Gators: Double-standard or Duty?

11/28/2022

Marcus Stokes, one of the best high school football players in the country, had his University of Florida scholarship offer pulled this weekend after he was seen on video rapping the n-word. Stokes is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound dual-threat QB who was rated a four-star recruit by 247Sports. He was also the 14th-ranked signal-caller in the nation. What do you think about the university's decision to revoke his opportunity?

1. INCLUDE: First Initial, Last Name AND Class Block.

2. Respond in no more than five (5) complete sentences and no less than three (3) complete sentences. (This helps you write more concisely and think more critically.)

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.

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Due Fri., December 2, 2022 11:59 p.m. CST

chase moore 6b

11/28/2022 04:51:31 pm

i feel like it was the right choice because he should't have said that word on camera not only is it bad its also goes against being racist and could also affect the school's reputation

B Wilkinson 6B

11/29/2022 10:41:39 am

I agree, they probably wouldn't want any controversy at their school.

Jamien Pearl 2A

11/29/2022 11:30:48 am

Right cause it could lead to bad reputation and other problems they don't want to deal with.

R. Waits 7B

11/29/2022 12:18:54 pm

I would like to bargain with your answer because the man shouldn't had said it on camera,and on top, we understand that it ruins the schools reputation but what about offline and aside from school's expectancy. Would you say that it is acceptable regardless of those statements?

J ballard 1a

12/5/2022 12:11:21 am

I agree the college did the right thing by takng the back the scholarship the kid should be respectful and responsible enough to not use such words on video

R Arpero 7B

11/30/2022 02:13:22 pm

I agree accepting him may disrupt the Universitys reputation.

Jared Castillo 3A

11/30/2022 09:16:51 pm

I agree, the school wouldn't want to tolerate someone being racist or people taking it that way

R. Aponte 2A link

12/1/2022 09:48:13 pm

The word shouldn't be used either way because it shows no respect for people especially African Americans. It was beyond racists and it was very immature of him. He needed to be an example and a leader, and he wasn't either of those.

Kevin Jacinto 6b

12/2/2022 11:03:56 pm

I agree, not only is it wrong and offensive. But, this just makes him overall and justifies why he got his scholarship token from him.

J ballard 1a

12/4/2022 11:54:44 pm

I agree with this statement the word is very disrespectful towards the african american history , and should not be said by anyone even the rapper himself.

FG 1A

12/5/2022 09:28:04 am

i disagree because what if he was out getting drunk and he had no control over what he was doing or saying and they just wanted to get to his head with that

M. Moore 7b

12/5/2022 10:09:45 am

furthermore i think he shouldn't have said it period. "at the end of the day we are accountable to ourselves - our success is the result of what we do" - C. Pulsifer. He should've held himself accountable no matter the circumstance if he wanted to seceded.

B Wilkinson 6B

11/29/2022 10:40:45 am

I think Florida did a good job by revoking his scholarship. But at the same time i feel like they should have just did some sort of "3 strikes and your out" type of thing. At the end of the day it is just a song but he did say the n-word while not being a person of color.

Jamien Pearl 2A

11/29/2022 11:32:09 am

Right i feel like he might have been joking or playing around but he still said it while being recorded.

R. Waits 7B

11/29/2022 12:20:29 pm

I beg to differ. This man was not of color in any way and he is old enough to understand what is going on around him. Actions have consequences whether he was joking around or not.

M.Davis 1A

11/29/2022 03:47:13 pm

Yes, It was not his place to say that.

Jared Castillo 3A

11/30/2022 09:18:07 pm

Yes, that would be a good way they could've solve the situation by giving him a strike.

Sydney Griffin link

12/1/2022 02:38:53 pm

I don't agree with how they should get chances, because it's an offence for saying the n-word.

FG 1A

12/5/2022 10:03:10 am

but yet again its just a word anybody has the right to say anything they want is freedom of speech

R. Aponte link

12/1/2022 09:52:47 pm

Still it gives more of a reason why he shouldn't say such things and because he knows there is a deeper meaning. It isn't a word everybody should use, and it was very repulsive. There are many other words he could have said instead of what his used, and he needs to be mindful of what he is saying.

Shamarian Samuels

12/2/2022 05:35:37 pm

I agree with about revoking the scholarship he doesn’t have the privilege to be throwing around the n word. In reality none of us do but y’all aren’t ready for the conversation.

Janelle Melgar 6B link

12/2/2022 09:33:15 pm

I agree with you. What they did was the only and right choice. He had no right to say the n-word.

Jamien Pearl 2A

11/29/2022 11:29:25 am

I think they did the right thing because if the video airs out then controversy can appear and it might give the school a bad reputation if they see someone saying such things with no punishment.

Kaylee Holt 6B

11/30/2022 09:07:34 am

I agree, like i said in my comment the coaches dont want the face of football to be a racist.It gives them a bad look.

A. Tindle 7b

12/2/2022 12:26:29 pm

I agree with you about the controversy, because even if not every African- American is offended by it, a lot are. Him going to that college having a posibility of being surrounded by African- Americans, with this viral offensive video, could be very problematic.

Janelle Melgar 6B link

12/2/2022 09:35:50 pm

I agree with you. If they didn't do anything about what theguy said the school would most likely look bad, so by them acting about the situation show that they care about the school's reputation.

R. Waits 7B

11/29/2022 12:13:30 pm

I think the university's decision to revoke his opportunity is correct. The reason why I believe this as strongly as I do is because the n-word shouldn't be used by anyone but that race. Especially since during the slavery ages, the n-word was used to put down African american people and anyone that had even a sliver of African in them. So, I think the university made the right decision.

M. Davis 1A

11/29/2022 03:48:14 pm

Right. You can't just go around saying anything ! Very offensive.

Makyia Lyons link

11/30/2022 08:47:15 am

I totally agree with you. He have no business saying the n-word. That word should have not come out his mouth, because he don´t what African Americans been through, and for him saying the n-word on camera, im glad they revoked his scholarship.

B Wilkinson 6B

11/30/2022 11:29:43 am

I agree, the only people that should be able to say the n-word are people of color.

R Arpero 7B

11/30/2022 02:12:05 pm

I agree it can be very offensive to people of color

joshua.m

12/1/2022 12:33:35 pm

i disagree and agree because i feel like rapper normilize the word in there songs that many races listen to but at the same time he knows he not suppose to be saying that and not only that he posted it knowing who he is .

Kevin Jacinto 6B

12/2/2022 11:09:06 pm

Definitely agree that rappers have normalized this word. But I feel like he shouldn’t be recording himself saying the word. Even if he probably didn’t intend it in a bad way. It just shows the kind of person he is.

E.Adame

12/1/2022 07:10:21 pm

I agree with you because he really shouldn't be saying the n-word. He put so much on the line because of that one video. Hopefully he learns from his consequences.

Pina 7B

12/2/2022 10:46:17 pm

I agree with you he shouldn't have said the n-word it was really disrespectful .

M. Davis 1A

11/29/2022 03:46:14 pm

I feel like he deserved this. If you know what is at stake why are you making stupid decisions? He should think before he does certain things.

Kaylee Holt 6B

11/30/2022 09:05:53 am

I agree when a lot is handed to you that doesn't mean go do some stupid stuff and throw it all away.

Jadon Hernandez 5B

11/30/2022 10:44:07 am

I believe this as well, all people should think before they speak or make their actions.

Pina 7B

12/2/2022 10:48:51 pm

I agree with you because you should think before you act. It is very easy for someone to mess up their career by an easy mistake that can ruin your life.

Makyia Lyons 5B link

11/30/2022 08:44:06 am

I think the university's decision to remove his opportunity is correct. The reason why I believe this as strongly as I do is because the n-word shouldn't be used by anyone but that race. He shouldn´t be rapping the n-word, he doesn ´ t need to be saying the n-word because that makes him racist.

Jadon Hernandez 5B

11/30/2022 10:42:03 am

I believe that black people should only be able to use the N word, so anyone who uses the word and isn't black is technically racist.

F. Maltos 3A

12/2/2022 06:43:21 pm

I agree, it was wrong from his part to be saying that word knowing it can offend others.

Kaylee Holt 6B

11/30/2022 08:59:52 am

I think the Florida gators did to much but i also think they did the right thing.The reason I think they did to much is because they could of benched him for how ever long they wanted and he would still get to play afterwards.My other reason on why i think they did the right thing is because it doesn't matter how good of an athlete you are it depends on the attitude and respect you have towards others.

Kaylee Holt 6B

11/30/2022 09:03:48 am

I would also like to add that people don't want to have a racist as the face of their football team so I'm going toward my it was the right thing.

Sydney Griffin link

12/1/2022 02:34:26 pm

I agree even if the athlete is good at what they do, it doesn't mean they get to be rude and disrespectful towards someone else's culture.

E.Adame 2A

12/1/2022 07:07:26 pm

I agree with you on both things. It's either they could get hated or make a good choice according to others as well. You've got to make sure to respect all no matter how much you think you could be better.

Victoria Taylor

12/2/2022 10:29:00 am

i agree, you also don't want someone who is racist to be the face of your team or maybe a company

jeremiah balckmon 2A

12/2/2022 10:34:06 pm

i agree on how you treat others is far more important than how good of an athlete you are and respect goes a long way.

Jadon Hernandez 5B

11/30/2022 10:38:47 am

I believe it is right in a way. I say this, because stokes shouldn't have used the N word at all. In another way freedom of speech is the 1st amendment, so stokes has the right to say what he wants, but there is just things you can't or shouldn't say.

Raheem Beck 5B

11/30/2022 01:39:38 pm

I believe yes he was wrong for saying the N-word but at the same time he still is a kid and is going to make mistakes. This wasn't called for him to primarily lose his future with all of the potential he has off of one mistake. Things like that sometimes just slip out and you can't really blame him because thats really all that is in the musice we listent to today. I don't believe he should've lost his offer but I believe they just didn't want him bringing any drama into their school.

A. Hernandez

12/2/2022 09:46:57 am

I agree, he shouldnt be saying the n-word at all especially on video where a lot of people can see it. I think the university revoked his scholarship because they dont want it to look bad on them allowing a white male athlete saying that word. It can also cause big problems in their University with their students.

Shamarian Samuels

12/2/2022 05:40:37 pm

I agree and disagree with you in life it’s not required for you to get second chance, that’s why you should always watch how you react to each situation especially if there are cameras around. I’m sure he knows how the n-word is such a sensitive subject and/or topic why would he even want to be associated with that word.

jeremiah blackmon 2A

12/2/2022 10:31:37 pm

i agree he's a kid and needs to learn from his mistakes,too much talent going to waste on little mistakes.

R Arpero 7B

11/30/2022 02:10:49 pm

I agree and disagree with the University action because say the n word and being white can offend people but I feel like they went too far with pulling back.

joshua.m 3a

12/1/2022 12:28:20 pm

i agree but also i mean ik it was a hard choice for the university .

Victoria Taylor

12/2/2022 10:26:52 am

i agree but the university has a hard choice to make

Mkaya Banks

11/30/2022 05:03:23 pm

As an African American, I took this to a very large offense, because it was disrespectful to my culture, and I completely agree with Florida university for stripping away his scholarship, because no one should ever support, the disrespectful behavior of future athletes this generation athletes think they can get away with anything, and they need to start chopping down and getting onto these kids and letting them know that certain things are not allowed.

Jared Castillo 3A

11/30/2022 09:15:38 pm

I think the university did the right choice by revoking his opportunities, because it wasn't right from his part to say the n world, it may offend other people by saying that world and take it as if they are being racist. It also would affect him because of his race and you will least expect that from him.

F. Maltos 3A

12/2/2022 06:51:14 pm

I agree, because him saying that word can be very offensive to other people knowing him saying that if its not right for him to say that word.

joshua .m 3a

12/1/2022 12:25:52 pm

I'm not really sure how to feel because he didn't say it in a bad way but also he shouldn't say it in general . I think the college defiantly had to make a tuff call on taking up his schoalrship because he is a great football player . I think he is gonna learn from this but also i hope one mistake dosnt ruin his whole career .

A. Hernandez

12/2/2022 09:37:24 am

I agree because he shouldn't have said the n-word at all especially on camera knowing he has a bright future ahead of him. The university made this call to prevent any problems in their facility with other athletes that can be offended by this. I think he is going to learn from this because any mistake can mess up your future.

A. Tindle 7b

12/2/2022 12:22:07 pm

I agree that he wasent saying it in a bad way, but the rule is he cant say it period. Defenently agree that it shouldnt ruin his whole career, but he shouldnt say the word at all.

Sydney Griffin link

12/1/2022 02:33:07 pm

As an African American, I take this very offense because they are disrespecting my culture, and I agree with Florida university for taking away his scholarship because no one should support someone who says the n-word. It is extremely disrespectful, the behavior from a future athlete. In this generation, athletes think that they can get away with anything and they need to know that it cannot be allowed. Show some respect for the other people in the culture, it can affect your whole career.

M. Moore 7b

12/5/2022 10:05:15 am

I agree a lot of athletes and even celebrities now days aren't held accountable it's good to know that some programs still do care.

E.Adame 2A

12/1/2022 07:04:53 pm

The University of Florida did a good job revoking Stokes scholarship. Stokes isn't a person of color and shouldn't have been saying it in the first place, its disrespectful. This definitely ruined his reputation as others can take this offensively and he won't be seen the same again.

Melissa Contreras 6B

12/2/2022 11:57:58 pm

I couldnt agree more with what you are saying. It ruined his reputation not only as a person but with his future. The school made the right decision.

R. Aponte 2A link

12/1/2022 09:09:07 pm

With respect for African Americans and their ancestors, the n-word shouldn't be used lightly by anybody. For his actions, he deserved what happened to him, and he should take full consideration of his actions. His actions reflected upon his scholarship being revoked, and his future opportunities. Marcus should not encourage repulsive decisions, instead, he should be a leader toward others.

A. Hernandez

12/2/2022 09:30:52 am

I think the University decision was correct, because he shouldn't be using the n-word at all. The University most likely removed his scholarship to prevent problems with their African American athletes. As a white male I think it shouldn't be said at all, especially what going on in the world today with racism. The n-word shouldn't be said by an anybody accept that race.

Victoria Taylor 6b

12/2/2022 10:26:04 am

The University of Florida has executed a terrific activity revoking the Stokes Scholarship. Stokes isn't someone of color and ought to now no longer were disrespectful with in the first place. That simply ruined his recognition as others may discover him offensive and he's going to by no means be visible as such again.

A. Tindle 7b

12/2/2022 12:19:42 pm

This is a very touchy topic, and very complex, but even if he was not saying the word in a negative way, hes not supposed to say it and thats just the rule. In life there are many rules, whether you think its fair or not, they are the rules for a reason.Breaking those rules will have concequences, and The University of Florida revoking his scholorship is just that.. a consequence.

Ryan Brown 3A

12/2/2022 06:46:33 pm

I don't like how you said it was a rule because it isn't, no words are off limits to you. As part of the bills of rights you should be able to say whatever you want, and you shouldn't be punished for it.

Shamarian samuels

12/2/2022 05:43:18 pm

.

The N-word shouldn't be used either way because it shows no respect for African Americans and our ancestors that struggled. It was very immature of him he is supposed to be a leader, and he failed to do so florida had a right to revoke his scholarship it’s their school it would’ve only brought back publicity to the school maybe now he can finally realize that actions have consequences whether you fully meant it or not.

Mya Espino 7B

12/2/2022 09:11:37 pm

I completely agree with you. He was supposed to be a good example to those who look up to him. Now I feel like those who look up to him, will think it's "okay" to say something like this if the university wouldn't have done something about this.

R, Brown 7B

12/2/2022 10:59:44 pm

I see where you are coming from. I hope to see the day when he realizes how many people he offended just by saying the n-word. I also hope he does a public apology.

Morgan Johnson 5B

12/2/2022 11:03:04 pm

I agree, if he was really a leader he wouldn't have done this. He has failed as a leader and human being for committing this action.

Fanny Maltos 3A

12/2/2022 06:32:21 pm

I think the university of Florida did right because it was not right for him to say the N word and a lot of people will be offended. He should have also known what would happen if he had said that on video knowing it isn't right for him to say that. That just makes him look unprofessional when he should have known better and when he should have taken full considerations of his actions.

Mya Espino 7B

12/2/2022 09:08:25 pm

I agree. He should know by now that his actions have consequences. He shouldn't have said it or even lip-synced it.

R, Brown 7B

12/2/2022 10:58:01 pm

I completely agree with that statement. It is never to say that word especially in a professional setting.

Ryan Brown 3A

12/2/2022 06:39:26 pm

I dislike how this university has taken this guys opportunity. As a black person I don't understand the problem with using the N-word, to me it's just another curse word. People curse all the time and there's normally no problems that come of it. The idea that the n-word can only be said by a certain group of people is wrong. We should all be able to say is or no one should say it.

Mya Espino 7B

12/2/2022 09:05:34 pm

I think the university did a fantastic job revoking his privileges. Whether or not he said it, it doesn't matter. He should not be able to say nor lip-sync the word. It doesn't matter if it was used in a derogatory manner. It's offensive no matter how you use it, and I am delighted that the university decided to punish him and not let him go off with a pass.

Janelle Melgar 6B link

12/2/2022 09:40:12 pm

I agree. The kid should have known better than to say the n-word. I am glad the school acted in this situation and took away this opportunity from him. With that being said if the school didn't do anything about this I am sure they would have got back a bunch of negativity, so they make the right choice by taking away his scholarship.

jeremiah blackmon 2A

12/2/2022 10:28:10 pm

I cant make up my mind if what the university did was right or wrong but i know why they did it.Schools have reputations and they don't like bringing drama to there school.I feel like if he would've still had the scholarship a lot of people on campus would feel some way about it.At the end of the day he just needs to learn from his mistakes.

Paola Pina 7B

12/2/2022 10:44:30 pm

I think he should not have said the N-word. It shows disrespect towards African Americans and their past, it is an offensive and racial slur and it should not be used. The university did the right thing by taking away his scholarship. Him saying the N-word should not be taken lightly.

Morgan Johnson 5B

12/2/2022 11:00:52 pm

I agree, it is very offensive and the university did do the right thing. He knew what he was doing and go what was deserved.

Desiree Ware 3A

12/2/2022 11:48:43 pm

Yes I agree it is very offensive he said because he thought he would get away with it because it’s so normalized now to say these racial slurs to each other and action not be done. He got what he deserved.

Jeremiah Bryant

12/5/2022 09:00:02 am

This is correct and i agree the word shouldn't have been used.

R, Brown 7B

12/2/2022 10:56:25 pm

The university's decision to revoke his opportunity is completely justified. Saying the n-word is completely inexcusable in any situation. That word had a lot of history within the black community and is frowned upon a lot.

Morgan Johnson 5B

12/2/2022 10:59:12 pm

He shouldn't have said it. He is old enough to know what it means to others and what it could cost him. It is very disrespectful to others and knowing the history behind it makes it worse.

Kevin Jacinto 6B

12/2/2022 11:12:50 pm

I can see why his scholarship got revoked, and athlete of that high standard needs to have higher discipline. Throwing this word around in a video means he most likely says it on the regular. He probably threw his whole life away because of a 15 sec long video, but some people need to learn their lesson.

Riana Thomas 5B

12/2/2022 11:41:11 pm

I do believe an athlete with that high standard needs to have more discipline. The n word is not just a word for non color people to use and some people take that to heart.

Desiree Ware 3A

12/2/2022 11:47:14 pm

I agree, an athlete does need to be held at a higher discipline a lot of them get away with it with a slap on the wrist action needs to be done.

Riana Thomas 5B

12/2/2022 11:32:02 pm

I feel like the university made a right choice for marcus stokes because for one saying the n word is very offensive to some people of color. I feel like he should be kicked off the football team for the university because if I was a coach for the university I would be very embarrassed. Having one of your star players thats not even black say a word like that is embarrassing. I honestly would have told him straight up and say you're getting kicked off the team for the actions you have chosen. He has to learn what he did by serving the consequences.

Desiree Ware 3A

12/2/2022 11:45:01 pm

Yes they were right for pulling his scholarship. It’s still racism going on in today society but it’s more normalized now. For example a lot of us African Americans are so use to hearing the n-word from non colored people we glance away or ignore it. Some action has to be done or else we will never get our justice, they made the right decision on taking away his scholarship he needs to learn from his consequences. Another thing is a lot of young kids look up to popular football players, basketball players, and etc. This should teach Marcus stokes to be an example for those young ones out there or anyone for that matter.

M. Moore 7b

12/5/2022 10:02:23 am

I agree it's nice to know that collages still care about the people in their program.

Jeremiah Bryant

12/5/2022 08:58:25 am

I feel as if this was an extreme punishment due to the fact it ruins his career and his opportunity for a football career. I believe that he should've gotten a simple punishment such as apologizing online and making it clear that he is not a racist or something.

J ballard 1a

12/5/2022 09:06:53 am

The athlete should be more respectful towards himself and others off and on camera because what he says is being monitored by the school because he represents the schools name.

favian

12/5/2022 09:24:33 am

i think that,that was not the correct thing to do if anything anybody can say anything we live in a free world nobody can tell you nothing and for them to take his offer just because he said a cuss word on camera i think that is not right

M Moore 7b

12/5/2022 10:00:35 am

I think that the decision made was fair. Everyone should be held accountable no matter how great their skills are. If he wanted to be considered then maybe he shouldn't have said it in the first place. Too many people aren't held accountable for their actions, so it's nice to see that collages still care about the people they accept.

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