Lakewood Sentinel 11
6December 1, 2016
DORAY: Friends and family can help be reminders of how to be thankful FROM PAGE 10
a series called Lit Counts, in which writers and readers express why supporting and elevating the literary arts are so important to us. The literary art of journalism is particularly near and dear to me … so much so that I recently conducted a “Writing About What Matters” opinion writing workshop for gradeschool-age students in the Lighthouse Young Writers Program. It’s probably no surprise that students of this age have opinions, nor that the topics they choose – family, friends, country, women’s rights, female empowerment – reflect the world in which we as adults also operate. Literary journalism in the form of opinion writing in one way these students can express
their views. Literary journalists (some of my favorites are Roxanne Gay, Joan Didion and Walt Whitman) challenge us with their opinions … sharply crafted, sizzling with controversy, stinging with censure. And – if you follow online comments, which I do – rank with bias because overzealous readers react to these pieces as hard news, rather than as the opinions of the respective authors. But here’s the thing: Bias is preference, and preferences are judgments, and judgments are opinions. Hence the term opinion writing. And through this role of judge, literary journalists are making literature that matters. That’s why, in my recent student workshop, we examined the differ-
ALCORN: Trump’s ‘wise, beautiful’ statements can’t heal country alone FROM PAGE 10
We are a political people, it’s in our DNA — if we have to avoid talking about it, then it has gotten a little over the top. However, statements and proclamations are events that happen on a “macro” level. If healing happens on a “micro” level, then we can’t look to our “leaders” and the people at the top of the food chain to make that happen. We have to do that ourselves. We have to do that by trying harder this year than is usually necessary, to be the people we’d always hoped we would be. How? • Hold the door to the shopping center open for somebody you don’t know • Help somebody carry their bags to their car • Keep a supply of $5 gift cards to Starbuck’s or 5340 Coffee handy, and when you see a first responder working to keep you and your family safe, share • Go ahead and drop your pocket change into the red kettle; drop some
LETTERS FROM PAGE 10
Oblivious to taxpayer concerns As I read your Jeffco newsletter note lamenting the loss of the proposed tax increase and $800 million bond proposal, it was not without a certain sense of fascination that the teachers union-installed board could be so oblivious to the concerns of taxpayers and a large segment of parents. Perhaps the surrounding school districts where voters supported tax and bond measures are not so intolerant to charter school choices, and charter schools were not excluded from the benefits of the successful measures. Perhaps other districts do not
more; and don’t feel guilty if you’re empty — they’re everywhere • Congratulate a neighbor on how nice their Christmas lights look • If you are able, (and if this EVER becomes an issue this year), help out a neighbor shoveling snow • Make a conscious effort to compliment one co-worker every day This is, of course, by no means an exhaustive list. And, in so far as I stole most of those ideas from other people, feel free to contribute your own ideas — I’d love to hear some other ideas! The point is, we are a part of a community. We don’t have to agree on everything to still be conscious of being in that community. It’s just that sometimes, that community takes a little outreach to stitch together. Be that person this season. Be better than our politics, and a little more like what drew us together in the first place. Michael Alcorn is a teacher and writer who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. His novels are available at MichaelJAlcorn.com
have 15,000 open seats and flat to declining enrollment. Perhaps other districts did not structure their bond measures with interest only payments for many years which massively increase total interest costs over the life of the bonds. Using questionable Certificates of Participation to skirt the need to ask voters for capital funds does not court the goodwill of taxpayers. Perhaps other districts have more transparent boards that do not make decisions behind closed doors and hold the regard for student achievement below the interests and agenda of the teachers union. Unfortunately it will not be until Jeffco parents can form a union of their own and match the outside SEE LETTERS, P12
ences between fact and opinion. We investigated weighted words. We explored others’ perspectives, and practiced advancing our own. We wrote to inform, to persuade, to ask for action. We wrote with purpose. Our wrap-up discussion, however, enlightened me the most. These young students are writers of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. They enjoy history and fantasy. They read whatever they can get their hands on. So I asked them, what about opinion writing is different from other literature you enjoy, different from your own current writing? One young fiction writer, who creates imaginary people and happenings, said her work would not typically be challenged for its truth. Another student was
intrigued to use both fact and her own ideas in her nonfiction essays, saying, “I never believed I could do that before.” And the students agreed that, because some people will always disagree, opinion writing is both purpose and risk, a description I find particularly apt. We all have our judgments, our preferences, our biases. Writing to express these views effectively – as my second-, third-, fourth- and fifthgraders did so well – makes for good journalism, and good journalism, after all, is good literature. Andrea Doray is a writer who has had her share of people who disagree with her opinions. Contact her at a.doray@ andreadoray.com.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU If you would like to share your opinion, visit our website at www.coloradocommunitymedia.com or write a letter to the editor. Include your name, full address and the best telephone number to contact you. Send letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com.
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