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
Americans are increasingly divided, and many now see a breakdown in social trust as a key factor. In North Carolina, Judy Woodruff visited a project aimed at restoring that trust, part of a broader national effort to strengthen civic engagement. It's part of her series, America at a Crossroads.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, 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
- What are the issues among young men that the Journeymen project is working to address?
- Who are some of the people featured in the story, and what motivates them to do this kind of work?
- How do programs like Weave and Journeymen help rebuild trust in communities and bridge political divides?
- Why might it be difficult for people with different political or cultural views to trust each other?
- Why is listening so important when trying to solve problems in divided communities?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- Do you think that people can still work together to solve problems even if they don’t agree on everything? Why or why not?
- Do you think schools and communities should do more to teach young people how to talk with others who have different opinions? What might that look like?
Media literacy: Do you think this story presents a balanced view of the issue? Why or why not? What perspectives might be missing or underrepresented?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Watch the video below to learn how an activist and former educator is working to restore dignity to political disagreements.
Next, complete this Daily News Lesson on the video and explore the Dignity Index.
How might you use these resources to address divisive issues in your community or school?
Written by Gianfranco Beran, PBS News Hour Classroom's production assistant, and News Hour's Vic Pasquantonio.
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