Debate opens her eyes to differing points of view
“One of my friends got into an argument on social media. She texted me and said, ‘These two people are harassing me on Facebook. Can you please help?’ So I kind of intervened. But I very quickly came to the realization that no matter what I said, they were going to dig in their heels and believe what they were going to believe.
“Sadly, I kind of feel that way about a lot of social media arguments. It’s so much easier to refuse to listen to other people or try to understand another perspective when you’re hiding behind a screen on your computer or phone. At the end of the day, you might not agree with each other. But people are much more willing to say nasty, awful things online because they don’t have to look someone in the eye while they’re doing it. And that’s pretty unfortunate.
“As a debater, you don’t get to do that. There is a standard of professionalism and a standard of decorum.
“When I started, I was easily persuaded in a lot of things. I would believe stuff that I saw on the internet without researching further. I would kind of fall victim to that mob mentality. If all these people had an opinion on a certain thing and all these news sites were saying this certain thing, I would take it at face value. Debate has really taught me that I can’t do that. I have to do my own research and be well informed in all areas. And I have to understand things better in order to discover myself as a person.
“I think I’m much more grounded now and well rounded as a result of having to listen to other people’s perspectives.”
— Pamela Johnson
Pamela began debating at Barbers Hill High School. She was a top performer on Lee College’s debate team the past two years. For the fifth time in seven years, LC earned the title of national community college champions in the International Public Debate Association.
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