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HELEN KELLER: FRAUD OR FACTUAL?

PHS Students debate the merits of the existence of famed Helen Keller
Juniors Salem Brown and Paul Cox debating about Helen Keller’s accomplishments.
Juniors Salem Brown and Paul Cox debating about Helen Keller’s accomplishments.
Sophie Czirr

Helen Keller was a blind and deaf woman who made a big impact on many social and political issues. While she had many great accomplishments, in recent years, some controversy has been circling her name. 

“Helen Keller was a real person who walked around and most definitely did accomplish things,” junior Salem Brown said. “But her accomplishments are greatly exaggerated by people in the media to make her out to be more than what really happened.”

Although many people have the opinion questioning Helen Keller’s accomplishments, others feel that she and all of her accomplishments are authentic. 

“She’s 100% real, and people are just trying to drag her down for no reason,” junior Kenna Jacobsen said. “They’re haters.”

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Helen Keller is undeniable to many people, yet there are many individuals who disagree and are skeptical of her.

“I feel that some things that she did were a little over-exaggerated,” junior Alexa Richardson said. “I think that some things that she did, such as flying an airplane, were fake and made up to portray the idea that anyone can do anything.”

Some think that it is close to impossible to do such incredible things for a blind and deaf person, while others, such as Paul Cox, simply don’t understand why anyone would think differently. 

“People are only calling her fake because they’re mad that they have no real skills,” junior Paul Cox said. “They’re just mad that they’re inadequate.” 

Some see no common sense or reasoning behind thinking Helen Keller is a fraud. Others see no factual way that she is genuine. 

“She did not write a book because she had an interpreter,” Brown said. “The interpreter admitted she got the idea of what Helen Keller was saying but didn’t know the exact quote.”

There are many different theories on just how Helen Keller achieved her amazing accomplishments. Some people think that it is impossible to think that she faked everything.

“If she’s a fake, why would they do that?” Cox said. “They’re just mad that this inspiring, amazing story is too much for these people.” 

All in all, there are good points on both sides of this argument, and  it seems the question of whether or not Helen Keller is authentic, may never be answered. And some just think she was fake all together.

“Helen Keller was not real,” said senior Abby Eaton. “I refuse to believe that she existed.”

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