Goldberg, Michelle. “What Is a Woman? The Dispute Between

Radical Feminism and Transgenderism.” The New Yorker.

Newyorker.com, 04 Aug. 2014. Web. 15 May 2015.

The author Michelle Goldberg utilizes the fallacy of cherry picking to depict the transgender community as one that is being victimized by radical feminist. Goldberg paints a barbaric image of radical feminists by presenting specific feminist groups who have openly expressed their resentment to trans women, thereby coaxing the reader to approach the situation using pathos. One of these groups is the Deep Green Resistance, a feminist group who refuse to “condemn the use of violence in the service of goals it considers just.” (Goldberg, 2) However, Goldberg ignores the fact that the radical feminist position is one that is based on sound logic reasoning consisting of female hardships experienced throughout history.

Poems are bullshit unless they are

Rags to Riches, nothing into something.

From detention. To center of attention

From 9 to 5, to 95 million

We know our job, We did our job

Studying, working, listening, observing

Tired.

Broken and bruised.

Where is the end?

I worked from 9 to 5,

Now where is my 95 million?

Turn on the TV, relax your mind

But how can I relax

I need my 95 million,

Studying, working, listening, observing

“Fuck!” his dad just bought him a new Ferrari

for his 19^th birthday.

Can I at least have 19 million

We want success, and success

For all.

Let the world be successful.

And give all people 95 million

Or 19 million.

During last years NBA basketball season, the folly of former Los Angeles Clippers team owner Donald Sterling was publicly broadcasted, as several tape-recorded conversations highlighted his racist mindset. In the days following, Sterling was banned indefinitely from the NBA and forced to surrender ownership of the team. In his article “Donald Sterling, the Rules of Racism, and White Saviors: Our Words Will Never Be Enough,” Gyasi Ross utilizes the fallacy of Missing the Point to argue that many are celebrating the outcries against Donald Sterling for his racist remarks as a social advancement away from racism, while failing to realize the event ironically justifies the magnitude of racism still present in contemporary society.

Ross initially presents his argument by admitting that there was indeed some upside to the public ridicule of Sterling. “On TV talk shows, in graduation commencement speeches, and at receptions for summer law clerks, enlightened white folks use Donald Sterling as a racist boogieman, a literal punchline, as if he was the bottled-up evil jinn of racism and now the good white people are about to vanquish him,” said Ross who acknowledged the honest intention of these outcries. (Ross, 1)

However, Ross argues that the one instance of Sterling’s ridicule is being used to cover up widespread racism still present in the United States. First, Ross discredits whites for only speaking up against racism when a blatant offense is made public; yet allow it to occur as long as it is out of the public eye. Furthermore, Ross judges that whites are quick to discredit public racist actions in order to divert attention from themselves to avoid addressing the uncomfortable topic. Finally, Ross is critical of the fact that whites undermine the magnitude of racist action, and only feel the need to apologize for the action when the act of racism reaches a viral level.

All together, Ross’ argument is that although the Sterling incident did garner some outcry from whites, it is simply not enough to slow the racism that continue to grow in the United States. He contests that people assuming from this one incident that racism is finally taboo, are failing to realize that it is simply being used as a cover up for the larger issue at hand.

Works Cited:

Ross, Gyasi. “Donald Sterling, the Rules of Racism, and White

           Saviors: Our Word Will Never Be Enough.” The Huffington Post.

           TheHuffingtonPost.com, 06 Apr. 2014. Web. 15 May 2015.

“Loose Lips Might Sink Ships”

This poster is a World War II propaganda advertisement from the United States Office of War Information, illustrated by Seymour Goff. In big letters, the poster reads “Loose Lips Might Sink Ships.” The advertisement utilizes pathos to persuade viewers not to share war information with anyone, in fear of relaying the information to a spy that can disrupt the war effort.

The phrase “Loose Lips Might Sink Ships” coaxes the viewer to keep war secrets to themselves, in fear that they might cause problems for the country’s war effort. Those reading the poster may become afraid of any potential ridicule they may receive if it is found out that they leaked information. Thus, viewers are more likely to remain secretive in fear of being the subject of hate by fellow Americans.

Additionally, the poster literally presents an image of a ship in the process of sinking. Similar to the first situation, most viewers will briefly imagine if a United States navy ship is sinking knowing that it was the result of their gossip. In turn, this vision would encourage extreme guilt on behalf of the viewer. As a result, viewers become extremely conscious not to share any potentially harmful information.

This advertisement utilizes pathos to influence people’s decisions when discussing information about World War II. The idea of being called a “snitch” by fellow Americans or being responsible for a sunken United States ship is terrifying for viewers, and triggers a guilty conscious; thus the advertisement is successful in persuading viewers to remain silent.

Works Cited:

Goff, Seymour R. Loose Lips Might Sink Ships. Digital image.

             ExecutedToday.com. N.p., 03 Nov. 2009. Web. 15 May 2015.

While dandelions are overlooked as a pesky weed it is imperative to fully understand the wide variety of benefits they pose. As far back as 1836, dandelions have been maintained in gardens as an herbaceous staple in salads and other dishes (Sturtevant, 6). In fact, dandelions provide many vitamins and nutrients including vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, potassium, and beta-carotene. In Europe and Asia, dandelions were utilized as a “diuretic, a laxative, and a liver tonic,” not to mention tea for heart conditions, blood cleanser, and paste for wounds (Ombrello, 2). Furthermore, dandelions situate the growth of other plants due to their long root systems which loosen soil for surrounding plants. Additionally, dandelions produce a resin which can be altered into rubber. (Ombrello, 3)
Traditionally the dandelions are looked at for how they affect the lives of the user. It is the users’ interaction that gives the purpose of the dandelion (in popular opinion). When examined through the scope of individual perspective the dandelion is significantly under-appreciated for both people who enjoy the plant, and people who hate it. The value and meaning of the dandelion comes from what it does for the larger environment around it. The meaning of the dandelion is not relative to an experience, the meaning is in its usefulness for all of the environment humans, plants, insects and animals alike.

Compare vs. Contrast
As evidenced by the two texts “Maud Martha” by Gwendolyn Brooks and the LG phone commercial, the significance of the Dandelions is situational. With respect to “Maud Martha” the dandelion is of great significance; it offers reassurance to a character who compares herself to a dandelion. On the other hand, the use of the dandelion in the LG and LEE Jeans commercials are merely as a prop to sell an independent product.

The chapter from “Maud Martha”, by Gwendolyn Brooks forms a  relationship between the main character and a dandelion. The author illustrates the most overlooked characteristic of a dandelion, its “everydayness.” The Dandelion is normal and lacks attention at most, if not unwelcomed by the keepers of lawns and gardens. This replenishes what Martha already feels about herself, common and regular. However, Martha holds the dandelion in high regards, even considering it to be a flower. Once the dandelion is considered a flower, it is characteristic of attention grabbing, colorful, and expensive displays. In other words, the dandelion provides closure for Martha, a sound means to boost her self-esteem.

Conversely, the LG commercial portrays the dandelion as something that spreads but it retains its original form/ property. There is no significance of the flower itself in the LG commercial, it is just something pretty that can be looked at on a camera.Likewise the male actors in the Lee Jeans commercial, called Dandelion, view dandelions as an annoying weed. The male actor is depicted out in the backyard and pulling out dandelions. The commercial deliberately depicts a few holes in the ground and have the male actor take his shirt off to demonstrate how long the male actor has been working in his LEE Jeans, pulling out all the unwanted dandelions. Once again, the dandelion is being used as a prop in order to pitch a completely unrelated product.

1) This chapter from “Maud Martha”, by Gwendolyn Brooks forms a relationship between the main character and a dandelion. The author illustrates the most overlooked characteristic of a dandelion, its “everydayness.” The Dandelion is normal and lacks attention at most, if not unwelcomed by the keepers of lawns and gardens. This replenishes what Martha already feels about herself, common and regular. However, Martha holds the dandelion in high regards, even considering it to be a flower. Once the dandelion is considered a flower, common connotations include attention grabbing, colorful, and expensive displays. In other words, the dandelion provides closure for Martha, a sound means to boost her self-image/self-worth.

2) In the novel “Maud Martha” by Gwendolyn Brooks, the dandelions are a symbol of “everydayness.” This suggests that the dandelion often goes unnoticed; it exists regularly yet it is not always appreciated. Oppositely, the Coop commercial showcases the dandelion as the main catalyst for change. It is vital that every dandelion seed floats all over the globe because each seed is representative of the installation of an alternative energy resource.

-dandelion as everyday beauty
-dandelion as connection

3) The dandelion is an extremely capable plant. Although the dandelion is not appreciated by the majority of land owners, the plant is scientifically marvelous. Even a small seed left in the soil after a dandelion plant is extracted, may replenish itself into multiple flower buds in as little as twelve hours. As the dandelion seeds flow through the wind they can travel long distances and reproduce wherever they land.
The reproductive qualities of dandelions are highlighted in the Coop dandelion commercial; it promotes the reproduction of the utilization of alternative energy sources. As the child blows on a dandelion plant, each flower carries the seed which plants the use of alternative energy resource. Similarly, even a small application of alternative energy can influence the use of more alternative resources in a short period of time. Furthermore the effects of an alternative energy resource will be widespread and long lasting.

Augusto Monterroso utilizes personification in order to vividly describe the events occurring in his recollection as briefly as possible.  Such was the case when Monterroso speaks of Bartolome Arrazola being trapped in the jungle, and later on as Arrazola is slain.

After a recent collaboration with the National Football League, the organization NOMORE unveiled a new line of advertisements featuring current and former players standing against domestic violence and sexual assault. This particular poster features the face of current Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman, Chris Canty, with the phrase “NO MORE “he said he was sorry,”” hanging directly above his head. This advertisement is unique because it is selling a product of no monetary value. Instead, this advertisement attempts to sell awareness over the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. More specifically, it condemns the use of the common excuse “he said he was sorry” in cases of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Chris Canty

No More

Joyful Heart Foundation

http://nomore.org/psas/print-ads/