Violence and the fear of violence are major educational, social and health problems affecting our young people in Texas and the United States.  The Do the Write Thing Texas Challenge is a youth anti-violence program that is presented to seventh and eighth grade students through the public and private school systems to promote safety in schools, homes and communities.

The Do the Write Thing Texas Challenge began in Houston, Harris County and there are now eleven sites in Texas.  They are Austin, Beaumont, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Houston/Harris County, Lubbock, Odessa, San Antonio and Victoria.

The program engages students in thoughtful classroom discussions about violence and its impact on their lives; seeks their analyses of the causes and solicits their quest for solutions.  The written composition portion cultivates logic, creativity and literacy.  The Challenge gives the youngsters a forum in which to have their voices heard and their ideas valued.  Reflection upon the causes and effects of violence inculcates personal responsibility.

Teachers are provided a lesson plan for Classroom discussions and the writing assignment.  The Lesson Plan meets Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) objectives in the subjects of English/Language Arts, Social Studies and Health/PE.  Students formulate their writings around the answers to three questions:

How has violence affected my life?

What are the causes of violence?

What can I do about violence?

The students then write on these issues. It is heartening that, almost unanimously, they reach the conclusion that personal responsibility and positive conduct are keys to a healthy civil society.  Additionally, the program teaches children how to deal with anger, slights, bullying and other conflicts in a constructive way, without resorting to violence. Also addressed are the subjects of resisting peer pressure, avoiding illicit drug usage and seeking help for family abuse.

Recognition and acknowledgement of all participants is an integral feature of this project.  Every student who submits a manuscript receives a Certificate of Recognition.  Each paper is read by community volunteers who select a boy and girl with the most thought provoking writings from each school as Student Finalists.  The Student Finalists, their parents/guardians, teachers, principals and superintendents are invited to a recognition celebration.

The Executive Committee Readers select, from among the Student Finalists, the top two girl and boy authors as National Finalists.  These students, their parents/guardians and teachers are invited, as honored guests, to the Challenge Leadership Summit in Austin.  There are three days of recognition activities.  Among these are Student, Teacher and Parent Congresses that draft and approve platforms stating principles which constitute a decent Society; recommending measures to counter the culture of violence and delineating the personal responsibilities of students, parents, educators and community.  These platforms give the children a forum and an audience-what we learn from the student writings is profound and provides a foundation for the development of sound public policy.  The platforms are presented to dignitaries in the Chamber of the Texas House of Representatives on the Do the Write Thing Day in Texas.  The students and teachers are awarded proclamations from the Governor.

The National Finalists, a parent/guardian of each student and their teachers are invited to the National Campaign to Stop Violence recognition events in Washington, D.C.

Seventh and eighth grade students are beginning the adolescent phase of their lives.  This is a great transition physically, mentally and emotionally and a time when, all too often, youngsters engage in risky behavior that results in life altering consequences for them and others.  It is imperative that we help guide them to the pathway of responsible adulthood.

To those of us who grew up in a time and place without gangs or drive-by shootings in our neighborhoods, without metal detectors and search dogs in our school corridors, it is inconceivable that our children worry about their safety and dignity; yet far too many do. Many are fearful in school or other public places that an accidental bump in the hallway will lead to violence, or that being different than others will lead to shunning and taunts.

Last year, more than 35,000 students accepted the Challenge and wrote candidly about their lives. Many expressed their fears anxieties, loneliness and yearnings for nurturing. They indicted the various entertainment media and the Internet for glamorizing sociopathic behavior and debasing standards of decency.

The Do the Write Thing Challenge  provides students with the opportunity to also objectively look at their conduct and think about the near and long term effects.  The emphasis on personal responsibility in the lesson plan enlists the students as positive agents of change in their own lives and environment.

The young students are doing their part, now it is up to the adults to enlist. The Challenge should be made available to more students throughout Texas. To accomplish this, we need the involvement of educators, community volunteers and sponsors.  Please join me in supporting the Do the Write Thing Texas Challenge and help protect our young people from the pernicious influences in our culture and communities.

Robert Eckels, Chair
Do The Write Thing Texas Challenge