The Great Debaters Research Guide

The Great Debaters is a film that follows the Wiley College debate team in 1935. It follows the characters Henry Lowe, James Farmer Jr., and Samantha Booke and shows the struggles they face, not only as African Americans in a time of racial oppression, but also as members of the debate team. With the help of the debate team coach, Melvin Tolson, the students learn how to compete with other debate teams and are able to go up against the prestigious Harvard University. Many issues of the time are also covered, such as the debate team accidentally running into a lynching and Mr. Tolson trying to organize a farmer union.

Wiley College, Marshall, TX