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Barbara Lopaciuk
April 30, 2015
Final Project
Dr. Rounsaville
ENC 3521
A Critique of the Mind, Body, and Spirit
Difference is diversity. An assortment of perspectives, experiences,
knowledge, and principles, which all has been derived from various cultures;
culture defines difference. In my perspective, ones understanding of
difference is defined by their cultural background. My aim is to take the
viewer (you) on a journey through the experience of a rhetor (me) that
communicates across difference while utilizing the method invitational
rhetoric by creating a safe place for discussion.
Invitational rhetoric is an invitation to understanding as a means to create a relationship
rooted in equality, immanent value, and self-determination (Foss and Griffin). Being
compassionate when communicating across an array of audiences is a key element to recognize.
As a rhetor, when communicating with another human I strive to present what I would like to
receive. I present empathy, respect, and honor - three principles that keep my life aligned, more
importantly some values that keep the conversations I involve myself in aligned no matter what
the opposing differences are.
By presenting what I would like to have returned I am creating a safe place. The safe place
is an area that I have purposefully set up for the length of the conversation. It is a zone, in which
one may share their way of thinking without feeling judged or ridiculed. The safe place is an

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environment intentionally created for one to feel vulnerable or accepted, if they wish to feel
those feelings. This atmosphere is created based off my mind, body, and spirit. I strongly believe
in this equation: A positive mind, plus positive vibes, equals a positive life. What you think you
become, what your body language reveals depicts what others think of you, and whom you
surround yourself with is a chain reaction that affects your emotional ambiance.
As a rhetor that strives to become a lobbyist advocating for womens rights I must
understand feminism. It is essential that I have knowledge in regards to the methods that help
feminists understand the differences between women. Feminists use a method named
intersectionality when understanding the intersections between forms or systems of oppression,
domination, or discrimination. This study of a womans race, gender, and class creates the safe
place for discussion.
A woman who is white, straight, and from a lower social class will not experience
occurrences women encounter together in comparison to a woman who is black, lesbian, and
from a higher social class. Each of these facets about a woman helps one understand the level of
difference each woman combats. So, as a feminist I can create a zone, in which a woman may
feel comfortable and respected when discussing differences due to intersectionality.
Now from a personal perspective I think about how intersectionality has affected myself.
Thinking back to high school I was extremely active in sports growing up, so I didnt have my
first menstrual period until I was fifteen almost turning sixteen. Prior to that moment I was under
developed, and didnt look as pretty when compared to girls in my grade with wider hips and
larger breasts. Well the whole world spun around in a complete opposite direction once I finally
was becoming a woman. My hips got wider, I started developing breasts, and ultimately I didnt
look like a young girl any longer.

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My fellow peers, like most young adults at that age began to talk about me. They noticed
the difference in the way I looked physically, but then I started to notice stares and whispers. At
first I thought, what the hell are they looking at and as always I went about my own business
attended classes and played sports everyday after school. Finally, one day a boy approached me
at school and he said, youre pretty now, how come you dont dress like it? At that moment I
was stunned I didnt know what to think or even say in return to this blunt young boy. I literally
stared at him, said not one word, and continued walking right past him. I didnt tell anyone what
the boy said to me instead I continually thought for the rest of that day what he meant. Then it
occurred to me that I was girl and my gender is female and so I was supposed to dress like a
girl according to the blunt young boy. I was a girl yes, but one who had interests that fell
outside what was typical for a girl to be like. I did not enjoy doing girly things; especially
worrying about the way I dressed at the time. I did not know to be considered pretty I had to
dress a specific way to validate that aspect about myself. I was in the maturing stage of my life,
physically and emotionally, and ultimately I was comfortable with my ambitions and especially
with the way I dressed. No I didnt dress like a typical boy, but I did wear soccer shorts and Tshirts to school constantly. I never viewed school like a fashion show sure I noticed other girls
dressing nicer at school, but I never thought I had to conform to their ways just to make me
prettier in the perspective of a boy or even girl.
Then, thats when it hit me was I dressing the way I was because that was what I liked or
did I dress that way because that was all I knew and even had. My family wasnt wealthy
growing up; we were considered below middle class. All of my clothes were my brothers old tshirts and soccer shorts.

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Through the lens of a feminist one would utilize the method intersectionality in order to
better understand the comment that was said to me by the blunt young boy and/or why I felt the
way I did after I experienced that moment. Today as a rhetor and a feminist I would of swayed
the conversation with the blunt young boy in a different direction. I would create an
environment, in which both parties felt happy and valued when communicating across
difference. I would of replied to the blunt young boy by saying I understand what youre saying
and why, but have you ever thought of this...? I would create a zone where our opposing views
were recognized and understood, but would remain empathetic of one anothers opinions hoping
to expand the mindsets of each other.
I was gender nonconforming, not by choice, but because my families culture outlined
myself, which defined why I was considered different in comparison to other girls in school. If a
safe environment was created during that shady day in high school my feelings could have been
altered. Difference is defined by our cultural backgrounds and by creating a safe zone
purposefully we can actively understand one anothers opposing views when communicating
across difference from a rhetoric or feminist standpoint.
Understanding the purpose of a safe zone and how it aids when communicating across
difference due to cultural variances led me to understand that I was flawed in others eyes then,
but to me I was extraordinary.

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