RIUDL Banquet

I was in Providence Wednesday night for the Rhode Island Urban Debate League‘s end of the year banquet. It was a powerful event marked by three highlights: speeches from Providence mayor David Cicilline, Great Debaters star Nate Parker, and the graduating seniors of the RIUDL. Perhaps the biggest story, though, was the amazing turnout. Dozens of students and coaches brought their families and were joined by League supporters, school district officials, and Brown University students who work with the League. The overwhelming turnout even forced a last minute change of venue to a larger ballroom at the Westin Providence. The Providence Journal and the Brown Daily Herald covered the event.

Mayor Cicilline spoke briefly but eloquently about the importance of debate and the history of the Rhode Island Urban Debate League. Though he’s new to office, he seems to have had a long-standing relationship with the League. To say that I’m jealous would be an understatement.

Then, a young woman named Rosanna Castro gave awards and introduced the RIUDL’s graduating seniors. Rosanna was one of the League’s first debaters, and since graduating in 2004, she has gone on to join the school board. We’ve got some strong allies on the Boston School Committee, but once again, jealousy ensued as I listened to this bright, articulate, confident young woman credit so much of her success to debate.

The seniors had similar stories to tell. The Boston Debate League did two joint events with the RIUDL this year, so I’ve gotten to know some of their students a bit. It was moving to watch them pondering such an emotional milestone as graduation and reflecting on an activity that has meant so much to them. Some read from carefully prepared speeches, others reveled in hamming it up on the fly, and still others giggled nervously through quick thank yous to their coaches and teammates. But always, they acknowledged that were it not for joining the debate team, they would never be able to speak so eloquently before a crowd of hundreds.

The real show-stopper was Nate Parker, who starred alongside Denzel Washington in The Great Debaters. Now this was a guy to be jealous of. Nate is young, handsome, charismatic, smart, articulate, well-informed, successful, and presumably pretty well-off financially these days.
Experiencing so much success as a young man and being tapped by one of the most popular and talented actors and directors in America to star in his film is the kind of thing that would go to most people’s heads, especially those who spend so much time in Hollywood. But Nate seems down-to-Earth and genuinely passionate about debate. Though he was unfamiliar with the activity prior to starring in the film, Parker now describes debate as “a major step in leveling the playing field” for disadvantaged students. He’s since traveled the country to attend several other urban debate events.

Needless to say, he’s a big hit with the students. After speaking for a few minutes, he invited the audience to come up on stage and ask him questions. Not surprisingly, several giggling girls were the first to take him up on the offer.

When asked about the upcoming presidential election, he gave a characteristically thoughtful response. “I really wanted to approach this with an open mind. I didn’t, you know, want to just say ‘Oh I’m for the black guy!’ I’ve read all the candidates’ books and I’ve never missed one of the debates. But after taking it all in, I’m supporting Obama.” That line was met with thunderous applause.

I’m usually skeptical of celebrities who want to pontificate about politics, and this country certainly doesn’t have the best track record with actors-turned-politicians. But I couldn’t help thinking what a great candidate and great leader Parker would make.