January 6 & Schools: Teach Current Events with Light Touch

With the turn of the year will come the anniversary of the January 6 riots. Much of the Left will treat that day in 2021 as the most horrific event in human history, and many on the right will pretend that the political violence was no more than a community potluck with the wrong address and funny hats. The latter is gross revisionism; the former, deliberate hysterics.

But what should teachers in schools across the country say, if anything? The Sixth will fall upon a Friday next year, and there’s an ocean of material produced and pushed by outlets such as NPR, Parents magazine, and EducationWeek, which provide prompts for teachers to discuss the ugly day. Should they? I’m inclined to say, “No, most educators have no business commenting on current events.” Parents should have the first crack at explaining events such as January 6 to their children. But, as time passes, more information is confirmed, and current events become history. So there’s a gnarled tension among a child’s innocence, parental rights, and an educator’s responsibility to nourish and stimulate young minds.

About the Author

Luther Ray Abel

Luther Ray Abel is an Associate Editor for National Review. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Luther is a proud native of Sheboygan, Wis.

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With the turn of the year will come the anniversary of the January 6 riots. Much of the Left will treat that day in 2021 as the most horrific event in human history, and many on the right will pretend that the political violence was no more than a community potluck with the wrong address and funny hats. The latter is gross revisionism; the former, deliberate hysterics.

But what should teachers in schools across the country say, if anything? The Sixth will fall upon a Friday next year, and there’s an ocean of material produced and pushed by outlets such as NPR, Parents magazine, and EducationWeek, which provide prompts for teachers to discuss the ugly day. Should they? I’m inclined to say, “No, most educators have no business commenting on current events.” Parents should have the first crack at explaining events such as January 6 to their children. But, as time passes, more information is confirmed, and current events become history. So there’s a gnarled tension among a child’s innocence, parental rights, and an educator’s responsibility to nourish and stimulate young minds.