Rashid Campbell of Skyline High School represents BAUDL and the power of debate in H.Y.P.E. Magazine

The Bay Area Urban Debate League hands out trophies at every tournament — yet the rewards are far greater than that.  Through research, argumentation, and the debate rounds themselves, BAUDL debaters become a participants in political dialogue and are given a forum to contribute their personal narratives (and quirks) to the community.  One prime example is Rashid Campbell, a senior, Varsity debater from Oakland’s Skyline High School who was recently featured in H.Y.P.E. Magazine in a feature written by BAUDL Summer Institute Instructor (as well as Writer and Artist), Shauntrice Martin.  The full article can be viewed on H.Y.P.E.’s blog.

Martin profile about Campbell captures many things. Of them, the article describes the spirit and multi-talented nature of a BAUDL debater:

On any given day, you can find Rashid at debate practice, in the studio, practicing martial arts, participating in African dance, or politicking on some Oakland block. He swings his dreads like a modern day prophet and discusses the current conditions in his city…[talking] about this year’s debate topic, Rashid explains his definition of poverty saying, “the definition of poverty to me is the lower class which are needed to support the higher class.”

Furthermore, Campbell embodies how debate becomes not just an activity, but a way to see the world in relation to ourselves and as a positive outlet for individual expression:

A few months ago, Rashid was one of the alarmingly large numbers of homeless youth in the Bay area, so he’s had hands on experience with this year’s debate topic: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase social services to persons living in poverty in the United States. Its crazy how this society preps young men and women of color to be cast away like trash that can’t be recycled.

Many of us can’t relate to having to sue our parents for independence, but even more of us are acutely aware that we may have grown up too fast. Rashid’s definition of politics is shaped by having to dodge “boosie” people and living off the idea that failure is not an option. His swag seems to penetrate the unfortunate reality of his environment. Most wouldn’t expect his cool amp; positive demeanor.

Click here to view the full profile of an exceptional BAUDL debater. You can also see Rashid in action at many future BAUDL events — the Balboa High School Tournament (1000 Cayuga) in San Francisco on Saturday March 6 beginning at 9 AM and as the first affirmative speech on Healthcare reform at BAUDL and STRONG Presents: Part II, The Strength of Debate Series at the Oakland Unified School District Board Room (1025 2nd Avenue) from 7 to 9 PM.

Click Here to Download the Official “Strength of Debate Series” Public Debate Event Flyer!

On Thursday, March 11 from 7 PM to 9 PM in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Board Room (314 East 10th Street in Downtown Oakland), eight talented BAUDL debaters will show the public the power of their words in Part II: The Strength of Debate Series.  The event, presented in collaboration with Standing to Represent our Next Generation (STRONG) will feature two debates: one about reforming health care and one that closely examines the welfare system.  The debates will be a showcase of research, argumentation, and the intelligence of Oakland debaters as they examine the event’s theme: The Fight Against Poverty.

The event will be open to the public and attendance is highly encouraged.  Come out and support our debaters: Natassija Jordan (Cal Prep), Brandon Sneed (Cal Prep), Kayla Wheatfall (Skyline), Rashid Campbell (Skyline), Tanesha Walker (EXCEL), Jazmin Garcia (Fremont Federation of High Schools), Juan Ramos (Fremont Federation of High Schools), and Wyllene Turner (Street Academy).

Please contact Blake Johnson at blakejohnson@baudl.org if you have any questions!  We look forward to seeing you (and all your friends) there!

About STRONG:

STRONG is an organization dedicated to creating a voice for people under the age of 30 in the landscape of American politics.  We seek to increase the participation of youth in politics as well as represent their issues.  This organization will represent the future of our country.  So many issues that are discussed today directly impact people under the age of 30 more than any other social group.  It is important that these young people have a voice in the world politics.  Currently, young people are the only social group that are not represented in policy making decisions.  This is the gap that STRONG aims to fill.  For more information, check out http://www.wearestrong.org.

Luis Montoya of Street Academy Shows Off the Official BAUDL T-Shirt!

At the UC Berkeley Tournament on January 30, 3 lucky raffle winners were the first recipients of the official Bay Area Urban Debate League T-Shirt! They have officially gone on sale — this 100% cotton, white tee showcases both BAUDL and the Bay Bridge. The shirts are $8.00 for students and $15.00 for non-BAUDL students!

Don’t wait until the next workshop (on February 20 @ Street Academy in Oakland and Mission High in San Francisco) or the next tournament (on March 6 @ Balboa High School in San Francisco). Take an order with your coaches or contact BAUDL Program Coordinator, Jen Nguyen, at jennifernguyen@baudl.org!

Berkeley begins on January 30 at Dwinelle Hall!

It is official — with the BAUDL UC Berkeley tournament only 2 days away, we are awaiting the arrival of great debate teams, argumentation and judges…and crossing our fingers for a bout of great weather. Fortunately, we’ll be starting our tournament in a great place: Berkeley’s Dwinelle Hall. Whether you are a community member, judge, debater, or coach — plan to meet in Dwinelle’s courtyard for the day’s activities.

For those who will be joining us for at UC Berkeley, be it one of our wonderful debaters, our hard working coaches, or our gracious and dedicated volunteers, we wanted to provide some resources for navigating one of the biggest campuses on the west coast:

• Click here for a schedule of the day’s events.
• Click here for directions to Berkeley’s Dwinelle Hall.
• Click here for an official UC Berkeley Campus Map.

Cal Prep's Sania Mahmaud will be at UC Berkeley -- will you?

January is an exciting time at the Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) — on January 21, despite rain and distance, over 40 students made the trek to Alameda, officially kicking off the second semester with rounds of free bowling. Showing off their array of talents (or, in some cases, that debate was truly the right activity for them…), the event featured the community and camaraderie that has become BAUDL’s foundation. Two days later, rigorous workshops were in full swing in Oakland and in San Francisco. Theory and transitions were the main topics of conversation as debaters prepared for the main event.

Yet, the most exciting event of January will occur during the month’s end — on January 30, teams will face off at the renowned University of California, Berkeley. This is a particularly exciting tournament since many formerly Novice teams will officially move to the great unknown –- an unchartered territory known as the Varsity Division. Exciting, terrifying, anxiety-ridden, but ultimately worthwhile (and not as scary as it seems), the Berkeley tournament anticipates the large influx of brave and brilliant new Varsity teams this semester.

Putting a face to our many transitioning teams is Sania Mahmaud, a first year debate at California College Preparatory (Cal Prep). Together with her partner, Yami Mchombo, a well prepared Sania will be debating in the Varsity Division for the first time. Sania represents the courageous plunge into Varsity debate.  She sat down for a few minutes at the Oakland workshop to talk about what debate means to her and her multi-lingual talents.

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