Let them eat cake (and debate)
By: Louis Goggans
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: News
Debate is just icing on the cake for a new student organization on campus.
Since the Debate and Eat Cake Club began meeting every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Music Building, the organization has debated various issues, including the mayoral election, abortion and prostitution - all while they eat cake.
"Whenever you have an event or celebration of any kind, there's always cake," said Hannah Pinkston, graduate student and club president. "Cake is the best thing ever."
Pinkston came up with the idea for the Debate and Eat Cake Club last year after she wrote a Facebook note about the presidential election that drew more than 800 comments.
A self-described yellow-dog democrat and avid supporter of President Barack Obama, Pinkston said she and others started the club this semester so the debates could continue.
Kadye Garrett, senior hospitality and resort management major and vice president of the club, said that enjoying cake after participating in a heated debate is refreshing.
"We like to eat cake, and we like to debate, so why not do it together?" Garrett said. "Why not heal the wounds after a harsh debate with cake?"
Garrett said the club would help U of M students to think on a broader level when dealing with different issues and perspectives.
"We want to educate other college students to maturely discuss politics, personal beliefs and current events without stepping on other peoples toes," she said. "Our club also teaches people not to take everything personally. It teaches people to go on the Internet, read a book or a newspaper so they actually know what they're talking about in a debate and why."
Besides hot button topics, Pinkston said the club also had a standing debate about carrot cake-with all 15 members being against the dessert.
"We don't allow carrot cake because it's not real cake," Parker said. "If you bring carrot cake, you get suspended. It's in the constitution."
While the club members agree, Scott Hines, the club's advisor, said he has a different take on the carrot cake controversy.
Since the Debate and Eat Cake Club began meeting every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Music Building, the organization has debated various issues, including the mayoral election, abortion and prostitution - all while they eat cake.
"Whenever you have an event or celebration of any kind, there's always cake," said Hannah Pinkston, graduate student and club president. "Cake is the best thing ever."
Pinkston came up with the idea for the Debate and Eat Cake Club last year after she wrote a Facebook note about the presidential election that drew more than 800 comments.
A self-described yellow-dog democrat and avid supporter of President Barack Obama, Pinkston said she and others started the club this semester so the debates could continue.
Kadye Garrett, senior hospitality and resort management major and vice president of the club, said that enjoying cake after participating in a heated debate is refreshing.
"We like to eat cake, and we like to debate, so why not do it together?" Garrett said. "Why not heal the wounds after a harsh debate with cake?"
Garrett said the club would help U of M students to think on a broader level when dealing with different issues and perspectives.
"We want to educate other college students to maturely discuss politics, personal beliefs and current events without stepping on other peoples toes," she said. "Our club also teaches people not to take everything personally. It teaches people to go on the Internet, read a book or a newspaper so they actually know what they're talking about in a debate and why."
Besides hot button topics, Pinkston said the club also had a standing debate about carrot cake-with all 15 members being against the dessert.
"We don't allow carrot cake because it's not real cake," Parker said. "If you bring carrot cake, you get suspended. It's in the constitution."
While the club members agree, Scott Hines, the club's advisor, said he has a different take on the carrot cake controversy.