When I read Margaret Atwood's Letter to America I found myself relating well to everything she was saying. I have dual citizenship and before the Iraqi war I was proud to have family from a country that gave the world so much. But, so much has changed since George W. Bush started the war on terror; I started to avoid mentioning my family was American.
Although this essay is addressed to America, it is more likely aimed at Canadians since it was originally published in the Globe and Mail. I think one of her main points is a critique of the Patriot Act since her essay was published 2 years after the Patriot Act was put into effect. She mentions how the Constitution is being violated because the police can enter a house without the owners knowledge, or people can be arrested and held without cause. To make matters worse the Patriot Act is supposed to protect democracy and freedom in America and the Middle East.
I think the least effective part of the essay is the beginning references to "pop culture." Even though her primary audience would be people who would be familiar with her references I think it would be more effective if she had included more references to things the younger generation would be familiar with.
My favourite part was the end when she talked about the old British myth. I think that it is a great idea for Americans to look to the past, to all the great things that America did and try to go back to what America used to be. If this letter was written more recently I think it would be very different. Instead of being so critical I think it would be more complimentary with Obama doing so much to change what is going on.
How would this letter be different if it was written by an American?
