Reading Sources Critically

Reading Sources Critically

1. What arguments does the author make?

Tim Wise has one position, the position that states that all white people simply don’t have the right to use ‘the n word.’  His argument states that he does feel a similar way when outsiders use the term ‘redneck,’ because he could be considered one, though the term redneck isn’t nearly as offensive as the n word because of its history.

2. How persuasive do you find the argument?

Tim Wise’s argument was very persuasive because his tone wasn’t necessarily demanding or angry sounding, the whole argument was laid back, relatable, and laughable.  It was this way so much so that it didn’t seem like an argument, though it was persuasive enough to get his point across.  Tim Wise paraphrases a conversation with a student who states; “Well my black friends use it... ...why can’t I use it?  It is a double standard to say!” Where Tim replies: “Well yeah, but history has been a double standard so get the hell over it”  This is a very laughable way to talk about it, but still gets the point across loud and clear.

3. What is the author’s stance?

Tim’s stance is honestly the only valid viewpoint.  The only other stance would be the one that states racism is okay, which is so unacceptable that there isn’t a point to argue it from that stance.

4. Does the publisher bring a certain stance to the work?

The “publisher” here is Boston College, the host of Tim Wise’s lecture. Boston College has had a division dedicated to diversity, the Office of Institutional Diversity, established since 2004. This program’s mission is to “ through effective management of our diversity, is to create a competitive advantage for the University, and at the same time to help us live out the social justice imperatives inherent in our Jesuit and Catholic heritage.” It is clear that they are trying to bring diversity into their school, shown here and in the fact that they hosted Tim Wise at all.

5. Do you recognize ideas you’ve run across in other sources?

Some of us have personal experience with this situation, and we find that it varies person to person who will be offended by that word. How offended an individual person will be will greatly differ depending on your relationship with them, and how they personally feel about it.  It also depends on the culture you are from, and where you are in the world. However, it is agreed that in general, you shouldn’t use that word.

6. Does this source support or challenge your own position--or does it do both ?

We agree with the position taken in the video. If someone or some group is being offended by the use of that word, it is right to respect their opinion, especially since we are not a part of that race and culture.

7. What can you tell about the intended AUDIENCE and PURPOSE?

The audience is intended to be for anyone who is not black. The main purpose is to talk about the use of the “N” word, more specifically how it should not be used. The historical connotation of that word is too strong for anyone other than black people to use it and not be inherently offensive. A person who’s not a part of that racial group doesn’t have the right to use that word.