The audience is vital to rhetorically ethical discussions because without them, there's really no need to have the discussion in the first place. They watch what happens in this discussion and take sides with one side of an argument. Although, in the case of this sort of academic argument where the goal is to have everyone be a little wiser, the audience doesn't really take sides, but simply manages to learn more about the differences between the various racial and ethnic groups coexisting in the society. There is still a group of people listening who will have various opinions of the speakers and of the issues discussed after any sort of event. In fact, the opinion of the audience often affects the direction of the discussion as a whole.
Along with that, the audience also, with the power of their opinion keeps the discussion intelligent as the people in the discussion want to make sure that the audience is learning from the arguments. The audience makes sure that those involved in the discussion are conversing in a way that doesn't involve attacks on others in the discussion or takes situations out of context. In doing such things, the audience plays a significant role in having rhetorically ethical discussions.
I agree with you on the vital importance of the audience in discussions. Not only does the audience sway to a side to show they are "winning" the argument, but they also serve the role of a moderator. They regulate the participants because they discourage the use of personal attacks and bad faith arguments. They keep the discussion on topic and ensure the credibility of the debaters. Without an audience, such as in social media, many arguments lose structure and become personal assaults.
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