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Results of Common Ground Workshop
Points of Agreement
11-14-21 Braver Angels’ Common Ground workshop
How Should the U.S. History of Race Be Taught in Public Schools in Georgia?
Values
● All students need a comprehensive education that includes history with accuracy and balance in teaching race.
● We should teach critical thinking where children learn the full history, age appropriate. Children are given facts and taught to be critical and evaluative.
● Teaching the good, bad and the ugly -- a fuller picture of our history that emphasizes the importance of the diversity of ideas.
● We need to have a balanced emphasis on race.
● Make sure all human beings are treated with human dignity.
● We value friendships with all people regardless of background.
● Freedom of speech is important (and complicated).
● We need curiosity with a willingness to understand.
● Everyone needs to be at the table in these discussions.
Concerns
● That in the past only one side was represented. History is written by the winners, and it needs to be balanced - how do we seek out the truth?
● We don’t agree on the same facts or interpretation.
● Teaching concepts that are appropriate for the age level.
● Worry about hurt feelings, concerns for children's well-being.
● Incorporating shame into the education, not dealing with the effects of shame.
● Compromise might not be possible.
● Lack of harmony leads to a big explosion (“powder keg”).
● Should legislatures be involved in what is taught in schools, or police what is taught?
● That history will repeat itself.
Solutions or Policies
● Teach a comprehensive history of the formation of our country that allows students to appreciate their history and move forward in community.
● Support critical thinking about history where it is okay to question what was written.
● Continue teaching civics beyond the 8th grade, teach about the concerns around the Constitution and Founding Fathers.
● Show more of the process of how we came to milestones in US history to expand the view; not just factual, but the debates on lesser-known documents, for example the Federalist Papers and Anti-Federalist papers.
● Train teachers to interrupt racially charged situations, showing respect for everyone.
● Engage parents with the curriculum by sharing their own background; encourage students to discuss what they’re learning with families.
● Offer parent discussion groups sponsored by school districts.
Action Steps Based on these Points of Agreement
1. Red and Blue get together and present our list to their local school board.
2. Hold a Braver Angels’ Town Hall meeting with state legislators presenting our agreements on teaching race in school.
3. Continue the conversations here in Georgia trying to get more minorities to join in.
4. Discuss these steps at our Alliance meetings for Braver Angels’ Georgia