ipl-logo

Rhetorical Analysis Of Derek Bok's Free Me: Racist Speech

967 Words4 Pages

Free Me: Racist Speech Freedom is a paradox, especially in America. Everyone is free, but everyone must obey laws. In 1776, America chose to fight against her oppressor. Rather than be a single colony, America became a separate country. Today as an adolescent, America faces a new uphill battle, free speech. Derek Bok and Charles Lawrence both write about free speech and its effect on the community. In “Protecting Freedom of Expression on the Campus”, Derek Bok poses a discussion for the changing rules on a school campus in an effort to combat racist speech. Charles Lawrence’s article, “On Racist Speech” presents a detailed view on the history, effect and how to fix racist speech rather than give away control. In comparison, both articles broach the subject of racist speech, but Bok’s uses weak reasoning and analysis, whereas Lawrence's use of inductive and deductive reasoning, rhetorical appeals and fallacies make his the stronger article. David Bok’s reasoning for how racist speech can be solved is flawed. On …show more content…

After mentioning why racist speech is wrong, Lawrence comments “I also have a deeply felt apprehension about the resurgence of racial violence and the corresponding rise in the incidence of verbal and symbolic assault and harassment to which blacks and other traditionally subjected and excluded groups are subjected”(72). Putting emphasis on how racist actions hurt others is important for the reader to comprehend. Furthermore, the idea of free speech “reinforces our society’s commitment to tolerance as a value”(71). Gives choices to each individual to decide who and what they stand for, no more pandering and watching what others do. As a result, free speech brings community together as a whole. Lawrence communicates that as active members in a community, the fight for what is right and for free speech can be

Show More
Related
734 Words | 3 Pages

Scott Sawyer’s opinion piece published in the Gladstone Observer on the 25th of January 2014, employs an informal tone to argue against the unnecessary racism often exhibited on Australia Day. The piece follows a train of thought as it transitions from an impartial positive tone to stern and disgusted. The article “Ditch the racism and enjoy Australia Day as it should be” states it’s contention in it’s title, clearly and concisely, continuing on to position the Australian population to agree to it’s contention using rhetorical questions, emotive and inclusive language and appeal to patriotism. The article displays a cartoon image of a cave man looking puzzled at a stone wheel, contemplating its existence and use. The image acts as a metaphor

Read More
802 Words | 4 Pages

A wise man named Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” In other words, the color of a person’s skin should not be judged on how we treat each other. The color of a person’s skin should not be a bother in public. However, there has been many histories where the blacks were treated unnormal because of their skin color. Brent Staples strongly proved something mystical about the world on how many people react to black people in public spaces.

Read More
1402 Words | 6 Pages

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States, and Citizens of America: Tonight, as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Black History Month, we are reminded of our Nation's path toward civil rights and the work that still remains. Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week's shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a Nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms. Each American generation passes the torch of truth, liberty and justice — in an unbroken chain all the way down to the present. That torch is now in our hands. And we will use it to light

Read More
775 Words | 4 Pages

Wasn’t America always the “Land of the free”? Doesn’t every single citizen of the United States have the inalienable right of “Freedom of Speech”? These are needed questions because these statements did not stand true for African Americans back in the time of slavery. For over 200 years slavery had been a huge function in America. Abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, John Brown and Harriet Tubman had to use different techniques to further the overall message that slavery needed to end and that it was not in any shape or form justifiable to treat an entire African American race like they were lesser than or caged up animals.

Read More
501 Words | 3 Pages

Since, it isn’t justified for America to give us this right of speech, when they knock us down for using it. The Black Lives Matter Movement is proof of this, they protest over and over but the government doesn’t want to take responsibility or change for the better of the community. As a community we need to see actions taking place, not only just words. I think they are right for opposing the dominant culture, since it is going to take a lot of work for America to socially change, and we have stick up for what we believe in or them would never been any change in America. America has become a better nation with time, protests and the power of a counter culture always existing to fight for equality, no matter the gender and race.

Read More
707 Words | 3 Pages

A speech code is any university policy that forbids the use of hateful or contemptuous expressions towards any social group, particularly those categorized based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, etc. In this essay, I will explain why such regulations are justifiable for the reasons that Charles R. Lawrence Ⅲ states in Racist Speech as the Functional Equivalent of Fighting Words. He argues that speech codes “[do] nothing more than prohibit intentional face-to-face insults”(pg 175), and that “racial insults are undeserving of First Amendment protection because the perpetrator’s intention is not to discover truth or initiate dialogue, but to injure the victim.”(pg 175) A prime reason for many universities

Read More
766 Words | 4 Pages

Abdullah K. Refaey Professor Sharon L. Rossum English 1302 4 February 2023 How much freedom should there be in speech? On December 15, 1791, Americans gained access to the First Amendment, which guarantees them freedom of expression. While this was clearly a breakthrough for the majority, it did not put a stop to the racism that black people faced in society. Charles R. Lawrence's narrative essay "On Racist Speech" discusses the necessity of restriction on racist speech, particularly on university campuses.

Read More
92 Words | 1 Pages

In the article “The Unfair Speech Movement”, written Sol Stern he reflects back on the origination of the Free Speech Movement that he was a part of at the University of California Berkeley in 1964. This protest was lead by the students of Berkeley in retaliation of the restrictions being put on them by the university in which they believed was a violation of their rights. Even so, it is Sterns opinion that after 50 years what Berkeley now stands for is the opposite of what he believed the movement stood for.

Read More
770 Words | 4 Pages

Borders of the First Amendment are at the center of the legal debates about free speech and hate speech. While free speech is considered to be a basic right, as the Supreme Court has given the right to free speech. However, when such "free speech" crosses the line and becomes a threat, the courts have stepped in and punished the speaker. First Amendment does not protect free speech that has the intention of doing harm or damage.

Read More
1116 Words | 5 Pages

Lawrence III I believes that face-to-face confrontation should be counted as fighting words. (Timmons “Disputed Moral Issues”, pages 174-177). He describes that hate speech shouldn’t be considered under the first amendment because the person committing this act is not verbally speaking aloud to invite a discussion or rational argument but to instead “injure the victim”(Timmons “Disputed Moral Issues”, page 175). I believe in the idea of what Lawrence is conveying because when I take a utilitarian approach and try to weigh the benefits for human society I realize that fighting and violence don't amount to much forward progress and advancement. The fact being that no hate speech ever has amounted to any good in history.

Read More
285 Words | 2 Pages

Although hate speech is bigoted, hate-mongering, and can potentially lead to hate crimes, it should still be considered free speech. If citizens of the United States are not allowed to be verbal about their beliefs, whether or not they are offensive and hateful, then there is no use in allowing free speech. Placing limitations on free speech contradicts the First Amendment, therefore making it inaccurate and useless.

Read More
905 Words | 4 Pages

Free speech and hate speech can be classified as different topics and when arguing for one, we can also criticize the other. Free expression and free speech on campuses are crucial for sparking important conversations about equality and social justice, and the suspension of free speech and expression may have dire consequences on college campuses. First, freedom of expression allows students to show their own political, social, and cultural views, while also allowing students with common beliefs to align. Free speech and the call for free speech allows those who have been historically systematically oppressed to use their voice.

Read More
817 Words | 4 Pages

The fact that one has the right to say and believe is the foundation for democracy to function. If no one dared to say their opinions, then it had become a dictatorship where only one opinion on how society and the country should work had been the “right”. If people dared to express their opinions, they will help improving the society one lives. Freedom of speech gives one the responsibility to consider what fits into different contexts, and it will make us better persons and people. Simply, people will feel safe in the society they live in.

Read More
1569 Words | 7 Pages

On

Read More
1026 Words | 5 Pages

As human beings, we are all born with an entitlement of freedom of speech or synonymously known as freedom of expression as it is a basic human right. It is stated in the Federal Constitution and it is important for us human beings to protect our rights to freedom of speech and expression as it is the backbone for a democratic society. Having the right to express oneself freely without any restrictions is an essential part of what it means to be a free human being. Article 10 in the Federal Constitution states that; (a) every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression; (b) all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms; (c) all citizens have the right to form associations.

Read More

More about Rhetorical Analysis Of Derek Bok's Free Me: Racist Speech

Related Topics

Open Document