335th Meeting: Black & White -- Beyond Spectrum

The highly anticipated joint meeting between Filcom International and RCS Debaters TMC finally happened! TM Nadim Bitar as the Sergeant-At-Arms, commenced the meeting with a story on his recent cultural trip to the French Coast. Then, TM Leo Ortega and DTM Nirmala Raghuraman, presidents of the host clubs, formally opened the meeting and addressed the 50+ attendees, including dignitaries from various Toastmasters Clubs in the District and guests alike. It was shortly followed by the engaging production performance by TMOD Arjay Diego, singing “One Day” by Matisyahu, introducing the meeting’s theme “Black and White: Beyond The Spectrum” which revolved around diversity and its many facets.

Diversity of Lives

TM Arjay opened the prepared speech segment with a black and white photo of a tunnel, signifying hope for those who dream. It may be a dark (black) path, but at the end is a bright (white) light. Surely, this was vividly conveyed by TM Vidal Bagas in his ice breaker speech for the Dynamic Leadership path, entitled Life Struggle. He looked back on his growing up years when he started to build dreams, and how he conquered various challenges on his way to success.

Diversity of Paradigms

On the screen was shown a photo of a man jumping off a cliff, signifying the courage to take a step to conquer his fear. This was certainly what happened in the second segment of the meeting where TM Anamika Singh as Table Topics Master, challenged the participants to speak up their views and opinions on certain situations. Guest Sharif, TM Prataph and Guest Anya, were the three courageous speakers who shared their equally striking perspectives on diversity.

Black and White: The Contrast

The action-packed segment was introduced by TM Arjay with a photo of black and white sparks, symbolizing the differences of ideas and opinions yet producing logic and valid positions. The debate motion was, Resolved: "That all societies in the world should allow couples to live together before getting married." TM Leo Ortega served as the debate moderator, with DTM Kit Barrit and TM CJ Rojas of Filcom International as affirmative speakers, whilst TM Bhavyata Bendre and TM Anupama Kasibhatia of RCS Debaters as negative speakers. The heat inside Tafawook Hall undeniably built up with each speaker’s constructive speeches, grilling cross examinations and rebuttals. The 45-minute debate session concluded with each team’s refutations and summary.

After the socials where everyone mingled and connected, the evaluation segment began headed by DTM Surya Narayanan as the General Evaluator. TM Pradip Pandurang Sadiye evaluated his target speaker, Vidal, while the table topics was evaluated by TM Sunny C Iype. For the debate, TM Karthik Jebamony served as the Affirmative Team Evaluator. On the other hand, TM Joseph Amande evaluated the Negative Team. DTM Surya then called upon the role players for their reports; TM Diana Tangente as the Grammarian, TM Jessie Botero as Ah-Counter, and TM Yoosuf Ameen as Timer.

The Beauty in the Spectrum

Arjay recapitulated the happenings of the evening and emphasized that in spite of the many differences amongst us, it is the mutual respect and kindness for one another that truly connect us. At this point, he urged the audience to go around and greet anyone who is of different nationality as themselves. The room was suddenly filled by warm exchanges of smiles, hand shakes and embraces, before it erupted to a heartwarming chorus of the song “Heal The World” by Michael Jackson. 

TM Leo and DTM Nirmala proceeded with the awarding of winners; Guest Anya as Best Table Topics Speaker, TM Joseph Amande as Best Evaluator, and TM Vidal as Best Speaker. DTM Rajeshwar Sundaresan, District 116-P Director, and DTM Surya Narayanan joined the club presidents in announcing the debate winner, the Negative Team. It was then followed by the respective announcements for the clubs, and remarks from the guests, before the meeting was officially adjourned.

The joint meeting was indeed a very special concoction of fantastic differences: languages, religious beliefs, skin color, culture. In the end, everyone went home with a feeling that it is not so much of our differences that matter, but that our similarities, as human beings with the capacity to love, give, and nurture, are what make the world a better place.

Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me
And the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me

(Excerpt from Michael Jackson's Heal The World)