The Great Debate - For your activity this week, you will participate in an in-class debate about whether or not anything can or should be done to compensate the families of those Americans who were enslaved and in so many cases, quite literally, with bent back, built this nation. Compensations of this sort are referred to as Reparations.
This debate will be set-up a bit differently than some. The order of the conversation will seem very much like a debate with Pro and Con sides presented. However, rather than competing against one another as small debate teams, we will examine both sides of the issue AS A CLASS. In other words, the entire class will contribute to a conversation about the Pros of reparation, and then the entire class will make points about the Cons of reparation. After that, there will be time for rebuttals and summations.
Remember that with any good debate topic there is not a right and/or a wrong answer. You may have strong beliefs about one side or the other. It's only by listening to those who share a different view that we can develop the empathy for understanding their perspective.
The goal of this activity is not to have you change your views but to develop the skills needed to have difficult conversations. Because of that, keep these conversational norms in mind:
Remember that with any good debate topic there is not a right and/or a wrong answer. You may have strong beliefs about one side or the other. It's only by listening to those who share a different view that we can develop the empathy for understanding their perspective.
The goal of this activity is not to have you change your views but to develop the skills needed to have difficult conversations. Because of that, keep these conversational norms in mind:
- Use “I” statements
- Really listen, seek to understand
- Ask for clarification
- Stay engaged
- Lean into discomfort
Are the descendants of slaves owed reparations?
Section D
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Section E
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Section F
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