Is Discrimination In The Past?
Erik Neri
Prof. Wallace
ENGL 100
5 April 2013
Is Discrimination In The Past?
In the article “Opinion: Discrimination Against Latinos Still a Major Problem” written by Raul A. Reyes, a case of racial discrimination in Anaheim, California is addressed. This whole situation takes place in a school called Canyon High School, where half of the student body is white and only 16 percent are Latinos. Every year since 2009, this school would partake in a festival called senior week, in which seniors would get to participate in many activities to celebrate their graduating class. One of this school’s events during that senior week was called the “Señores and Señoritas Day”. This event consisted of the senior students coming to school dressed in Latino themed outfits. However, the students crossed the line when “they came to school dressed as gang members, gardeners, and border patrol agents. Some wore mustaches and sombreros; another came as a pregnant woman with a stroller” (Reyes). The controversy in this article is whether or not discrimination against Latinos is still an occurring issue. Reyes says yes and his argument is really strong since it mainly based on evidence that supports his most important points, while using examples to convince the reader that, in fact, Latinos are being discriminated against. I believe Reyes uses emotional strategies in order to make his argument very efficient.
Reyes begins his argument by stating that discrimination still exists in today’s society and is shown through Canyon High School’s administration. He develops a strong argument by using a student that was against this school tradition. Reyes uses this student as a demonstration as well as using direct quotes from this student. “The tradition ended after the complaints of a former student, Jared Garcia-Kessler, 19” (Reyes). By using this students name it has more of an impact on the reader because his opinion is supported by someone who was affected by this so called school spirited event. Reyes argument is very strong because he uses the Pathos appeal, which shows the vivid or emotional side to a story creating some sense of sympathy for the victims. “… when Garcia-Kessler first protested Señores day, as a student, he was told to ‘get a sense of humor.’ After graduating he complained again and succeeded in sparking an investigation” (Reyes). Reyes uses emotional and passionate words and examples that make the article more efficient and powerful to a reader.
Although Reyes strong suit would be his use of emotions, he adds some sense of logic and facts that help impact the reader. While giving his opinion, he also adds facts that help support his argument about racial discrimination. “In July, the Orange County Suburb was convulsed by protests following the shooting deaths of two Latino men by the police. There were nine straight days of marches against police brutality as member of the Hispanic community demanded justice” (Reyes). This fact shows the reader that the controversy of discrimination against Latinos is a crucial issue that is still present. By adding evidence like this it aids the reader to fully understand the bigger picture. This represents the Logos appeal in his argument. This appeal is the use of logical evidence which can range from statistics, facts, and direct quotes to convince and persuade the reader. The use of the Logos appeal brings more credibility to the author and the argument that is being portrayed. “The Southern Poverty Law Center recently filed suit against a Louisiana district where, allegedly, students were questioned about their immigration status, one teacher called a student a ´wetback,´ and staffers routinely hung up on Spanish-speaking parents” (Reyes). Making strong declarations help bring attention to one´s article and at the same time making the argument stronger.
Reyes does a good job at getting his opinion across. He does a good job at setting up the words to make any other opinion just sound incorrect.
It is stunning that Señores Day went on for several years before anyone realized it was demeaning to Hispanics. It is even more astonishing that it was a school-sanctioned event. At best, this is a reality check for those who believe discrimination against Latinos is a thing of the past; at worst, it reflects a tremendous lapse of judgment by Canyon High administration. (Reyes)
His word usage is very well thought out and planned in such a manner that it seems nearly impossible for a reader to counter argue his opinion. Reyes sets up his arguments in a clear structural manner that continuously attracts the reader’s eye.
Raul A. Reyes is writing about an important issue of discrimination against Latinos in the school environment. Furthermore he proves that the situation is unfair by successfully using the Pathos appeal, the Logos appeal, and strategic words thus creating a powerful article. I would definitely recommend this article to anyone interested in discrimination.
Prof. Wallace
ENGL 100
5 April 2013
Is Discrimination In The Past?
In the article “Opinion: Discrimination Against Latinos Still a Major Problem” written by Raul A. Reyes, a case of racial discrimination in Anaheim, California is addressed. This whole situation takes place in a school called Canyon High School, where half of the student body is white and only 16 percent are Latinos. Every year since 2009, this school would partake in a festival called senior week, in which seniors would get to participate in many activities to celebrate their graduating class. One of this school’s events during that senior week was called the “Señores and Señoritas Day”. This event consisted of the senior students coming to school dressed in Latino themed outfits. However, the students crossed the line when “they came to school dressed as gang members, gardeners, and border patrol agents. Some wore mustaches and sombreros; another came as a pregnant woman with a stroller” (Reyes). The controversy in this article is whether or not discrimination against Latinos is still an occurring issue. Reyes says yes and his argument is really strong since it mainly based on evidence that supports his most important points, while using examples to convince the reader that, in fact, Latinos are being discriminated against. I believe Reyes uses emotional strategies in order to make his argument very efficient.
Reyes begins his argument by stating that discrimination still exists in today’s society and is shown through Canyon High School’s administration. He develops a strong argument by using a student that was against this school tradition. Reyes uses this student as a demonstration as well as using direct quotes from this student. “The tradition ended after the complaints of a former student, Jared Garcia-Kessler, 19” (Reyes). By using this students name it has more of an impact on the reader because his opinion is supported by someone who was affected by this so called school spirited event. Reyes argument is very strong because he uses the Pathos appeal, which shows the vivid or emotional side to a story creating some sense of sympathy for the victims. “… when Garcia-Kessler first protested Señores day, as a student, he was told to ‘get a sense of humor.’ After graduating he complained again and succeeded in sparking an investigation” (Reyes). Reyes uses emotional and passionate words and examples that make the article more efficient and powerful to a reader.
Although Reyes strong suit would be his use of emotions, he adds some sense of logic and facts that help impact the reader. While giving his opinion, he also adds facts that help support his argument about racial discrimination. “In July, the Orange County Suburb was convulsed by protests following the shooting deaths of two Latino men by the police. There were nine straight days of marches against police brutality as member of the Hispanic community demanded justice” (Reyes). This fact shows the reader that the controversy of discrimination against Latinos is a crucial issue that is still present. By adding evidence like this it aids the reader to fully understand the bigger picture. This represents the Logos appeal in his argument. This appeal is the use of logical evidence which can range from statistics, facts, and direct quotes to convince and persuade the reader. The use of the Logos appeal brings more credibility to the author and the argument that is being portrayed. “The Southern Poverty Law Center recently filed suit against a Louisiana district where, allegedly, students were questioned about their immigration status, one teacher called a student a ´wetback,´ and staffers routinely hung up on Spanish-speaking parents” (Reyes). Making strong declarations help bring attention to one´s article and at the same time making the argument stronger.
Reyes does a good job at getting his opinion across. He does a good job at setting up the words to make any other opinion just sound incorrect.
It is stunning that Señores Day went on for several years before anyone realized it was demeaning to Hispanics. It is even more astonishing that it was a school-sanctioned event. At best, this is a reality check for those who believe discrimination against Latinos is a thing of the past; at worst, it reflects a tremendous lapse of judgment by Canyon High administration. (Reyes)
His word usage is very well thought out and planned in such a manner that it seems nearly impossible for a reader to counter argue his opinion. Reyes sets up his arguments in a clear structural manner that continuously attracts the reader’s eye.
Raul A. Reyes is writing about an important issue of discrimination against Latinos in the school environment. Furthermore he proves that the situation is unfair by successfully using the Pathos appeal, the Logos appeal, and strategic words thus creating a powerful article. I would definitely recommend this article to anyone interested in discrimination.