Cynthia Selfe Narrative #2

Group#2
Sheila, Christian, Andrea, Victor, Martin, and Ellie
Narrative #2 “Land of Equal Opportunity” and “Land of Difference”

What is the popular narrative? Name and explain it.
-Selfe’s evidence for it
The popular narrative is the land of equal opportunity and the idea that it is available to all that want it regardless of race, color, creed or class. This land of equal opportunity is founded on the concepts of hard work and fair play. This land is available for all people that are open to changes in technology and lifestyle as well as competition. Especially when tempered by a neighborly concern for less fortunate others that are the hallmark of our democracy. And her evidence is the advertisements, and how she explains them in relation to the idea of equal opportunity.

What is the revised narrative? Name and explain it.
-Selfe’s evidence for it.
The revised narrative is the land of difference and in what the ads fail to show. Selfe states, “If technology is to improve the lives of all Americans regardless of race and class and other differences, our collective ability to envision such a world is not evident in these images.

Now examine her reasoning. Why do Americans revise the narrative?
Americans revise narrative because; in the past when these posters were created the normal was Caucasians. We revise them because we want to have our own say. We want to be able to let everyone have their own eligible say and give them the opportunity to speak their mind.

What are the consequences of the revision?
We tend to see African Americans in the past held at low esteems and shown as being solely low class. This also applied to Hispanics, where only European Americans and Asians were seen as the upper class. Even so, it was mainly Caucasian’s that were held at high esteems and considered to be the racial attribution of the ideal American family. This is rapidly changing and we see many more diverse groups of races promoting egalitarianism ideals and racial-class amalgamation which are being propelled by the ambient propaganda that is propagated ubiquitously, especially in America.

What existing cultural forces does the revised narrative reinforce?
The main forces of the revised narrative are racism and classism. The evidence for this is in the images of Caucasian middle class families living in rural suburban areas. This compares to the advertisements and images that are around us in this day and age. Many more advertising companies are making it a point to integrate other cultures in their images. If you look at ads today you will see more African American families, and Asian youth, as well as Latin families and Indians.