I'd Rather Teach Peace

"I'd Rather Teach Peace" takes readers into the transformative classrooms of Colman McCarthy, a former Washington Post columnist who shifted his career towards teaching peace studies in 1982. Faced with the opportunity to teach writing in an underprivileged Washington, D.C. school, McCarthy chose instead to educate young minds on nonviolence and conflict resolution. This book provides a riveting narrative of a semester spent in diverse educational settings—from elite law schools to juvenile prisons—highlighting McCarthy’s impactful journey through six different institutions. Throughout the semester, students are profoundly challenged and inspired by an unconventional curriculum that staunchly advocates for peace over violence. Published on May 31, 2008, "I'd Rather Teach Peace" is a compelling read for college students and educators alike, offering deep insights into the necessity of integrating peace education into academic curricula to foster social justice and equity in education. It encourages readers to reflect on the role education plays in shaping a more just and peaceful society.