Last month LBCC’s Civil Discourse program hosted a debate on one burning question, “Is the American Dream Still Achievable?”
The debate Oct. 21 at the Philomath Museum followed a structured format, with speakers alternating between the affirmative and negative sides. Cheyanne Rider served as mediator for the event.
Rider stressed the importance of providing a space for people to voice their opinions in a way they felt was safe. With the growing polarization of public dialogue, the event allowed people from diverse backgrounds to give their perspectives on issues without worrying about offending anyone.
LB Civil Discourse advisor Mark Urista stressed the importance of creating a cross-generational dialogue. The event was attended by people of several generations. Urista also emphasized the importance of allowing students to voice their concerns to people from the older generations, and hear their perspectives in turn.
While there were only four scheduled speakers, after they finished, the floor was opened to impromptu speeches. By the end of the night, 11 people had spoken.
A wide variety of opinions were expressed in both directions, as well as many people interpreting the question very differently. Views ranged from analogies such as “the world is like a buffet, there are all these choices and the plates only so big,” to personal anecdotes of struggle, such as parents who “shared a single room with two roommates” or a “mom that stopped going to school in the 5th grade, and [a] father in the sixth, while I am now going to Oregon State.” Many speakers described the American dream as “dying rather than dead,” choosing instead to focus on recent changes to our current material realities.
At the end, the speakers were almost equally divided on the premise of whether the so-called American Dream can be achieved these days.
More important than any of the individual speeches was the atmosphere, according to the organizers. The debates were respectful and productive, and everyone in attendance seemed to have had a positive experience.
People’s voices were heard, and their perspectives considered. The Civil Discourse program at LBCC is built to do exactly that.
For more information about the program and upcoming events, go online to www.linnbenton.edu/current-students/clubs/civil-discourse.php or by contacting Mark Urista at uristam@linnbenton.edu
