Voice, Class, Race and Opportunity - Essay Example

English Essay Voice, Race and Opportunity Introduction Diversity in different settings has always been a topic of discussion; multiple people have come up with theories, principles and concepts that will help involved parties make the best out of it. In the text, Oiga by Luis Rodriguez, the narrator explains about her experience since she was a child, things that her family line went through, her brother’s marine story and how she thinks people percept her in the society. Among the main aspects in her narration is that, her voice plays an overwhelming role in her life and it seems like the only thing she loves about herself (Rodriguez 136). The Lula parable from the Tattoos on the Heart book by Gregory Boyle focuses on the character of a kid who had started on as a person with no hope in life but in the end, he works at the office and has a son. President Obama’s Trayvon Martin’s speech focuses on the ruling and events following the justice system’s case summary on the shooting. The text ‘To the Lady Mitsuye Yamada’ focuses on how issues such as the reason behind the Japanese Americans allowed the government to put them in camps are less significant in the American society. The Japanese Americans did not even protest or use the voices to fight for their rights (Yamada 1). The main aim of the essay the outcomes of denial of a voice from a certain segment of the society who other people make assumptions about on their behavior, practices, culture among other purported attributes. The different texts create the basis of the discussion and establishing the link between voice, recognition and opportunity; moreover, how class, race and other conditions act as differentiating factors for choosing to speak out and not. 2. Voice and Opportunity Voice and opportunity relate differently depending on situations; some people get opportunities and fail to utilize while others lack the opportunities yet they feel the need to voice out their sentiments. For instance, with her voice as a blessing, Ysela utilized every chance she had to display her talent; whether it was singing in church or making a sex-tape to get money for food. However, voicing out in the Rodriguez narration seems to have varying perceptions to the reader. Ysela seems to use her voice only in meeting her needs for money to pay her bills and put food on the table but it is clear that she has many challenges and goes through pain when she does not utilize certain chances to voice out her needs (Rodriguez 140). However, she knows that soon enough she will have to make the best out of opportunities; something she has avoided most of her life. Yesla views this as a challenge because it is also prevalent in her family history with a good example being her great uncle who could not protest after the Anglos took over Griffith Park and later on, he died cleaning his own land. On the other hand, Lula in Tattoos on the Heart had all-round challenges and he was even shocked that someone knew his name. The size of his family made him have attention deficits, which generally affected his behavior around people. According to the narrator, it was hard for Lula to get into conversations or even greet people in the office (Boyle 47). Intellectually, Lula struggled during the early years of his life and had to attend special education classes. This affected his overall perception of life but after having someone/ people who notice him he started to make minimal advancements (Boyle 47). Evidently, this is not much of an achievement to most people but it affects his ability to voice out and take on opportunities. He wins five dollars by answering a question that might seem simple but if John had asked Lula this question around the time they first met him, he would have turned it down or fail to respond. The narrator acknowledges his attendance of classes and gives him the attention that most people lack. This makes him feel as an important part of the society and he can now be able to converse freely. Unlike Yesla, Pimpo his brother has no chance of having his voice heard, which is similar to Lula’s situation where attention plays a significant part. Pimpo’s death symbolizes how consequential it can be when people do not get chances to voice out their thoughts and emotions or when people do not utilize opportunities (Rodriguez 143). Conversely, giving people opportunities to voice out and the attention can be fruitful and helpful in overcoming the weaknesses as depicted by Lula’s case. 3. Class and Race Race has been prevalent factor that causes a certain group of people to lack a voice in the society but a combination of race and class creates a more intimidating case. Of course, the Japanese Americans in Yamada’s text lack the courage of speaking out after the government put them in camps. She focuses on this excerpt because the population feels that since they are not full Americans they have no chance even when they hold protests or go against the word of the government. The moral of Yamada’s text is that not speaking out is very consequential hence people should voice out their needs, fight for their rights and stand their ground. The fact that they are Japanese Americans does not make them less significant people of the American society (Yamada 1). This shows that class and race disparities also contribute to voicing out and taking on relative opportunities. However, President Obama, through his speech, makes identifies this as a pervasive factor that people should work hard to overcome. The president emphasizes on the tradition of people linking such cases with a set of experiences and the history of racial disparities to make assumptions. African Americans have a vast history of violence, and it is from this basis that people makes assumptions about the Trayvon Martin speech and its summary judgments (The White House 1). However, knowing that is the case should not affect the African Americans and Japanese Americans ability to voice out their concerns about the shooting and relocation respectively. As part of his conclusion, President Obama states the solutions as advanced training for state and local justice practitioners, examination of some state and local laws and assisting African American men feel as an important part of the society (The White House 1). 4. Consequences of Not Speaking Out There are multiple cases where people have suffered alone with problems because no one gave them a chance to speak out; however, in few cases, some people have broken protocol and voiced out their thoughts, needs and sentiments, which has been extensively beneficial. Definitely, class and race are contributing factors in the Trayvon Martin speech by President Obama and To the Lady by Mitsuye Yamada but the issues they face affect their daily lives making them more prevalent than myths and historical racial disparities. Appreciably, African Americans hold protests against the ruling of the Trayvon Martin shooting because experiences and history shows that being black in such a case is a direct indicator that a person was the perpetrator of violence (The White House 1). Multiple innocent African American youths have faced jail and death sentences in the past and the justice system has not had to answer to anyone. The government puts Japanese Americans in camps because of not speaking out. Everyone knows that the lifestyles in those camps are not pleasant hence; they should have spoken out from the time the government took that initiative. The fear to speak out forms a basis for the government to exploit them just as African Americans have been victims of unorthodox justice systems with unexamined state and local laws. Despite the segregation and racial prevalence in the societies, the Japanese Americans and African Americans should fight for what they believe in. The more the fear speaking out the more they encourage the groups thinking they are more important to prolong the racism, discernment and other factors that lead to denial of a voice or opportunity. President Obama notes that people use situations as those of the Japanese Americans in heightening division. They give people more room to push around the victims and nobody can blame them. African Americans continue to be associated with crime and violence because of not speaking out; moreover, the justice systems will always appear unfair. The Japanese Americans will also appear inferior and not part of the American society as long as the government does not face opposition. The Japanese American’s appear contented with their relocation to the camps yet they agonize, but since they do not speak up the suffering continues. 5. Conclusion Relatively, voice, class, race and opportunity are the ‘elephants in the room’ in most segments of the society with most people feeling that these conditions factor in in different situations acting as threats to the fundamental myth that all people are equal and bear equal rights on all stands. A person’s voice relates with other attributes such as confidence, ability to develop solutions and generally contribute to the community hence denying them the opportunity acts a hindrance to societal and personal growth. On the other hand, race and class regularly pop up in articles, news broadcasts and other platforms with a certain group feeling that there is no equal treatment among them as compared to other races and classes. The main cause of these indifferences is the unexplored beliefs about these factors influencing policies, practices and relationships that shape their lives. Arguably, this has passed on across generations making it very prevalent in the modern world and the segments in the society affected should take action and speak out even if it means breaking protocol or going against myths and beliefs. All constitutions and leadership systems advocate for equality on all platforms and speaking out is part of a human being’s right. Moreover, unity and equal opportunities should be features that societies observe to avoid the common segregation and discernment of the different groups that feel out of place. Finally, Confidence, ability to develop solutions and other contributions in the community are the chief aspects used in making arguments and those who fail to speak out should not blame the justice systems or the government. These powers are only supportive when the oppressed show concern and engage in activities that depict their apprehensions peacefully. Works Cited Boyle, Gregory. Tattoos on the Heart- The Power of Boundless Compassion, New York: Free Press Publishers, 2011 Rodriguez, Luis. The Republic of East LA, New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2003. The White House, Remarks by the President on Trayvon Martin: James S Brady Press Briefing Room, 2013. Web, 28 February 2015 < http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/07/19/remarks-president-trayvon-martin> Yamada, Mitsuye. To the Lady: Brent M Blackwell Publishers, 2003. Web, 28 February 2015 < http://brentmblackwell.com/courses/yamada.pdf> Read More