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representation in debate



On Tue, 6 May 1997 jbskarb@asu.edu wrote:

> how in the world is my argument stupid...if there is a voice absent from 
> a discussion (in this case the all important minority voice in regard to 
> a civil rights topic) we can't have a TRULY enlightening and fruitful 
> discussion of the implications of a policy and on a deeper level racism, 
> sexism, etc.  the demographics of debate are all important.  everyone on 
> this list is saying how much of an important issue it is that we solve 
> all of this discrimination.  if people really feel this way should we not 
> first take pro active steps to end the under-representation of groups 
> within the debate community...maybe then we could have a beneficial 
> discussion of race issues etc when we actually can hear from the people 
> that will be effected most.
> 

i will have to repectfully disagree with this one for multiple reasons.

first, why is it that we cannot do both debate about civil rights and 
encourage more women and minorities to participate?  it seems as though 
having a topic like civil rights could have the benefit of encouraging 
more minorities and women to participate in debate because the issues 
would be salient to their everyday lives and struggles.

also, arguments such as there are not enough women and minorites who 
debate seems to discount those who are. there are SOME minorities and 
women in debate. i am a minority AND a woman.  and i used to debate.
we will hear from some of the "people."

next, just because the majority of debaters are not minorities and women 
does not mean they are incapable of emphathizing with the importance of civil 
rights. at least i hope not.

additionally, in the real world policymakers are largely white and male.
if they all said let's wait to pass x policy until we get more women and 
minorities, where would we be?

so basically the  argument is that we have to wait to debate civil rights
until women and minorities are adequately represented in debate.  well, i
am here to tell you that the reason we have to debate civil rights is
because women and minorites are not adequately represented anywhere.  the
problems we face are systemic.  we may never debate civil rights if we 
wait for this perfect balance that is probably impossible.  women and 
minorites are under-represented in college (many times) which is why 
(among other reasons) they are under-represented in debate. it takes time 
to implement programs to increase the involvement of under-represented 
groups.  i don't know about anyone else, but i can't wait that long. by 
the time we "solve" for underrepresentation in debate, we hopefully won't 
have a civil rights issue to debate about.  the debate will be over.


just my opinion,

sylvia beltran
arizona state
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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