News
Lindsay Hull's essay nets praise from First Lady
 |
| Heralded writer: Lindsay Hull receives the award from Sepp Sprietsma for her essay. (Photo courtesy Benson School.) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Benson High School junior Lindsay Hull said she was amazed and honored to receive a signed letter from First Lady Michelle Obama recently, congratulating her on an award-winning essay about Martin Luther King Jr.
Hull wrote the essay last spring, and won $50 for it, but she said she never thought it would get even more attention.
Since then, St. David resident Naomi Comeau said she found the essay to be moving, and being a former member of the NAACP, she sent the essay and photo of Hull that was printed in the April 8 edition of the San Pedro Valley News-Sun to Clayborn Carson, an African-American professor of history at Stanford University and director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute.
In a hand-written letter to Hull, Carson said, "Please accept my sincere congratulations for your award-winning essay on Martin Luther King. I understand from Naomi Comeau that your commitment to King's principles is deep-rooted. I admire young people such as yourself who seek to make the world a better place for all. I also look forward to the time when our paths will cross."
Hull's essay, which focused on fear being the ultimate cause of hatred, prejudice and violence, didn't stop with Carson. It soon made its way to the White House, where First Lady Michelle Obama was also moved.
The letter signed by Obama says, "I wanted to write a special note of congratulations on your impressive achievement. Your success is a testament to your dedication and commitment, and you have no doubt inspired others through your accomplishments. Your hard work has truly paid off, and I hope that this recognition spurs you to continue to lead by example for those around you. I wish you the very best in your future, and again, congratulations."
Hull was shocked and subdued about being contacted by the White House and Carson, but her essay speaks for itself. Hull called it just an English assignment, but the essay speaks to all human beings.
"Hatred alone is a disgusting, ugly thing to be felt," Hull said in the essay. "It is something we should feel towards no one, but at times we have no control and we're led to carry out rash acts of rebellion. But how is it that a small feeling, such as fear, could lead to an emotion as strong as hatred? It is simply an instinct we carry to protect those we care for, such as a child or loved one. If that were to be taken away, we react with fear that we may have lost, or be losing, that special someone forever. We are then angered at the source of our unhappiness. For those of African-American descent, they were punished out of fear of becoming the dominant race."
Hull ended her two-page essay with not only the message of Martin Luther King, but also words spoken by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
"It is short and true," Hull wrote. "When we are afraid, we do things that aren't like ourselves, sinking as low as racism. Martin Luther King Junior spoke words never to be forgotten and taught valuable lessons. Franklin D. Roosevelt once said 'there is nothing to fear but fear itself.' This is one of the truest quotes to ever be heard. Fear alters our perspectives and takes hold of our common sense. Once we lose grip, we lose ourselves to a completely new person, one who is controlled by fear and hatred."
Benson High School junior Lindsay Hull said she was amazed and honored to receive a signed letter from First Lady Michelle Obama recently, congratulating her on an award-winning essay about Martin Luther King Jr.
Hull wrote the essay last spring, and won $50 for it, but she said she never thought it would get even more attention.
Since then, St. David resident Naomi Comeau said she found the essay to be moving, and being a former member of the NAACP, she sent the essay and photo of Hull that was printed in the April 8 edition of the San Pedro Valley News-Sun to Clayborn Carson, an African-American professor of history at Stanford University and director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute.
In a hand-written letter to Hull, Carson said, "Please accept my sincere congratulations for your award-winning essay on Martin Luther King. I understand from Naomi Comeau that your commitment to King's principles is deep-rooted. I admire young people such as yourself who seek to make the world a better place for all. I also look forward to the time when our paths will cross."
Hull's essay, which focused on fear being the ultimate cause of hatred, prejudice and violence, didn't stop with Carson. It soon made its way to the White House, where First Lady Michelle Obama was also moved.
The letter signed by Obama says, "I wanted to write a special note of congratulations on your impressive achievement. Your success is a testament to your dedication and commitment, and you have no doubt inspired others through your accomplishments. Your hard work has truly paid off, and I hope that this recognition spurs you to continue to lead by example for those around you. I wish you the very best in your future, and again, congratulations."
Hull was shocked and subdued about being contacted by the White House and Carson, but her essay speaks for itself. Hull called it just an English assignment, but the essay speaks to all human beings.
"Hatred alone is a disgusting, ugly thing to be felt," Hull said in the essay. "It is something we should feel towards no one, but at times we have no control and we're led to carry out rash acts of rebellion. But how is it that a small feeling, such as fear, could lead to an emotion as strong as hatred? It is simply an instinct we carry to protect those we care for, such as a child or loved one. If that were to be taken away, we react with fear that we may have lost, or be losing, that special someone forever. We are then angered at the source of our unhappiness. For those of African-American descent, they were punished out of fear of becoming the dominant race."
Hull ended her two-page essay with not only the message of Martin Luther King, but also words spoken by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
"It is short and true," Hull wrote. "When we are afraid, we do things that aren't like ourselves, sinking as low as racism. Martin Luther King Junior spoke words never to be forgotten and taught valuable lessons. Franklin D. Roosevelt once said 'there is nothing to fear but fear itself.' This is one of the truest quotes to ever be heard. Fear alters our perspectives and takes hold of our common sense. Once we lose grip, we lose ourselves to a completely new person, one who is controlled by fear and hatred."
Copyright © 2012 - San Pedro Valley News-Sun