Context & Exigence

The video was taken in Ted and was published on YouTube in 2015. The video is responding to self-identity which many Americans perhaps have problems with. 

Author: 

Fatimah Asghar is a poet, performer, artist, photographer 

Text:

Audience:

The audience is YouTube viewers, anyone who watches Ted Talks, poets, 

Purpose:

Fatimah struggles to find her identity growing up. She wants people to open themselves like a book so that they can feel comfortable. You shouldn’t look at people in a 1 dimensional way like she stated so that you don’t view people as the same as others. Take the time to be less judgmental about meeting someone who has a lot of background identity.

Argument

What does it mean to be an American? she asked.

Evidence: 

Asghar’s personal experience was coming from a family of immigrants but being born in America. She was criticized by other people saying that you’re not American enough in school and that she was not Pakistani enough from her family. 4:20- 4:50

Rhetorical Strategies: 

At the beginning of the video, I thought Asghar was going nuts when she was yelling born here. Then I realized not only is she giving a monologue but she’s giving a poem. At times it sounds like I’m saying it out loud but I’m using it to hear a poem in my head. 

Citation: