#25: Under the Surface - Discussing Difficult Truths and the Fight for Equality with Dr. Alli Martin

To stay with the theme of Debates, Connor brings his High School Debate coach, Alli Martin, on the show to discuss various topics. Connor competed nationally in debate and talks about the lessons and skills he learned then that are still with him today. He also asks Alli what are the issues that matter most to her and why. Alli is an activist and advocate in the community helping to amplify the voices of those often unheard. They focus on LGBTQ rights and race in America. They discuss “white privilege” and pose the question if benefitting from a racist system makes you a “racist.”

Dr. Alli Martin:

Alli (she, her, hers) works as an Assistant Principal at Horizonte Instruction and Training Center in Salt Lake City School District.  She earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah. Alli serves as a member of the Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign and is a co-founding member of Friends, Allies, and Mentors of the LGBTQ community (FAM). Through her work with FAM, Alli regularly provides professional learning experiences to educators on issues of intersectionality and LGBTQ youth.

***Correction: Abraham Lincoln ran and against Stephen A. Douglas and others in the general election for the Presidency in 1860. They also faced each other in a race for the Illinois Senate in 1858 (A race that Douglas won). It is in this election for senator that their now famous “Lincoln-Douglas” debates were held.***