Brightmoor.

Although I'd like to say that this article suprised me, I can't. The neighborhoods of Detroit are known to be bad, and nobody seems to be doing anything about it. People wonder why the population in Detroit is decreasing at a rapid rate. The reason really is quite logical. Why would anyone in their right mind want to live somewhere with abandoned, dilapidated houses, burglars/robberies on a regular basis, and a city government that doesn't even care? Henderson reveals in his article a couple who deals with the consequences that come along with living in such a neighborhood. I think he used two specific literary devices that enhanced the effect of the article. The first is sarcasm. This increases the effect on reader's because it shows just how ridiculous the whole situation is. After Henderson reveals the Quades' "crime," he goes on to say, "The nerve! It was time to crack down." The sarcasm used here is obviously directed towards the city commission. They are worried about this old couple who almost always keeps their property presentable when there are much worse things happening there. The second device used is logos. Henderson supports his view on the whole ordeal with some very logical analyzations. He talks about how other residents in the neighborhood have their garbage cans out two or three days after garbage pick-up. Even though many others are guilty of the same crime, the city decides to single out one couple. Not only that, the Quades' probably have the best up-kept house in all of Brightmoor. Another good point that Henderson makes is the priorities of the city comission. They don't care about the grabage all over the place, or the crimes that occur on a regular basis, but yet they find it important to have pretty trees lining the street. This shows just how messed up the priorities of the city are. The Quades' have been complaing about this for a long time, yet they havn't gotten any response whatsoever.

From a Student's Perspective

It’s obvious that Darnell’s article has had an immense impact on many simply by scrolling through others’ comments on it. This article has such an effect for various reasons. Darnell is only a high school student. This simple fact contributes to the importance of the essay. It shows how Kwame’s poor decisions not only affect adults in Detroit, but everyone, even students. Darnell’s plea for Kwame to resign is entirely sincere and backed up with good reason. His description of the way students perform in the schools of Detroit and his neighborhood helps to emphasize how our mayor is not doing anything positive for the city of Detroit. Darnell states how some of his classmates have such poor grammar that their literary works are barely legible. He also describes how this makes him almost want to cry, which shows the audience how sincere he is.

Darnell also used a lot of rhetorical questions in his article. This helps to emphasize the effect of the article because it reveals important questions that the mayor should be considering and answering. Also, it helps to illuminate how Kwame isn’t really improving Detroit at all. His questions also help to put down Kwame’s reputation and show the readers his true character. One such example of this is when Darnell is talking about the last few unscripted minutes of Kwame’s speech. The student asks rhetorically after addressing Kwame’s use of the n-word, “The mayor is clearly a sharp man; can he not see the ramifications of his actions?” Although directly referring to the Mayor’s use of profanity, Darnell is also indirectly referring to Kwame’s sex scandal and waste of millions of dollars. These questions help to reveal the negative effects that our mayor is having on the city and how his actions are worsening Detroit’s already negative reputation.

Darnell’s tone throughout the entire article adds to its overall effect on the audience. Through his use of diction and examples, Gardner displays feelings of distress and sorrow for his city. He talks about the desperation in his neighborhood, how gunshots and use of illegal drugs are common, and how his school’s students aren’t improving. He describes his city as “dilapidated, crumbled, abandoned, and lost.” Darnell’s wise choice of words also contributes to the legitimacy of his article, and allows readers to read it knowing that what Darnell is saying is true and heartfelt. He also says how his words are not “tainted with ‘bigotry’ or a product of some ‘lynch-mob mentality.” He is obviously referring to Kwame’s speech to the city. The fact that Darnell is African American and says this shows how what Kwame said is not in the least bit accurate. He attempted to take the blame away from him and throw the racist card. Darnell shuts down that accusation in this article, and agrees that Kwame should be convicted and kicked out of office. This article has further convinced me of just how incapable our mayor is and how much of a disgrace he has brought to Detroit. Darnell’s essay had an impact on me and I’m sure on anybody who will read it.

Prosecution Statement on Kwame

Kym L. Worthy's speech displays concrete reasoning behind the prosecution of Mayor Kwame. She uses two rhetorical strategies to reveal a point that will be talked about later. These two strategies are pathos and ethos. Worthy starts off her speech by displaying the high level of character and morale herself and her team possessed while making the investigation. This helps to validate her words and causes her audience to believe more of what she says. Worthy does this by saying the investigation has been unbiased and open-minded. She speaks of long hours put in to investigating whether Kwame is guilty or not, all of this with "careful, deliberate, thoughtful, and analytical" determination. She is very smart in declaring all of this at the start of the speech. This use of ethos allows the audience to listen to the rest of the speech knowing in their minds that what Worthy is saying is genuine and viable. Further along in the prosecution, Kym appeals to the audience by use of ethos once more. She lists the "fundamental principles of the justice system" and says how important they are in this case. By listing these, Kym helps the audience to understand how Kwame has displayed none of these characteristics throughout the past few months. It shows the audience how little integrity and character our Mayor possesses. “Even children understand that lying is wrong." This statement is sort of a slap in the face towards Kwame. Worthy compares Kwame to a child, implying that Kwame (a grown man) has no problem lying, but a child (not a grown man) knows full well that lying is wrong.

Kym also uses pathos to her favor in this speech. She appeals to the audience’s emotions by stating a few of the consequences that have occurred as a result of Kwame's scandal. Kym reveals how the policemen's lives have been changed, their reputations ruined, and all because they chose to tell the truth. This makes the audience feel bad for the officers, mere victims in Kwame's crime. In addition to feeling remorse towards the officers, this may cause a feeling of anger towards Kwame for having no regard towards the welfare of these policemen. A feeling of resentment is also established when Worthy talks about the betrayal and destruction of the public's trust. Kwame lied about this scandal, so how is the public supposed to believe anything that he says from now on? The issue of public money - also destroyed - adds to the whole mess. Worthy discusses all of this in one paragraph in an attempt to enhance the public's feeling of dislike towards Kwame.

These rhetorical strategies previously discussed all contribute in revealing an underlying point in this speech. Worthy talks a lot about the importance of witnesses being truthful, no matter the cost. She also says how witnesses take an oath saying that they will tell the truth, and nothing but it. These statements allude to Kwame. Kym is essentially saying that Kwame is no exception to obeying the law. He lied in office about his scandal and should not be treated any differently because of his political status.