The Malcolm X Debate Program at Rikers Island

MXD Awarded Grant from NYU Law’s Public Interest Law Foundation

malcolmxdebates — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:37:06 +0000

Thank you to NYU Law PILF for supporting our work in 2010! We are excited to begin this new partnership and look forward to R. Goldberg representing us on their board.

Announcement: Spring 2010 Volunteers Needed

malcolmxdebates — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:59:50 +0000

For Immediate Release:

The Malcolm X Debate Program can only provide debate education for 50 high school students incarcerated and educated at Rikers this Spring if we have the support of fifteen volunteers just like you. If you want to be a part of our program this semester – now is the time to get involved!

We need volunteer coaches for our Spring program, beginning on Tuesday, January 26th. Our program runs every Tuesday evening from 6:00-9pm. Course credit can be arranged.

The first info session is today (1/19) at 6:30 in Bobst in LL2-07, followed by a Thursday (1/21) session at 5:30 in the same location.

Please email Caroline at info@malcolmxdebates.org if you plan on attending an info session.
Our Spring session dates are:
Jan 19 and 21st (info sessions)
Jan 26 (volunteer training 1)
Feb 2 (volunteer training 2)
Feb 9 (orientation at Rikers)
Feb 16 (session 1)
Feb 23 (session 2)
March 2 (session 3)
March 9 (session 4)
March 23 (session 5)
March 30 (session 6)
April 6 (session 7)
April 13 (awards presentation)

The most important qualities that we are looking for in prospective volunteers with us at Rikers are commitment and the willingness to make human connections- not necessarily debate or teaching experience — we will help you with that! The students who we work with at Rikers are genuine, smart, and motivated high schoolers, many of whom have been let down too many times, and we build trust with our youth based on the extended commitment of our volunteers. Go ahead, read the post below to find out what our students say about the debate program!

Hope you’ll join us!

Fall 2009 Graduation

malcolmxdebates — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:27:52 +0000

Next week, we have the privilege of celebrating the graduation of twenty Rikers youth from our Fall 2009 program. Since October, our Fall Malcolm X Debate Program has provided debate education for over 50 youth, ages 16-18, at Rikers. This is no small feat; and we could do not do it without our fourteen volunteer debate coaches. Please join us in congratulating the youth who have learned, with patience and enthusiasm, to articulate their point of view and back it up with evidence, speak up for their values, and walk in someone else’s shoes. We are continually growing together! Looking forward to the Spring.

Here are some of the things Malcolm X Debaters had to say about our Fall 2009 program:

“I learned how to argue; but in a good way, without turning to violence.”

“The Malcolm X Program helped me to stand up for my actual court case.”

“I learned that people like me should speak up for themselves…”

“[I learned] that I have talent… please enroll more people in the program.”

“I learned so many different things about politics that I did not know before.”

“I learned that I am smarter than I had expected.”

“I have learned to put myself on both sides of a debate, whether I honestly believe it or not. I think that’s pretty cool.”

Fall 2009 Info Session #2

malcolmxdebates — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:26:37 +0000

Due to overwhelming interest (thank you!!)… we are holding a second information session for folks who want to be a part of the MX Debate Program at Rikers this Fall.

Tuesday, September, 22 from 6:30-8:00pm at 715 Broadway (corner of Broadway & Washington Place)

Please bring your government ID if you are a non-NYU student in order to gain access to the building.

Please email Caroline at info@malcolmxdebates.org if you have further questions!

Fall 2009 Program Info Session

malcolmxdebates — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:28:44 +0000

If you’re interested in becoming involved with the Malcolm X Debate Program at Rikers Island please join us for our Fall 2009 info session on

Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 6:30 pm at 715 Broadway (on the corner of Broadway & Washington Pl.)

Please bring your NYU/government ID to access the building.

Some Background Reading

malcolmxdebates — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:44:39 +0000

… from less academic sources. A few different perspectives here, with perhaps too much focus on debate as a route to power.

No Argument: High School Debate is Popular Once Again

Revenge of the Nerds

Ministers of Debate

Were you a high school debater too?

Resources for Volunteers

malcolmxdebates — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:05:45 +0000

Here are a few reading resources about debate theory for folks who will be volunteering with the program this spring (or anyone interested in exploring debate theory more in depth).

(right click to ‘save as’)

Gordon Mitchell – Argumentative Agency in Debate

Gordon Mitchell – Simulated Public Argument as Pedagogy

Jessica Kulynych – Performing politics: Foucault, Habermas, and postmodern participation.

Allen, Berkowitz, Hunt and Louden – A Meta-Analysis of Forensics and Communication Education on Critical Thinking

Littlefield – High School Students Perception of the Efficacy of Debate Education

Bellon – A Research Based Justification for Debate Across the Curriculum

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

malcolmxdebates — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:06:25 +0000

We are currently seeking volunteer teachers!

EMAIL: info@malcolmxdebates.org

Beginning in February and running until May (a college semester) volunteers will facilitate our first debate program at Rikers Island Academy. Volunteers will have a teaching partner.

*We will train volunteers at the end of January
*If you are a student, we will offer you course/internship credit
*You will be part of an exciting start-up project
*You will have a unique opportunity to work with incarcerated students
*You will learn more about yourself as a leader, a teacher, a thinker, an organizer, an activist, and a person! You will not walk away unchanged.

Can’t commit to volunteer right now?
No problem! Show your support for MXPD by joining our steering committee. We need help with curriculum, fundraising, and innovating. Come once or come every week…we’d love to have you.