“Who Makes the Clothes We Wear?”
Jesse Jackson
Oh, Jesse Jackson. Once again, he is indignant about a social plight. I can’t help rolling my eyes.
He is so impassioned that his writing and speaking lose credibility. Although he makes interesting points and is well researched, his fervor makes the logic behind points difficult for readers to trust. By demonizing Nike and pleading for the impoverished, his case relies on an emotional response from the reader, a weak argument strategy. I would respond more positively to his views if he included more logic, reduced the number of rhetorical questions used, and stopped the dramatics. Even simply conceding that Nike’s use of cheap labor makes good business sense would help me to take him seriously. This piece makes him seem like a fanatic, causing me question his discernment and ultimately, to dismiss his argument.
This essay does remind me of the importance of writer’s voice. I must use many concrete examples instead of vague inferences and use logic instead of emotion if I want to successfully convince and convict my readers.
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2 comments:
If a flower were destroyed by frost, I imagine Jesse Jackson would be on the steps of the nearest house shouting about the unjust, unfair cruelty that the frost caused for the flower.
His name alone brings up enough opinions and thoughts that I had trouble looking at this as a credible article. He seems as Megan said a "fanatic." As I read I saw how he worked for the emotional response and I consequentially felt less emotional about the subject. Child labor and fair wages are important problems. The drama is not necessary. The emotions he tries to provoke make his thoughts more annoying to me than interesting. I do not agree with what is happening in sweat shops, yet I feel he is not a credible source because of his past attempts to emotionally charge ANY subject.
The facts are enough to make it clear that things need to change with retailers and consumers. I would have appreciated if he spent more time putting an effort on changing the events rather than just dramatizing the situations.
I rolled my eyes as well, Megan. It made me giggle just a bit as he went on about the injustice of major corporations and while I was laughing I nurtured a sick feeling in my stomach. I just bought a pair of running shoes not too long ago and I cannot help but think where exactly they were made and how much the person who put them together was paid. This article was written in 1995 so conditions as far as ike is concerned may have changed, but I see Jackson's point and I would support it if I knew how.
I am pondering alot of things right now. If conditions are so bad over there because of our buying habits, I would suggest Jackson take a look at the sole of his Italian Leather kicks and see how much it costs to make a pair of those. If we are really creating such a mess with human conditions over-seas, why don't we put pressure, intense pressure on those who can influence such changes. Do something, but stop shouting about it and sitting on your French couch watching MTV.
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