Pathos And Ethos In Jazz Jennings's Being Jazz

Twenty-one is the number of transgender teens that were murdered as of 2015. (Jennings, 141). These are people who were trying to be themselves and trying to live their lives to the fullest. Forty percent have been assaulted in some type of way by others. (Jennings, 203). On the other hand, a young girl, Jazz Jennings, has been transitioning male to a female and has the support from her friends and family which helps her to be herself and what she aspires to be. Although her journey isn’t perfect, Jazz writes a nonfiction book, Being Jazz, to develop her message using pathos and ethos throughout the text to encourage young teens, or anyone, to love who they are and build more self confidence.

Jazz uses vast amounts of pathos throughout her

Jazz is getting help from experts for things like fighting for her rights or getting diagnosed. Also, authority and permission is being shown for certain things by her parents. “Dr. Marilyn pulled put two stuffed dolls that looked like fake cabbage patch kids…” (Jennings, 11). “That was the first day I ever heard the word “transgender”.” (Jennings, 11). Jazz had her first appointment made by her parents to finalize the fact that she was transgender. Dr. Marilyn, a therapist who worked with both gender issues and kids, pulled out the two dolls, one boy and one girl. She asks Jazz what she is and she points to the boy. Then she asks Jazz what she wants to be and she points to the girl. That was when she diagnosed Jazz with GID (Gender Identity Disorder). Dr. Marilyn told her parents that she is definitely transgender. Jazz was so happy to finally find out why her identity was confusing her. She loved telling her friends and her teachers at school because she wasn't self conscience. The message behind this is to not be scared to tell people something unique about you and to be more open to others, not hide behind the real you. “... I got permission to start dressing the way I wanted at home…” (Jennings, 18). Jazz’s dad was not one-hundred percent on board with her being trans. She has many conversations with her dad on the situation, keeping in mind she is five at the time. Her dad gets very concerned about what the world might think of her. He knows that being a girl is what makes her happy and finally let her wear a dress for the first time. This shows the reader to never give up convincing their parents about who they are or what they want to wear because sooner or later, they will understand what makes their child