Problems: An Exploration of Seemingly

General Issues in a Few Short Essays

By: Abby Montplaisir

WRT 201-H Art of the Essay

12 December 2017

Abby Montplaisir

Professor Lange

WRT 201-H

12 December 2017

Growing Up

I remember, when I was younger, sitting on my bed with a pile of books and reading—

absorbing stories, traveling to new worlds— it was magical. I wanted this magic for myself, the

power to take someone on a journey using only shapes on a page. I began to write stories

unaware of grammatical errors or sentence structure. As I got older, I realized that there was

more to writing than just a story. The ones that stick with you were always the best to read. If a

piece is written well it creates a lasting effect in the minds of readers, but how does one do this?

In the past 5 months, I have explored the concept of eloquence and feel as though it is the last

ingredient to create the magic I have been searching for. A magician never shares their secrets,

but the honesty, form, and imagery of a piece are three vital aspects of writing eloquently.

If someone wants to master a sport, they must start with the fundamentals— their form.

When a basketball player goes to shoot, they have to engage every muscle in their body in some

way. Similarly, the form of an essay is important in determining the eloquence. In Phillip

Lopate’s The Art of the Personal Essay, he writes that “good essays are works of literary art.

Their supposed formlessness is more strategy to disarm the reader with the appearance of

unstudied spontaneity than a reality of composition” (38). This methodology of using varied

forms when writing keeps the reader engaged. Depending on one’s subject matter the form can

be altered. In many cases, this refers to a varied paragraph set-up, but it can also be found in the

syntax of the piece. Varied sentence lengths and punctuation choices showcase the writer’s

abilities to create a complete idea. One essayist who composes his essays using both a flexible

form and varied sentence types is Sherman Alexie. In Alexie’s “Reservation Drive-In”, he takes

popular movies and describes specific scenes which apply to his overall message. In this method,

he splits up his essay’s paragraphs based on the titles of films and individual scenes. Alexie

creates further interest in the reader due to the unique set-up. Beyond just separating out the

piece, the syntax variations create a tone which the reader can understand. Beyond just drawing

the reader in, Alexie creates a connection between different films which leads to the reader’s

deeper understanding of the topic. The combination of appearance and syntax —the form— can

make or break the author’s shot at eloquence.

Formatting and syntax, while unique to the writer, can incorporate dialogue as an

efficient way to experiment with form. Dialogue emphasizes a point that may have been

otherwise lost. In “Accepting the Vinegar”, I carefully chose which dialogue would be included

in the memoir. To format the dialogue, I gave each statement its own line. This made those

elements of dialogue that much more powerful, as they stood out from the rest of the piece and

offered a visual break from the paragraphs. While the dialogue made the memoir much more

memorable, stand-alone sentences in my contemplative essay made for eye-catching emphasis.

Rather than placing a thesis statement at the end of an introduction, I used similar stand-alone

statements followed by a rhetorical question to peak interest and address the topic of the paper.

By having these sentences on their own lines, readers can begin to organize their thoughts on the

idea of Christian suppression. This unique style of formatting was one that I left behind when

crafting an imitated lyrical piece. Rather than focusing on the overall appearance, I dove into

syntax— swimming in Brian Doyle’s use of commas, colons, and semi-colons, I found myself

creating a new version of “Joyas Voladores” that provided readers with clear ideas. Sentences

like, “The price of their compressing is a life closer to death; they wear away like a shoe rubbing

pavement constantly” (2) take the brakes of a car and make a seemingly complex concept into a

simplistic understanding of a shoe. Form, whether in the overall organization or the sentence

structure, is a key part of writing eloquently.

The popular phrase, “honesty is the best policy” holds true, even in writing. Honesty in

the personal essay draws readers in with the promise of real human experience. Many believe

that “the ‘plot’ of a personal essay… consists in watching how far the essayist can drop past his

or her psychic defense toward deeper levels of honesty” (Lopate 25). Some writers know how to

fake genuine stories, but the ones that people search for are those that are honest, and

straightforward. In a world where there is so much fake news and editing on social media, people

are actively looking for truth. One aspect of honesty that must be addressed is that “privacy is for

your diary [and] essays are for readers.” (Moore 9). One must be careful as to how many specific

details are being shared. No one wants to read an uncomfortable, detailed recollection of

something you went through. People want to read something that shows the depths of your

experience but in a way that they can relate to. Laura Bogart, a personal essayist, and blogger

finds this balance and exhibits it beautifully in her piece “I choose to be Fat”. She writes, “I’d

played off my tears as an effect of that quick pinch, but I’m still leveled by her words every time

my hands sweep my hips in the shower or I consider my rearview mirror to smooth on lipstick.”

Bogart pulls in the reader and, while focusing on her own experience, writes in a manner that a

reader can relate to. Whether it was someone saying something mean on the playground as a

child, or a heartbreaking relationship, at one point or another everyone experiences hiding

feelings from someone based on harsh words that have been spoken. Words are powerful, and

Bogart makes this clear in the use of her own. She is honest about how she felt but does not dive

into the specifics about how these people made her feel fat. Rather, she mentions instances in

which weight or body size would come up, making the reader infer the private feelings behind

the personal experience that was shared. In using techniques like this, the author is persuading

readers by comparing their experiences to the general audience’s. When a reader can relate to a

piece, the truth that they discover is one that they already knew, but are glad to confirm. This

balance, while hard to accomplish, is vital in writing eloquently.

Finding that balance between private and personal is not an easy task. In writing, one can

get caught up in unnecessary details, losing the focus of the story. In my memoir essay, I tried to

mimic Bogart's balance but in a slightly different way. Where she wrote in a way that everyone

could relate on their own, I chose to separate the general population and myself in the writing

while using repetition. Sections of the piece like, “They fear being disliked, they fear rejection. I

fear being disliked, I fear rejection.” (4) made a clear distinction while keeping a balance

between personal and private writing. If one is writing a narrative of sorts, finding moments for

personal reflection is vital but in a contemplative essay, it can be a struggle to find moments of

reflection in which the piece is more personal. As I began to revise my own work, I realized that

each one of the interviews and each one of the Bible verses I included related to me somehow.

Not everyone exploring the question, “why have so many people throughout history suppressed

others in the name of Christ?” (1) would have chosen to interview these specific people or use

these Bible verses to find an answer. These hidden elements of honesty added to the piece.

Whereas the contemplative was difficult to write, the lyrical essay was much easier. In the lyrical

form of writing, I could choose a general topic and then apply it to myself and others. Sections

like the one listed below allow readers to look inside themselves and explore the idea of ignored

problems in their own life, as I did while writing this piece.

When young we think there will be time to solve our problems; when we are older we

realize that the mistakes of our youth are not so easy to escape, haunting and following,

the ghosts of our past seeming to follow us, unrelenting no matter how long we ignore

them (3).

Being an honest writer—being vulnerable, and finding a balance between personal and

private— is not an easy thing to do. But, when one can do it well, their essays begin to further

bridge the gap between ordinary and eloquent.

Lopate writes, in the introduction of The Art of the Personal Essay, that “the personal

essayist is not necessarily out to win the audience’s unqualified love but to present the complex

portrait of a human being” (28). When writing essays, many strive to answer questions about

humanity as a whole— this is not an easy task to undertake. One element of writing that can

simplify this task is the use of imagery. It can bring the reader in, compare two opposing ideas in

a vivid way which helps the reader see beyond the symbolism. One author who does this well is

Brian Doyle in his piece “Joyas Voladores”. This essay explores the amazing aspects of a

hummingbird heart, whale heart, and how life is a running clock that does not slow down. He

composes artful sentences enrapturing the reader like, “But when they rest they come close to

death: on frigid nights, or when they are starving, they retreat into torpor, their metabolic rate

slowing to a fifteenth of their normal sleep rate, their hearts sludging nearly to a halt, barely

beating, and if they are not soon warmed, if they do not soon find that which is sweet, their

hearts grow cold, and they cease to be” (Doyle, “Joyas Voladores”). The vivid imagery found in

words like “frigid”, and “sludging” help the reader picture the situations this hummingbird is

going through. Even amidst the facts he shares, Doyle’s imagery adds to the strength of his work.

Whereas form and honesty were newer concepts to me this year, imagery is one element I

have been incorporating into my writing since the beginning of junior high. In my memoir essay,

it was particularly easy to incorporate imagery as it was written in a narrative style. I found that

when describing the setting, imagery fit perfectly. As the piece closes, I incorporated imagery

while changing the tone of the piece.

“It was a beautiful day, the birds were chirping, the tree’s shade shielded us from the sun,

and as the sticky popsicles became lip gloss Ava and I smiled, laughed, and talked about Polly

Pockets” (2).

The imagery of the sticky popsicles melting into lip gloss and the carefree environment

which surrounded us makes the reader question the earlier strife that takes place in the piece. In a

contemplative essay, imagery is fleeting unless placed carefully. Rather than using the

descriptive sentences of the memoir, using words like “enslaving” and “scaring” (1) gave small

amounts of imagery that accomplished a similar effect. In the lyrical essay, the imagery was

much easier to come by. When discussing a complicated system like the brakes of a car, imagery

helps readers grasp concepts they might otherwise not understand. In the sentence, “To stop the

car, they push in on themselves, forcing together two opposing poles of a magnet” (2) the

difficulty that is there is made clear to the reader. This exemplifies the difference in brake

systems between a car and a bike. Without this imagery, the readers who have not studied cars

before would be lost. Imagery is a vital aspect of eloquence for it gives the reader more to hold

onto and understand.

Previously I mentioned how readers are searching for the truth. During this, they will be

much more likely to search if it is written eloquently. I have always loved to write and this past

semester I have been challenged as a writer in more ways than I can count. Day one we were

asked to create a blog on which we would publish our writings. I could not imagine sharing my

writing with other people, and yet here I am today, writing this preface for whoever desires to

read it (probably just Professor Lange, but who knows? Maybe I have hidden readers

somewhere). In crafting eloquent essays, my form, honesty, and imagery were three aspects of

writing that I was challenged to incorporate in each essay.

When I began this class, I was excited to write. The memoir and lyrical imitation pieces

both allowed me to think as I wrote, find unique ways to put forth ideas and experiment more

with the form of an essay— something that, before this class, I thought had to be paragraphs

followed by paragraphs. I felt as though both of these essays exhibited my voice clearly,

however, when it came time to work on the contemplative style, it was a frustrating experience. I

struggled to find my voice in this style, to format it uniquely, and to place imagery amongst

facts. I have immense respect for anyone who has mastered this style. Working through these

difficulties, however, I have become a much stronger writer. I was able to find my voice amidst

my facts in Bible verses, separate out the thesis, and use specific words to convey imagery. The

challenge that this essay presented, while frustrating, made me feel so accomplished once it was

complete.

This course has shown me that anyone can write, but those who take the time to perfect

their work can do it well. I have learned how important editing and feedback is in crafting an

eloquent essay. Writing is a process and one that takes time. I hope to continue writing using my

voice, whether it is in an academic paper or free-writing.

Works Cited

Bogart, Laura. I Choose to be Fat.

Doyle, Brian. Joyas Voladores.

Lopate, Phillip. “Introduction.” The Art of the Personal Essay, Anchor Books, 1995, p. 28, 25,

38.

Moore, Dinty W. “The Personal (Not Private) Essay.” Crafting the Personal Essay: a Guide for

Writing and Publishing Creative Nonfiction, Writer's Digest Books, 2010, p. 9.

Sherman, Alexie. Reservation Drive-In.

Abby Montplaisir

Professor Lange

WRT 201-H: Art of the Essay

12 December 2017

Accepting the Vinegar

Overall, I was a well-behaved as a child. I would do my homework, get good marks in

school, and excel in my athletic involvements. As the oldest of three, my parents expected me to

be a “good example” for my younger siblings, but every now and then, I fell short of that

expectation. My parents wanted to raise kind, respectful, and thoughtful children— as most

parents would. In order to combat the bad behavior, my mother started to carry a pipette in her

purse filled with vinegar. Rather than go through the hassle of finding soap to wash my mouth of

snarky comments, my mother would sterilize my vocabulary with a drop of vinegar on the

tongue. It worked. Every time I talked back or misbehaved the pipette would appear in my

mother’s hands. After a conversation of what went wrong came the moment I most dreaded—

the vinegar itself. At first, I fought it. I would run, hide, and, when all else failed, I would scream

and writhe in my mother’s grasp, but as time went on I realized the only way to truly stop this

poison was to watch my words and think before I acted.

Growing up I always assumed that each child was disciplined when they misbehaved—

receiving the vinegar equivalent as a motivation to speak with care. It was not until third grade

that I realized this was not the case.

Third grade is a year of transition— no forty-five-minute-long recess, no story times. In

this year, students are expected to take more responsibility, handle homework on their own, and

study for tests. One might assume that teachers would emphasize life skills along with cursive

writing, but kindness and respect were not in the curriculum.

When it came time for reading groups I was a part of the envied “red group.” We were

the advanced readers who could choose our chapter books and explore novels through group

projects, videos, and activities. Ava, the new girl, had just moved into the red group. The tall,

blonde-haired girl from Georgia was outspoken, bold, and unafraid to challenge anyone who

disagreed with her. I admired this newfound tenacity and strength. She and I became fast friends,

our passion for Polly Pockets strengthening our already forming bond.

Fridays were the students’ favorite day of the week because it meant two things—

popsicles and sitting outside. One Friday stands out in my mind. The sun hung over our heads

while clouds loomed in the distance, threatening to overtake the bright mid-morning with

nothing more than a swift breeze. After receiving our popsicles, Ava and I were looking for

somewhere to sit but all the picnic tables had been taken. The overflow of students into the grass

area was already apparent. The lack of shade made the grass a less-desirable place to sit amidst

the Florida heat. I assumed that was where we would end up but Ava had a different plan in

mind. She led the way as we approached a nearby table where some second graders were

enjoying their popsicles.

“Move. I want to sit here.”

Ava spoke with a sense of authority and I felt a drop of vinegar grace my lips looking

into the eyes of fearful second graders. Moments later they scattered, leaving the shaded picnic

table desolate. We sat. I did not question Ava. I did not think about the taste of vinegar on my

lips but rather I covered the bitterness with my grape popsicle. It was a beautiful day, the birds

were chirping, the tree’s shade shielded us from the sun, and as the sticky popsicles became lip

gloss Ava and I smiled, laughed, and talked about Polly Pockets.

During literature circles the following week, we were trying to choose our next chapter

book when a shy, short, brown-haired boy spoke with a big smile shining across his face spoke

up.

“I really want to read a Magic Tree House book this time. There’s this one where—”

“Magic tree house is stupid just like you Brandon,” said Ava, cutting him off.

He looked down as Ava began to discuss the premise of Junie B. Jones as it would be a

“perfect book for our group” that was “so much better than anything about trees.” The boy sunk

back in his chair a little lower than before, his shoulders folded in on themselves as a book

corner is turned in to mark one’s place. This book was one that would not be opened again.

Glancing back at that book, closed tight on the edge of the desk, so close to falling, I can

taste the vinegar. Ava may have shut the book, but everyone else in the red group pushed the

book to the edge. We brushed her harsh words towards Brandon off, assuming he was in the

wrong. I did not taste it then, perhaps I was too absorbed in the power-hungry premise of

choosing something Ava would approve of. No one wants to be the closed book, alone on the

desk feeling untouched, unread, and unloved.

From the outside looking in, one assumes the antagonist of this story is Ava. She led the

way and instigated all sorts of negative commentary, treating others disrespectfully simply

because she did not agree with them. In each instance, however, I could taste, or would taste, the

vinegar. I felt the sting on my tongue prompting me to apologize for Ava’ actions, pushing me to

stand up for each individual. I doubt I was the only one. In each situation, there were bystanders

that could see the injustices, that could see the pain being caused by caustic words. They can

taste the vinegar, they know it’s wrong, but often they just grimace and swallow the taste

because they fear the repercussions of standing up for the others.

They fear being disliked, they fear rejection.

I fear being disliked, I fear rejection.

My mother raised to make good choices, to be more than the ignorant talk and hurting

others for insignificant reasons and yet this fear held me back from speaking up. Ava was the

“queen bee” and I was a worker bee who had been chosen, for some unsaid reason, to

accompany her throughout her palace of third grade. I openly accepted the new girl, despite her

negative qualities. I grabbed at her power and fearlessness like a child grips the monkey bars—

knuckles white, afraid of the fall. I did not want to lose her favor over something “meaningless”

like the feelings of second graders or the things that Brandon cared about. But these people, these

passions, mattered.

I realize now that, “everybody wants what they don’t have” and what I lacked in the third

grade was the ability to speak for myself. Even when I tasted the vinegar, I simply grimaced and

swallowed, waiting for the next spoonful to graze my lips.

When 5th grade hit, Ava decided she had outgrown the Polly Pockets and me with them.

Dark clouds loomed over us at the lunch tables, afternoon thunderstorms lying in wait. I walked

through the courtyard looking for my partner in crime. There, at our normal table, she sat.

Carrying my lunch tray towards the picnic table where the innocent second graders had been

pushed to the side, I realized there was a new addition. Seated across from Ava was Skyler, a girl

who had more Silly Bands on her arm than skin particles.

Setting down my tray on the edge of the table was a mistake. I should have realized when

I saw the girl, but my seemingly naïve nature distracted from the obvious.

Glancing across the table half-heartedly, Ava examined my bare wrists.

“You can’t sit here. Skyler is my new friend and there’s not space for you anymore.”

I almost expected my mother to come running with a spoonful of vinegar, but she didn’t.

Skyler’s face grimaced as she swallowed her own vinegar, avoiding eye contact with the girl

who she had replaced. I walked away from the Queen Bee’s table with my tray resting in my

hands. I felt the rain drops before I saw them— “and as you all know, bees cannot fly in the

rain.” The purifying drops of water washed away the poison and disguised the salt-water drops

falling off my cheeks.

Works Cited

Bee Movie. Directed by Steve Hickner and Simon J Smith, screenplay by Jerry Seinfeld,

DreamWorks Animation, 2007.

“Selena Gomez, Beauty Quotes.” PEOPLE.com, 18 Apr. 2016, people.com/celebrity/selena-

gomez-beauty-quotes/.

Abby Montplaisir

Professor Lange

WRT 201-H: Art of the Essay

12 December 2017

Historical Hypocrisy

I never understood history. Throughout elementary, junior high, and high school I always

struggled. It was just memorizing facts but, the dates always got muddled in my head. The most

complicated part for me, the part I understood the least was whenever we learned about the

crusades or mission work. Enslaving people in the name of Christ or scaring someone into

believing was not something that I, being raised in a non-denominational Christian home, would

have expected from a group of people labeled Christians. Who was this God they were serving?

It was most certainly, I was convinced, not the same God that I chased after for a personal

relationship.

These Christians claim to love in a way that Jesus loved.

These Christians claim that we are all made in the image of God.

These Christians claim that every soul matters to God.

If Christians believe in the value of all human life, why have so many people who call

themselves Christian throughout history suppressed others in the name of Christ?

Throughout my life, I have seen multiple incidences where people have hurt others

while claiming to do so because of Jesus’ love. Walking through the halls of high school, a

constant push from each person, shoulder to shoulder. Voices were speaking— various tones,

volumes, and topics. One voice stood out amongst the rest. The voice of a boy wearing an FCA

(Fellowship of Christian Athletes) shirt telling a lesbian girl she was “an abomination who is

going to hell” all because she did not follow the same beliefs as he did. I knew the girl, she was

one of my friends, and rushing to her side I saw the pain in her eyes. His words, speaking out

against what he saw as sin, did more harm than good. In no way did they show this girl Christ’s

love.

I wanted an answer this complicated question but finding a place to start was difficult.

This past summer I read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. In this book, Lewis breaks down

Christianity to the basic principles on which it is founded. He recognizes the differences between

the denominations but focuses on what true Christianity is about and represents. He talks about

how people are supposed to love one another in the way God loves us and in doing this we put

others before ourselves. Lewis points us to the Bible when he says, “the New Testament gives us

a pretty clear hint” (84) when speaking about how we are called, as Christians, to live and honor

God. One major part of this is through love. The word love is found in the New Testament 232

times alone (“How Many”), why is this not the base of Christianity we see all the time?

The why, according to psychology professor Jennifer Cosgrove, has something to do with

the issue of sin. Cosgrove has been teaching at Concordia University for over 30 years and is a

Christian herself. She explains how when faced with trials, “we don’t think carefully enough

about how our faith should have us do something different.” That “something different”

Cosgrove is referring to is the way we treat one another. It is human nature to conform to those

around us. We do this to protect ourselves from harm but in this case, the evolutionary

psychology designed to help mankind allows us to hurt other individuals without a second

thought.

Hebrews 4:12 says that, “God is living and active.” If Christian’s believe in the word of

God, then they should be able to recognize that He has power over everything. Our faith in God

is more powerful than human nature. This does not mean that it is easy to ignore human nature,

but in the same way God can help us with sin, He helps us live a life unashamed of the gospel.

At the base of this human nature is our worldviews. A worldview is formed based on the

experiences you have had and the things you are told, it helps you form a grasp on the world

around you. If someone is raised to think that one race is inferior to the other, they can then

justify in their minds that treating those humans as lesser is okay, even though the Bible teaches

us that “God created mankind in his own image” (The Holy Bible, Genesis 1:27). Because we are

all created in God’s image, by treating one another in a lesser versus superior manner we are

dishonoring God. This idea is one that is ignored by people who have, and continue to, suppress

people in the name of Christ— in schools, in the workplace, and even within families.

Reaching out to people who do not believe and trying to share the word of God is not an

easy task, especially when it is someone you are close to. If these individuals rebuke you or try to

fight whatever it is you are saying, it is easy to act in anger and forget Christ’s love. In these

moments the people who the Christian care about the most can become confused and miss the

point being shared.

Branching off from Cosgrove’s point about actions in relation to others, Rod Soper, a

Christian professor of biology at Concordia University, says “Just because you’re in a group

called ‘Christians’ doesn’t mean you’re going to avoid evil. It’s the hypocrisy of it which makes

it seem worse.” When people see Christians that do not exemplify the teachings of the Bible,

these individuals can get skewed understandings of what Christianity’s calling to “Love your

neighbor” (The Holy Bible, Mark 12:31) really means. Christians are the Bible’s that non-

believers read and when Christian’s actions do not align with the teachings of the Bible this

creates the hypocrisy element that Soper addressed. Even those who are “saved by grace, through

faith” (The Holy Bible, Ephesians 2:8) will sin. Humans are imperfect, Christian or otherwise.

Soper mentions how just because of a title one cannot escape evil. This can be seen very

clearly if one looks at the widely known psychological Stanford Prison Experiment. College

students, who volunteered for this experiment, were placed into a replicated prison environment.

Some of the individuals were labeled as “guards” and others as the “prisoners”. They began to

act in these roles and it became real very quickly. Things escalated—guards were screaming at

prisoners, prisoners were being placed in solitary confident. In this setup, people began to act in

ways they would never have assumed they would, simply because of a title and an outfit they had

been given upon arrival. In a similar way, the title of Christian can make people feel as though

they are better than others and whatever they do is right, even if these actions are hurting others.

They feel as though their choices are justified and helping the “greater good”.

The complexity that follows living a “Christian life” is one that is inescapable. Perhaps

the issue of suppression is one we will never be able to leave behind. If the imperfectness of

humanity runs deep but we have such a powerful God, why do Christians still struggle with sin?

Why is the concept of perfectionism (the idea that salvation brings a sinless, “perfect” life) not

one we see in the lives of Christians?

Cassandra Gaona, a Christian high school drama teacher, has a unique perspective on this

topic as she is surrounded by students who do not always identify with the male or female

genders. In this environment she sees the end result of bullying—students coming to class

distraught because of an encounter at lunch. More often than not, these students who are doing

the bullying are Christian. Gaona says that “we try to make choices based on Christ and what we

perceive in the Bible.” If one examines the idea of gender and sexual associations other than the

male/female as unnatural and sinful. Those who are doing the bullying hold onto these ideas and,

when facing someone who identifies as something outside of the norm, they use a single verse as

an excuse for bigotry.

Christ calls us to “Love one another” (The Holy Bible, John 13:34) and yet these people

who are considered to be Christians are doing anything but. Gaona thinks these people “take this

line and they want to live true to it.” In an attempt to honor God, these individuals are making

judgments and saying things that go against the main teachings of the Bible. Branching from this

concept is the fact that Christians are human and, under the belief in Christianity, “all have

sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (The Holy Bible, Romans 3:23). People of the church

feel as though they are better than those without faith. This perfectionism blinds these

individuals to the negative effects of their actions.

A Lutheran pastor and professor of theology from Concordia University, Tom Park, said

that the reason behind the oppressor’s actions is that they want power and control. When

challenged, these people “use any means necessary to maintain [their status in the church].”

These people do whatever it takes to uphold their name and title, even if it means tearing down

others to get what they want. Dangerous mindsets like these make me question the validity of

church leadership at times, especially when one looks through history.

This idea of pushing down those who were trying to take power can be found in the

crusades. These people were trying to use the crusades to spread Christianity but in doing so they

killed thousands of people. In addition to their murderous conquest, they took land and punished

those who defied the Christian religion. Each one of these instances was done in the “name of

God” and yet, went against the very fundamental teachings of Christianity. Professor Park went

on to explain how “even now if you go to Israel and talk to people there the Muslims still

remember crusaders”. Professor Parks’ view is consistent with other scholars as well. Many

theorize “that the Church-sponsored military campaigns against its various enemies were little

more than a…pursuit of power by self-interested actors seeking power” (Latham 2). This concept

of people striving to maintain a position of power or authority in society is found outside of

Christianity as well. It is one we still see today—in the churches, in government, etc.

In Hollywood, there are currently many examples of women who have been sexually

assaulted and after the fact, are finally speaking up. The fear that the men in Hollywood instilled

in these women— Taylor Swift, Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd, etc.— scared them into silence

while promoting their male counterparts without consequence. These women are finally

exposing these men for who they really are. It is clear to me that this issue is not limited to the

Christian community. But it does spark the issue that perhaps the Christian community should be

acting differently than the secular?

This issue is not one of the past. The idea of Christians treating others horribly still exists.

Because of the imperfect world we live in, the sin which we live in, and the horrifying ways in

which people justify their actions, these actions of suppression are still very real. The only way

to combat this issue is to look at God’s word as an overview. Overall, the scripture teaches us to

love everyone, not just a select group. If we notice the Christians oppressing others and call them

out, hopefully they will see what they have done wrong.

In doing this, however, we must know that our own worldview can affect the way we

treat others around us. We must “First remove the beam out of [our] own eye, and then [we] can

see clearly to remove the speck out of [our] brother’s eye.” (The Holy Bible, Matthew 7:5) If we

want to do this we have to act in love. Everything we do should be motivated by God’s love for

mankind. This is an impossible task but if we live constantly striving to get to that point God will

work through us.

If we do this and become aware of our own actions and the effects on those around us,

only then can we begin to break down the actions of people around us clearly and without bias.

While the sinful nature of mankind may change the motivation to oppress, the solution is the

same for each instance— strive to live for Christ and God will do the rest. If we choose to

actively ignore God’s will and teachings, perhaps this suppression really will be inescapable.

Perhaps the title of “Christian” will lose it’s true meaning— little Christs.

Works Cited

“About.” Stanford Prison Experiment, www.prisonexp.org/.

“Ephesians 2:8.” The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments, Oxford University

Press, 2002.

“Genesis 1:27.” The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments, Oxford University

Press, 2002.

“Hebrews 4:12.” The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments, Oxford University

Press, 2002.

“John 13:34.” The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments, Oxford University

Press, 2002.

Latham, Andrew A. “Theorizing the Crusades: Identity, Institutions, and Religious War in

Medieval Latin Christendom.” International Studies Quarterly, vol. 55, no. 1, 2011, pp.

223–243. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23019520.

Lewis, C. S. “Social Morality.” Mere Christianity, William Collins, 2017.

Love.” Word Counts: How Many Times Does a Word Appear in the Bible?,

www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_WordCount.htm.

“Mark 12:31.” The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments, Oxford University

Press, 2002.

“Matthew 7:5.” The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments, Oxford University

Press, 2002.

Montplaisir, Abigail C. “Cassandra Gaona.” 4 Oct. 2017.

Montplaisir, Abigail C. “Professor Cosgrove.” 8 Oct. 2017.

Montplaisir, Abigail C. “Professor Park.” 5 Oct. 2017.

Montplaisir, Abigail C. “Professor Soper.” 8 Oct. 2017.

“Romans 3:23.” The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments, Oxford University

Press, 2002.

Abby Montplaisir

Professor Lange

WRT 201

12 December 2017

Procrastinating the Problem on Joyas Voladores

Consider automobile brakes a moment. When the car is traveling at high speeds, the press

of your foot can bring you to a complete standstill. The importance of brakes in a car can be as

small as slowing into a turn or as large as preventing an accident. The importance of a set of

brakes in a car is substantial, especially in consideration of control. Disc Brakes, stopping

mechanisms, things that are vital. Brakes in a vehicle can stop it, nothing else, except perhaps a

fatal collision, screeching, swerving, pushing, and working to stop a heavy, fast hunk of metal.

With each press of the foot, the breaks are pushed in on themselves, wearing out over time. They

press in on themselves, compartmentalizing energy in a carefully crafted mechanism.

Each time a driver is behind the wheel brakes are pressed a hundred times. They have the

potential to stop someone from crashing. They can last up to seventy thousand miles without

replacement, but when they are replaced they must be replaced correctly: with some models, or

with a combination of brake types, they can turn into a mess of mechanics, impossibly difficult

to decipher amidst the mess within the compartment (Toyota Brake Pads). Unless sorted through

and replaced properly, they may cease to function. Consider for a moment those brakes that

would fail, this very day: detrimental results despite a simplistic solution. Audis and Bugattis,

Acuras and Lamborghinis, Mazdas and Porches, Maseratis and Subarus, each car, fueled by the

strength of its engine, a hum to be cut short because of neglect.

Brakes in a car, like all mechanisms in a vehicle, must be very powerful. To stop the car,

they push in on themselves, forcing together two opposing poles of a magnet. The compression

squeezing together the brake caliper, looking like two padded circles engaged in a face-off down

a back alley, a face-off during which they will fight to find an end. Their bases beneath the

padding, the rotor, is built of cast iron, reinforced carbon, built to withstand the strongest of

forces, and even then, this battle armor always has an opening. The slots sliced through dissipate

the direct heat, pushing away the feverous energies. The price of their compressing is a life

closer to death; they wear away like a shoe rubbing pavement. It’s a battle to stop. You may want

to keep going. You may want to stop. You have to take care either way. Every set of brakes in a

car has a back and forth, a give and take. You can choose to use them or not. You can slow to a

stop sign, or you can accelerate past unaware of potential consequences.

One of the most simplistic kinds of brakes is that of a bike. It is comprised of no more

than a caliper and a compression handle. It’s as simple as squeezing a lever. It is a handle, small

and easy to use. A child can use it, slowing only to contain momentum. Brakes maintain the

control as the child attempts to balance the teetering vehicle. Once attached in the warehouse, the

brakes see the final touches—the chain added, seats adjusted, the whole bike cleaned— and then

it is sold. At this point the brakes, frame, axel, spokes, and wheels will either rest, unused in the

garage, or they will travel— down streets, alleyways, sidewalks, and pathways. But we know

this: the brakes of a bike, screeching to a stop, creating the skid marks on the street, stop you

nonetheless, the question is if you were able to keep your balance.

Trucks have a combination of disc and drum brakes. Cars have disc brakes only. Bikes

have a simplistic style that mimics the disc. Children’s scooters have no brakes but rely on the

rider. The only way to stop being the friction between the shoe and the pavement, rubbing and

slowing. Nothing is without brakes of some sort. We all have our own brakes.

So many ways to stop. So many moving parts in one stop. We are all moving fast with no

end—mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, lovers, children, friends. We try to ignore the

problems of our lives but when things move quickly we fall into the flow. Perhaps we must.

Perhaps we could not bear to stop, for fear of realizing our own mistakes. When young we think

there will be time to solve our problems; when we are older we realize that the mistakes of our

youth are not so easy to escape, haunting and following, the ghosts of our past seeming to follow

us, unrelenting no matter how long we ignore them. We patch and tape over the holes but no

matter how large the repair, no matter how extensive, the tear is still there. You can keep going,

living life as strong and whole and confident and successful as you can until the ghosts catch up

to you, the solution long gone in the past, the time you chose not to take two years ago, the

freedom of your body, the words we can worry about it later, a friendship ending in pain, the

careful touch of a hand on your cheek as you lean in, the memory of opportunities brushed to the

side because you still had so much time.

Works Cited

Doyle, Brian. “Joyas Voladoras.” The American Scholar, 23 June 2017,

theamericanscholar.org/joyas-volardores/#.

“How Long Do Toyota Brake Pads Last? - Toyota Parts Blog.” Toyota Parts Center,

parts.olathetoyota.com/blog/9333/how-long-brake-pads-last.