ArguMentors
Debating for Change
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Our Goal
High school Public Forum debate, a place for fostering critical thinking and honing communication skills, reveals a systemic bias that disproportionately favors individuals and teams with greater resources. Those who can afford coaching, judging, and topic research are often at an advantage over less affluent participants. In a system where success is linked to future participation in the activity, those without access to such resources are often pushed out of the debate space. This undermines the ideals of fair competition and equal opportunity that the space should reflect.
ArguMentors is an organization dedicated to dismantling the barriers that create inequality in high school debate. Our mission is to redefine the playing field, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has equal access to opportunities for success. To achieve this, we are committed to providing free topic preparation resources, comprehensive topic analyses, and facilitating connections between eager students and experienced mentors. Additionally, we offer complimentary sessions designed to enhance students' persuasive skills. Our vision extends beyond borders, as we aspire to make these invaluable benefits available internationally. ArguMentors aims to create a more equitable and accessible landscape for high school debaters worldwide by promoting inclusivity and breaking down financial barriers, allowing everyone to reach their full potential.
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Get Involved
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Engaging with the initiatives of ArguMentors offers a variety of avenues for participation. We invite individuals to volunteer as judges for tournaments we have listed if they are in accessible locations. Emphasizing flexibility, we encourage people to sign up as mentors, and will happily accommodate their schedules and availability. We are appreciative of mentors of all skill levels! As part of our commitment to making topic preparation accessible, we welcome individuals to share their expertise by offering topic research or contributing to the drafting of comprehensive topic analyses. By participating in any of these capacities, individuals play a pivotal role in fostering inclusivity and enhancing the impact of ArguMentors' mission within the high school debate community.