Braver Angels Debate: Should College Campuses Disinvite Speakers Whose Ideas Can Be Construed as “Cancellable”

On April 6th, students debated the question: “Should college campuses disinvite speakers whose ideas can be construed as “cancellable?” The debate was sponsored by Polis: Center for Politics and led by Braver Angels, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.

Braver Angels debates are not competitive, but a collective exercise in searching for truth. Conducted in a light parliamentary style, they teach students to engage respectfully around difficult and divisive issues. Students think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas.

“By directing questions towards the Chair, we had to phrase our questions in such a way that did not attack of undermine the speaker’s opinions. Doing so encouraged thoughtful and respectful dialogue, which I greatly appreciated.”

– Manon Fuchs (PPS ’24)

“I appreciated that Braver Angels’ debate style allowed so much time for questions. It helped me feel as if I was engaging with the audience members and their tough, pointed questions forced me to reconsider many of my own beliefs.”

– James Gao (PPS ’24)