted 4 different fights and each one ended with both of the students being suspended from school for a 5 day period. I can’t help but verbalize how much this pains me, to see young people beating each other up over the most ridiculous matters. I have seen from first had the outcome of violence and my life will be forever changed. I believe that there is no need for violence in the world. “I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” Mahatma Gandhi. I am a pacifist and I believe in non violence.