Thomas Speaks ... Blindly about Race
Speaker: Like usual, Charles Blow is the speaker. He again speaks over the tough issues of race. Though he introduces a new element about himself, in which he describes his feelings that prejudice needs to be overcome as a whole. He uses strong diction as usually, and definitely adds a harsh tone. He might also associate himself as a liberal, because he does seem to take offense to Thomas's "swipe at liberals".
Occasion: His Immediate occasion seems to be Justice Thomas's speech about the weakness of our culture in the face of prejudice. Blow did not take kindly to this, and the fact that he faces this prejudice of being part of the black race, it adds to the reason he wrote this article.
Audience: In a broad sense, he seems to be talking to the black community as a whole. He seems to do this, because he establishes his belief that they need to together, and face the barrier as a whole. Though, in a more smaller sense, he is speaking to those who believe that race prejudice can be individually overcome. He wants them to realize that racism is universal, and that just because you may think that it is a minor issue, does not make it that.
Purpose: The purpose of this story is obviously personal, because Blow has to face the race barrier himself. In addition, he might be trying to describe how this problem of racism and prejudice needs to be overcome universally. He explains that White-Americans do need to realize this prejudice that they created, but at the same time African Americans need to be able to move past it. He explains the difficulty of this issue, but it is something the society needs to face together, rather personally.
Subject: The subject of this article is the universal use of prejudice and racism that is created in the American Society.
Tone: His tone is very critical of Justice Thomas. He does not agree with his arguments, and scorns him for it. At points he evens seems cynical of the way the prejudice is being dealt with, especially when he talks of people trying to stand up individually to the prejudice and racism.
I believe that the occasion of this article is rather important. After Thomas stated his beliefs about the fact that African-Americans need to suck up their emotions, and that he conquered these emotions, it gave Blow a sense of urgency. I believe that he felt that African-Americans need to realize that racism was an event that affected everyone's lives, and that it is no simple to live past. It is not something that can be conquered in a day, as Thomas makes it seem. Blow feels he needs to explain that prejudice needs to be conquered together, and slowly be rid of. This is definitely a call to action. I think he is challenging people to not face this race line that has been created alone, but to realize it is part of all of our history, and that we need it to be truly American. This topic is huge, because it is a topic that Americans struggle with daily. I know for certain that people joke around about it all around me, even I am guilty of expressing prejudice through satire and humor. Though, this shows the scope that the barrier between African and American can truly be significant. It demonstrates the maybe society should be leaning towards ridding of these prejudices, and towards taking the step to change them.
Speaker: Like usual, Charles Blow is the speaker. He again speaks over the tough issues of race. Though he introduces a new element about himself, in which he describes his feelings that prejudice needs to be overcome as a whole. He uses strong diction as usually, and definitely adds a harsh tone. He might also associate himself as a liberal, because he does seem to take offense to Thomas's "swipe at liberals".
Occasion: His Immediate occasion seems to be Justice Thomas's speech about the weakness of our culture in the face of prejudice. Blow did not take kindly to this, and the fact that he faces this prejudice of being part of the black race, it adds to the reason he wrote this article.
Audience: In a broad sense, he seems to be talking to the black community as a whole. He seems to do this, because he establishes his belief that they need to together, and face the barrier as a whole. Though, in a more smaller sense, he is speaking to those who believe that race prejudice can be individually overcome. He wants them to realize that racism is universal, and that just because you may think that it is a minor issue, does not make it that.
Purpose: The purpose of this story is obviously personal, because Blow has to face the race barrier himself. In addition, he might be trying to describe how this problem of racism and prejudice needs to be overcome universally. He explains that White-Americans do need to realize this prejudice that they created, but at the same time African Americans need to be able to move past it. He explains the difficulty of this issue, but it is something the society needs to face together, rather personally.
Subject: The subject of this article is the universal use of prejudice and racism that is created in the American Society.
Tone: His tone is very critical of Justice Thomas. He does not agree with his arguments, and scorns him for it. At points he evens seems cynical of the way the prejudice is being dealt with, especially when he talks of people trying to stand up individually to the prejudice and racism.
I believe that the occasion of this article is rather important. After Thomas stated his beliefs about the fact that African-Americans need to suck up their emotions, and that he conquered these emotions, it gave Blow a sense of urgency. I believe that he felt that African-Americans need to realize that racism was an event that affected everyone's lives, and that it is no simple to live past. It is not something that can be conquered in a day, as Thomas makes it seem. Blow feels he needs to explain that prejudice needs to be conquered together, and slowly be rid of. This is definitely a call to action. I think he is challenging people to not face this race line that has been created alone, but to realize it is part of all of our history, and that we need it to be truly American. This topic is huge, because it is a topic that Americans struggle with daily. I know for certain that people joke around about it all around me, even I am guilty of expressing prejudice through satire and humor. Though, this shows the scope that the barrier between African and American can truly be significant. It demonstrates the maybe society should be leaning towards ridding of these prejudices, and towards taking the step to change them.