Ruthann West

[Type here]

Ruthann West
ENGL 1050
Professor Maenhardt
Summer Essay 1

Othering and Rhetoric

1. Othering
The term othering is a verb used to mean view or treat (a person or group of people)
as intrinsically different from and alien to oneself (google.com). One can imagine why, in polite
society, it is not considered a nice term. No one wants to be excluded or outcast. These days, its
common knowledge that humans are all essentially the same in physiological ways. People are
generally comprised of bone, muscle, sinew, soft tissues, water and skin. One would think that
issues of race wouldnt exist, since skin coloring is different because of an increased level of
pigmentation. However, race is still an issue. In some places, its an extremely prevalent issue. In
others, its largely eradicated or internalized by those who are afflicted. One would think that
more cultures would be more universally accepted, as many cultures can enrich others. One
would think that gender preference and sexuality would no longer be an issue, as science
progresses and reveals the inner workings of the human mind. These are all still issues in todays
society, and this paper will be talking about America, specifically. Diversity exists, and while not
entirely tolerated, progress is being made toward the right direction; toward acceptance.
A large facet of diversity in America pertains to race. We harbor peoples of every race
here. Asians, African-Americans, Hispanics, Europeans, Muslims, and many more call America
their home. The country has first-generation immigrants come here every year and no, not just
from the southern border. A particular racial issue this class has discussed is the margin that

Ruthann West

[Type here]

separates Caucasians and African-Americans. It goes back generations, from the initial boat that
brought slaves to America, to the continuation of slavery even after the Declaration of
Independence, where its written that all peoples are considered equal. Frederick Douglass
mentions this in his famous speech in the Corinthian Hall on July 4th, Are the great principles
of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence,
extended to us? And am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national
altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from
your independence to us? Would to God, both for your sakes and ours, that an affirmative answer
could be truthfully returned to these questions! (465).
From there, we see progress in the acceptance of diversity- Lincoln is associated strongly
with the abolishment of slavery; a great step in our nations history even though civil war was
required to benefit. From that progress we see a slow, still incomplete, desegregation of races.
America is currently in possession of its first black president, in fact. That alone is a massive step
in the right direction, and yet people still suffer. Even Obama had to fight racism throughout his
election process. He states that At various stages in the campaign, some commentators have
deemed me either too black or not black enough.(477).
The term there goes the neighborhood somehow still persists in some places. In other
places, racial diversity is severely limited simply by a lack of diverse conditions. This is shown
by some people here in Utah; Mariah Andrus commented in Week 1 that she only knew 2 black
peers growing up in Herriman. Growing up this way doesnt always create intolerance, but it
typically leads to racial and cultural ignorance, which in turn can lead to racism.
Within and across any color or mix of colors lie other issues of diversity. Sexuality is one
of these, and more recently confronted in the public eye than many other issues. This doesnt
concern race, so much as religion and culture. In the 1980s, the view toward homosexuality was
overall a negative one. HIV and AIDS were connected to the (at the time fairly nonexistent)

Ruthann West

[Type here]

LGBT community, being called a gay disease (APA.org). Harassment, both physical and
verbal, were considered of no significance to anyone but the victims. Even watching 1990s
sitcoms, such as Friends, homophobia is occasionally a present and normal state of mind.
Transport to the present, where gay clubs are a normal sight, but also targets.
In contrast to all this hate, progress is again being made toward acceptance. Beside the
newer law that same-sex couples may marry, Utah has a LGBT Pride Parade every year, where
those of all sexual orientations may come to celebrate their recently found rights and protest the
hatred flung in their direction. On a larger scale, Pres. Obama named a LGBT rights national
monument- The Stonewall Inn, associated with the Stonewall Uprising in the 1960s
(CNN.com).
Language can be connected to diversity directly. Gloria Anzaldua writes about her
difficulty being accepted even within her own culture, due to the diversity of the language within
the culture. She has been told that she speaks the oppressors language by speaking English, and
is ruining the Spanish language(522). She also feels outcast by members of a more anglo culture
because of her accent, and her language not being spoken anywhere. In How to Tame a Wild
Tongue, she feels that as long as I have to accommodate the English speakers rather than
having them accommodate me, my tongue will be illegitimate (525). This facet of diversity in
America has made some progress. Second languages are a requirement of public high schools
and most colleges. It is a bonus in many employers offices if the applicant speaks two
languages- mainly English and Spanish, specifically. One peer, Christopher Root, states that he
wants to be sympathetic to the plights of those living in a reality where you are viewed as
neither Latino or Anglo and feeling a loss of identity in Week 3 of this class. This view is more
and more widely agreed on, and not just regarding Hispanic language. Many Americans want to
understand and accommodate others to prevent the theft of their heritage.

Ruthann West

[Type here]

This being said, there is also large contention between some English speakers and
Spanish speakers. Spanish speakers want to be accommodated, and some English speaking
Americans feel like Hispanics should speak English here. This argument is usually brought up
alongside illegal immigration. The (anti)immigration debate in turn, goes hand in hand with
isolationism in the US, primarily by conservatives, according to CNN journalist Ruth Ben-Ghiat
(CNN.com). Isolationism, in her eyes and in many forward-thinking Americans eyes, is going to
be a detriment to our culture in the long run.
This paper only touches the barest tip of the iceberg of diversity in America. Within the
culture that we have created for ourselves, our veritable melting pot of differences, there is
contention. There are differences of religion, of class, social status. Min-Zhan Lu struggles with
the contention of diversity even within herself, like many do. Despite my parents and teachers
attempts to keep home and school discrete, the internal conflict between the two discourses
continued whenever I read or wrote (154). Lu also sees the struggle within her ChineseAmerican daughter, though she has hope that she can help her daughter cope with this internal
struggle better than she herself did (155).
Every generation struggles with their own definition of America. Should it not
eventually be an all-encompassing term of those who live here? Diversity- the word in itselfshould not be considered with negative undertones. It should be a word full of pride that a nation
could accept, include and rejoice in the diversity it contains. America isnt there yet. In fact,
Americans really have quite a long way to go, but progress is ever present in almost all our facets
of diversity.
2. Rhetorical Analysis
The essay chosen for this paper is probably a popular one: Fredrick Douglass speech,
What To the Slave Is the Fourth of July?. It was spoken by Frederick Douglass, a former slave,
at the Corinthian Hall on July 4th, 1852 (George and Trimbur, 460). It is still relevant today in

Ruthann West

[Type here]

many ways, and speaks to the reader now as much as to the listener over 100 years ago. Douglass
had been asked to speak for the occasion, and probably delivered a speech that may have been a
little bit of a surprise to the women that requested his presence. His speech largely related to the
Fugitive Law passed then, which Douglass was passionately and wholeheartedly against. Being a
former slave, this must have hit home for him, especially in a world still half-dominated by
slavery and excess cruelty toward those captured slaves.
He begins by giving praise to the founding fathers of America. He holds them in high
esteem and considers them with the utmost respect. He uses the term Fellow citizens (460)
when speaking to the audience in this portion of his speech, and tells them all that he will
celebrate those great men together. However, it is here that the tone of his speech takes a turn.
Douglass is a king of Pathos, and uses his words to almost paint a picture for his audience- one
of fire, passion, cruelty, injustice. He uses the term I, and the term you, as if to accuse the
entire audience of the crime he is grating against; This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may
rejoice, I must mourn. (465). He describes his people as different from those who were in the
Hall at the time of this heated speech. He tells them that he is vying for freedom because he has
to take up the plaintive lament of a peeled and woe-smitten people! (465). The words
plaintive, peeled and woe-smitten particularly tug on the heartstrings, showing the
audience exactly what kind of people his are now.
He continues on in this manner. This passion does not die out, his fire does not dim. He
gives a brief history of the Fugitive Law to ensure that all present knew exactly what his grief
was. He uses statistics such as There are seventy-two crimes in the State of Virginia, which, if
committed by a black man, (no matter how ignorant he be), subject him to the punishment of
death; while only two of the same crimes will subject a white man to the like punishment (166)
to show the gross inequality he has witnessed. This is a use of Logos as well as of Ethos. It

Ruthann West

[Type here]

relates to his audience- a mostly white one. He also uses more imagery terms, I would, today,
pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke.
For it is not light that is needed but fire (467).
You can almost see the indignant, furious man at the podium, lecturing these folk that had
let such a grievous Law pass. Douglass wants this speech to be remembered by all- he isnt just
passing his anger on to his audience alone, but to all of America. He rebukes the Church for
standing by (470), he rebukes the judges for being bribed (471). He wants this speech to spread
to all of those that could make a difference, and through both relating to the audience, setting the
audience at fault, helping the audience to understand, and using unforgettable imagery
throughout his speech, he succeeds.
Obviously, we cannot know what the Hall was like after this speech was done and
through. We cannot know what the audience of the time was thinking- we are in a different time
now. We can, however, assume that it hit its intended mark, as we are still reading this speech
today.

Works Cited:
Print:
Anzaldua, Gloria. How to Tame a Wild Tongue. 521-529. Reading Culture: Contexts

for Critical Reading and Writing, 8th Ed. 2012. Print.

Douglass, Frederick. What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? 460-475. Reading

Culture: Contexts for Critical Reading and Writing, 8th Ed. 2012. Print.
George and Trimbur. Reading Culture, Contexts for Critical Reading and Writing, 8th Ed.

460. 2012. Print.

Lu, Min-Zhan. From Silence to Words: Writing as Struggle. 147-156. Reading Culture:

Contexts for Critical Reading and Writing, 8th Ed. 2012. Print.
Pres Obama, Barrack. A More Perfect Union. 476-484. Reading Culture: Contexts for
Critical Reading and Writing, 8th Ed. 2012. Print.

Internet Sites:
http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/orientation.aspx

Ruthann West

[Type here]

American Psychological Association. Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality, Answering

Your Questions for a Better Understanding. APA.org. 2016. Web. 07/02/2016.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/17/opinions/ben-ghiat-speaking-english-in-u-s-/
Ben-Ghiat, Ruth. Why Its Good to Speak Spanish in America. CNN.com. 09/17/2015.

Web. 07/02/2016.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/24/travel/stonewall-inn-first-lgbt-national-monument/
Hetter, Katia and Liptak, Kevin. Obama Names First National Monument to LGBT
Rights. CNN.com. 06/24/2016. Web. 07/02/2016.