The Collection

        On February 19, 2016, Howard University hosted an exhibition between the Howard Debate Team and the Harvard Debate Team. The two resolutions they tackled were “Should parents be able to vote on behalf of their children?” and “Should Black History Month (BHM) be abolished?” While it was interesting to hear both teams present their cases on both resolutions, the latter sparked a more impassioned debate. In debating about the abolishment of BHM, Howard was the negative and Harvard was the affirmative. Harvard’s main claim for the abolishment of BHM was a paradox to say the least; their premise was that a month simple is not enough time to gain a true appreciation of Black History. Instead of isolating the celebration of Black History to a month, Harvard proposed the abolishment of BHM and the incorporation of Black History into the main curriculum. Howard, on the other hand, staked the Black History is starkly missing from the curriculum and that is what makes BHM essential.

          Essentially, both side agreed that Black History is important. The difference came in how they thought it should be celebrated. In my opinion, Harvard presented a stronger case. I agreed with Harvard in that a month in not enough time to celebrate all of the contributions of Black People. I am also aware of the point that Howard made that like the current curriculum, it is unlikely that Black history would be give adequate attention and the benefits of BHM are too great to be undercut. I I believe that Harvard’s call for not only a month of celebration, but a lifetime of revolution is the key to ensuring that those benefits are not lost.