Davidson in Reverse was initially conceived of as a group project in Professor Bailey’s “Debate & Deliberation” course. It was designed to get students to examine difficult issues from a variety of perspectives. By encouraging students to take on an issue from the opposite side of their preferred view or perspective, the project helped them to resist the temptation of conducting a superficial review of the thinking of those with whom they have passionate disagreements.
Students quickly got on board with the assignment during class sessions and worked with two Davidson residents, Paul Wetenhall and Andrew Shepard, to explore their chosen topic of “anti-Whiteness” and “wokeness” and whether they are hurting or helping America. They co-organized a public “Davidson in Reverse” debate that was held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the 900 Room of the Davidson Student Union. The debate included the two conservative/libertarian-leaning community members and two liberal/progressive leaning students from the class.
The “reverse” dynamic involved the debate participants arguing for the side that they disagree with; the two students argued against “woke” diversity policies while the two residents argued for the policies. Professor Dan Aldridge offered an expert analysis of the debate after it concluded, and the panelists took questions from the audience as well.
The event included food and was co-sponsored by the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative. It was less about trying to change minds than showcasing the ability to argue in good faith by making an opponent’s best case, as well as the importance of examining important-contentious issues through a 360-degree lens before coming to a definitive judgment.
