Response2: "English Downfall"

While I agree with the message behind the video "English Downfall," the way it is conveyed through the comparison to Hitler makes it so that the viewer focuses only on the offensive nature of the material and not the message itself. In the "Rebuttal to 'English Downfall,' the narrator, who is a college professor, says that the academic arena is no place to take such low shots. He claims words are powerful, and I agree. "English Downfall," while meant to be taken lightly, takes a very serious subject - the Holocaust, and trivializes it. The creator should have been more mindful of this before putting out a video that is so negative and that fails at getting across its intended message.

Doug Walls touches upon the idea of digital media as a means of putting out negative images by way of perpetuating negative stereotypes in his very funny video "The Case for Mindful Rhetorical Media Use." It was interesting to watch his video directly after "English Downfall" because he is advocating mindfulness and being a responsible contributor to the web. He begins by ranting (very quickly) about the use of the word "authentic" when referencing food, in this case, Mexican food. He is baffled by the various signs that are meant to indicate Mexican culture. He points out one that says "Burritos as Big as Your Head," and then goes on to say, "I don't judge Mexican food by the color of their font," which I thought was incredibly funny and smart. He links these stereotypical images to racist rhetoric, which he equates with post-colonialism. This is an example of witty and wonderfully done social commentary; I think this video is relevant and serves as a reminder to everyone who is contributing to the web (especially since the content is so easily accessible to children). Lastly, I enjoyed his use of cartoons and stick figures!