Morehouse College debate team pulls out of national tournament; organizers promise racial reforms During the debate tournament, on Zoom, white college debaters were caught on camera making racist gestures and comments while Black Morehouse debaters were speaking. Author: Jon Shirek Updated: 1:32 AM EDT April 29, 2021 ATLANTA — Members of Atlanta’s renowned Morehouse College Speech and Debate Team, who were competing earlier this month for possibly another national championship, suddenly pulled out of the tournament, in protest. The tournament was on Zoom, and the Black debaters could see and hear white debaters from other colleges mocking them, and using racist gestures and comments.