Halley

Dear Marc Aronson, This is an amazing book. The way that it is written makes words pop out at you. It has rhythm- 4 or 5 long sentences and then a short sentence. This both engages the reader and keeps them interested. The choice of words is also unusual and interesting. “Plagued by fear,” “death knell,” “the cold voice of a world in which power rules,” “wars leave the dead piled high,” “He rated people,” “fantasies of bringing freedom to the unfortunate,” “science of identification,” “pure butchery,” “as silly as his egg-timer speedometer,” and “joyous term.” All of these phrases and words keep the reader engaged because they are eye-catching and are not often used. However, I do not agree with some of the things that you wrote. For example, you wrote that “… [people have] the urge to hate those who are different(6).” This could be true, but I believe that hatred of difference is not something that you are born with. I think that hatred of difference is something that you learn by watching the world, and by observing how people who look the same or differently than you are treated. I think that people learn hatred of difference and then practice it, either knowingly or not. Prejudices and hatred of difference have occurred in the past for the same reasons: people are taught that they should feel better about themselves by comparing themselves to other people. Can you honestly look at a baby and see an ancient prejudice or hatred in their eyes? No. They haven’t yet learned what hate is. Sincerely, Halley Pollock Muskin