275 Initial Post Response. I also need 3 replies on other posts. Two replies are attached. Will send one reply later.Readings: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1990/06/24/sex-lies-and-c

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Frederick Mezzatesta posted Jul 27, 2020 9:45 AM

I first read, “Sex, Lies, and Conversation” by Deborah Tannen. This was a very interesting reading explaining the differences in how men and women interpret communication. Tannen believes that communication was learned in childhood when boys and girls were separated to play with their same gender and developed different methods of communicating which led to communication problems in adulthood and marriage. She believes that the problems with communication can be fixed with reengineering the methods of communication or by starting cross-cultural communications at home. Her argument was very strong and she gave a lot of different examples. In the conclusion, she provided a way that she believed could solve the problem by using cross-cultural communication. Her method of writing was more of opinion and suggestions.

I next read, “Why I’m Black, Not African American” by John H. McWhorter. McWhorter explained the differences between Blacks and African Americans. He believed that being called African American is a thing from the past and is now time to move on to being called Black. He explains of how Africans are raised differently in their country with their heritage rather than how Blacks are raised here in the United States. The way of life is different here and they are accustomed to a different heritage while being raised here. The term African American served its purpose years ago, but it is now time to revolutionize a new term that is more relevant for this time in age. He gave historical references and provided examples of why there is need for a change. His argument was strong and more meaningful rather than the previous reading which led more to opinion rather than fact.

Sex, Lies, and Conversation & Why I am Black, Not African American

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Caitlin Mullins posted Jul 21, 2020 12:27 PM

In the two readings that I chose - Sex, Lies, and Conversation & Why I am Black, Not African American – both discuss two aspects with the same intentions. The points expressed in “Sex, Lies, and Conversation” are how contact is made between two people during a conversation, support and advice that is given or not given during a conversation, and how men and women have grown up with different types of communication with the same and opposite sexes. The points expressed in “Why I’m Black, Not African American” are how the words ‘Black’ and ‘African American’ are expressed over time and the meanings of each one.

In “Sex, Lies, and Conversation”, the author Deborah Tannen discussed how conversation between both genders have different ways of expressing communication with the same or opposite sexes. Tannen uses Logos in her article because she uses factual evidence to back up her claims, Tannen also uses pathos, she appeals to our emotions and values by talking about both sides (male and female) and how both interact with each other, making the reader either agree and connect to the statement, or disagree and rebut the statement. Tannen uses some Ethos within her article as well.

In “Why I Am Black, Not African American”, the author john McWhorter discussed the difference between being ‘Black’ and being ‘African American’, saying that African Americans are who have African descent and/or are from Africa. And that being Black is when you are American descended and/or born in America. Also, McWhorter explains that if you are black, born in America, and have no African heritage, then you are not ‘African American’ because you are not ‘African’. And if you are African American, born in Africa then moved to America and have African heritage, then you are not ‘Black’ as McWhorter explained in his article.