Educational Opportunity Anonymous

"Those who do not know their opponents’ arguments do not completely understand their own.” My mother had emailed me the quote, saying it reminded her of me. As I read the quote, I saw how it reflected my life. In all my schooling, all my education, I had come to form my own opinions. These were not blind opinions, but ones of careful observation. Through debate projects, controversial issue assignments, and discussions with peers, I had been able to explore issues I felt strongly about. I came to develop my own political views from what I saw going on in the world, from what I had learned, from what I perceived to be the “right” choice.

Knowing and understanding another’s views is important in establishing one’s own. When researching a debate, your main points of argument often spring from knowing the opponents’ points. You attempt to know every facet of the opposing argument, every possible aspect that may be discussed from the other side. This is similar to education, similar to gaining one’s own knowledge. You are told the facts, told the steps, but a truly critical analysis is left up to one’s own choice.

My AP United States history teacher helped instill a commitment to critical analysis in the examination of...