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  • WOW MY BROTHER

  • I will NEVER understand the rational of some of these racist idiots. They complain when Black males are living negative and/or destructive lifestyles....Yet when they see a young man (such as Deonte) doing something positive or dare I say admirable with his life, they still insist on spewing hatred. I commend this young man for his accomplishments & wish him continued success. I applaud ALL those who continue to be positive role models & inspirations within their own communities.

  • Deonte, you will do well, young brother. Keep up the good effort!

  • I am a professor of Teacher Education and I have shown this video clip to many of my college students. It is life testimonies like this that inspire all of those who aspire to be SOMETHING in this world. To those who posted negative comments about this...well ignorance is bliss! Congratulations Deonte and I celebrate with you and for you. My teenage son has seen this over and over and each time he is faced with a challenge we revisit it!

  • This speech is so inspiring.

  • TO BAD HE"S AUTOMATICALLY A DEMOCRAT!!!What a shame!

  • Now why isn't THIS story broadcasted all over the news channels and internet?!! I salute him and all others who have, despite adversity, pushed on and ACHIEVED their goals!!!

  • I forwarded the link to yo speech to everyone I could think of including my 15 yr old daughter! You are such an inspiration! Words can not express how I feel! CONGRATS & keep working towards the kingdom of excellence!

  • If God is for us who can be against us!

  • Your Speech brought me to tears if you ever read this thank you sooo much! I've been slacking and not reaching my full potential and although i'm a Junior it's never to late! Thank You

  • GOD BLESS THIS BROTHER AND ALL OF OUR YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS JUST LIKE HIM. #PEACE AND #BLESSINGS

  • @1224puppy its hard out here for us as African American young men but you can see by this young man's testimony that God can and will make a way

  • Dis dope. I cant wait to graduate 2012!

  • That was a wonderful speech and great things are happening to many young people like him, please stay focus on your dreams and God will Bless you.

  • This is a powerful speech! Fellow GMS Scholar cohort 2004, on the road to a PhD

    May God Bless him and his continuing success!!!

  • Amazing speech, I seek great future for you !!

  • This made me realize i can do better

  • I JUST REALIZED I CAN DO BETTER AS A BLACK MA, THIS TOUCHED ME...

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  • Awesome speech! God Bless these young men and women!

  • This needs to be at a million views and played mandatory in all public schools! This guy needs his own curriculum and after school program! Can somebody say GRANT MONEYYYYYY! lol..

  • @StreetDreamzUSA i found this out in my college readiness class at school so yeah its in my school

  • so proud of this young man hes the future i listen to this weekly cuz this makes me even after ive been out of school for a while but it inspires me to get over my humps the future starts wit us im 30 yrs old and continue wit them

  • 37 people don't realize what working hard means they have no hearts.. and don't strive for success

  • @littlemexicansk8er Or as Deonte would pronounce it, suSSess... >:-/

  • this is beautiful

  • Oh My God I Love This Speech...You did a Very good Job

  • & he fine lol

  • @PrettylilVal11 Thanks. I appreciate it.

  • we watched this in class like 7 times maannnnn awsome

  • Wow...he's been through so much.

    He's amazing! I feel like I just am really lame compared to this super intense guy.

  • The we word used here is exclusive,and self centred from my point of view,because there is no place for anyone who is different from him.

    However, I do hope my children ,grandchildren,and grandson get something from his speech.

  • Congratulations! I pray your successes are continuing!

  • 35 people forgot to rise 

  • Bravo young man. And all credit to those at your school who helped you along your way.

  • who could dislike this ??? this is a very motivational and inspiring story !

  • I am 15 and this video really inspired me to do the best I can with my life. I love how you say, "the solution is within me." Thank you Deonte, you are an amazing person with an amazing gift, God bless you.

  • There is not a more powerful video on YouTube, best of luck with all you do Deonte

  • You are an amazing young man, you will touch so many youth with your speech. Your words are powerful, inspirational just plain out awesome. I wish you all the best I know you will go far in life. You have inspired me

  • You, Mr. Deonte Bridges, you are a truly inspirational young black man. You are a very inspirational young man because for this generation there are many struggles but as you said, "We Rise". I'm proud of you and I don't even know you. You will and have touch the hearts of the people who watched this video. I can relate to your story in a multitude of ways and I'm am grateful for the blessings that you received.

  • The Grace of God!!!

  • This young man GIVES me Hope & Joy! Thank you for sharing your speech... I am proudest to be the beautiful counterpart to such a Phenomenal Black Man that sees the opportunity in making mistakes (even when they are not your own) and sees problems as challenges! Bravo...! I could honestly go on and on with my thoughts about this video... But I'll definitely say that I will grow old and always refer to this video as SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!!

  • Love this and proud that a young black man wants to go to college not the corner.

  • THis is beautiful!!! Success of the black community, try to suppress us alll you want world, STILL WE RISE! Thanks to Gates i'm in college to and I was valedictorian

  • It's Atlanta not memphis sorry weak ass tennessee it's ga all the way wrong b.t. Washington high

  • I am so glad that a young black male made a decision to do something positive and honorable with his life. May God continue to bless your every endeavor that honors Him.

  • Dude, i have to say, i am writing my Valedictorian speech right now and this has been a MAJOR inspiration to help me write it. You are a phenomenal person! Fantastic job! :) i hope i can be inspirational like this

  • Go Gates!!!

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  • Great job man ur a huge inspiration to all young males

  • @bod704 all young niggers

  • You know, I'm not going to lie and say I'm a perfectly accepting person, I have my moments of making fun of stereotypes, but this kid is truly inspirational. I'm happy for him, against all odds and living with the enticements of drugs and other bad things, he pulled through and achieved what many other people haven't in their high school careers. Whoever bags on this kid and says racist things is just a jealous prick who can't achieve anything important in his/her own life. I salute you Deonte.

  • mad respect and congrats to Deonte, but he didnt really talk about his classmates, i wouldve felt left out

  • fuck niggers

  • @kingfrizzy0292 I don't understand this at all. you're entitled to your opinion but why are you on this video page if you hate "niggers" so much? wouldn't it make sense for you to avoid them?

    wait, am I asking a logical question to a dummy with dead braincells? ahh. what was I thinking.

  • @Phizanot Why cant you just be happy this kid made history, and been through hell while doing it. for gods sake he was valedictorian of his high school, which I'm sure you weren't even close too being in the same topic of. He recieved the GATES MILLENIUM SCHOLARSHIP and could've gone any where he wanted too. you guys are always talking about "smh these are the kids of my future." YES WE ARE, and I rather have Deonte Bridges as our future then your ignorant self. Good Day Sir. #SMH

  • fuk them 34 likes EAT A DICK

  • i dont like the first line...but apart from that..LOVED IT!!!

    Good luck!!

  • I'm proud of this guy! You represent Memphis so well! Congrats, congrats, congrats!

  • $1,000,000 in scholarships. Holy Moly!!

  • very moving. This helped to remind me how fortunate most of us are.

  • This speecg can get me through hard days! If you can go on then Y cant I?

  • I saw this video yesterday and I was almost in tears this video was so touching and vert inspirational !!!

  • FUCK SOCIETY MY NIGGA, DO YOU YOU KNOW WHO DEON BRIDGES IS?

    P.S. TO ALL HATERS: GET OFF HIS AND TRY TO BECOME LIKE HIM AND LISTEN TO WHAT HE HAS TO SEE VERY CLEARLY.

    BIG HOMIE JUST KNOW YOU ARE NOT ONLY PAVING THE WAY BUT ALSO REMEMBER TO HONOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE THE CHANCE!!!

    DON'T STOP CAN'T STOP BIG HOMIE, BECAUSE IT'S TO INFINITY AND BEYOND BRO

  • True Story: When he said he was a Gates Scholar...I looked into that. Applied and...I'm A Gates Scholar 2011!!! He speech really did inspire me. <3

  • @Utada379 Congrats!! Im a 2009 recipient, welcome to the family!!

  • @danigurl1089 Aww thanks <3!!

  • @Utada379 Praise God :)

  • @Utada379 omo congrats! I hope you're doing well in college now ^^

  • Truly an inspiration....

  • So jealous you won! Grats hunnie you are a star! <3

  • Thank You Jesus!!! 

  • @TheNiggaButcher

    wow, look how sad you are.. Can't you just get over it. Yall brought us with here with no receipts, so its a no return

  • this...this changed my academic perspective.

    "i am the dream and hope of the slave" thats DEEP. read this again

  • Wow. So inspirational!

  • my teacher showed the class this video in litercy class i was like damn this is great

  • omg, i actually cried watching this video..

    

  • @prettygirlcici6 me too

  • I love it!!! Shows that we are still alive and not live up to stereotyping

  • i seen this video in a workshop and started crying.. so proud of this, God bless yu young man and keep up the work

  • @fmceillii your fucking stupid I comment last month on Now your semi illiterate ass comes on here trying to provoke me to comment back in a rude manner well here I am to say you are only trying to live like this kid but you are a Nigger who can't do shit so there I'll bring racist back and after your done eating some chicken my cotton needs to be picked :)

  • @TvSTANG0 hey buddy why don't you go fuck yourself. this kid just had a great personal victory that he should be proud of if you have a problem with this young mans accomplishment you are probally mad that your sorry ass could do any better in school. don't piss on his parade because you are a fucking poor excuse for a human being. and i'm vegetarian so fuck save the chicken jokes biiiiach.

  • @Jivante133 I feel you. The media don't like to show people like us. They want to make it seem like we are all doing bad.

  • Inspirational !!!!!!!!

  • :(

  • Inspired. Thank you for being the example!

  • @Zamarrona1993 "Best in Me" by Marvin Sapp

  • GO ON AND MAKE A BETTER WORLD, DEONTE! When you'll be a successful man, never forget the Lord Who gave you all these talents and help other people. God bless you.

    Paolo, Italia

  • As a black male i have to say he has truly inspired me..

  • After hearing ur speech today and from the democartic banquet, I ended up crying and touched from the sucess and the struggles that u've faced from ur past. I believe through my faith with God, that i will do all things that christ strengthens me.

  • man thts wassup congrats and u know at my high school we have our first black valendictorian in the schools history still we rise.

  • all is can say is wow!! i have a newfound hope and determination! God bless you Deonte!!

  • Powerful video!!!  -Real Talk-

  • Deonte thank you so much for representing the black men of your community and worldwide.....you are what I know that young black men are capable of doing. Your Faith in God will take you everywhere....God Bless you and continue on your journey.

  • Racism is over sir the reason why it's "still going on" is because people can't get of the fact that it happend but I'm not looking for a fight over Facebook so this with be my last comment on this matter

  • @TvSTANG0 I am not "fighting". I was simply telling you what it was. I wasn't calling myself a hero. I was naming the award that I received.

  • @TheRealDeonteB but you are a hero to someone. For me, a hero is someone i look up to, like a role model. You didn't let your hardships hold you back. You didn't say "woe is me" and do nothing. You rose above your circumstances and triumphed. You are a hero. To me and just about every young black man living in the ghetto/projects.

  • @TvSTANG0 Racism is over? Wow dude you are in denial. But really I'm not even that concern about what you think but you need to relax because you are coming off as being a little jealous.

  • @TvSTANG0 Racism is definitely not over. I was watching a Boyz II Men video and there was a comment with some white guy calling them "a bunch of dirty ass niggas." This other white guy called Michael Jackson a nigger in a comment on his Man in the Mirror video. One of the headquarters for the KKK is right on Stone Mountain near my house. White people will even admit that racism is still around. Go ahead and ask around. By the way, this is Youtube, not Facebook.

  • @1224puppy Yessur!! Racism is still around!! I was in jail with over 70 black guys in my tier..Every one of them was racist!!Not just the stupid few white kids that are on some T.V. Show.You see the blacks will always be rasist against white people and always stick up for each other.They hold our generation accountable for slavery and segrigation..Its a damn shame too.I am white have black step sisters and brother and alot of black friends.I live in Chicago..wish the Hating would stop !

  • @runninonempiy -__- your stereotyping by saying that all blacks, or as you said, "the blacks" all hate white people...... hypocrite.

  • @runninonempiy - While I appreciate your point of view, using the inmates on your tier as your option pool is a tad askew. I imagine (because I've never been incarcerated) racism in jail is tied very closely to survival. A lot of people in jail blame others for their problems. I have a very diverse group of friends, and no matter our background, we stick up for each other. You said it yourself, you've got black friends and family...do they hate you? Don't think in absolutes, my friend.

  • @macdaddynyc YOU ARE WRONG AND LOOKING FOR EXCUSES!!!!!..I live it...I am NOT your friend and dont tell me how to think!!

  • @runninonempiy - What excuses are you referring to?  You know what, whatever dude... Enjoy your life, this conversation is over.

  • Decent speech congrats on working hard but it was rude to me when your called yourself a hero, when you haven't done a thing yet

  • @TvSTANG0 I was a recipient of the Anti-Defamation League's Unsung Hero Award which is given to individuals who have fought against racism and bigotry in the community. But I respect your opinion. God bless.

  • Congratulations on your incredible success and determination. Your speech was very inspiring. Do you have a blog or website? I know I'm not the only one that is cheering you on in your educational journey, and I (and many others, I'm sure) would like to read updates from you, from time to time. How is college going?

  • AMAZING! I could quote this WHOLE speech. That really made me cry, puttin myself in his shoes. Congratz to him

  • I would like to know can someone send this video to me. I would like to use it in a Black History Exibit that my pastor is putting on at one of the colleges in florida.

  • @mejoywil What is your email address?

  • @mejoywil What is your email address?

  • is there any way that some one can send this to me for a black history exibit in feb 1-2, 2011

  • God bless you. I can only aspire to be as great as you and i will try my hardest to be the best that i can be. Congrats.

  • @TheDeLaG1 Thanks

  • @TheDeLaG1 Thanks. I really do appreciate it. Follow me on twitter @therealdeonteb

  • This is a very powerful speech because, after all the things he went through nothin stop him from getting his GOALS. & he a black boy. Thats strong!!!!!!!! <3 it

  • @bjohnson8669 Thanks. I really do appreciate it. Follow me on twitter @therealdeonteb

  • ah man,

    watched this in class today,

    soo amazing<3

  • This was amazing! It's awesome to see this promoted.

  • Deonte,

    As a mother of three sons and one daughter , I am truly inspired by your speech and your story! God has used you to touch so many lives as well as encourage others to stand strong and take what is yours. You make so many parent's proud and wish they can claim you as their own. Cuddles to your parents for a job well done! May God bless you and may all your aspirations come to pass!

  • I loved his speech, brought tears to my eyes and it was truly inspirational. He goes to my school and is a freshman at Uga just like me. I never knew about him until recently. I really admire him.

  • This makes my problems seem like nothing. Thanks for the inspiration!

  • AMAZING. THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY.

  • This proves my point. Blacks can't say anything about not being able to do it. See what he's gone through? Shut the hell up, and don't make excuses.

  • @gamer3425 Thanks. I really do appreciate it. Follow me on twitter @therealdeonteb

  • im a junior in high school this is my last year to prove myself to the colleges that i'm worthy to attend their schools and im facing a lot of hardships right now and i'm so ready to give up but i watched this video today and it brought me to tears it inspires me to keep going and do my best despite the negativity around me just as deonte life for me aint been no crystal stair either i thank him for the words that were spoken they really spoke to me God bless

  • This is truly amazing, touched ny heart made my eyes watery, may God bless him in everything he will acomplish

  • Truly amazing. All things are possible. Stay steadfast and hold on to you dreams. Seize it. grab it.

  • I'm 22 years old... Sometimes I ask myself why am I in school and I'm struggling many times I considered giving up however while watching this video tears started rolling down my face it gave me the inspiration to pursue my goal to finish thank you for telling your story I admire the fact that you did not let anything get in the way of you and your goals this truly was a blessing! We need more black men like you to inspire our generation!

  • Yuu Have Been Through So Much...I Wish Yuu The Best In Life And Hope That Yuu Reach Your Goals..Yuu Have Been Spectacular And May God Bless Yuu And But Yuu Into His Arms...May Yuu Be Blessed With The Best Authority Of People

  • We showed your speech to our eighth students and they were so touched they asked to see it again, we allowed them to watch it again and I tell you it really inspired them and I want to say congratulation to you and continue to let God lead your paths.l have been talking about this all afternoon I even told my brother who cant seem to get it right to watch your speech. I will update his reaction. I have graduated from college already, but this speech as made a difference in my life and I thank u

  • God Bless you young man. I can't wait to see what contributions you make to the world. Continue to keep God first in your life.

    I will be makeing sure my son & others view your speech.

    You make me proud to be an AFRICAN AMERICAN.

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  • THIS YOUNG MAN HAS DEFINITELY MADE HIS FAMILY PROUD!!! PEACE.

  • Very inspiring!

  • What college did he end up going to?

  • OMG YESS I WAS TEARIN UP WATCHING THIS TODAY

  • i wish alot of young black men was like him.

  • @teashia1boo there are. We just don't see them on TV or read about them in newspapers but they are out there.

  • Amazing! Shows with hard work and focus you can make it.

  • Through all of the mess, you still chose to persevere. Congrats man....you most definitely earned it....and you even taught me something so thanks for that.

  • 31 people gave this a thumbs down. I will assume that it was either a mistake or you are in a very very dark place. God Bless you.

  • Ths is Absolutely wndrful!My Teacher Ms. Russell @ Campbell High Was Telln my Senior Class of 2011 bout u!u hve touched me n a mighty way tht i didn knw i cud b touchd!I was considering nt 2 attend college jus bcus i was tired n thngs weren't goin my way!I hve nt yet experiencd as much as u hve so i knw tht its possible!Through God all things r possible!Thnks 4 ths inspiration!It has really made me change my mind!I hve now applied @ Albany State!W/ d of DEONTE BRIDGES im on my way 2 SUCCESS 

  • Im so proud of you Deonte, It has been a pleasure to have known you for seven years, Keep up the good work!

  • I'm in middle school & today our teacher had us watch this video,,& we all were inspired by him.It makes me excited to do my best in Highschool next year.:-)

  • This video continues to be very inspirational to each student trying their best to make it to college.

  • Fine, fine. I am NOT black or the same race in any way as this young man. I am most appreciative of his words and thoughts. He is on top of the heap. Bravo!

  • One of My Friends on Facebook shared this w/ Me via message and I swear this had touch'd Me 2 My Heart!!! I cried so bad; this is wonderful. I'M SO PROUD OF YOU AND I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO PROGRESS IN YOUR EDUCATIONAL CAREER!!! GOOD LUCK YOUNG MAN!!!

  • Go ahead my brother, show those who doubted yhu... I know I am next year... Class Of 2011

  • Dis is Wat ineeded to boost up my spirt..This is a sign..Thank you for saying what makes me a better person

  • this is amazing! why isnt this on the news? why is this advertised? why doesnt the middle schoolers and high school students not bombarded with this instead of the latest music video? I am truly touched!

    good luck, young man. u are destined for greatness!