Speech and Berate
by Sanah Bhardwaj
speech and berate
claim, warrant, solvency
claim
claims to help the silenced find their voice
that voice is irrelevant when the judge makes their choice
claims to uphold every minority
but every round is about our own superiority
claims to open up doors to opportunity
the door held ajar reveals a toxic community
warrant
is there a warrant for the virulency that young debaters feel?
when their opponent has a heart of steel
is there a warrant for their confusion?
when the debate they once loved became an activity of exclusion
is there a warrant for the constant criticism?
perpetuated by this community of egoism
solvency
every inherency has a solution
so let’s affirm the resolution
debate ought to be a welcoming place
where the thought of oration excites, regardless of class or race
debate ought to teach
to encompass and underscore the power of speech
debate ought to embrace
not turn the beauty of words into a rat race
debate ought to empower
so our youth no longer duck and cower
claim, warrant, solvency
speech and debate