What is the difference between Language and Rhetoric
In CP, Language is a TOOL of rhetoric. The examples will focus mainly on how HLG uses language.
Ex: These will be quotes like the "Blackstreet" quote or how he defines the different ways of being labeled "black," "colored," or "colored people." The language is what is used to manipulate the readers to believe his point of view.
Rhetoric is a general term for anything used to persuade you.
Example: The chapter "In the Kitchen."
Rhetoric is that according to HLG, black people value white norms. This is where it gets confusing, because what is he arguing??? It is not that they want to BE white people- they want to be black people with the "white benefits."
Prime Time also reinforces this idea of them wanting "white rights" but the black way. When most people watched TV during that time all they saw was white people. Example: Leave it to Beaver. So if you truly look at the evidence- HLG is not simply saying there is a racial divide. You will get frustrated because initially he sounds like he is against integration. His language sets up a them versus us. BUT what he is really doing is asking the readers to look at the norms of society, the values of society, and how race plays in it!
Today we talked a lot about "diversity." Common lines were "acknowledge diversity" and "accept people as they are." What does this actually mean for HLG and his POV? Let's unpack that- what does it mean to acknowledge diversity- STOP TRYING SO HARD- STOP POINTING OUT THE DIFFERENCES.
Through in the kitchen/prime time it is a black v. white issue.
Now take it a step further- we see this the chapters "Up the Hill" and "Down to Cumberland" where he starts to talk about his family. Mom is racist against whites. FAMILY IS RACIST AGAINST EACH OTHER!!!!! He exposes there are different levels of black. This ultimately a tool of rhetoric- this shows us that the circle cannot be unbroken even within own social/racial circles.
