The Great Debaters

In the Spotlight: Urban Debate Alumnus, Marcus Leach

You may have heard of Marcus Leach from Joe Miller’s book Cross-X, which follows the personal struggles and victories of Marcus and other urban debaters in Kansas City, Missouri. The NAUDL’s Holly Reiss tried to track down Marcus for an interview and found him in Shanghai, China—taking a year off from Howard Law School to teach English and learn about international trade. Marcus credits debate for his success, saying, “You and I both know where I’d be without debate, and it wouldn’t be here.”

During his high school debate career, Marcus and his teammates beat the odds. Even though his high school was in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Kansas City, his team became highly competitive on the national debate circuit. Marcus’ debate experience and achievements won him multiple college scholarships, so much so that he even had $10,000 left over to pay for living expenses during college.

Marcus became intrigued by China during his high school and college debate career, and he spent time there as a tourist in 2005. "China was a frequent topic in debate. You hear about communist policies, and now, I'm living it. I really have come to appreciate the freedoms we have in the United States. I am a political science undergraduate, and while everyone is anxious to discuss U. S. politics - especially Obama - no one will discuss Chinese policy."

Even though his high school and college debating days are in his past, Marcus says that debate has affected every part of his life. "Debate taught me to be able to pre-empt the possible responses, and that has really helped me to succeed in law school. Debate affects the way I read the newspaper, the way I write, the way I frame my arguments and statements when I speak with someone. It is shaping the conversation I'm having with you right now. It's who I am."

Marcus has been in China only three months, but the experience is already having an effect on him. "People get by with so little here. I don't see how they survive. Living in China has made me change my priorities in life. I grew up on nothing, and now, money is not as important as it was. I want to start a career of giving back. If I try a little harder, then I could do so much more."

"Marcus taught me a lot about debate, and debaters. Mostly he taught me that anything was possible," said Marcus's high school debate coach, Jane Rinehart. She credits the leadership of debaters like Marcus for raising the standards of debate in Kansas City and bringing new opportunities for urban debaters to compete at the national level. "They were pioneers, and martyrs, for a system that badly needed reform. I don't think any of that would have happened without urban debaters pushing the envelope."