Building a Movement for Urban Debate | NAUDL

JAMES FARMER JR. AND JAMES FARMER SR.’S LEGACY

The son of former slaves, James L. Farmer Sr. was the first black Texan to earn a doctorate degree. After completing high school, Farmer Sr. walked from Florida to Massachusetts in order to attend Boston University. By the time he began his teaching career at Wiley College, Farmer Sr. was one of only 25 African Americans with a Ph.D.

His son, James L. Farmer Jr., was among the students on Melvin Tolson’s debate team. Along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Whitney Young, and Roy Wilkins, he was one of the “Big Four” leaders of the civil rights movement. After graduating from Wiley, Farmer chose to fight segregation through non-violent protests and direct action. He was a founder and leader of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)

SUPPORTING THE URBAN DEBATE MOVEMENT

The new civil rights movement is the movement for access to quality education. In the spirit of James Farmer Jr., individuals across the country are working to bring debate to urban high schools.

The movement started in Atlanta and Detroit. It spread to Chicago and New York. In ten years, over 37,000 students have competed in Urban Debate Leagues in urban school systems with approximately 87% students of color and 78% low-income student populations. Each League consists of a community of students, teachers, civic and business leaders, and school administrators devoted to the education of their city’s youth. Participation in debate fosters public speaking, critical thinking, and advocacy skills.

Across the country, the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL) is laying the groundwork to build new Leagues in the cities that need them most. The hard work of is paying off, but there is so much work left to be done. We need your support.

Be a part of this historic effort and help decide the legacy of The Great Debaters:

Join the movement for urban debate today.