Editor’s note: Debaters from across the country, as well as two teams from Yale University, converged on uOttawa on January 24 to complete a debating marathon: 24 debates in 24 hours—non-stop—to raise money for Waves of Mercy, an NGO based in Langkawi, Malaysia. Waves of Mercy operates supply runs down the tsunami-devastated coast of Aceh. World debating champion and event organizer Erik Eastaugh recalls his trials and tribulations.
Time: 1 a.m. Motion: This house would free Koko the gorilla. Hour: 17. Thoughts: Ow!
My shoulder hurts, quite badly, from when I literally fell out of my chair laughing, and I ask myself why we haven’t done this before. Scott Thurlow, LLB and uOttawa alumnus just enacted a dialogue between Koko and another gorilla in the African jungle to demonstrate how releasing her will enrich her life. A dialogue, that is, but in gorilla-speak—grunts and all.
Debaters are usually known for their eloquence and passion, but after 17 hours of debating, albeit for a good cause, our wits are dull, not to say blunter than a wooden spoon. The passion still exists because of the cause we’re here to support.
When the debating community first heard that Jamie Furniss, my debating partner, roommate and best friend, had stayed in Southeast Asia to help the victims of the tsunami, just after winning the World Debating Championships, which were held in Malaysia over the Christmas holidays, the reaction was staggering. Some were moved to tears by his poignant missives detailing the appalling conditions left in the wake of the tidal wave. Others were angry with themselves for not doing more to help those who were in desperate need. Everyone decided that something more needed to be done. Thus was born the 24-Hour Debate Challenge.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. But, good God, did my shoulder ever hurt.
Time: 8:30 a.m. Motion: This house believes that the U.S. is the single greatest threat to global security. Hour: 23-and-a-half. Thoughts: Don’t fall asleep! Don’t fall asleep! Don’t fall as . . . snrnrnrrrr.
AIDS in Africa. War in the Sudan. Terrorism in Iraq. North Korea’s nuclear weapons. As I fall asleep for the second time during the debate, Kevin Massie, a law student at Queen’s and a semifinalist at the Worlds, demonstrates his mastery of oratory by punctuating each sentence with the same phrase: “It’s all America’s fault.”
Sitting across from him on opposition benches, I need to stay awake long enough to write a seven-minute speech proving he is wrong. Easy enough, you might say. But you haven’t been debating for 23 and a half hours.
In the end, the last debate and my speech go well. As well as they should, since both Vice-President of University Relations David Mitchell and Chancellor Huguette Labelle are in attendance. This is no time to start speaking in gorilla.
Even though it was a slog at times (you give me seven minutes on why shariah law tribunals should be allowed, with no notes, no prep and no sleep, at 5 a.m.), and even though it seemed it might never end, the 24-Hour Debate Challenge was a huge success.
We all had a great time doing it, cementing friendships that span the country and will probably span lifetimes. And we raised over $10,000 for Waves of Mercy and the people of Aceh.
But wouldn’t you know it, my shoulder still hurts.
