The Omega Debate seeks to revive and leverage its history of scholarly debate targeting high school students of color in metro Atlanta to spur creative thought, develop critical thinking skills, improve articulation, and advance research skills while inspiring both participants and audience to act on the subject of the debate.
Within the history of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, debating has been a cornerstone since before its founding. Two of Omega’s Founders, Edgar Amos Love and Frank Coleman, were elected members of the Kappa Sigma Debating Society at Howard University in February 1911 and several other future Brothers, including Founder Love’s brother, William, were members of this society as early as 1909. The foundation in debate extended throughout Omega with Brothers at Fisk, Morehouse, and Lincoln members of their respective debate societies. Most notable, Melvin B. Tolson, professor of English at Wiley College, was the famed debate coach for that school. He was the subject of the 2007 biopic The Great Debaters (Tolson was initiated into Omega while attending Lincoln University in 1921).
A total of 35 states so far have signed into law or proposed legislation banning or restricting the teaching of critical race theory in public schools. What is critical race theory, and should it be banned from schools? Or are these states' efforts misplaced and misguided? Teams argue both sides of this controversial topic during the preliminary round of The Omega Debate.
More and more African Americans are attending and graduating from predominately white institutions than ever before. According to the National Center of Education Statistics, in 1977, HBCUs conferred 35% of all bachelor's degrees to black students. Since then, that number has decreased to 13% for 2020. However, the HBCU value proposition, campus climate, cultural impact, and socioeconomic factors remain important advantages for HBCUs and their students. The Finalists will frame arguments and defend their position around this important topic: Are HBCUs Relevant Today?
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