When it comes to debates, there are a few big ones that may come to mind for many. These include the Presidential Debate, the Vice Presidential Debate and other ongoing debates about politics and other key issues in our communities, country and world. These debates help people voice their opinions on topics with opponents who may have different views. This is exactly what Wakefield Debate Club is doing: choosing topics for students to speak through issues and topics that don’t often get discussed in schools.
The Debate Club is a safe space that students can join if they want to get to know people, meet like-minded individuals and discuss topics that are relevant to them and the world. The club advisor, Karhonda Anderson, oversees the meetings and holds the members to certain standards.
“Debate Club is just a space for students to debate on various topics,” Anderson said. “[Members] get to add ideas on what they can debate on. The number one rule is to be heard, let everyone have their opinions heard, not to bully anyone and to take turns to make sure there’s order.”
The club allows new and old members to stand up and talk about subjects they are passionate about, or believe are right when compared to opposing arguments. These debates are held in a civil way, where members go to different sides of the room and start by going to one person on a side to discuss their opinions on the topic, it is then handed off to the other side to respond until it is time to move on to the next topic.
Abrahim Khatib, a sophomore and the president of Debate Club, thinks the space is a great place for people to join and attend since there is a stark difference between the club’s debates and the ones you may see on TV.
“More people have more opportunities to speak because it’s more fair, it’s more inclusive,” Khatib said. “Everyone can come to debate club no matter what you are or who you are.”
Along with debating with others, this club teaches other important lessons that are beneficial for the future. It helps with speaking to a group of strangers and fast thinking. One student who has experienced this firsthand is Maya Sorrell. The sophomore expressed how the club has improved her critical thinking abilities and given her experience in her school life.
“Being part of debate club made me more comfortable with public speaking,” Sorrell said.
While this club may seem like it is just all about being given a topic and having to discuss views and opinions on it, there is a lot more to it than that.
Jeffrey De Pena, a freshman and first-time debate club member, thought his first debate experience was entertaining and well-planned. He also expressed how he had to think quickly when people were debating.
“It makes you think things off the top of your head based on what people are [saying],” De Pena said. “You have to come up with something that’s gonna go against or go off of [the topic].”
Wakefield’s debate club is more than just a club. It prepares students for the future, whether by jump-starting their career in public speaking or simply giving them a life lesson on how to think quickly when put on the spot.
“I want people to speak up more,” Khatib said. “I want people to be able to speak more, say more, act more, just do a lot more.”
