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.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Keith vs. Zahirah

Nervous at first, Zahirah overcame her fear and delivered 3 solid arguments with a steady amount of evidence.  Keith countered with 2 arguments,  one very well supported.  Zahriah really challenged Keith to rethink if the enslaved are really treated equal but the judges were confused as to why having opportunities available to them makes them equal or not.  Make the connection clear.  When asking questions, consider being very clear as to the purpose of the question and why it helps us better understand why opponent is wrong and why you are right.   In the end, Keith came back with a rebuttal that helped to strengthen his weaker argument and that the constitution should protect those enslaved as well.  Congratulations to both debaters for stepping up to the plate.
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13 comments:

  1. BrianMMay 28, 2010 at 6:05 PM

    Keith started and ended his opening argument strongly and confedident. Zahirah stated more facts however. I liked Keiths' why shouldnt Constitution apply to slaves.

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  2. faridMay 28, 2010 at 7:28 PM

    I like keith's arguments specially the all men are equal, and they all strong, but (zahirah) i didn't hear anything, at all.i like how keith left some of the argument for his rebuttal.And i don't know how keith won because he couldn't answer some questions.
    ((good job))

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  3. Sally PhungMay 28, 2010 at 8:16 PM

    I like Keith how he used the 8th amendment. I can't really hear what is Zahirah's argument. I think their rebuttals are too short, I think they should use more evidence to support their argument.

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  4. KrisMay 28, 2010 at 8:44 PM

    Though Zahirah is very soft-spoken, I give her a lot of credit for going up there and debating. I was able to hear her for the most part. All of her points were pretty solid; she just needed more evidence to back it up. Keith did a good job of controlling her during the CX by getting her to admit that they targeted African Americans only. In the end, Keith won the debate in my eyes because he came with more evidence and restated that evidence in his rebuttal. Congratulations to both though :)

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  5. mike2013May 31, 2010 at 5:34 PM

    i thought this debate was good but if both debaters woulve kept an ear out, and knew their packets they could easily have turned around the argument of their opponents. for example when keith would say something about cruel and unusual punishment zahirah couldve just said thats slaves werent citizens and it didnt apply. but besides that and the need for a stronger rebuddal from both it was pretty good-mike young

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  6. Ms. BellMay 31, 2010 at 5:56 PM

    this was a realy intertestnig debate because both opponents were nervouse. I like kieth because his arguments were clear and understandable. I realy couldn't understand zahira's argument that well. but overall i enjoyed it. Congradulations Keith && Zahirah!!!!

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  7. JoneseMay 31, 2010 at 7:29 PM

    I think that both Zahirah and Keith did a good job since they won't really prepared to go then. Both arguments were good i just wish Zahirah would of spoke up a little more because she started speaking lol at some points. They both could of knew their packets a little more so they could of used more evidence. But for the most part they both did a good job

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  8. RjjJune 1, 2010 at 3:53 AM

    This was a very slow-pace debate that help settle down the class after the previous fast-paced one. Somethings that could be improved are they better in the opener and rebuttal used more evidence to support there arguments which could have change the debate leading to a different outcome. Also and this goes for everyone MAKE LONG REBUTTALS! If you have long rebuttal you get more points towards you grade which is always a good thing. Thats the truth and the truth always in some way hurts.

    Randall James Johnson
    P.S: What about the Boy v Girl debate?!?
    P.S.S" I have a catch phase. XD

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  9. niyia2013June 1, 2010 at 4:55 AM

    I wish I could give feed back but I could not hear Zahariah or Keith. CONGRATS Keith for giving us a win.

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  10. AnonymousJune 1, 2010 at 4:34 PM

    I would like to give them some props for having the guts to go up there in front of everyone. But at the same time, if they could speak a little bit louder, it would have been better.

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  11. Courtney2013gradJune 1, 2010 at 6:25 PM

    This debate was awesome other than the fact that i could hardly hear what they were saying.

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  12. tyonnnaJune 2, 2010 at 12:44 PM

    When it comes to this debate it was very hard for me to understand what was going on and what they was saying but what I did hear they had a lot of evidence.

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  13. mandy.schleighJune 2, 2010 at 3:25 PM

    i didn't like how in the beginning zahirah was laughing, it makes you seem as if you aren't serious about the debate. keith should have had more evidence to back up inhumane treatment.

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