Question

This assignment is about the article “I’m not a racist but…” by Neil Bissoondath. The article is available on ecentennial under ereserve. You may also wish to refer to readings on ecentennial under ‘class 1’ and ‘class 2.’

Part 1: Context. /6

1. What is Bissoondath’s purpose in writing this article? Support your answer with at least two reasons. You can refer to table 1.1: A Spectrum of Purposes in our week 1 reading (available on ecentennial under <content> <cl---ass one>).

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2. What is the genre of this piece? How do you know?

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3. Who is the intended audience? How do you know?

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Part 2: Modes. /2

Bissoondath uses blended modes in his essay “I’m not a racist but…”   Mention ONE mode that he uses and give an example .

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Part 3: /3

Refer to your literary devices list (on ecentennial under <content> <class 2>) and answer the questions below:

1. What literary device does Bissoondath use in his ‘hook,’ when he says “Someone recently said that racism is as Canadian as maple syrup.” (1 word answer - 1 mark) ______________________________

2. Choose 2 literary devices from your list and find examples from the reading. Identify these sentences using “quotation marks.” (1 mark each)

a.) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b.) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Part 4: Reading for Understanding /4

Highlight the best answer. (1 mark each)

1. According to Bissoondath, true racism is caused by:

a.) the media

b.) family influences

c.) willful ignorance and acceptance of stereotypes

d.) use of stereotypes

2. “I’m not a racist but…” is a phrase usually used by:

a.) racists

b.) bigots

c.) people with a lack of experience

d.) people who are willfully ignorant about stereotypes

3. According to Bissoondath, multiculturalism:

a.) indulges in stereotype

b.) is only in Canada

c.) is great

d.) discounts personal experience

4. Bissoondath’s main idea is:

a.) We must be careful about how we use the word racism

b.) Racism is an international problem

c.) We have to be conscious of our own responses to racism

d.) Racism is an individual problem

Answer 1

Part 1

1) i am not racist but... is about : in my opinion, the essay focuses on the dangers of ignorance pertaining to racism in Canada. There are many people that have misconceptions about different cultures which leads to stereotyping and generalization. Bissoondath touches upon the reasons why people are perceived as racist even though their intentions are not to hurt anyone.

2) Neil Bissoondath introduces his piece by stating that racism and stereotyping is not prominent in just one location, it is exercised all over the world. He also mentions how people resort to insulting others in the heat of the moment, based on their obvious physical qualities. This analyse is quite accurate, as it is a commonality exercised in human verbal conflict.

3) Bissoondath is a visible minority and he says that racism is international which i totally agree with Bissoondath uses a first person point of view for this piece and i believe his intended audience is for everyone. But more focused on the younger teenage population to get a message across to them.