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Cohen Urges Urban Debate Teams
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Published: May 15, 2008
TAMPA - A movie about an all-black Southern college debate team that took on Harvard in 1935 has inspired Tampa lawyer Barry Cohen to launch a campaign to start urban high school debate teams in Florida.
Cohen also wants to get "The Great Debaters," starring Denzel Washington, shown in public and private schools.
"This is a film that every young person should see," he said. "It shows young men and women overcoming horrific racial hatred and systematic bigotry. It could make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children, especially inner-city boys and girls who are constantly inundated with negative influences."
Cohen plans to show the film tonight for 200 youngsters at a private event in the Hillsborough County Bar Association's Chester H. Ferguson Law Center downtown.
It will be shown in the Barry A. Cohen Hall, donated to the center for educational purposes.
An actress who co-starred in the film, Jurnee Smollett, is scheduled to speak before the screening. She is the winner of a 2008 NAACP Image Award for her portrayal of a student in the film.
Cohen said Hillsborough County school officials have been invited as well as members of the Chicago-based National Association for Urban Debate Leagues.
The 2007 film, produced by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions and directed by Washington, is based on the story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College in Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.
Cohen said that when he first saw the film in December, he bought a second ticket and saw it again.
He said it brought back memories of growing up in the South during the time of segregation. "I have always been sensitive to the plight of African-Americans and the unfair way they were treated," he said.
He said he loved the way Washington's character stressed the importance of education as a way to overcome the obstacles and prejudice the students faced.
Cohen said he is working with Leonard "Lenny" Gail, president of the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues, to develop debate teams in Tampa schools, a program, he says, that could spread to other counties.
According to the national association, Urban Debate Leagues are active in 18 of the nation's largest cities, involving 311 high schools and 51 middle schools.
Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654 or wbelcher@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( infcol ) on May 15, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
More touchy-feely stuff. If all kids, regardless of race or economic circumstance, were held to the same standards, enforced vigorously by federal authority, wore uniforms, did PT morning and afternoon, had a minimum of 6 hours of MANDANTORY homework, we'd begin to get some order back into this once-great society!!
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Posted by ( luvco ) on May 15, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
So, in other words, if we just sent our kids to China, we wouldn't have all the crap going on that we do.
Brilliant.
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