Creative Response 1

Dear Therese Carter,
I think it is great that you have provided for your family by staying home and watching your children, cooking meals, washing clothes, and cleaning your house. However, I think that there is so much more that you would like to do with your life and I think that you deserve to do those things. Going back to school and becoming a teacher is a great idea. I do not think that you should be embarrassed or feel ashamed for wanting to do these things. You seem like a very intelligent person who has a lot to offer the world. I don’t think that you should let the fear of having your neighbors laugh at you for going back to school stop you from doing so. Having goals and ambitions are a wonderful attribute, especially to a women that has been taught that her only goal in life should be to get married and have children. Breaking away from the mold that society has placed you in is never easy. However, it is very courageous. I feel that if you were to go back to school and become a teacher other homemakers would see what you have accomplished and they would be encouraged that they could do more then just raise children and bake cookies. Society has told women that their only role should be cooking, cleaning, and mothering. However, I think that it is time for society to change their view on women and stop viewing them as second class citizens. Don’t be afraid that your neighbors will laugh at you for going back to school. Many homemakers would probably love the opportunity to further their education; they just don’t have anyone encouraging them to do so. Turn their laughter into motivation to complete your goal and become the teacher that you have always wanted to be.

Another issue that you discussed that I found very interesting was your take on the Vietnam War. I agree with many of your opinions about the Vietnam War. You believe that people do not know enough about Vietnam to make a judgment about the matter. I highly agree with this. It seems as though everyone has an opinion about the matter and a way to make it better. However, what most people do not have are the facts. I feel that a majority of people do not have the facts about Vietnam nor do they know the truth. War is never an easy matter to make a judgment on, especially a war as complicated as Vietnam. It is refreshing to know that there are other people in the U.S. who want to learn more about Vietnam before forming a concrete opinion on the matter.

Therese, you appear to be a hard working, open minded person who is willing to learn about new ideas and opinions. Your take on Vietnam and your admittance that you do not know enough about the war shows that you have an interest in things outside of your home. I think that by suggesting to a colored man that he buy the lot next to yours shows that you are willing to accept people for who they are despite the labels that society has placed on them. Your desire to go back to school and continue your education shows that you are a motivated person that is willing to work hard to achieve your goals. I think that you would be a very interesting person to meet and I hope that you continue to take a stand on issues that are important to you.

Sincerely,
Gina Parisi