"Aren't I a Woman?"
Aren't I a Woman explains the appearance-based society that Sojourner Truth lives in. Truth attempts to teach society that it can not judge a book by its cover. The women in Truth's society are treated like fragile children, live a life of ease. However, Truth is given none of this special treatment even thought she is a woman. Having done farm work, Truth has incredible arm strength and seems tougher than most women. Therefore, men assume that she can take care of herself. While she very much can, society views her as less worthy of special treatment than that of a smaller woman. This assists in proving society's absolute obsession with the outward appearance rather than what is on the inside of a person.
The speech is very impactful, for Truth uses a person take on the point. She explains how she has been affected due to the lack of special treatment. The parentheses provide a different dimension of detail to the writing that truly sets a mood for how the it really was when this speech was delivered. The speech is spoken to women; however, the message is directed at the whole world.
"Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Ability to Alter Public Space"
Brent Staples is a fairly large, African American man, six feet and two inches tall. The objective of Staples is persuade society to not assume that danger can come from one specific group of people. Staples discusses an incident where a young woman felt threaten by him and quickly fled from him while walking on the sidewalk in the late evening. Staples uses many personal stories in order to share his point that society already labeled him as 'bad' or 'good' before he was even born. The common thought when approached by a man with similar appearance to Staples is that danger is soon to come if not escaped. However, how can it be certain that every large, black person is an immediate threat? It is not up to people what race or gender they are. How can such a judgment be made in such a quick amount of time when every person is different? While many certain threats do come from specific groups of people, every person who resembles a group cannot be labeled as a part of that group.
The personal attribute to the essay provides pathos throughout the writing that cause sympathy for Staples. The irony displayed in the essay is present as society sees Staples as dangerous but when he is really a honest journalist with no intent to harm anyone on a sidewalk at night.
"Letter from Birmingham Jail"
Martin Luther King Jr. faced charges for taking a stand against segregation through non-violence. A group of churchmen sent King a letter requesting him to stop the peaceful revolt. However, King replies, with a very lengthy response, to the churchmen attempting to persuade them of the necessity of the revolt through non-violence. King uses many biblical allusions in order to set the stage of the revolt in view for the church. King state that Jesus was referred to as an extremist, which is what he had been called due to his revolt. This comparison really levels King's revolt with Jesus' actions as equally important. Also, King uses pathos in his letter as he explains questions his children ask him. The idea of a small child receiving abuse for his/her race is a truly devastating event to take place. King's main point in his letter is the convince the churchmen to join in the non-violent fight for blacks' rights. King uses loaded language as he describes various attacks on black houses and churches that were simply forgotten. The non-violence plan of King is not only what he believes correct to achieve rights but also what he believes God believes is a correct way to take a stand.
While the length of the it is a challenge, the message of King's letter is a inspirational piece, as it describes how the blacks would gain their rights without violence. If more people had gone through the thought process as Martin Luther King Jr. did, the amount of war may have been lessen anywhere from one or two to half or more.
"Why Boys Don't Play with Dolls"
Katha Pollitt discusses gender influence on children in her essay Why Boys Don't Play with Dolls. Contrary to what many people believe, Pollitt explains how the interests of a child are not directly affected by their society but rather genetics. Boys are more likely to play with a truck than a toy kitchen. While she provides valid facts behind gender-specific behaviors, Pollitt provide little stereotypical thoughts between men and women as a form of loaded language. In the end, Pollitt explains how adults have a greater effect on the way children are than they would typically think. Therefore, Pollitt suggests that instead of attempt to force children to find interest in something versus another, adults should live how they think their children should live.
All in all, Pollitt's essay is very interesting. The information from studies provided in the essay open eyes of society, as they realize that they have less of an effect than genetics. The humorous stings against men create a less form tone to the essay, despite its very serious topic. Pollitt's apparent neutrality on the topic generates a more informational tone rather than one that is ready to argue this subject.
Aren't I a Woman explains the appearance-based society that Sojourner Truth lives in. Truth attempts to teach society that it can not judge a book by its cover. The women in Truth's society are treated like fragile children, live a life of ease. However, Truth is given none of this special treatment even thought she is a woman. Having done farm work, Truth has incredible arm strength and seems tougher than most women. Therefore, men assume that she can take care of herself. While she very much can, society views her as less worthy of special treatment than that of a smaller woman. This assists in proving society's absolute obsession with the outward appearance rather than what is on the inside of a person.
The speech is very impactful, for Truth uses a person take on the point. She explains how she has been affected due to the lack of special treatment. The parentheses provide a different dimension of detail to the writing that truly sets a mood for how the it really was when this speech was delivered. The speech is spoken to women; however, the message is directed at the whole world.
"Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Ability to Alter Public Space"
Brent Staples is a fairly large, African American man, six feet and two inches tall. The objective of Staples is persuade society to not assume that danger can come from one specific group of people. Staples discusses an incident where a young woman felt threaten by him and quickly fled from him while walking on the sidewalk in the late evening. Staples uses many personal stories in order to share his point that society already labeled him as 'bad' or 'good' before he was even born. The common thought when approached by a man with similar appearance to Staples is that danger is soon to come if not escaped. However, how can it be certain that every large, black person is an immediate threat? It is not up to people what race or gender they are. How can such a judgment be made in such a quick amount of time when every person is different? While many certain threats do come from specific groups of people, every person who resembles a group cannot be labeled as a part of that group.
The personal attribute to the essay provides pathos throughout the writing that cause sympathy for Staples. The irony displayed in the essay is present as society sees Staples as dangerous but when he is really a honest journalist with no intent to harm anyone on a sidewalk at night.
"Letter from Birmingham Jail"
Martin Luther King Jr. faced charges for taking a stand against segregation through non-violence. A group of churchmen sent King a letter requesting him to stop the peaceful revolt. However, King replies, with a very lengthy response, to the churchmen attempting to persuade them of the necessity of the revolt through non-violence. King uses many biblical allusions in order to set the stage of the revolt in view for the church. King state that Jesus was referred to as an extremist, which is what he had been called due to his revolt. This comparison really levels King's revolt with Jesus' actions as equally important. Also, King uses pathos in his letter as he explains questions his children ask him. The idea of a small child receiving abuse for his/her race is a truly devastating event to take place. King's main point in his letter is the convince the churchmen to join in the non-violent fight for blacks' rights. King uses loaded language as he describes various attacks on black houses and churches that were simply forgotten. The non-violence plan of King is not only what he believes correct to achieve rights but also what he believes God believes is a correct way to take a stand.
While the length of the it is a challenge, the message of King's letter is a inspirational piece, as it describes how the blacks would gain their rights without violence. If more people had gone through the thought process as Martin Luther King Jr. did, the amount of war may have been lessen anywhere from one or two to half or more.
"Why Boys Don't Play with Dolls"
Katha Pollitt discusses gender influence on children in her essay Why Boys Don't Play with Dolls. Contrary to what many people believe, Pollitt explains how the interests of a child are not directly affected by their society but rather genetics. Boys are more likely to play with a truck than a toy kitchen. While she provides valid facts behind gender-specific behaviors, Pollitt provide little stereotypical thoughts between men and women as a form of loaded language. In the end, Pollitt explains how adults have a greater effect on the way children are than they would typically think. Therefore, Pollitt suggests that instead of attempt to force children to find interest in something versus another, adults should live how they think their children should live.
All in all, Pollitt's essay is very interesting. The information from studies provided in the essay open eyes of society, as they realize that they have less of an effect than genetics. The humorous stings against men create a less form tone to the essay, despite its very serious topic. Pollitt's apparent neutrality on the topic generates a more informational tone rather than one that is ready to argue this subject.