“Debate is combat but your weapons are words.” A memorable quote from The Great Debaters produced by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions and directed by Academy Award winning actor Denzel Washington.

“You must destroy your opponent - not only verbally, but physically.” So said controversial debate coach Melvin Tolson at Wiley College in East Texas nearly three-quarters of a century ago.

“I’m here to help you find and keep your righteous mind.” Professor Tolson told his debate team, which only lost one contest in 75 debates over 15 years.

Wiley College, the first accredited historically Black college west of the Mississippi, achieved the impossible in 1935 by way of its debate team, which upset prestigious teams at the University of Southern California and Harvard University.

Undoubtedly intelligence has far more to do with determination and preparation than skin color. The film The Debaters reveals true strength doesn’t need violence when it can wield powerful influence with knowledge and articulate heartfelt expression.

As Black History Month approaches we must honestly recognize African Americans have always led the way and been at the tip of the spear to pierce through evil and injustice. Without Africans arising to confront injustice, there would be no human or civil rights in America.

In this hour more than ever, African Americans must fight for people of every color who are being exploited and disenfranchized. The voice of African Americans must be heard throughout our land once again to confront injustice! We can never correct, what we refuse to confront.

Professor Tolson, whom the movie The Great Debaters was made after, an accomplished poet and provocateur, passionately and with fire in his eyes prophetically lifted up his voice to speak to his generation.

Our nation is in need again, not only of inspiration but confrontation from leadership. The profiteers in government have chosen instead to serve corporation nation rather than we the people. Therefore we the people, the brave and bold, must arise and be a voice of conscience to redefine and reclaim the identity of America.

No longer can we the people be duped by patriotic rhetoric and flag waving politicians who disregard our national security and unnecessarily send our troops into harms way to fight imperial wars with people who we know nothing about and have done us no harm whatsoever. No longer can we as a nation demonize other peoples and nations while calling ourselves good and godly.

Such self-righteousness is hellish and quickly heading toward a day of reckoning with the global community and international economy. Consequently both America and its currency are quickly losing international influence and credibility.

May God Almighty enlarge our voice over that of the multinational media conglomerates that seek to influence and control the minds of Americans. By the way, what is America? What values do we stand for, or have we forgotten them altogether preferring victory and to ‘win the war’ - whatever that means. There are no winners in war, only losers and abusers.

We must again have a national debate challenging anyone and everyone across the University and college campuses of America to an open forum, town hall discussion, and intellectual conversation to debate the pivotal issues paving the way to our national destruction or reformation.

Not only is the U.S. dollar at an all-time low, so too is America’s international credibility.

Americans like to be flattered and boast in their nationalism, but what we need most is to be challenged. If America does not become self-aware and brutally honest with herself, her tendency to live in her past glory will be her end.

Personal soul searching and national policy evaluation is what we as a country most need. When public opinion is in disagree with public policy, we the people must not be silent. The great debaters, orators, and authors have historically always pierced through the darkness to bring light and illumination to open the eyes of humanity.

Indeed in keeping with the words of The Great Debaters: “The time for justice is always right now!”

Keep crying loud and sparing not until righteousness flows like a mighty stream and justice is served!

Contact Paul F. Davis to debate the issues of the day on your college campus, in your city, or in your homeland.

RevivingNations@gmail.com
http://www.PaulFDavis.com
407-284-1705

Paul builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations. Paul worked at Ground Zero in NYC during 9/11; helped rebuild a home at the tsunami epicenter; comforted victims of genocide in Rwanda; spoke to leaders in East Timor during the war; inspired students & monks in Myanmar; addressed audiences throughout India, China, Pakistan, & parts of Africa where they’ve never seen a white man. He is a highly sought after worldwide professional speaker, prolific author, human rights activist, provocateur, and minister.

Filmmakers and producers interested in United States of Arrogance (Paul’s book) can contact Davis who owns the U.S. Trademark for movie rights. Davis, a worldwide professional speaker has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!

Davis has written 12 books, 2 nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.