Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Rhetorical Analysis: “A Prostitute, a Servant, and a Customer Service Representative: a Latina in Academia.”
For many in the United States, the idea that racism and gender inequality still exists seems absurd. The abolishment of slavery over 150 years ago, schools and public places not being segregated, and even Barack Obama’s presidency may serve in society’s argument that racism is a thing of the past. Pair that with the surface view that, from a legal stand point at least, women are viewed the same as men and it seems as though our nation has gotten rid of its previous downfalls. However, when we examine popular culture and mainstream media, it is obvious our growth has been stunted. Women and even entire races are sexualized, white privilege …show more content…
Regarding these businesses, such as Barnes & Noble and Starbucks, having a dominant presence on campus Lugo Lugo states, “It is no surprise that college students behave not like people seeking a higher form of knowledge but like customers of academia. They walk into the bookstore as customers, and they walk into my classroom, latte in hand, as customer as well” (195). Describing how student attitudes morph her role, she says that “[t]rying to accommodate the I like it better this way or I like it better that way turn professors into customer service representatives…” (196). More than customer service representatives, I feel it almost turns them into a wait staff at a restaurant; students being the fussy guests. If students function under the assumption that the sole purpose of an educator is to cater to each and every whim, rather than provide a chance for them to grow academically and personally, then I believe they’ve missed the mark entirely. A college education is much like employment in that you’re there to gain experience, not to be served. However, when faced with the realization that society does in fact seem to have a heavy focus on shopping, it is not surprising that universities have turned into “a shopping mall” with the professors view as the retail employees
For many in the United States, the idea that racism and gender inequality still exists seems absurd. The abolishment of slavery over 150 years ago, schools and public places not being segregated, and even Barack Obama’s presidency may serve in society’s argument that racism is a thing of the past. Pair that with the surface view that, from a legal stand point at least, women are viewed the same as men and it seems as though our nation has gotten rid of its previous downfalls. However, when we examine popular culture and mainstream media, it is obvious our growth has been stunted. Women and even entire races are sexualized, white privilege …show more content…
Regarding these businesses, such as Barnes & Noble and Starbucks, having a dominant presence on campus Lugo Lugo states, “It is no surprise that college students behave not like people seeking a higher form of knowledge but like customers of academia. They walk into the bookstore as customers, and they walk into my classroom, latte in hand, as customer as well” (195). Describing how student attitudes morph her role, she says that “[t]rying to accommodate the I like it better this way or I like it better that way turn professors into customer service representatives…” (196). More than customer service representatives, I feel it almost turns them into a wait staff at a restaurant; students being the fussy guests. If students function under the assumption that the sole purpose of an educator is to cater to each and every whim, rather than provide a chance for them to grow academically and personally, then I believe they’ve missed the mark entirely. A college education is much like employment in that you’re there to gain experience, not to be served. However, when faced with the realization that society does in fact seem to have a heavy focus on shopping, it is not surprising that universities have turned into “a shopping mall” with the professors view as the retail employees