The Great Debaters

The Great Debaters Melvin B. Tolson is the kind of educator who truly did recognize the remarkable powers of knowledge his students possessed. “The Great Debaters” is based on a true story about an outspoken Wiley College professor who boldly challenged the discriminatory Jim Crow laws of the 1930s. Melvin B. Tolson who is the coach of the Wiley College debate team in east Texas molded his students into a formidable team to create change. Tolson recognizes that his young debate students possess the spark of a new generation. Convinced that they could invoke great change if given the confidence and tools needed to do so, the tireless educator implores his students to take responsibility for the future while furtively attempting to protect them from his secret role as an organizer for the Southern Tenant Farmers Union. While most educators may not have recognized the remarkable potential of assembling such a disparate team, Tolson's unique vision truly set him apart from the pack as the team begins to experience a series of consecutive victories on their road to challenging Harvard at the National Championships. Tolson’s debate team involves students with different personalities and attitudes which Professor Tolson needs to deal with. Henry Lowe a young man a part of the debate team is an aggressive, straightforward and a wide reader with so much knowledge about all topics, while Samantha Brooke is the only female member of the group who’s aspiring to be the third female black attorney from Texas and believes that all her experiences will guide her in reaching her dreams. The son of Dr. James Farmer, Sr. who’s a professor and a preacher at the Wiley College Texas is also a member of the debate team James Farmer, Jr. who is a very young at age and has less of an experience. The last member of the team is Hamilton Burgess who’s very conservative and apprehensive when it comes to controversies regarding their debating team. With these four students together