Nonviolent Owensboro Promotes Peace Culture At Public Library

Colorful paper cranes hang from a Christmas Tree in the corner of the Owensboro, Kentucky, public library. Each one is a reminder to the readers and visitors that peace is a long-cherished goal of humanity.

The cranes are part of a creative project initiated by Nonviolent Owensboro. The group worked with local students to make the cranes and was supported by the public library in making a public display of them on a Christmas Tree in the building. Nonviolent Owensboro organizers read the classic anti-nuclear story Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes with students and taught them how to fold Japanese origami. The story follows the prayer of young Sadako, who is suffering from cancer from the radioactive fallout of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings at the end of WWII. She has been told that anyone who folds a 1,000 paper cranes gets their wish granted. Hoping to heal, the young girl tries to achieve that goal. In the end, she dies before finishing, but friends and family take up the task, folding the cranes in her honor and passing on the poignant message of peace.

Nonviolent Owensboro uses the story and the origami cranes to open up conversations with young people about peace, war, and the dangers of nuclear bombs. As the conflict in Ukraine reawakens fears of nuclear war between the US and Russia, it is a timely project for the community to undertake. By taking a public stand for peace, the public library in Owensboro, is reminding a broad cross-section of the community of the importance of peace, nonviolence, and diversity in today's world. Nonviolent Owensboro has launched a number of other creative initiatives to promote nonviolence in the area. It is part of Pace e Bene's Nonviolent Cities Project, a nationwide program that coordinates dozens of cities and towns in ending violence locally and instituting nonviolent solutions in every level of their community. Find out more here.