Leah Donnella, an NPR contributor with a focus on blogging and aiding with the production of Code Switch, gives voice to the people in “We Asked, You Answered: When Should We Call Something ‘Racist’?” She includes the responses of her listeners in her story. Their contributions show the variations between what people consider racist and how they think it should be used in today’s society.
In her introduction Donnella explains the struggle that journalists commonly endure: “As journalists, we're constantly trying to balance the different uses of the term in a way that will make sense to all of our listeners and readers. But in the era of proposed border walls and Muslim bans and "shithole countries" and "hell in the inner cities," it's getting harder and harder, as one of our listeners put it, not to "call a racist spade a racist spade.” She also mentions that after only less than 24 hours, her team received “dozens of emails.” This in itself is an appeal to both ethos, pathos, and logos. It also sets an unmistakable tone. By including the input of her readers Donnella employs ethos and pathos. Her credibility as a journalist is strengthened because journalists are supposed to work for the people to give them accurate, realistic, relatable information. Having the bulk of her article come from the different quotes from her readers also gives them a feeling of importance and gives them the sense that their voices are crucial to the conversation. Though seemingly insignificant, the inclusion of specific examples of statements that have been said recently by president Trump serves as an appeal to logos. Donnella begins her article with a single word. This creates a focused tone and engages her readers. Her tone or writing style may also be considered investigative. Standing alone, it leaves a significant impression on her audience. Donnella’s decision to describe the contrasts between two of the sides of what people think racism is, is a stylistic choice that reminds her audience of her open-mindedness. “Some people hear that word and picture a hood-wearing, cross-burning bigot. Others think more abstractly — they hear racist and think of policies, institutions, laws and language,” Donnella said. Her word choice is, on one hand, dramatic and, on the other hand, professional and concise.
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Michayla Cherichelis a North Cobb Warrior with interests in politics, political science, and journalism. Archives
February 2018
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