Reaction to "The Word Police" 3/5/2017

  In "The Word Police" Michiko Kakutani analyzes the way politically correctness has changed language. Despite the fact that the article is from 1993, it is surprisingly relevant still. It addresses words that may be considered offensive based on race and gender. Throughout the article Katunani makes fun of Rosalie Maggio's " Bias-Free Word Finder". In her dictionary Maggio chastises the use of "male-oriented words" like "fellow" and encourages gender-free terms, like "waitron". Even though Maggio's intentions were pure, Katunani was correct when she said that making words prettier won't fix the problems they describe. This article made many valid points about how political correctness would rid the world of individualism, and freedom of speech but it also raised various questions about offensive terms. For example, who might need to follow Maggio's guidelines? And can once offensive words be reclaimed?

Reaction to "Politics and the English Language" 2/5/2017

In this piece George Orwell analyzes how the English language is deteriorating. Orwell accused politicians of dodging the truth and filling the public's ears with jargon. He claimed that the incorrect language they use lead to words having abstract definitions and the collapse of the English language. Despite the fact that he blamed politics for this deterioration, the changes in culture are responsible as well. With the internet and technology, the development of slang and hashtags encourage people to use words in the wrong context creating more and more useless words. Even though, Orwell believes that English can be saved, I feel as though it won't be if the majority doesn't see a problem there will  be no way to fix it. I also believe as time passes, words and their meanings often change.

Reaction to "Affirmative Action: The Problem or Solution?"

      The documentary clearly defined affirmative action; an attempt to allow minorities to have access to jobs and education that they were originally denied. Gary Anthony Ramsey in addition he  presented sufficient arguments for and against it. Ramsey addressed that affirmative action affected not only race but gender. Some of the arguments against affirmative action were interesting, for example saying that it was no longer needed, or giving people positions they are unqualified for and arguments similar to Fisher's that it is actually racism.  There were also interesting arguments that supported affirmative action, that minorities still suffer, and that diversity is necessary and beneficial. I believe that if there was equality no matter the gender or the race of a person there would be no need for affirmative action.

Winter Break Assignment

  Language has a connection to race and gender in conversation, media, entertainment, an even politics. There are many terms that have been used to undermine people based on their ethnicity or gender. Despite this fact, some have taken it upon themselves to try to make once derogatory terms positive. For example the n-word and the b-word seem to have taken on whole new meanings. The n-word, which stems from a racial slur is commonly used as an amiable term. The b-word, which once defined women that were looked on, now describes women with status.The fact that the people these words were meant to undermine now use them freely makes using such language seem empowering. However, some people argue that these words can never be positive because of where they came from. The n-word, originally meant an ignorant person, it was later used to label slaves. In "Nigger vs Nigga" on the Huffington Post, Chlaku Hanson discusses that the word should be banned no matter the context or ending. Another controversial view on these terms is that they can be appropriated.  In. "You Say ‘Bitch’ Like It’s A Bad Thing: Examining the Implications of the Notorious Word", also on the Post, Zoë Triska explains that even though name calling is bad, and that the context is never okay when it is done by a group that historically oppressed another. Because of this, Triska states "it will never be okay for a man to call a woman a “bitch.”". In my opinion , it is best to stay away from these words, as Hanson stated "If a word cannot be used in court, chances are, it’s a bad word."

Reaction to "I Want a Wife" and "Marked Women, Unmarked Men" 12/18/2016

 
    The essay "I Want a Wife" by Judy Brady and "Marked Women, Unmarked Men" by Deborah Tannen both analyze social norms concerning gender. In "I Want a Wife" Brady lists the various tasks that her ideal wife would have to complete while in "Marked Women, Unmarked Men" by Tannen discusses how women are labeled. Despite the fact that the essays were written at different times, they both still hold relevance today. The expectations for wives that Brady describes- cooking, cleaning, minding children, making sacrifices, are still ones that some men still have for their future wife. Also, Tannen broke down how women were judged based on appearance, from hair, to make up, to shoes. The authors both find ways to make readers ask themselves why these expectations or judgements were normal. Tannen does this with eye-opening facts, she states that women can have various titles , "Ms' or "Mrs" while men are simply "Mr". Judy Brady does the same with her seemingly ridiculous hypotheticals, she stated that she would want the right to easily replace her wife and children. Both essays provide interesting insight when addressing social norms involving gender.

Reaction to Logical Fallacies 11/27/2016

Logical fallacies are used daily to make and support invalid arguments. For example, fallacies that appeal to nature imply that just because something is natural or found in nature it is good. The fallacy I focused on was loaded question. Loaded questions are formed to make the target inevitably seem guilty and have no right answer. In comparison to fallacies that appeal to nature, loaded questions seem shady.Other example of shady fallacies include tu quoque and building a strawman. These types of fallacies seem especially relevant due to the thanksgiving memes that pop back up this time of year. The similarities are uncanny.

Reaction to "Don't Fight Flames with Flames" 11/20/2016

Despite the fact that the author probably had good intentions when writing this article, his whiny tone made it unpleasant to read. He opens up by telling the readers about an instance when he was attacked on Twitter for voicing his opinion on Trayvon Martin. For example, he states that if reader tries to insert their input "One person says one thing and then the digital mob is upon you". The author then rants about how social media is a catalyst for destructive arguments. Despite the fact that the author got expert opinions, they sounded more salty than informative. He states that instant replies only "perpetuates conflict". In conclusion, "Don't Fight Flames with Flames" was an unpleasant read.