Re: Attacks and Harassment: Where can we go? (fwd)

[Steven Hunt <hunt@lclark.edu>]

I too think a general statement on courtesy and language usage in debate 
is warranted. CEDA and tournament directors could at least provide an 
aspirational statement and probably something more in the way of 
guidelines. 
I do not wish to see censorship or violations of the first amendment vis 
a vis the substance of argument, however, blatant discourtesy to judges, 
opponents, or audience members is uncalled for. Profanity in many 
instances creates an uncomfortable chilly chilling environment even 
sometimes when people do not speak up in opposition to its presence in a 
debate round. Fighting words have no place in a debate. 
In an article just printed in The Forensic (Spring issue l994) Kent 
Colbert points out that debate improves students argumentativeness which 
is something we can all be proud of. However, his data also shows that 
debate encourages personal attack and ad hominem something of which we 
should all be ashamed. 
We must aspire to and work for less racist, sexist, ageist language in 
our argumentative forum ( NO I AM NOT PC) We must reduce profanity 
everywhere but especially in our argumentation forums. Aren't we training 
people to be articulate public advocates among other things?????!!!!
Steve Hunt

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References:

• Re: Attacks and Harassment: Where can we go? (fwd)
• From: James Michael Dumas <jmd9@crux3.cit.cornell.edu>

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