<p>I am a junior and I want to start my essays early (please do not tell me to forget about essays until senior year!!!!!). I was wondering if it would be okay to write something relating to him even though he is a partially controversial figure. I don't want any flame wars from people who disagree with him. So what do you think?</p>
<p>There’s nothing inherently bizarre or obnoxious about your topic per se. The real question is can you execute it well and does it really tell the reader something interesting about you. The enemy isn’t controversy – it’s banality; triteness.</p>
<p>Every public figure is controversial (even Big Bird now, it seems).</p>
<p>As long as you don’t write of your adoration of and desire to emulate Adolph Hitler or Idi Amin, the content of your essay will be what is important.</p>