Melvin B. Tolson's The Great Debates

In the earlier years of post-slavery's many uncharted territories, differences in opinions were prevalent. Such was clearly evident when referring to Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois' views of what freedom really enfold. The Atlanta Exposition speech given by Mr. Washington gives us insight into how the writer felt about challenging events of that time and how they should be handled. Although met with considerable amounts of praise, some coming from the head of state himself (then president Grover Cleveland), and Mr. Washington's address was, in one word, flawed to some. W. E. B. Du Bois was a part of that some and had no problem voicing his opinion in Of Mr. booker T. Washington and Others. The inconsistencies in viewpoint between

American Reformers, 1815-1860 goes into the social and political issues surrounding the Jackson Presidency. Ronald G. Walters effectively chronicalizes the reformation and radicalization of the main issues prevalent in early 19th century. These issues included slavery, alcoholism, women’s rights, religion and science. He explains how these issues led to the transformation of our country into what it is today and explains the reformers responsible for such radical change. He emphasizes the idea that every individual during this time period had some sense of radical reform ideology. These antebellum reformers worked to resolve the social and political issues plaguing the nation through reform and Ronald G. Walters eloquently depicts the reform movements of the early-mid 19th century. His work is very accurate and progressive in every sense.

Two-hundred and nine thousand. That is the number of lives that were nobly given to save the many during the invasion of Normandy (D-day and the Battle of Normandy). The courageous men and women fought continuously for days on end, climbing the jagged cliffs of Normandy, France. Under rifle fire from gun nests from above, the allied troops were able to take control of the coastline, but not without great sacrifice. The speech given by Ronald Reagan was made to commemorate those who fearlessly fought for our country and the many thousands that gave their lives during those hard days of war. His speech had a clear message, to honor and remember those who gave and risked their lives during the invasion of Normandy.

     This film surprised me. I never knew that that happened to children in those days. Slavery wasn't just the Negroes and Indians. It made me think how lucky I am to live in the day in age that I do, even though there are still children treated like this. I just was lucky and grew up in a good

The Great Debaters is an extraordinary and inspiring movie; it incorporated a rich story. The move is based on a true story; the story dates back to the 1930‘s. It was about four African-American students from Wiley College who are on the school’s debate team, throughout the movie we see the discrimination they faced in the South.

I think most people can identify with this movie, the fear of speaking out to others to convince them of your point. The fear of trying to prove a point to others that may have more knowledge on the subject or be able to refute it better. In reference to the movie it was about defending a personal honor, having the right to speak out and be equal with others. Debating requires excellent mastery of vocabulary, logic, and nerves. In a debate, you need to be poised and confident in order to get your point across effectively. Just like a regular speech. There are many speeches that have lifted hearts in dark times, gave hope in despair, inspired brave feats, gave courage to the weary, honored the dead, and changed the course of history. Without inspiring, passionate public speeches many people may not have had the fortitude to press on.

The movie, The Great Debaters, takes place in the 1930s and explores the struggles of three students from Wiley College’s debate team. The first character introduced is the youngest student from the team, 14 year old, James Farmer Jr. He is an ambitious young man who strives to live up to his father’s expectations. James struggles with fear throughout the movie. He is sheltered and does not understand the severity of the racial conflict of the time. This trait is evident in the film in two key scenes. The first is when his family is out for a drive and his father accidently hits a white man’s pig. James’s father is very cautious during this interaction and James witnesses the incident from the car. This interaction has a major impact on James and gives him a greater understanding of the racial conflict. The second incident occurs when James is unsuccessful in his first debate. When given other opportunities to debate, he questions himself and fears failure. This fear plays a role in the debate team’s future competitions.

One of the challenges the Wiley College debate team was faced with in the film was during a debate against Oklahoma City University. The topic selected for argument was whether Negroes should be admitted into the same colleges as Whites. This particular subject is one the students at Wiley College were all too familiar with. The setting of the debate would begin the escalation of the conflict between the two schools. The intensity of the conflict began when Oklahoma City University refused to hold the debate on campus and would only accept the challenge to go up against Wiley College if the competition was held at another location. In a clip provided by YouTube the arguments begin with Samantha

I also felt that this scene was important because it was a perfect depiction of what slaves had to endure. This relates to chapter 5 by it explain how slaves ran away and also how they hide in swamps just like the black slave in the film. This relates to chapter 6 by as discussed in the book with the vigilance committees there was a house in the film to shelter the black man and his daughter with the women. I don’t think this was an accurate portrayal of slavery. From what I know I don’t think slaves was black smith because that will give them a chance to acquire their own tools. On the other hand some parts of the film that did portray slavery right like how the slaves escape in the film and also how they get hung if

He claims possessing material things that symbolize wealth, accomplishment, education and success leave little to argue with about whether or not someone was equal enough of a person to deserve these things (Washington, The Negro and the Signs of Civilization). He also argues that African Americans will need to work hard to acquire these symbols. His persuasion is further enhanced by playing to both sides of the civil rights movement. Washington pleads with white men as well as black men to raise up the former slaves to raise up society as a whole. He claims that with a third to half of the population of a state suppressed that greatness cannot be achieved (Washington,The Negro and the Signs of Civilization). He makes it clear that white men need to help make greatness achievable for the black man or find themselves fighting an uphill battle. In Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Compromise Speech from 1985, similar appeals are made of African Americans and white men. Being one of the first recorded radio speeches by an African American citizen, this event reached many ears including policy makers and others in higher levels of government (Washington, Atlanta Compromise Speech). What is most interesting about Booker T. Washington’s arguments was that he was clear on what should be the priority of African Americans and it was not necessarily representation in government. He was

When describing horrific events he was forced to witness, the tone of Douglass’ voice becomes very detached, as if he is so used to witnessing beatings that it has become a normal event. Douglass also writes, “He was immediately chained and handcuffed; and thus, without a moments warning, he was snatched away, from his friends and family, by a hand more unrelenting than death” (34). This quote is used by Douglass to infuse a feeling of disbelief in the hearts of the audience, for the man in the quote earned this punishment for merely speaking the truth one time. The audience feels sympathy towards this slave for being taken away for something that should not be punished.

Ruth Biongo Mrs. Keeley English 111 08 September 2015 “Learning to Read and Write" by Frederick Douglass Douglass's "Learning to Read and Write", was a somewhat engaging and very informative essay. While observing the title of the story, based off of Frederick Douglass article, I thought he was going to take the audience on a learning how to read and write journey. I would have assumed it being all about reading and writing, because those that read about Frederick Douglass knew he was only a black man that set goals to being well educated. Especially in a world that he was not accepted in, due to his race back then. He did explain to how he started to learn how to read and write but the article was more than that.

Natalie Rodriguez English IV 4th Period Bedolla October 31, 2015 Rhetorical Analysis: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? In the non-fictional speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” (1852) the speaker, Frederick Douglas, characterizes what current slaves and even freed African-Americans feel towards the Fourth of July. Douglas proposes his points by first showing himself as a credible source to the audience, then giving logic and reason to his arguments, and finally leaving off with an emotional appeal to the audience. Douglas presents these devices to show the other point of view to the Fourth of July in order to let the audience be aware of what is truly going on while they blindly celebrate the holiday.

Just over two years before Ronald Reagan competed in his first statewide or national office, the former actor gave a speech in support of a doomed presidential candidate, Senator Barry Goldwater. This speech had little effect on 1964 presidential election. However, the “A Time for Choosing” speech established Ronald Reagan as the future of the conservative movement, and outlined his view of what America should be. “A Time for Choosing” fastened Reagan’s conservatism in the minds of both Republicans and Americans. This speech propelled Reagan to win the California governor’s race in 1967 and a sweeping victory in the 1980 presidential election. The “A Time for Choosing” speech declared

Tolson looks to get his debaters to comprehend that they are not going up against anyone, but to simply understand that they are going up against a more elevated amount of argumentation that rises above their adversary. While doing this, Tolson is also attempting to get his debaters to comprehend that they should be arguing on an a much higher level, one that allures the inherent natures of rhetoricians, argumentation, and investigation. Tolson tries to grant to his understudies/rhetoricians that their opponent is not as important as the larger scale of debate, and, maybe, not even as important as each other. This mindset enables them to not be overpowered by debating at Harvard and confronting the individuals from that debate