New ’Wick Student Union Promotes Respectful Debate

They agreed to disagree — and to do so with mutual respect.

 

Brunswick held its first meeting of the Student Union at the Upper School on Thursday, March 29, as students promoted free speech and civil discourse on campus while debating the issue of gun control.

 

More specifically, students debated whether or not the production, distribution, and resale of the AR-15 should be banned — a topic remaining at the forefront of American political and societal discussion in the weeks after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on February 14, in which 17 were murdered.

 

The school shooting sparked the student-led March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C., and 800 similar marches across the globe last week — making Brunswick’s first meeting of its Student Union all the more poignant and relevant.

 

The anti-ban side included seniors Tim Carter, Gordon Kamer, and David Sorbaro; the pro-ban side included fellow classmates Jack Ocken, Caleb Osemobor, and Wesley Peisch.

 

Seniors Diego Jasson and Christian LeSueur served as moderators.

 

“Today’s debate is meant to show that, in spite of disagreements on certain hot-button issues, there is still a way to have civil discourse without berating the opposing side for its position,” LeSueur explained to the audience of Upper School students and faculty.

 

“The goal is to allow students the opportunity to witness what respectful discourse looks like, even when there may be philosophical differences present.”

 

Both sides presented three arguments supporting their case, each of which was followed by the opposing side’s response. The side making the initial argument then had one final opportunity to respond.

 

Each side concluded with a one-minute summary — and a 10-minute Q & A followed.

 

“What is important to realize is that each participant has been assigned his role,” Headmaster Thomas W. Philip said. “Their statements do not necessarily reflect their own personal views or opinions.”

 

Philip expressed the hope that future debates by the Brunswick Student Union will be presented annually.

 

“You’ve listened and can now decide for yourself where you lie on the issue at hand,” moderator Diego Jasson concluded. “But most important, whether inside or outside of the classroom, never be afraid to express your voice, to be confident in your convictions, and to express opinions true to your values.

 

“We hope that you can take this experience and what you’ve learned here today beyond Brunswick.”