Black Parents’ Perspectives on Instruction: Racial Realism at a Predominantly White, Independent, Urban Elementary School

Abstract

What do Black parents say about the curriculum in a predominantly White independent elementary school in a large urban area? This study explores tensions around topics such as slavery and immigration. While parents did not say they wanted a critical multicultural curriculum, many valued attention to racial diversity. Because parents did not want their children to be hurt or marginalized, however, they used racial realism to navigate the dangers of the environment. There were some differences among parents based on their families’ identity. This article uses critical race theory to analyze the parents’ perceptions and explores implications for schools.