What is the difference between Language and Rhetoric
In CP, Language is a TOOL of rhetoric. The examples will focus mainly on how HLG uses language.
Ex: These will be quotes like the "Blackstreet" quote or how he defines the different ways of being labeled "black," "colored," or "colored people." The language is what is used to manipulate the readers to believe his point of view.
Rhetoric is a general term for anything used to persuade you.
Example: The chapter "In the Kitchen."
Rhetoric is that according to HLG, black people value white norms. This is where it gets confusing, because what is he arguing??? It is not that they want to BE white people- they want to be black people with the "white benefits."
Prime Time also reinforces this idea of them wanting "white rights" but the black way. When most people watched TV during that time all they saw was white people. Example: Leave it to Beaver. So if you truly look at the evidence- HLG is not simply saying there is a racial divide. You will get frustrated because initially he sounds like he is against integration. His language sets up a them versus us. BUT what he is really doing is asking the readers to look at the norms of society, the values of society, and how race plays in it!
Today we talked a lot about "diversity." Common lines were "acknowledge diversity" and "accept people as they are." What does this actually mean for HLG and his POV? Let's unpack that- what does it mean to acknowledge diversity- STOP TRYING SO HARD- STOP POINTING OUT THE DIFFERENCES.
Through in the kitchen/prime time it is a black v. white issue.
Now take it a step further- we see this the chapters "Up the Hill" and "Down to Cumberland" where he starts to talk about his family. Mom is racist against whites. FAMILY IS RACIST AGAINST EACH OTHER!!!!! He exposes there are different levels of black. This ultimately a tool of rhetoric- this shows us that the circle cannot be unbroken even within own social/racial circles.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Faces of America
What do you think the video clips we will view will be about?
Eva Longoria clips (questions follow):
What was Eva’s experience growing up as a Texan?
How does Eva feel connected to language and culture?
What did Eva Longoria think about other people who participate in her cultural traditions from other cultures?
What is HLG trying to show with the introduction of barbed wire? What does the information about the Texas Rangers Reveal?
What does it mean “With the wire comes hunger?”
What do historians believe about the mixing of cultures?
Stephen Colbert
What kind of traditions or holidays did the Colbert family share?
Does Colbert think it is important to know where he came from?
What point does Colbert make about immigrants and building society?
What is history made of/by?
What is Colbert’s identity? And what point does he make about being an American?
What do all of these people have in common? What makes them different? How do you think this plays into the role of an integrated society?
Examining HLG
As we examine HLG, I want to pose a question that Kyler raised in class- what is the difference between racism and prejudice? Keep this in the back of your mind as you read. HLG's general background has NOTHING to do with this issue, but his arrest will bring up this topic. Create 1 inquiry question as you read each section!
His Academic Background:
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~amciv/faculty/gates.shtml
Create one question you would want to ask Henry Louis Gates right now. Let's compile these and possibly send him an e-mail! :)
New York Times Topics: HLG
http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/g/henry_louis_jr_gates/index.html
Room for Debate
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/the-gates-case-and-racial-profiling/?ref=henrylouisjrgates
View the above website to see various scholars/experts opinions on race in the case of HLGs arrest!
Guiding Questions for Colored People
Remember, if you are frustrated with this book that is natural! Surface level analysis does not suffice for this book. HLG unpacks the varying degrees and layers of integration in this book. Remember to watch out for Language, use of Rhetoric, and thoughts on integration!
eng11.hlg.guidingquestions
eng11.hlg.guidingquestions
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Identifying and Analyzing language, rhetoric, and integration in CP
Language
Quote: "In your lifetime I suspect you will go from being African-Americans to... to being once again Colored People"(xvi).
Analysis:
Things never really change because of racial domination/superiority/divide. This relates back to the idea of the "Circle being unbroken" because it is a cycle. People act as though they will change, but ultimately, when our society has its mind made up about prejudice, it is hard to break that cycle.
Example analysis paper:
Topic sentence (it needs to directly reflect your thesis): HLG uses language to expose that society never changes because of racial superiority. (Introduce your quote) Gates shows this when he says, "In your lifetime I suspect you will go from being African-Americans to... to being once again Colored People"(xvi). (Explain what the quote means) Moving from African-American to People of Color, and finally back to Colored people showed that our society continues in a cycle. Gates challenges readers with the question of "Will the circle be unbroken," but in reality, he asserts that it will not with the use of language. (Significance) What HLG exposes is a broken society that pretends they want to break the cycle of discrimination. In reality, society may either lack the tools or refuse to see or understand the endless circle of racial superiority that they foster (relate the last sentence in your body paragraph back to your thesis- anchor it!!!).
"Colored People live in three neighborhoods...on Backstreet which we call Blackstreet..."(7).
Analysis: Ironic that they decided to call their street they live on "Blackstreet" because it shows how they are conscious of the racial divide within society.
"The town will die, but our people will not move. They will not be moved" (i).
Analysis: The Black people in Piedmont will not change because that is just who they are. That is the way they were raised. They embody Piedmont. HLG uses language as a form of rhetoric. He italicizes the "be verb" to put an emphasis on them being a "statement of being."
"Our space was violated when one of them showed up" (9).
Analysis: HLG uses the language of "them" to show opposing sides. Whenever a person uses them that automatically implies there is an "us." This reveals the idea of outsiders.
Intergration:
"As if to say: 'Negro will you pulease disappear so that I can get my own white people'"(xiii).
Analysis: On one scale some black people don't want to be colored so that they do not have to deal with the issue of segregation. On the other hand, some black people want to embrace the fact that they are black. Black is beautiful idea.
"And I from another direction have gradually come around and stopped trying to tell other Negroes how to be black"(xiv).
Analysis: There is a varying degree of "being black" within American society. The most extreme scale, according to this book, is the "loud" and "wrong" type of black person. The most subdued kind is the one that tries to act "white." Either way, it shows there is a clash in ideas of what it means to be black.
"And I hope you'll understand why I continue to speak to colored people I pass on the street" (xvi).
Analysis: HLG experiences nostalgia towards his upbringing specifically in this book in Piedmont. Piedmont is a greater representation of the black community. Nostalgia dives into the idea that he is longing for major aspects experienced during segregation.
As you read- watch his nostalgia because you need to find out what it is about segregation that he longs for.
Ideas on integration so far:
This is a challenging issue because it deals with acceptance in society. We live in a world with people who are different. Worlds do collide, but ultimately you will either reach a point where there are few who understand or few who want to. We need to work together to see how we can function together as different entities in society. This is HLGs greatest lesson.
Quote: "In your lifetime I suspect you will go from being African-Americans to... to being once again Colored People"(xvi).
Analysis:
Things never really change because of racial domination/superiority/divide. This relates back to the idea of the "Circle being unbroken" because it is a cycle. People act as though they will change, but ultimately, when our society has its mind made up about prejudice, it is hard to break that cycle.
Example analysis paper:
Topic sentence (it needs to directly reflect your thesis): HLG uses language to expose that society never changes because of racial superiority. (Introduce your quote) Gates shows this when he says, "In your lifetime I suspect you will go from being African-Americans to... to being once again Colored People"(xvi). (Explain what the quote means) Moving from African-American to People of Color, and finally back to Colored people showed that our society continues in a cycle. Gates challenges readers with the question of "Will the circle be unbroken," but in reality, he asserts that it will not with the use of language. (Significance) What HLG exposes is a broken society that pretends they want to break the cycle of discrimination. In reality, society may either lack the tools or refuse to see or understand the endless circle of racial superiority that they foster (relate the last sentence in your body paragraph back to your thesis- anchor it!!!).
"Colored People live in three neighborhoods...on Backstreet which we call Blackstreet..."(7).
Analysis: Ironic that they decided to call their street they live on "Blackstreet" because it shows how they are conscious of the racial divide within society.
"The town will die, but our people will not move. They will not be moved" (i).
Analysis: The Black people in Piedmont will not change because that is just who they are. That is the way they were raised. They embody Piedmont. HLG uses language as a form of rhetoric. He italicizes the "be verb" to put an emphasis on them being a "statement of being."
"Our space was violated when one of them showed up" (9).
Analysis: HLG uses the language of "them" to show opposing sides. Whenever a person uses them that automatically implies there is an "us." This reveals the idea of outsiders.
Intergration:
"As if to say: 'Negro will you pulease disappear so that I can get my own white people'"(xiii).
Analysis: On one scale some black people don't want to be colored so that they do not have to deal with the issue of segregation. On the other hand, some black people want to embrace the fact that they are black. Black is beautiful idea.
"And I from another direction have gradually come around and stopped trying to tell other Negroes how to be black"(xiv).
Analysis: There is a varying degree of "being black" within American society. The most extreme scale, according to this book, is the "loud" and "wrong" type of black person. The most subdued kind is the one that tries to act "white." Either way, it shows there is a clash in ideas of what it means to be black.
"And I hope you'll understand why I continue to speak to colored people I pass on the street" (xvi).
Analysis: HLG experiences nostalgia towards his upbringing specifically in this book in Piedmont. Piedmont is a greater representation of the black community. Nostalgia dives into the idea that he is longing for major aspects experienced during segregation.
As you read- watch his nostalgia because you need to find out what it is about segregation that he longs for.
Ideas on integration so far:
This is a challenging issue because it deals with acceptance in society. We live in a world with people who are different. Worlds do collide, but ultimately you will either reach a point where there are few who understand or few who want to. We need to work together to see how we can function together as different entities in society. This is HLGs greatest lesson.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Time Write Topics for Loss of Innocence
Option 1:
What key elements of the Transcendental beliefs are evident in the texts? You must reference at least two different texts. Please discuss the contrast that exists between these elements throughout the different time periods.
Option 2:
Has self-reliance gone too far? Take a stand and support it with examples in the text. Provide how the various time periods play a role in your analysis.
What key elements of the Transcendental beliefs are evident in the texts? You must reference at least two different texts. Please discuss the contrast that exists between these elements throughout the different time periods.
Option 2:
Has self-reliance gone too far? Take a stand and support it with examples in the text. Provide how the various time periods play a role in your analysis.
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