Writing Samples

Making Sense of the War on Terrorism Date: November 2, 2002 Synopsis: Is the War on Terrorism, as presented by George Bush after 9/11, an effective strategy for addressing the threat of sub-national conflict? This brief essay explores reasons why the US is pursuing the aggressive but imprecise War on Terrorism, what the potential effects of this policy will be, and what changes will actually enhance American and international security in the future. Co-conceived by Kabir Masson. "The United States called for a war on Terrorism. It delivered a war on Afghanistan. Many people would contest this claim, not the least of whom being top American policy makers. Yet an increasing number of people in the world are seeing nothing but a brutal war on an already impoverished and politically moribund nation. Why is this? How did the United States and its eager train of anti-terror allies stray so surreptitiously yet so dramatically from �bringing those responsible to justice� to struggling to restrain a rag-tag band of �opposition� carpetbaggers from squabbling over the scraps of a crumbled nation? ...." ...Read the entire document

La vida en el Area de Charleston: Challenges and Opportunities for Hispanics in the Lowcountry Date: December 10, 2000 Synopsis: The number of Spanish-speaking immigrants in the Charleston area is increasing rapidly as are the resources to meet the needs of this community. This study examines the availability of eight fundamental social resources: employment, housing, transportation, medical care, social structure, creative expression, political and community involvement, and education. "This study includes my observations and opinions regarding the current and future state of the Hispanic community living in and around Charleston, South Carolina, based upon intensive research I conducted during the summer of 2000. I offer my deepest respect and thanks to those working in the Charleston area in the wide range of social service and outreach programs. It is the most I could hope that the observations and data collected in this project could contribute to these efforts in building vibrant, prosperous communities in the Lowcountry ...." ...Read the entire document

Days of Wanting Date: September 2002 Synopsis: This brief, incomplete, and very imperfect document is a creative reinterpretation of Appalachian American life in the the early decades of the Twentieth Century. Although all characters and scenarios are fictitious, this story attempts to draw on the rich storytelling heritage of my native region to illustrate a way of life that has all but disappeared. Inspired by the first-hand stories of my father, Norman Wilfong. "...Mrs. Chafer was born out of the Hinkler people up in the North Fork, and had only come to the Hollow twenty-three years ago when she finally took the hand of Jeb Chafer in 1909 (in fact, Naomi was a rarity for having married in from out of county to begin with). Although she had only spent 23 years of her life in the Chafer household, if had felt like all of time itself-- without beginning and promising no end. Jeb, her late husband, was born in 1886 and was the youngest of Mattahias Chafer (or Old Mat as he was generally addressed post-mortem). Mattahias had married a little thing from the Thorn Branch, and living on that same rough spot of land upon which Naomi now stood they sired Jebadiah�s brother Melvin, the man himself, and two of the loveliest girls that had ever come out of Witchum county: Ivy and Eda. ...." ...Read the entire document

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