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”