What makes an American, ‘American’? The answer to this question will vary greatly depending on the respondent’s beliefs and cultural background. As the United States continues to grow and evolve in areas such as race, ethnicity and culture, the image of America changes as well. In an article entitled ‘Nation or Notion’ by Patrick J. Buchanan, he argues that Americans need a common identity based upon ancestry and culture to survive as a country. On the other hand, an article entitled ‘What Does It Mean to Be an “American”?’ by Michael Walzer argues that America does not need a common identity.…
Malcom X, Sherman Alexie, and Richard Rodriguez had multiple sponsors helping them in literacy. The largest sponsor they all had in common was themselves. They all pushed themselves to go further than what was expected of them. In Malcom X’s case, he was in prison and became frustrated with inability to express himself in his letters. The stereotype around prisoners is that they are illiterate, just lift weights in the prison yard all day, and then leave prison only to end up back in the prison system a few weeks to months later.…
Your post is near and dear to this writer’s heart. This writer is a business owner and knows all too well the challenges of a woman owned business. Particularly, a business in a male dominated field. A commonly asked question is “Why pest control?” then followed by “well that’s a good business”.…
By reading the assigned paragraphs, I came to the conclusion that Richard Rodriguez utilized the illustration and support technique. Basically he described the scenario of his family quality of life being compromised due to his educational responsibilities. On the other hand, I felt that Judith Wax utilized the cause and effect technique in order to present her argument about women having the difficulty to adjust to today’s society after having kids. She clearly explained how the majority of women that gave birth struggle to adjust to their professional lives after such…
Comparison of Brent Staples “Just Walk on By” and Richard Rodriguez “ Complexion” Racism is a terrible issue in the real world that should never be experienced by the youth unfortunately as it affects many of youths of not just one race but many others such as the articles of Brent Staples “ Just Walk on By” and Richard Rodriguez. “Complexion” comparing the similarities and differences of Staples and Rodriguez 's article. Racism is a very difficult and harmful problem to encounter at a very young age that can affect one 's mentality and perceptions of oneself from then and later on in their lives. both Staples and Rodriguez had experienced racism for a very long time having firsthand experience of racism at young ages, such young…
In applying the foregoing factors a court will most likely determine that Rodriguez’s image is not a portrait or picture. Firstly, the logo that Rodriguez displayed is placed on the window of the studio, his website, and promotional material. Rodriguez is clearly a fan of the band U2, as he named his tattoo parlor after one of their songs. Rodriguez admittedly attended one of Out of Control’s gigs in Brooklyn that features Forrest playing the role of Bono. Forrest contends that the logo demonstrates a recognizable likeness towards his role as the singer of the band (he wears a military cap and sunglasses).…
Many young people receive a significant volume of pressure to live up to their families ' expectations. Additionally several parent expectations can damage a child 's self-confidence, self-image, and mentality. Even if the parent means well, children can perceive their good intentions in a different manner. As a Mexican-American Richard Rodriguez felt pressure from his mom and other family members to shield his dark skin from the sun, he speaks on his insecurities in Complexion. Rodriguez recounts a night as a child where he attempts to wash his darkness off, he remembers“(in my mind I heard the swirling voices of aunts, even my mother’s voice, whispering, whispering incessantly about lemon juice solutions and dark, feo children.)”(673).…
In Ray Suarez’s book entitled Latino Americans he shares the rich history of Latinos who helped to shape the United States. Latino Americans share the personal success and struggles of what it means to be an immigrant and the obstacles they have faced. The book offers a rich history of immigration and certainly reflects present day events of the United States. It tells the story of how people from different regions and continents across the globe came to be one.…
We all know that it is important to "fit in", but at what cost. Richard Rodriguez say's "The voices of my parents and sister and brother. Their voices insisting: You belong here. We are family members. Related.…
Matt’s early years were very peaceful. In a small house on the edge of a poppy farm, Matt lives with his caretaker, Celia, who works as a head chef at El Patron’s mansion. When he was discovered by three children wondering in the fields, Matt smashes the windows and escapes from his house for the first time. Unaware of the dangers of the broken glass, Matt had to be carried to El Patron’s house where he would be treated for his injuries. Matt was treated caringly until El Patron’s great-grandson, Mr. Alacron, recognizes that Matt was a clone, resulting in Rosa being put in charge of him.…
Labeling the outside appearance of yourself does not shape identity, culture is what outlines you as a person. In the essay “Blaxicans” and Other Reinvented Americans” Richard Rodriguez argues his point on different diversities accessing America’s boarders to get in the country as well as immigrants from other countries are expanding themselves all over America. He explains how Americans begin to question their status. Richard Rodriguez is Mexican- American. He views himself to be Chinese because he surrounded himself with people in that community and made their culture the American society.…
Discrimination is an unavoidable oppression that transpires across the world. The U.S., a country known as the “Land of Opportunity,” is perceived by immigrants, people of different origin from different countries, as a gateway to obtaining a better life. However, immigrants may encounter many obstacles and ill-treatments that will keep them from progressing. “Our Fear of Immigrants,” an article by Jeremy Adams Smith, unveils why the United States government and some of its native-born citizens are prejudiced towards immigrants. Smith’s proclamation is to correct people’s irrational fear of immigrants and to develop a higher sense of empathy in people.…
The main argument within Rodriguez’s writing is that America should accept its role as a melting pot of cultures and that individuals should appreciate the similarities and differences among different cultures.…
Alan Bialostozky Comm 100C Professor McMurria Spring 2015 Take home exam #3 Leo Chavez article “The Latino Treat Narrative” proposes a well-supported narrative to the nation’s anti-immigration discourse displayed by the media mostly in the USA. In this article, Chavez gives a critical overview and discussion about the images, stereotypes and falsified truths reproduced in society using and crafting recycled myths created by media experts, corrupt politicians, and people who openly hate immigrants from a Latino background. Chavez closely examines how “citizenship” has been seen and discussed through the legal organizations as a form of unity in the country through social and political participation. He claims that just critiquing discourse…
Always Running: Deviance Luis J. Rodriguez speaks to his readers through elegant, but brutally honest, rhetoric. From word, to sentence, to passage, to chapter his story unveils the truth of struggles among minorities. He reveals the trials of tribulations of a Hispanic’s life in LA as they really were, and in some cases still are. Rodriguez’s real life experiences shows how deviance was only natural because of the type of environment he was in. The special thing about La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A. is not only does it talk about his deviant acts and those of the people around him, but why those deviant acts were performed.…