The Rhetoric of the Museum Exhibit - Blog Post 1

The California African American Museum, located in Los Angeles, is a place to "research, collect, preserve, and interpret for public enrichment, the history, art and culture of African Americans." It contains more than 3,500 pieces of paintings, photographs, sculptures and artifacts that represent the diverse contributions of African Americans. It includes three large exhibition galleries, a sculpture room, theater gallery, conference center and special events room, an archive, and a research library. One of the exhibitions that left a strong impression on me was the Gallery of Discovery, where it displays America's past and its African American heritage through the use of video and music demonstrations, artifacts, and 3-D depictions, and hands-on learning experiences. All in all, it is the perfect place to visit for more knowledge in African American history and its effect in American society today.

A view of the entrance to the museum.

The Gallery of Discovery, one of the main exhibits that displays the origin and history of African American culture.

Two of the many artifacts in the museum.

http://www.caamuseum.org/index.htm

The Rhetoric of Apology - Blog Post 2

What effect do you think an apology would accomplish in this case?  Would it help or hurt? Explain.

One thing that Governor Sanford has failed to achieve is fulfilling his responsibilities as husband, father, and governor. First, he hurt his loyal, supporting wife by having sexual relations with another woman. Second, he failed to act as a role model for his four sons and brought unwanted attention and embarrassment upon his family. And finally, he disappointed the South Carolina public by failing to carry out his gubernatorial duties. All these severe infidelities should have been reason enough for him to offer three apologies – one as husband, one as father, and one as governor. In this way, he would be making some attempt in restoring his family life, earning back the trust of the people for his dereliction of duty, and ultimately rebuilding the government he had undermined.

The Rhetoric of Apology - Blog Post 1

Incident: Mark Sanford, former governor of South Carolina and a rumored presidential candidate for the 2012 elections, admits to and apologizes for an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman. In addition, he misinforms the public, including his wife, of his whereabouts for six days in June 2009. Upon his return, he tells the press that he was "hiking the Appalachian Trail" when he was actually in Argentina with a woman he had been friends with for some time. On top of that, the trips he took to visit the Argentine woman were paid for by taxpayers of South Carolina. He was eventually charged with 37 violations by the State Ethics Commission, including 18 instances when he flew first or business class instead of third class, nine improper uses of state aircraft, and 10 counts of using campaign money for personal or nonbusiness expenses.

Video of his apology to the public.

The majority of the public agree that his first attempt at an apology was ineffective. He merely provided lame excuses and explanations of his wrongdoing in a wordy, unorganized matter.

Opinion - Leadership in South Carolina
Sanford Sex Scandal Grows: Did Governor Use Tax Money to Finance Affair?