Leonard Pitts Jr.: Sen. Bill Cassidy still doesn’t know what hit him

Leonard Pitts Jr. concludes this column:

Language — spoken language especially — has a way of making naked the implicit biases and unspoken assumptions of its users. That’s what happened here.

In a few poorly considered words, Cassidy managed to otherize women he says he means to support. Small wonder race is frequently an argument, but seldom a conversation. What’s most frustrating here, you see, is not that the senator gave offense.

It’s that he has no idea why.

https://triblive.com/opinion/leonard-pitts-jr-sen-bill-cassidy-still-doesnt-know-what-hit-him/

Persuasive Writing Strategies and Tips, with Examples | Grammarly Blog

Matt Ellis writes at Grammarly:

"Aside from standard writing skills, a persuasive essay author can also draw on personal experience, logical arguments, an appeal to emotion, and compelling speech to influence readers.

"Persuasive writing relies on different techniques and strategies than other written works: In a persuasive essay, it’s not enough to simply inform; you also have to convince the reader that your way of thinking is best. 

"So to help you get started, this guide explains all the basics and provides persuasive writing examples. ..."

More at the link below:

Persuasive Writing Strategies and Tips, with Examples | Grammarly Blog

Before you rage against critical race theory, it might be helpful to know what it is

Marcus Harrison Green writes in The Seattle Times​:

"For the record, critical race theory originated as a field of academic study from 1970s legal scholarship, led by Derrick Bell, that described how racism influences the gears of our nation’s legal, education, health care, and other social systems. 

"The theoretical framework is most often encountered in the halls of higher education, and — fun fact — can count both Mexican and Asian Americans as founders. 

"What it is not, on its own, is the embrace and implementation of a culturally inclusive, responsive and adaptive curriculum. 

"That would be found in things like expanded ethnic studies courses, and diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings such as those required of all Washington state school district staff by Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5044, signed into law in April. 

"I can see why detractors in the five states with laws already on the books banning CRT in public schools — or in the 36 states that have either moved or are moving in that direction — could be confused. Inclusive education, cultural competency, non-Eurocentric education — all sound like euphemisms for 'anti-white racism' to the willfully incurious, I suppose. ..."

Continued at the link below:

Before you rage against critical race theory, it might be helpful to know what it is | The Seattle Times

The Language of Anti-Racism | YES! Magazine

"Whether you’re a seasoned racial justice activist in the front lines of every protest or someone who’s in the beginning steps of racial literacy, we can all take time to evaluate the terminology we use when talking about race. 

"In Stay Woke: A People’s Guide to Making All Black Lives Matter, authors Candis Watts Smith, an associate professor at Penn State University, and Tehama Lopez Bunyasi, an assistant professor at George Mason University, provide a glossary of racial justice terms to help advocates understand the double edge some of these words can present.

"Watts Smith said the inspiration for the glossary came from her own students. She noticed two groups of students in her classes. Those wanting not to be racist, but lacking the knowledge to take steps in the right direction, and those she referred to as 'woker than thou.' These were students who knew the lingo, but weren’t necessarily using words in a nuanced way. ...

"Here are some of the words listed in their glossary. These words fall under categories of tools of liberation—words that enhance the lives of others—and tools of oppression—ideas used to exploit or shame people based on race. 

"No matter what level racial justice advocate you are, Watts Smith and Lopez Bunyasi say education is vital when staying woke. ..."

Continued at the link below:

The Language of Anti-Racism | YES! Magazine

To folks who happen into this blog from wherever they may be on the web ...

As you'll likely notice, I do not update my blog very frequently. The last post was in May 2021. That could change in 2022, as I ponder how I can make use of this existing space to express my thoughts and opinions about writing and other topics. 

You may also notice that past links in this blog to my website, Garbl's Writing Center, haven't worked for at least a year.

But my website is working now. In fact, it's been working since November 2021, when I migrated the entire site to a new location. I also gave it a new domain name: garblwriting.com. 

In making those changes, I had hoped to update its old-fashioned appearance. But to be honest, I realized after much research, trial, and error that doing that would take too much time and effort. Since I manage this website as a free service in my retirement, I also decided that it works well enough in most cases. 

Still, I will update Garbl's Editorial Style and Usage Manual occasionally with new or revised advice.  And I may finally get around to updating Garbl's Writing Bookshelf. 

I don't have plans to modify two other resources in Garbl's Writing Center, but that could change:

• Garbl's Plain English Writing Guide
• Garbl's Concise Writing Guide.  

Future blog posts could link to items and sections of Garbl's Writing Center, as past posts also did occasionally. I don't plan to fix bad links to my old website location in past blog posts.

You can learn more about each writing resource at the home page for Garbl's Writing Center and on the home page of each resource.

I hope you find my writing website useful, bookmark your favorite pages in your web browser, link to it from your website, and tell your family, friends, colleagues, students, and fellow writers about it.

I try to make sure all the hyperlinks on this website are up-to-date, but if you find a broken link, please let me know. Also, whatever their acclaim and position, all writers need editors. I don't have one for Garbl's Writing Center, so if you spot a typo, unclear message, or possible error, please tell me.

Thanks!

Gary B. Larson
Port Townsend, Washington