Torres 1

Susana Torres

Professor: Stephanie Maenhardt

English 1050 - Online

July 14th, 2018.

Othering and Rhetorical Essay

Part One: Othering

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when we talk about diversity? Maybe

race? Ethnicity? Different cultures? I am sure that there are so many things that come to your

mind.

Diversity is about how we accept and respect others. “It means understanding that each

individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the

dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical

abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.” (Definition of diversity) Living

in America has showed me how people can treat others different because their race, color,

religion, etc. Sometimes we don’t even realize how powerful the way we treat other could be.

This is just evidence of how “Othering” still exists in these days of the new generation and

affects the development of the members of the minority groups.

This is an issue that have been continuing since ever. It started long time ago. It is

incredible how it still exists in those day when technology and education have been improving. It

supposed to be better now.

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How much influence a person could have on another? Even a simple word or an attitude

with a person who is different than us, just because we come from different countries or have a

different color or practice different religions, could be harmful if we mistreat them. If we say

something wrong.

As Barack Obama refers in his speech, “race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot

afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that Reverend Wright made in

his offending sermons about America - to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the

point that it distorts reality.

The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over

the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we've never really worked

through - a part of our union that we have yet to perfect. And if we walk away now, if we simply

retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges

like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American.” (Barack

Obama, A more perfect union.) We as human need to be more open to look on the bride side and

do not judge other based only on their bad experiences. We must be more conscious. Nobody is

perfect. We all make mistakes all the time. stereotyping is the worse mistake ever that we can

make. This affect other and can cause serious problems.

On the other hand, racism is also a way to show how “Othering” continues. I can’t

believe that racism is still being practiced for some people around the world. I will be honest by

saying that in my country we use the term “Negro” to refer to those black people. However, I

don’t remember a time where we used it to offend somebody. I have had to learn that this word is

offensive here, in the United States. It was hard for me to not use that word. I am married to a

black man, and it is ridiculous for me that I can’t call my husband “Negro” in public.
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In my country, Peru, we use this word with close friends, family members. We used in a

lovely way. It is a term used for familiarity and respect. However, I have noticed that this

situation comes from white to black people. This topic is very complex and sensitive. I don’t

think that racism is just about color. This was just an example. I believe that racism can be made

based on race, religion, gender, etc.; which is deplorable but real.

Long time ago, the united stated used to face slavery who were the black people. A clear

of racism. Hopefully slavery is not practiced anymore in America. Let’s recall what Frederick

Douglass said in his speech in 1852. He finished his talk by saying “…notwithstanding the dark

picture I have this day presented of the state of the nation, I do not despair of this country. There

are forces in operation, which must inevitably work the downfall of slavery. I, therefore, leave

off where I began, with hope. While drawing encouragement from the Declaration of

Independence, the great principles it contains, and the genius of American Institutions, my spirit

is cheered by the obvious tendencies of the age. Nations do not now stand in the same relation to

each other that they did ages ago. No nation can now shut itself up from the surrounding world,

and trot round in the same old path of its fathers without interference.” (Frederick Douglas, what

to a Slave is the fourth of July?). Finally, this cruel practice of playing with the rights of human

beings has stopped.

Another thing that gives support to “Othering” is the lack of inclusion. However, we can

see how some people and organizations have been working so hard trying to make inclusion

possible in this country. As Emmalie mentioned in his comment, “Although the issue is still a

large topic that hasn't been nearly resolved. It is positive that people are getting hired! The article

tells of many stories of those with disabilities and their trouble or finding work in certain places

across the country. She explained earlier how the environment and willingness to accommodate
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for those with disabilities has increased a great deal. People are more accommodating, but often

aren't completely inclusive." (Emmalie, Week 1). As a mother of a special baby, inclusion is very

important for me. I believe that everybody deserves an opportunity without being judged based

on their physical and sometimes mental condition. If they are prepared to perform the job, so

what would be the problem. Just because they are part of the minority group of the considered

incompetents. That’s not fair. We must stop stereotyping people. We never know when we can

be in that group.

As Gloria Anzaldúa mentioned in his essay “If a person, Chicana or Latina, has a low

estimation of my 25 native tongue, she also has a low estimation of me… By the end of this

century, Spanish speakers will comprise the biggest minority group in the U.S…” (Gloria

Anzaldua, how to tame a wild tongue). The way a person talks sometimes could define their

identity. It is shocking how the members of the minority groups can be affected from othering.

Anzaldúa is very strong defending and supporting his position on her essay. She is very clear

when she said “if you want to really hurt me, talk badly about my language. Ethnic identity is

twin skin to linguistic identity - I am my language. Until I can take pride in my language, I

cannot take pride in myself. Until I can accept as legitimate Chicano Texas Spanish, Tex-Mex,

and all the other languages I speak, I cannot accept the legitimacy of myself. Until I am free to

write bilingually and to switch codes without having always to translate, while I still have to

speak English or Spanish when I would rather speak Spanglish, and as long as I have to

accommodate the English speakers rather than having them accommodate me, my tongue will be

illegitimate. I will no longer be made to feel ashamed of existing. I will have my voice: Indian,

Spanish, white. I will have my tongue - my woman's voice, my sexual voice, my poet's voice. I

will overcome the tradition of silence.” (Gloria Anzaldua, how to tame a wild tongue). I believe
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she was very brave to exposure her position about the diversity of her language. We need to be

open to make diversity as part of us. Language is part of our identity and culture; therefore, the

best way to respect somebody is by respecting their culture, identity, language, the person itself.

According to the publication of Damon Winter in “It’s Time to Integrate New York’s

Best Schools” The New York city educational system “is make up nearly by 2/3 of Black and

Latino students...” However, when it talks about specialized high schools that required a special

strict admission, “…Black and Latino become the minority. Being most of the students Asian

and White.” This generates a big segregation in New York school system. (Damon Winter, It’s

Time to Integrate New York’s Best Schools).

It is incredible how an educational system leading in the wrong way can caused a

diversity issued. This issue did not start recently. They have years with the same system making

students not being integrating. The fact is that there is diversity in this country. People from

everywhere in the world are coming and being raised here. Why they were making it so hard for

some students. Every single person has the right to study. What the country has to do is make it

easier. On the other hand, the important thing is that they already realized about the issue and

found the problem. So, they are working on fixing it. they really want to help. It is very

important that the educational organizations keep a close eye on situations like this to avoid

intentional or unintentional racism, discrimination and/or stereotypes in the society. Black,

Latinos, Asian, White deserve the same education opportunities.

There are a lot of different things that can evidence the practice of othering. However, I

just wanted to emphasize the practice of stereotyping, racism, the lack of inclusion and respect of

other’s identity and language, educational integration. I have considered those the most
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important noticeable for me, here in the United States. This is what just demonstrate how

“Othering” still exists in these days of the new generation and affects the development of the

members of the minority groups.

Part Two: Rhetorical Analysis

I have chosen to analyze Barack Obama’s speech titled “A more Perfect Union.” It was

spoke on March 18, 2008 at the National Constitution Centerin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It

happened by the time he was preparing himself for the contest of the 2008 Democratic Party

presidential nomination. And Frederick Douglass’ speech of “What t a Slave is the Fourth of

July? It was presented at Rochester, New York on July 5, 1852. In both speeches, Obama and

Douglass presented Kairos. They used the appropriate language for each time. While Douglass

used a more sophisticated and old vocabulary considering that it developed 166 years ago,

Obama did it with modern language. Also, because of the position and circumstances of each

presenter, they used different tone and timing.

Douglass appeal to reason by using logos. With his message, he wanted the audience to

understand that it is not possible to call a country free or have freedom when there is slavery still.

he considered that it is hypocrite. On the other hand, Obama used logos too. Both supported their

speeches with date based on historical events that happened in the country.

Douglass was very heavy with ethos. He went deep with his message showing both side

of his claim. He started his speech mentioning the wonderful fight that the father of his fellow

citizens had won. He said everything about how great and satisfied was the declaration of the

independence of the united states. He was preparing his audience with all the good things about

before he continued with his position that was about how racist it could be to call the country the

one which fight and support freedom while slavery was such monstrous issue.
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Obama shows ethos too. He appealed to credibility as a Senator by talking his experience

in dealing with racism through his life and how it affected him.

Also, both used pathos in their speeches. They appealed to the values and beliefs of their

intended audience. Obama talked about his story with Revered Wright and we don’t have to

judge people because of just their mistakes but also, we need to have in consideration all the

good things they have and do.

Both presenters relate to their audience by making the speech direct and concise talking

about relevant topics such as racism, religion, slavery, freedom, unity, etc. Douglass said that

the 4th of July is not just for him but for everybody. He was appealing to their capacity of

empathy. He always mentioned the words “your fathers.” He talked about God and how slavery

is against him.

I think both are very similar but different at the same time. they are similar in the topic.

Both mentioned religion as an important aspect in their life. However, they use different styles

for the presentations according to the time. Obama focused on unity to make a better country,

Douglass focused on making the audience to reflect about what it the truth about the 4th of July

and that we need to do something to stop racism issues if we really want to have celebrate the

freedom of the country.

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Work Cited

Anzaldúla, Gloria. “How to Tame a Wild Tongue.” Fifty Great Essays. Boston: Pearson, 2011.

Pp.33-45. Everett School District.

https://www.everettsd.org/cms/lib07/WA01920133/Centricity/Domain/965/Anzaldua-

Wild-Tongue.pdf Accessed 26 June 2018.

Damon Winter. It’s Time to Integrate New York’s Best Schools. The Editorial Board. June

24.2018. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/24/opinion/editorials/new-york-

specialized-school.html

Douglass, Frederick. “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?” Abridged. Rochester, New York. 5

July 1852. https://www.thenation.com/article/what-slave-fourth-july-frederick-

douglass/

Emmalie Rawlings. Week 1. Discussion Board. ENGL 1050. Online. Salt Lake Community

College. Salt Lake City, UT. June 2018.

Obama, Barack. “A More Perfect Union.” As prepared for delivery. Philadelphia, PA. 18 March

2008. www.foxnews.com/story/2008/03/18/remarks-senator-barack-obama-more-perfect-

union.html

Queens borough community college. Definition of diversity. Web. July 2018.

http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/diversity/definition.html