Middle School Debate Topics

[bivenator]

My daughter is in sixth grade. She is in the theatre arts class and has chosen to participate on the debate team. The topic for debate is "should there be reparations for slavery"

While this is a topic that could be a debate question, it is entirely inappropriate at the sixth grade level.

The kids have not even studied this part of American History yet and probably aren't even familiar with the concept. A quick online search of suitable topics listed at least 100 topics and none listed included slavery reparations.

Stupid idea.


The school will be hearing from me and I am not certain that I will be able to follow good debate decorum by being polite and respectful during all debates.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Why is it inappropriate? I think it's perfectly appropriate. My biggest concern would be the "no" view being squashed by the politically-correct, leftist, victim-mentality appeaser "educators" that will run this. Kids are going to learn quickly that it's hard to take the correct view and stand up to powerful interests.

I see nothing wrong with participating. I applaud the kids that do - nothing is ever gained by holding them back IMHO. They need to learn about this stuff sooner or later. By 6th grade kids are 12-13 years old and starting to come into their own. Don't underestimate them.

If you're concerned about your ability to be impartial as a moderator then recuse yourself. Set an example - good on you for acknowledging it. Most people wouldn't and would let their bias taint things - kids will eventually need to learn to deal with that too (how to compete against a system that's rigged against them).

I would make sure the debate sticks to the topic (i.e. "SHOULD THERE BE reparations", not "what should they be".

[bivenator]

Sixth grade is 11 year olds. This is the first exposure to a debate forum and a less incendiary topic should be given. While the topic is worthy of debate and would be appropriate in the college or perhaps the high school setting.

[crb07]

This is to educate/re-educate young minds to fit someone's political beliefs/agenda. Completely inappropriate for 6th grade.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Maybe it needs to be more superficial then - sticking to the general concept of whether or not it's appropriate for a current generation (who has done no wrong and committed no crime) to have to pay for the sins of a previous one - and of course the concept of evolving laws and even moral standards (by our ancestors' beliefs they were doing nothing wrong either - it was accepted practice). The moral standards changed and now their behavior is seen as abhorrent. Should that matter?

FYI both my brother and his wife are 6th grade / 7th grade teachers. Those kids are way smarter than you guys give them credit for.

[sammyg2]

I'm betting that the answer to the question has already been decided, and anyone who takes the "no" position will loose in more ways than one.

[bivenator]

I am the parent of a 6th grader and they live in two worlds. One side that still wanting to sleep in mom and dads bed and the other wanting to wear makeup. The Lord of the Flies atmosphere that is middle school is not necessarily the place to make principled stands with regards to race relations.

There are much better topics to help the kids explore to concept of debate.

[scottmandue]

Perhaps they could change the subject to same sex marriage?

Reparations is an important subject... however a very sticky subject... if we start giving reparations where does it stop? Native Americans? The Japanese? Etc.?

[M.D. Holloway]

Should have a debate on Fracking...I know a guy...

[TechnoViking]

The topic is a bit advanced, but nothing to get worked up about. My 6th grader could probably talk through the pros and cons fairly intelligently with some guidance.

[M.D. Holloway]

I want reparations from the Greeks, the Italians and the Moors (Africans) who invaded, raped, and killed my ancestors homeland of Ireland not to mention the English and the Anglican church...I shall wait patiently for my check.

[PorscheGAL]

A good debate team should require research on both sides of the issue. A student should be able to argue either side because in some debate competitions you don't know what side you will be assigned. Is that happening here?

I am not sure I would say the topic is inappropriate for 6th grade but I would say it is very complex. I do think that as she does research it gives you, the parent, a great opportunity to have discussions around the dinner table. Ask her what she is learning in that research. Pick a side and make one argument and see if she can come up with a counter. It will allow her to see where each side is lacking.

We have debates in our home like this and it is sometimes very eye opening to see what facts or arguments come to light.

[LWJ]

My son does middle school debate. I briefly did college debate. The topic is fine. A debate topic is always something that is not cut or dried and you have to be able to argue both sides. My son has had some very tough topics. It makes him smarter and more educated.

[varmint]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Perhaps they could change the subject to same sex marriage?

Reparations is an important subject... however a very sticky subject... if we start giving reparations where does it stop? Native Americans? The Japanese? Etc.?

maybe abortion or illegal immigration.


some teacher is looking to pc bully a bunch of kids.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Perhaps they could change the subject to same sex marriage?

Reparations is an important subject... however a very sticky subject... if we start giving reparations where does it stop? Native Americans? The Japanese? Etc.?

I don't know. Maybe Japan and Germany should pay us reparations....

[bivenator]

LWJ, what topics are your middle school kids debating? I understand to concept of debate teams and arguing both sides of the equation. I too did debate competitions throughout high school. Euthanasia, death penalty, legal drugs were all covered but even at the high school level we weren't going to touch a topic like slavery reparations.

This is a very personal and loaded debate topic. Not exactly a good choice for sixth graders who may not be able to separate what a debate viewpoint versus a personal viewpoint. If my kid argues the anti reparations side and drubs the other kid, what will the attitude towards my child when she rides the bus home or is dressing out for gym.

Middle school is fraught with opportunities to get your ass kicked, why in the hell are we putting gas on the fire.

[scottmandue]

I was of course joking... it would be fantastic if middle school children were allowed freedom of speech and encouraged to openly express ideas and opinions...

Mind you I am light years from being in middle school myself or even having children in middle school.

However everyone I know that has children in middle school (or public schools) indicate to me that the children are being taught (or dare I say indoctrinated) with a very specific agenda.

[David McLaughlin]

If they're going to talk about slavery in America, it should not be just black history but shoud/ must include the Irish and native American s too. From what I've briefly read, the Irish were treated just as poorly as the black slaves.

[VincentVega]

In 6th grade, kickball vs dodgeball? Pizza vs burgers?

[joe payne]

Maybe they could add this to the debate.