The Great Debaters The film, “The Great Debaters” released in 2007 was a drama based on the life of Melvin B. Tolson and how he aggressively sought to change the perspective of the next generation of African American students in a Jim Crow South. The majority of the film takes place at the all black Wiley College in Marshal, Texas during the 1930’s. Tolson, a professor at Wiley, forms the college’s debate team consisting of; Henry Lowe, a student well versed in poetry, James Farmer Jr., a brilliant fourteen year old with exemplary analytical thinking skills, and Samantha Booke, a female student with the dream of becoming a lawyer who must have the fortitude to overcome not only racism towards blacks, but women as well. I felt this…
coach Melvin B. Tolson in their efforts to prove prejudice wrong by excelling in debate. After many successful competitions, Harvard University invites Wiley College to compete. Despite Harvard’s reputation as one of the best schools in the country, Wiley College won the match.…
Taking place in the 1930’s, The Great Debaters is a true story that revolves around an African-American debate coach, Melvin B. Tolson, who strives for his debate team of four kids, to be equal to the whites. During the time period, segregation and the Jim Crow laws were still in effect, making life for blacks difficult. This movie shows us how public speaking and communication were important, especially during debates. There were two boys on the debate team, Henry Lowe and Hamilton Burgess…
into an elite debate team during the turmoil in America. Professor Tolson who covertly takes part in a political action considered illegal likewise faces difficulty and loses an individual from the group leaving him with Henry Lowe, Samantha Booke and James Farmer Jnr. As they contend across the nation they encounter the reality of brutally racist offences.…
In other words, Holden claims that this film doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to demonstrating the life of blacks in the 1930s. I can certainly say that this film is very explicit when it comes to showing how we, as black African Americans, were looked upon in this torn town of segregation. I agree with Stephen Holden due to the way this film shows disturbing images of how blacks were lynched and spoke to in the south. In this scene where they lynch a black man, the group of four…
The Great Debaters, was an eye-catching, thrilling, and riveting movie that had me stuck to the edge of my seat. It consisted of unique subplots, dialogue, and actors. It’s the ideal movie for those who would like to learn more about the brutal discrimination towards African Americans in the 1930s. The film included many great actors such as Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, and more. These performers did a phenomenal job at playing their roles with such compassion and…
The Great Debaters chronicles the journey of Professor Melvin Tolson and his four debaters which end up being three. Professor Tolson is a brilliant but volatile debate team coach. He utilizes the power of words to shape a group of underdog students for a small African American college in Wiley, Texas. In 1935 he led Wiley College debate team to a historically run. James Farmer Jr, the son of James Farmer Sr. I believe James Farmer Jr was looked as the weakest debaters out of the team. However,…
The movie, “The Great Debaters” (2007), was both directed and starred by activist Denzel Washington who acted as Melvin Tolson, English and Speech Professor at Wiley College. Prior to this film’s production, many were not knowledgeable of Wiley College nor its debating team. However, a transformation took place when Melvin coached a four (4) member debate team of Wiley College into victory. The chosen critique scene was that of scene two (2) of the debate film: between Wiley College and…
In the frame of our Ethics class, we have watched The Great Debaters (2007) as an introduction to the ethical issues surrounding the United-States of America at the time of the Great Depression. As the plot of the film developpes, issues such as racism, segregation and unjust laws are worked upon and presented to the audience. Due to the nature of the movie, traditional debating as well as the crucial points that make an argument persuasive and sound are integrated throughout its entirety.…
They Recorded "These Arms of Mine" during a session, and it became an R&B hit. In August of 1962, he came to the attention of Stax Records and signed a record deal. Redding's solo career began with the help of that first hit. In 1965 and 1966, when "Mr. Pitiful," "I've Been Loving You Too Long," and "I Can't Turn You Loose," were released it put Redding at the top. It was his passion on the “chitlin' circuit” (Black entertainment radio) that made Redding, one the most popular black…