Violence in Language

Eliminating language of sexism, racism, or violence is simply not an obtainable goal. Our history is filled with history that demands to still be heard today. Even though this language may be seen as offensive, it is necessary that we acknowledge the past in order to create a better, less discriminating future. For example, in Mike Lester’s political cartoon, “NCAA Native American Mascots,” there is irony behind the fact that they want to band Native American Mascots, but one of the executives’ Jeep Cherokee is in the parking lot. Therefore proving, if we try to strictly be “politically correct,” we will inevitably create an “unintentional self-parody”(Kakutani), by repeating the same mistakes we have in the past regarding ignoring our history of violence and discrimination. Thus, it is truly not possible to try to erase our country’s past by trying to mask certain events. In a more linguistic sense, the english language allows for metaphors and hyperboles in order to convey a dramatic tone. The phrase, “You’re dead meat” is not actually intended to hurt anyone when used in a joking fashion. However, trying to implement “alternative phrases,” like the “North York Women Teachers’ Association,” suggests, will not instill peace into our society when violence is filled whenever we turn on the news, listen to music, or watch a movie. While violence is a part of our past, it is also apart of our present. Furthermore in, “Words dont mean what they mean,” Steven Pinker writes that innuendos and double entendres are used in language to imply that everyone is attempting to further relationships and create a relationship of equality. Contrastingly, I believe that these allusive and uncertain remarks may be slightly offensive, they are used to avoid extremely harsh comments that are said to be seen as socially polite. Trying to implement “nonviolent” phrases and pretend violence doesn’t exist in this world will simply deprive our children of the harsh reality.

Persuasive Choice 2

Politeness is a social norm that we must abide by in order to be accepted in society. The simple phrase, “How are you?,” shows our interest in another’s well being. However, these polite phrases are overused to the point of which they rarely connote genuine concern. But if you don’t use these friendly phrases then you may be perceived as being rude. Therefore, in order to fit in with society we unconsciously say these things in order to avoid judgement from others. I once heard a story over the news about a NFL star, Jordan Belcher’s, suicide. One of his teammates was telling a reporter that he had no idea that Jordan was going through a hard time. But the line that always comes to mind was, “When you ask someone how they are doing, are you saying it because you mean it?” Although this story is 4 years old, that line has always stuck with me.  Personally, the response to this repeated expression whenever I ask it is always “Good.” This simple word offers no personal insight and seems to be an automatic response for most people. I have never heard anyone telling me they weren’t doing well while using one of these polite expressions, even if they trusted me and I knew they infact were not doing well. Maybe they felt that the phrase is simply a greeting, and by telling me they were doing bad would somehow be an inconvenience. Although, these phrases don’t show true concern, one must continue to use them in order to be seen as polite and kind.

My Education

Elementary School

For most of my life, racism seemed nonexistent. I grew up in a large white community in Connecticut, and not even one black kid went to my elementary school. Of course, we had learned who MLK was, and from what I understood, racism was a mere event that happened many years ago. Entrapped in my elementary school world, I never realized how this was not the norm for most of the world. I innocently believed that different skin colors belonged in only movies and picture books. (True story: when I was four I asked my Dad if he was African American because he was tan.) Clearly, I didn’t have a very diverse childhood.

Middle School

Now in Middle School, I had a whopping 2 kids in my school that were of a different skin color. However, middle school kids are cruel. Individuality was mocked. Racial jokes and sarcasm were frequently thrown around the classroom. Maybe my classmates justified their actions because they too felt the overwhelming sense of majority that was plagued throughout our school. Unlike the other kids in my community, I played sports in other cities and began to understand that diversity surrounded the cities around me.

High School

When I moved to Troy, I finally got a glimpse at true diversity. Different religions, sexual orientations, economic statuses, and races seemed to blend seamlessly together. Individuality is accepted and never ridiculed. I look back on my childhood years and wonder how living in a caucasian bubble may have affected me today. I truly am grateful for living in such a diverse community.

Flint Water Crisis Political Cartoon

This political cartoon exposes the true corruption behind the Flint water crisis. Thousands of citizens in Flint cannot drink the toxic water, and this cartoon depicts that the governor fears the same water he allowed to harm the citizens. This is ironic because he now is literally given a taste of his own doing. The political cartoon depicts governor sweating and a worried face to prove that the water is truly poisoned. The caption also adds to the governor’s nervous face because he uses an ellipsis and “ah” to show he is apprehensive about tasting the same water he approved for Flint. The title of this cartoon gives the audience the specific event that is occurring- the governor’s congressional hearing. This political cartoon truly shows the corruption behind the government. It is truly tragic that the government could approve of water that is poisonous for their citizens to drink- but they don't want to drink it themselves. This cartoon also raises questions about the safety that our own government provides. Is it all about the money, or do these community leaders care about the citizens?

Curiosity killed the... human?

In “A Measure of Restraint,” Chet Raymo warns humans about the danger of scientific discovery. He reveals that even though these dangers are evident, curiosity still powers our drive to explore. This connects to Don DeLillo’s piece, “The Videotape,” as he explores our natural curiosity to view gruesome violence or death. Both these pieces reveal the human tendency to examine subject matter that is not healthy for our mental or physical state- but we continue to anyway. However, Raymo uses both radium and a tobacco plant to thus prove his claim. His reference to the tobacco plant also reveals that even when humans are aware of the terrible consequences - cancer, addiction, or death - they continue to not only test, but use. Thus, science takes over again. The race to yet another cure- radiation, chemotherapy, and new surgeries- continues. Therefore, his reference to the tobacco plant reveals the seemingly incurable cycle of scientific discovery. While reading this piece I couldn’t help but to wonder if our initial discovery to examine our environment never occurred- would the world better be a better place? Are current scientists creating new diseases that future generations will have to cure? It is hard to try to weigh out all the possible positives and negatives of science exploration- considering the significant strides we are making every day. It’s just a matter of whether the science we are creating today will have bigger consequences for the future.

Tobacco Plant

Puzzle Paragraph #2

While other might say that The VideoTape by Don DeLillo is a piece about the “Texas Highway Killer”; Jeannette Walls might find the perspective of the young girl most intriguing. Walls is a well known writer from her memoir, The Glass Castle. Throughout her book, she recalls her struggle to grow up in a household with very incompetent parents. With her dad out gambling in casinos, and her mom attempting to hold a steady  job as an artist, she had to learn how to raise herself. Trying to find a balance between adulthood and trying to be a normal kid ultimately resulted in bullies profiling Jeannette as a “lone ranger.” However, “The Videotape,” and “The Glass Castle,”  have many themes in common. Just as Don Delillo explores the intense fascination we have with death, Jeannette Walls explores her own childhood fascination with fire. For example, burning her barbie dolls at a young age. Although these themes are very violent, they both prove that the basic human curiosity with seemingly dangerous subject matter is only natural. Furthermore, both pieces incorporate the innocence of a young girl being stripped away. Whether witnessing a murder or being abandoned, both authors accurately depict the effects trauma can have on a child’s identity and well being.

The Onion Satire

In honor of tonight being the Academy Awards, I will be discussing an article that “The Onion,” published regarding Leonardo DiCaprio. It is no secret that Leonardo DiCaprio should have won an oscar by this point, and tonight may finally be his big break with his new movie, “The Revenant.” This specific article titled, “Leonardo DiCaprio Hopes He Screamed and Cried Good Enough in ‘The Revenant’ To Win Oscar,” satirizes how hollywood actors are perceived to be petty and unintelligent. To suggest this, the author of this article uses false ethos by incorporating fake Leonardo DiCaprio quotes into his article. In these quotes, the author uses low diction and repetition to imply that DiCaprio is, in fact, is dumb. For example one of the quotes states, “I yelled really loud in this movie when I was angry and I started crying hard after I got upset, so hopefully the guys who choose the winners saw all that and liked it.” The repetition of the word “I” and his low diction of very simple words makes Leonardo seem very uneducated, and his job seem like a joke. These strategies parody a child speaking and implies that acting is somewhat of an elementary task.