A public debate on the effectiveness of the #BlackLivesMatter campaign will be hosted by Fresno State’s Barking Bulldogs debate team in observance of African Peoples’ History Month from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 in the Free Speech Area.
The free, public event is presented by the Africana Studies Program, Black Students United and the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute of Fresno State and other campus groups.
The student debaters are Tyra Jones, a freshman English major from Los Angeles; Elisa Saavedra, a sophomore double major in communication and Chicano and Latin American studies from Oakland; Cherie Payne, a freshman philosophy (pre-law) major from Omaha, Nebraska; and alumna Sierra Holley from Fresno.
They will argue the affirmative and negative aspects of the statement, “The #BlackLivesMatter campaign is not an effective way to combat anti-black racism.”
Each team will give a six-minute speech, followed by a three-minute cross examination by the opposing team, followed by a four-minute rebuttal speech from each member of each team. The audience is welcome to ask questions of the coach and debaters after the debate is complete.
Created in 2012, the campaign was started as a call to action and a response to anti-black racism within America.
For more information, contact the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute at 559.278.6946. See original press release.
