1. A tragedy of errors [pgs 3-8]
The story of how a quarrel between two good friends over Maria Hertogh led to a string of errors by third parties, finally erupting into the 1950 riots. In "Love could have won" [pg 9], award-winning writer Isa Kamari points out that love for Maria tore apart the two mothers but that same love could have prevented the riots.

2. Different races, same kampong [pgs 10-11]
Dick Yip, who lived through the 1960s riots, shares his childhood diary with us and tells us how he saved a neighbour being attacked in a riot.

3. Weapons of hate [pgs 13-17]
Cherian George explains how hate-mongers use rumours, the Internet, fear, history, songs, religion, cartoons and even the silencing of the media in order to rouse people into violence. "Your weapon of peace: It's called your mind" [pg 17] encourages readers to use their most powerful weapon of peace (their minds).

4. We shall overcome [pgs 18-21]
After years of bloody conflicts, the peoples of South Africa, Rwanda and Aceh rose above their differences to build a better place to live in. Meanwhile, in many countries, peace-builders have started projects that unite ethnically diverse young people (see "Bringing youths together").

5. They killed my siblings - but I must forgive [pgs 21-22]
The president of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta, shares with us why forgiveness will help him build a peaceful and free country.

This page was last updated on July 3, 2010.

July 2010

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