In-class labS: How Things Mean/Reading sources Critically

Reading sources critically:

1. What arguments does the author make?

• He argued that no other race should say the N word at all and that if you are in any kind of group that has an offensive label then you are the only person that can say the offensive label, and if you are outside of the group then it is not your place to say it.

2.    How persuasive do you find the argument?

• There is historical evidence of the argument he expressed, like how the term was used back in the day and how degrading it was and how “white folk” shouldn’t call their friends the N-word loosely. There really isn’t any citations or links, it was just Tim Wise at what it seemed a conference. He was citing that there actually is history how the term was used and it was offensive and how he sees people throw the word around when it shouldn’t be.

3. What is the author’s stance?

• He does use multiple examples of different types of people, “Black folk”, Redneck and also about him being Jewish, he didn’t only talk about the N word. He did have a particular bias about no one using terms that are derogatory or offensive even if they think it may not be offensive, people of that certain group like being a redneck can call themselves and others that but not people that are not redneck is what he says. He is using only one viewpoint saying that terms calling people a certain name isn’t okay.

4. Does the publisher bring a certain stance to the work?

• He brought up Jeff Foxworthy and how really all he talks about when he is doing comedy is redneck jokes and it is okay for him to do that because he is from the South and he actually is a redneck and he calls himself one so it is okay, if a different comedian Jerry Seinfeld were to crack jokes publicly then it is not okay.

5. Do you recognize ideas you’ve run across in other sources?

• Yes white people cannot say the N word. It should be common sense not to use offensive words like that.

6. Does this source support or challenge your own position -or does it do both?

• This source would support our own positions, we do not say the N word, or any other derogatory words that we know would offend or make others feel bad.

7. What can you tell about the intended audience and purpose?

• The intended audience would most likely be anyone actually because he does not only talk white people or black people the main purpose is to inform everybody of how to not be racist and to watch what you say, don’t use offensive terms and all people need to be aware that people do get offended by what others say and not to say words about labeling people in an offensive way.

Symbols of Patriotism

• What do they suggest? How do they suggest it? Which elements of each image work on the viewer in various ways?
• Eagle: the eagle has an outline of the US on it’s face and the US is covered by a picture of our flag. It suggests extreme patriotism just because it has 3 elements of our country that are core to our physical identity. This works on the viewer in various ways. It just screams America.
• Bulldog: The bulldog is a symbol of power for Great Britain. In this picture it’s in an English setting; a nice park on a lovely afternoon. It looks like he’s standing on the flag, so the whole thing reminds us of a protective guard dog, protecting the nation’s flag.
• Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite: These three words date back to the founding of France as a nation. The fact that they are enshrined in a building shows just how deep and long-lasting the meaning that those words have on the French. The words will never go away.

Peace Sign Buttons

• What do they suggest? How do they suggest it? Which elements of each image work on the viewer in various ways?
• Peace/Make Love Not War: There’s so much war in the world, these buttons suggest that we don’t need to keep fighting and that we can be happy with the Love and Peace that we have. They suggest that we have the power to change violent trends in our society. The circles of the button give the viewers a more complete feel, very inclusive.

Thesis: Both sets of pictures have powerful connotations to them although they represent two entirely different things.