Pablo Izquierdo

ENG 1101/Prof. Patterson

October 16, 2014

Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits (Rhetorical Analysis)

What does it mean to be “conscious of your [social] class”? One could approach this problem by realizing that not all human beings live under the same situation. This is the reality that Suki Kim faced one’s she saw her dad go under bankruptcy. It was tragic for her but if one is always nurtured under very privileged conditions than one does not acknowledge what stand on the other side of such social class.  All humans, disregarding any position in the social triangle, should be taught to live in multiple live styles. This way no one should face oppressive stereotypes such as Kim did when she recently enter junior high school and her classmates called her an “F.O.B., short for ‘fresh off the boat.’” Suki approaches the stories of many immigrants that, like herself, had to leave her country under nearly forced conditions under to avoid punishment. She uses the difference between wealthy immigrants that resided on Manhattan ones they arrived by their own will, in contrast, to her own story and the unfortunate situation that she faced. That way she portrayed the distinction of attitude that each had while they stayed at a foreign land.

Social class is important although never fair for the multitude and those who face poverty. The only way to avoid the drastic reality that life varies and that nothing is truly stable, is by training our youth to live in multiple lifestyles such as: survivalist deserters in the jungle to civilized businessman with proper manners. Kim learned that not only money provides stability but in order to reach higher places unity is key.

Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits (Rhetorical Analysis)

Pablo Izquierdo
ENG1101/Professor Patterson
October 10, 2014
Where I’m From by Willie Perdomo (Rhetorical Analysis)
The story portrayed by Perdomo portrays a sense of alienation from one’s true origin. Although it comes from personal perspective, Willie should not characterize himself as a ‘Nuyorican’ because although he spent most of his time in a foreign soil than his true residence, it does not deny him the ownership and authority of considering himself a natural Puerto Rican. One always carries that trail of culture from a past lifestyle. Little things such as bilingual skills and uses common phrases Perdomo uses such as “café con leche y pan con mantequilla” link back to the original part of his roots and the culture that he possesses from his ancestors. Although this particular case, might seem something that only affects him, in the outside world there are plenty of occasions that people feel like outsiders of their own heritage. Thus, this could exemplify an important instance of overcoming cultural disputes.
Most would think that due to low living standards one has to conform themselves with the feuds and flaws that the everyday life brings, nonetheless, that is up to the person to receive the treatment and not denounce or attempt to overcome it. His mother states “(Well, son, that’s the life of the poor) simply because she gave up hope of a better future. Not necessarily because his mother cannot overcome her struggles, doesn’t mean that her son is not capable of nurturing a better social status. Thus, the hazardous lifestyle they carry could potentially improve and result and a great outcome that could bring a better future for the family as a whole.

Where I’m From (Rhetorical Ananlysis)

Pablo Izquierdo
ENG 1101/Prof. Patterson
October 16, 2014
Where I am From
Ridgewood.
Bridge what?
No… Ridge, without the “B”. It’s a place between Brooklyn and Queens, it’s like right in the border.
Nope, I still don’t know where that is.
Do you know where Bushwick, Middle Village or Glendale is?
Oh wait is it around there?
Yeah it’s close.
That’s the common conversation that I usually have to introduce the city where I live in. It’s is quite a peculiar place. For me, it stands on the middle of the MTA map, where the L train runs. I lived in Ridgewood for nearly 7 years and I’m still surprised that no one notices that place. Furthermore, who doesn’t recognize the L train? The train that travels at the speed of light and has perhaps has the best trains of New York. I don’t mind the living conditions, it is pretty calm and peaceful, at least for those who look at you sideways. There is barely, if any, outrageous criminal activity. Thus, people easily pin suspicious activity to young adults who simply like to be a bit more outstanding than others. The former insecure high school of Grover Cleveland is situated four blocks away from my house, which might also influence the behavior of people to think teenagers are the ones to blame for crime. Overall, the high school’s reputation lowered tremendously before I arrived, now all you see is students simply cutting on an average day and going to the school’s park to smoke weed. No gang banging, no big drug deals, nothing too extreme. What bothers me the most is how apartment buildings are set up. I recently moved to a different building in the same city and the rooms are still small and many times continuous. What’s privacy if you live with two women that need to go through your room on a daily basis? Besides, our new apartment is smaller and I’m barely there. Thus, I can’t even organize my stuff properly. When I’m there I can’t even move stuff around without causing noise. My neighbors demand silence and I understand, but isn’t this ‘the city that never sleeps’? It’s not my fault that they have different schedules as me. Besides I’m up early and way later than them, I don’t know why they complain. However, I have to adjust to the environment and live like I’ve done it so far. Ridgewood, without the “B” is the place where I live and the place I will stay until I find something better.

Ridgewood