Discourse Communities

I relatively agreed with the 6 points the author brought up about discourse communities. I found the counter argument about how ones demographic could push them into their discourse community. The author quotes Bizzel in his counter argument but responds saying "However, even if this sharing of discursive practice occurs, it does not resolve the logical problem of assigning membership of a community to individuals who neither admit nor recognize that such a community exists." (2.3).
Truthfully when I read the article the first discourse communities that came to mind were negative ones such as the KKK and gangs, mostly because they distinguish themselves so strongly from the rest of society. Their hostility and illegal practices causes the need for special terminology, or their organizations would not be able to survive. When the KKK held their greatest power they were taken down from the inside as a Southern man infiltrated the Klan learning their language and practice as no ordinary person could. He was then able to go on the radio and mock them, changing the perspective of the people forever.
I pledge my honor that I have abided by the Stevens Honor System.

Rebecca Lee