- In regards to the “basis of opposition”, what can be said to the facts that both sides/groups/classes of people agree on the overlying issue, not wanting the government infringing on their rights to operate in a certain way?
- What can be said to the fact that the way that the “other side” lives is being written by a person not experiencing the struggles that the “other side” lives—this idea of history being written by the victor, and/or the oppressor.
- What is the author’s intention or purpose of writing this essay—what is he trying to get across? Is it positive or negative?
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Discussion Questions on Jacob Riis
Jensine Wharton writes:
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3) I think Riis’ purpose to writing this essay was to demonstrate how bad the living conditions were for the underprivileged people living in the urban area. By stating, “where are the tenements of to-day?” Riss raised attention of the poverty issue between the minority and crossed fingers at the authority saying that something should be done about it as the future of America depended on it.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult for out of towers that don't reside in the ghetto to empathize with how the "other side" lives, but it's easy for these outsiders to judge their living conditions. Before the production of the photographers is taken at face value, the audience needs to study the outsiders representation of the less fortunate. The authenticity of the outsiders experience being used to convey the “other siders” day to day lifestyle must be questioned. The outsiders aren't experiencing the same struggles the “other siders” endure. The outsiders have the means to escape the over crowded tenements. Therefore, they acquire access to privilege and can go home. For the “other siders” this is home, the place where they lay their heads at night and scavenge to provide by any means necessary for themselves and their families.
ReplyDeleteThe main criticism behind this idea of history being written by the victor is a subjective opinion that is unfair because it excludes the voice of the defeated and instead instills the values, beliefs, and ideologies of the dominant figure. The “other side” doesn't get to share their side of the story. The victor, however, can manipulate the audience by giving their account of what happened and can also switch the narrative around when they write the story. By doing this the oppressor gains power over the oppressed. This gives the victor the opportunity to report what they find most useful to corroborate their argument. Meanwhile, the oppressed often gets forgotten about in history and are often scapegoated as a result.
As far for living the other side, the person would have to observe the community or read books about the other side of the so called well life in order to captivate viewers who are not poor. I think the whole purpose of the essay is to promote alleviation for the poor (especially immigrants) who are living in horrible conditions.
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