When people decide to have children, they never expect to be the few parents whose children are born with differences from their own. These differences can be a disability, sexual identity, or even their ability. What happens when these parents end up having children who are different from them? Andrew Solomon, who “is a writer and professor of politics, culture, and psychology, as well as a professor of clinical psychology at Columbia University,” decided to research these “parents who not only learn to deal with their exceptional children, but also find a profound meaning in doing SO." He discusses his research and time spent studying the topic, about parents with children who have differences from them. This verifies to the audience that he is knowledgeable about the topic he is discussing. He also discusses as he writes for the NY Times, which also tests his credibility with the public. Using neo-Aristotelian criticism I will examine Andrew Solomon's use of rhetoric to persuade those to love others because of their differences, "I will determine whether or not this goal was achieved or what happened as a result of the rhetoric". . Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get Original Essay Growing up, Andrew Solomon had to face the fact that his mother loved him because of his difference. Solomon's speech was aimed at those who struggle to love and accept others who differ from them. Growing up with identity differences from his parents is what drove Andrew Solomon to research the argument that we must love and accept people because of their differences. Solomon began researching this topic after writing an article for the NY Times about the deaf community. Through this he learned how people with disabilities learn to have an identity with their disability. This is called “Disability identity refers to possessing a positive sense of self and feelings of connection or solidarity with the disability community.” This identity surprised Solomon, because he did not realize that “this phrase refers to the affirmation – rather than the denial – of one's reality as a person with a disability and the incorporation of this group membership into one's identity.” Through this disability identity research Solomon was exposed to how parents love their children who have these differences from them. He uses specific examples from his own life and other families he has studied to reach his conclusion. There are two aspects of the thesis that Andrew Solomon is trying to justify. There are those who believe that we should love people because of their differences, and there are those who still see the differences between people as a reason not to love them. Throughout our history, we have become increasingly accepting of others and their differences. However, we are in a moment in history where “even as a majority of Americans are embracing the country's increasingly diverse demographics, a vocal minority is resisting change with every weapon at its disposal.” Andrew Solomon argues that we must love our children because of their differences. The reason there is a backlash to this topic is because people think it would be easier to love their children if they had no differences. Their children are placed outside of what is considered normal. We don't need to want to be outside of the norm even if we claim to embrace diversity. Solomon argues that we must love people because of their differences. To support his central argument Solomon uses both evidence.
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