Rutgers University-Newark Debate Team Hosts Social Justice Debates at SPAA
The Rutgers University-Newark Debate Team at the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) proudly hosted the Social Justice Debates on October 11 and 12 on the RU-N campus, bringing together students, faculty, and community members for a spirited exchange of ideas between SPAA and the Center for Legal Justice.
The History of the Social Justice Debates
The Social Justice Debates model was first introduced by Kenneth Newby, director of debate at Morehouse College. Newby envisioned debate as a platform not only for academic competition but also for civic engagement, encouraging participants to grapple with pressing issues of equity, democracy, and justice. Since its inception, the model has evolved into a national initiative, fostering dialogue between universities and communities on the most pressing challenges facing society.
Rutgers Hosts the Season Opener
This year, Rutgers-Newark had the honor of hosting the in-person season opener. The debate topic focused on whether the United States should constitutionalize the right to vote, a timely and consequential issue in the current political climate.
The event drew over 80 participants, including members of the Rutgers-Newark community, local residents, and debate programs from across the country. Teams from the University of Vermont (UVM), Morehouse College, Rochester University, Patrick Henry College, Pepperdine University, and Penn State University joined the conversation.
Civic Engagement Through Debate
In partnership with NJPIRG Rutgers-Newark, the debate team coordinated a voter registration drive. Led by debate team members Julie Jang and Geetika Doshi, both of whom are members of NJPIRG, the initiative provided participants and community members with the opportunity not only to debate the right to vote but also to take tangible steps toward exercising that right in the upcoming election.
Special Guest Judge
The debates were enriched by the presence of Jhamar Youngblood, a Newark native, community leader, and scholar with a background in Globalization Studies and a master’s degree from Dartmouth University. Youngblood, who is also a candidate for Councilman in Newark’s Central Ward, served as the expert judge, offering thoughtful insights and guidance to the debaters.
A Community of Voices
The Social Justice Debates at Rutgers Newark exemplified the power of dialogue to inspire civic action. By blending academic rigor with community engagement, the event highlighted the importance of constitutional rights, democratic participation, and the role of debate in shaping a more just society.