Analysis and Reflection on Michelle Alexander’s Op-ed (2/8/21)

• Which article do you find the most interesting? Why?

“The Newest Jim Crow’ is the article I find most interesting because I didn’t even know things like e-carceration existed. The article helps realize how human rights are violated and by the government in controlling prisoners, and how these oppressions are justified.

• Which article do you find the most effective?

I think “America, This is Your Chance” is the most effective article because it gives specific options and instructions to the audience for them to take actions. In other articles, there are calls to actions too, but they mostly focus on the “why”, not the “how”. “American, This is Your Chance” combined both. Plus, this article has a balance of rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos. For example, she organized each paragraph by different actions the reader’s can take: face racial history and present, reimagine justice, and fight for economic justice. The first sentence of each paragraph is bolded for emphasis, so readers understand the objective right off the bat.

• What is the guiding question and thesis? (Article #2)

Question: How does Michelle Alexander convince the readers to fight against e-carceration?

Thesis: In “The Newest Jim Crow”, Michelle Alexander uses pathos to elicit anger from the audience into taking actions against e-carceration.

• What op-ed would you write about?

Misconception of politics. Urge readers to educate oneself about politics. I feel like some people have this misconception that being into politics means that you’re an extreme person. But that’s not the case. It is essential to educate yourself on politics so you know how to make the best decisions and so you don’t get easily manipulated by the media or propaganda. In this article, I’ll attempt to explain what it really means to be aware of politics, why it is important to be aware of politics, and explain how people can become avid in receiving information about politics.