Blair A.

Peters
Project 2: Rhetorical Analysis
10/30/14

Classroom Discrimination
Colleges and universities are open to physical diversity, with the intentions of
educating all. A classroom is ideally informative and welcoming to all students.
According to National Campaign student Meghan Waters The Educated Citizen
article, the image created by colleges and universities is not completely upheld. The
author clearly describes and delivers the contradictions in higher education.
Waters provides personal testimony by referencing her own school, The
University of Louisville. She also reassures her audience with scientific evidences
obtained from political science surveys distributed nationwide seeking feedback on
instructors. The results contribute to the information that defines the level of
importance the issue carries. For individuals classified as minority, the article Waters
has produced will easily grasp their attention. The Educated Citizen is significant for
all readers because it has been provided to the world by an individual classified as
majority. This ironic fact displays the passion of Waters and makes her article a
creditable source for this issue.
In this article Waters begins by providing the audience with the goals of her
research. This information is followed by the contradictory statements produced by
universities and the dissection of their meanings. This method is extremely effective

Blair A. Peters
Project 2: Rhetorical Analysis
10/30/14
because it provides the hidden activities that occur on the professors behalf, just as they
occur inside the classroom setting.
The University of Louisville, for example, strives to foster and maintain an environment
of inclusiveness that empowers us all to achieve our highest potential without fear of
prejudice or bias. The university expects every student and faculty member to respect
our many differences including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, age, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, national origin or military
status (Waters).

Discrimination in classrooms does occur and intellectual biases are often ignored. This
information was obtained by Waters and is published in her article. Unfortunately, the
student is now robbed of their full potential and the environment is no longer
empowering. The university promises each student the same treatment but does not
provide each student with the initial promise. Not only do colleges and universities
ignore classroom discrimination, but they do not recognize or act on this issue. Waters
describes the feelings of students well by summarizing the many stories she has read
from victims of classroom discrimination that fear retribution based on intellectual
diversity.
The purpose of Waters article is defined by classroom discrimination. The reason
for her research is to appeal to all readers. In order to protect their grades, these
students refuse to speak up in class if their ideas are contrary to those of the professor
(Waters). This key point has ultimately driven the research that is now implemented

Blair A. Peters
Project 2: Rhetorical Analysis
10/30/14
through political science surveys distributed to colleges and universities. This
information obtained by Meghan Waters is also affiliated with the students at Harvard
University. So far the University of Colorado has republished their university statement.
The Universitys anti-discrimination statement now reads: The University of Colorado
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability,
creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or veteran status,
political affiliation, or political philosophy in admission and access to, and treatment and
employment in, its educational programs and activities."

The university has now achieved the goal of assuring students of alleviation of classroom
discrimination.
The work produced by Waters is within the genre classification of an article. Her
article is specified to political science. Her tone is serious and greatly concerned. She is
significantly informative to her audience. She also provides her audience with the life
skill whats done in the dark will come to light. Waters strategically provides light to
aspects of the higher education experience that have been ignored. She compares
universities in a great way. This method of comparing and contrasting the differences in
statements directly correlates the issue to the life of a college student.
The issue is relevant and the encounters are real. Waters exercises her personal
opinion which clearly displays her passion behind the topic. For this reason she is able
to establish a genuine connection with her audience. This is possible because she
appeals through emotion that is easy to relate to from either side of the issue. She uses

Blair A. Peters
Project 2: Rhetorical Analysis
10/30/14
specific adjectives to describe the situation so you actually feel something. Whether it is
a victim or a witness in the classroom discrimination acts Meghan Waters makes it clear
it is wrong.
To conclude the rhetorical analysis of the article produced by National Campaign
student Meghan Waters, the work she has provided readers with is strong and
informative. Everyone can significantly benefit and contribute to eliminating classroom
discrimination. Hidden incidents do not just go away they must be acted upon. Meghan
Waters has taken an enormous initiative in eliminating the disrespectful acts of
discrimination occurring within the college environment. Factors that determine the
success of certain students targeted by individuals is something she does not believe in.
Professors and instructors fulfill the role of a professional and the university should
make sure their faculty is correctly doing their job. According to Waters the statements
of colleges and universities produce are breaking promises nationwide. Her article
definitely provides readers with all aspects of the issue affectively.