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Jailan Gordon - I believe that D Watkins rhetoric is stronger because, he talks about crimes that white people committed to black people. That got pushed to the side because of how unfair this country is, or because of a dumb reason. In the text it says that " if young Micheal brown had been white, he would be talking English 101, posting selfies, or doing homework for some philosophy class right now. This quote shows that if he was white nothing would have happened to him he would have been able to walk home safely.

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I believe the rhetoric of D. Watkins is more stronger because he gives explicit reasoning for the way he feels about the police murdering African Americans, And personally as a young African American male growing up in the same city as D. Watkins, I can most definitely agree with him on most of the things he's saying, As of on page 105, D. Watkins states that "Eighteen-year-old Mike Brown was gunned down by Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson for no reason other than the color of his skin", I can agree with this quote because i'm continuously seeing police-man address African Americans just for walking down the street, And to me, and also D. Watkins, that is a huge problem. -Corey Smith

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i believe the rhetoric of D. Watkins because it was stronger it had more supporting evidence , ''America has become a place that makes up a bullshit sickness like ''affluenza'' exonerate rich white murders...'' ----------------------KAYLITA Z

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I believe that D. Watkins has a stronger claim and response because he is correct. We only sing one stanza of the "National Anthem". The rest has bad language talking about the blacks. Francis Scott Key had no problem saying the N word. But what D. Watkins always says inspires me. What Obama said didn't really have a affect on me.  What he said was weak, he basically kept on saying the same things over and over again except in different words. D.Watkins  writes his own things, so what he says is out of his own mind and his heart. Obama doesn't even make his own speeches. He has other people right his stuff for him. Because i think that if your going to have a "talk" with high-schoolers almost adults, i think it should come straight from your heart. My favorite quote from D. Watkins would be this one "Eighteen-year old Mike Brown was gunned down by Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson for no reason other than the color of his skin." Page 105    Quincy Cortez

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Victoria                                                                                                                                                                             I believe that Barack Obama had the stronger rhetoric because even though the things he was saying is things i hear everyday like stay in school, you can be what you want if you put your mind to it, etc. But the only thing i don't understand is when he said we are the future for our country because this not true we can go to high school graduate go to college graduate and still end up a bum. But i think his is the strongest because some of the things he was saying is true.  " we can have the most dedicated teachers the most supportive parents the best schools in the world and none of it will make a difference none of it will matter unless all of you fullfil your responsibilities."

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I believe that d Watkins is stronger because one what he saying that why are we standing up for a country that has been treating us bad ever since slavery first started and Obama is saying we are gonna let our country down, in my opinion the only thing we might be letting down is our selves and our family that may be it. The question is though, why would we represent a country that is controlled by people that dont appreciate black people. In the text it says" he told them if they protected louisiana from the invaders , they will be free and then he put them back into servitude" therman gladden

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Camron Harrison- i agree with D. Watkins because he is supporting us that these people. that are killing us is that were all live in baltimore and from his claim and evidence. of personally feels the way makes more sense to me because he had a hard time. growing up just how it is now in baltimore police brutality and whites killing blacks. he evens says a lot of the teenagers got murdered for for nothing or for some racist thing or this also thing when barack obama said if you drop out of school you are giving up on your country that is weak because your giving up on yourself and your life.

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ZIAR'A GILL-I believe that the rhetoric of  D.watkins is stronger than Barack Obama's because D.Watkins  gets a little more in depth with the situations in baltimore. I also believe that his rhetoric is stronger because i feel a lot more connected to what he says i feel as though he understands where i come from and has a lot more experience whereas though Barack Obama may have lived this life for a little but he was the president living in the white house. Obama mainly talks about how we need our "precious" education so we can one day support our country since we're the future, but its funny how he never mentions how hard it is for the majority of people especially in low income communities to receive this magical education.

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I agree with D.watkins rhetoric in the book is very inspiring and truthful. On page 105 it says, " This is the same country that jailed Michael Vick two years for killing dogs and let George Zimmerman walk after using an innocent black teen for target practice. This shows that people of colored skin are not treated fairly and might never be treated fairly no matter were you are. maimoonah

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i believe that D.Watkins is stronger because he is more relate-able to me because he has faced some of the hardships that we have or currently going trough. he grew up in the streets of Baltimore and went trough not having food or living in the wrong neighborhoods and he fought to get to where he is now so that is why i agree more with D.watkins. i disagree with Barack Obama because it seemed like he put to much pressure on these teens saying all your choice if you fail you are hurting your country when you really only are hurting your self and he also talks about things that are not the same for everyone like he has never been trough those things and doesn't know about the new struggles that everybody is facing and how somethings that are happening is not their fault. "Obama gave me super hope on '08 but then reality set in. i get the change i'd likes to see is probably going to take hundreds of years to reform. but i wasn't expecting the first black president to kill more people with drones and lock up wistleblowers,...."-jade brandford

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Camron Richardson- I believe D. Watkins use of rhetoric in his vignette ''Fuck The National Anthem" is impressive because it relates to the third stanza in the national anthem that says "No refuge could save the hireling and slave/ from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave''. To me this quote reveals that no one can save a black person from being killed by a police officer, and D.Watkins also says ''i swear they see clack skin and think bulls-eye , so what that means to me is that police can find a way to kill black people.

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The excerpt that impacted me the most is D.Watkins vignette "Fuck the national anthem". I say that because he said some things and used scenario's that just took everything out of my brain and put it in a book. Based on his vignette, i think we both agree about how things are ran in this country, and that they placed us minorities in a position as if we are the problems in situations like police brutality. One quote in D.Watkins vignette that supports my statement is "This is the same country that jailed Micheal Vick two years for killing dogs and let George Zimmerman walk after using an innocent black teen for target practice". In this quote, he is giving one of the many million situations that prove why we act out against the law, and why we protest, why we riot. Its because of the things that they do to us and get away with.    KEITH PARHAM

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I agree with D. Watkins because as he said we only hear the first stanza of the national anthem but as you go down further into it there are parts that are derogatory toward african americans. He also sang for freedom whilst enslaving blacks. Andrew Jackson lied to slaves saying that after they were in the war they would be free and forced them back to doing labor. - Michael Brown

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Megane - I personally believe that D.watkins opinion about the national anthem in his vignette "fuck the national anthem" is extremely accurate and relateble  to me personally because i never pledged allegiance to this national anthem or star spangle banner, matter of fact i do not even know the lyrics  and i'm not learning them any time soon. Being black and an immigrant in this country allows me to see and analyze some of this issues from different perspectives and from what i've seen and learned i do not really believe that paying honors to a country who probably wouldn't be where it is today if it didn't drag those same so called slaves out of their continent only to exploit and torture them. That anthem does not apply to me which is similar to what D.watkins states on page 103 paragraph  "even though i was born in america, and my ancestors built its infrastructure for free, im not a part of the "our"when they sing "our flag was still there !" I feel like the "our" does not include blacks, most women, gays, trans and poor people of all colors"

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I think that D.Watkins rhetoric is more powerful because, it makes you feel more through his own personal experiences." I'm a teacher, and all of my students look like Mike Brown, or Jonathan Farrel, or Ramarley Graham, or Renisha McBride, or Aiyanna Jones, or Trayvon Martin, or Tyisha Miller, or Kathryn Johnson, or Tarika Wilson, or Oscar Grant, or Yvette Smith, or John Crawford. What should I tell them?" I feel this is stronger because of many reasons one being how there are so many people that died in cold blood, another being how he ask himself what he should do as if to emphasize how appalled he is, and lastly many people I know could easily be those people. Oscar Hernandez

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"i know that sometimes you get the sence from tv that you can be rich and successful without any hard work that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a tv star" Mr.Obama is trying to tell us the truth and saying we are not going to make it without hard work. Damoree Mcfadden

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i think  barack obama statement is stronger because he talks about how to never give up and if you do u are betraying your country and he also talks about how it pays off and that education is more important then how we carry it. tashira

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Craig Thomas- I agree with D.Watkins  claim because he used to live in Baltimore and I still live in Baltimore and white people don't really like us and they kill us

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I believe the rhetoric of D.watkins is stronger because he states that whites don't get consequences but blacks are always racially profiled or racially subject to white police officers and on pg (105) mike brown was gunned down by ferguson missouri, police officer darren wilson for no reason other than the color of than the color of skin.

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I agree with  D.Watkins claim because he live in Baltimore MD and i feel his connection and what he's talking about and also the wording he's using is the best he really make his point stand out and this the evidence:Some may reject the anthem because francis scott key sang for freedom while enslaving blacks. and I just don't think Obama;s rhetoric was stronger because he basically was saying getting your education and not succeeding is a let down on your country evidence:

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Khyree Elliott - I believe D.Watkins  use of rhetoric in his vignette Fuck The National Anthem is very compelling and impressive. Because it says America has become a place that makes up bullshit sickness like "affluenza" to exonerate rich white murderers, while stuffing the prisons full of young black men on petty charges.

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Toni Day- I believe that D.Watkins rhetoric is stronger because his claim made more sense than Barack Obama's. If you were to read or hear the entire National Anthem you probably would hear some very racist things about Black People. Barack didn't even mention anything about Black people in his speech. he only talked about how important it is for us to go to school and get good grades. D. Watkins actually talks about the real problems in America. Yes, he does talk about school but he still talk about the bigger problems in the world.

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Erynn - I believe the rhetoric of D.Watkins is stronger because he lives in Baltimore just like we do and when I personally saw his claim and the reason why he feels the way that he does it make me feel the same way because it's real life problems. He even brings up how a lot of the teenagers got murdered for nothing. In the vignette it say's I refuse to salute a flag or honor a song promoted by a country that allows these tragedies to happen over and over again."

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Christopher Barnwell - i think D.Watkins claim is stronger because he  understands whats going on in Baltimore and he lives and was raised in Baltimore.this part of the speech spoke to me the most               "I'm not a part of the "our" when they sing, "our flag was still there!" I feel like the "our" doesn't include blacks, most women,  gays, trans, and poor people of all color. and, sadly the nation reminds us every day that's why i think D. Watkins speech is stronger

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Khalfani Lewis: I agree with D.Watkins claim because he come from the city that I come from so he know how we live and go through the same thing that we go through so it would be easy for us to understand him because we know how we feel, and the evidence he had to back up what he was say like when he said " American has become a place that makes up a bullshit sickness like " affluenza" to exonerate rich white murderers, while stuffing the prisons full of young black men on petty chargers." so he saying how black people get arrested for dumb things while whites just get away with anything.

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Joshua Wooods- I agree with D. Watkins because police America is and never has been what it is made out to be America has always done something wrong morally considering the equality between people

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Nyayana Alston- I agree with D. Watkins claim because it is from someone that was in Baltimore and he has seen things  and i have evidence to show how he feel about  baltimore america has become a place that make up a bullshit sickness like affluenza to exonerate rich white muderers while stuffing the prisons full of young black men on petty charges

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I believe the rhetoric of D. Watkins is stronger because his words are powerful in a way he give you good reasons why he feel that way and I feel like what he says get to you in an emotional understanding way. Like I can relate to what he's telling us. In the text it says," America has become a place that makes up a bullshit sickness like "affluenza" to exonerate rich white murderers, while stuffing the prisons full of young black men on petty charges." In this quote it explains how america has become and where the negativity come from and black people are being blamed for it. -Deja Johnson

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Destiny- I believe the rhetoric of D. Watkins is stronger. I feel this way cause his statement on page #104 when he says "Others reject our national anthem for more contemporary reasons pointing to generation after generation of broken promises". He talk about how blacks aren't treated like whites and he brings up how blacks fight in the war for freedom and then they go back on there promise once they won, so blacks lost there life and risk losing there life cause they wanted freedom that much. and they killed black leaders and now they killing black teenagers and kids and treating blacks as if we still have no freedom. thats why i think D. Watkins rhetoric is stronger than Barack Obama.

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(Antoine walker) I think that D. Watkins have more thoughts because he lived in Baltimore in the same thing's that happening around him is Also happening now... D. Watkins said they have freedom in the united states because the got shot by the cops.Also the police killed all the black leaders so they started killing young black people.

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Sami Miller

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Shemia Daily

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I believe that D. Watkins have made more understanding about his claim because he right about Baltimore i see the things he talks about just walking out my house with some cops and '' i wouldnt proudly hollered that at the top of my lung because obviously i dont fit the  mold '' he now with the national anthem nomore because it is let just for whites if feel like we are still getting slaved  -  Teasia graves

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Destin Green - I agree with D. Watkins claim because he lives in Baltimore as I do and from seeing his claim and evidence of why he personally feels that way makes more sense to me because he had a hard time growing up and seeing people now in this generation like Freddie Gray and Mike Brown and Trayvon being killed from officers of different skin and their own and and doesn't believe the national anthem is something everyone should celebrate knowing people lost their lives and are targeted

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Kory Cummings in my response i would like to say that im with D.watkins side because of the things he says thats the truth for example in the text bottom of page 105 it says "America has become a place that makes up a bullshit sickness like "affluenza" to exonerate rich white murders, while stuffing the prisons full of young black men on petty charges" i say that because of the killings white people killing black youngsters and walk away free but a blacck person gets jail time for drugs on them.

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I do believe that  D . Watkins has more  thoughts and he is talking  Fuck the  National anthem and he is talking about what happened in the  book and on page (103 ) and it says that

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That line was basically a shot at slaves who agreed to fight with the British during the War of 1812 in exchange for their freedom.

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(Elijah Gorham) D.Watkins is more rhetoric because he uses words and sentences to depict emotion and also feelings. He highlights events with his words by using similes and metaphors to show a picture, to let the reader understand. for instance, on pg.

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{Christian Duffin} I believe the rhetoric of D.Watkins is stronger based on the words D.Watkins is saying. On page 103,"...I'm not a part of the "Our" when they sing,"Our flag was still there!" i feel like the "Our" doesn't include blacks, most women, gays, trans, and poor people of all colors." His words "doesn't include blacks" is being used to explain to how blacks are not included on having freedom.

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Diyonn Manokey: I believe D.Watkins rhetoric is a strong rhetoric then Mr.Obama's rhetoric.Now why I say that Mr.Watkins rhetoric is better because, In D.Watkins shows how policemen in a certain neighborhood that treat african- americans terrible and Mr.Obama's rhetoric he is only to state about education and future for students.

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I believe that D.Watkins have more true thoughts because he lives in the city where all of these things are going  on, " George Zimmerman walk after using an innocent black teen for target practice" this quote is saying that why should we still be singing the national anthem when that does not mean anything to the people who is killing like the police......Kimora Karcher

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D.Watkins and Barack Obama rhetoric's were weak. I say this because D.Watkins talks about how we don't get treated fair as black people. But he doesn't take action. I like when anyone has a problem instead of talking about it solve it or at least try to come up with a soultion. Or don't say anything at all. On Barack's speech it was boring, because as a kid I always here the''do good in school speech.'' I hear it from the old people in my neighbohood. And sometimes some people are going threw so much always focusing on school could hurt them. A specially for those who doesn't have access to food. How are they supposed to focus? You cant do anything on an empty stomach.( Jamal)

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I agree with D Watkins because ''should i tell my students that these incidents were mistakes so they wont be scared to leave there hoimes?or should i be honest and say that according to washinton post 313 black people" and i agree with this quote because the government dont like to talk about this.they lie about these things.-Kaliyah edwards

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i believe  that d watkins have more thoughts because he lived in baltimore n the same thing's that happen around him is happen now he talk about the national athem as in slaver , and freedom in the text it say ''our flag was still there i feel like the our doesn't include blacks most women,gays,trans,and poor people of all colors '' (103)....  LENAZA MCNILL

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I believe that D. Watkins has more inspeir  fact in my life because he lived in baltimore  and now what happens in baltimore more so i fell like I can relate. He talk about how the national athem means that we have freedom. In the text it says '' red and blue flashing lights. were knocking on agianst my rear view.

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Montaz jackson .I believe that D. Watkins is stronger because he tells how they dont sing the whole anthem because it start to talk about blacks so they just sing the first couple lines to the anthem he also talks about how they dont care about schools but the president  was  saying that we should respect them"no refuge could save the hireling and slave/from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave

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I think Barack Obama piece is stronger because the way he uses his vocabulary and speech because it how authentic the way he talks as states how youths can succeed even in the most toughest positions. He also state in his speech the one kid had brain loss and he was still able to attend college so that shows we as Americans can do beyond. (Dominick Smith)

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I agree with Nathan's answer because it describes that D. Watkins has improved himself and he will continue to do so. (Amir Rafus)

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i believe d. watkins use of rhetoric in the beast side is very impressive because barack obama is basically saying that if you are doing bad in school you are making your country look disappointing. but d. watkins is saying fuck the national anthem basically saying fuck this country    tywan paige

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D. Watkins has the best rhetoric in my eyes because the word choice is the best , and its better than barak obamas mainly because he used mostly speechfull and inspirational wording like we can do it and "we are the future" , but d. watkins has better thoughts and mindsets , "wilson shot him down as if he were inhuman and did not deserve freedom or the right to live " or "George zimmerman walks after using innocent teen for target practice " this quote gives perfect feeling and word play and is stronger than obama's. (correl oneal )

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ROBERT CLARK I believe D Watkins  rhetoric because police officer Darren Wilson for no reason other then his sink

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Donyelle, Herbo i believe that Barrack Obama has the best rhetoric because he is telling the truth he talks about how that if you drop out of school you will in up were you dont want to be and thats jail aslo he was saying that if you fail off it would effect our country '' we can have the most dedicated teachers the most supportive parents the best schools in the world and none of it will make a difference none of it will matter unless all of you fulfil your responsibilities.

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Devon Limon: I believe D.Watkins rhetoric is a strong rhetoric then  Mr.Obama's rhetoric.Now why i say that Mr.Watkins rhetoric is better is because, In Mr.Watkins shows how policemen in a certain neighborhood treat african-americans and for Mr.obama's rhetoric he is to only state the education and future for students.Quote pg.104 No refuge could save the hireling and slave/from the terror of flight,or the gloom of the grave" something like this states for D.Watkins strongly.

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Ahmad Rafus thinks d. watkins is stronger because he improved himself and d watkins is saying fuck the national anthem. he dont sing. d watkins said they have freedom in the united states because they got shot by the cops.

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Amir Rafus I think the rhetoric of D. Watkins is stronger because he mentions that all cops are bad and they need to stop killing black people. He also mentions that this country is known for blacks and whites.

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I believe Barack Obama use of rhetoric in his speech "Address to American Students" is very inspiring and it can influence you to be a stronger person. In the text it says, "I've talked about teachers' responsibility for inspiring students and pushing you to learn. I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox" (page 1) Barack is using these strategies to help students stay more focused and make sure you have a influence around you to make sure your getting the guidence you need to succeed. - TikyahN

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malik love 😉 i agree with d watkins becuse that he give more evidance and he tells the truth about baltimore  so as he  lives and in baltimore so he know the exspernce and the area of baltimore how people get shot 24/7 cops shoot more black people than white people it says in 105 18 year old mike brown was gunned down for no reason but the coler of has skin

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I believe D. Watkins has a better use of rhetoric because he uses words and sentences  that will get you emotional. Sentences like  " America has become a place that makes up a bullshit sickness like "affluenza" to exonerate rich white murderers, while stuffing the prisons full of young black men on petty charges." This is proving how twisted the system is for a black person you have white people shooting up schools you have black people trying to go to good schools and yet cops kill black people who are trying to make the best for themselves. ( Nathan Pendergrass)

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[natarsha davis] I say Barack Obama have a better rhetoric because he convincing students to stay in school and don't drop out and he was telling the students to set goals for the future.

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i think D .Watkins have  the best rhetoric because is explain how black people getting killed everyday for no reason they need to stop killing my black.when the cops pull over them for no reason they be thinking it a gun in there car. Taylor

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Devin                                                                                                                                                                                No Barack's rhetoric isn't stronger than D.Watkin's because Obama basically only talks about school he doesn't talk about the problems of discrimination he talks about "If you fail in  school you have also failed your country". But what the country done for blacks and the way we are treated, how does the country help us with the justice system, how does the country support as a race when we are being targeted by the justice system and they're letting the cops that kill us because of our race walk while we are left dead or grieving.

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MAurice Scott  I believe that D. Watkins is more rhetoric. I say this because when he talks about what has been going threw the past and the present in Baltimore everything is relatible. I claim that it is relatible because the schooling systems are still the same, the police still act the same, and etc.

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I believe D. Watkins use of rhetoric in The Beast Side is very compelling and impressive. Specifically, his post on page 126, as he describes police, it says, “Plus, we are currently in a culture where a cop can shoot you if you put hands up, or if you follow directions, or if you lie down, or if you are asleep. I swear they see black skin and think bulls-eye.” (126) His use of vivid imagery to describe the struggle of African Americans to feel safe in their own neighborhoods motivates me to FEEL what he is talking about. His rhetoric is effective in making his readers deeply understand his topics.  Sorry Barack.....