Blog 7: The Profound Emptiness of 'Resilience'

In her article, “The Profound Emptiness of ‘Resilience’,” Parul Sehgal argues that the world has failed to recognize the reframing of the meaning of the word “resilience” through over-usage and misusage. Instead, she believes that the true meaning of resilience is not just staying on the course through adversity, but questioning along the way. Sehgal constantly pushes the “thrive, not just survive” mantra throughout the article, referring to the recent wave of college protests against racism as a prime example of the true meaning of “resilience.” Sehgal focuses a lot of the article on the misusage of the term, and shows how everyone is adopting it to any situation that arises, from the UN’s “Resilience Agenda” to Justin Bieber’s comeback. She seems to lament the fact that a word that carries such power is being misshapen and almost turned into a robotic process devoid of feeling. Sehgal focuses on people’s perception of how college students react to racism and other sensitive topics on campuses. She examines both sides, one that has excoriated these students and the other that validates their reaction. Although Sehgal never really directly asserts her opinion, she subtly weaves it in at the end of the article, seeming to agree with the latter perception of the students, that them standing up to acts of racism is the way to define resilience.
I really loved this article. I thought it was so well-written and definitely enviable when trying to write an opinion piece. It was very different than most articles I encounter on the NY Times, which essentially bluntly state opinions without giving much regard to the other side. The way in which she weaves her opinion into the article is incredibly incisive. In terms of the content, I was actually really upset after reading this article. We’re so accustomed to a culture of “me,” and the fact that resilience is being adopted to any situation that an individual sees fit to apply it to is saddening. By calling attention to this, I think Sehgal is explaining an even deeper message about our society. And it ain’t a good one. I also really liked the Tumblr-esque last sentence, “Why rise from the ashes without asking why you had to burn?” I think it really summed up the purpose of the article and provides a lot of food for thought. Although I don’t agree that her definition of resilience necessarily applies to everything, this article has definitely stuck with me since I read it. Overall, a really well-written piece of writing. You go, Glen Coco-Sehgal!

Sehgal, Parul. "The Profound Emptiness of ‘Resilience’." The New York Times. The New York
     Times, 5 Dec. 2015. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

Last Lincoln Blog

President Abraham Lincoln, in his "Second Inaugural Address" (March 4, 1865), attempts to push the blame on the Southern states for starting the Civil War, but also tries to show how both the North and the South share the blame for continuing the war. He does this by taking a very detached stance, but appeals to pathos and religion, explaining the causes of the war (thus holding the South accountable for its actions), talking about how the war could have been prevented, and the irony of a country torn apart but still praying to one God, who is now punishing them all for the war. His purpose is essentially to remind the nation of its stupidity in starting the war, and showing them that God is not helping their war effort but rather, is punishing them for the war, in order to show how the war has reached a point of no return. His tone is rather caustic and terse, yet hopeful because his audience is the nation, and he ultimately wants the nation to achieve peace.


I thought this was an incredibly well-written speech on Lincoln's part. He hits the nail right on the head, and the apparent "shade" he's throwing to the South is spot-on. One of my favorite lines is, "It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged." Lincoln was in an incredibly tough position-it's impossible to imagine what it would be like to have an entire nation divided over an issue that could have been prevented. He knows that his First Inaugural Address didn't seem to stop the impending war, even though he references it. Instead, he invokes religion because it appears to be the one thing the nation seems to agree on. I found the fact that he twists the idea of praying to a God who is now exacting punishment an interesting method, as it is "classic Lincoln." I also liked how his message in the end was short, sweet, and to the point. He knows that long speeches aren't the way to go anymore, because no one listens. As a result, it's best to lay it all out on the field (pun intended), and the country can make its own decisions. Lincoln has his opinions, but this is a speech for the people. They need to decide the course of action that the country will take.

Blog 5: Racism-A National Discussion From Both Ends

Roxane Gay, in her Op-Ed entitled, "Where are Black Children Safe? (October 29, 2015)," examines the lives of black youth in society, and asserts that being an African-American youth in the modern world is impossible, as they face injustices and brutality every day and are held to an unfair standard. Gay develops her position by using an appeal to pathos, giving examples, such as the recent case of Ben Fields attacking a teen in a South Carolina, statistics to explain school discipline towards African-American youths, evocations of previous stories of police brutality, including Eric Garner and Walter Scott, comparisons to Michel Foucault's idea of a panopticon, and a call to action. Gay's purpose is to bring in instances of racism towards black youths in order to wake up America and reconsider their attitudes towards the African-American community. Her audience is intended to reach all across the spectrum of society, as she believes this is a national issue that warrants the entire country's attention.

Quite frankly, I was very upset with Gay's article. Although I believe and know that racism is still an issue, I think that the term is being applied to every scenario that arises. When I watched the video of Ben Fields throwing the young girl across the classroom, the first thought that crossed my mind wasn't that she was black. I was appalled that this had happened to a student, whatever their race. In my opinion, Gay, and many involved in the "Black Lives Matter" movement are looking for instances that they can label as blatant racism, ignoring whether or not the action was racially motivated or not. As a result, it is almost as if they are diluting the concept of racism, relating it to every issue before giving it much thought.

A few weeks ago, I watched "Fox News Sunday," and one of the aspects they dealt with was the recent surge in cop killings. After watching it, I further realized that the relentless propaganda war raged on police officers leads to a complete misrepresentation of defense and an avoidance of realizing the true nature of an increase in crime. The people serious in the “Black Lives Matter” movement are missing an opportunity for dialogue and bridging the gap between the two communities of the people and the police force. They have to investigate the facts that black on black crime is still extremely prevalent and is far more deadly than police misconduct. Yet, the media never fails to link instances of police misconduct into a national narrative, spurring a response without a solid basis. However, what isn’t shown are the dangers the police officers face on a daily basis because this is overshadowed by the few counts of police misconduct. For example, this year, in Philadelphia, police managed to remove 2000 guns off the streets without one shot being fired by a police officer. But, of course, no one talks about this kind of thing. The media likes to present one type of story, typically one with an emotional background, and instigates an irreparable picture. People find it easier to sympathize with the painting of the oppressed, and that is what Gay is trying to accomplish.

Yes, there are double standards for African-Americans. Yes, racism is an issue that needs to be dealt with. But it needs to come from both sides. And not everything can be deemed racist before investigating it. We don't know what the student was doing before the video began its recording. She wasn't complying with orders and was resisting a police officer. That we do know. Although this doesn't excuse Fields's actions, and he has since been fired from his job, the African-American community needs to look internally at themselves as well. The police and our defense force are looking out for our best interests. The "Black Lives Matter" movement needs to examine its current standing, and find a way to approach their interests in a way that acknowledges all sides to the story.

Link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/opinion/where-are-black-children-safe.html

The video of Ben Fields throwing the female student across the room.

Lincoln Blog

Abraham Lincoln, in the first passage of his speech delivered to the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield in 1838, conveys the reality of citizens reaching a point of such frustration with the government that they are willing to act outside the boundaries of the law. Lincoln begins with the idea that innocent people, who are law-abiding and aware of the confines of the government, "those who have ever set their faces against violations of law in every shape, alike with the guilty, fall victims to the ravages of mob law; and thus it goes on, step by step, till all the walls erected for the defense of the persons and property of individuals, are trodden down, and disregarded." To these citizens, the government has lost all sense of what is important and does not heed to the needs of society. As a result, what else can the people resort to? What can be expected of them to do? They have to make ends meet and need to carry on with their lives. Lincoln remarks that this spirals into action in which those that are "lawless in spirit" become "lawless in practice." There's no organization, no method of judgement, and the people become free to do what they wish. These people view the government in a negative manner, referring to it as their "deadliest bane," and wish to eradicate it.

Lincoln then presents the other perspective in society. There are those who advocate for peace and harmony, but even they have a tipping point. They see their lives being torn apart with no structure to piece it back together, and become numb to the government, instead preferring to see it changed or removed, as indicated by the "mobsters." To them, the "Government is offering no protection," and again, how much can they endure before they erupt and enact their own change? Lincoln is displaying the oft-ignored aspect of the government failing to act-how the people respond. Unfortunately, the ideas of Lincoln's speech have carried over into the present-day of 2015, where a government shutdown was narrowly averted, yet still looms in our midst.

A mere couple of weeks ago, the United States government encountered yet another debacle regarding their spending caps and cuts. After countless arguments among Republicans and Democrats about where to direct government funding, a potential government shutdown emerged, as no agreement was reached. And to add to the brouhaha, John Boehner, House Speaker, announced his resignation, a great blow to the Republican-run Congress. Although the government shutdown seemed inevitable, the Senate approved a temporary funding measure that would, quite literally, keep the government up and running past the midnight deadline. The bill would prevent a partial shutdown, similar to that which occurred in 2013, and would finance the government through December 11th, which allows for more negotiation regarding the government budget for the 2016 fiscal year.

In the wake of such events, Lincoln's words accurately foreshadow a "new normal" should the government shut down. The government's inability to agree on its spending affects everyone at large. Although they have the segment of society that still remains placid for the time being, there's only a certain amount they can absorb before they too resort to disobeying government laws. There will always be the mobsters, but the innocent will begin to rally as well. The government shutdown contains tremendous implications and repercussions, because, over history, people react the same way when faced with a negative environment. The government has a lot to consider in the next few weeks, and their actions weigh heavily on their citizens. One of the functions of government is to maintain order, but if they can't even organize themselves, how can they expect to control their citizens? This is a precarious path to perch on, and could have grave consequences, as Lincoln mentioned, if not dealt with properly.

Rhetorical Precis and Response: Nicholas Kristof

Nicholas Kristof, in his Op-Ed entitled, "Compassion for Refugees Isn't Enough (September 10, 2015)," examines the burgeoning refugee crisis and asserts that having compassion for the refugees isn't enough; the international community must repair the situation at "home" (Syria, Jordan, etc.) in order to truly attack the crisis. Kristof uses an appeal to logos, statements made by experts on Syria and the current situation, and suggestions for future action, like enacting a no-fly zone, to emphasize the crucial state of the refugee crisis and urge the implementation of a systematic manner in which to solve the displacement of almost 60 million people (note: this is a worldwide estimate, not limited to Syria). His purpose is to educate and persuade his readers into envisioning a logical approach to helping the refugees, rather than relying solely on emotion, in order to spur a different type of thinking in dealing with the crisis. His audience spans all across the spectrum, and is a plea to everyone around the world to begin the steps necessary to solve the crisis.

I definitely agree with many of the points that Kristof makes. Especially with the release of the picture of Aylan Kurdi, people, particularly those in America, have become more alert to the refugee crisis. FOX News reported America as having been "sleeping" in regards to the refugee crisis up until they saw the picture, and only know have they truly realized the gravity of the situation. However, it's easy to have an emotional response without stopping to think about the implications of such a crisis. The refugee situation is devastating, yet it is not realistic to transport them all to the West. Kristof mentions that the international community needs to focus more on fixing the grassroots issue, which, quite frankly, has been ignored for a number of years already. The problem is just growing and growing, and until it knocks on their door (literally), countries have not paid much attention to the dangerously terrifying situation in Syria. The refugees cannot stay in the West for eternity; there's simply not enough room to take them all in. But at the same time, if we don't do anything about it, we're facing a gloomy future. We have an entire generation among us that is uneducated and impoverished, and without doing anything about it, we run the risk of developing a generation involved with terrorism. The world perches on a steep slope, and it can only skirt around the issue so much before the ramifications start to settle in, and the global community finds itself in an even more twisted situation it cannot wriggle itself out of.


Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/10/opinion/nicholas-kristof-compassion-for-refugees-isnt-enough.html

Blog 4: Mac vs. PC-Rhetorical Analysis

     Apple, in their ad entitled, “iLife (2006),” claims that owning a Mac computer increases a consumer’s options in terms of programs, and that using these programs creates a more enjoyable and organized computer experience. Apple supports this by using conversation to point out that, opposed to using an iPod with just a PC, Macs deliver a number of other applications, including iMovie, iPhoto, and iWeb, and also uses logical arguments to contrast a Mac with a PC, including the fact that the PC’s only thrilling feature is a calculator. Apple’s purpose is to excite consumers about the options a Mac offers, in order to persuade them to buy a Mac. Apple speaks to all consumers across the spectrum, including both prospective Mac owners and current PC owners, to get all sides to switch to a Mac.



Link to video: https://youtu.be/DZSBWbnmGrE?t=30s

Rhetorical Precis: "Lessons from the Virginia Shooting"

Nicholas Kristof, in his Op-Ed entitled, "Lessons from the Virginia Shooting (August 28, 2015)," uses the recent shooting in Virginia to assert the necessity of modeling and regulating gun control, as the lack of these laws leads to more shootings and gun violence. He uses compelling and emotionally loaded statistics, lessons from other approaches to solve issues, such as car safety, a realistic outlook, and suggestions for future change to"wake up America" and emphasize the importance of gun control, and the steps America needs to take to ensure the safety of its citizens. His purpose is to sear the critical nature of gun control into his readers, in order to have them become advocates for change. His audience is catered more towards the segments of society that have the ability to embark on concrete paths to further his ideas and goals for a safer America, and tries to inform them of the ramifications of leaving the problem as it is now.




What Kristof wrote about in his article was not new. For decades there have been variations of this piece, simply suited to meet a different situation. However, this does not detract from the importance of his message. The fact that Kristof even needed to write this article in the first place is an indication of how rampant the problem of gun control is. Kristof is not advocating a new approach but is trying to rouse America into truly doing something about an issue that threatens us every minute. Therefore, his article is one in a long line of advocates for gun regulation. But, it is the underlying concepts that are trying to contribute to action being done to stop the dangerous use of guns. Kristof is attempting to have America do something about the problem, and is desperately trying to not let it fester. It is my hope that he, along with others that came before him, will be successful in the very near future.


Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/opinion/lessons-from-the-murders-of-tv-journalists-in-the-virginia-shooting.html?_r=1

Is Cecil Our Real Issue?

     To me, although the killing of Cecil the Lion is tragic, the response that has followed has only increased the fact that issues that truly matter are the ones being avoided. Yes, there should be respect displayed towards protected animals, and yes, Palmer should have inquired more into the hunt before embarking on it, but that does not justify the outlandish brouhaha that has ensued. There are numerous other world crises occurring at the moment, ranging from the human refugee situation to the use of violence against a people, and little to nothing has been done to solve them. The UN has failed to pass a resolution concerning the situation in Syria, but it took them a mere number of hours to publicly denounce and condemn the killing by introducing a resolution preventing “illegal wildlife trafficking and poaching.” Since when has animal trafficking taken precedence over human trafficking? I have no intent to belittle the importance of animal life, but it is ironic, even bordering on the edge of hypocritical, that the international community has taken such a stance. In fact, most of us have some form of animal incorporated in our daily lives, whether in the form of shoes, food, or just about anything else. It may sound morbid, but in order to make an argument, the loudest supporters should have a basis in what they are trying to convey. One can’t expect to be taken seriously if they partake in that which they rally against.

     This situation is more of a wake-up call for the world than it is justice for Cecil. It is important, in fact imperative, to care for the animals. But when that is substituted for eschewing the responsibility of solving real-world crises, the problem will always remain at large. It is our duty and the duty of our leaders to ensure that first and foremost, basic human rights are restored and people can once again feel safe in their world before moving on to the animals. Cecil is but one lion in thousands. Although he is treasured, the world cannot focus on one individual, or in this case, animal. We are ignoring the real issues, and if this wasn’t apparent enough already, Cecil the lion has amplified it further, making it crystal clear that the avoidance is right in front of our eyes. The world cannot continue like this. Imagine if all the protesters who were defacing Palmer’s office and are on the hunt for his head channeled their collective spirit into a human rights protest for Syria or North Korea, or the threat that Iran poses. We could make so much more progress than what is being done now. I think that the incident with Cecil the lion begs us to question the following: what truly matters to us as both a global community and a species, and how do we go about fighting that which we place as our highest priority, and then, after that, pursue action to make this a reality.

Article: http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/30/us/walter-palmer-whereabouts/