Argumentation #6

   In this world, it is no surprise that oppression often leads to violence. It occurs in sexcism, racism, and other -isms. Richard Wright is the author of the novel Native Son. In his novel, he writes “Violence is a personal necessity for the oppressed...It is not a strategy consciously devised. It is the deep, instinctive expression of a human being denied individuality.” This statement can be seen true in the main character of the novel who views the white men as aggressive and a hostile force against him and many who find themselves stifled by oppression. However, there are victims of oppression who find non-violent ways to protest and fight against the social norms, laws, and bigotry that shackle them. Wright's claim that violence is a personal necessity or an instinctive expression of humans being oppressed is not true.

   Violence is not the only action that should be taken towards oppressors. Several victims of oppression have succeeded in fighting against oppression through non-violent actions. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. has gradually influenced many individuals through his speeches and marches. Violence isn't only a symbol of being oppressed. Violence can be inflicted in many ways. In fact, violence can be caused upon those who are the oppressors. There are many different actions that could be partaken to go against oppression, several including peaceful strikes, speeches, and marches.

   If a human being is denied individuality, violence is not the only way to show their expression. If an adversary is to push you, what good is it to push them back? The only result of lowering your standards to oppressors is a pointless fight. It is agreeable that there are in fact various human beings who are denied individuality, however is violence really the best way to solve it? Would you risk having other citizens who weren't involved killed? Violence is not an instinctive expression of individuals being oppressed. People have the choice to choose whether to lower their standards to an oppressor or not. However, glance at the history caused by violence and contemplate about the billions of individuals who have died.

   Violence is not a personal need or an expressions of individuals being oppressed. Through history and past generations, all violence has done is contribute to greater destruction. It is not the only way of expressing a victim's feelings of oppression. Although it still exists today, people still have the choice of whether to walk along the path of violence or fly across the peaceful skies unharmed. Violence is not natural and direct, but can be contemplatable.

Argumentation #5

   The idea of reparations for slavery has been debatable for centuries. Citizens of America today still debate whether there should be reparations for those descendants of slaves. Thomas Sowell is an Economist and Social Theorist who has consistently been against the idea of reparations, especially for descendants of slaves. In a 2012 interview, he stated his reason for his opposition to reparations. He has claimed that, “The people made worse off by slavery were those who were enslaved. Their descendants would have been worse off today if born in Africa instead of America. Put differently, the terrible fate of their ancestors benefited them. If those who were enslaved were alive, they would deserve huge reparations and their captors would deserve worse punishments than our laws allow. But death has put both beyond our reach. Frustrating as that may be, creating new injustices among the living will not change that.” Sowell's claim that the descendants of slaves have benefited from the fate of their ancestors and that the death of those ancestors has put the idea of reparation beyond our reach is not true.

    Descendants of slaves have not benefited from the fate of their ancestors. In fact, most are humiliated by it. Most of them do not consider their ancestor's fate to be beneficial. How are the death of your relatives beneficial? Descendants of slaves would feel humiliated because of the thought that they are the descendants. It's as if they were the successors of slaves. Although slavery has been considered abolished, the idea that remains is whether those descendants will receive reparations. The history of slaves still remains. Therefore, that history has been implemented within the modern day descendants. Due to racism, people still consider those African Americans as slaves. What benefits are there for them? Blacks are still segregated, considered inferior, and other unbeneficial effects.

    The death of those ancestors has not put the idea of reparations beyond our reach. It is not too late, there are still reparational actions that can be taken. Although it won't be as effective towards the descendants of slaves rather than the slaves who were actually affected with cruelity, it would at least be some effort to apologize. Rather than giving it to individuals, reparations can be given to the whole community instead. Thus, benefiting the whole black community. For example, if educational reparations were given to those descendants, African Americans in the United States would rise in efforts of knowledge. In addition, monetary reparations would be beneficial as well. It is a fact that compared to 73% of white households, 45% of blacks own their own home. Although it may be argued that the idea of reparations is too late since those affected slaves have passed away and it is too late to apologize, that is not entirely true. Yes, giving reparations to the descendants of slaves is not the same as actually giving them to those affected slaves. However, at least it is an effort from America to apologize rather than just doing nothing.

   Thomas Sowell has claimed that African American descents of enslavement have benefited from their ancestor's fate and due to the death of those ancestors, the idea of reparation is beyond our reach. This claim is not true. A majority of modern day African Americans are still fluctuated by the fate of their ancestors and the impact their deaths have caused upon them. The idea of reparations is still alive. Although the debate whether descendants of slaves should receive reparations or not is still active, these descendants are suffering from poverty and the harm that has been bestowed upon them. It isn't as harmful as the slaves from the past centuries, but there is still racism and segregation, 

   

Argumentation #4

Ethnic education was important and gradually increasing during the 19th century. This refers not only to African Americans, but other ethnic races as well. In addition, there were establishments of black colleges all over the nation. Henry Lyman Morehouse, ironically a white man, had developed the idea of the "Talented Tenth" in 1896, which soon became popularized by W.E.B Dubois. The concept of the "Talented Tenth" can be described as a plan to encourage and increase the ratio of African Americans with an education similar to the white men to a certain extent. The idea was to gather 10 African Americans, pick one with the superiority in knowledge and education, then to improve that one black man as he develops an education in higher level and to leave the other 9 African Americans to go through their suffering. Thus, that one black man would return to elevate his fellow black men as well. Morehouse has claimed that the top 10% of African Americans with higher education, whether in skills, culture, ethics, etc., are the future successes of their race in this country. Morehouse's claim is true however, the other 90% of African Americans should be provided with an education as well.

Morehouse's claim that the future success of the African American race in this country is dependent on the higher education of the top 10% of the African American population is true to some extent. It is true that as soon as there is a prominent leader, the rest will follow. Therefore, if there is 10% of the African American population with a superiority in education, the other 90% will have hope that those 10% will provide their fellow brothers with a necessary amount of education as well. Thus, the cycle continues and there will be a diversity of blacks with a higher education. The "Talented Tenth" at least gives hope towards the success and future of the race. The tenth man is said to have superior natural endowments, be symmetrically trained, and be highly developed, which those qualities will be bestowed upon the rest of the African Americans. It is said that the tenth man will become a mightier influence and inspiration towards the rest of the black race.

Although Morehouse's claim may be true, it is also refutable. The "Talented Tenth" plan seems as though it could be true however, what happens to the other 90% of the race? As the top 10% receive an education, what is to happen to the other African American population? To let them suffer with no other benefits as the 10% have? They should be given an education as well. It does not have to be as superior to the 10% but they should receive an education. There will be no success for the black race if they are left suffering with no knowledge in life. Focusing on a certain group or individual of the race will not help the entire race as a whole. In fact, how can it even be certain that the top 10% will even return to educate or pass on their wisdom to the others? There will always be people who think for themselves first rather than others. Not all of those educated black men are like this however, they do exist. Therefore, the majority of the African American population in this nation wouldn't entirely be educated.

In conclusion, Morehouse's claim that the future success of the African American race in this country is dependent on the higher education of the top 10% of the African American population may be true, but also false. As of today, there is no such system related that would benefit the race. In modern day, a majority of ethnicity are provided with education and encouraged to achieve a higher education. However, it was difficult back then due to the racial and segregation of races. To some extent, Morehouse's plan succeeded however, it would have greatly been effective if a majority of the race would be included as well.

Argumentation #3

The concept of courage and cowardice have been accepted within our society as two complete opposites for many generations. It has been presumed that courage, above all, is the first quality of a warrior, and that there is no room for cowardice on the battlefield. On the contrary, it has also been presumed that a coward is a hero with a wife, kids, and a mortgage. The decision whether a soldier is cowardice or courageous has been a controversial subject among numerous countries, including America. In the midst of war, American's perception of a courageous soldier is a warrior who is heroic, brave, and capable with the abilities to protect his/her fellow citizens. This is not true.

People say that soldiers filled with courage have the ability to protect their country, to protect their citizens, and to protect their justice. However, this is not always the case. Yes, there are some soldiers who can be perceived with those qualities. Nevertheless, soldiers are rather cowardice than courageous. Someone may believe that during a battle, a soldier may go home alive due to an injury caused by his courageous actions. How can someone be so certain that the soldier even did any courageous actions? In reality, soldiers go home not because of their injury, but because of their fear. Their fear is what brings them to descend from the war. Soldiers are typically afraid of death, afraid of pain, and just afraid of war in general. Soldiers don't fight to protect their morality, they fight because they were trained to do so and taught to follow orders. When cowards leave the war, they leave their comrade's pale corpse lying on the steady ground, they leave their country in a state of uprising war, and most of all, they leave all their so called "courage" behind. The image of a soldier is rather fake than what we had expected.

Argumentation #2

Let me tell you what we need Mr. Dier. We need to have a huge celebration after the AP exams. If we were to hear those exact words from your mouth, it would be music to our ears. In fact, it would be harmonious. This is not an exaggeration. This is not a mere joke. Moreover, this is not some playful suggestion. We need a party. My fellow classmates and I deserve a rest and it is irrefutable that you would need one as well. Everyone needs to relax. Otherwise, our stress level would fly off the charts! In addition, this celebration can be something to look forward to after the AP exams. According to Mrs. Frankenberg, typically when students have something beneficial to look forward to after the exam, their stress level tends to decrease. Thus, a better result on the test. If you actually considered this idea and decided to allow this celebration to proceed, students would like you even more. Thus, you would receive a better attitude, a better reputation,  and overall a better day for both you and the class. Furthermore, if this party was established, it could assist in reducing stress by forgetting about the AP exam in general. For example, after the SAT, several of my friends and I walked to Starbucks and Subway. We hung out for a while and during that time, we had completely forgotten about the SAT and felt as if it was another weekend with friends. Although, an individual may argue that the students who don't try, don't deserve the party. This reason isn't a justification. Instead, we could still have the party, but you could exclude those who don't try if you desired to. No, I am not forcing you to establish this party, nor am I demanding you to. I am simply informing you that having a celebration would be intensely rewarding. Consider this a proclamation by one of your students. Contemplate about it. Contemplate about the anxiety in which students undergo. Contemplate about the tension you undergo. Finally, contemplate whether we need this celebration or not.

Argumentation #1

This whole topic is specifically illogical, stupid, and simply foolish. This one topic over the color of a dress is nothing new. Many scientists over the years have already discovered the function of eyes when observing colors and there were various other questionable objects regarding color. Yet, this one topic just gradually increased in popularity. Perhaps it was because the whole concept became a new trend over social media. The debate whether the dress is the color of blue and black or white and gold is as illogical as storing double AA batteries into your car and think your car would be in full power. The whole debate over the color of the dress doesn't matter and simply isn't necessary. Why worry about the color of a simple dress when you could worry about other important topics happening around the world, such as the death of a person or the discovery of a new disease? Color perception is not new. This whole topic is idiotic.

Assertion Analysis #12

Ralph Waldo Emerson emphasizes the idea of individuality. In the role of Romanticism, Emerson encourages that we, as an individual, are capable of believing in oneself. We are able to follow our own path destined by our own decisions we take. In addition, he is saying that by believing in yourself and acting as an individual, it will inspire other people to do the same as well. The era of Romanticism has encouraged many people to follow the path of individuality and other inspirations, such as Emerson. He strongly believes that a nation of freedom, self-esteem, and individuality can and will be created.

In order to reach out to his audience, Emerson uses various types of rhetorical devices. In particular, he uses alliteration in his assertion. By repeating the words "we will" and "our own," he is able to show that it is not only him who will follow the path of individuality, but many other people together as well. He also shows that by doing the actions he listed by ourselves, we are able to increase the number of individuals who follow Romanticism. By using this rhetorical device, he can influence the audience to follow his foot steps and accept the role of individuality. His use of alliteration can be found in the beginning of his assertion where he states, "We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds..."

Assertion Analysis #11

In his quote, Niemoller is stating the various things he isn't as people come to take them away. For generations and throughout history, there will always be groups or organizations that certain people won't approve of. In addition, resulting in a punishment for those people. As people come to take Jews, Communists, and others away, Niemoller has still yet to be taken. However, by the time they arrive for him, there was no one left to speak up. He is referring to people who do not speak up. Speak up when you can because there will be no other chance. If not, there will be no one to speak up  in order to change history and of this repeating pattern.

Niemoller uses rhetorical devices to inspire and attract his audience's attention. One of which is alliteration. He repeats the same pattern of words in each of his sentences. For example, when he says, "Then they came for.." and "I didn't speak up..." The reason for using this rhetorical device is to attract the audience ad they hear and repeating source of words. Furthermore, by using alliteration, he was able to introduce and state the idea how throughout history, the same pattern happens as people get taken and people do not speak up. Thus, the audience begins to realize that someone must speak up in order for this chain of cruelty to stop.