Collins+L.

Collins Dear Friend, Emmett Till, the boy who was originally from Chicago, Illinois, was brutally killed in Money, Mississippi on August 28, 1955. He was murdered for whistling at a Caucasian woman and made up for his doings a few days later. His tragic story was in all of the newspapers around town as well as being able to view his terribly conditioned body at his funeral. However, the newspapers did not do any justice to what truly happened to this innocent boy. The newspapers do not convey the feelings I had when I viewed his distorted face all the way to his feet. The newspapers do not express the emotions of his loved ones and the despair that hung over them at Emmett’s funeral. The real story of this young, fourteen year old boy was intensively more horrifying then the newspapers could have ever written. Viewing his body that went through such torture was heartbreaking. The sight of his broken nose, cut up cheeks, and the gun hole going straight through his head made me cringe before I even arrived at the funeral. I braced myself and expected the worst, but what I saw was more nauseating then I could have ever imagined. I never would have thought such conditions would have occurred to Emmett for whistling at a white woman. The unfairness of Emmett having to pay the price for an innocent gesture while the two men who violently killed him, were left without a single scratch was incredible. All of the people who attended the funeral were filled with sorrow and the condition of Emmett left a scaring memory in their minds for an eternity. Physically being in the same room as Emmett made me sick to my stomach with pain and heartache, I could never imagine being as strong as his mother. With dozens of people in depression and every African American disturbed with what happened to Emmett Till, it changed my perspective of Caucasians. Before Emmett was murdered, I would casually walk past a white person without considering the fact that he may harm me. Now, I cautiously shuffle by them praying they do not think I am looking at them in a disrespectful manner so I can make it home safely. Everyday is an adventure in my town because I do not go out as much as I use to. I am fearful of every white male or female that I may pass while I am out, so I remain safe and sound in my own home. In the evening, I have nightmares on two men pounding on my door searching for me. The lifestyle lived by all of the African Americans had become even more alarming then it was before. The future may never eliminate segregation now because African Americans are afraid to make a change while the white people want nothing to do with them. I can only hope the next generation does not have to suffer the hardships we have to here and they will see better times.

Sincerely, Lauren Collins

Good job. You used great description at the funeral to get the feeling across to the reader- Jordan

Nice job. Good opinions and descriptions. good use of imagery. thorough and realistic letter. Kayla: nice word choice. You made it sound like you were truly scared, nice imagery.

Good job Lauren! i thought your word choice was very good. and the great details in the begining made a big difference! --Megan Leutner

WWOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW....your talented.- NIKITASS!!!!!!!!!

“Lauren, do you realize that your homework is due today? I assigned it two nights ago and you still do not have it? What is your excuse this time?” "Well, Mrs. Brooks, you see it all started when my mom called me down into the family room…”

…. I was just about to start my evening’s worth of homework until I heard my mother scream my name. I pushed my pile of papers asides and reluctantly stomped my way into the family room when my mom had furiously yelled at me to come downstairs. However, when I arrived, I heard words come out of their mouths that children never knew were possible. “Sit down Lauren, we need to have a serious talk.” My father said impatiently. “We were just on Parent Portal and it shows that you do not have any zeroes or failing assignments. You know how disappointed we are when we see such effort.” My mother stated. “All we are trying to say is, we love you. However, if you do not start failing soon, we are going to have to take away phone, computer, and weekend privileges away…” …BUT DAD! I have a fifty point assignment in English due tomorrow and I do not feel like repeating the ninth grade!” “We are not advising you to fail out of high school or even the ninth grade, just tone it down at bit. So instead of you going upstairs to complete that assignment, you are going on a little trip.” I hesitantly packed an overnight bag. Where were my parents going to send me? Was I going to a place I would never expect? Of course my parents would never want to harm me so it would not be too bad, hopefully. The next thing I knew I was on a train headed for a town in Virginia. I assumed I was going to visit my sister at Virginia Tech. Five hours later I stepped off the train to see a man holding up a sign saying “Miss Lauren Collins,” I had never seen this man in my life, I was all alone, and only expected the worst. I casually walked up to the stranger hoping he did not sense the fear I had. He greeted me, “Hello Miss, I am your service for the day. Your parents have advised me to take you wherever you want to go.” “Um, nice to meet you. I am excited to spend the day doing whatever I want, but why did my parents send me all the way to Virginia and why did they send me alone?” “Good questions. I will explain it all in the limo.” Once I opened the car door, I saw all my friends yell “SURPRISE!” It was my birthday, even though it was a Tuesday, my parents must have wanted me to have a really special birthday. I was so shocked that I could not believe what was happening… “…And you see Mrs. Brooks, how could I have possibly found time to do my homework if it was my birthday and I was in Virginia with all my friends?! Would you really want my privileges to be taken away??”

Are people inherently good or evil? Are people born good or evil?

No one was ever born evil and no one was ever born good. Those two words can have many different definitions based on the person they are describing. When a mother gives birth to her child, that child is raised to think, feel, and do all on its own. From potty training to what religion they will believe in as they grow up are usually encouraged by that child's parents. No baby is born automatically knowing everything or even anything so it is their parents duty to raise them respectfully. However, as a child grows they learn that there are many more responsibilities such as school, jobs, and peer pressure. People learn from there mistakes and without making any, a child may never truly have experienced life. A child may have been grown up with nothing and had lack or parenting, this makes it their choice on how they should grow up. If someone does something "evil" that does not make them a bad person and vice versa for good. Evil is something a person grows into. For example, if a teenager is pressured into drugs and violence, they may be expected to shoot people and steal from others. This person was not born to be a theft or steal drugs. They could have brought themselves into the wrong crowd in high school which led to him making the wrong choices. However, a man with a cold, evil heart could just be lonely. Good and evil are such general words that they cannot be used to describe a person because no one is characterized through simple words like those.

Beatrice says, "You are very different from Rebecca." Who was Rebecca? What was her daily life?

Rebecca de Winter was the beloved wife of Maxim. She was put on a pedastol by all the employees in Manderley as well as her husband. Rebecca was not just an ordinary woman, she was classy and elegant with a touch of youth. She loved living the life she and her husband created together. She enjoyed waking up to the sound of the ocean in the west wing, and never once felt unprivledged. Also, Rebecca was beautiful with a sense of style unlike any other woman around. She carried herself with a sense of poise that was unforgettable. She had silky, wavy brown hair, bright blue eyes, and was rather tall and slender. She was kind to everyone and adored animals. Also, she loved spending her spare time with her husband and Mrs. Danvers. They had a close bond due to the fact that Rebecca was a very loyal manager to the house and her workers. She treated everyone with respect and was always full of life. Every morning, except Saturday and Sunday, she would wake up and go to the breakfast area where her and Max would talk about their day's events and weekend plans, such as swimming in the bay. When Max would leave for work, she would go to the morning-room, anticipating her fire and her two dogs eagerly waiting for her. Hesitantly, she would start off with her stack of letters neatly organized into her piles on the desk. She would call up the urgent letters to Mrs. Danvers who would send them up immediately. Usually the urgency was based upon party invitations that she would be hosting at Manderley. Once the morning was completed and she was in her day's attire, she would go down to the dining room and wait for Max to arrive. They would share their meals and walk it off by going for a stroll through the rose gardens. Max and Rebecca adored each other and the time spent together. Max would always attentively listen to his wife and her events she was always planning. He respected her because she was the type of woman who took charge. In the evenings, she would go for a swim in the bay near the house and wash up for dinner. Her and Max enjoyed a fancy dinner together without the interruption of company. Max was not fond of visitors during the weekdays because he did not want anyone else stealing Rebecca's attention. Time with her was precious. Finally, before bed they would go to the library and while Max read his paper by the fire, she would play with the dogs. During her weekends, Rebecca was the talk of the town. Her parties were always extravagant, well decorated, and over the top. Hundreds of people would come from all over just to see what she had planned for many hours in the evening. The parties would always start late and end early. They were always the most exciting parts of the summer because they were tastefully done. That was on Saturday, Sundays were spent with Maxim. They would take a ride on Rebecca's boat and sail away spending the day with each other viewing the sunset. Her life was extrodinary and a dream come true.