Re: "Elite" backlash

[Michael Bryant <MBRYANT@central.weber.edu>]

> From:          HENNESSEE@MACALSTR.EDU

> I agree with what you say in principle; I certainly wish we debated the NDT
> resolutions.  One problem is that many of the better CEDA tournaments are in
> the midwest, within 5 or 6 hours of most of the better programs.  Getting to
> NDT tournaments of an equivalent nature genereally requires flying, something
> that many budgets would not be able to absorb.  I suppose that is the same sort
> of problem that regional CEDA teams have when they talk about competing against
> the CEDA elite.  But I think that is a different issue than saying CEDA is
> "fixed", which was the point I was trying to clarify.  I think a lot of CEDA
> people would enjoy doing NDT.  What would you suggest regional CEDA teams who
> are upset with the power structure do?
>
Sorry for reposting this publicly, but it does address a critical
point. While I certainly encourage both NDT and CEDA (and PARLI!)
cross-overs, I don't think that switching organizational allegiances
will lead anyone on a path away from elitism. Elitism will always
exist in any activity promoting competition.  NDT, in many ways, is
more elitist than CEDA, but midwest CEDA seems to be making a good
run at catching up. In many ways this is simply reflective of the
growing gap between midwest CEDA and CEDA in many other portions of
the nation. Rather than see elitism, and/or the reaction to it, cause
yet another fragmentation in the corpus of debate, we'd probably be
better off fighting to reform each of the fragments with the goal of
exploring re-unification via organizational collaboration and
cooperation. I certainly don't believe mass exoduses back and forth
between the various fragments will make any real changes in the
problems facing debate.

One other quick point. From this point forward, any discuss of
forensics unfication on my part will include consideration of
NPDA/APDA Parli Debate. We tried this for the first time, last
weekend, and had a great time! Parli debate is fun, particularly if
you can approach it without attempting to make it into CEDA or NDT.
The notion of heckling and desk pounding from a room full of audience
members, coaches, and judges adds a level of real-life persuasion
into an event that will make you laugh like you haven't laughed in a
debate in a decade. There is clearly something to be said for
encouraging our most intelligent students to add the extra polish of
being able to captivate an audience. Imagine a Miller Lite ad that
mixes team debate and after-dinner speaking. Throw in a healthy dose
of humor (something sorely missing in modern debate!) and you have
something that deserves respect.

Bear












Michael "Bear" Bryant           Internet: mbryant@central.weber.edu
Director of Forensics           Home:   801-399-4253
Department of Communication     Office: 801-626-7186
Weber State University          Fax:    801-626-7975
Ogden, UT  84408-1903

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