A great time to improve your literature base is during the summer. The following is a list of books I believe could be really helpful in debate both because of their critical quality and strategic because they are not yet super well known in high school LD. But mostly it’s a list of books I like.
Please add a comment about any books you are reading this summer that you think will be helpful to other debaters.
Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldua: This book teaches me something new every time I read it. The way Anzaldua writes as well as what she says deconstructs a lot of the misconceptions that I think LD has about epistemology appeals to me. Anzaldua is a pioneer in Chicana feminism and critics most of the white feminism you see in high school debate. She is a great author for any kritikal debater.
The Future of Power by Joseph S. Nye Jr. is a must read for any debater interested in international relations.
A Cyborg Manifesto by Donna HarawayIf you’re interested in humanity, feminism, the machine, the animal, Bostrom or Deleuze this book is for you. I think this book could be very applicable to some of the possible topics for next year.
Becoming Animal by David Abram. This is a great book for those interested in phenomenology and environmental/ ecological issues. Never lose a deep eco debate again.
On Being White… And Other Lies by James Baldwin: This is a great piece to help you understand “whiteness” and other critical arguments about race. Also it’s really short! http://www.cwsworkshop.org/pdfs/CARC/Family_Herstories/2_On_Being_White.PDF
Andrea Smith’s article “Heteropatriarchy and the Three Pillars of White Supremacy Rethinking Women of Color Organizing,” is another amazing intersectional read. http://loveharder.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/andrea-smith.pdf
Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic’s article “Critical Race Theory” with a Foreword by Angela Harris is a really great start for those interested in critical race theory. Its full of good definitions and it often cited in its field. http://www.odec.umd.edu/CD/RACE/CRT.PDF
