While it is not indicated in the article, by addressing the key issues that are painting a negative picture of the current generation, Kwame, a novelist, lawyer, and politician, emerges as an activist and a critical thinker. He begins his discussion and arguments by first giving it a context. Primarily, he goes back in history to examine some of the practices such as wife battering that was previously socially acceptable but are no longer considered relevant or ethical. He then travels from the past to the present and then creates a connection by pausing the question, “What were people thinking?” In so doing, he highlights four practices that the present generation is practicing, which will, in the future used in judging us. In the same way, we ask the question regarding what the past generations were thinking, so will the coming generation. While somethings like the author’s character can go unmentioned, his extensive and effective use of logos and pathos to persuade readers cannot go unnoticed.
Keywords: Issues, People, Thinking, Pathos, Logos
Kwame kick starts his article by reflecting on some traditional practices such as wife battering that was socially acceptable and those that were forbidden such as homosexuality and then questions; “What were people thinking?” In the same manner, we are judging the past generations, so will the future generation judge. He proceeds to address some of the practices we as the current generations in which we engage in that the future generations we use against us and ask the same question, ‘what were we thinking?’ Noteworthy, I am interested in the issues that Kwame examines as I am a part of the current generation involved in the said ‘dark’ practices. Therefore, examining them might help change my way of thinking and at least save myself and our society from being judged by future generations. Through engaging in a critical examination of the four practices in the article, Kwame has successfully managed to convince, mainly using his evident logical and emotional appeals and reasoning.
In the article, Kwame uses four supporting points to provide a solid backup to his primary argument revolving around the question, “What were people thinking?” In doing so, he brings to the present some of the past practices that were socially acceptable that are no longer practiced in the current generation. From the past, he moves to the present activities, which form the basis of his argument. He discusses the four contenders for future moral condemnation. The first point h discusses regards the US prison system, which he feels is “a waste of time.” He utilizes actualities and precedents to make his strong argument against the detainment facilities. Secondly, he argues against industrial meat production, a practice that he deems cruel and lacks moral justification. Next, he addresses the issue of institutionalization of the elderly and their isolation in the nursing homes. Here, he possesses a question; “Is this what Western modernity amounts to — societies that feel no filial obligations to their inconvenient elders? Clearly, there is no form of justification for this and hence the reason why the current generation cannot evade being questioned sometime in the future. Finally, he talks about the issue of overwhelming destruction we have made to the environment. With our descendants set to inherit the already devastated earth or environment, it is apparent that there is no moral justification for our practices.
Kwame’s use of logos to appeal to his readers is something that cannot go unnoticed. Primarily, the author uses logical reasoning to convince his intended audience. In doing so, he makes extensive use of facts and numbers. For instance, while addressing the adverse impacts of industrial meat production, Kwame states that “Of more than 90 million cattle in our country, at least 10 million at any time are packed into feedlots.” This is statistical evidence. As a fact, the author highlights that “Roughly 3 percent of adults in this country are incarcerated. We have 4 percent of the world’s population but 25 percent of its prisoners.” This is a fact. Noteworthy, by using statistical evidence, Kwame establishes credibility as the author and hence manages to convince the readers.
Besides logos, Kwame uses pathos (emotional appeal) to persuade or convince his readers. In various instances, he seeks to bring the readers’ attention to the adverse impacts of the current generation’s practices. As a result, he evokes feelings and emotions. Notably, he considers the 2003 heatwave in France. Here, he evokes sadness and pity by stating that “While many families were enjoying their summer vacations, some 14,000 elderly parents and grandparents were left to perish in the stifling temperatures.” Among other instances, the author uses pathos to persuade the readers to look at the issues under discussion from an emotional point of view.
Conclusively, from getting the readers to be on the same page to informing and persuading the audience, it is evident the author has made effective use of both emotional and logical appeals. His extensive use and coordination of pathos, logos, and even ethos have helped in considering the issues of discussion and worry for the future, without scrutinizing the author’s credibility and character.