Kirsch,+M

Kirsch

Dear Laura, Did you hear about Emitt Till? His death saddens me. It is not fair that he was killed just because of his race. Think about it. If it would have been a white that whistled coming out of that market, he would have been scolded and let run. But Emitt was black, and we do not have to authority to even do so much as look at a white without being sought after. What those men did to Emitt was absolutely unnecessary. Do you not think that a pure scolding and whipping would be enough to make him learn his lesson? Seeing Emitt was not only sad, but it was absolutely disgusting. Who would do such a thing to a poor young boy? It just does not make sense. How can those men live with themselves? I do not understand how our race sets us apart from everybody else. The whites could be on the other side of this. What if they were the ones who were being discriminated against? What if they were the minority? Then they would see. I hate it that people think that just because we have dark skin, and come from a different place, that we do not have feelings, because we do. Just like everyone else, we have feelings too. I am scared to go outside of my house now. What if I make a mistake like Emitt? I am just a kid. We make mistakes! What if I make one that I cannot take back? What if it lands me in the same spot it landed Emitt? Laura, I wish we could move North, but I know we cannot afford to leave our plantation. I guess from now on, I will just walk down the street with my head down and mouth shut, then maybe I will not be accused of wronging a white. Sincerely, Monica

First of all, in the third paragraph, i think you meant to say our plantation, not out plantation. I like what you said about the whites being on the other side. It's true that the white people haven't put themselves in the position of others, instead the assume they are superior. I also like our final thought, it was stated well. -Laura Maurer Monica, this was extremely well written! I enjoyed reading it especially with your creativity! - Lauren It's interesting how you included that you wanted to move, but didn't have enough money to. Not many people talked about this, and I think it is something that would quite possibly cross the mind of a frightened young African-American living in the deep South. ~Helena You had the same opinions I did so that means its good. Nice work.

Very interesting letter, it made me think about the situiation in a new way. I like the last paragraph, good thoughts. Excellent work. -Kaylin MIley

Great emotion Monica! This is very well written! Great creativity and thoughts put into the letter! -Marcy

I think its really cool tat everyone comes up with a different conclusion at the end of their letters. Yours was good because its basically saying that you will try to stay low key and remember that since your black, you have to be treated differently. Great job!-Evlyn

Quick Write 2/2/09

This was my excuse two days ago for my missing homework. The story is completely, one hundred percent true...well, for the most part:

I did my homework! I really did! But when I woke up this morning, well, everything was gone! And by everything, i mean everything! It all started when I woke up half an hour late to my cell phone vibrating in my pocket with a new text message. And then, i realized that i was sleeping on the floor! I looked over to see what time it was, and my alarm was gone. When I sat up, there was nothing left in my room! My first thought was, "I'm Dreaming," but then i looked out the window and saw police cars. My second thought was, "Oh no, we've been robbed!" My third thought was, "Well, maybe we're part of some CIA investigation, and they needed to take all of our stuff to an anonymous location to investigate it." Well, apparently my second thought was correct. We had, in fact, been robbed. Everything from our television, to the silverware in our kitchen drawer was completely missing. Even our extra supplies of toilet paper and paper towels were nowhere to be found! They also took my backpack. Now ask yourself, who in their right mind would want to take a bunch of school papers? The question is completely over my head. So, I was an hour late for school, I had no clothing to change into, no flat iron or makeup, and no bag to bring with me. Why else do you think I am still in my pajamas?

An hour later, my alarm woke me up, and it turned out that I was in a deep sleep, and the whole thing was a dream after all.

Are humans inherently good or evil?

Humans are not inherently good or evil. Everyone is born with a clean mind and heart. They do not know good from bad or right from wrong because they do not have the mind to understand anything. They do not comprehend words, gestures, expressions, etc., therefore, they cannot retain them. If they cannot retain these things, they cannot be born this way. Being good or evil is something that has to be taught. Nobody is born good or evil, unless they are taught to understand otherwise. For example, evil must be taught. This is not necessarily taught by parents or family, but can be taught by television, radio, friends, etc. However, evil is not inherent. Good is not inherent either. In the same case as evil, good must be taught by one person, to be obtained by another. Therefore, good and evil are not inherent.