Extra Credit - Debate

Before you read my report on the debate, I would like you to know that I wrote down information as correctly as possible. I would like to apologize for any information that is incorrect. Each debater spoke fast because they were only given so much time to debate. 

The debate last Wednesday night was between UWG and Clark Atlanta/Spellman colleges. The subject of debate was on why you should attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Both sides used appeals to me and the audience’s emotions and fact-based research findings.

They appealed to our emotions by using quotes that were inspiring and moving. For example, UWG debaters quoted Nina Simone’s song Feeling Good, “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me, and I’m feeling good.” Clark Atlanta/Spelman quoted an African Proverb, “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.”

They both used statistics: UWG, in argument against going to HBCU, said that:

1. The debt at HBCU is too great.
• 19 out of 21 HBCU have the highest default rates within their states.
• $2.5 billion go to HBCU, more government subsidies than states schools recording that $22,225 per student.
2. They argued that UWG and UGA have more African American students than Clark Atlanta and Spelman.
• They also said that UWG has 4 sororities and fraternities, backing that UWG does offer great programs and opportunities for African American students.

Clark Atlanta/Spelman for their argument of why you should go to HBCU used statistics and research such as:

1. They said that black on black crime is a serious issue: 93% are committed by African American in crimes against black people. They argued that going to HBCU will help you find cultural identity. Also, that you will be able to go into those communities hit by black on black crime and make a difference.
2. They also said that going to HBCU will teach you professionalism. They claimed that Goldman Sachs Bank has a partnership with one school, which is Spelman College. They have direct access to internships and job opportunities. Other companies offer this as well when you are in HBCU. 

Those are just a couple of the statistics and research each side used. Neither side told what sources they used. A notable fallacy that Clark Atlanta/Spelman used was tu quoque. They ignored when UWG debaters wanted statistics on how many students actually get hired from said companies above. Each side presented their argument in the order they did because it was the most effective way. For example, Clark Atlanta/Spelman started off with the black on black statistics to get everyone’s attention. Each time UWG came up for cross-examination, they would challenge the claims and then make their argument. UWG arguments started off with claims that it should not matter exactly what college you are going to, but it matters that you are going at all. This was extremely important because the name of the debate was Why You Should Go to HBCU. With that being said, I do believe that UWG won the debate. Although Clark Atlanta/Spelman provided statistics and great reasons as to why you should go to HBCU, UWG won because they had a much stronger argument in providing great reasons of just going to college no matter what, let alone going to UWG.