(NAME-MCE) 'Why is there hate?'

[KispokoT at aol.com]

Greetings,
 
This article and reader responses can be found at: 
 
_http://www.womenspress.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=2777
_ 
(http://www.womenspress.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=2777) 
 
'Why is there hate?'

ThinkAboutIt.2: Local girl  named runner-up for essay about civil rights

Kate Wackett, 12, struggled with  that question after reading the book 
"Mississippi Trial, 1955." Deeply affected  by the book's account of the lynching of 
14-year-old Emmett Till, Kate turned  her questions about prejudice into a 
letter to Chris Crowe, the book's author.  She submitted the letter to the 
annual Letters About Literature contest  sponsored nationally by the Center for the 
Book in the Library of Congress and  locally by the Minnesota Humanities 
Center. Kate's letter was one of 56,000  entered in the contest. In her age group, 
fourth through sixth graders, two  winners were named among the more than 
20,000 children competing. Kate's essay,  which appears below, was one of four 
runners-up in her category. This fall Kate  will be entering the 7th grade at 
Mounds Park Academy. 

Dear Chris  Crowe, 

Why is there hate in this world? Why are people that are  different from the 
majority treated differently? It doesn't make sense to me.  Your book 
"Mississippi Trial, 1955" changed my way of thinking about racism and  prejudice. As I 
read I found myself getting more and more attached to Hiram and  Emmett. As 
Hiram fought for justice I started to realize what you think about  life 
doesn't have to be exactly what your parents think about life. 

I  always thought if my mother believed that god existed (just an example) I 
had to  think that too. If my father believed something or other I had to 
think just  like him. Now I know that your mind is for thinking what you want to 
think, not  what others think is right. Hiram showed me that when he decided 
what his  grandpa thought was wrong. 

I also used to think that the civil rights  movement was not all that big. It 
was an action that took strength and courage-I  know that, but your book 
helped me understand that it was something much bigger.  

The civil rights movement was a powerful action that made the world a  better 
place. It took brains, courage, strength, and lots of lives, and it also  
helped me change my way of thinking. When I found out about Hiram's grandfather  
helping with the murder of Emmett Till I was shocked, surprised, and disgusted 
 with him. I found myself crying for Emmett, fighting with Hiram, and 
suffering  with Naomi. 

I think if everyone believed what Hiram and I believe, this  world would be a 
better place. When I see someone treated unfairly because of  the color of 
their skin or what they believe in, I could cry. It makes me sad to  know that 
there is so much injustice in this world. I learned something in the  book and 
so did Hiram: all it takes is the love and courage to make a  difference. 

Sincerely, 
Kate Wackett 




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