Resistance Argument Essay

Choose a problem related to the -ism or -phobia you researched and wrote about for your Website project. This can be something you learned about in your research, a scenario you’ve experienced yourself, or a problem suggested below.

Write a well-organized argument essay to explain which form of resistance - art, organization, or legislation - would be the most effective to help solve the problem.

In your essay, be sure to:

• Introduce your argument in an introductory paragraph that describes the problem, explains what type of oppression (the 4 I’s) the problem is, and includes a clear claim that offers a specific solution as a form of resistance (art, organization, or legislation).

• Develop your argument with logical reasons and relevant evidence in body paragraphs that support your claim.

• Conclude your argument in a concluding paragraph that restates your claim, summarizes the main ideas of your body paragraphs, and provides a final thought/big idea.

Suggested problems/scenarios to use:

• Transphobia: states are creating laws that make gender affirming care illegal

• Homophobia: parents are pushing for book bans that target LGBTQ+ books

• Racism: racial slurs are continually used by students at school

• Xenophobia: the U.S. government has a “remain in Mexico” policy that requires those seeking asylum to stay in Mexico while waiting for their asylum trial

• Fatphobia: fat people are characterized as lazy or as a joke in tv shows and movies

• Classism: the cost of living continues to increase faster than wages leading to homelessness and housing insecurity

• Ageism: students are often ignored or not consulted when it comes to making rules and guidelines for school because students are considered too young or immature to contribute anything meaningful

• Sexism: women, on average, are paid less than men for the same job

• Ableism: people often say that audiobooks do not count as “real books”