Paper 4 articles

In the article, “A Socially Relevant Philosophy of Science? Resources from Standpoint Theory's Controversiality,” by Sandra Harding, it addresses the controversiality of standpoint theory. Harding is a feminist philosopher that is well known for contributing to the discovery of standpoint theory. The article goes to explain what standpoint theory is, how it came about, and how it affects peoples’ thoughts. The theory is defined as an effort to develop inner-subjective discourses. Harding goes to explain that standpoint theory “organized and explained away the diverse ways women were oppressed and dominated” (Harding, 2004). This uncovers the sexism that still occurs in the world today to different extents. It also faces the question of how much of this ongoing sexism is okay, and to what degree it can be handled without it being detrimental to society.

This article also talks of the difference between dominant groups versus oppressed groups, and how their awareness varies on the above named issues. However, Harding’s focus is only on the controversiality of the standpoint feminist theory, and not whether or not it is good for a society.

Harding, Sandra. (2004). a socially relevant philosophy of science? resources from standpoint theory's controversiality . Hypatia, 19(1), Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3810930?&Search=yes&term=standpoint&term=theory&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dstandpoint%2Btheory%26wc%3Don%26dc%3DAll%2BDisciplines&item=5&ttl=92755&returnArticleService=showArticle


In the second article I found, titled “’Telling the Story Her Own Way’: The Role of Feminist Standpoint Theory in Rhetorical Studies,” by Glen McClish and Jacqueline Bacon, the focus is more on how standpoint theory can affect rhetorical studies. This article states that, “from the standpoint of an oppressed group such as women is more valid than the knowledge of those in dominant positions in society” (McClish & Bacon 2002). The thought is that the voice of a marginalized group accurately reflects a deeper knowledge of dominant groups. It gives a different perspective than the ones usually given by dominant groups of society, and allows a critique of such groups.

McClish, G, & Bacon, J. (2002). "telling the story her own way": the role of feminist standpoint theory in rhetorical studies . Rhetoric Society Quarterly, 32(2), Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3885975?&Search=yes&term=standpoint&term=theory&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dstandpoint%2Btheory%26wc%3Don%26dc%3DAll%2BDisciplines&item=12&ttl=92755&returnArticleService=showArticle

Tim Wise Review

Racism Awareness: A Wise Decision

Tim Wise has been quoted saying, “Racism is an ideology that says certain people, by virtue of their race, are either inferior or superior to others of a different race” (Wise qt. by Cook, 5). Wise has worked as a racial justice activist for many years and is a well renowned author. In a 2009 interview with The Sun, he spoke on how the issues of racism and privilege contribute to the setup of racial boundaries in America today, and how it still affects us.

Ever since Africans and Caucasians have interacted white people have been viewed as the superior race. However incorrect this perspective is people of light skin have been granted more opportunities, which Wise describes as privileges (By the Color). These privileges range from job opportunities to housing loans; in these cases, a person of color may have the same qualifications as a white person, but will not receive the same treatment, only because of their race. For example its known “that job applicants with “white-sounding” names are 50 percent more likely to get called back than those with “black-sounding” names, even if both have the same qualifications” (Cook 6) This fact shows that even today in normal situations racism and white privileges are still prevalent in society.

These issues in America are still present, but harder to target specifically. This is greatly contributed to by white ignorance, meaning that the belief that racism is nonexistent in America, as many would like to believe, only leads to the problem being ignored. Societies in different areas in the United States deal with racism and white privileges in many ways. As Wise described “Southerners know race is an issue, and that’s half the battle.” (Cook 11) This awareness is key to how race is constructed. Areas that are more aware of race and acknowledge it are more likely to eventually resolve or lessen the impact of racism then areas that falsely believe that people are all treated equally.

Hearing of this social inequality only makes us more aware of racism around us. This positively changes our perspective on society and how others are treated. Although we cannot change what has happened in the past, we may be able to prevent it in the future by being more understanding and less judgmental of others. Hopefully, racist tendencies will discontinue in America someday, allowing all a truly equal opportunity to afford better lifestyles—this includes access to healthy foods, and better eating communities, as discussed in paper three.

Sources! Find the irony

When searching for sources in English 101, I’ve found that it is best to search for a source on the general topic of my paper to start with. Once you have found a couple of different options to look through, you should skim them to find which ones have the most relevant information. This is a long and daunting task, but when you find an article or a book worth citing, it adds a lot of depth to the paper. This is true only if it directly pertains to your topic. As They Say, I Say mentions, you need to make sure that you don’t “quote and run” (41). If the quote or paraphrase does not add insight into your topic, or is not placed in a proper location, it is worthless to your paper.

It is also important to find enough sources that you not only have appropriate information to support your thesis, but that you also have multiple theories, opinions, or facts to refer to in order to build credibility. This shows that you really did research and put time and effort into the paper.

In high school, I was taught that you know where to place quotes or sources in your paper by judging where you have concrete details (CD) and commentary (CM). The method usually alternates with between one CD and one or two CMs, then repeat it. Basically, when you use a concrete detail, or a source, make sure to back it up with your commentary—an explanation and why it is relevant to your thesis—before you introduce another concrete detail. The reason behind this formula is that your paper has a nice flow while incorporating your own personal touch with the facts. This makes for a supported, and hopefully interesting paper.

Borlaug Blog

In Norman Borlaug’s article, he sets right a few misnomers about genetically modified crops, clearing the haze about the so-called hazards of them. He supports his views on this by saying that even Mother Nature modifies genetics. The way mankind does it now is only to “benefit feeding the human race” (489). It is a shame that people in the media criticize it so much, because there is no evidence that GMOs are bad for human health. I agree with Borlaug that people should stop worrying about the genetic make up of their food, and start worrying about the rest of the world that needs to be fed. It’s like what Penn said in his television show: it’s easy to reject this kind of food when you’re living in a beach house in California.

Paper 3 Article

The study by Mark A. Gray titled, “The Industrial Food Stream and its Alternatives in the United States: An Introduction”, states that the “global food stream” is moving toward more of a direct marketing, in which the consumer is more in touch with the producer. This is mostly concerned with organic foods, but is starting to branch out toward the more industrial side of food production. However, Gray states, “Direct marketing is successful only when small producers exploit the weaknesses of the industrial food system”.
The last two statements seem to me as if they contradict each other. I think what they are trying to do is trying to convert people from industrial to a “new agriculture”, which seems to me they define quite similarly to organic. Getting to the study itself, they attempts to answer the question, “How does the industrial food stream impose itself on individuals and communities?” This seems relevant in coming up with a convincing argument for an ethical food community. I may use it to support points on why an industrial food community is better for people.

Gray, M. A. (2000). The Industrial food stream and its alternatives in the united states: an introduction. Human Organization, 59(2), Retrieved from http://sfaa.metapress.com/media/d86tgdtuun3wngylwa7w/contributions/x/m/3/2/xm3235743p6618j3_html/fulltext.html

FINAL chapters, thank god.

To be honest, I am so glad to be done with The Omnivore’s Dilemma. It seemed a boring read…up until these last few chapters. I felt that Pollan really let his sense of humor come out, which made things a bit more interesting to read. I guess it’s a reward for suffering through the whole book. However, I thought that sentimentality and dramatics of the hunting chapter were a little much, and a little out of character compared to the rest of the book.

To move on from the voice and on to the concept of the last chapters, in chapter eighteen, Pollan manages to kill a pig. While Angelo, his hunting “Virgil”, is cleaning it, Pollan is faced with the problem of knowing where your food comes from, that was questioned throughout the book. Once he sees how disgusting the cleaning of the pig is, he questions whether he wants to eat it or not. He also talks about the pride he felt after killing the pig, but then when he views the pictures later, sees them as almost naughty and wonders how he could ever feel such pride. This is the thing that eaters of America are lacking today: a link between the animal and their food and what it takes to get it. This is a prominent theme in The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and Pollan tries to put it in perspective through his personal experience.

In the chapter, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” Pollan becomes a temporary vegetarian, facing the question of whether or not animals should have the same rights as humans. He ultimately struggles with his decision and what is morally right. While reading “Animal Liberation,” he mentally argues with the author, Peter Singer, who states that treating and eating animals the way we do is comparable to how African Americans were treated as slaves and not given human rights. I do not agree with this in the slightest. Even in the Bible, it states that animals are here for us to eat. This definitely does not mean that they should be treated equally as humans. Singer and many other animal rightists need to pull their head out and see that there is a line that needs to be drawn between animal cruelty and thinking of them as at the same level as humans.