I'd like to dedicate this letter to Robert Emler, my 11th grade English teacher. Mr. Emler used his English class to make us read about the Holocaust and talk about it afterwards. He asked us questions about our perceptions of the world around us. He helped us to see how very rich we were, criticized us for not realizing it, and implored us not to take it for granted. He challenged us to think critically, to work hard, to care about people we'd never meet-to go out and change the world. In all this he was gentle and patient and tolerant, but unnervingly persistent in his views about the world.
Many people have contributed to making this letter a reality. I want to thank a small handful who have played key roles: L.M. Fenner, M.E. McNabb, P.J. Park, N.J. Parlante, R.R. Rosner, E.D. Skinner, P.J. Smul, A.F. Wright, C.A. Wright, J.D. Zelenski, and the good people of the Big Happy Home.
