Rhetorical Analysis

Rhetorical Analysis of: "Queering the Vast Wasteland" by Michael Bronski

Paragraph #1:

Introduces the idea of "Gay TV" and informs the reader about Viacom's plan to create a tv channel directed towards a gay and lesbian audience.

#2:

Gives examples of other groups plans for gay and lesbian targeted tv channel.

#3:

Tells the reader about humor columns speculating about future shows on those channels. Points out that the quality of the shows will dictate if the channel is a success or not.

#4:

Talks about how television execs are interested in quality, and that that is good. Points out the problem with having an all gay or lesbian channel, the issues involved.

#5:

Points out the "popular myth" that public visibility is crucial if a minority group is going to be liberated. Introduces Joan Garry and GLAAD. Stresses visibility. Tells us how a predominately white make society stereotypes minorities.

#6:

Tv can help minorities because they are in the everyday life of tv land. TV can be a big help to expose the minority groups.

#7:

Argument that increasing visualization and "banalization" only fuels the flames of stereotyping and that it causes more harm than good.

#8:

Even after the increased visibility of gay ans lesbians hate crimes are on the rise.

#9:

Introduces Suzanna Danuta Walters book "All the Rage: The Story of Gay Visibility in America."

#10:

Says that television is run by corporations that don't care about making anyone's life better. They operate to make money.

#11:

Important role of the media and its role in shaping opinion and informing the public.

#12:

After September 11th there was talk about the media changing face and going for a more news centered approach. This idea soon dies out after new celebrity things happened and the popular culture stepped into the media again soon after the attack.

#13:

"Its just as bad now as it was before" in reguards to entertainment on TV.

#14:

Gay cable TV channels are going to promote the corporations not the gay and lesbian community. It was corporate engineers that designed the idea of a gay tv channel, not the gays and lesbians.

#15:

What will be on the Gay TV channel?

#16:

Negative views of the shows on the channel.

#17:

Gay tv is possible because of the increased amount of gay and lesbian shows on TV over the last couple of decades. Raises the question of "will gay tv be redundant"?

#18:

Gay themed entertainment is watched and makes money.

#19:

Gay TV may be helpful for the gay and lesbian community, but it may also serve to "re-ghettoize" gay and lesbian content on tv networks. How much would the gay tv channel hurt the gay community?