高校の部 優勝
高　粹彬（長崎県立佐世保北高等学校）

Not Just a Dreamer

 “Imagine all the people sharing all the world. Imagine all the people living life in peace”. This is from the famous song “Imagine” by John Lennon. This world that he sings about is my dream. Yet, it’s still only a dream. This is something I’ve been thinking of since I was little and something that I think about more so these days.
 From long ago, there are various social groups which people live in. These groups share their own customs, culture, religions, and other similar features. Both of my parents and their relatives were born and grew up in Korea. I have grown up in Japan since I was 3 months old, speaking Japanese and interacting in Japanese society. Once I get home though, I speak Korean with my family and learned many Korean customs. Because of this childhood, I was interested in diversity around the world. I found it fascinating, and thought it was something this world should not lose. However, the more I learned, the more I also came to know there are people who are placed in weakened positions just because they are not regarded as belonging in the same group. Not only are they being mentally abused, there are many incidents of people getting physically injured or precious lives being lost. Treating a particular person or group worse than the way people are usually treated. This is what is called discrimination and it is a global issue happening now which is in desperate need of a solution.
The question is how can we realize a world like in the song “Imagine”? My solutions are these two keys. First, try not to see people by their groups. When you first meet a person, don’t prejudge their personality or character by whichever group they are from. For example some people might say, “Japanese are diligent and passive”. This would be the typical example of judging a person’s personality by social group. Not all Japanese are hard workers and many friends of mine are very active. When I was little, my friends would ask me if all people in Korea had plastic surgery or are anti-Japanese. Of course this is not true. I know my friends meant no offense, but I thought this unilateral labeling is the cause of discrimination. Remember, even if we share the same culture, history or color of skin, we are different person to person. I know this is something which is often said, but I think we must look into ourselves once again and change our way of thinking.
 Second, don’t let one bad piece of information create a large prejudice towards a whole group. When I was 10 years old, I read an article. There was a large demonstration in order to expel Koreans living in Japan. The demonstrators were shouting more heartless words than you can imagine. The group was regarding all Koreans as bad because of historical feuds between both countries that exist even today. It is true that in the past, many Koreans and Japanese treated each other in the wrong way, but that doesn’t mean that applies to now or everyone. Internalizing one bad incident and generalizing it to an entire social group can do a lot of damage. Especially in this age of information, we should perceive the correct information in correct ways. When all of us can practice these two keys, we can realize a world without discrimination.
 Now this world is called a global society. I want to live in a world where diversity does not destroy people’s bright future. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could live in such a world? It may take time, but I believe this is an idea worth spreading. It can start from you and it starts from me. In the words of John Lennon, “You may say that I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will be as one.” If everyone in the world could make a change, it would no longer be just a dream. This is how we make our brighter future.