Blog Post #1: Rhetorical Analysis
Hello readers and welcome to my blog where I delve into the book Pushout by Monique W. Morris! In the day and age we are living in, I think the topic of the book is especially prominent. The book Pushout is an eye-opening analysis of the criminalization of black girls in schools.
As the "Black Lives Matter" movement continues to be prevalent, this book becomes a cornerstone in understanding the experiences of black girls in schools. With topics such as race, it is key to address them in an appropriate and enlightening manner. This is where rhetorical devices and techniques must be applied to benefit the reader and their understanding.
In the first forty pages of the book, Morris takes on an informative and feisty tone in explaining the cruelties black girls are subjected to in school. Suitably so, I might add, she includes a plethora of real-life examples that contribute to her points discussed. This book is not only for the purpose of Morris informing us of the issue surrounding black girls in school but also sharing stories of girls who have experienced this criminalization first-hand.
For example, when talking about the zero-tolerance policy in schools, Morris recounts "Six-year-old Desre'e Watson was handcuffed and arrested at a Florida school in 2007 for throwing a tantrum in her kindergarten class" (Morris 4). By doing this, she moves the focus away from simply the explanation of the problem but shifts it onto those who have fallen victim to it. This makes the issue all the more real and undeniable. It makes these girls' struggles a reality that cannot be contradicted.
Morris also uses precise and case-sensitive diction that makes the writing sophisticated and relevant. This book is in no way sugar-coated. It is cut and dry and lays the truth out to be digested by everyone. The cut-and-dryness of the issue draws a parallel to the issue. The writing and the issue are both upsetting and undeniable.
The writing is so blunt because this is not an issue that can be tip-toed around. This is not a light issue, therefore blasé vocabulary is not suitable. Morris states "The lingering barriers to a quality education and the transgenerational trauma associated with internalized ideas about performance in school have yet to be exhaustively measured" (Morris 7). The use of words such as "barriers," "trauma" and "internalized" are all relevant to the topic being discussed. They all get across a tone and relevance of the criminalization of black girls in school. Therefore, the diction and vocabulary being used align with the subject at hand.
Posing questions to the reader about societal norms helps Morris to provoke insightful thought about this paramount issue. One of the main issues is how unrivaled the treatment of black girls in school is. By posing questions, Morris forces the readers to question why education for black girls is subpar in a majority of cases. Why are black girls subjected to an education where they are criminalized and mistreated? Asking questions elevates this book from being simply an informative piece of literature to a liberating novel that challenges everyday standards. With the questions she asks, Morris helps to guide your thinking through the broken education system involving black girls in schools.
In the section titled "Culture, Conforming and Context," Morris elaborates on where young black girls fit into society. Morris discusses culture and origins and the relevance this has to a girl's perception of herself. She then asks, "In a world of normalized exclusion, how and where, then, do Black girls situate themselves as Americans and as global citizens?" (Morris 26). Here, Morris segways into the socioeconomic status of Black girls and how this affects their education. By asking these questions, Morris makes this connection with the reader and continues to elaborate by addressing this topic.
Overall, I found the rhetorical devices Morris used incredibly effective as a reader. The writing was engaging and thought-provoking. She is presenting the issue at hand before inevitably delving deeper into the source of the issue and solutions. I'm excited to continue to read and see if she adjusts these strategies further into the book. Well, guys, thanks for letting me share this insight with you, and I hope to connect again next week when I'm even further into this masterpiece!
Works Cited
Morris, Monique W., et al. Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools. Paperback edition. ed., New York, New Press, 2018.
"Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools." Amazon, www.amazon.com/Pushout-Criminalization-Black-Girls-Schools/dp/1620970945. Accessed 4 Mar. 2021.
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteAs you've described it, "Pushout" seems to a book that truthfully uncovers an important facet of modern-day racism: education. Coming from a small and minimally diverse town, I'm not usually exposed to racial injustice, so it can be difficult to feel connected to or impacted by discussions or literature regarding race. However, you described that this particular author uses concrete, real-life examples of racism in schools, that in your words, make the issue "undeniable". I would agree that this is an effective strategy to draw readers into the argument. Just reading your short description of the six-year-old girl being ARRESTED forced me to pause and think. The combination of such gritty examples and the straightforward diction you described sound like very effective ways to bridge the gap between simply reading about racism and truly understanding the magnitude of it. I look forward to reading more about this author's upfront approach to uncovering racism in schools!
Hi Naomi!
DeleteIt's definitely true that living in the town of Hopkinton, we aren't exposed to a lot of diversity which can make it hard to truly understand the oppression of black girls in schools. Considering that this book is meant to be digested by a large audience, I agree that Morris does a fabulous job of elevating the book from simply an explanation of racism in schools to an indisputable account of the tragedies and hardships faced by black girls in this environment. By being upfront about the issue, Morris is able to hit on topics that may prove hard to talk about, but are extremely important nonetheless. She uncovers the truths that no one wants to acknowledge. By being straightforward, Morris makes readers face the issue head-on, no matter the extent to which they may have faced racism themselves. I'm glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for commenting!
Hi Emma!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your writing on your book! I think in wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, its especially important to note how Black girls in schools are treated. I enjoyed how you included an image of your book as well! I think in one of your next posts you should talk about all of the negative stereotypes surrounding Black girls in schools ("hot cheeto girls" for example).
-Paige
Hi Emma! This is a great first post! I enjoyed reading your thoughts on "Pushout" and how it connects to the real world. You can tell from the beginning chapters that this book has a lot of parallels to what has/is happening throughout the United States today. I think that overall this book is going to be very emotional from her writing style as it is very straightforward. I agree with you that the author uses a very informative and blunt writing style and I think it helps show to the world how these girls are treated cannot get "tip-toed" around, like you said. The different stories that have been used so far have been very effective such as the one you pointed out about the kindergartener getting arrested for throwing a tantrum. I liked your post a lot and I am eager to see how you like the book as you keep reading!
ReplyDeleteGood first post, Emma.
ReplyDeleteCertainly those who would pick up this book to read are probably interested in this topic already. However, does Morris take time to refute any opposing arguments, such as the argument that maybe other 6 year-old girls (who are not black) have been put in handcuffs at school too? Do you think she needs to do this?