English 5/211 develops the ability to analyze, criticize, and advocate ideas. Critical thinking looks at the relationship between language and logic, introduces rhetoric or persuasive writing and tools students can use to evaluate information based on facts, perceptions, assumptions, evidence, reasons, inferences, judgments, induction, deduction and conclusions.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Cyber-Assignment
Post your arguments from the Wise essay here anonymously. Comment on a classmate's argument (3). Put your name in the comment.
Privilege, specifically white privilege, influences everything in America. More than anything it influences our means of entertainment and education. It is no secret that history is written by the dominant culture, but our mass media outlets are also dictated by this same dominant force. Privilege according to Wise is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture.
Tim wise, the author of “White like me, Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son” had many places to gather information for his project. Although he could have used statistics, studies and documents to express a point of view, he chose to use his own life experiences to relate a very controversial subject to a wide audience. Because of this he was able to include true retrospect upon the feelings associated with the phenomenon of “white privilege”, as opposed to evidence that may not hold an emotional value or a true reflection of facts.
Although white privilege has cause minorities great loss of opportunities and recognition, it has caused whites to be ignorant and isolated from reality therefore leaving them delusional. Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism.
In White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, Tim Wise discusses the concept of privilege, specifically white privilege. He points out that even though many people believe racism is an issue of the past, they are wrong. Racism is still present today and exists in the form of privilege. Privilege, particularly white privilege, is the advantages white people receive that are unavailable to colored people. These advantages help white people become successful much faster. Although Wise mentions that privilege, inherited by white people, creates a rift between those who have it and those who do not, he neglects to address the possibility that other factors might have caused this divide between people because he uses mostly examples from what he has seen and experienced.
"White like Me" by Tim Wise is composed of one-part memoir and another half controversial essay collection about racism and white privilege all over the country. Wise is a white American anti-racist advocate who makes us realize, through his book, what it really means to be part of the "majority" group in America. Although Wise grew up in a very diverse community, he manages to write the benefits of being a white man, because he uses his life stories and experiences to illustrate multiple aspects of "privilege" within institutions such as education, housing and criminal justice.
Sandahl von Sydow Professor Sabir English 5 March 17, 2011
Anonymous said... Tim wise, the author of “White like me, Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son” had many places to gather information for his project. Although he could have used statistics, studies and documents to express a point of view, he chose to use his own life experiences to relate a very controversial subject to a wide audience. Because of this he was able to include true retrospect upon the feelings associated with the phenomenon of “white privilege”, as opposed to evidence that may not hold an emotional value or a true reflection of facts.
I like that the writer has chosen to compare and contrast Wise use of evidence in “White Like Me.”
Anonymous said... Although white privilege has cause minorities great loss of opportunities and recognition, it has caused whites to be ignorant and isolated from reality therefore leaving them delusional. Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism
I don’t feel that this thesis is presenting a question that needs to be answered. I’m not seeing a conclusion.
P: Tim wise, the author of “White like me, Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son” had many places to gather information for his project.
P: Although he could have used statistics, studies and documents to express a point of view, he chose to use his own life experiences to relate a very controversial subject to a wide audience.
C: Because of this he was able to include true retrospect upon the feelings associated with the phenomenon of “white privilege”, as opposed to evidence that may not hold an emotional value or a true reflection of facts.
This book is about Tim Wise's life and how he perceives being white and the word "privilege." Wise addresses the pribileges whites inherit from previous generations and those that are still here today. Although Tim Wise's memoir "White Like Me" also addresses several aspects of the term "privilege," he fails to consider the expeptions, because definistion centers on his life almost exclusively.
In Tim Wise’s book “White like me. Reflection on Race from a Privilegesd Son,” he talks especially about the privileges of white people. White privileges are based on racism and the beliefs that the inheritance of skin color gives white people more rights and importance. Although Wise discusses a variety of aspects of the term privilege, he fails to mention the relationship between the terms privilege and educational opportunities in detail, because his definition of the term is too broad.
One of the most apparent themes of “White like Me” by Tim Wise would be privilege. The denotation of privileged is to be entitled, however the connotation of privileged has a variety of different meaning depending on perspectives of the individual. To Wise, privilege is something that is inherited, rather then earned. And that you are born into the world with selective privileges that no one can take away from you or acquire later on. The whole bases of his arguments are essentially what and how white privilege appears in our lives and how subliminally it affects the way we act and live socially.
"Privilege, according to Wise, is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture."
Premise 1: Privilege is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal
Premise 2: Privilege is to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others.
Conclusion: This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture.
To Wise being white in the United States is to be privileged, it is to be advantages in nearly every aspect of life, although Wise acknowledged that you are born into being privileged and not earning it, there is a significant distinction between being white and being of color. Although Wise believes if you are white in the United States you will always be more advantages than any other race, regardless of social and economic class.
In his writing I see Tim Wise makes some important conclusions, however I feel like he weakness is his long stories of past experiences. He uses lots of evidence to argue his case, and he succeeds in some degree. Wise also has strengths in his writing.
Anonymous said... Although white privilege has cause minorities great loss of opportunities and recognition, it has caused whites to be ignorant and isolated from reality therefore leaving them delusional. Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism.
Jeff Norkunas Professor Sabir English 5/20242 March 17, 2011 In this statement I can not find an argument of any kind, there is a lot of feeling and opinion but not much to identify as valid in fact, sentences do not make sense.
Frena Zamudio Professor Sabir English 5 17 March 2011
Response to: "Privilege, according to Wise, is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture."
-it is a good argument, composed of easy to find premises and concise conclusion.The person used simple words so that the readers can easily understand what she is trying to state.
"Although white privilege has cause minorities great loss of opportunities and recognition, it has caused whites to be ignorant and isolated from reality therefore leaving them delusional. Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism."
This is a pretty strong statement to make. I do believe that this is a valid argument because one can argue against this statement; however this is a pretty hard argument to prove. In many cases trying to prove this will be done so with their own individual experience and opinion because it will be hard to prove some his statements with cold hard facts. Lets say for example the sentence where the author says “Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism” is very hard to prove with concrete evidence. It can only be done so with ones own experience and opinion.
In Tim Wise's book "White Like Me", he states that privilege is the fact that one is born to belonging of having unfair advantages over others, and also being inaccessible. If you are white, the law is more lenient upon you, and that it's easier to get away with illegal acts of crime, whereas other minorities may not. Also, whites become ignorant and defiant that they do not have this ridiculous privilege over others as well, but knowing that it is out there and that they do have this specific benefit.
Response to: Anonymous said... One of the most apparent themes of “White like Me” by Tim Wise would be privilege. The denotation of privileged is to be entitled, however the connotation of privileged has a variety of different meaning depending on perspectives of the individual. To Wise, privilege is something that is inherited, rather then earned. And that you are born into the world with selective privileges that no one can take away from you or acquire later on. The whole bases of his arguments are essentially what and how white privilege appears in our lives and how subliminally it affects the way we act and live socially.
This is a good start, and is very clear about what this person is going to write.
This book is about Tim Wise's life and how he perceives being white and the word "privilege." Wise addresses the privileges whites inherit from previous generations and those that are still here today. Although Tim Wise's memoir "White Like Me" also addresses several aspects of the term "privilege," he fails to consider the exceptions, because definition centers on his life almost exclusively.
the argument is short and sweet and gets to the point with ease. It does what its suppose to in answering what it was written to do.
"Although Wise discusses a variety of aspects of the term privilege, he fails to mention the relationship between the terms privilege and educational opportunities in detail, because his definition of the term is too broad. "
Premise 1: Wise discusses a variety of aspects of "privilege"
Premise 2: Fails to compare the term privilege and education.
Conclusion: The term which Wise uses the most (privilege) is too broad and fails to make an argument.
Dawit Girma Professor Sabir English 5 March 15, 2011
Although Wise relies in range on his personal life experience to explain the white privilege in his book and creates an emotional wake up call to the white society, but it is unlikely hard to believe that a change of this realities will be the interest of the dominant race, because no one seems to like sharing an equal right.
Although Wise thorougly describes white privilege throughout the book White Like Me, he uses his life to convey his definition of white privilege. Because the book only includes his personal life experiences he leaves much room for questioning and many things are unexplained to the reader.
Dylan Young Professor Sabir English 5 March 15 2011
In his writing I see Tim Wise makes some important conclusions, however I feel like he weakness is his long stories of past experiences. He uses lots of evidence to argue his case, and he succeeds in some degree. Wise also has strengths in his writing.
This thesis is simply stated but has a clear point to it. The points made however are a bit weak and could use some more explanantion, such as the degree he succeeds to argue his case in.
Ricarda Lathrop Professor Sabir English 5 17 March 2011
Privilege, according to Wise, is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture."
Premise 1: Privilege is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal
Premise 2: Privilege is to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others
Conclusion: This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture.
This premise is well structured and makes it easier for the writer to organize his or her paper. Furthermore the thesis is understandable for the reader too.
"This book is about Tim Wise's life and how he perceives being white and the word "privilege." Wise addresses the pribileges whites inherit from previous generations and those that are still here today. Although Tim Wise's memoir "White Like Me" also addresses several aspects of the term "privilege," he fails to consider the expeptions, because definistion centers on his life almost exclusively. "
The last line is a good thesis. I think you could have more detail about how he defines it and why it fails.
Andrea Giang Professor Sabir English 5 17 March 2011
Comments on Arguments Anonymous said... One of the most apparent themes of “White like Me” by Tim Wise would be privilege. The denotation of privileged is to be entitled, however the connotation of privileged has a variety of different meaning depending on perspectives of the individual. To Wise, privilege is something that is inherited, rather then earned. And that you are born into the world with selective privileges that no one can take away from you or acquire later on. The whole bases of his arguments are essentially what and how white privilege appears in our lives and how subliminally it affects the way we act and live socially.
I thought this was a very good definition of privilege. I felt that this introduction to the essay was clear and to the point. It provides an opening to the essay and what the writer wants to talk about.
Anonymous said... Although Wise thorougly describes white privilege throughout the book White Like Me, he uses his life to convey his definition of white privilege. Because the book only includes his personal life experiences he leaves much room for questioning and many things are unexplained to the reader.
I thought this writer’s thesis was to the point. I agree that the book only includes the things Wise himself has experienced and so his definition of white privilege is based on what he has seen and gone through. I felt that this was a clear argument and a strong one.
Anonymous said... Although white privilege has cause minorities great loss of opportunities and recognition, it has caused whites to be ignorant and isolated from reality therefore leaving them delusional. Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism.
I thought this argument really set up the background for the essay. I felt that it was a strong and clear thesis. And I definitely felt that the writer has a strong opinion in this essay.
Standard Form
"Privilege, according to Wise, is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture."
Premise 1: Privilege is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal
Premise 2: Privilege is to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others.
Conclusion: This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture.
Although Tim Wise’s memoir White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son fails to consider the exceptions of the term “privilege,” the examples in which he brings into attention prove that whites inherit unearned advantages over their colored counterparts because it’s about having one less worry about your race and one less sweat to shed which defines white privilege in American society.
Randy Tran Professor Sabir English 5 March 22, 2011
Comment on (3) classmates’ arguments and put (1) in Standard Form:
Anonymous said...
Privilege, specifically white privilege, influences everything in America. More than anything it influences our means of entertainment and education. It is no secret that history is written by the dominant culture, but our mass media outlets are also dictated by this same dominant force. Privilege according to Wise is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture.
*I don’t agree with the given definition of “privilege” here, because privilege according to Wise is inherited amongst whites and it’s nothing that they do to shape reality into their own ideal, that privilege allows them to simply have the upper hand in situations automatically. And the privileged ones do not willfully become ignorant of others, they know they have advantages over others and they like it and don’t want to do anything to make it go away and having to give up privilege so that it would be more equal for all.
Anonymous said...
Tim wise, the author of “White like me, Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son” had many places to gather information for his project. Although he could have used statistics, studies and documents to express a point of view, he chose to use his own life experiences to relate a very controversial subject to a wide audience. Because of this he was able to include true retrospect upon the feelings associated with the phenomenon of “white privilege”, as opposed to evidence that may not hold an emotional value or a true reflection of facts.
*I feel as if there is no thesis or argument, or maybe there is one but I’m afraid it’s not immediately grabbing my attention. I’m not sure if the writer is agreeing or disagreeing that Wise’s examples from his life are better to argue his point, or instead should use “statistics, studies, and documents.”
Anonymous said...
In White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, Tim Wise discusses the concept of privilege, specifically white privilege. He points out that even though many people believe racism is an issue of the past, they are wrong. Racism is still present today and exists in the form of privilege. Privilege, particularly white privilege, is the advantages white people receive that are unavailable to colored people. These advantages help white people become successful much faster. Although Wise mentions that privilege, inherited by white people, creates a rift between those who have it and those who do not, he neglects to address the possibility that other factors might have caused this divide between people because he uses mostly examples from what he has seen and experienced.
*I like and do agree with the arguments made here by this writer. I like how he/she does not whack around the bush, and instead gets straight to the point with the facts. Every sentence leading up to the thesis statement at the end, followed a sequential order that kept the reader’s attention (me) to the essay. It definitely grabbed my attention. On top of that, I agree with racism existing today in another form of white privilege, getting white people ahead and leaving others at a disadvantage and causing them to trail behind.
This argument in Standard Form:
Premise: Because he uses mostly examples from what he has seen and experienced.
Conclusion: Wise neglects to address the possibility that other factors might have caused this divide between people.
Privilege, specifically white privilege, influences everything in America. More than anything it influences our means of entertainment and education. It is no secret that history is written by the dominant culture, but our mass media outlets are also dictated by this same dominant force. Privilege according to Wise is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture.
ReplyDeleteTim wise, the author of “White like me, Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son” had many places to gather information for his project. Although he could have used statistics, studies and documents to express a point of view, he chose to use his own life experiences to relate a very controversial subject to a wide audience. Because of this he was able to include true retrospect upon the feelings associated with the phenomenon of “white privilege”, as opposed to evidence that may not hold an emotional value or a true reflection of facts.
ReplyDeleteAlthough white privilege has cause minorities great loss of opportunities and recognition, it has caused whites to be ignorant and isolated from reality therefore leaving them delusional. Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism.
ReplyDeleteIn White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, Tim Wise discusses the concept of privilege, specifically white privilege. He points out that even though many people believe racism is an issue of the past, they are wrong. Racism is still present today and exists in the form of privilege. Privilege, particularly white privilege, is the advantages white people receive that are unavailable to colored people. These advantages help white people become successful much faster. Although Wise mentions that privilege, inherited by white people, creates a rift between those who have it and those who do not, he neglects to address the possibility that other factors might have caused this divide between people because he uses mostly examples from what he has seen and experienced.
ReplyDelete"White like Me" by Tim Wise is composed of one-part memoir and another half controversial essay collection about racism and white privilege all over the country. Wise is a white American anti-racist advocate who makes us realize, through his book, what it really means to be part of the "majority" group in America. Although Wise grew up in a very diverse community, he manages to write the benefits of being a white man, because he uses his life stories and experiences to illustrate multiple aspects of "privilege" within institutions such as education, housing and criminal justice.
ReplyDeleteSandahl von Sydow
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
March 17, 2011
Anonymous said...
Tim wise, the author of “White like me, Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son” had many places to gather information for his project. Although he could have used statistics, studies and documents to express a point of view, he chose to use his own life experiences to relate a very controversial subject to a wide audience. Because of this he was able to include true retrospect upon the feelings associated with the phenomenon of “white privilege”, as opposed to evidence that may not hold an emotional value or a true reflection of facts.
I like that the writer has chosen to compare and contrast Wise use of evidence in “White Like Me.”
Anonymous said...
Although white privilege has cause minorities great loss of opportunities and recognition, it has caused whites to be ignorant and isolated from reality therefore leaving them delusional. Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism
I don’t feel that this thesis is presenting a question that needs to be answered. I’m not seeing a conclusion.
P: Tim wise, the author of “White like me, Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son” had many places to gather information for his project.
P: Although he could have used statistics, studies and documents to express a point of view, he chose to use his own life experiences to relate a very controversial subject to a wide audience.
C: Because of this he was able to include true retrospect upon the feelings associated with the phenomenon of “white privilege”, as opposed to evidence that may not hold an emotional value or a true reflection of facts.
This book is about Tim Wise's life and how he perceives being white and the word "privilege." Wise addresses the pribileges whites inherit from previous generations and those that are still here today. Although Tim Wise's memoir "White Like Me" also addresses several aspects of the term "privilege," he fails to consider the expeptions, because definistion centers on his life almost exclusively.
ReplyDeleteIn Tim Wise’s book “White like me. Reflection on Race from a Privilegesd Son,” he talks especially about the privileges of white people. White privileges are based on racism and the beliefs that the inheritance of skin color gives white people more rights and importance. Although Wise discusses a variety of aspects of the term privilege, he fails to mention the relationship between the terms privilege and educational opportunities in detail, because his definition of the term is too broad.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most apparent themes of “White like Me” by Tim Wise would be privilege. The denotation of privileged is to be entitled, however the connotation of privileged has a variety of different meaning depending on perspectives of the individual. To Wise, privilege is something that is inherited, rather then earned. And that you are born into the world with selective privileges that no one can take away from you or acquire later on. The whole bases of his arguments are essentially what and how white privilege appears in our lives and how subliminally it affects the way we act and live socially.
ReplyDeleteAndrea Giang:
ReplyDelete"Privilege, according to Wise, is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture."
Premise 1: Privilege is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal
Premise 2: Privilege is to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others.
Conclusion: This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture.
To Wise being white in the United States is to be privileged, it is to be advantages in nearly every aspect of life, although Wise acknowledged that you are born into being privileged and not earning it, there is a significant distinction between being white and being of color. Although Wise believes if you are white in the United States you will always be more advantages than any other race, regardless of social and economic class.
ReplyDeleteIn his writing I see Tim Wise makes some important conclusions, however I feel like he weakness is his long stories of past experiences. He uses lots of evidence to argue his case, and he succeeds in some degree. Wise also has strengths in his writing.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAlthough white privilege has cause minorities great loss of opportunities and recognition, it has caused whites to be ignorant and isolated from reality therefore leaving them delusional. Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism.
Jeff Norkunas
Professor Sabir
English 5/20242
March 17, 2011
In this statement I can not find an argument of any kind, there is a lot of feeling and opinion but not much to identify as valid in fact, sentences do not make sense.
Frena Zamudio
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
17 March 2011
Response to:
"Privilege, according to Wise, is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture."
-it is a good argument, composed of easy to find premises and concise conclusion.The person used simple words so that the readers can easily understand what she is trying to state.
Melvin Pandey
ReplyDelete3/17/2011
Prof.Sabir
English-5
"Although white privilege has cause minorities great loss of opportunities and recognition, it has caused whites to be ignorant and isolated from reality therefore leaving them delusional. Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism."
This is a pretty strong statement to make. I do believe that this is a valid argument because one can argue against this statement; however this is a pretty hard argument to prove. In many cases trying to prove this will be done so with their own individual experience and opinion because it will be hard to prove some his statements with cold hard facts. Lets say for example the sentence where the author says “Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism” is very hard to prove with concrete evidence. It can only be done so with ones own experience and opinion.
Wayne Chen
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
17 March 2011
In Tim Wise's book "White Like Me", he states that privilege is the fact that one is born to belonging of having unfair advantages over others, and also being inaccessible. If you are white, the law is more lenient upon you, and that it's easier to get away with illegal acts of crime, whereas other minorities may not. Also, whites become ignorant and defiant that they do not have this ridiculous privilege over others as well, but knowing that it is out there and that they do have this specific benefit.
Sophia De Claro
ReplyDelete17 March 2011
Response to:
Anonymous said...
One of the most apparent themes of “White like Me” by Tim Wise would be privilege. The denotation of privileged is to be entitled, however the connotation of privileged has a variety of different meaning depending on perspectives of the individual. To Wise, privilege is something that is inherited, rather then earned. And that you are born into the world with selective privileges that no one can take away from you or acquire later on. The whole bases of his arguments are essentially what and how white privilege appears in our lives and how subliminally it affects the way we act and live socially.
This is a good start, and is very clear about what this person is going to write.
Quan Lin
ReplyDeleteProfessor sabir
English 5
17 March 2011
Anonymous said...
This book is about Tim Wise's life and how he perceives being white and the word "privilege." Wise addresses the privileges whites inherit from previous generations and those that are still here today. Although Tim Wise's memoir "White Like Me" also addresses several aspects of the term "privilege," he fails to consider the exceptions, because definition centers on his life almost exclusively.
the argument is short and sweet and gets to the point with ease. It does what its suppose to in answering what it was written to do.
Javier Chavez
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
"Although Wise discusses a variety of aspects of the term privilege, he fails to mention the relationship between the terms privilege and educational opportunities in detail, because his definition of the term is too broad. "
Premise 1: Wise discusses a variety of aspects of "privilege"
Premise 2: Fails to compare the term privilege and education.
Conclusion: The term which Wise uses the most (privilege) is too broad and fails to make an argument.
Dawit Girma
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
March 15, 2011
Although Wise relies in range on his personal life experience to explain the white privilege in his book and creates an emotional wake up call to the white society, but it is unlikely hard to believe that a change of this realities will be the interest of the dominant race, because no one seems to like sharing an equal right.
Although Wise thorougly describes white privilege throughout the book White Like Me, he uses his life to convey his definition of white privilege. Because the book only includes his personal life experiences he leaves much room for questioning and many things are unexplained to the reader.
ReplyDeleteDylan Young
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
March 15 2011
In his writing I see Tim Wise makes some important conclusions, however I feel like he weakness is his long stories of past experiences. He uses lots of evidence to argue his case, and he succeeds in some degree. Wise also has strengths in his writing.
This thesis is simply stated but has a clear point to it. The points made however are a bit weak and could use some more explanantion, such as the degree he succeeds to argue his case in.
Ricarda Lathrop
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
17 March 2011
Privilege, according to Wise, is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture."
Premise 1: Privilege is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal
Premise 2: Privilege is to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others
Conclusion: This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture.
This premise is well structured and makes it easier for the writer to organize his or her paper. Furthermore the thesis is understandable for the reader too.
Dennis Foley
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
March 17th
"This book is about Tim Wise's life and how he perceives being white and the word "privilege." Wise addresses the pribileges whites inherit from previous generations and those that are still here today. Although Tim Wise's memoir "White Like Me" also addresses several aspects of the term "privilege," he fails to consider the expeptions, because definistion centers on his life almost exclusively. "
The last line is a good thesis. I think you could have more detail about how he defines it and why it fails.
Andrea Giang
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
17 March 2011
Comments on Arguments
Anonymous said...
One of the most apparent themes of “White like Me” by Tim Wise would be privilege. The denotation of privileged is to be entitled, however the connotation of privileged has a variety of different meaning depending on perspectives of the individual. To Wise, privilege is something that is inherited, rather then earned. And that you are born into the world with selective privileges that no one can take away from you or acquire later on. The whole bases of his arguments are essentially what and how white privilege appears in our lives and how subliminally it affects the way we act and live socially.
I thought this was a very good definition of privilege. I felt that this introduction to the essay was clear and to the point. It provides an opening to the essay and what the writer wants to talk about.
Anonymous said...
Although Wise thorougly describes white privilege throughout the book White Like Me, he uses his life to convey his definition of white privilege. Because the book only includes his personal life experiences he leaves much room for questioning and many things are unexplained to the reader.
I thought this writer’s thesis was to the point. I agree that the book only includes the things Wise himself has experienced and so his definition of white privilege is based on what he has seen and gone through. I felt that this was a clear argument and a strong one.
Anonymous said...
Although white privilege has cause minorities great loss of opportunities and recognition, it has caused whites to be ignorant and isolated from reality therefore leaving them delusional. Whites are natural to either be immune to racial conflicts or simply pity those that have been oppressed instead of simply encouraging the education of other whites about racism.
I thought this argument really set up the background for the essay. I felt that it was a strong and clear thesis. And I definitely felt that the writer has a strong opinion in this essay.
Standard Form
"Privilege, according to Wise, is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture."
Premise 1: Privilege is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal
Premise 2: Privilege is to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others.
Conclusion: This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture.
Although Tim Wise’s memoir White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son fails to consider the exceptions of the term “privilege,” the examples in which he brings into attention prove that whites inherit unearned advantages over their colored counterparts because it’s about having one less worry about your race and one less sweat to shed which defines white privilege in American society.
ReplyDeleteRandy Tran
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
March 22, 2011
Comment on (3) classmates’ arguments and put (1) in Standard Form:
Anonymous said...
Privilege, specifically white privilege, influences everything in America. More than anything it influences our means of entertainment and education. It is no secret that history is written by the dominant culture, but our mass media outlets are also dictated by this same dominant force. Privilege according to Wise is to be able to shape reality into your own ideal, and to willfully be ignorant of the reality of others. This is both reflected, and challenged in American pop culture.
*I don’t agree with the given definition of “privilege” here, because privilege according to Wise is inherited amongst whites and it’s nothing that they do to shape reality into their own ideal, that privilege allows them to simply have the upper hand in situations automatically. And the privileged ones do not willfully become ignorant of others, they know they have advantages over others and they like it and don’t want to do anything to make it go away and having to give up privilege so that it would be more equal for all.
Anonymous said...
Tim wise, the author of “White like me, Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son” had many places to gather information for his project. Although he could have used statistics, studies and documents to express a point of view, he chose to use his own life experiences to relate a very controversial subject to a wide audience. Because of this he was able to include true retrospect upon the feelings associated with the phenomenon of “white privilege”, as opposed to evidence that may not hold an emotional value or a true reflection of facts.
*I feel as if there is no thesis or argument, or maybe there is one but I’m afraid it’s not immediately grabbing my attention. I’m not sure if the writer is agreeing or disagreeing that Wise’s examples from his life are better to argue his point, or instead should use “statistics, studies, and documents.”
Anonymous said...
In White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, Tim Wise discusses the concept of privilege, specifically white privilege. He points out that even though many people believe racism is an issue of the past, they are wrong. Racism is still present today and exists in the form of privilege. Privilege, particularly white privilege, is the advantages white people receive that are unavailable to colored people. These advantages help white people become successful much faster. Although Wise mentions that privilege, inherited by white people, creates a rift between those who have it and those who do not, he neglects to address the possibility that other factors might have caused this divide between people because he uses mostly examples from what he has seen and experienced.
*I like and do agree with the arguments made here by this writer. I like how he/she does not whack around the bush, and instead gets straight to the point with the facts. Every sentence leading up to the thesis statement at the end, followed a sequential order that kept the reader’s attention (me) to the essay. It definitely grabbed my attention. On top of that, I agree with racism existing today in another form of white privilege, getting white people ahead and leaving others at a disadvantage and causing them to trail behind.
This argument in Standard Form:
Premise: Because he uses mostly examples from what he has seen and experienced.
Conclusion: Wise neglects to address the possibility that other factors might have caused this divide between people.