If you're wanting tips on developing your writing skills specifically for advocacy, you might be interested in this resource: "Writing to Change the World," a new book by Mary Pipher, author of "Reviving Ophelia." (Penguin, 2006).
Even if you're not interested in tips on writing, the book is worth looking at for Chapter 5,"Mr. USA." An experienced therapist, Pipher presents a mock psychological assessment report on "Mr. USA," otherwise known as the American people. Both insightful and amusing. A few excerpts below:
Presenting problem: Mr. USA made this appointment two years after an assault on September 11, 2001, that caused him great physical harm and mental anguish. This tragedy reopened scars from earlier traumas in his life, such as Pearl Harbor, Vietnam, and the bombing in Oklahoma City. A series of bad decisions, including adopting the Patriot Act, a preemptive attack on Iraq, and violation of the Geneva Conventions, has forced him to confront his mental health issues. As this client's life has spiraled out of control, his colleagues at the United Nations have encouraged him to seek therapy....
Personality features: Even though chronologically an adult, Mr. USA has regressed to functioning as a social and emotional adolescent. His ideas are extreme, shallow, and rigidly held....He demonizes his enemies without making any effort to understand them. He lacks basic factual knowledge....He considers himself exceptional....
I've thought for some time that the US is really an adolescent country. Some European nations have existed in some form or another for many times longer than the US. We have not learned the hard lessons that they have from fighting numerous catastrophic wars on their own land. We think we know more than our elders and seem to have to learn everything the hard way. We just got our driver's license and are frightening everyone else on the road with our wild behavior. What will it take for us to grow up?
Treatment plan: Mr. USA must begin by telling the truth. He needs to accept his mistakes, blind spots, and dark side, including his history of genocide of Native Americans, slavery with African Americans, and his mistreatment of immigrants. He must acknowledge his sabotage of democracies in Africa and Latin America, and the blood on his hands from his governmental and trade policies."
See any adolescent-nation therapists on the horizon?