Resolved

Resolved was a challenge to follow and to completely understand, not in its theme or the overall discussion, but to understand the world that debaters have, the way they communicate and express themselves. I thought is really interesting to see how each on of these students would bring something to the table and show how Freire explained not empty vessels, but young generations that may contribute with their habits, personality and determination to learn or have a voice and show it to the rest of the world.

 One interesting theory that Freire explained in more detailed in his book is the banking theory and how in the traditional educational system, the teacher or superior would treat the students as empty vessels or piggy banks that are only to use to deposit, there is no coming back, or a way to benefit from the piggy bank until is full of coins.  Louise and Richard were inspired by Freire’s teachings in regards on education, and wanted to bring something different to a tight system that has different codes and rules as is the debate world.  As Dewey would also explained these two debaters wanted to discuss about real problems, again things that were relatable with their realities, more than a combat against a third world war, and a nuclear destruction. This democratization of letting go certain rules or standards according to debate were a big surprise for the traditional and for people who was actually in the debates… Why? Because they again started to understand about the things that were debated.  I think is remarkable of how their background and education from someone who trust them to represent this idea mark the lives of these kids, who maybe didn’t change the system, nor the competition, but indeed changed their way to see education.

Another interesting thing about this documentary was to see the training an the life that the traditional debaters have. First of, there is some racial and status on this elite of debaters. Second, there is an enormous amount of information and of study to do to prepare for a debate. The kids literally “absorbed” their readings and investigation with an enormous reach of data. Both Louise and Richards team and Sam and Matt’s team,  have great merits to earn in each one of these sides.  It seems that Sam and Matt were almost computers that spill information as fast as they can, communicating with codes and words that only a few really understand.

 The film gave me some hope for Louise and Richards in their future, even though their circumstances were not ideal, their fight is a thing that would continue and some day it will be resolved. On the other hand, I’m fascinated by the amount of information the most traditionals manage in a debate. I’m still concern about how they developed themselves in society; maybe they should also internalize some of the thoughts of Dewey and Freire to understand that after debate, there is a lot to do in real life.