The Great Slavery Debate

Should slavery be abolished? Students at Constitution High School debate the advantages and disadvantages of abolishing slavery from an antebellum 19th century perspective. Having students focus on the social, economic, cultural, and to some extent political nature of this debate, helps students understand the context of America's "peculiar institution", roadblocks African Americans needed to overcome in order to abolish slavery, as well as frame the upcoming 10th grade American history course. The purpose of this blog is to create a forum in which students can self-reflect and continue the process of peer-to-peer evaluation as they debate in class.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Brittany v. Sharifa

Sharifa's powerful approach was evident in her speech and decorum. Almost too aggressive. Brittany, a much lighter speaker, was able to control Sharifa. Sharifa's ability to handle the rice/slave prices document proved to be Brittany's Achilles Heel. Congratulations to both debaters!

23 comments:

  1. Since her opening statements i knew that she was going to win because when she opened her mouth, her voice was so powerful and she actually made me believe that slavery should really exist in modern day! Both debaters really did a great job tho.

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  2. This debate was a great debate. Sharifa did a great job. She did a good job at krrping it together! I feel that she deserved the win. Brittany didn't do that bad. The only problem I had with Brit is she started to cut Sharifa off during cross examination. Brittany needed to let Sharifa answer the questions!!!!!! Brittany needed to project her voice!!! I hardly could hear her!!!!
    - Brian Rose

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  3. This debate was a job well done. I thought that it was very close, but Brittany needed to speak louder because I could not hear her very well. I liked how Sharifa had a lot of evidence to backup her main points. Both Brittany and Sharifa did a great job

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  4. Each person did a good job briitany was good at the Cx and shariffa had a good opening statment.

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  5. wonderful debate I love Sharifa opening statement and how she have evidence for every question her opponent ask her. I like how Brittany was calm but her voice was too low and most of her argument wasn't clear during the cross CX she could have attack Sharifa by saying she wasn't a slave but an indentured servant that why she was able to by her freedom.overall sharifa deserved to win.

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  6. Wow what a powerful and attention kept debate!!!! I loved the boxing ring between Sharifa and Brittany. I dont believe that the debate was fair because Brittany was (i believe) mostly butchered for her lack of confidence in her voice which caused her to lose the debate. Overall I 100% agree with the judges. I believe that Sharifa's opening argument was very strong!!! I have feedback for Brittany, which is to speak up alittle louder!!! This debate was brilliant!!!!!\
    *Jasmine Waddell*

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  7. I think Sharifa did very well, with her opening argument. But, Brittany better with her cross examination because she was controlling the examination. And overall I did think Sharifa should of won.

    Asia Sims !

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  8. I loved this debate, it was really getting crazy. I think Brittany did a good job at keeping cool however i dont think that she should of kept cutting Shariffa off during the CX.The debate was amazing overall tho, so congratulations to you both.

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  9. I love Sharifa opening statement and how she have evidence for every question brittany ask her. I like how Brittany was calm but her voice was too low and most of her argument wasn't clear during the cross CX.congratulation sharifa

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  10. This debate was outstanding. To tell the truth, i thought brittany wasnt going to bring it to the table because she is always quiet. But to me, they both did good. I liked the way Sharifa stayed calm, and put passion into her voice! That made her speech sound well done. Now Brittany on the other hand, i believe she did well as well. She should of talked a little louder. But other than that, it was excellent!

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  11. this debate was great. i knew this was gonna be a good debate from the star but i dint think it was gonna turn out to be like it was. sharifa gave an amazing speech and a amazing rebuttal thats how she won. britney gave and amazing speech and and amazing cx, but it was a great debate in the end ! congrats to sharifa ! - ashley ortolano

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  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. steven furber vs barba carson i think steven won because for the second time in school history i challenge a document page 40 of book and proved it wrong by saying they rebelled and not only that i did win i won

    by steven furber

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  14. WOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Only way I can describe this debate as Sharifa is fire and when it comes down to debating she is the shark this was one of the best debates I've seen only thing is Sharifa should have been a little more calm spoke a little slower no offense but when she talks faster and hyper you can really hear the Jamaican in her voice Congratulations to Sharifa on your successful win I would feel bad for her kids when she gets mad lol jus playing

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  15. I think that I did GREAT!! And the reason I had to raise my voice because Brittney was trying to take control during my cross examination. Also when I was cross examined by Brittney she kept cutting off my answers maybe because she knew that I was going to defeat her question.I felt as though she was intimidated and she was attacking me instead of my argument.The way she handled the cross examination wasn't right. The way she put her hand out in my face and stuff. Well... I must say Brittney did better than I thought.

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  16. I loved this debate!!!!!!! I just think that Sharifa should just calm down. And Sharifa in your rebuttal you got Cabrecca when you said that slaves are capable to work for their freedom because you did it yourself. And no matter what anybody says you won it fair and square because every judge voted for you. NO LIE!!!!!!!!!!

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  17. OH WHAT A DEBATE!!!! both this sassy ladies came with a little attitude.
    i know brittiny personally and she's usually quiet but during her debate i seen another side of brit, she refused to allow shariifa to take over her debate and did a very good job of presenting her information. shariffa was in your face wit hit she also did a very good job. but she could speak a little slower

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  18. Highly anticipated debate for me. The only issue I had with Brittany was that she needed to speak a bit louder; she's always so quiet, however I liked how she refused to let Sharifa take over. Sharifa, you did a great job as well, especially with all of the evidence you used.

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  19. It was a good debate. It was a little hard to hear Brittany but she had good arguments. Sharifa had so much evidence, though. I also like how Brittant didn't let Sharifa take over in the cross examination. Good job to both of them!

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  20. Sharifa had a strong and loud mouth lol but brittany you did a good job with your arguments but Sharifa had alot of evidence and could have slowed down. Congrats Sharifa

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  21. great debate everything was clear and i belive it was a fair win .

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  22. I feel that the outcome of this debate should have been different. I feel as though Brittany was stronger than Sharifa

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  23. I WAS NOT HERE FOR THIS DEBATE BUT CONGRADULATIONS SHARIFA!!!!!!

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