A Letter to the Editor

I chose to analyze a letter to the editor of The Washington Post magazine. The title of the letter is "Donald Trump and Martin Luther King - There's Just No Comparison." The writer is responding to and completing disagreeing with an article entitled, "You Don't Have to Be Nice to Political Opponents. But You Do Have to Talk to Them." In the original article, author Teresa Bejan attempts to examine how Trump has attempted to normalize the idea of individuals constantly and consistently speaking their mind regardless of who might become offended. She discusses how Trump constantly uses his Twitter account to immaturely attack other political figures. In Bejan's opinion Trump is causing others to take on his point of view and blatantly speak their mind. 

The major issue that both I and the writer to the editor, find with this article is that Bejan goes on to compare the actions of an immature Trump to those of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bejan attempts to defend her claim by stating that when Dr. King posted his “95 Theses” to the door of a church in Germany he launched the Protestant Reformation.” She actually believes that this is in some way equivalent to the actions of Trump in blatantly disrespecting the religion and culture of so many. The uncivil speech demonstrated by Trump has no substantial backing and is usually completely idiotic. I agree with the writer to the editor that, “Dr. King was one of the greatest liberators of all time. He played a major role in freeing people from corrupt churches and standing up for equality and freedom.” On the other hand, Trump represents a political disaster greedy for wealth and fame. I find is absolutely absurd and completely disrespectful that anyone would state that Donald Trump resembles the legendary Dr. Martin Luther King in any shape, form, or fashion. 

Original Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/03/08/you-dont-have-to-be-nice-to-political-opponents-but-you-do-have-to-talk-to-them/?utm_term=.6b047c12f028#comments

Letter to Editor: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/donald-trump-and-martin-luther--theres-just-no-comparison/2017/03/24/5a5354a4-0ea3-11e7-aa57-2ca1b05c41b8_story.html?utm_term=.ebb03503e835

My Relationship With Literature

I have had some experience writing about literature while in High School. In 10^th grade, I remember having to write a critique of the book “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry. I do not remember much of the story now, but I do remember completing the assignment. I was assigned to work with a partner, and we were to give an overall review and critique of the book including any changes that we would have made. I remember how interesting this assignment was for me. Being paired with another person gave me an opportunity to view the same story from a completely different point of view than my own. I think I enjoyed reading what my partner had to say more than writing my own critique. This is the only written assignment about a piece literature that I have completed, and I would say that it was not very difficult. I approached the assignment by first writing how I felt as I read through the story. I would then try to find the overall theme of the reading. Finally, I will look for sources that support and disclaim my point of view.

English has never been one of my favorite subjects, but I have never been a horrible writer either. I enjoy freestyle writing best. When I was in High School I enjoyed writing poems and raps. Today, I do not do as much writing unless it is for class because of limited free time. I am excited about completing the literary analysis on the short story “A Sound of Thunder.”