Ethos in Peculiar Benefits Literature & Language Essay

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Ethos in Peculiar Benefits
While Roxane Gay explains her experiences in Haiti and points out the differences she identified in Haiti based on the high level of poverty, it is notable that she uses ethos to discuss the main idea of privilege. To start with, Gay proves her credibility by pointing out at the experience she has for having visited Haiti severally. As she puts it, “When I was young, my parents took our family to Haiti during the summers”. This is an indication that she did not visit Haiti once. Her several visits as a young person and the fact that she considered them as adventures helped her analyze the situation deeply. Because of her repeated visits, she is able to explain her experienced then in a clearer picture. For instance, she says, “To this day, I remember my first visit, and how at every intersection, men and women, shiny with seat, would mob our car, their skinny arms stretched out, hoping for a few gourdes or American dollars”. Even though this picture was painted in the author’s mind from her first visit, she remembers it because she was back in the same area for a number of times. In every visit, she could see similar experiences that reminded her of her first encounter thus having the first picture become permanent in her mind.
It is also notable that since the author’s main discussion is based on comparison of experiences for people in Haiti and those in America in order to bring in the issue of privilege, explanation of herself enhances her credibility (Radakovich 3). Having being brought up in a middle class and later upper middle class family and in a loving environment, she understands what privileged is. Even though the author does not acknowledge her privileges, she understands the differences between her lifestyle with those of people in Haiti. The author was raised by a happily married couple, attended elite schools, had her master’s and doctorate degrees funded, and had her bills paid among other privileges, it is an indication that her life is far different from the lifestyles of Haitians.
Gay also asserts her credibility through her being; being a female of color. This makes her marginalized and despite other enjoyed privileges, she can relate with what Haitians go through. She has had experiences of “Persistence of law makers trying to legislate the female body, street harassment, strangers wanting to tough my hair”. Even though her experiences are different, she has the knowledge of what suffering, discrimination, and oppression involves. This makes it possible to relate and understand better Haitians. However, the fact that she has enjoyed numerous privileged without acknowledging it explains why people who are suffering cannot be understood and helped or supported (Sexton 17). Since she considers herself as a suffering being, Gay fails to appreciate her privileges. Instead, she feels that acknowledging her privileges would be like forgetting her sufferings, which is not allowed.
Being a Black female, Gay is experienced in what peculiar privileges mea...