The Women's Round Robin

[Desaray Lippitt]

Well, it is pretty simple to figure out that, no matter how you try to
justify this exclusive debate based on gender, it is discriminatory.
That may be hard for many of you to handle especially since those of you
who support such a tournament try to ground the logic in the idea that
debate is an activity that is dominated by white men.
So why not exclude the 'evil, dominant, white man' from a tournament?
Women (and yes...that is the way we spell "women" in English...none of
that  "y" business that only seeks to destroy the past and make us forget
about our origins and turmoil in the process) women of all people should
know better than to discriminate. That really makes you no better than
these supposed overbearing men you claim to be fighting. Have we learned
nothing from history?? "they wronged me, so I'll wrong them"...that
philosophy is hypocritical and ultimately illogical. And we all know that a
logical flaw is one we debaters should definitely know better than to
commit.
Furthermore, as a woman, I reject this concept of a closed women's
tournament because I reject the implication behind it---that women CAN'T
compete with men. THAT'S what you are really saying if you feel you have to
have your own private tournament. Maybe YOU cannot compete against
men...but speak for yourselves because I certainly can and have.
Look, I know the intentions behind this tournament were not ill-
intended...but, perhaps they were just shortsighted. I understand what it
is like to fight local powerhouses, debate programs of those private
schools do have a lot of $$$ don't they? But the best way to combat that is
to go out fighting, meeting the competition head-on and prove that you can
compete.
After all, that IS what debate is all about isn't it??? Learning and
crafting your skills in argumentation. Regardless of what sex your opponent
happens to be.
As for the so-called legal action begin taken against this---my comment is
PLEASE! Look, if people want to have an "exclusive" debate that does
nothing but degenerate the skills of its participants in misplaced good
intentions, that's the choice of the participants. I just think the idea
being based in discrimination is one I would not choose to support or
attend. What others choose to do should exactly be that--their CHOICE. No
edicts or legal threats should enter into the arena.

Desaray