April 08, 2009
A horrific incident in 1989 helped to guide George Anthony
'83NDC toward what has, for him, become a mission. The death
of Yusef Hawkins, a young black man killed in the Bensonhurst
neighborhood of Brooklyn, polarized racial tensions in the
community after he was confronted by a group of young
Italian-American men. In the aftermath, the then psychology teacher
was deeply concerned with what he saw happening among the young
people in the area. “[The murder] split the school district among
racial lines,” he recalls. “It was a terrible time.” So when
Columbia University offered a public program in conflict resolution
certification, he signed up and has since dedicated himself to
helping young people and to becoming an internationally-known
expert in the field. His innovative work to combat harassment and
bullying in schools was featured on national network programming
including the ABC “20/20” special report “Social Cruelty and
Bullying in America” and CNN’s highlight of his work as a
consultant with the Seeds of Peace program which helps teens in
regions of conflict around the world come together to discuss the
issues they face in their homeland.
In
the United States, where a sharp increase in school violence has
brought a greater focus on bullying and the ostracizing of
students, Anthony is helping to bring healing through his work as
executive director with Peace Dynamics Consultants where they
specialize in programs such as peer mediation, leadership training,
anti-bias and antiviolence education and training for parents,
teachers and administrators. At Susan Wagner High School in Staten
Island, he created and supervises the Institute for International
Leadership, Nonviolence and Service where staff and administrators
are trained on conflict resolution and work with students on
character development, peer mediation and anti-bullying. “This type
of work inspires hope for kids who feel victimized,” Anthony says.
“They have a voice and someplace to be heard.”
He says that empowering students is the first step in enabling
them to feel like a part of the process that creates a better
learning environment, and that ultimately leads to the growth of
future leaders. While much has been made of students who “bully”
others, Anthony dislikes the term. “If you label someone a bully,
then they feel like they have to live up to that label,” he says.
“Some of the strongest leaders in my program have been those who
were bullies but who, when given a support system, are able to
recognize their positive attributes and then change the paradigm in
their lives.”
He has spoken at the United Nations (UN) several times,
including as part of the International Day of Peace conference, and
will take some of the students with whom he works to the UN’s
Season on Nonviolence conference as part of an initiative promoting
peace during the 64 days between the birthdays of Martin Luther
King, Jr. and Mahatma Ghandhi. “St. John’s gave me roots and
in many respects pushed me forward in this role,” says Anthony who,
while at the University, was a member of Sigma Chi and the
Vincentian Society. “What you do is give young people opportunities
and you say, ‘This is what hope looks like,’” he adds. “’This is
what your future could look like if you incorporate these elements
of peace and non-violence into your life.’ It is a worthy
endeavor.”