Student Declaration of Independence

There are times in life when those without authority or any means of assuming authority must stand up for what they believe in. When it impacts the life they will lead, and the path to success in achieving their dreams, they should be permitted to make their opinions heard. In those occasions when an entire group of people agree upon changes that must be made, it should be in the best interest of those with authority over the aforementioned group to put their best effort in to reaching the prospect of the changes deemed necessary. We, the student body of Grosse Pointe South, take it upon ourselves to express the faults within the classrooms, the school, and the school district. Year after year, the curriculum within Michigan schools stays generally the same, with very few changes. Adults are often afraid of change, even if those changes that could be made would benefit the students who go through that set of courses. But we have decided that something must be done to fix that, and we must move out of the rut that the Grosse Pointe School district seems to be stuck in. Without consequences put forth and voiced by the student body, there is no motivation for teachers, staff, and administers to make those changes that promote the higher quality of learning.

They have limited the amount of teams and clubs students want to run and participate in.  Students have many interests and to form a team or club we need staff sponsors. Some teachers are not willing to donate their time after school limiting the amount extracurricular activities. The students that would like to have new teams or clubs are not able because of the lack of teacher effort. We are unsatisfied by the lack of teacher effort, and the lack of activities that students would like to have.

They have limited the amount of snow days because Grosse Pointe is a walking District. We do not take buses but that does not mean that students do not drive themselves to school. It is dangerous for anyone to drive on the snow covered and icy roads and is especially dangerous for new drivers. For the students that walk to and from school it is hard, because the sidewalks are not cleared or salted that often. Students and teachers slip on the icy sidewalks walking into school and injure themselves. The community would be safer if we could stay home on excessively snowy days.

They have placed fees on our athletics. They have required these fees multiple times a year. They have refused to let us play without these fees, when we cannot pay. They have insisted we pay these fees, even if our sport requires more money to pay for other things. They make us pay these fees still, if we fundraise, or gain separate donations.

They have increased the amount of homework for students at Grosse Pointe South. We are at school for eight hours and then have to spend four or more hours on homework every night. That is way too much time. We all have many extracurricular activities and do not have the time for piles of homework. Teachers do not understand that we have six other classes everyday that give us excessive amounts of homework. The students at Grosse Pointe South have to stay up into the late hours of the night, to finish their homework and that is not healthy.

They have given students many different essay formats. We as students should have one essay format that is consistent in every class. The lack of a constant essay format creates confusion while writing essays for the student body. Essays are a large part of our grade and if we use the wrong essay format our grade could suffer. The absence of one essay format for the school makes it unclear which essay format the student body should follow.

They have placed tests from multiple classes on one day. They have placed stress upon us, when we know that studying for multiple tests is nearly impossible. They have deprived us of time to study when studying requires material from several classes that are very time consuming. They have deprived us of a good grade when we could not study. They have given us a disadvantage against other students with different teachers, who would be given more time to study their class’s material.

They have increased the amount of non-academic requirements. Unnecessary classes like gym, health, and a computer class should not be required for students at Grosse Pointe South. We took those classes all through elementary and middle school. For a student that is not interested in those classes, they limit the amount of classes they can take that are relevant to their future career. The student body is not saying that those classes should be eliminated from Grosse Pointe South; they should just not be required.

They have restricted schools we are allowed to attend. Students in Kindergarten through 8^th grade should be allowed to choose the school they want to go to.  Families move and we are forced to switch from their former schools. We should not have to be separated from our prior friendships formed at designated schools by you.  Students also have unique learning complications, and they should be able to go to schools that they can benefit most from.  Without being able to choose our schools the students may have to switch schools, or attend school unfit to help with their unique learning abilities.

They have reserved days to be only eight hours. They have not added hours to our day specifically for work, so that we could go home homework free. They have not added hours to our day specifically for sports, so that they do not run late into the day after school. They have not added time after school, to get more done, and provide for an extra day off. They have not placed a few extra hours on a school day for work, or sports, which would provide for an extra day off and a stress free environment at home.

They have not provided for a more flexible schedule. They have not allowed students to take one class off each week to provide for more study time or to pursue other activities. They have not allowed individual time in school to pursue activities outside of school, like sports. They have not given time in school for individual study that may result in higher testing scores. They have not even allowed giving up a class per week for individual study when an elective cannot be given up for a tutorial.       

Therefore, we, the student body, following the precedent set by our nation’s founding fathers, with the will of justice and right, severe the bonds and secede from the tyrannical and archaic establishment, and assert our right to teams without high and individual fees; the access to a system of testing where the tests are set at different dates, not piled on one day; the ability to graduate with the necessity of acquiring credits from classes that are not academic; the sanctity to days off from school when there’ enough school that other local districts are closed; the creation of a uniform way to write essays for every class in school; the freedom for a balanced and reasonable load of nightly homework; the freedom to step classes; the easing of how difficult it is to form clubs in school; the much increased level of education that would be received in a day with two extra hours, ne for sports and one a homework period; and the power to chose which school we want to go to, as long as it is in the district and you live in the district, for grades K-8. It is not logical or right, that we the student body, should struggle on while burdened by these tyrannical policies of the establishment, and if it is possible for these rights to be gained by sedition from the establishment, then we have the right, we have no choice but to secede from the oppression we are currently faced with.

Crucible Epilogue

I knew that it had been a mistake. I had seen it in Elizabeth Proctor’s eyes as she realized that in trying to protect John, she had only condemned him. I had seen the guilt and fear that Abigail Williams had when John first accused her of being a whore. I had seen Rebecca Nurse before she’d been hanged; fear, innocence, and confusion on her face. There was no Devil in Salem.

I blame myself for the deaths; I did not see the lies in the accusations, and in the false afflictions. I did not notice that the girls were only acting, and I should have. I should have seen that they were only mimicking signs of being afflicted by witches, and I was made into a fool.

And now the town of Groton has claimed that the Devil has arrived, and witchcraft is upon them. I knew that I had to come, for fear of losing my reputation, but how can I tell them that there are no witches, when I have just had 18 innocent people hanged for just that?

Reverend Morris looked at me, his expectations clear in his eyes.

“It’s the Devil, isn’t it?” he asked, but it sounded like a demand, rather than a question.

“I could not pretend to know just yet,” I said. “I must take the time to examine the girls further.”

The Reverend shook his head in disbelief. “It has been a week! Surely there is nothing left to examine?”

I sighed. The symptoms were the same as they’d been before. How could I possibly claim that witches are not present, when Reverend Morris, along with the rest of the town, knows of what happened in Salem? How could I deny the presence of witches without casting doubt upon my good name?

Upon hearing no response, Reverend Morris continued, “Jane Davis is sick, the same as those girls in Salem. Why is this any different? She and Martha Elwins are being afflicted every night, and they are certain that it is Goody Brown. Why isn’t she punished for her sins? Why does she continue to walk through this town, as though she has done nothing?

“Because she has done nothing!” I snapped. “They are lies, Reverend, all lies!”

Reverend Morris stood there, staring at me, confused and offended.

“There was no witchcraft in Salem,” I mumbled, more to myself than to Reverend Morris. “They were innocent, every last one of them.”

“But—” his eyes furrowed in confusion. “The girls, the ones afflicted—”

I shook my head. “All liars. Followers of Abigail Williams.”

“But what reason would they have to do that?”

“Abigail was in love with a married man, and seized the opportunity to rid the world of that man’s wife,” I said.

“You lie, sir!” Morris said, exasperated.

“Please, Reverend Morris, do not hold my authority is such low esteem. I have no reason to lie to you about this, and if you would just listen, I could prove it to you.”

“But you do have reason, if you’re working with the Devil!” Morris exclaimed. His look of fear and uncertainty had disappeared, and been replaced with confidence and frustration.

“You cannot be accusing me?” I was bewildered.

Reverend Morris’ voice shook in anger. “I have just as much authority in this town as you, sir. Though you are practiced in the art of discerning where the Devil may or may not be, it doesn’t mean I can’t see a traitor of God when he stands right in front of my eyes.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but decided against it. I had to have proof. I had to show Reverend Morris that he had made a mistake, and that I was speaking the truth. I shook my head, unable to believe what I was about to do. I stood up, and walked out the door. I knew this was my last chance, but it was risky. Depending on Reverend Parris in a situation as grave as this may have been suicide, but it was the only hope I had.

I walked into the Town Hall. “Get a message out to Reverend Parris of Salem. Tell him that he is needed here, immediately.”

The man nodded, and walked out the door. I sat down in an empty chair, exhausted.  What have I done? I thought to myself. A few minutes later, Reverend Morris entered with the local judge.

“I am sorry, Reverend Hale,” said Judge Reaney, “but you have to come with me. Until we can hold a proper trial for you, we must hold you in the local jail.”

“Then I’ve been accused?” I asked as calmly as possible, staring down at my feet.

He nodded, and I stood up and went with him to the jail.

I knew it would be at least a great number of hours before Parris came, but in fact, it turned out to be two days. Two days of waiting for him to arrive, locked up in the local jail of Groton, doing nothing but sitting.

“Hale?” Parris asked as he walked into the jail. “What’s going on? They say you’ve been accused of witchcraft.”

“Yes,” I said. “I told them the truth of what happened in Salem, but they didn’t take it very well. They think the only reason for me to deny the presence of witches like that is if I am one myself.”

“But that’s insane!”

I nodded. “I know.”

“Don’t they know that a Reverend cannot be taken by the Devil?” he asked.

“No, they do not believe it. But all they need is another reliable, well-known voice to assure them of the falseness of witchcraft. If you would only—”

“Tell them myself, I understand.” Reverend Parris finished for me. He paused, considering the idea.

“If you’re worried about being accused and hanged by my side, I tell you; it will not happen. They will not condemn two men of God, they simply won’t.”

“Okay, I’ll do it. I’ll tell them the truth of what happened in Salem.”

I smiled, for the first time in a good, long while. The relief was so great, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I watched as the Reverend walked out of the jailhouse, and once again, I was left in a position of waiting. I was left in a position of depending on one man – Reverend Parris – to save my life.

Parris soon returned with Judge Reaney and Reverend Morris by his side. I tried to read the expressions on their faces, but couldn’t.

“Reverend Hale, if you will come with us,” Morris said, as Reaney unlocked my cell.

Confused, but still hopeful, I walked behind them. We headed toward the village houses, and I saw one in particular. The house of Jane Davis, the little girl who had first brought the idea of witchcraft to Groton. They had told me that she’d been sick for weeks, but until they heard about Salem, they had no idea of the reason for her condition. Immediately after the town started crying out that it was witchcraft, Jane had called out the name of her first victim that she was accusing of witchcraft, and that is when they called me.

I walked up to Jane’s room, behind Judge Reaney. Reverend Morris came behind me, and as we entered the room, I saw something I was not expecting.

“Good morning Reverend Hale,” she said, her head bowed in respect.

Jane Davis was sitting in her bed, looking completely healthy, with a smile on her face.

“But, I don’t understand—” I started to say.

“Thank you Reverend Hale. You have saved me. You have saved all of us.”

I looked at the child with a blank expression on my face. What did she mean?

Before any of my questions could be spoken aloud, I was led back out of the room.

“What’s going on?” I asked suspiciously.

“The child is better, and she believes you are the reason. She believes you scared the Devil away from Groton,” explained Reverend Morris.

“But—”

“Don’t argue, Reverend Hale, it’s not worth it,” Parris said quietly to me. “You and I can go back to Salem now, and that’s all that matters.”

I shook my head, knowing that what he was saying was wrong. It wasn’t all that mattered. Letting the world know the truth was what mattered. But I knew there wasn’t much I could do. I knew that I could give my life for my cause and still not make a difference. I knew that the best thing to do now is to just sit and wait, hoping that no other towns will cry out “witches”.

Crucible Essay

In Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, power played a huge role in the witch trials. There were certain people who were obsessed with the idea of power, and leadership, and would do anything to attain it. Abigail Williams and Judge Danforth were just two of many characters who loved power. These particular two hold a huge amount of responsibility for the hangings of 18 innocent men and women, and the pressing to death of one. Abigail uses her leadership skills to convince a group of girls to join with her and accuse people in Salem of being witches, and afflicting them in various ways. Judge Danforth decided not to end the trials, even though he had the chance, because he was afraid he would lose his authority, and hurt his reputation. When there are leaders, there are followers, and Mary Warren is one of the biggest followers of them all. She tells John Proctor that she and the other girls are only pretending, and falls under his leadership, coming clean to the judges. However, when Abigail takes the reins and begins to accuse Mary, she switches sides in fear, in order to save herself. Mary Warren, Abigail Williams, and Judge Danforth are the three characters who are most responsible for the Salem Witch Trials.

Primarily, in the first act of The Crucible, when John Proctor and Abigail are talking by Betty’s bedside, Proctor mentions that the town is suspecting witchcraft. In response, Abigail disregards it, and says that it isn’t witchcraft. Abigail said, “We were dancin’ in the woods last night, and my uncle leaped in on us. She took fright, is all” (Miller 22-23). This shows that Abigail knew that none of what happened is witchcraft, and that it all started with Betty’s fear of Reverend Parris after he discovered her with the other girls, dancing in the woods. This is essentially a confession from Abigail that the girls’ afflictions from the witches are lies. Abigail could have stopped the witch trials by telling the town the truth, but instead, sees a chance to take Elizabeth Proctor out of the picture, so she can live happily with John. Abigail prolonged the idea of witches in Salem, and used her leadership skills to convince all the other girls to pretend with her. Therefore, she is responsible for initiating the idea of witchcraft in Salem.

Mary Warren tells John Proctor that she and the other girls were only pretending, and Proctor told her to confess. After Mary Warren admits to Judge Danforth that she and the other girls were untruthful, Abigail begins acting as though Mary was afflicting her. The other girls joined in, and in fear of being accused as a witch, Mary switches her loyalty from John Proctor to Abigail, and accuses Proctor of working with the Devil, and trying to get her to sign the Devil’s book. She said, ““No, I love God; I go your way no more. I love God, I bless God. Abby, Abby, I’ll never hurt you more” (Miller 119)! This quote demonstrates Mary Warren’s frantic confession when she believes that she may be in danger of being accused. When she thinks that she no longer has a chance to expose the girls for the liars that they are, and sees that she may be on the losing side, she cries and says that she wants to be on God’s side. Mary had the chance to end the witch trials, but she gave in to the fear and the pressure, and tried to win Abigail’s favor once more. For that reason, she is greatly at fault for the continuation of the witch trials.

In the fourth act of The Crucible, Reverend Parris goes to Judge Danforth and begs him to delay the trials, before John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse are hanged. He says that until that point, the only sort of people who had been accused and didn’t confess were people lower in society. Parris worries that, since Proctor and Goody Nurse are so well-respected in the town, their deaths may have bad consequences in the town. Danforth said, “Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now” (Miller 129). The quote illustrates Judge Danforth’s obsession with power, and with his reputation. Essentially, he is saying that he won’t postpone the trials because it makes him look bad. He doesn’t want people to doubt his authority, and possibly consider the innocence of those already hanged. By suspending the hanging of Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor, Danforth believes that he will damage his status. He is so focused on his own reputation that he doesn’t seem to realize the consequences of his actions.

Ultimately, Abigail Williams, Mary Warren, and John Danforth are most responsible for the witch trials. Abigail is the entire reason that the idea of witchcraft in Salem Massachusetts in 1692 grew to the extent that it did. Without her assurance of the so-called-afflictions, and her leadership over the other afflicted girls, the citizens of Salem may not have allowed the fear to have gotten so out of hand. With her assertive accusations and authority over the girls, she began the entire masquerade that resulted in the killing of 19 innocent people. Mary Warren was exceptionally responsible for the witch trials in Salem, because she gave in to fear. She was presented the opportunity to end the trials and deaths, and to expose Abigail and the other girls for the liars that they truly were, but out of fear, she relinquished. Finally, Judge Danforth holds responsibility for not ending the trials when he had the chance. He was worried about his reputation, and he knew that stopping the trials despite the continued accusations will cause doubt about his power, and about the guilt of those already accused and hanged.

Crucible Post 2

At one point, Proctor tells Hale that he believes in witches even though he does not. Would you be willing to lie and tell people you believed in something you do not in order to protect yourself? Why or why not?

Fitting in with society is an important part of anyone's life, and during the time of the Salem witch trials, it was especially crucial. Today, the only consequence of being different and believing different things than others is ridicule and the possibility of not being accepted. If my beliefs were questioned in today's society, and they were different than the majority of people, I would still most likely give my true opinion. 

However, in 1692, the Puritans believed that failure to be completely devoted to the Bible meant that person must be working with the Devil. The consequences of not believing in witches, and therefore, not believing in the Bible, were suspicion of witchcraft. Upon being accused, people could either admit to being a witch, or be hanged for working with the Devil. If I were a person living in Salem in 1692 and I were asked whether or not I believed in witches, I would answer that I most definitely did. Although it would be a lie, the alternative would be that I would be accused of witchcraft, and possibly killed. I would like to believe that I am the kind of person who would be willing to tell the truth, and do my best to expose witchcraft as the scam that it is, but I know that I could not gather that courage.