Me Talk Pretty One Day

Usually when people take part in a new foreign language class, they tend to find it difficult to express themselves and feel intimidated by other people's fluency. Best-selling author David Sedaris, in his essay, "Me Talk Pretty One Day," describes his peculiar experience in a foreign language class through his use of imagery and tone. Sedaris begins his essay by acknowledging how he yearns for a sense of belonging despite the fact that his teacher causes her students to feel estranged.  For instance, Sedaris points out that his instructor "licked her lips" (14) and "crouched low for her attack" (14) after one of the students presented herself. The author's use of imagery suggests that his instructor is judgemental towards her students and may even display a sense of superiority towards them. Sedaris employs imagery in his essay to reveal to his readers that his French instructor intimidates him and causes him to feel terrified when it is his turn to speak. 

Sedaris develops his essay by discussing the unorthodox methods of his French instructor and her impact on other students. He mentions that his teacher has a tendency of throwing chalk and poking other students. On top of that, she also is big on verbally attacking the students. To Sedaris' readers, this all seems very unlikely for a classroom situation, so readers may find this text to be comical. In his essay, Sedaris mentions, "Learning French is a lot like joining a gang in that it involves a long and intensive period of hazing" (22). Here, the author establishes a humorous tone by comparing his French class to joining a gang. When people begin to read this sentence, they may question why Sedaris chooses to compare these two events as they seem to have nothing in common. However, due to the context of the sentence, readers can make a connection to the author's situation. Hazing is typically executed in order for people to prove themselves to a gang. Similarly, the instructor's critical ways motivate Sedaris to perform better in the class. In addition, the author quotes his teacher, who said to him, "Every day spent with you is like having a cesarean section" (29). This unique metaphor suggests that the instructor is deeply pained to have Sedaris in her presence. Ironically, when Sedaris hears his teacher's insult, he realizes that this is the first time he has ever fully understood what someone had said in French. By including a humorous tone in his essay, the author allows his readers to connect with him and his struggle to understand French.

Like Sedaris, I too take a French class. Therefore, I understand how Sedaris feels about speaking publicly. Public speaking is difficult for some people, however, it becomes even more difficult when you are speaking in a foreign language. Throughout his essay, Sedaris makes it clear that he is uncomfortable about participating in his French class by using words like "intimidating" (2), "insecure" (3), and "nerve-racking" (5). In my French class, I also get nervous while presenting because I have qualms about whether I am using the correct gender or translating properly. In Sedaris' case, he has an instructor who adds more stress to the situation by critically judging all of her students, rather than taking it away. As a result of this, Sedaris feels terror every time he is asked a question. In order to overcome this, the author becomes motivated to understand his teacher so he won't receive negative feedback from his instructor ever again. Overall, Sedaris' French instructor has a judgemental teaching style, however, it causes David to want to improve in the class.

Street Harassment Sucks

Street harassment is a global problem that is overlooked. Gender-based street harassment is unwanted comments, gestures, or actions that are forced on a stranger in a public place without their consent. This includes unwanted whistling, leering, requests for personal information (names, phone numbers, etc.), comments, demands, stalking, flashing, groping, sexual assault, and rape. Although men and women are both victims of street harassment, women are the primary targets. According to a study commissioned by Stop Street Harassment, sixty- five percent of women have experienced street harassment at some point in their lives.

Street harassment is a human rights issue since victims have a limited desire to be in public. Many victims have high levels of fear in locations like restaurants, public transportation, streets, parking lots, and parks. In a 2014 survey of street harassment in America, half of the victims were harassed by age 17. Unfortunately, I have also been a victim of street harassment. At the time, I was 15 years old. I was waiting for my father to pick me up after school when two men approached me. One of the told me his number and said, "Give me a call babe, ok? Do you believe in interracial relationships?" After I ignored his comments he yelled "Hello" in my face. He found his attempt to engage to be ineffective and finally walked away. This experience has caused me to have a fear of men. I have lost all my trust in them.  After my experience with street harassment, I don't even feel safe at my own school. I have had several other experiences after that. There are many ways people can deal with harassment, however, everyone has a different approach. Many victims go for the silent approach, but some are more verbal. More victims are starting to fight back against street harassment. They believe that if the harassers are annoying them, then they have the right to be annoying back. In the end, whatever you choose to do is the right choice. Now, let's put and end to street harassment.

In the making of this post, I have utilized some of Zinsser's teachings. One of these teachings is adjectives. This can be seen in my first sentence where I wrote "a global problem." Originally, the phrase read "a serious problem." However, I figured that problems are generally considered to be serious, so the word "serious" would become an unnecessary adjective. Another one of Zinsser's teachings that I followed was little qualifiers. In my writing, I attempted to remove any words that would take away from my writing. For instance, in my first sentence I was going to write, "Street harassment is a global problem that is often overlooked." In order to strengthen this claim, I chose to remove the word. Finally, I utilized the concept of sexism. Instead of writing "women", I substituted the word "victims" to generalize my statements as victims were made up of men and LGBT individuals as well.