Major Rhetorical Argument: Disparity by Design

 Disparity by Design, a contemptuous song by Rise Against, aims to give voice to the ongoing culture of discrimination that minorities, women, and the poor endure and the 1% that pretends it doesn’t exist. Rise Against asserts that the rich and privileged deprive these groups of equality by perpetuating a system that gives less opportunity to anyone who isn’t one of their cronies while continuing to profess that everyone has a shot at the ‘American Dream’. This kind of system creates two Americas with a set of rules for the 1% and another for everyone else.

This song identifies these victims with terminology often associated with political conversations centered around their respective issues. Women are referenced with the phrase “glass ceiling” the poor with “pull on these boot straps” and minorities with the mention of ‘reparations’. Each of these phrases calls on a history of oppression at the hands of the elite 1%. All of these groups have fought for equality from the same oppressor yet still have not gained equality. The biggest threat to progress is the unwillingness to acknowledge that these groups still face discrimination. In this kind of system the oppressed are expected to suffer in silence or appear to be crying wolf.

Rise Against expresses the need for an ideological revolution that would create a generation of people that are culturally aware of the struggles of women, minorities, and the poor. Instead of convincing their audience to take drastic action, Rise Against opts for a ‘lead by example’ approach. When equality for all is a social norm, conformity is a far more effective at changing such pervasive issues as disparity of treatment than aggressive protest. The wealthy elite that capitalizes from repressing certain groups will begin to be replaced by younger more forward thing generations. Starting this conversation and implanting the appreciation for equality in future generations is the start of meaningful progress.