Asylum seekers are all around us. They eat, breathe, and function just like us, so why do we feel the need to kick them out? We have lost perspective as to who these people are and what they have to offer. These ‘illegals’ have faces, names, hopes, dreams and aspirations just like anyone else. It’s time we acknowledge for who they are as members of the human race. Meriam-Webster dictionary defines asylum as “a place of retreat and security” also known as a shelter (Definition of ASYLUM). According to Homeland Security, approximately 84,989 refugees and asylees come to the United States looking for a permanent home (Refugees and Asylees | Homeland Security). Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is a perfect example of trying to find a better home for refugees and asylum seekers. It’s designed to help asylum seekers and anyone who is wiling to help refugees escape life threatening situations. Below is a rhetorical analysis of the Lutheran Immigration Refugee Service website. It will discuss the author, purpose, audience, genre and context of the LIRS website.
From the first view of the website one can tell that LIRS is a non-profit organization. The way one can tell is because of the column layout and the large text. The first thing that draws my attention is the DONATE button in the top right. With no need to scroll up and down, the Donate button is clickable and takes the user to payment options. This shows the primary audience are donators who are willing to help. The secondary audience are refugees and asylum seekers looking for a home. This can be proven by the navigation pane describing different tabs one can click.
The website does not have a clear designer or in this instance an author. From my perspective, the author of this website is someone that is from the LIRS executive board. This includes the board of directors, or executive committee. The board chair, Rev. Michael Rinehart, and vice chair, Mrs. Linda Stoterau. A board treasurer, secretary and executive member at large are also included in the author. These authors establish personal credability by showing the number of volunteers and how many people have had their lives changed due to LIRS right on the homepage. The author comes across as someone who wants the reader to have the most knowledge so more and more people donate. The author has a reputation to maintain because they are part of the board of directors.
As stated above, the genre of the LIRS website is a non profit. This can be stated because of the layout of the site, and the content it displays. Also, this organization does not use its donations to its personal use and are helping the refugees. Most non-profits have a navigation pane and a one column layout. The site does a good job of displaying images to draw in the website visitor to gain an emotional attachment to the user. Key features include the donate button on the top, take action section, and the images throughout the site. The video below does a good job of drawing the user in emotionally.
The context of LIRS is a website. The author chose this because with technology now a days, its very simple to get the website on your mobile device. Also, its very simple to follow these accounts on every social media aspect. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram within your pockets. The different fonts, sizes and colors help grab the attention of the user. This website is easy to navigate and uses a sans serif font. The color scheme makes the website easy to read and professional where any donor would want in a website.
Finally, the purpose is to collect donations and raise money for their non-profit organization. This is because the DONATE button and that stands out first but then also the take action. In the take action button drop down menu there are ways to volunteer, advocate, give and host an event. LIRS mission and vision is also stated in this website underneath the about us menu. It also describes the key values this organization likes to follow.
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I believe the LIRS website is a good website. It touches upon each aspect and most importantly, it’s simple and straight to the point. It can easily be navigated and no one has to question where to go so they can donate, or even the about us page. This website has the opportunity to draw in donators, researchers and even people who want to help physically.
Works Cited
Definition of ASYLUM. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asylum. Accessed 12 Feb. 2019.
“Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.” LIRS, https://www.lirs.org/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2019.
Refugees and Asylees | Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/refugees-asylees. Accessed 12 Feb. 2019.