Christopher Lai | Creative Director
Featured image: Emmanuel Jal, centre, beside OWP President Lalimdra Jayatunge, second right, and Vice-President Yunous Imam, far right. | Christopher Lai
Former child soldier turned activist, Emmanuel Jal spoke to York students about forgiveness, positivity and self-empowerment on October 6.
Jal emphasizes the need to share experiences and to tell stories about ourselves in order to understand one another and heal from past pain.
“I believe that when we share experiences with social and emotional learning, we are able to put a spotlight in a dark place. Storytelling is a way to feed the soul,” he says.
Part of Jal’s method of sharing and healing includes embracing music and education, and understanding the power they hold. “Music is the place I am able to become a child. It’s where I found self-worth.”
Hosted by The Organization for World Peace, York University Division, or OWP, the event was a round table discussion where students asked Jal about his experiences and philosophy. One student asked Jal to speak about forgiveness and how it is achieved.
“You have to come to the truth of what happened and just let it go,” explains Jal. “When you forgive, you are actually freeing yourself. Those who don’t forgive [are] actually accepting being a slave.”
OWP Vice-President Yunous Imam urges students to take an interest in global events they see unfolding around them, and emphasizes that the individual is capable of bringing about positive change.
“The incredible amount of brainwashing that a child soldier experiences is something none of us can imagine. I think the most important thing [to do] in today’s society is to empathize,” he says.
“People who empathize will get involved. Despite what people might think, it is possible to have a very big impact upon these global issues.”
OWP President Lalimdra Jayatunge hopes that students will be inspired by Jal’s perseverance and his mission for peace across the globe, stating that inviting Jal puts a face to the struggle that thousands of kids are currently facing.
“Rather than just talking about it, it’s better to have someone who’s actually gone through that,” he adds.
Jal believes music can be used to educate and that education helps not just the individual, but others as well. He argues that one never knows the potential of any human being unless that person is given an opportunity, and education is the key to everything.
Though the subject matter of the event was emotional and serious, Jal shared positivity and music with his audience, ending the night with a lively dance session. Students danced and high-fived each other as Jal led the lively, upbeat conclusion to the evening.
“Don’t wait until you’re on your deathbed to make the world a better place,” says Jal. “Make it a part of your life. Every human being loves change, but when it comes to change that is affecting them, they resist. Change is costly but those who sacrifice, in the end, they’re the ones who [have an] impact.”
