Why Debate Matters in School

Debate is not merely an academic exercise—it's the engine that drives learning forward.

• When people argue, they practice thinking.
• They test ideas and grow wiser.

The Legacy of W. E. B. Du Bois

• One of the first Black men to earn a doctorate from Harvard.
• Founder of the NAACP and advocate for valuing all cultures.

Today, a philosophy student at Texas A&M might only encounter a trimmed version of Plato—an injustice to Du Bois’ spirit.

The Current Climate

• Society battles over identity politics.
• Many avoid controversial topics, but without controversy, learning stalls.

Debate follows Newton’s laws: every action has a reaction, often stronger than the first.

Du Bois warned that racism was his era’s main problem, exposing lynchings and voting denial. He championed a broad education that asks: What is right, true, and beautiful?

Du Bois at St. John’s College

At St. John’s College, the sole Black author read is Du Bois. His book Souls of Black Folk sits beside works by Hamilton, Marx, Darwin, Lincoln, Woolf, and de Beauvoir.

Practical vs. Philosophical Education

• Practical view: Education helps people find jobs (Benjamin Franklin’s perspective).
• Philosophical view: Learning is about dignity and the search for meaning (Frederick Douglass, Du Bois).

Douglass called education “the uplifting of the soul into truth.” He believed that only truth can set people free.

Western Culture’s Strength

Western culture’s openness to debate and disagreement remains its best part. Yet, in our current climate, few are willing to engage deeply or see how others share their struggles.

Call to Action

To learn, we need:

• More discussion.
• A willingness to recognize common ground.