The Impact of Bias in High School Debate & The Power of Open Dialogue

In the corner of every high school, tucked neatly in a cafeteria or classroom, is a debate platform begging to be heard. For students, the high school debate scene offers a chance to broaden their perspective, strengthen their oration skills, and participate in meaningful, dynamic conversation. But what if the rules of the game were mired in prejudice and bias? What if your viewpoints were criticized harshly resulting in ridicule or loss? In such a case, would students still engage? Recently, we sat down with the esteemed James T. Fishback to discuss his efforts to transform this troubling scenario through his influential venture, Incubate Debate.

About James T. Fishback

Fishback, the founder and executive director of Incubate Debate, is a strong advocate for non-partisan and non-ideological high school debate. Having been a former national high school debate champion himself, he understood the power of debate in personal growth and felt the need to democratize it. He launched Incubate in 2019 as an alternative to the National Speech and Debate Association, and his revolutionary approach quickly propelled it to become America's fastest-growing high school debate league.

Striking Down the Judges Paradigms

Fishback's concern stemmed from his observations around 'judges paradigms', where judges would decide winners based on the ideological alignment of the contestant's arguments. In a shocking revelation, Fishback stated how these paradigms often served to stifle speech and penalize students for arguing against progressive orthodoxy, thus completely disregarding the essence of debate - difference in opinion.

Building a Healthy Debate Ecosystem

In response to these biases, Fishback created Incubate Debate to provide students a platform for open, honest discussion. Beyond just hosting debate tournaments, this non-profit is determined to revive the spirit of open debate in all aspects of education. They aim at enabling teachers and students to turn classrooms into vibrant platforms for debate, which indirectly exposes all students to the numerous benefits of a free exchange.

Mechanically, Incubate Debate operates on the format of the 'Round Table', 'Town Hall', and 'Tribunal'. In each of these debate formats, logical reasoning, clear communication, and argument structure take center stage instead of a judge's political inclination.

Conclusion

Inclusive, open-ended debates hold immense potential to uplift students, instill critical thinking skills, and stimulate a willingness to listen. And people like James T. Fishback, with their tireless efforts and stellar initiatives like Incubate Debate, constitute the beacon of hope needed to revitalize the essence of the high school debate platform and the perception of ideological diversity in academic spaces. As he continues championing open debate, we're reminded of the importance of standing firm in our convictions, learning from differences, and striving to create a well-informed society where ideas thrive and conversation flows fearlessly.