NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?

SUMMARY

As partisan battles play out in Washington, Judy Woodruff introduces us to someone working to bridge America's divides by placing dignity at the heart of conversations between everyday citizens. It’s part of her series, America at a Crossroads.

View the transcript of the story. News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who is Tim Shriver, and what is his background?
2. What organization does Tim Shriver lead?
3. Why are today's divisions in the U.S. different than in the past, according to Shriver?
4. What is the "Dignity Index"?
5. How does the Dignity Index help lower division, according to Shriver?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

In this segment, Tim Shriver says that social media has made divisions worse in the U.S., and that reflecting on dehumanizing language can help lower tensions.

• Do you think it's true that online communication and social media makes division worse than before the internet existed? If so, why do you think that is?
• Do you think it's possible for the culture of online communication to change to become more respectful? And if so, what would help make that change possible?

Media literacy: America at a Crossroads is a series that focuses on division in the U.S. and how people can work together to make their communities better. If you could ask the producers of the series to interview anyone in your community, who would you choose?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

Check out the Dignity Index! You can start with this resource that suggests ways to lower the temperature of debate, including online. Begin by discussing — which of these tips would be helpful in your own online communications? What suggestions would you add to help make online debate more respectful?

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