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Quianna Canada's Portfolio ENGL 109H SPRING SEMESTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Introduction
  2. Major Writing Assignments
  3. Self-Assessment
  4. The Readings
  5. In-class Assignments
  6. Process

1.

Taking English 109H was an introspective process that I believed helped me grow as a writer. The growth that I achieved while participating in this course has, no doubt, impacted me on a cellular level. Immersing oneself in writing has several benefits. First, writing helps one communicate their inner most thoughts to a wider audience. Second, writing is cathartic and therapeutic. Third, writing is the seed one plants in the soil to achieve credibility. When viewed in its totality, the communication of one's thoughts, the cathartic and therapeutic process, and the branches of credibility really go into the legacy we, as writers, will leave.

2.

The Rhetorical Analysis was a worthwhile assignment, in that, it was an opportunity to identify the proponent's arguments and to explain to my readers how the proponent chose to present their argument. It was also a significant opportunity to evaluate an entire argument.

While on this journey, I had the opportunity to analyze the sea of themes. Yes, there was some disagreement on whether the following question is a theme: Who is really a victim through the lens of Society? However, I really felt the Poetic Injustice of the Non-Ideal Victim explored how and why trans and non-binary persons become victims. I also felt the Poetic Injustice of the Non-Ideal Victim placed the author's message into the sphere of radical victimology. This is important for several reasons, which you can read in the article. When I reflect back on the assignments I have taken, I think the Rhetorical Analysis was my favorite, as it allowed me to analyze the theme of victimization and to journey into what makes an individual a Non-Ideal Victim.

The Genre Synthesis also made it possible for me to write critically on the question of "Who is Refugee?" as defined in international and refugee law. I felt there was a consistent theme across the four pieces analyzed. This critical reflection gave me a new perspective on the Black American experience and how our human rights are disregarded nationally and globally.

3.

The Self-assessment writing pieces got me through the day. They are logical, emotional, analytical, thought-provoking, compelling—and at times—random and fun. Each piece allowed me to escape the harangue of the many acts of persecution that I experienced in the last three years. For example, the piece “I Want Out” explores toxicity in its purest form and delves into the marriage a citizen has with their country. An important aspect of this problem is that many people want out of their relational contract with their country, just as people want out of a marriage. "I Want Out" shows readers how our countries can act like toxic romantic partners, keeping us shackled into a relationship that no longer serves us. “Why the Biden Administration’s New Executive Action Won’t Reduce Gun Violence” really hits home for me as gun-control advocate. Nearly a year ago, I wrote an article titled "Bullets of Terror: Staring Down the Second Amendment’s Barrel of Death," where I argued stricter background checks is a redundant solution proposed by our political leaders. I also showed how most mass-shooters were not previously incarcerated individuals with criminal records. One striking fact is: since the publication of that article, several individuals with no criminal record have engaged in mass-shootings in the United States. This uncomfortable truth tells me that I am on the right path in my analysis regarding gun violence in the United States of America.

My writings have been consistently scrutinized by authority figures. While the tone of some of my writings seem angry and confrontational, I can assure the readers, it is not meant to be. These writings are simply the art of Speaking Truth to Power. When a human rights defender speaks truth to power, especially in their writings, they will be seen as a threat to individuals in positions of power. I also notice that while on this journey, I seem to write a lot about power imbalances. My focus on this area is not that individuals in positions of power should relinquish it. My argument is that governments should exercise power with care. For instance, “The Steel Sword of American Exceptionalism" reveals how powerful authority figures can get in the way of an individual's interest. Yes, this piece was a major critique of the United States' leadership. But it also shows how the United States and its colluders engage in some of the same human rights violations it has accused other nations of doing. Despite this frightening fact, I feel this piece gave me the opportunity to incorporate the teaching of the tarot, a spiritual past-time I really enjoy.

4.

This course offered some thought-provoking and compelling reading sources. For example, “Black Men in Public Space" certainly hits home for many Black Americans like myself, as it speaks of how Black Americans are stereotyped, unfairly ridiculed and judged in the United States. “On Dumpster Diving” was another mind-blowing piece, as it explores the world of scavenging through an alternate lens. “What is Poverty” is another thought-provoking piece that reflects a large percentage of the United States’ homeless population. This piece taps into the five senses of the homeless, making homelessness in the United States up close and personal for the reader. While homelessness for the author in "On Dumpster Diving" was an adventure, I feel the experience of most homeless people in the United States is closely aligned to "What is Poverty." In international law, housing is a human right. As per the United Nations, the obligation to fulfil requires States, like the United States, to adopt appropriate legislative, administrative, budgetary, judicial, promotional and other measures to fully realize the right to adequate housing for its citizens. Reading these pieces reminded me of the significant changes that needs to be implemented in the United States.

Texas

"Housing is a human right in international and human rights law, yet thousands of citizens are rendered homeless in Texas." - Quianna Canada

Photo Courtesy: Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon/ KUT

LOS ANGELES

As per the United Nations, the obligation to fulfil requires States, like the United States, to adopt appropriate legislative, administrative, budgetary, judicial, promotional and other measures to fully realize the right to adequate housing for its citizens.

Photo Courtesy: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

NEW YORK

"Homelessness is up close and personal for the reader in the United States." - Quianna Canada

Photo Courtesy: Anadolu Agency, Getty Images

5.

When I think of the In-class Assignments, my mind travels to the Voice Threads. These were my least favorite. It was not the content that I disliked or the prompt questions, it was the Voice Thread platform. After using the platform, I get the sense that it was designed for other creative tasks. Hence, the use of the voice. Be that as it may, I really enjoyed the Visual Rhetoric II prompt. What I enjoyed most about this particular assignment were the images, as they seem to tell a story all by themselves. But without a clear story or statement, most images lose their power, though not always. To put it another way, images are open to interpretation. Many images are photoshopped by professionals that seek to tell a story, which might not always be accurate. As a result, these images can, and often, serve to distort reality. Indeed, people often make decisions on heuristics factors, such as mugshots or images, which do not tell the complete story. In the final analysis, I must say that my enrollment in this informative class was an amazing journey!

Be the change

"Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world." -- Nelson Mandela

Photo Courtesy: Maria Thalassinou

6.

Process

Overall, this was an amazing process that put a microscope on the specific areas that I should be improving as a writer. Dr. Peter Figler, like most of my professors at the University of Arizona and Munster Technological University, are extraordinary mentors. It cannot be denied that the writing process is not an easy process. It takes a lot of time and patience to construct a masterpiece. Working with a new writing style, such as MLA, can be challenging too, given the many rules that are involved. But I think these rules are important for the audiences we intend to reach. If you take the time to see it for what it truly is, the writing process reveals itself as one of the most beautiful art forms in the world. As a writer, I am honored that I get to experience it!

References & Credits

Anadolu Agency. “Homeless in New York.” Getty Images. Accessed 4 May 2023.

Canada, Quianna. “The Kreeseism of Contemporary Democracy.” Journey to the Center, 19 Apr. 2023, https://quiannacanada.com/the-kreeseism-of-contemporary-democracy/.

Canada, Quianna. “The Poetic Injustice of the Non-Ideal Victim .” Journey to the Center, 18 Mar. 2023, https://quiannacanada.com/the-poetic-injustice-of-the-non-ideal-victim/.

Canada, Quianna. “Why the Biden Administration's New Executive Action Won't Reduce Gun Violence.” Journey to the Center, 23 Mar. 2023, https://quiannacanada.com/why-the-biden-administrations-new-executive-action-wont-reduce-gun-violence/.

Canada, Quianna. “Review of Brent Staples' Black Men in Public Space.” Journey to the Center, 4 Feb. 2023, https://quiannacanada.com/review-of-brent-staples-black-men-in-public-space/.

Canada, Quianna. “Bullets of Terror: Staring Down the Second Amendment's Barrel of Death.” SSRN, 14 June 2022, https://ssrn.com/abstract=4124710.

Jennings, John. “Something for Everyone.” Beautiful Free Images; Pictures, 30 Oct. 2017, https://unsplash.com/photos/fg7J6NnebBc.

Sanhueza-Lyon, Jorge. “Homeless People Outside Arch.” KUT. Accessed 4 May 2023.

Sinco , Luis. “Homeless Camp in Los Angeles.” Los Angeles Times. Accessed 4 May 2023.

Thalassinou, Maria. “‘Be the Change.’” Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/D1E7W9AHE40. Accessed 4 May 2023.

The Justice Department. “Five Charged Variously with Stalking, Harassing and Spying on U.S. Residents on Behalf of the PRC.” YouTube, 16 Mar. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkaUeg2SS0Q.

UNHCR. The Right to Adequate Housing. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Publications/FS21_rev_1_Housing_en.pdf.

Created By
Quianna Canada
Appreciate

Credits:

Courtesy of John Jennings