Debate: Yes or No

Debate. What comes to mind when you hear or read the word "debate". Conflict, contrast, argument, and misunderstanding come to my mind. And also, that childish joke from my childhood when we apply a little bit of wordplay to the word debate to illustrate what we think about it back then. De-bate, "di bate (hindi bati)", and in English, it means that you aren't on good terms with another. "di bati, hindi kayo bati".

Sure, it's really childish but something really mature comes from it. Only mature persons can delve into a debate without hard feelings and logical reasonings only. Aside from contradicting sides, a debate is also a chance for people to unite by discussing one subject and one subject only. It's amazing.

And why am I blabbering about "debate"? Well, whenever I hear or read that word, a distant memory comes alive inside my mind. And let me take you on a journey back in time to a place where the word "debate" takes me.

Debate. Some may view it as the collision and convergence of contrasting ideas. They may see it as the battleground for arguments to take it out on each other and just try to destroy each other.

But for Prince, it was a beautiful event because he could go head-to-head with the greatest minds from other schools. He viewed it as a celebration of free speech and unity.

That day, he was so excited because he was going to compete in a one-on-one debate event against a school from another town. He studied for weeks and prepared like crazy for the upcoming battle. The topic was a controversial one and it was the Pro-choice or Pro-life argument. He was assigned to defend the Pro-life side and he read every single article and publication that he could get his hands on.

He had the topic down to the letter and he has his strategy spot on. He even tried to stay away from the Bible as far as he could. He wanted to shine without using many philosophical attacks.

But as his name was called and he walked up the stage, he was surprised to see who his opponent will be. Suddenly, his feet got heavier and the air around him began choking him. It was Ira, his very first girlfriend. How could he talk Pro-life insights to the girl who taught him how to use contraceptives? He started second-guessing himself. All that he read about crumbled inside his mind. How could he convince people about what he had to say, and how could he even persuade them to listen if he himself couldn't believe what he was trying to say.

He took his place on the back of a podium on one side of the stage. The other side was occupied by Ira, she was all smiles and she was really confident as she acknowledged the audience, the guests, and Prince. Meanwhile, his hands were sweating heavily and the program hasn't even started yet. He was so nervous and he couldn't even keep his smile. His knees were weak and everything that could shake was shaking.

Just one glance from her sent him to a whole world of disarray and chaos. Her angelic smile pinched his heart with the tiniest pinch possible. He winced as he felt the pain from his chest spread all throughout his body. Her smile looked like a smirk to him. It may have been his exaggeration but he couldn't control how his body and mind would react.

He was prejudiced about her because he could still feel the pain of the rejection and heartbreak she brought him. He could not forget that one night when he became vulnerable in front of her and he offered her his heart. He wanted them to DTR but she laughed at him and that's the last time they saw each other.

He can still hear her laughter and the evocative giggle dealt massive emotional damage to him.

The moderator presented the topic and he also introduced both sides. And for their opening statements, the lady from the East Senior High School was the first one to make her first attempt at persuasion. He may be imagining things but he could have sworn that every time the word "condom" was mentioned, he sees her looking at him. And every single time, he travels back in time to that one night when he had a lot of trouble putting one on, and the unnecessary struggle was proved futile when he realized that he put it on inside out.

Just remembering it lit up his cheeks.

Ira finished and it was Prince's turn. He tapped the microphone and it feedbacked around the place with that annoying sharp and high tone. He tried to open his mouth but no sound came out. He tried again and still. He looked at the audience and he felt the pressure even more as they were looking at him and were waiting for the words to come out of his mouth.

He then turned to Ira who was looking at him and then down as if signaling something. He was confused, he tried to decipher what she was trying to tell and when she followed her eyes, he saw the index cards that were in front of him. And he realized what she was trying to do. She was trying to help him regain his composure by consulting his notes. He took a deep breath and he was able to speak once more. He was also able to deliver his points across. Ira smiled at him as he began talking.

The debate was heated but it ran very smoothly. They were able to end it in a beautiful manner. Cheers and applause were given by the audience in appreciation for a job well done by both sides.

He honestly didn't care who won or who lost. He felt like he had done a good job and he felt like somehow, he was redeemed.

He was still smiling as his service dropped him off in front of his house.

"I'm home." he greeted as he took off his shoes. He waved at his mother as he ran upstairs to his room. He was surprised and shocked when he opened the door and Ira was sitting in front of his study table. She smiled at him and he was speechless and he was petrified in the doorway.

"Oh yes, Ira's waiting for you upstairs" his mother shouted from downstairs.

"Too late mom. Too late," he said. "What are you doing here?" he asked confusedly.

"Nice arguments you have there," she said as she placed her hand on top of the table and as she removed her hand, a pack of rubber contraceptives revealed itself.

"I'm pro-choice. Now, make yours," and she smiled sheepishly at him.

Hi!

And that's a little story I came up with the prompt: Debate.

And with that, I am curious what kind of article can you come up with the word "debate"? Have you ever been in a debate before?

Formally or informally?

What topic did you argue on?

What side were you on? Did you win?

What was your strategy? Let me hear all about that. All your entries related to this are welcome to Prompt Factory.

And alright, that's it for me and until we read again.

Cheers!!!

Author's Links

Noise | Torum | Twitter | Hive | Publish0x | Blurt.blog

Telegram: meitanteikudo

Would You Like to Earn Some More?

Passive income with your internet (gain $5 instantly by using my referral link)

Play some games and earn.

Series    : Prompt Factory
Title     : Freewriting: Debate
Published : 17-May-2022
Author :  © RB