The Swoosh

        Recently I attended a swim meet at Ohio State University. The natatorium was everything and more. It had great seating, a crisp, clean 50 meter pool and a large rectangular diving well. The whole facility provided the perfect atmosphere for one to swim fast--really fast. Throughout my life, I have visited hundreds of pools, from state-of-the-art outdoor 50 meter pools with 20 lanes, to indoor 25 yard pools that were much less extravagant, containing only 6 lanes.
      It is fair to say that I have witnessed many different kinds of pools each with its unique feel. So, when I stepped onto the pool deck at Ohio State, although I was slightly taken aback by its enormity and its contemporary feel, I expected the facility to be just another nice natatorium. Yet, as I looked around for the first time, something struck me- something I had never before seen on a pool deck in all of my traveling. On each wall there was a thin banner. On this red banner, written in white letters were the number of national champions, national titles, Big Ten champions, and team titles. This banner surrounded the lower level of the natatorium so everyone could see. The men’s accomplishments were on one wall, and the women’s on the other.
       As I examined the banner, I noticed that directly in the middle of the banner was a Nike Swoosh. The list of accomplishments was very impressive, and no one could deny the success of the Ohio State swim team, but the Nike Swoosh said it all. The banner didn’t have to say “Nike” for one to understand the message, nor did it there have to be a long, complicated advertisement; all that was needed was the Swoosh. I think that this is very powerful because it shows the influence Nike’s marketing campaign has had, especially in collegiate athletics. It was as if all of Ohio achievements were a result of Nike, all of the dreams that have come true for the Buckeyes would not have been possible without Nike. This showed the impact that Nike has had, and how rhetoric, whether you are aware of it or not, is always present, even at a swim meet.

                                                                                                             

Black History Month

     On Monday I attended the Black Wax Museum Program, an event part of NAACP Week. This event was a great way to observe both rhetoric and civil discourse at work. Students acted as wax figures of prominent African Americans, and with each blink they immediately came to life. The actors then provided the audience with a short autobiography and a fun or obscure fact about themselves. This allowed the audience members to interact and become engaged in the tour. Each audience member was able to learn more about African Americans who have contributed to society in positive ways. The theme of From Slavery To Freedom: Africans in the Americas gave the audience a way to celebrate African American culture and also learn something new. The actors told their stories through the use of skits and monologues. The actors were able to bring to life historical events and shed a little more light on just how much society has changed over the years. Through the skits and dialogues the members of the audience were able to engage in an interactive experience that brought past events to life. The skits made the event entertaining and somewhat spontaneous. One never really knew what to expect.  
      The audience was able to understand the hardship, the struggle, and the challenges they faced living in a society where they were treated as second-class citizens. The way the stories that were told, the way information was conveyed contributed to the mood of the event and really made the audience think about the past, the present, and the future. This event provided the perfect opportunity to learn a little more about our nation’s history and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans. Through the use of the spoken word each member was able to connect a little more with those who have made a difference.

Winning the Future

      Recently, President Obama spoke to the Penn State community about energy conservation and technological advances being made. It’s true that people are becoming more and more aware of the need to “go green”, and President Obama’s speech was very fitting. In his speech he took advantage of both kairos and exigency. He was able to discuss an issue that calls people to action and did so under the right circumstances. He took heed of his audience and understood the importance of word choice. His delivery, his style, and his tone all contributed to a speech that made one actually want to listen.
     Because President Obama was speaking on a college campus, it was important that he understand his audience and how to connect with them. By assessing the situation, he was able to deliver a speech that was worthwhile and pertinent. He discussed the importance of fostering the construction of energy efficient buildings, as well as investing in research that will aid in discovering new ways to conserve energy. He stressed how this investment will lead to new jobs and contribute to a better economy.
      Although important topics were discussed within President Obama’s speech, it was truly his use of rhetorical devices that made his speech so poignant. He clearly assessed the rhetorical situation and was able to step into a kairotic moment and left the audience with an important message. President Obama covered many areas, but most importantly he endorsed change. He challenged the audience to take advantage of new resarech opportunities, to understand the importance of saving our environment, and what it would really mean if we all “go green.” He asked the audience to think about the future, to invest in it. By building off of his theme of “Winning the Future”, President Obama spoke of an issue essential in today’s political arena and used a plethora of rhetorical devices that really allowed him to drive his point home.

Be Mine?

http://www.zshare.net/audio/860404777937e5ff/

A Masterpiece

     Recently I attended an event in which the spoken word was celebrated. There were passionate speeches, entertaining stories, and uplifting poems. Although many of the stories spoke to me, and I could relate to many of the speakers, one poet really stood out.

     Not a sound could be heard except the sharp clicking of his shoes on the wooden floor as he took his place in front of the audience. When he took the stage, the room grew quiet. Everyone was silent, anticipating what was to come. As he began his poem, I could feel his intensity, his passion. He spoke of the inequalities he had experienced, his identity, and societal issues. Even though his poem was personal, his message was received loud and clear.With each word, I could feel the rhythm and the rhyme working simultaneously to create an experience the audience would not soon forget. He started off slowly, enunciating each word. But as he continued, his pace quickened. Each word grew more urgent than the one before. As he grew more powerful, I could feel the tension rising. Suddenly, a man appeared behind him. He was dressed in baggy jeans, a plain grey t-shirt, and clean white sneakers. The poet kept speaking with even more conviction. The man in the grey t-shirt slowly started to act out the poet’s words.  The poet’s rhythm began to change. The words started flowing, creating a beat of their own. As the poet continued, the man in the background began to dance. The words, the beat, the rhythm, the tone all matched perfectly. The simple poem became a rap in which the dancer could also express himself. No music was needed. No speakers were used. And yet, these two men on stage were able to engage the audience in an art performance like no other.  








This is an example of the poetry and rhythm discussed. It is a poem by Talib Kweli presented on the show Def Poetry Jam.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGvZ9aXg5Xs

Black History Month

        Communication is essential to everyday life. Therefore, rhetoric is essential to everyday life. We use rhetoric to make decisions, solve problems, and discuss issues. If we pay attention, we will be able to understand and analyze information that is presented to us.
       Recently I was afforded the opportunity to attend the 36^th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet. Dr. King was an extraordinary man. He fought for equality and justice, and held his head high during times of adversity. Dr. King was a man who was able to use his voice to speak for those who suffered from prejudice and inequality. It is a commonplace in American discourse that all men are created equal, yet African Americans were treated as second-class citizens. Martin Luther King Jr. recognized this and was able to initiate social change through the power of words.  At the banquet, we were able to reflect upon Dr. King’s teachings and listen to some of his speeches. Dr. King clearly understood the meaning of delivery, the importance of tone, and how to connect to the audience. Because of this, he was able to leave a legacy that still lives today.
        Throughout the night many awards were accepted and speeches were given. The speeches were delivered with clarity and poise. Each speaker had his own style and was able to convey his message effectively. However, although all of the speeches were unique and insightful, the speech given by Dr. Vernis Welmon stood out among all the others. His speech captured the attention of the audience, drew upon our emotions, and he conversed rather than preached. Dr. Welmon stressed the importance of community. He spoke about the ideology we share as members of the African American community and how we still embrace Dr. King’s teachings to this day. As I listened to Dr. Welmon, I was able to feel his passion, energy, and excitement about various issues. He was able to connect with his audience, and that is what made his message so powerful.
        Attending the Memorial Banquet brought about a feeling of strength and a sense of community. By recalling what Dr. King stood for and remembering his achievements, I was overwhelmed with a sense of duty to give back to the community. At the banquet many were honored for their roles in helping others. With each speech, each dance, and each commemoration, I was able to feel part of a community that understood the importance of tradition, respect, and love. Attending this banquet made me proud of Dr. King’s work and honored to be a member of a community that listens to Dr. King’s messages to this day.