Prokhorov and Johnson debate the consequences of the death penalty
A packed room and a table full of food marked the beginning of a debate about one of the country’s most serious controversial topics – the death penalty.
On Feb. 26, Steve Johnson, adviser for Amnesty International Club and history teacher, and Nikita Prokhorov, senior, discussed the issue in a debate hosted by the Amnesty International Club. Johnson took the club’s official stance against the death penalty, while Prokhorov took the pro side.
Despite his stance in the debate, Prokhorov is “not really that for the death penalty.”
“I think both sides of the issue have their own merits because obviously that’s why we still have this debate, because both sides have their own perspectives,” Prokhorov said.
The debate was moderated by co-presidents of Amnesty International Club, seniors Nikhil Chari and Andy Cho. According to Chari, Amnesty International chose debaters who would bring a variety of ideas to the table.
“Mr. Johnson is the adviser for Amnesty International, and Nikita is very well known for his traditional conservative opinions which are contrary to Amnesty International’s, which are well known for being traditional liberal,” said Chari, “so it was just a nice match there, where we could get an exchange of ideas.”
The debate is not unprecedented, as Amnesty International has hosted such debates in the past.
“In previous years, we have had discussions and debates about a variety of controversial issues,” said Johnson, “We haven’t had one involving a teacher and a student in the past, but we have had discussions on various issues.”
While there was not a poll of students or a winner of the debate, Johnson said the goal was, “to bring out the information on both sides of the debate, and let people evaluate it and learn for themselves.”
Chari agreed that the goal of the debate was mostly to raise awareness. “Amnesty International, they take a position on activities, but they don’t necessarily encourage all their members to take that same position,” Chari said, “So we just want to get ideas flowing and raise awareness.”
Both Prokhorov and Johnson were pleased with the student turnout.
“A lot of students came and I’m really glad (they) came because it’s a very important issue that needs to be talked about and it’s unfortunately kind of being ignored,” said Prokhorov.
Johnson agreed. “I appreciate and the club appreciates how many people came and were interested and hopefully people will continue to be interested in important issues,” he said.
Moving forward, Johnson hopes that there will be more debates. “I think from the reaction it would be a good idea to (have more debates) because it seemed like a lot of people were interested and wanted to hear what other people had to say,” Johnson said, “I think it should be the students debating, not necessarily a teacher, but sometimes that brings more people in, so that would be a reason to do that.”
Chari said that the club is planning to have a debate every month and that future debates will continue to discuss controversial issues, such as the Syrian refugee crisis.
