Are Thanksgiving celebrations the time or place to discuss politics with family?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, and your hard-won life lessons:
Based on the visual above, as of 2022, what portion of Americans agree that Thanksgiving celebrations are not the time or place to discuss politics with family?
Do you think that Thanksgiving celebrations are the time or place to discuss politics with family?
The overwhelming majority of Americans say they don't want to talk politics at the Thanksgiving table, according to the Axios-Ipsos Two Americas Index, but: 41% of Democrats and 29% of Republicans said they'll probably do it anyway. How do you explain the difference in opinion based on party affiliation?
"Arguing about politics may be Americans' least favorite Thanksgiving activity, but it may actually serve an important function in our body politic," said Cliff Young, Ipsos' president of U.S. Public Affairs. "People who engage in these kinds of discussions across the aisle are more likely to accept the legitimacy of elections. "Whether or not you think that Thanksgiving celebrations are the time or place to discuss politics with family, do you think your family will discuss politics at Thanksgiving?
According to the data from the visual below, an increasing number of Americans say that talking about politics with people they disagree with is generally stressful and frustrating. What explains that change?
Do you find that talking about politics with people you disagree with is generally more stressful and frustrating, or interesting and informative?
America has become a bit of an echo chamber and I am rarely in a situation where people around me are expressing an opposing view politics in general. When was the last time you were in a position where those around you were expression an opposing view of politics?
This Thanksgiving, are you likely to be in a position where those around you are expressing an opposing view of politics and if so, what do you plan to do?
The tradition of presidents pardoning turkeys is traditionally thought to have started in the Truman era, though the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum has reported "no documents, speeches, newspaper clippings, photographs, or other contemporary records in our holdings which refer to Truman pardoning a turkey that he received as a gift in 1947, or at any other time during his Presidency." The White House Historical Association reports that it actually began much later, with President George H.W. Bush. Whenever the tradition started, have you ever lost a friend/turkey over a disagreement about politics?
In 2021 President Biden pardoned two turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly for Thanksgiving (see video below*). Article II, section 2 of the Constitution allows the president the power to, "grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." Last year’s turkeys were pardoned on November 21, 2022 and are from the great and very purple swing state of North Carolina. Do you think the origin of these turkeys was a coincidence?
Learning Extension
Here is a guide to having a constructive political conversation at Thanksgiving
Action Extension
Make a plan for what you’ve going to say about politics this Thanksgiving. Share your plan with your classmates and be prepared to report on Thanksgiving politics after the big event.
Visual Extension*
Last year President Biden pardoned to turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly for Thanksgiving. Here’s the video.
