TOW #15: "The Talk" Visual Text

     Growing up, the concept of having to go through "the talk" with your parents has always had a negative connotation. Along with its predicted awkwardness, "the talk" provides a whole new look at the world and that people aren't just delivered to their parents by bird. The whole aspect of this talk is that it is the same for everyone; or so I originally thought.
     The rhetorical device most prevalent in this cartoon is juxtaposition. Every child, no matter their race, should receive the same talk as we are all created the same way, but this cartoon dictates otherwise. The white dad is telling his son the classic talk about how we are created, but the black dad is telling his son about guns and the corrupt United States justice system. This is a rather interesting comparison as "the talk" is the first introduction of really growing up. It is giving a glimpse into the world of creation, and trying to make a positive experience. As a white son is introduced to this part of the world, a black son is introduced to the very negative and upsetting aspect of our world. This cartoon compares the two races and juxtaposes the two ideas about the different kinds of worlds that we all live in. It also brings a fairly sad tone into the idea of growing up as it reflects recent events in the US. Children have to grow up thinking that who they are on the outside defines the person that they are on the outside. People will constantly judge them based on their race, and there are many situations where they will sadly have no opportunity to prove themselves to a large group in our society.
     I believe the purpose of this cartoon is to show how much our society has impacted our daily lives. "The talk" is such a normal event in a child's life, and it should definitely be the same for everyone But, because of judgement and prejudices, an innocent child can grow up thinking that they are not enough and that a difficult life awaits them. I definitely believe what the author is trying to say. I have not had any kind of personal experience with a talk like this, so I cannot understand this cartoon as well, but I believe the author knows this. I don't believe that this is directed toward black Americans as they have undergone this oppression for a long time. Overall, I really appreciate this cartoon as I can now have a little bit more of an understanding of what people may go through.