Critical Feeling and Thinking in Discussion

Interactivity Foundation Collaborative Discussion Toolkit

Activities 3.2 and 3.1

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Slide Deck Created by Jessica Friedrichs, MSW, MPA

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Feeling indicator for today

Weak

Moderate

Strong

What level is your emotional reaction to each image?

Should we arm citizens and let them police themselves?

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Image from: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-group-of-people-holding-up-guns-in-a-field-b0HMikI1jNY

Pro-Trump extremists clashed with police during the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The rioters may not have fired shots, but many were armed with other weapons, court documents show.�

Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2021_storming_of_the_United_States_Capitol_2021_storming_of_the_United_States_Capitol_DSC09265-2_(50821579347).jpg

Choosing the best .22 LR rifle is like picking the “best” flavor of ice cream. We can all agree that pistachio is terrible, but all the other flavors? It’s a matter of opinion. The MeatEater Crew has never been short on opinions, so we polled a few of the guys to share with you some .22 LR rifle options to fit every budget and hunt.

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Image from: https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/firearm-hunting/the-best-22-lr-rifles

A woman with a young child was shot to death after turning her vehicle into a weapon on Thursday afternoon, ramming her way through barriers outside the White House and on Capitol Hill. By the time the ensuing chase ended, dozens of shots had been fired and two officers were injured. The child was unharmed.

Image from: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/04/us/gunfire-reported-outside-the-capitol.html

People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival 2017 in Las Vegas after a gunman opened fire, leaving at least 50 people dead and more than 400 injured. �

Image from: https://www.wsj.com/articles/5-things-to-know-about-mass-shootings-in-the-u-s-1506957098

Attendees hold assault rifles as they pose for a photo during the annual gathering of the National Rifle Association (NRA). �

Image from: https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-nra-convention-20130504-story.html

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On Yom Kippur, a Tree of Life shooting survivor grapples with forgiveness�

Image from: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/10/yom-kippur-tree-of-life-synagogue-JCC-forgiveness-parkland-survivors-mass-shooting/stories/201910090192

According to the Black Youth Project’s latest memo, “Gun Violence and Public Opinion on Gun Control among America’s Young People,” youth of color experience higher levels of gun violence and report greater support for increased gun restrictions compared with their white peers.

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Image from: http://blackyouthproject.com/youthandguns/

Uvalde mass shooting victims 2022��Image from: https://abcnews.go.com/US/victims-texas-school-shooting-uvalde/story?id=84948395

Reflect

• Which two images do we want to return to go in more depth on our emotions?
• Which provoked strongest response? Weakest?�
• Use the feeling wheel to identify the emotions you feel more specifically.
• Explain your emotional response and give some context�
• Did any of the emotional responses surprise you and how?

Feeling indicator for today

Guns in the U.S.

• Imagine: The class is going to take on this issue for our community project.

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• What is your position on this topic?
• How did the reading we did for today support or challenge your position?
• What should we do for our project?

Friedersdorf, C. (5.31.2022). 14 Reader Views on Guns. The Atlantic.

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/05/us-mass-shootings-gun-control-opinions/661148/

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Consider the Source

• How are people contributing to the discussion?
• Are we citing sources (external evidence)?
• Are we referring to personal experience (anecdotal evidence)?
• Are we making general statements without evidence/support?

• How are people presenting their ideas?
• With authority?
• With caution or caveats?
• Which approach is most convincing?
• What authority does the person speaking on this topic have?
• Do the people speaking have a political leaning or agenda?

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Resources

Opinions

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/05/us-mass-shootings-gun-control-opinions/661148/

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Data

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/14/magazine/gun-violence-children-data-statistics.html

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Lay out the Argument, Values and Assumptions

Argument

• What are these resource trying to convey?
• What position do they take?
• Do you agree with this argument or position? Why or why not?

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Values and Assumptions

• What assumptions about the world are these resources making?
• What is one value you think another person in this conversation holds?
• Provide evidence for this, perhaps use a quote from the discussion

Uncover the Evidence

• Which person or resource is most convincing to you?
• Did they present evidence to back up their claims?
• Did they offer clear arguments?
• What about their contributions seem convincing? Why are you persuaded by their contributions?

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What should we do for our community project related to this issue?

Evaluate the Conclusion

• Have we reached a shared consensus?
• If not, how has the discussion been divided? On what grounds? What drives the division?
• Is one side more convincing than the other? What do you base this on?
• Have you rethought any of your beliefs as a result of this discussion? What convinced or challenged you?

Refection

Thinking

We used a critical analysis model called CLUE today. �

• Which step was most difficult?�
• What does this framework draw attention to in its focus on how people are using different resources to make arguments?�
• How might going through this process help a group engaged in collaboratively trying to address a challenge?

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Feeling

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• What role do emotions play in discussions like this?�
• When are emotions good and when might they be bad?�
• How might emotions limit to the ability to hear other perspectives?�
• How might noticing or registering the emotional charge of a group help you to navigate discussions?