Leonard Pitts Jr: God Floating in the Pool

Leonard Pitts Jr. is a syndicated columnist for The Miami Herald. He’s written for several other publications such as Essence and Reader’s Digest. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in both 1992 and 2004. He won a Pulitzer for commentary in 2004.

A few of his articles are published in the 2008-2009 Best Newspaper Writing book that my Writing for Publication class used as a textbook. As an African-American writer, he portrays the differences between his community and others.

His articles are usually written using much repetition. This literary element is prominent in his article “‘Murder is the greatest injustice of all,’” where Pitts calls attention to the statistics of African-American killings. “And this is how we die,” is used as a transitional phrase, one that introduces more information to add to the whole picture of his article.




However, one of my favorite columns written by Pitts is entitled “I know He’s out there—somewhere,” which asks the essential question of existence and human relation to God. I found this article interesting the first time I read it, and though I understood the basic concept and idea, I couldn’t exactly interpret all of the distinct aspects.

Though he doesn’t use his typical and effective repetition, he uses a lot of dialogue as well as what I interpreted as symbols. He begins by describing a pool and “God...floating on His back.” After much dialogue from his part, Pitts seems to become overwhelmed from God’s silence. He begins to yell and exclaim that people no longer believe in God because he continually remains silent.

His faith is shaken throughout the article as he speaks to God who continues to float in the pool. As his religious dilemma unfolds, an atheistic perspective dawns on him. “‘When you see nothing, when you feel nothing, isn’t it logical to conclude it’s because there is nothing.’”

Then, in a split second, he realizes God left him, only to reappear outside of the pool “drying himself with a towel.” God’s only dialogue referred to a television program previously mentioned in the article before going inside the house. Immediately after, “It started to rain.”

The symbol I primarily recognized in the article was the water. Water in this article could represent doubt. As God soaked in the pool, more did Pitts find it hard to believe in God. Pitts’ sigh of relief to finally see God emerge from the pool and dry the water—doubt—from his body implies the human need to physically witness God to have faith. As God abandons Pitts, it begins to rain, indicating that Pitts once again began to doubt his faith.

This article is a perfect example of the daily struggle that we have to overcome doubt. Anything that disrupts it, such as rain, signifies the abandonment of God. We soak in doubt and instead of drying ourselves off with God’s towel, we allow God to leave. We forget to follow him “into the house."

Tips to Syndicating Your Writing

The video focuses on giving advice and tips for those passionate writers. Deanna’s enthusiasm allows her to quickly and easily introduce the idea of column writing.

Some of the simple steps that she covers are:
1. Write samples
2. Be consistent
3. Write an appropriate topic to prepare the reader
4. Determine: “What is your objective?”

Brooks: Globalization and Swine Flu

David Brooks, opinion and editorial writer for The New York Times, is an effective writer because he gives an introduction, then an idea he may or may not agree with, and finally supports or rebuts it with his personal opinions and logic. Hs suggestions, based on his logic, are reasonable.

As a response to the current global incidents of swine flu, or Influenza A H1N1, Brooks wrote an editorial that supported certain actions for controlling the wide spread of the virus. The article, entitled “Globalism Goes Viral,” uses the swine flu as an example of occurrences that should be responded to with certain measures.

Brooks begins the article with “In these post-cold war days, we don’t face a single concentrated threat.” The automatic response is one of fear. Concentrated threats imply the minimal, if any, amount of spread to other regions of the world. The world “single” adds to that panicked feeling; the realization that globalism has allowed the interaction and exchange of virtually EVERYTHING hits deep in our bloodstream. The article continues to support his first sentence for three paragraphs. He continues to use the word “we” freely and there is no doubt, he believes this not only an important we, but an apparent we. Had he used a less impersonal word than “we,” we wouldn’t feel the immediate connection to the rest of the globe.

As the article develops, he responds to a proposed policy of a global group brought together to respond to the globalized threats, (a body that may or may not focus on centralized power). “If we had a body like that, we wouldn’t be seeing the sort of frictions that are emerging from today’s decentralized approach.” Brooks could have used a number of words other than friction such as conflict, resistance, tension, hostility, disagreement, etc. However, the word friction could be seen as appropriate in context. Friction suggests the possibility of fire, a rapidly spreading problem for those in the immediate surrounding areas; just as the fire has the ability to spread, so too do pandemics like the swine flu.

However, he refutes this proposal and supports a more decentralized approach despite the arguments made previously in favor of centralized action by G. John Ikenberry. He asserts that decentralized approaches are more effective because local authorities and members of society bond to overcome the difficulties faced in their own communities. “Power would be wielded by officials from nations that are far away and emotionally aloof from ground zero.” A centralized approach would mean that proposals and actions would be equal in all parts of the world. Regions however, vary within countries and states; global differences are inevitable and quite large. The words “emotionally aloof” are powerful because they highlight the indifference of these action groups. Aloof also indicates the superiority of these assemblies versus local groups.

He also describes the necessity of being “flexible” in our response because the dilemma is “flexible.” The word flexibility is rarely used for viruses—adaptable or ever-changing seem more fitting. Brooks uses this word to personify swine flu. Globalization has allowed these incidents to become as unpredictable as humans, a fearful notion to say the least. Our reaction however, can adequately overcome these perils as long as decentralized groups exist.

Check out Noam Chomsky’s views on globalization. His comparison to the spread of drugs and its dangers can be applied to the spread of diseases.

David Brooks: My Introduction to Writing

Before I analyze the next columnist and editorial, I should probably introduce the writer. David Brooks is an opinion-editorial writer currently writing for The New York Times. He is the author of two books: Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There, and, the most recent, On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now (And Always Have) in the Future Tense.

I first read one of his editorials as a junior in high school. I was 16 years old and still a bit undecided about what I wanted to pursue in college. Well, David Brook’s “Pillars of Cultural Capital” piece aroused a current passion of mine. I love to write although I think it’s obvious considering I chose to research editorials and write about them instead of doing something else for my final project.

In my English Language and Composition class, we were required to analyze pieces of writing. One of these assignments was the previously-mentioned article. Until then, I didn’t realize that there could be so much thought and deliberation when writing. That one word could be crucial in a sentence, paragraph, or entire essay. That grammatically incorrect sentences could be used for emphasis and a literary tool. That repetition was not necessarily redundant.

These editorials break the rules of structured writing (and I have always been a fan of breaking the rules). As a writer, I want to continue breaking the rules—as long as they add to the piece as a whole—just in my own way. “Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.”

Ruben Navarrette Jr: Latinos and Politics

Ruben Navarrette Jr is a Mexican-American columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group. At the age of 28, he has reached great heights in his career. His columns are published in over 175 newspapers in the nation. He is both one of the few Latino syndicated writers and one of the youngest.

He is an editorial writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune. At the age of 26, he published his first book, “A Darker Shade of Crimson: Odyssey of a Harvard Chicano,” which focuses on his experiences at Harvard. Vindication, an essay he wrote about his struggles when beginning his writing career, was published in the “Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul,” the most successful Chicken Soup book.

It was difficult to center on one editorial from his archive of works. However, I found it quite appropriate to focus on the editorial “A bridge to Hispanic voters,” which focuses on one man, Juan Hernandez, a Hispanic volunteer for presidential candidate John McCain. Hernandez was known as the director of Hispanic outreach and his primary goal was to draw interest from the Hispanic community to support McCain.

His writing is rich with detail and long sentences. I found one of the most effective elements was the juxtaposition of Hernandez’s interests and the interests of the conservative Republicans. Both groups were focused on distinct goals. The goals were contradictory to say the least. “Meanwhile, down the hall, another portion of the campaign was hard at work…de-emphasizing his record of championing comprehensive immigration reform.”

This sentence gives a clear picture. The words down the hall bring attention to working in the same building, the same company, the same objectives. However, the rest of the sentence shows that this team in reality was pulling in different directions. The following paragraph is one word long, “Brilliant.” Its lack of length however, doesn’t take away from it power. Navarrette wants the reader to pause and ponder this inconsistency in McCain’s political strategy. The word brilliant is loaded with sarcasm, sarcasm captured by all readers.

Navarrette also describes Hernandez as being “roped” into a meeting focused on increasing Hispanic votes in McCain’s favor. One image of roped is that of herded cattle. Hernandez was not chosen to attend the meeting. He was compelled.

One of the simplest sentences in this editorial had the most significance for me. “They should have let McCain be McCain.” This sentence is placed towards the end to influence the reader. For me, the sentence suggested that years of political parties have forced people to support and view concepts from one side of the fence. Compromise is no longer an attribute for a politician. It’s all or nothing, an idea that could never be attributed to society. There are infinite shades of gray, shades of gray that political parties do not have room for or have carelessly ignored in their campaigns.

Navarrette’s editorials are simple. His meaning or opinion is not hidden in any form. He appeals to all groups and his readership is general. He is currently fighting for the Latino minority and breaking its barrier in the political field. Check out his opinions in the video below.

Lisa Nelson: Children & Carnival Fish

Lisa Nelson is a former screenwriter and now a feature writer. She writes about the comedic stints associated with family. Her column “One Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish, New Fish” was published in the Southwest News-Herald in Chicago. I rather enjoyed it despite the strange subject: carnival fishes.

No, not fishes that are put on display and do things like circus tricks…because frankly, can you train a fish to do those things and captivate an audience long enough for it to be remembered?



Her column focused on the lesson she learned from years of taking her children to carnivals. They lived to win fishes. Her fear was that her children instantly cared for these creatures, creatures she was almost certain would not survive more than 24 hours in her home.

Her details are entirely appropriate. “But my 5 and 7-year old were drawn to the win-a-fish game like cartoon characters to a pie in the windowsill…” She uses an analogy to relate her children to cartoon characters because she wants to point out the factors of the situation. The pie in the windowsill suggests childlike temptation; it implies that because it is seen in an unbelievable apparent spot, it has to be eaten. Winning a fish is not the actual temptation; the temptation lies in the physical aspect of constantly seeing others win the fishes. In this context, the pie is the fish but it is more than that.

After two of her sons each won a fish, Nelson explained the life or death situation the easiest way she could muster. “That said, I was determined to do everything in my power to keep these suckers alive.” The connotation of suckers in this sentence forebodes their ultimate death (not that it isn’t obvious from our own carnival experiences). However, these actions—explaining the fish’s situation and then fighting to keep them alive—are juxtaposed. The purpose behind the juxtaposition could lead us to one of the column’s messages. Even though she understands the realities of death, she cannot bear to teach that lesson to her children, a mother’s endless plight. She defends her children from pain even if she has to care for the fish as if it were a “liver for transplant.”

After their deaths’, the boy’s “reactions were equally heart-wrenching.” The word heart-wrenching indicates the fragile emotional state of the boys. However, because of the difference in their ages, it is implied that growth does not actually soften the experience of death. The only thing that comes with growth is acceptance. Witnessing death is inevitable—just as the boy’s watching others win fish was inevitable at the carnival. People merely move on. The pain becomes a like second-hand smoke. We inhale even though it’s bothersome. We just prepare for cancer.

Bill McClellan: Simply Direct

I decided to start with Bill McClellan’s columns. McClellan is a columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Though I know little about his background with writing, I understand that he is an inspiration to those in the community. He reimburses their time with editorials and columns seemingly strange and paradoxical at times.

However, his strength seems to lie in his endings. For example, in the article Why wait till the last minute used to be my motto, McClellan explores people’s social changes. Groups and routine behaviors lead us to certain habits. “Obviously, I don't yet know how to talk with my new crowd.” McClellan highlights the sense of comfort we build on from these groups; when we choose to leave that zone, we encounter difficulties. Just as high school cliques suggest, we must then adapt and this ever-changing adaptation creates disruption. Yet, it seems infinite. And infinitely complicated.

The article Man wearing a winter coat greets spring with a smile explores the process of human mentality. He judges a man by his physical appearance. His thoughts are negative (surprised?) and it sparks false inferences. “Just standing there grinning, as if a beautiful spring day were a gift from God and well deserving of a smile. And I figured he was mentally ill.” He ends the column with this short sentence to emphasize his automatic response, a response imposed from years of living in a self-centered society. The term mentally ill implies that the smile was not only a strange occurrence, but a disruptive one that should be locked away in those padded white rooms.

Proof the world is not a rational place, an article about the job market, employs a valid comparison to make its point. The article is saying that the choices we make are not rational for many reasons. To illustrate his position, he discusses the absurdity of money exchange. He shows two different perspectives. On one side, a mayor will not trade his unpleasant job for a higher-paying career in another field and politicians raise billions of dollars for a position that doesn’t pay half of that. And though that rationalization does not upset anyone, the opposite does.

Top employees, like Ameren Chief Executive Gary Rainwater, of large companies are paid billions of dollars when the profits of their company suffer and decline substantially. “Finally, how tough can it be to run Ameren? It isn't as if consumers have much of a choice. It's Ameren or candles. Most of us prefer electricity, and Ameren has a monopoly on that. Actually, I could understand if somebody were willing to pay $2.8 million to get Rainwater's job. That would be the sign of a rational market.” He’s direct. Despite the comparisons and examples throughout the column, he asserts his opinion in the last two sentences. It might be easy to simply say in two sentences, but the message wouldn’t have stayed with the readers had he not used different cases.

Anyone interested in his best articles, can purchase his book, Through the Glass Darkly, at the Post-Dispatch Store.

Introduction to Column Writers

As an aspiring journalist and currently an opinion writer for The Legacy, LU’s student newspaper, I became really interested in reading successful and experienced column writers. Columnists are known for their great and thorough reporting and researching skills.

These writers understand the intricacies of investigative journalism and writing hard news stories yet they can portray subtle meanings through metaphors, detailed images, and simple diction. Their writing is an art. Their art however, is portrayed to a dwindling number of readers.

But they continue to see. And they continue to write. Most importantly, they continue to make sense of the world we all seem to survive in.

For my final project, I chose to study the works of modern columnists. These articles cover ordinary acts, everyday people, current issues, and life lessons among other topics. Each is different and therefore uses a distinct style of writing to deliver their messages.

They are amazing because they can interpret events as ideas. Abstract thought in the modern world is hidden in the opinion pages of the newspaper. We look, yet we can’t seem to find it. It remains in the driveway, the desk, and underneath stacks of pages we might never go through. It lingers.