TOW #27 – “Ending hell on earth for D.C.’s children” by Colbert I. King

In his editorial “Ending hell on earth for D.C.’s children,” Colbert I. King contests society’s standard of providing only limited relief to those born into bad situations. Recognizing that children born into poor or violent areas “didn’t ask to be born” (King), King develops an appeal to logos and pathos throughout the editorial. Throughout, King shares his own experience on the subject; his trip near San Francisco was mainly notable for the discrepancy of living conditions from Washington D.C. His trip widened his perspective on the issue of poverty and violence in neighborhoods; no kid should be shaped with fear as a constant concern. To reinforce his argument that children are not responsible for their living arrangements, he likewise recognizes that “the kids enjoying the delights of Half Moon Bay were not responsible for their comfort” (King).  He understands his audience; he understands that those entertaining Washington Post editorials may not be struggling with living arrangements as many in D.C. are. Thus, King appeals to pathos; he enforces this truth that no one should be punished for being born into poverty and danger. King asks for honesty beyond the typical defenses put up by those against governmental support – we cannot assume it is the parents’ fault, we cannot assume they are not trying to place their children in the best position possible. Therefore, he argues, “[d]emanding greater police presence, strict law enforcement, more competent adjudication and rehabilitation of offenders” (King) is necessary action that must be taken to begin a process of making D.C. safer. He proclaims, “it falls to us, if we really care, to help out,” (King) emphasizing the need for Americans to support struggling communities, continuing his appeal to pathos. To overcome these barriers, to relieve families from hopelessness, governmental support must be made accessible and possible to these communities in Washington D.C.

Works Cited

King, Colbert I. “Ending Hell on Earth for D.C.'s Children.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 28 Apr. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ending-hell-on-earth-for-dcs-children/2017/04/28/e2b85502-2b53-11e7-a616-d7c8a68c1a66_story.html?utm_term=.0a26618c3514. Accessed 29 Apr. 2017.