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Rhetorical Analysis Of Barbara Ehrenreich's Cultural Baggage

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Jonathan Madrigal Professor Chad Stebbins English Composition 101 March 8, 2023 Rhetorical Analysis Assignment Three In Barbara Ehrenreich’s essay "Cultural Baggage," the author shares her experience of feeling disconnected from her ethnic and religious heritage. Through her story, she considers two types of readers that her essay may appeal to. Those who are eager to rediscover their cultural heritage and those who, like Ehrenreich, do not feel a strong connection to their heritage. Ehrenreich's personal account encourages the readers to reflect on their own relationship to their cultural background and how it shapes their individual identity and practices. At the beginning of her essay, Barbara Ehrenreich shares a conversation she had …show more content…

Initially, she responds with "none," but in order to better connect with her friend she later mentions her Scottish, English, and Irish ancestry. According to Ehrenreich, her parents emphasized the value of novelty and encouraged her to "think for yourself" and "try new things," which may have been the ideal cultural heritage for a migrant like her. This upbringing made it difficult for her to identify with any ethnic or religious heritage, unlike individuals who are passionate about rediscovering their cultural and traditional …show more content…

She acknowledges that they may feel it's pointless to survive without carrying any cultural heritage. However, the author argues that questioning, curiosity, and acceptance are also part of the human tradition and are as old as ideas of ethnicity and religion. These qualities are equally important in shaping one's identity and they have allowed for the growth of human knowledge and understanding throughout history. Therefore, it is just as valuable to embrace these traits as it is to embrace one's cultural heritage. In her essay, Ehrenreich argues that being independent and trying new things is more important than following traditions and heritage. She thinks that it's vital to have the freedom to come up with your ideas, especially if you're a migrant or don't have strong ties to your cultural background. Ehrenreich believes that cultural heritage isn't just about inherited customs, but also about having the chance to explore and be creative. Ehrenreich's essay is for everyone, whether you're interested in learning more about your heritage or not. She wants people to understand that there's more to cultural heritage than just following old traditions. By being open to new ideas and exploring new things, we can grow and be

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