Opinion | 11 Parents on How They Want Kids to Learn About History, Racism and Gender – The New York Times

Name an American leader you admire. Name an American leader you admire.

Toby, 47, white, Republican

Adanma, 43, Black, independent

Daphne, 44, Black, Democrat

Name an American leader you admire. That turned out to be one of the hardest prompts for people to respond to in any of the 11 Times Opinion focus groups held this year. There was a long pause before some of our 11 participants started raising their hands, and even then, several couldnt come up with someone (or named a celebrity scientist and an Indian leader). As the focus group continued, both Democrats and Republicans struggled to point to a moment in American history they were proud of. Their frustrations with America today seemed to cloud their views of America over the sweep of time, of what the country has stood for or fought for in its best moments.

We convened this focus group of parents of high school students to discuss how they think American history and values should be taught in schools today, how issues like race and sexuality should be explored and how parts of our history including the founding fathers, slavery, the U.S. internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, the gay rights movement should or should not be discussed in-depth. Notably, all 11 Republicans, Democrats and independents believed that the good and the bad should be taught; one Republican said that schools should teach the pros and cons about Donald Trumps presidency, regardless of anyones feelings about him.

At a time when many parents nationwide want a greater say in whats taught in schools and when some Republican leaders are restricting access to books and discussions of gender and sexual identity, the focus group wrestled in particular with the idea of facts versus interpretation, with some wanting interpretation taught strictly at home. Others felt interpretations needed to be updated.

Mr. Healy is the deputy Opinion editor. Mr. Rivera is an editorial assistant in Opinion.

Adanma 43, Black, Georgia, independent

Lloyd 38, Black, Ohio, independent

Daphne 44, Black, Maryland, Democrat

Ashish 49, Asian, California, Republican

Toby 47, white, Texas, Republican

Howard 45, white, Pennsylvania, Democrat

April 39, white, Minnesota, Republican

Dennis 54, Hispanic, New York, Democrat

Peter 44, Asian, Oklahoma, Republican

Jim 35, white, Louisiana, Republican

Jennifer 38, white, Wisconsin, independent

Moderator, Margie Omero

Name an American leader you admire thats a president, leader, politician, alive or dead, an American leader that you admire.

Peter, 44, Asian, Oklahoma, Republican

Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Toby, 47, white, Texas, Republican

I respect and I admire George W. Bush. Probably get a lot of kickback on that, but thats OK. I admire what he did and how he didnt back down from anything.

Ashish, 49, Asian, California, Republican

Ill say Gandhi.

Howard, 45, white, Pennsylvania, Democrat

Martin Luther King Jr.

Adanma, 43, Black, Georgia, independent

Stacey Abrams in Georgia. Im a fan.

Moderator, Margie Omero

Is this a tough question for folks? What makes it a tough question?

Toby, 47, white, Texas, Republican

In this day and age in our country, its really hard to think of someone that I admire thats in a high position or a political leader. I have to rack my brain to think of someone who has integrity.

Daphne, 44, Black, Maryland, Democrat

I couldnt think of anybody.

April, 39, white, Minnesota, Republican

I mean, depending on which news channel you tune in to, youll hear two completely different stories about somebody. So its really hard to know whats actually going on. You dont know whats true.

Moderator, Margie Omero

So let me ask another question. Is there a moment in American history that you feel proud of?

Dennis, 54, Hispanic, New York, Democrat

The Industrial Revolution. You have Ford. You have J.P. Morgan. You have Edison. These are the great creators that basically created the concept of the American dream. Thats like the Renaissance for America.

Peter, 44, Asian, Oklahoma, Republican

I think the period right after 9/11 was really gratifying, just because it didnt matter what political party you were from. We all came together as a country. It just the feeling of togetherness and being united instead of against each other.

Howard, 45, white, Pennsylvania, Democrat

Unfortunately, it took a disaster and tragedy like that for us to come together. I thought wed be building momentum, going forward, to bond as a society. And the wheels fell off the track.

Adanma, 43, Black, Georgia, independent

I kind of agree, but I also disagree with the 9/11 example. I know people, my family included, who were discriminated against based on how they looked. I have a cousin who looks like she could be Middle Eastern. And she got a lot of negative things from the United States of America. And shes a United States citizen. So not everybody was united.

Moderator, Margie Omero

OK. Now let me ask the flip side. Is there a moment in American history that you feel ashamed of?

Howard, 45, white, Pennsylvania, Democrat

Now.

Toby, 47, white, Texas, Republican

Absolutely.

Moderator, Margie Omero

April, youre nodding. Why right now?

April, 39, white, Minnesota, Republican

We just cant agree on anything. Well find anything to fight over.

Howard, 45, white, Pennsylvania, Democrat

My grandfather fought for this country. I love the armed forces. But sometimes, Im embarrassed to be an American and would even think about leaving. Its just so sad whats going on in this country, the division and the gun violence and the lack of respect for law enforcement. The financial discrepancies of the rich getting richer, the middle class shrinking. I worry about my daughters all the time what kind of world are we going to leave them?

Raise your hand if you agree with this.I believe American history shouldbe taught in high school in a neutral waythat has both the good and the bad. And raise your hand if you agree with this. I believe American history should be taught in high school in a neutral way that has both the good and the bad. 11 people raised their hands.

Adanma, 43, Black, independent

Lloyd, 38, Black, independent

Ashish, 49, Asian, Republican

Toby, 47, white, Republican

Howard, 45, white, Democrat

April, 39, white, Republican

Dennis, 54, Hispanic, Democrat

Peter, 44, Asian, Republican

Jim, 35, white, Republican

Jennifer, 38, white, independent

Raise your hand if you agreewith this. I believe high school Americanhistory should be taught in a positiveway that highlights Americas best qualities. Raise your hand if you agree with this. I believe high school American history should be taught in a positive way that highlights Americas best qualities. 0 people raised their hands.

Adanma, 43, Black, independent

Lloyd, 38, Black, independent

Daphne, 44, Black, Democrat

Ashish, 49, Asian, Republican

Toby, 47, white, Republican

Howard, 45, white, Democrat

April, 39, white, Republican

Dennis, 54, Hispanic, Democrat

Peter, 44, Asian, Republican

Jim, 35, white, Republican

Jennifer, 38, white, independent

Ashish, 49, Asian, California, Republican

Its about awareness of the good and the bad. Right now, with Ukraine, Im proud of the fact that were actually helping. I think theres a lot of good. And theres also a lot of bad. And I think we need to keep that in perspective.

Lloyd, 38, Black, Ohio, independent

Its important to give all sides of the story. You cant just tell people what you want, because then they dont really have the full picture.

Adanma, 43, Black, Georgia, independent

You hear that history is written by the winners. But if were going to be working toward a more equal and fair nation, then we should hear from other perspectives.

Moderator, Margie Omero

Everybody said, when we contacted you, that you have a high schooler in your life. Whats the best part of having a high schooler in your life?

Peter, 44, Asian, Oklahoma, Republican

Oh, gosh. Well, my daughter is the high schooler. So shes on her second boyfriend, so thats, like, the worst part.

Howard, 45, white, Pennsylvania, Democrat

I wasnt a terrible student, but I could have been a lot better. And I watch my older daughter, whos the high school student. I watch how shes grabbed school and really just loves it and is in honors classes, and shes killing it. And the knowledge she brings home Im just in awe.

Adanma, 43, Black, Georgia, independent

I just appreciate seeing my daughter around her friends. Theyre accepting. Theyre good examples of how we should be acting.

Moderator, Patrick Healy

When you think about your kids or your family, what are the values that are important that you raise your kids with or that you think schools should focus on?

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Opinion | 11 Parents on How They Want Kids to Learn About History, Racism and Gender - The New York Times