Final Thoughts: final post

This course introduced me to many student viewpoints that I would not encounter in my personal or possibly even work life. I appreciated the discussions we participated in during class and I loved that this class showed me the path to a less politically polarizing future. Thank you everyone for offering a new intellectual voice to consider. :)

public discourse

Before taking this course I had no idea what the term "public discourse was specifically referring to. I imagined it was a class that talked about rhetoric in America and society, but I did not imagine the course would be as suitable to my profession as it was (and is). I teach for a living and discuss rhetoric, politics, journalism, diction, and the like. Every assignment we had in the course felt tailored to my vocation every day.

I teach, or try to teach, students to write op-eds, features, reviews, and most of all, how to find a voice in this society. I am genuinely happy this course was placed in my path because I finally feel like I've found my voice and passion again.

Kaepernick's effect

I first started writing my feature article with the idea that Kaepernick was abusing his rights as an American and trying to gain publicity. I did not intentionally even try to make his story a main component of mine. However, as I moved along through interviews and research, I noticed a trend about our American system and those who feel discriminated against or in equal to others. 

This country was founded on freedoms, and the 1st includes the freedom to speak and protest. We have unalienable rights according to our forefathers, and the silent protest with Kaepernick and the rest of society who feels the pains of inequity symbolizes the very essence of this.