Frank Boysia

Mrs. Pellerin

AP Lang

19 October 2018

Blaxicans Reflection

In his essay, Richard Rodriguez takes an interesting viewpoint on his opinion that

immigrants portray the ideal American stereotype better than that of actual Americans. Because

of this, Americans are forced to reduce other races by generalizing them instead of actually

describing them as they actually are; viable parts of another society that can match that of

America’s. Everyone is made up of various ethnicities, cultures, social experiences, and

viewpoints. This wide variety of culture and experiences is what makes America America, but

more frequently than not, a blind eye is turned to people who aren't classified as black or white.

This is seen when Rodriguez says “No question was put to the aforementioned Vietnamese man.

There was certainly no question for the Chinese grocer, none for the Guatemalan barber, none

for the tribe of Mexican Indians who reroofed your neighbor’s house.” which means that even in

1997, Americans completely disregarded people who apart, if not essential, to everyday life. The

barber, grocer, and people who reroofed your house are all jobs that, even today, are taken for

granted, much like the corresponding races. He also talks about how when he was in college, he

learned “to call myself a Hispanic” even though he was a variety of represented cultures and

nationalities. His argument that since Americans don't portray the ideal American stereotype,

they are forced to demean the heritage of other people who portray stereotype better is very

persuasive, especially because his ethos is very highly developed.

 Because Rodriguez is a large variety of cultures all displayed in one person, he is able to

personally relate to problems involving racial differences in society. This is apparent when he

says, “I come to you as a man of many cultures. I come to you as Chinese. Unless you

understand that I am Chinese, then you have not understood anything I have said.” His use of

irony, however, provides a more relaxed tone so as to not make the essay attacking or offensive.

His effective use of rhetoric, irony in particular, allows him to make his points to support his

claim. When he says “At my university we even had separate cafeteria tables and “theme

houses,” where the children of Nixon could gather-- of a feather”, it’s ironic that right as

everyone is starting to become more intertwined and racial tensions are starting to lessen, people

are still experiencing racism in an everyday environment. His clever use of rhetoric, specifically

irony, elevates his essay and raises more awareness for the wide variety of cultures and the

benefit that they have on America’s society.