Socratic Seminar: Q4, Week 1 (March 2023)

Texts: “Why I Refuse to Say I ‘Fight’ My Disability” + Elie Wiesel’s “The Perils of Indifference” +
Accepted (2022) film

Directions: Read through the following questions. Take out your annotated copy of both readings.
In your notebook, write down your responses, including text evidence or specific real-life
examples.

PART 1: “Why I Refuse to Say I ‘Fight’ My Disability”

1.) Why do the words and language you choose when discussing sensitive issues matter? Can
you think of other examples--from the media or your own life--in which a person’s words
had a profound impact, either positive or negative? Why?

When discussing sensitive issues (like disability, race, gender, other parts of one’s identity), the words
and language used matters because… For example… (could think back to “Why Can’t I Say the
N-Word” text)

2.) How does our society view people with disabilities? How are they portrayed in the media
and popular culture? What effect does this have?

Our society views people with disabilities as… An example of the way people with disabilities are
portrayed in the media is… The effect of seeing people like this is… (How might it affect the way we
think of them?)

PART 2: Elie Wiesel’s “The Perils of Indifference” Speech

3.) In the context of the text, what is good and how do we know? How does Elie Wiesel
determine what is right and how people should act in the speech? Do you think his beliefs
apply specifically to war, or can they be applied more generally? Cite evidence from this
text, your own experience, and other literature/art/history.

In the context of “The Perils of Indifference,” GOOD means… For example, Wiesel explains/argues /
illustrates/… (give evidence). Wiesel’s beliefs apply to… In MY experience, GOOD means…

4.) What are the effects of following the crowd? How were the actions of the Nazi Party, as
well as the indifference that the United States showed Jews, examples of following the
crowd? Cite evidence from this speech, your own experience, and other literature / art /
history.

In the context of the Holocaust, the effects of following the crowd were… For example… (select text
evidence) In MY experience, following the crowd can be… or …. The repercussions may be…
PART 3: Accepted (2022)

5.) In what ways did this film make you reconsider your thoughts about educational
opportunity? What surprised you as you were watching this film?

Something that surprised me was… (paraphrase a scene or quote) Something that led me to rethink
my previously held beliefs/assumptions was… (paraphrase a scene or quote).

6.) What are some things you admire about each student in the film? What lessons did they
teach you?

Some things I admire about ___ is… From them, I learned that…

7.) In what ways does the myth of the model minority (minority students who are seen as
“naturally good” at certain subjects) harm students who belong to that minority group?
How does someone like Cathy from the film fit or refute the model minority stereotype?

The myth of the model minority can harm students because…

Ways to enter the conversation during Seminar:

● I would like to turn our attention to a passage/quote on page/paragraph #...
● I found a piece of text evidence that relates to the topic at hand...
● Adding onto what [name] said…
● Another way to look at this question is…
● I think that we have exhausted this topic. Shall we move on?
● I think our discussion is leading us to another question/topic.

Ways to respectfully challenge:

● While I see where [name] is coming from… ~On the other hand…
● [Name], I respectfully disagree. (Be sure to keep it grounded in the text!)
● [Name], what makes you say that? What words or phrases led you to that thinking?
● I’m not sure if that is what the question is really about. The way I understood it… (rephrase)
● [Name], what were your thoughts on this question? Would you mind sharing?