SLU Forensic Society defeats Britain's best debating team
By Stephanie Miller
April 1990
"A Woman's Place is on Top" was the subject of the debate in Herring Cole Library on Monday night. The Pro-side represented by St. Lawrence students John Forrest and Mitch Thrower narrowly defeated the British opposition. Speaking for the opposition were Leader of the Opposition Iain Morley, 1988 World Debating Champion, from Great Britain and member of the opposition Justine Fox, 35th in the 1988 World Debate Championship, also from Great Britain. John Forrest started the debate and centered the Government's argument around two main points.
Forrest's first point was that the resolution implied women belong on top only in a sexual sense. This suggests women are subordinate in all other facets of life, argued Forrest. Instead of accepting this implication of women on top only when it comes to sex, Forrest argued they need to be placed on top of decision making to help create a system in which the two sexes are equal in the enforcement of the economy, government, and the world.
The second point Forrest argued was the traditional roles of women in society such as teachers, mothers, and secretaries suppresses "the intellect, tact and beauty of women." These roles are not only a reflection upon men's repression of women but society as a whole. Leader of the Opposition Iain Morley was next to speak. He argued that women do not need to be raised to the top of decision making because they are already there.
Morley said that when a women and man are married, "the marriage ring goes on the lady's finger and through the groom's nose." Although the women aren't visibly in the position of power, they control it from behind the men's chair by controlling him, Morley argued. By allowing men to believe they are in control is how women establish control.
The third speaker, member of the Government Mitch Thrower, argues that the status quo has kept women out of power through the illusion that women have power. Since half the world is women, half of the representation should be by women. This has not yet happened because "women are still on their knees," argued Thrower. The correct political structure should be established by placing men and women of equal qualifications side-by-side to jointly make decisions.
The final speaker was member of the opposition Justine Fox. Fox argued women are already in a position of power and do not need men's "invitation" to rise to power. "Men are just too dumb to realize that women are exploiting them," argued Fox. Fox asked the floor to look at the example of Gary Hart and Donna Rice. "Whose career was lost and who make a fortune?"
Fox also argues that women have "the best of both worlds" because not only do they hold positions of power but are also allowed to be openly emotional where men feel socially constricted.
After the floor was open to speakers, the leaders of each side were allowed a four minute rebuttal. The opposition closed by saying that men are just fooling themselves when they believe they are in power. Morley argued that it is evident how much power women have when "they are able to kill the entire human race by just saying the word no." The Government closed its argument when Forrest argues that society needs to redefine and reshape its values into some sort of equality that doesn't substitute men for women, but which combines them together into joint decision making."
April 1990
"A Woman's Place is on Top" was the subject of the debate in Herring Cole Library on Monday night. The Pro-side represented by St. Lawrence students John Forrest and Mitch Thrower narrowly defeated the British opposition. Speaking for the opposition were Leader of the Opposition Iain Morley, 1988 World Debating Champion, from Great Britain and member of the opposition Justine Fox, 35th in the 1988 World Debate Championship, also from Great Britain. John Forrest started the debate and centered the Government's argument around two main points.
Forrest's first point was that the resolution implied women belong on top only in a sexual sense. This suggests women are subordinate in all other facets of life, argued Forrest. Instead of accepting this implication of women on top only when it comes to sex, Forrest argued they need to be placed on top of decision making to help create a system in which the two sexes are equal in the enforcement of the economy, government, and the world.
The second point Forrest argued was the traditional roles of women in society such as teachers, mothers, and secretaries suppresses "the intellect, tact and beauty of women." These roles are not only a reflection upon men's repression of women but society as a whole. Leader of the Opposition Iain Morley was next to speak. He argued that women do not need to be raised to the top of decision making because they are already there.
Morley said that when a women and man are married, "the marriage ring goes on the lady's finger and through the groom's nose." Although the women aren't visibly in the position of power, they control it from behind the men's chair by controlling him, Morley argued. By allowing men to believe they are in control is how women establish control.
The third speaker, member of the Government Mitch Thrower, argues that the status quo has kept women out of power through the illusion that women have power. Since half the world is women, half of the representation should be by women. This has not yet happened because "women are still on their knees," argued Thrower. The correct political structure should be established by placing men and women of equal qualifications side-by-side to jointly make decisions.
The final speaker was member of the opposition Justine Fox. Fox argued women are already in a position of power and do not need men's "invitation" to rise to power. "Men are just too dumb to realize that women are exploiting them," argued Fox. Fox asked the floor to look at the example of Gary Hart and Donna Rice. "Whose career was lost and who make a fortune?"
Fox also argues that women have "the best of both worlds" because not only do they hold positions of power but are also allowed to be openly emotional where men feel socially constricted.
After the floor was open to speakers, the leaders of each side were allowed a four minute rebuttal. The opposition closed by saying that men are just fooling themselves when they believe they are in power. Morley argued that it is evident how much power women have when "they are able to kill the entire human race by just saying the word no." The Government closed its argument when Forrest argues that society needs to redefine and reshape its values into some sort of equality that doesn't substitute men for women, but which combines them together into joint decision making."