TOW #14- Nonfiction Piece- Angela Merkel’s Cologne Test

"Angela Merkel's Cologne Test", written by Amy Davidson, editor and essayist at the New Yorker, is a editorial on the recent sexual assaults in Germany and the role that Syrian refugee played in the offense. In the essay she details the events that transpired and how it has become a road block in German Chancellor Anglea Merkel's plan to give asylum to Syrian refugees. Davidson main purpose being to examine the affect these sexual offences will have on the future plans to accept even more refugees. She does this most notably by using Hypophora, she raises the inevitable question that Merkel will have to face on her way to helping these refugees. One being that has her plan now come to an end, "Has it failed, though? More important, must it fail? One of the most provocative quotes in the leaked police report is from a man who shouted, 'I’m a Syrian! You have to treat me kindly! Frau Merkel invited me.'"(6). By using hypopthora she makes in known the uncertainly of Germany's future with the refugees and the questions that will most likely be faced with in the coming months. Does the actions of few affect the whole and with the addition of new refugees will criminal offences like sexual assault become more prevalent. Davidson masterfully utilizes hypopthora to convey these question making her editorial successful in examining the effect of these sexual offences have in the future of the refugees. Furthermore bringing a fresh and new perceptive on the future of the Syrian refugees and the effect it will have on the countries that accept them.