EDTalks: What High School Debate Can Teach Us about the Power of Abolitionist Education

Young people are feeling increasingly disempowered and disengaged as they see and experience structural injustices in their communities and persistent uncertainty about their futures. But Sandy Bolton Barrientos, the community coach for South High School’s debate team, sees a way forward. Sandy believes debate offers a unique space where students can freedom-dream institutions that affirm their livelihoods, visualize a future of joy and liberation for all people, and ultimately begin to formulate imaginative and realistic solutions for the big problems facing their communities. Sandy will present testimonials from current and former students on the impact of debate on their lives and argue strongly for additional resources and support for debate in Minneapolis Public Schools.

EDTalks is co-presented by Achieve Twin Cities and Graves Ventures, a project of The Graves Foundation. Learn more at www.achievetwincities.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN​.

This EDTalk was live streamed from Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN on February 26, 2024. It was emceed by Adia Morris.