Safe Spaces in Debate: The Importance of Their Continued Development
victorybriefs.substack.com
Above all else, I like to think of debate as a space with immense liberatory potential. Give me, or any other teenager, for that matter, another space wherein they have the opportunity to discuss and debate personally meaningful issues – a space where we have the opportunity to learn from each other, so we can train and constantly challenge ourselves and others to be the best that we can be. In a world where violence and inequality exists and can be witnessed all around us, it would be inappropriate to rob the future generation of advocates, policymakers, lawyers, movers and shakers, and cultural changers and influencers of an opportunity as valuable as the one presented in debate. Perhaps there are, indeed, other forums just as effective – but does that really mean that this one should be abandoned as a site of empowerment? Unfortunately, many in the debate community seem to think so. However, I believe that this is an irresponsible mindset, and instead, judges, coaches, and authority figures in the debate community should work to create safe spaces where educational discourses can take place, and in turn benefit students.
Safe Spaces in Debate: The Importance of Their Continued Development
Safe Spaces in Debate: The Importance of…
Safe Spaces in Debate: The Importance of Their Continued Development
Above all else, I like to think of debate as a space with immense liberatory potential. Give me, or any other teenager, for that matter, another space wherein they have the opportunity to discuss and debate personally meaningful issues – a space where we have the opportunity to learn from each other, so we can train and constantly challenge ourselves and others to be the best that we can be. In a world where violence and inequality exists and can be witnessed all around us, it would be inappropriate to rob the future generation of advocates, policymakers, lawyers, movers and shakers, and cultural changers and influencers of an opportunity as valuable as the one presented in debate. Perhaps there are, indeed, other forums just as effective – but does that really mean that this one should be abandoned as a site of empowerment? Unfortunately, many in the debate community seem to think so. However, I believe that this is an irresponsible mindset, and instead, judges, coaches, and authority figures in the debate community should work to create safe spaces where educational discourses can take place, and in turn benefit students.