Maurer,+L.

Maurer

Dear Monica, Have you heard about Emitt Till? I saw his body yesterday and have been reading the newspapers for a week. I still cannot believe that even men with this much hatred for us is capable of doing such things. The boy was obviously so scared. What those men put him through before he died scares me. I do not know how they could not just understand that Emitt Till was not from around here and not used to life in Mississppi. He was practically a child! I am scared for all of my friends and family after hearing the details of the tragedy. There is such a fine line you must walk to stay alive. You simply cannot afford to slip up one day and offend a white person, it may cost you your life. The south is a scary place to be for anyone with dark skin. I still do not understand how we got to be on the side we are on. Afterall, who gave the whites the idea that they were superior to us. I thought the constitution said we were equals. And then Emitt Till offends one white lady one time, and it cost him his life. I have decided to refrain from speaking in the company of a white person, lest I be accused of saying anything wrong. I will walk down town and treat them like they deserve my respect just for being born with pale skin. Please be on your best behavior when you are anywhere near them. Remember what happened to Emitt Till, he was just as young. Be careful and respectful. Sincerely,  Laur a

Laura, I like your idea about the Constitution saying that we're all equal. That's definitely something to think about when dealing with racism. -Monica The second paragraph is really good. I agree with what you are a saying and like how you stated it all. -Milena

Laura, I like your description about the fine line and not being able to step off of it, it is a very creative way to look at things. -Hope

I like how you worked the Constitution into this. Confusion as to why the "all men are created equal" line is not followed still applies today. ~Helena

Kayla: I like how you said he was only a child. I agree that they should have understood that he was just joking. Very well written.

Well thought out. The descriptive ideas put into this letter made it convincing and strong.--Jess

You did a good job describing your feelings on the issue. I also like how you added the Constitution into your letter. -Xia Madonis

2/2/09 Homework Excuse

I was about to start my English homework last night. I looked in m backpack for it, but it was not there. I looked all over the house for it. I finally found it on the kitchen table. I went to reach for it, but I didn’t realize the window was open, and a gust of wind blew the paper out the window and down the street. I ran out of the door and sprinted after it. I found it in a tree, but before I could get it, the wind blew again and the paper was gone. I finally tracked it down at the end of the street. Some suspicious looking people in a car drove by. One of them rolled down a window and snatched it from the air. I quickly explained that the paper was mine, but they insisted that I pay a ransom for it. Well, I didn’t have any money on me, so I couldn’t pay the ransom. The suspicious people drove away before I could retrieve any money from the house. I ran after the car, but I could not catch it, seeing that the car was going at least 140 miles per hour down the road. So I retreated back to my house. This morning I went to school. About ten minutes ago, I was sitting in math class. I was just finishing up my notes, when all of the sudden the suspicious men ran into the classroom. I asked them for my homework, and they gave it to me! Then they proceeded to leave, but before they did, they stole the homework from the kid sitting next to me. Of course I did not have time to complete before class. So this is why I have the blank homework sheet in front of me. Could I please have an extension?

Good or Evil 2/6/09

Human beings are inherently good. However, human beings are not inherently perfect. People will eventually slip up, and do something not good. The media may cover celebrities and their slight falls from the perfection we are immediately led to believe they are. But, the media also covers stories of people who risk their lives to help another person. You can hear of people who jumped in front of a subway to try to save someone else’s life. Also, some stories like the Casey Anthony trial were originally brought to nation’s attention because of concern. People were concerned about the missing toddler, Caylee. Now, the media covers the story because they want Casey Anthony brought to justice, not because they relish in her pain. People are inherently good, even if they do not always show it.

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

Rebecca sat at her desk in the morning room. She scanned the menu for the day and called Mrs. Danvers to make a few corrections. Then, she waited, watching the red Rhodedendrens outside the window. Finally, the blood red color moved, but not from the breeze. She quickly ran to the door to make sure no one was around. Then, she opened up the window, and allowed the three men to step inside. They stood in height order accidently, all of them looking tired. Their shoulders slouching, and their clothes dirty. Rebecca smiled, knowing they had been successful. She glanced out the window, checking to see if the gardener was anywhere near, but instead she saw a parrot. Sighing, she realized they had left their ship in the bay. Their stupidity surprised her sometimes. “Mrs. De Winters, the raid last night was successful. We have the loot right here, would you like the gold or jewels?” The tallest man asked. “Did you leave the ship in the bay? For plundering pirates, I would have thought you more intelligent than to leave your ship where the entire household can see it. What do you suppose I say if Max looks out a window and see a pirate ship?” Rebecca chastised. “Regardless, I want the gold. How is your ship holding up?” The middle pirate stepped forward. “It is quite good Mrs. De Winters, thank you for funding it. The raids have been quite successful lately.” “Well, I still want my cut of the profits.” With that, Rebecca motioned for them to climb out the window. After closing the window securely, she sat back down with the gold the pirates left her. She hid the gold around the room, careful not to hide too much in one place. It was around lunch when Rebecca left the morning room, knowing that the rest of her day she would spend with Max. Pretending she had no idea why there was a path of trodden flowers in the garden.