| "Debate is combat but your weapons are words." A | | | | America. |
| memorable quote from The Great Debaters produced | | | | No longer can we the people be duped by patriotic |
| by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions and directed | | | | rhetoric and flag waving politicians who disregard our |
| by Academy Award winning actor Denzel | | | | national security and unnecessarily send our troops into |
| Washington. | | | | harms way to fight imperial wars with people who we |
| "You must destroy your opponent - not only verbally, | | | | know nothing about and have done us no harm |
| but physically." So said controversial debate coach | | | | whatsoever. No longer can we as a nation demonize |
| Melvin Tolson at Wiley College in East Texas nearly | | | | other peoples and nations while calling ourselves good |
| three-quarters of a century ago. | | | | and godly. |
| "I'm here to help you find and keep your righteous | | | | Such self-righteousness is hellish and quickly heading |
| mind." Professor Tolson told his debate team, which | | | | toward a day of reckoning with the global community |
| only lost one contest in 75 debates over 15 years. | | | | and international economy. Consequently both America |
| Wiley College, the first accredited historically Black | | | | and its currency are quickly losing international influence |
| college west of the Mississippi, achieved the impossible | | | | and credibility. |
| in 1935 by way of its debate team, which upset | | | | May God Almighty enlarge our voice over that of the |
| prestigious teams at the University of Southern | | | | multinational media conglomerates that seek to |
| California and Harvard University. | | | | influence and control the minds of Americans. By the |
| Undoubtedly intelligence has far more to do with | | | | way, what is America? What values do we stand for, |
| determination and preparation than skin color. The film | | | | or have we forgotten them altogether preferring |
| The Debaters reveals true strength doesn't need | | | | victory and to 'win the war' - whatever that means. |
| violence when it can wield powerful influence with | | | | There are no winners in war, only losers and abusers. |
| knowledge and articulate heartfelt expression. | | | | We must again have a national debate challenging |
| As Black History Month approaches we must honestly | | | | anyone and everyone across the University and |
| recognize African Americans have always led the | | | | college campuses of America to an open forum, town |
| way and been at the tip of the spear to pierce through | | | | hall discussion, and intellectual conversation to debate |
| evil and injustice. Without Africans arising to confront | | | | the pivotal issues paving the way to our national |
| injustice, there would be no human or civil rights in | | | | destruction or reformation. |
| America. | | | | Not only is the U.S. dollar at an all-time low, so too is |
| In this hour more than ever, African Americans must | | | | America's international credibility. |
| fight for people of every color who are being exploited | | | | Americans like to be flattered and boast in their |
| and disenfranchized. The voice of African Americans | | | | nationalism, but what we need most is to be |
| must be heard throughout our land once again to | | | | challenged. If America does not become self-aware |
| confront injustice! We can never correct, what we | | | | and brutally honest with herself, her tendency to live in |
| refuse to confront. | | | | her past glory will be her end. |
| Professor Tolson, whom the movie The Great | | | | Personal soul searching and national policy evaluation is |
| Debaters was made after, an accomplished poet and | | | | what we as a country most need. When public opinion |
| provocateur, passionately and with fire in his eyes | | | | is in disagree with public policy, we the people must not |
| prophetically lifted up his voice to speak to his | | | | be silent. The great debaters, orators, and authors |
| generation. | | | | have historically always pierced through the darkness |
| Our nation is in need again, not only of inspiration but | | | | to bring light and illumination to open the eyes of |
| confrontation from leadership. The profiteers in | | | | humanity. |
| government have chosen instead to serve corporation | | | | Indeed in keeping with the words of The Great |
| nation rather than we the people. Therefore we the | | | | Debaters: "The time for justice is always right now!" |
| people, the brave and bold, must arise and be a voice | | | | Keep crying loud and sparing not until righteousness |
| of conscience to redefine and reclaim the identity of | | | | flows like a mighty stream and justice is served! |