The Heritage of "None"

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Recommended: RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM Essay

The ninth paragraph of Barbara Ehrenreich's article "Cultural Baggage," is of great importance and is used well in tying together many thoughts and ideas the author has presented to us. Prior to this paragraph the author has built her article around self reflections and anecdotes to begin defining the central idea of what she later refers to as the "race of none" (Ehrenreich 49). This idea of the "none" will serve to describe a certain type of person and how they should fit in our world. There is also a subtle defense of the idea that it's okay not to believe in God.
A hint of irony is present at the start of this paragraph. Ehrenreich begins by telling us this epiphany of hers began while "on the fumes of Manischewitz" (Ehrenreich 48). Manischewitz takes pride as being the United States' largest manufacturer of kosher food and drink products including wine (About Us). It's interesting she would lead a paragraph by telling us she has been consuming alcohol while being in a state of deliberation. It's also ironic because she describes non-religious types of people while consum...

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