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re:reread duke

I am not making the claim that there is no discrimination, or even that the
problem is completely solved.  But, I do think that the government has done
about as much as possible.  You can pass all the laws you want.  And the
courts can make excellent (and sometimes not so excellent) decisions on the
cases of discrimination.  To really and truly solve the problem, one has to
solve on the individual level.  Discrimination starts when one person acts
against a group as a whole, or even just judges people because they belong
to a group.
In competative debate you have to have some things, ingrediants if you will, 
the basics.  I don't think the civil rights topic in itself provides these.
1.
1. Inherency is somewhat questionable.
2. How do we evaluate if something solves.  On what level must we solve for
civil rights violations.  Do we have to solve for discriminations.  (see
above).  If so how do we fiat everyone just deciding not to discriminate.
(sarcasm intended- last line not real argument :) )
3. I still think that this topic is to emotionally charged.  And no matter
how many angles you look at the topic from, or how much research you do it
will remain so.  I think this topic has potential to create breeches in
our community when people accidentally say stupid things that are offensive
because they are in a hurry, and not really thinking about what they
are saying. (I know breeches aren't unique - look at the ceda-l, but
I do think the face- to -face quality of debate makes them worse.)
4. I'll grant you that debate will probably not go in the direction of
"discrimination good" debates, BUT I don't think that is the only area
that can cause offense or emotionally charged debates.  What to do, how
much to do, who should do it, and why it should be done  have the potentil
(excuse me potential) to be just as emotion wrenched.
5. I don't want to hear total solvency arguments attached to "we have never
totally been able to solve a discrimination problem before,  why now
argument."

These are many of the reasons why there should not be a civil rights topic.
Many have been reiterated numerous times, but some are new (I think).
I am all for discussion, such have been taking place on discrimination. But,
I just don't think debate is the place for a soley on civil rights.
I do agree with the many suggestions that civil right is an area that other
topics include.

Sincerely,
Emily Sharum
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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