A few weeks ago, Incubate Debate held its national championships in Sarasota, Florida, for middle and high school students. After another year living in the Washington, D.C., bubble, I once again found reason to have faith that our rising generation will not only address but maybe even solve some problems their elders have let fester too long.
The debate topics were as tough as they were topical:
- Should we deny birthright citizenship if the parents are here illegally?
- Should the federal government pursue mass deportations?
- Should the United States leave NATO?
- Should we eliminate the Department of Education?
Many adults would be terrified to step into these treacherous waters. Over the past decade, ”cancel culture”—the fear of losing one’s friends, reputation, or even job—has made us all nervous about speaking our opinions, even if we are sure of our facts.
I have never met a conservative who was afraid to debate people with different opinions, but I have met many “progressives” who cannot tolerate speech they disagree with. Some old friends, and even members of my own family, are unable to talk to anyone who doesn’t share their assumptions on certain issues.
Debate is hard. You have to muster your arguments and support them with facts. You must listen to the opposite side even when you want to interrupt to correct falsehoods. In other words, you need to behave like an adult. The sixth to 12th graders at the Incubate Debate finals did exactly that. Not only had they done their homework, they showed respect when engaging with their opponents. They argued ad rem (to the thing) not ad hominem (to the person), such that you could not tell whether they even agreed with the position they were told to advocate—which is the whole point of debate as an art.
The alternative to debate is to cancel or stifle your opponent, as ideologues try to do on topics such as gender, immigration, and race.
In Germany, a politician was prosecuted and fined $6,000 last year for “inciting hatred” after “publishing official statistics to warn that Afghan male immigrants are disproportionately involved in the perpetration of serious sexual offences against women and girls in Germany.”
In Britain, a woman was jailed for two years for one (admittedly offensive) tweet. She has a child and a sick husband and presents no credible risk of hurting anyone if released on probation. Meanwhile, convicted rapists and child abusers have been given shorter custodial sentences.
Also in Britain, a Turkish asylum-seeker was found guilty and fined for a “religiously aggravated public order offence,” because he burned a Quran. Burning books is not illegal in Britain. No matter—the system sent a message in both cases.
In America too, officials try and force ideological conformity by suppressing free speech. A high school student in North Carolina was suspended from school for using the term “illegal alien.” He used this statutory, descriptive term to ask his teacher to clarify an assignment and without apparent intent to insult anyone. No matter—someone took offense, and out he went. He won $20,000 from the school district for violating his rights to free speech and an education. But as a parent whose kids missed school because of unwarranted COVID-19 lockdowns, I’d say 20 grand is not worth a year of a young person’s social life. That’s priceless.
Lately, I’ve been asked to participate in some adult efforts to talk things out in search of solutions, not sound bites. Braver Angels brings together opposing experts to try and reach areas of agreement, “taking a stand against toxic politics.” Stanford University’s America in One Room project brings together hundreds of everyday Americans to talk about issues like immigration, question experts, and propose solutions. It’s a start at the grassroots.
Meanwhile, our nation’s top deliberative body, Congress, appears less than the sum of its parts. Despite many members with sharp intellects and policy expertise, for a generation they have not been able to balance a federal budget, “reform” our laws to prevent mass illegal immigration, or stop the endless growth of entitlements. Today’s congressional hearings often seem more about trying to produce a sound bite via shouting or vulgarity than informing members on the issues.
In just 10 years, Social Security and Medicare will reportedly be unable to provide full benefits. The baby boomers who created the problem will mostly be gone or past caring. No young person I know believes Social Security will be around for his retirement. The young debaters I saw in Sarasota will have to figure a way out of this and the other messes we will leave them.
Congratulations to this year’s Incubate Debate champion, William Kiker; second place Sofia Christodoulou, and third place Duncan Rivard. They were all eloquent, persuasive speakers who we will hear more about one day.
Incubate Debate founder James Fishback is passionate about helping kids to improve their speaking skills by fearlessly discussing difficult topics with respect for each other. This year, in addition to the other distinguished judges, he brought YouTubers Destiny and Warren Smith.
Maybe you’ve never heard of them, but the kids have. Both use their huge platforms to question, inform, and discuss rather than preach—something Gen Z appreciates.
