There are American songs that nearly everyone in countries of the former USSR seems to know, songs like “Summertime,” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” But the composers of these very American-sounding songs had Russian or Ukrainian roots. Some were born in Russia, and some in New York to immigrant parents.

This issue we’ve got some critical thinking acitvities. We will think about what flags mean exactly, and how they should be treated, and if there should be laws to ensure respectful treatment.