“Just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum,” Representative Bobby Rush said as he provocatively pulled up his hoodie and put on dark sunglasses. Standing in the middle of the House floor and addressing a room full of government officials, Rush began to recite versus from the Bible as he battled to be heard over the slamming gavel in the background. Although Rep. Rush knew he was out of order and the hood wearing would be frowned upon to say the least, he continued on unshaken.
As you probably assumed this controversial action was in reference to Trayvon Martin, the seventeen year old boy who lost his life just a month earlier. Rush’s objective was to draw attention to the case that has caused much speculation as to if the killing was motivated by racial profiling, while showing support for the grieving family.
Following the incident, Rush commented, "I don't mind being out of order if it means standing up for truth and justice."
Now whether one agrees or disagrees with the measures Rep Bobby Rush took to push the case into the media to be discussed on a federal level, operated just as he intended. He got people talking! Up until now then, the tragedy was generally being discussed on a state level, specifically the details of the Florida State Law that is being used to justify Zimmerman’s actions.
The rhetorical function of this demonstration grows deeper as one understands Rush’s political background as a Black Panther. Knowing that racial profiling is an issue that Representative Rush spent years fighting in the 60s speaks to his ethos and the background knowledge he has relevant to the case.
I must say in my opinion, Rush’s actions are ones I can respect. I mean think about it how many of the individuals who have made a change followed all the rules? Rules sometimes are made to be broken.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The rhetoric of I'm Sorry.!
I know speaking for myself I have apologized for things I wasn’t sorry for. Who hasn’t really, in order to help make someone you car about feel better or because you knew it was the “right” thing to do?
From a young age we are groomed to say the words “I’m sorry” when someone else is upset, regardless of our true personal opinions. In fact I believe most instances where I’m sorry is warranted and said, the individual is only truly sorry for getting caught. Am I making any sense here?
Now I can only speak for the 18 years I have been alive, but I am going to assume this issue is not anything new. It seems that the phrase “I am sorry” has developed a different intention from it’s true meaning. In the dictionary the phrase is defined as, feeling regret or compunction. While the true intention of most individuals is to either to say I am sorry you are hurt or I am sorry you found out.
So the next time you are in a situation and you feel the urge to utter the words I’m sorry over and over again to make your case, stop and think is this what I truly mean to say. If not there are hundreds of words in the English language to choose from to better rhetorically express what you mean. Because as I am sure we all can relate, worse than not hearing I’m sorry when you feel it is warranted is hearing I’m sorry and knowing it was not meant.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Bumper Stickers.!
Whether on a quick run to the store, a drive to a friends house, or a cross country road-trip you are sure to have seen the catchy social-political slogans that individuals place on the backs of their cars. Bumper Stickers! Since the introduction of the first sticker in World War II, there has been a drastic change in appearance, application, and, agenda but the general function has remained the same.
So what do these bumper stickers really do for us, what do they accomplish? Well first they’re simply fun to choose and use to demonstrate ones beliefs and values. Most importantly they evoke thought. Bumper stickers are used in a sense to create exigence and cause change (even with just one person).
Let’s look a few:
Over the past few years a nationwide campaign was started in order to increase awareness of the dangers of drunk driving. The above bumper sticker has this same intention. A clever one right?! The use of the short hand texting language, “LOL. OMG”, works to generate light hearted feelings for the reader. “... RIP,” then severely impacts the reader demonstrating the reality of how quickly an individual can die from an “innocent” text, an LOL. Here a story line is established and that is what makes this bumper sticker so persuasive, for me at least.
.jpg)
Abortion is a hot topic and has been for decades. Of all the bumper stickers I can remember abortion seems to be a very common one. These bumper stickers illustrate the two very polarized sides of the issue: pro-choice and pro-life. The first sticker is simple, few words and no images are used. Why? Because a simple reasoning method is hoped to be implied, leave the choice to the person it’s a private matter. While the other bumper sticker demonstrates a pro-life take on the issue. Using the heart and the heart monitor lines works to appeal to the readers pathos.
Whether comical or serious bumper stickers are little rhetorical pieces of work.
http://www.northernsun.com/Against-Abortion-Bumper-Sticker-(5749).html
http://www.zazzle.ca/lol_omg_rip_dont_text_and_drive_bumper_sticker-128914258003886323
http://www.smileyme.com/listprod.asp?ptype=412
So what do these bumper stickers really do for us, what do they accomplish? Well first they’re simply fun to choose and use to demonstrate ones beliefs and values. Most importantly they evoke thought. Bumper stickers are used in a sense to create exigence and cause change (even with just one person).
Let’s look a few:
.jpg)
Abortion is a hot topic and has been for decades. Of all the bumper stickers I can remember abortion seems to be a very common one. These bumper stickers illustrate the two very polarized sides of the issue: pro-choice and pro-life. The first sticker is simple, few words and no images are used. Why? Because a simple reasoning method is hoped to be implied, leave the choice to the person it’s a private matter. While the other bumper sticker demonstrates a pro-life take on the issue. Using the heart and the heart monitor lines works to appeal to the readers pathos.
Whether comical or serious bumper stickers are little rhetorical pieces of work.
http://www.northernsun.com/Against-Abortion-Bumper-Sticker-(5749).html
http://www.zazzle.ca/lol_omg_rip_dont_text_and_drive_bumper_sticker-128914258003886323
http://www.smileyme.com/listprod.asp?ptype=412
Friday, March 2, 2012
Rhetoric in Cogress.!
Over the past month, in class we have focused on the analysis of advertisements and speeches. Beside the writing aspect, I liked thinking of what made the pieces profound or affective.
Thinking about the assignment we completed Wednesday made me think of a speech I heard of in the beginning of February.
Whether you consistently follow politics or occasionally hear updates through word of mouth, I am sure you are at least aware of a few political hot topics. In the past few years, there has been an increase in the amount of attention given to the topic of gay marriage.
As I was on Facebook a month or so ago, I saw a link to a youtube video titled, Zach Wahls Speaks about Family. Curious, I clicked it.
Turns out the clip was of a young Iowa man, Zach Wahls, speaking to congressmen about marriage equality. Addressing the question associated in the minds of many, “can gays even raise kids,” Wahls built up his ethos to provide a persuasive argument.
Putting ones stance on the issue aside, the brilliant rhetorical functioning of the speech cant not be denied.
Zach introduced himself as a son raised by two women, arguing for their right, & the right for all gay couple, to be legally married in the eye of the law. Of course he affirmed that indeed same sex couples can raise happy and healthy children. But to prove his point he listed all of his accomplishments and then said, “If I was your son Mr. Chairman I believe I’d make you ver proud.”
What made this brief but concise speech so affective was Wahls’ explanation to the audience of what a family was. Zach Wahls explained that there is no difference between a family headed by heterosexuals or homosexuals, closing his speech saying, “ The sexual orientation of my parents has zero affect on the contact of my character.”
(Check it out.!)
Thinking about the assignment we completed Wednesday made me think of a speech I heard of in the beginning of February.
Whether you consistently follow politics or occasionally hear updates through word of mouth, I am sure you are at least aware of a few political hot topics. In the past few years, there has been an increase in the amount of attention given to the topic of gay marriage.
As I was on Facebook a month or so ago, I saw a link to a youtube video titled, Zach Wahls Speaks about Family. Curious, I clicked it.
Turns out the clip was of a young Iowa man, Zach Wahls, speaking to congressmen about marriage equality. Addressing the question associated in the minds of many, “can gays even raise kids,” Wahls built up his ethos to provide a persuasive argument.
Putting ones stance on the issue aside, the brilliant rhetorical functioning of the speech cant not be denied.
Zach introduced himself as a son raised by two women, arguing for their right, & the right for all gay couple, to be legally married in the eye of the law. Of course he affirmed that indeed same sex couples can raise happy and healthy children. But to prove his point he listed all of his accomplishments and then said, “If I was your son Mr. Chairman I believe I’d make you ver proud.”
What made this brief but concise speech so affective was Wahls’ explanation to the audience of what a family was. Zach Wahls explained that there is no difference between a family headed by heterosexuals or homosexuals, closing his speech saying, “ The sexual orientation of my parents has zero affect on the contact of my character.”
(Check it out.!)
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