Media Debater Brandon Sneed writes about the trials and triumphs of being a debater in his local column.
In a recent edition of Green & Gold, a publication produced at Media College Preparatory High School, Media debater Brandon Sneed writes about his experience at the UC Berkeley tournament in February. Berkeley, considered to be one of the most prestigious and most difficult tournaments open to high school debaters in the country, was Sneed’s first National showing! Sneed writes about his experience at length in his column at Green & Gold, emphasizing that being a BAUDL debater has its valleys, but very definite, rewarding peaks. Sneed explains:
Nevertheless, debating on poverty, especially with students from wealthier communities, has taught me a lot. It has taught me never to give up even when it seems pointless to carry on; it’s made me strive harder to succeed, not only in debate but life in general.
Green & Gold, sponsored by Lisa Shafer, one of the biggest supporters of BAUDL in Oakland, also features many BAUDL debaters in a reporting capacity (including Juan Ramos, one of our Public Debaters!). Click here to download a copy of Green & Gold.
Click more to read Brandon’s article in its entirety!
Debating topic with rich lessons
By: Brandon Sneed
Last summer, I flew to Austin, Texas, on a debate scholarship through the Bay Area Urban Debate League. It was the first time I had been on an airplane, and, quite frankly, I was afraid at first, but I eventually got over it.
I arrived on the University of Texas campus for debate camp. After the dorm attendant gave me my room keys, I walked through the halls and noticed every individual
in the debate camp had in their possession a laptop. Everyone except me and other debaters from our league.
It wasn’t the last time I would feel underprivileged. Ironically, the whole camp was studying for the national debate topic of the year – poverty.
In one of my debate courses, the teacher asked why I did not bring a laptop. I lied, “I left it at home” just to save myself from the embarrassment.
As the class continued, the teacher taught as if we were required to have a laptop by passing around a flashdrive to give us debate evidence. Again, I was at a disadvantage
During our research, I had to study epistemology, which is the study of knowing. Many debaters knew what epistemology and many other political topics meant. I did not; however, I wasn’t completely at a loss.
I did research on my own time about our governmental structure. During study time, I was sent to the lab where I researched and printed some evidence while other campers already had the necessary tools right in the classroom. I might have not have the same resources as the wealthier participants, but I didn’t let that stop me.
I came back to Oakland and debated the topic of poverty with students more like me in my own debate league. It was a more even playing field.
But just this month, I again experienced debating against students with more resources at a national tournament at the University of California, Berkeley. People from all over the United States came to debate poverty.
In the debate rounds, I saw a guy with a portable printer that folds up. I did not even know they existed. Many students read evidence from their laptops and even researched political events happening at the moment to help them gain an edge over me and my partner.
Again, we debated about poverty and at one point I got angry, almost screaming “You don’t know anything about poverty, you’re wealthy!”
I asked my opponents whether they were wealthy before the debate started hoping to gain an advantage. It did not work.
The technological tools they had – and their stronger educational background – were too much for me and my partner. We lost many rounds.
Nevertheless, debating on poverty, especially with students from much wealthier communities, has taught me a lot. It has taught me never to give up even when it seems pointless to carry on; it’s made me strive harder in order to succeed, not only in debate, but in life.
