In Weeber’s “What Could I Know of Racism”, she discusses the difficulties she faces as a disabled person due to polio. She describes the hardships she had to deal with and differentiates between the “normal” and the “other” in society. She compares her experience as a disabled person to how another person may feel if they are the target of racism. Weeber stressed about how throughout her life, she had to try very hard to be “normal, but because of her encounter with other disabled people, she was able to accept her disability and learn how to love herself. Weeber explains that an important time in her life was when she decided to ride a scooter for her mobility. She was aware of the different views and opinions she received from people and even her family because of her choice to use the scooter. Weeber is proud to be a part of the disability community.
Reading “What Could I Know of Racism” by Weeber surprised me. I had not thought about the similarities of feelings between disabled people and racially discriminated ethnic groups. Analyzing Weeber’s story has opened my eyes to see that there are more discourse communities affected by discrimination than I had realized. My response to the discussion questions are: Question one: The elements of society that caused Weeber to feel like her life had been “lived as an outsider, struggling unconsciously for acceptance” is that society assumes everyone who is “normal” to be white and very abled-bodied. Weeber’s experience as a disabled person is parallel to that of other marginalized populations by her getting viewed as different from what is expected to be normal and the treatment she is given. Question two: Weeber’s experience as a disabled person enriches her life by enabling her to learn how to love herself more and appreciate things in life. Her decision to embrace her limitations introduces tensions into her interactions with her family because it is different from what they are used to and they are afraid of what others may think. Question three: Weeber’s eventual connection to the disabled community does change her view of herself and mold her values; she learns to accept and love herself. It is important to have friends and role models who share your life experiences because it makes you feel like you are not alone; it makes you stronger.
Reading “What Could I Know of Racism” by Weeber surprised me. I had not thought about the similarities of feelings between disabled people and racially discriminated ethnic groups. Analyzing Weeber’s story has opened my eyes to see that there are more discourse communities affected by discrimination than I had realized. My response to the discussion questions are: Question one: The elements of society that caused Weeber to feel like her life had been “lived as an outsider, struggling unconsciously for acceptance” is that society assumes everyone who is “normal” to be white and very abled-bodied. Weeber’s experience as a disabled person is parallel to that of other marginalized populations by her getting viewed as different from what is expected to be normal and the treatment she is given. Question two: Weeber’s experience as a disabled person enriches her life by enabling her to learn how to love herself more and appreciate things in life. Her decision to embrace her limitations introduces tensions into her interactions with her family because it is different from what they are used to and they are afraid of what others may think. Question three: Weeber’s eventual connection to the disabled community does change her view of herself and mold her values; she learns to accept and love herself. It is important to have friends and role models who share your life experiences because it makes you feel like you are not alone; it makes you stronger.
In McGuire’s Growing up With Two Moms, she expresses the experience and feelings she had as she grew up with what was viewed as different. She begins her essay with the explanation that although her parents were divorce, her brother and she had thought their mother was straight. After finding out the truth that her mother was a lesbian, she reveals that they have been trying to keep it a secret. McGuire describes the uncertainty she felt if others had found out the secret about her family. She discusses that after a while, her “strange” family felt like a normal family. McGuire accepted the fact that her mother was lesbian and no longer kept it a secret.
As I read McGuire’s Growing up With Two Moms, I could understand why she was afraid of letting anyone know her secret. She was just a kid and like all other children, she just wanted to fit in and be accepted. My answers to the post reading questions are: Question one: The cause of McGuire’s discomfort and embarrassment as a child is that her mother is a lesbian. Question two: McGuire’s Mother’s sexual orientation was hardest on her when she was in High School because she was into different types of clubs and she was afraid that if her secret had been discovered, everything she had gained socially would disappear. Question Three: McGuire’s home life had family meetings, fights, trips and dinners which does not differ very much from the home life of her friends. Every family is different, but in some ways every family is also similar; each family will fight at one time or another, have trips together, have family meetings, and dinners. Question four: In the spring of her junior year, McGuire was able to come to terms with her two moms. Question five: After the speech she gave at her school’s National Corning Out Day, some of her friends disrespected and unfriended her. McGuire realized that she did not need them and losing them only made her stronger which motivated her even more.
As I read McGuire’s Growing up With Two Moms, I could understand why she was afraid of letting anyone know her secret. She was just a kid and like all other children, she just wanted to fit in and be accepted. My answers to the post reading questions are: Question one: The cause of McGuire’s discomfort and embarrassment as a child is that her mother is a lesbian. Question two: McGuire’s Mother’s sexual orientation was hardest on her when she was in High School because she was into different types of clubs and she was afraid that if her secret had been discovered, everything she had gained socially would disappear. Question Three: McGuire’s home life had family meetings, fights, trips and dinners which does not differ very much from the home life of her friends. Every family is different, but in some ways every family is also similar; each family will fight at one time or another, have trips together, have family meetings, and dinners. Question four: In the spring of her junior year, McGuire was able to come to terms with her two moms. Question five: After the speech she gave at her school’s National Corning Out Day, some of her friends disrespected and unfriended her. McGuire realized that she did not need them and losing them only made her stronger which motivated her even more.
My answers to the strategies and structure answers are: Question one. In addition to using cause and effect to describe her childhood with “two moms,” McGuire also used chronological order to develop her essay. Question two: The tone reflects how serious the author is about this topic and the purpose of this serves is to reveal to the audience how important this topic is to the writer.