Fight to Unite!

In the beginning of the Rhetoric unit, I was intimidated by how it works and the meaning of literary devices. After studying and practicing it, I have been able to detect examples of rhetoric in historic text and books. Throughout the unit, i have been more careful with my speech and the tone I use after studying politician’s rhetoric. For this project, I applied the knowledge I have acquired about rhetorical elements to create artwork that breaks the status quo on a social issue. I chose immigration because I have been studying Chuy Garcia and his views on immigration policies. I had some trouble coming up with an idea, but research was able to inspire me. Each element on the poster represents a piece of rhetoric.

JMP, Fight to Unite, (2018)

In my invitation, I intend for the people to see this as a crosswalk sign in Chicago. As they are waiting for the light to change to assure them that it is safe to walk across the street, their eyes will linger towards this bold sign.  They should think about the endangerment of crossing the border as they cross the street, and how lucky they are to have freedom. The name of this piece, "Fight to Unite", will make them think, who is uniting? The piece addresses the immigration policy issue in the United States. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, a politician that focuses on changing our current harsh immigration policies, is holding the children's hands on the left side. On the right side, there is a mother and her other child waiting for her children to be united back with the family. The United States is on the left, because it is north of the southern families trying to find new life in a new nation. The children were taken away from their mom because of ICE's heartless actions. Chuy is holding the mother's hand through the broken wall because he is trying to abolish the harsh rule on immigrants and how the government makes them leave the United States with no care. Trump is fundraising for building a wall to block out immigrants and their potential. Many people support his actions, but Chuy is breaking the barrier, literally and metaphorically, to unite minorities and speaking out on this issue. I made my piece to build upon the tradition of rhetoric in U.S history by studying Thomas Paine's "Common Sense". In his writing, he makes war sound simple and easy, but it actually isn't. My piece understates what is at stake at crossing the border and makes it seem easy. This is an example of meiosis. Comparing the simplicity of crossing the street is analogous of crossing the boarder. Immigrants suffer for just the search of a new life. I want the audience to feel empathy as they study this sign. We as a community can start small from talking at a People's Assembly in the neighborhood, to making a change in the whole nation.

Boondoggle of a Wall

Previously in my first Action Project for Rhetoric, I studied Chuy Garcia and created a speech based on his rhetoric, style, and views. I focused the issue of immigration policies, on one of the topics he is very passionate about challenging in his run for the 4th Congressional District. Chuy García wants to change current immigration policies to make sure they treat all people equal and pay funds to domestic programs, not programs that already have enough money. I made a brochure based around the research I gathered about him and this topic.

JMP, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia On Immigration Policies", (2018)

Getting the material together was easy, since I have researched him before. Finding a medium to place all of this information was difficult. I talked to my teacher about how to best show off my work, and we decided on a brochure. 

Citations

"Jesus Chuy Garcia Speech at NALEO." Youtube,  uploaded by NALEO Education Fund, 2013 June 29. Video. 

Sun Times Editorial Board. “4th Congressional District Democratic nominee: Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.”

Chicago Sun-Times, 13 October 2018, Website.

Unknown. "Chuy." Jesus Chuy Garcia for Congress, 18 October 2018, Website.

This Shouldn't Be Our Reality

In my class called Art of Rhetoric, we studied how speech, presentation, and body language affects how people interpret a speaker. In order to make a rhetorical analysis, you must study the context, speaker, genre, occasion, and especially the audience. There are different rhetorical appeals too, that take great part in bringing the audience in. If it make you trust the speaker, it is called ethos. If it pulls your heart strings, it is called pathos. Lastly, if it is reasonable and has a logical approach, it is called logos. I had fun being able to analyze a speaker's rhetorical success or failure. For our Action Project, we had to create a speech for a mayoral candidate wanting to be part of the Chicago government. I chose Chuy Garcia, because I follow his actions as a politician in newspapers often. He hasn't said he is running for the spot, but I strongly believe he should because I look up to him. I agree with a lot of his views.  I studied his hand gestures, body-language, tone, and words very closely so I could represent him. There was a lot of research on his interview with news, so I wouldn't say any opinions he doesn't believe in. The class and I were able to do a face-to-face rhetorical analysis on Troy LaRaviere, a mayoral candidate who was a CPS principal. I was able to ask him questions, and see how he responded. This helped me know how to present myself during my speech.

JMP, Mustache, (2018)

  JMP, This Shouldn't Be Our Reality in Little Village, (2018) CITATIONS

Konkol, Mark. “Chuy Garcia Says His Little Village Block Helps Him ‘Keep It Real’.” DNAInfo.com. My

Chicago, 3 March, 2015. Web. 21 September, 2018.