What is Real?

Sir, do not tell me what it means to be white or black. Judging others is something condescending wonka does to be funny, not something a UNC professor does to fill his time and my ears. (For those unfamiliar with condescending wonka, see here: http://www.quickmeme.com/Condescending-Wonka/ ) Now, I understand that this is a class of rhetoric and we are meant to evaluate or analyze things, but let’s not stretch it. What does it mean to be really white, or black? Or an empowered woman or sensitive man that’s not gay? Should we sit around and contemplate the matter, put on our thinking caps and get all philosophical-like? Or should we ask someone that legitimately experiences one of these situations and get some primary sources to study? Rhetoric, thinking, and looking at the mysteries of life or wondering what it is like for others to live is something that we as humans will always do. However, it’s incredibly difficult to listen to someone explain how hard it is for someone to grow up while they themselves go to bed  in a warm home, and have all their life. I’m a 22 year old white male that grew up on a golf course. I’m not going to pretend to know the struggles, culture, and trials of a young white male in a primarily African American town, or how advertisements push women to be in submissive positions or sexually stimulating positions during advertisements. Maybe it’s because men like that, it catches their eyes, and they in turn remember/buy the product later? Or maybe it’s because “the man” is trying to control us and display women in this way to tell them that is how they should act, and any powerful woman really just is too shy to portray herself like that. (hint, it’s the first one). I’m just saying, be true to yourself and be the real you, and let others be the real them. Don’t embarrass yourself by trying to educate a third party on another unrelated third party.

Note: SO sorry to put this. You asked what we thought about it in class and I didn’t want to go on a rant, and again on twitter but this couldn’t even fit 160 words, let alone characters!