Kaleidoscope
Drs Gold and Ingarfield lament the seeming loss of critical thinking skills in the USA and what that could mean for democracy. They also delve into the multiple perspectives on Tyler Perry’s new movies to illustrate that two things can be true at once.
Episode 198 of the [Un]phased Unedited Podcast podcast, hosted by Lisa Ingarfield, titled "Kaleidoscope" was published on July 1, 2025 and runs 52 minutes.
July 1, 2025 ·52m · [Un]phased Unedited Podcast
Summary
Drs Gold and Ingarfield lament the seeming loss of critical thinking skills in the USA and what that could mean for democracy. They also delve into the multiple perspectives on Tyler Perry’s new movies to illustrate that two things can be true at once. Word of the Week [1:18]: Both/And: The use of this colloquialism is growing in the U.S., "Two things can be true at once..." "Both/and" approaches are a fundamental framework for DEIB work. Phase 1 [4:44]: Critical Thinking Deficits: Dr. Lisa was in full agreement when she saw a protestor’s signage, "Lack of Critical Thinking: The Other National Deficit." Dr. Shaunna challenges Dr. Lisa to think through what critical thinking is and how it teaching critical thinking is lacking in elementary education and beyond in the U.S. Phase 2 [29:09]: Divisive Art Imitates Life: Tyler Perry's Straw is a thought-provoking movie starring Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson. Her character is to many, the stereotypical Black single mother living in low-income housing with a special-needs child. Dr. Shaunna wonders if this is a perpetuation of problematic tropes, an answer to Black actors' pay inequities, or an amalgamation of good, bad, and questionable?
Episode Description
Drs Gold and Ingarfield lament the seeming loss of critical thinking skills in the USA and what that could mean for democracy. They also delve into the multiple perspectives on Tyler Perry’s new movies to illustrate that two things can be true at once.
Word of the Week [1:18]: Both/And: The use of this colloquialism is growing in the U.S., "Two things can be true at once..." "Both/and" approaches are a fundamental framework for DEIB work.
Phase 1 [4:44]: Critical Thinking Deficits: Dr. Lisa was in full agreement when she saw a protestor’s signage, "Lack of Critical Thinking: The Other National Deficit." Dr. Shaunna challenges Dr. Lisa to think through what critical thinking is and how it teaching critical thinking is lacking in elementary education and beyond in the U.S.
Phase 2 [29:09]: Divisive Art Imitates Life: Tyler Perry's Straw is a thought-provoking movie starring Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson. Her character is to many, the stereotypical Black single mother living in low-income housing with a special-needs child. Dr. Shaunna wonders if this is a perpetuation of problematic tropes, an answer to Black actors' pay inequities, or an amalgamation of good, bad, and questionable?
Mentioned in the show:
Understanding — and Avoiding — Stereotypes About Black Women in the News – NBCU Academy
Straw Movie - Netflix
Critical Thinking Definition – University of Michigan
Edward M. Glaser, An Experiment in the Development of Critical Thinking, Teacher’s College, Columbia University, 1941
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