Why you shouldn’t call people “white-washed”…
For my elevator pitch, I have decided to discuss the concept of race. More recently, specifically in college, I have been called white-washed by random sorts of people. This is not the first time I have been called this term, but I have undergone this unfamiliar feeling of anger towards that comment. I used to share many insecurities about my race and heritage, and wish day after day that I could just be “normal.” I did not want to embrace my Indian culture and rather consumed much of my time insulting myself instead. However, when I was recently referred to by this term by a fellow Desi community member, I was deeply impacted. Almost immediately my mood was shut off. Why was this guy calling me this, and how can I defend myself? Essentially, I could have brushed it off my shoulders as a simple joke, but I had an urge to prove to him in that moment how much I belonged to this specific community of POC.
The specific lenses that I may use to go about this topic include ways of establishing trust; with ethos, logos, and pathos. As well as ideological criticism, and representation. I feel like this overall discussion may take a more risky and controversial turn, but I am confident enough to see it through and defend the majority of my beliefs. This commonplace of assuming people’s races and ranking how cultured they are has become too rampant in today’s society. Those lenses will effectively draw my audiences in emotionally, and keep them engaged throughout my speech. It will provide them factual evidence as well, and safeguard many of my expressed thoughts.
The lens of establishing trust is already in full effect. From the first paragraph, I could relate to your perspective, having experienced a similar situation. Furthermore, your other two stances can help you better connect the facts of the term with your personal experiences.
I like that you’re choosing a topic that is personal to you. Starting by sharing your own experience immediately built up your ethos. All your lenses seem like they will work well, but I’m especially interested in your argument through the ideological criticism lens.
I think that this is a great topic idea. You already seem very invested in it and have thought it through. I think especially using the commonplace of assuming people’s race would work well in this instance as a lens because of the topic.