In-class Labs

In-class labs

~What arguments does the author make?

• The argument that white people and people of color who are not black should not use the n-word
• The argument that there are two separate conversations by black people and white people and as white people, we should not have anything to do with the conversation that black people are having about the n-word.
• The author argues for a clear position against the usage of the n-word by any group of people who are not black.
• The argument is not ambiguous or long enough to call for an in depth analysis. The author is extremely straightforward in his reasoning but he does use personal anecdotes as justification and evidence for his argument.
• The author makes the argument that even beyond use of the n-word, terms such as “redneck” or any possibly racist slur shouldn’t be used by people outside of the “family.”

~How persuasive do you find the argument?

• I think the argument is quite persuasive because it is very open, and only really displays facts and the author's opinion. The author is trying to persuade you that he is right, and he backs up his own personal opinions with facts and ideals that are current to the argument of racism.
• The speech is void of any exact sources or links because of it being an oral presentation. Though the speaker himself is quite credible due to his extensive background in anti-racist writings and speeches since 1995. He also has been updating teachers about how to teach kids un-racist and anti-racist topics.
• The argument is persuasive because he backs up his opinion well through facts and widely accepted ideas that cannot really be challenged without the challenger being considered “racist”.

~What is the author’s stance?

• The author objectively describes how the use of the n-word should be only be used by colored people in contrast to a white person because otherwise it would be considered racist.

~Does the publisher bring a certain stance to the work?

• In this case, there was not a publisher attached to the work. However, the argument was originally published in a book by the author, “White Like Me”. When just discussing the video, we have no publisher to consider. If we turn our focus to the book, we may find a stance that was brought by the publisher.
• If you consider YouTube the publisher, the author had the ability to turn off comments (which he did), and that itself brought a support to racism and their claim, because since it is the internet it is guaranteed someone would have started a debate and been racist in the comments.

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

• Technically not a source, but in my everyday life I have found this controversy a lot, from music the word is used in, to improper use. For me personally (Chloe), I have always had an issue with the idea of “I’m from ___ race, I can make fun of them!” and I think that this source helped better define this idea in a non-racist way.

~Does this source support or challenge your own position -- or does it do both? EVERYONE SHOULD ANSWER

• Chloe: This source supports my position and makes me believe even more strongly in how people should not use racial slurs such as the n-word. However, the idea that people can depreciate their own people groups is an interesting way to state that, because before this source I didn’t agree with it (as mentioned in the last question).
• Jacob: This source definitely supports my position. Right before viewing the video I knew the n-word was inappropriate to use in my vocabulary, and by watching the video it furthered my knowledge on why it’s wrong. It showed a unique perspective on how the word should only be used in its own color group, but even then it still seems like it dehumanizes the value of a given people.
• Riley: This source supports my position. I agree with the arguments being made by Tim Wise in that the use of the n-word by white people like myself and other non-black people of color is inherently racist because of the historical context behind it. As a people, whites have used the word to continually dehumanize black people, whether it is through slavery, micro/macro aggressions, or even large scale institutionalized racism.
• Corben: This speech supports my own personal opinions on racism. I believe that white people don’t have the “rights” to the n-word and trying to make it okay to use in “politically correct” context is not something good to do. Just leaving the n-word to colored people to use how how they see fit is the best option, we as white people used and abused the word and now we should have no say in the matter.

~What can you tell about how the intended audience and purpose?

• As a white person this spoke to me on high levels. The purpose of the video was to inform the audience that the use of the n-word is not funny business, or cute, but in fact a still modern racially charged term that shouldn’t be used by white people.

In-class lab 2

Album Covers:

What do they suggest?

• The female album cover is sexually suggestive, while the male album covers are more physically intimidating. In the male cover, the pictures almost have a cold and closed off feeling, while the female cover invites you closer.

How do they suggest it?

• The female album cover has a woman staring at the camera, but slightly upwards, giving the viewer the impression of being looked up at. This establishes the power balance between the woman on the cover and the viewers, with the woman being submissive and the viewer being dominant. After establishing this, the album cover suggests a sexual element by having the woman’s hair fall messily in front of her face, having her shyly peek out from behind it. It also has the woman placing her fingers into her mouth, touching her lips. This draws attention to the mouth and creates a sexual undertone in the cover.
• The male album cover shows the men being the focus of the cover. Both are standing in the center, staring forward. Unlike the female cover, the men are not looking up at the camera but either directly at it, or downwards. This creates the illusion that the men are either on the same level as the viewer or up above, putting them in a position of power. Neither men are being portrayed sexually, but as stand alone people, without connection to the audience at all. The men seem to be dismissive of any audience, with the left covering his eyes and puffing his cheeks outwards, making himself bigger and harder to connect with, and the right has his mouth closed tightly, with his chin slightly turned up as if he was challenging the audience or viewers. Both sides are lacking in an invitation to come forwards like the female cover had.

Which elements of each image work on the viewer in various ways?

• The lighting, and shadows of the image captures  the viewer’s attention to the ideal stars.
• The left rap cover album shows a more intimidation factor when looked at. The monotone colors and stark contrast create an essence of fear.

Rolex & Hello Kitty watches:

What do they suggest?

• The Hello Kitty watch suggests childness, though it is not limited to children it is aimed at a child demography.
• The Rolex watch suggests being elite.
• Both suggest an easier way to keep track of time.

How do they suggest it?

• The Hello Kitty goes about being childish by having simple designs that are more friendly. With the cartoon character on the watch face and circular, round edges suggest a more friendly appearance. Hello Kitty is a TV show about a friendly cat looking character, it is meant for children like the watch is meant for children.

• The Rolex suggests it because there are many diamonds in the watch, and you have a good view of it’s fancy and expensive features. If you can buy such an expensive watch you are in an elite group of people.
• The fact that they are advertising a product for watches usually suggests that people want to keep track of their time.

Which elements of each images work on the viewer in various ways?

• The angles of the watches are important, because the Rolex watch being more front facing is showing off all of it’s components while still allowing it to look professional.
• Hello Kitty watch is tilted more to the side and standing so it looks more “fun,” if a watch could be considered fun. It is a simple watch, so that angle brings most of the attention to Hello Kitty itself and not the other parts of the watch, since Hello Kitty is the selling point. Hello Kitty is also a fun character, and is a cartoon character and cartoons mainly represent fun and non-seriousness.

Brief Outline Album Cover:

Thesis: The images convey a message about the objects by using strategies to tell the consumer about their product, and why they should buy it.

Introduction: Give necessary background info, like the history of each person and then begin to describe the covers.

Body paragraphs:

Female album cover: How her position draws people in. How the cover uses sex to sell. Where the girl is looking, and how that asserts dominance.

Male album cover: How their positions make them look interesting. How the cover uses power to sell. Where the guys are looking, and how that asserts dominance.

Compare and contrast of the covers: physical aspects and how the covers impact people. If allowed more research, which album sold better and the possible connection to the covers.

Counterargument: How a different conclusion could be drawn and what the argument would use as support. How it’s valid, but not as effective or complete as the one we are making.

Ending: Tie in the most important parts of each body paragraph into the conclusion that draws from the thesis and intro paragraph. Make a closing argument that uses a summary of the evidence stated, making sure to have addressed each part of your thesis.

Brief Outline Watches:

Thesis: The images convey a message about the objects by using strategies to tell the consumer about their product, and why they should buy it.

Intro: The Rolex and Hello Kitty are on opposite sides of the watch spectrum. With Hello Kitty being the fun side of having a watch, and the Rolex shows that having just a simple tool to tell the time can be turned into more of a fashion statement and a status statement. Watches have become more than just something to tell the time with they have become a way to express your status, whether it's young and fun, or elite and serious.

Body Paragraphs

Rolex- Rolex is stating that to be elite is to purchase one of there watches. By having jewels surrounding the clock portion, and a metal band all around we see that the watch is trying to argue that you can’t be as fancy unless you have this watch.

Hello Kitty- Consider the consumer that they are trying to sell this watch to. It would be amined at a younger audience that is more familiar with the cartoon show Hello Kitty. Kids want stuff that has something to do with their favorite show. Having Hello Kitty on the watch face is a celebrity endorsement. Consider how this would affect the consumer and how this is effective or ineffective.

Both Watches: How both watches have things in common in their strategies to sell the product. discuss why they might have these in common. Both watches have in common that they are specifically aimed at a certain group of people. Though the consumers are different, one being kids and the other wealthy adults, the products are still geared toward a certain audience.

Counterargument: How another conclusion about the two images might have been drawn and how. Acknowledge this, and also tie it into your own argument, using the failings of the other to help support your own, which also creates a more effective air of authority.

Ending : Conclude your argument, addressing every part of your thesis and drawing the argument back into the introduction.