Suggested Articles and Questions for Critical Thinking Mondays

1) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/04/opinion/covid-holiday-travel.html
a) Description: This is an opinion article from The New York Times about shaming
people for not following all possible guidelines for preventing the spread of
Covid19, with a particular focus on traveling for the holidays. Aaron E. Carroll
argues that shaming is not helpful and will not discourage people from traveling.
b) Discussion Questions
i) Do you agree/disagree that shaming people for not following all
suggested social-distancing guidelines increases the stigma around
having Covid-19?
ii) What might be some other ways to encourage safety without shaming?
iii) What do you think about Carroll’s idea that “​drawing attention to aberrant
unwanted behavior risks ‘normalizing’ it”? Can you think of any examples
where this idea may or may not apply?
iv) What are your thoughts on shaming in general? Does it help discourage
risky behavior, or could it be counterproductive?
2) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/01/magazine/should-i-stop-speaking-to-my-trump-sup
porting-friends.html?action=click&algo=als_engaged_control_desk_filter&block=editors_
picks_recirc&fellback=false&imp_id=503191774&impression_id=f9f548d0-3782-11eb-b9
a0-09c3d88a2705&index=1&pgtype=Article&region=ccolumn&req_id=400694980&surfa
ce=home-featured&action=click&module=editorContent&pgtype=Article&region=Compa
nionColumn&contentCollection=Trending
a) Description: This is an advice column. The particular section I feel could be good
for Critical Thinking Mondays is the first section, “Should I Stop Speaking to My
Trump-Supporting Friends?” The author, Kwame Anthony Apiah, advises a
reader that having conversations (including both speaking and listening) with
friends they disagree with is an important part of working together and helping
each other not to make mistakes.
b) Discussion Questions
i) What are the potential pros and cons of having difficult conversations with
friends you don’t agree with?
ii) Have you ever disagreed with a friend? How did you respond? What
would be the best way to respond, in your opinion?
iii) When speaking with those you disagree with, why might it be important to
truly listen to their opinions and reasonings?
iv) Apiah writes, “But the misjudgment here may not reflect bad moral
values.” Do you agree/disagree?
3) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/21/nyregion/police-flag-pelham-school-district.html
a) Description: This is an article from The New York Times about a school in
Pelham, which has recently banned teachers from displaying political symbols,
beginning with “thin blue line” flags. This has led to controversy, and the article
presents both sides of the conflict.
b) NY Times has also gathered students’ opinions on this issue:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/03/learning/what-students-are-saying-about-te
achers-politics-memorable-scents-and-text-messages.html
c) Discussion Questions:
i) Should teachers be allowed to wear or display political symbols?
ii) If one political symbol is banned in schools, should all political symbols be
banned?
iii) One mother in Pelham has stated, “If even one kid said ‘I am afraid of that
symbol,’ isn’t that enough?” What are your thoughts on this?
iv) Should students be allowed to wear or display political symbols?