Chayse Goodman

Professor Massie

ENGL-1301.IN1

June 15, 2020

The argument on racism

Blacks must make it to survive in a white man’s world. The Talk: After Ferguson, a

Shaded Conversation About Race is an article by The New York Times. The argument the author

wants to put out, is that it might be safer to be white than it is to be black, but we have to

embrace the privilege of being black. How one race is seen as superior to others. How the

perception of black boys wearing hoodies or sagging pants is seen as a threat. Even the justice

system not giving equal treatment by being based on stereotypes or bias, instead of pure

evidence. The author uses Imagery, logos, and personal experiences to demonstrate how black is

still discriminated and racially profiled against, even today.

The author uses imagery by describing the characteristics of her son. Being born to

African American parents, he was given the fair skin and his pale blue eyes( Canedy 1). Yet,

when the author is with her son, she is seen as the nanny. This is something commonly known as

colorism, where someone with lighter skin is seen as successful than darker skin. That darker

skin is ugly and unattractive but, lighter skin means you automatically will make it in life. This

social norms slowly comes to an end. The author uses her sons second grade class as an example.

Jordan was the only kid whose picture was not hanging because the brown crayon he had used to

color in his face was several shades darker than his real tone. The teacher wanted him to “lighten

it up” to more accurately reflect his complexion. Experiencing this moment, her son still says
why “can’t I just pretend to be white” (Canedy 1). Skin tone bias is only among people of color.

Where it is a norm to see how having darker skin and a negative cultural stereotype are seen as

identical. The rhetorical device is used to persuade the audience that this type of discrimination,

colorism, still goes on today. That it is being taught through kids as well.

The element logos is used to represent how African Americans are racially profiled in the

world. The names to remember are Michael Brown, who was grabbed by the neck, threatened

and fatally shot. Eric Garner, who was put in a chokehold for not resisting and yelled “I can’t

breathe”. Breonna Taylor, shot at least 8 times in the comfort of her own home. Lastly, Tamir

Rice, who was playing with a toy gun at a playground and gunned down. No matter if they are

grown men or a little boy, these are still African American men who were fatally shot or killed

by police, white men, for existing. The Author did not want to tell her son about these men, to

delay the moment he finds out they were racially profiled and killed. Canedy knew that the

moment her son needed to know about his race and his rights was the moment he was not seen as

cute anymore but only as a threat (Canedy 1). Logos is the most effective tool to persuade by

informing the reader with proof, that this how African Americans are racially profiled. Having to

take accountability for someone else’s actions, when they are completely wrong, sets the

problem. African Americans are born with the same rights as anyone else in this world. Yet, they

are not respected. Having the feeling that their rights are being taken away because of race and a

stereotype makes it harder to live a normal life.

Personal experience is used to make a connection with the audience. The way Canedy

uses the moment she has to talk to her son about being black and proud, represents what the

problem about race is. Canedy describes how after seeing police officers killing an unarmed

black man, she had to lay out some rules of her own. To always address police officers as “sir”
or “ma’am.” Never make any sudden moves, even to reach for identification. Do not raise your

voice, resist or run. Because at the end of the day, we are seen as a threat (Canedy 1). Like any

other African-American parent, having the talk, where “I needed to have with my son” about

how to survive in the presence of the police is horrifying (Canedy 1). Being taught at a young

age to, at all times, keep one hand out the window and one on the dashboard, because no matter

if we have our rights memorized, someone will be threatened enough to strangle or even kill. The

last thing on anyone’s mind should be ending the life, which is what the author is arguing. The

moment she had with her son, talking about what happens to African Americans in this world

and how it could even happen to him is heartbreaking. This feeling of heartbreak is what the

audience is supposed to feel. To connect with author’s life. Canedy’s son does not know the

racial indignity of having jobs and promotions denied. He does not know the humiliation of

being stopped, followed and frisked, because the look presented is suspicious and thief like. He

has never heard the words “I can’t breathe.” (Canedy 1). No one wants their child to experience

anything negative because of their race. It is about being prepared, because it could happen to

them.

Overall, it may be said that things are changing. To confirm, they definitely are but this

world has a lot of ways to go. People have beliefs, but those people are not respectful with their

beliefs. Hearing statements “Go back where you came from”, “This is a white man’s world” and

“You are not wanted here” The use of imagery, personal experience, and logos gives the author a

powerful persuasive argument on discrimination and racial profiling needs to be put to a stop.

The examples not only tell, but show exactly what is happening. Ranging from public events to

her own family, it has become a norm In life to always be on your toes, because you need to

survive. Inspiration and motivation screams through her message to use and be a voice to those
who do not have one. It will take months, years or even decades, but never stop fighting to make

a change. The author brings hope to persuade the audience the world needs love and acceptance.

Every person and body in this life bleeds the same color. Walk the same earth and share the same

life. The only difference is religion. As people, we should be taught to love, not to hate. At the

end of the day, the truth will always be told and justice will be served. No one is born with

racism In their blood. Racism is taught.