Undergraduate / My time in debate has made me more aware and tolerant of other people's views - ApplyTexas Topic A [3]

Thanks for any suggestions to structure and punctuation.

I had never been very interested in the alternate views and beliefs that my peers may have held. It wasn't that I intentionally blocked them out, but that I was never in an environment where those views could be openly discussed and explored. I found this environment when I joined debate, however, it wasn't in the process of learning the official styles of debate that I encountered these alternate beliefs. It was during the free time and Friday breaks in which wildly varied views, from European-esque socialism to libertarianism to far-right conservatism, were all expressed by the other debaters. These views grew into discussions ranging over a number of subjects, issues, and news stories through the years, all with two commonalities.

Firstly, the views all made sense. Even when the points being made by each side were directly contradictory, they always had researched statistics, moving analogies, and stirring phrases that made their way seem like the right one. These students are the most intelligent, highest ranking members of our classes; we didn't come to school and simply spout what we'd heard our parents say the day before. We had opinions that were well-researched and informed, that always combined the unique viewpoints and upbringings of the students with the information they used to form and shape those opinions. We showed that, whatever viewpoint someone may espouse, it is better to judge it based on its own merits rather than by the fact that it's different than one's own. As a somewhat left-wing person from Texas, I've often been surrounded, and will likely remain surrounded, by peers whose politics are vastly different than mine. I learned in debate, more than anywhere else, that the true differences in such discussions are not between people from the left, right, and center, but between those who bring well-thought out, articulate, mature points to the table and those who still exercise the belief than being louder and angrier than your opponent marks the victor.

Secondly, the debates are never allowed to influence the friendships between classmates. Even when voices are raised, it's in passion rather than anger. I realize that there is far more to each of us than how we feel about politics and the economy, and the debates are as much about stimulating our minds as they are about arguing over issues and disagreements. Even when the libertarian went head to head with the socialist concerning the size of the Federal government, as soon as the argument was finished, they went back to talking about everyday things such as NHS, relationships, and the latest Colbert Report episode. I can't say that this is where I learned to not let politics ruin friendships, but it was my first experience with true compartmentalization of arguments. I learned that bringing out the politics is alright, so long as it's put back away when the debate is over.

My time in debate has made me more aware and tolerant of other people's views and has shown me that friendships are more than mere agreement on the latest hot-button issue. If you truly want to meet individuals of varying beliefs and different opinions than your own, join debate.

Undergraduate / My most important accomplishment in terms of past, present, and future self [2]

When I think about who I was as a child, the young man I am today, and the man that I strive to become in the future, it makes me think of the one accomplishment that changed my life then, now, and for the future. Throughout elementary school I was an introvert. Interacting with people was difficult, an annoyance that got in the way of reading and dreaming myself to another place and time. Overcoming "shutting off" from the world has opened up so much more than I could have imagined.

In the 5th grade my parents thought my shyness was a result of being bullied (it wasn't). Their solution was sending me to martial arts classes. I was forced to wear those funny clothes, do weird moves, and make ridiculous sounds. As the classes continued, I felt more comfortable doing all these strange new things. I was given an opportunity to open up around other people and they seemed to be just fine with it. These were the first steps in overcoming my shyness. As the classes continued, and I became even more comfortable "putting myself out there", I forced myself to become more involved with things I would not have thought about doing before.

I eventually joined the debate team, Destination Imagination, and was Dance Student of the Year. I was given the opportunity to share my love of history and teach my 7th grade History class about the War of 1812 and as a sophomore was History Student of the Year.

My greatest accomplishment has been dealing with my introversion. I have allowed myself to enjoy so many things and have made some accomplishments along the way. I now have a black belt in Tukong Martial Arts and I am heading to college. Thanks Mom and Dad.