the assassination of lincoln but not until jfk the presidential protection service began to get closer attention from the american people. carol began reporting on the secret service for the "washington post" in 2012. in the prologue of her new book, zero fail she started coverage on aggregate the scandal in which agents brought prostitutes to the hotel rooms well making arrangements for president obama to visit carter heaney at columbia.

>> good afternoon. and the vice president of the institute here at the heritage foundation. on behalf of the president welcome to the first principle townhall series. this past year our history and founding principles have the and questioned doubted and challenged and to restore our american heritage and to fundamentally change it that during the time of crisis the heritage foundation has produced the first principle townhall webinar series to speak to this moment offering participants the educational tools to give children the honest understanding of our history and to help them appreciate america's political and cultural achievement.

president reagan stated freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction and preserving liberties requires knowledge. we are delighted you are joining us for part two of the townhall series winning freedom where we will explain how exceptional the american revolution was in world history and my it could easily have collapsed into tyranny by the french revolution. an expert panel to discuss the importance of teaching america's founding principles and physics education coating informing the community of involved parents with the best possible roadmap to a flourishing civil society for all americans. director of the center for

american studies is our leading scholar and job loss. also former associate professor of history and kings' college in new york city and author of "the new york times" bestseller a hobbit a wardrobe and a great war. as we walked in doctor joe we will have an opportunity to respond later in the program. >> thank you for that introduction we have a terrific program lined up for you before introduce the all-star panel we look at the historical perspective to remind us what we are fighting to preserve and what is under

attack. imagine a group of revolutionaries tired of tyranny ready to throw off the chains of political oppression they are willing to risk everything for free and then to absolute monarchy what they want is a republic a form of government based on we the people and so to the astonishment of the world they topple the old regime and defeat the king and his army writing a new constitution but there is no sorry in the dawn of universal bliss because the champagne starts falling and something goes terribly wrong with the revolution instead of liberty and equality and fraternity it's new forms of oppression and injustice, human misery and it cracks down on free speech freedom of press and freedom of religion instead of

democracy and the rule of law we get mob rule and the reign of terror. i'm talking about the french revolution that began july 14 bastille day independence day for the french. if you are an american july 14h is the best day to dine at a french restaurant because for once they will be nice to you. put that aside the french revolution began with a range of power and ended with the powerless to govern and ended with a man on horseback a dictator for life. there were two revolutions for freedom ladies and gentlemen the one that began in paris that collapsed into tyranny but another was launched here in philadelphia in 1776. begin with the immortal words

we hold these truths to be self-evident all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. and that governments are instituted among men with their powers on the consent of the governed and that any form of government becomes destructive it is their rights to alter or abolish it and institute new government. here ladies and gentlemen for the first time in history a political revolution to clear the national inequality and rights of every human being universal rights that cannot be taken away because these come from the hand of god was the revolution a radical event or conservative? most of the american colonist are from england and the ability against the crown they claim their chartered rights

as englishmen there already among the freest people in the world that the protections of the magna carta that says no political leader will revoke the law that english bill of rights they have local self-governing assembly at the townhall and also have the writings of english philosopher john locke. virtually all of the ideas that launch the american revolution can be found in the two treatises of government published 1689 the concept of human equality freedom and natural rights the responsibility of government to protect these rights and the rights to revolution if government tramples our rights but the american revolution maybe was both why did the american revolution succeed where the french revolution

failed the answer can be found in this book the americans drew strength from the teachings of the narrative arc of scripture rescuing the jews from slavery bringing them into the freedom of the promised land and then in the new testament the story of jesus rescuing his people from the slavery of sin and the fear of death for the american revolution it was the freedom book next to the declaration of a constitution the bible might be called the third founding document in the american revolution one of the 56 of the declaration as any

man in america and weatherspoon personified this bond between faith and freedom that characterize the american revolution. they claim the political inheritance from great in the ancient constitution with the support of christian churches but what about the elephant in the room? about the existence of slavery in the american colonies? samuel johnson pointed out the hypocrisy many of whom owned slaves how is it we share the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes? many colonial americans have a guilty conscience patrick here henry said he look forward to

the time when the opportunity would be offered to abolish the lamentable evil to create bad opportunity because the declaration proclaims that come into existence as a sworn enemy. 's days are going to be numbered. until recently lisa know these facts abraham lincoln knew it he said he never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiment embodied in the declaration of independence. yes we can. the great emancipator why did the american revolution succeed? because at the moment of its birth it brought together the right ideas, the right institutions what did it

produce? and with the teachings of the bible there was not a robespierre among them. the washington. and then obediently and willingly what kind of men and women do this revolution produce? abigail adams and abigail was trying to persuade her son enjoying father and friends.

and these are the times in which a genius was to live. but the habits of the vigorous mind with intended with delta, difficulties and with the character of the hero. so what would you do? and the statesman is forged in the fires of the great contacts. and the war has come upon them. with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence. and the sacred honor.

and for human freedom in the history of the world has begun. so let me introduce our all-star panels american be on one now to join us online you the full biographies available director of the chase daily marshall center from the james madison institute for policymakers educators to promote reforms to make it possible for all k-12 students to obtain a high quality education. i love that idea. vice president of ohio state board of education she and her husband launched the excel afterschool program and engages parents to help elementary students improve school achievement and attendance that's not the

lords work i don't know but it is. nine, and a 13 based out of minneapolis welcome to this table. that anybody can answer this as well. so what brought you to the point that you decided to speak with a heads your children attend? what drag you into this discussion? >> we moved our kids from one

school to two catholic schools so that would've been august of 2020. grateful that they are in school all day every day. even with masks. we move them because we started to be concerned what was being taught at the carter institution. and i think we're pretty successful. and with critical race theory.

it started to creep into the everyday discussions of the classroom and then chapel. things like that we decided the writing is on the wall we will move to different schools and certainly it was the right move for us. however i was also encouraged over and over again not to assume that all is well in your child's classroom and the curriculum. i have to say i was. i was under that assumption. i decided one day after reading something listening to a lecture to reach out to the heads of school to say how are you handling this information

into the curriculum and i got two different answers. one was thank you for your call the best call i've gotten all day don't worry about it will never happen here. was very interested in getting information willing to consider all planes of you and perspectives so that gave me cause for concern and i have maintained contact with them but it is our concern beyond the color of their skin.

>> the ohio state board of education and what have you learned talking to this audience what have you learned that has encourage you about the challenges with the capacity to make a difference? >> i can't discount the state school board meeting on unconscionable appeal everyone on the 19 member board when of the largest in the nation for critical race theory. i have been receiving letters from parents all over the state of ohio there is concerned with their children are being taught some of the local boards are engaging in some are not so parents hold us accountable.

and then to set up that curriculum on the website so for example on the website the perception is that we supported we were clueless. so that began as policymakers as the school board to find out why. but it's because there is consequences and the foundational support for education. i find a lot of them are clueless until it is too late.

>> and with a 1618 project of critical race theory et cetera so what is needed so what more do we need? >> orgy push back against the instructive narratives that we really do need to be offering the ways and often times those

that are advancing the narratives that are causing trouble and division often like to portray the debate as we are here to give you an honest view of history as opposed to the sugarcoated view he would get traditionally from the other side. so what we need to do is fall into the trap of letting them characterize our point of view and that percent goes in the context of embracing the founding principles and overarching values is important. and mlk junior.

with this fourth of july speech a blistering critique and basically for the audience to say we embrace the ideals let's do a better job of living up to them can you say the same of the martin luther king i have a dream speech it declaration is a promissory note and in neither case are they attacking our foundations are suggesting america is a redeemable. but simply we have work to do and as lovers of this country we have to get about the work to live up to the ideals that we all share. not constructive your

patriotism that the narrative that americans will embrace of how they should see the country. >> at the risk of shameless self-promotion. making it available to parents and others. so to be on the board of education you have colleagues who don't agree with you so you are astounded the position you are taking and what type of arguments or discussions

and those fall from the sky is in the moment? >> one of the things i demand of all my colleagues on the board always tell my children there are three sides your side in my site in the truth. to have a supplement even with critical race period when of the tenants is knowledge is socially constructed but that's not true. so put away science and reason so we have a simple message that every parent can embrace

or hold local school boards accountable so they need to be educated i don't know how you do that we need a message to push back. so the legal term if you are there for the future of your country you have to do what is right at any cost. maybe we need a little more collaboration after crafting that document.

and then to be a victim of cancel culture. for his part of the team i'm working with into the hands of parents they are the taxpayers they are the front line defense for their children. and then foundational to democracy. part of the critical race the people are parents >> is an excellent ms.

charlotte and you can emphasize enough the actual our very in their hands to be mindful that moments. when john paul ii visited poland, " visited congress country there turning out to see, you see the limit route later said he finally realized we people have the power. ewe are the majority theyare the minority . as we can somehow. >> one of the words we got to hear is equity. it's part of what i call cultural, critical race

theory. we talked to versus the quality. >> we will come back to that done to you darryle. what questions people are wondering is how you talk to your students this and that is using them help them in, what's going to be trusted and. his negotiation. >> we are very honest with them. my mother was very honest with me when i was growing up race and mouse anything she could think of. many other issues too, sometimes too honest say i appreciate that now, being a little of twochildren . we emphasize with them that everyone doesn't think you .

and although he's not encounter. june is required, encouraging them to seek the truth and center of the respectful way so we encourage them to do that . if you questions about what teachers is in school, please ask them and we asked them so we are proving parents. we are possibly asking what did you learn in school today ? what did joey say about such and such they say about this having? we talk to them of the current issues are and we sure sugarcoat anything. both of them handle it, they will assess and want to hear anymore and it will tell us

yeah, we've got. >> strategy is me. overview. you will is asian programs. you want to tell us about them, it will be of use to a lot of people in our audience . >> we do a supplemental curriculum we release called celebrate freedom that goes out during celebrate read him week and it's that passage you cited earlier from the declaration of independence giving students an understanding of that and during the year doing a number of activities in conjunction with other fusions and programs like boys states, girls state, and the like but one of my favorite things we do is a

naturalization ceremony field trip that we do with students every year where we take them to see a naturalization ceremony to interact with some of the new citizens and before they go we had them take the quiz that is required of those who want to become naturalized citizens to see what the questions are and whether or not they be able to answer them almost without fail when we do this the students go without respect for these yindividuals. about becoming americans to go through the process, to do it legally, answer questions and all the rest. in some ways i recognize their own i guess in gratitude maybe is theright word, i don't know . just how many things we take for granted and even reflect on how blessed we are as americans to lame as you in this country.

the other things going will be interesting confirmation or the bar mitzvah where people are born into a community onare expected to embrace those ideas and values of that community in some way. advocate for us citizenship but there is a sense in which a lot of young people never stop, pause, reflect and in some ways go about the process of everything distinctly it means to be american and the ideals that are represented by our country. >> that's terrific stuff and i will get more on resources that are out there but

charlotte, back to normal. it seems to many of us at the radical stuff that has been at the college level. uc berkeley, back in the60s and early 70s in berkeley , western sin has got to go. just teaching western civilization, american history it becomes so problematic at the college level that now we're seeing this radicalism really for the first time in public b education and i guess i want to give you another opportunity to talk a little bit more about what our audience needs to be aware. the big warning signs, things to be careful of and strategically what they can do. just unpacking more. >> i think the thing parents have to do is active listening ., to understand and validate what's going on in the school.

get your children, i tell my daughter keep your children honest because that will be an indication if you don't know what made going on , especially words like equity or democracy, for intercession alley. there are buzzwords that listen for. we had a woman at the board meeting this past tuesday, she gave such a compelling story of her daughter was referred by a school psychologist to a gender clinic without her knowledge. and what happened? we've got to be careful even in the current rations desire to teach civic activism so to speak that what we're seeing on college campuses does not start happening in pre-k and 12th grade. as a matter of fact they're telling students in some

districts in ohio pick a topic, you have walkouts and in some cases the parents don't know aboutit . when the school teaching constantly is with your family values, that that's what that looks like. >> on this book what steps do you recommend race. the 19 project as been adopted? and how they become part of the school curriculum, >> i tell my parents first of all, bridge the gap between the holman students. become parents with us. if nothing else ask the school principal every school as a curriculumdirector .

you've got to ask questions in such a way you get them talking. he notes and then i also forced them to talk to the superintendent. then i ask them to share with other. they need to have bylaws in their community because parents need to be activated and mobilized to go to their elected school board and hold them accountable. >> let's pick up that point, about working together maybe with other parents to get back and imagine if your parentsout there sometimes , who else feels the same way when in fact they may well be part of the silent majority . what is your experience in working with other parents? >> i would say many parents are afraid. if they don't want to speak

up, they don't want to cause controversy s. not necessarily it will reflect on them but because of the impact it will have on their children and how their children may betreated by others . so i volunteer a lot at my son's school especially. unfortunately at my daughter's school, i always call it locked out because of the covid because there are no volunteer opportunities there but i do stand outside but at my son's school i volunteer . we serve lunch so you get to talk to other parents there and i would say engaging them on a person, practical level has been the best for me so calling parents and saying i told them such and such, number i want to rub shoulders with them, in a setting where we're going in the same direction serving lunch or whatever and both.

i think being present is good as much as you possibly can especially during these times because those hallway conversations, you're going to hear what's coming up. >> communicating your investment in your school for the sake of kids and the kids around them . i don't have children but i can imagine not being a parent, i can easily imagine it would be an anxious thing for a parent to approach to high school teacher. the fear would be now my student is going to be marked to out as the child of a troublemaker and there's a different attitude towards the child. you can imagine that anxiety. what you think about that? >> i do have a parent at my

daughter's school where that has happened to her. so her daughter is the parent of the troublemaker . it is what it is. you do it anyway because that's the right thing to do . you do have to be careful though i would say again, be respectful and speak the truth. this is not about criticizing for the sake ofcriticizing and getting your own way . this is having our children grow up to be god created them to be. it's not about belief versus my belief. it's about our belief and what about right and wrong. >> thank you for that darrell and over to bill andcharlotte , on this point, a bit more the challenges that these parents face, what would you also recommend. there are people hungry for resources and anybody can weigh in on this.

resources that we need to push back against the madness. the way you oppose bad books is with good books.aching with good thinking. and in your travels and your work, what else would you put on the table . you can bring it later on and make it available to this audience on our website but what would youput on the table ? >> one of the things that i would do to underscore this point about speaking the truth is to encourage parents not to assume the worst about those they will be interacting with because one of the things i have found in going to a lot of bconferences and sharing with them the resources that we have available is that many of the people teaching social studies departments are actually sympathetic to the concerns that we have and do want to do a faithful job of presenting our history and civics and in an accurate way so don't assume the worst. yes, there are problems.

be nacve but also don't assume the worst about that you might find if you go about things in a respectful manner that you have allies within the system among the faculty and whatnot who can help advance these concerns that you express in an appropriate manner so that would be something that i would offer that underscores some of the points earlier. >> charlotte, you're getting ready to weigh in on this or other points. i've got other questions but way in. >> bill is absolutely correct, relationships matter and i even share my district, i'm seeing a culture even among teachers who are caring and sympathetic and they are even afraid to speak up especially those against administration so build relationships, bridge the gap between the home and school. remember parents, you are the

leaders. you are the leaders. i don't care what they say and it can be difficult. their customer service, relations leaves a lot to be desired. as a matter of fact, some parents are even intimidated . to even engage with these schools. so i even tell the superintendents, parents, we value partnerships as a priority and to keep a key partner is the parent. and when you take parents to the side then you become some suspect about what you're doing inside that building . >> i'm going to have darrell pick it up but the question which relates to, since parents have more to lose in these discussions, older people in the community seneed to help out. have you seen this cycle of

activity and i guess what they're talking about is people that still invest in the community, and we bring them on board in the first to challenge what school. anybody have any storiesabout that ? >> i'm a grandmother so i thought. if not about your children, about the next generation. is not your community. it's about your space if you plan is each child our future. we want to be sure that we put children with the knowledge and skills forward. their aspiration that they challenge and prepare for future success. so not only does parents, you think you need to talk to business leadersthat have children . you need to talk and definitely going to churches area where values are established. you need to go have a dialogue with the sunday

school or whatever. summer camp. the key is the community is responsible and all of us are responsible for the future of our local community and our local space. yes, everybody should be engaged but the key is getting everybody to understanding and being onthe same page . i tell everybody teach, keep the bottom line the students. don't bring your personal perspective in, don't bring politics in. is this good for our children ? >> i want to give darrell a chance to jump in but you said your grandmother, i thought youwere too young to be a grandmother . thank you for that. but maybe on this point just this networking with people in the community and maybe just a little bit more onyour end when you see their .>>

i would say first of all my first thought is it's been difficult to network with anybody during covid and we saw these schools this year, that added another layer of difficulty but given the way in which the school approached the ability to be involved, again, i volunteer for everything. i volunteer for things where there is no volunteerspot . my son is like my god dad, you're always here. why are you here? so i think again, it's in that way i've been able to interact with teachers because it's catholic school, there's limited resources so teachers do rehab sometimes. coaches, for sure. easy to get into a conversation and understand the kind of where their head

is at by doing so you can all, where that particular apartment is and where the administrations haze at. i have not yet and i think it's a great idea try the approach of getting grandparents involve. i shudder to think what my dad would do if he was involved there. i know. i have to leave. >> that's just to say that people of all ages in addition to this question surrounding curriculum, content and what is taught in the classroom also need to be fighting for school choice. one of the things we've seen in florida that has greatly empowered parents who are finding their local public school resistant to some of their legitimate inquiry and requests for help and address

on some of these things is that parents can leave. they can take students to another school. it usually means that schools will become more responsive to them. i've seen this in my own experience, virginia had far less ngstudents, more captive audience if you will and our public schools were far less responsive to parents than the public schools that we found in florida . obviously we care about what everyone is being taught in the classroom and need to be focused on this surrounding civics education and us history. you also need to be working at the same time to advance a broad array of options that parents have somewhere to go if they aren't satisfied with what the local public school is teaching. >> excellent! and i want to give charlotte and darrell chance as well.

something you want to communicate here for this audience about thisissue , what makes you hopeful and what we need to know. darrell, you take it and we will wrap up with charlotte. >> i think with me what makes me hopeful is i've learned there are otherparents out there who think the way i do . i've learned there are resources out there for parents and i can provide the ones i know of as well. there are resources out there because i agree that arming ourselves with knowledge is kind of the first step. i can't imagine two years ago having a conversation with any school is greater critical race theory. i would have had no idea ewhat i was talking. that doesn't sound right to me but i can't articulatewhy . so i think that what makes me hopeful is that i honestly

feel like there's a growing tide of opposition to it. at least making itself known. >> excellence, charlotte, give me the last word. >> the last word is hope and expectation and i expect good to come out of this because we have woke citizen parents and this is an inspiration i've gotten two months ago and i hear it everywhere we go is wisdom overcomes known evil. what you don't know can destroy you or cause you to perish. we are are having woke citizen parents that will use this. with their getting educated from everywhere they will be over comers because they're

going to know the evil and how to confront it. >> i can't improve on that. charlie, thank you so much for this panel and thank you to the audience for joining us today. you can send questions our way. >> weekends on c-span2 are intellectual feast. on sundays, book tv shows you the latest in nonfiction authors". funding comes from these countries and companies. >> midko supports c-span2 as

a public service. >> follow american history tv for schedule update to learn about what happened this day in history, watch video and learn more about the people and events that have shaped the american story. find us at c-span history. last month president biden #the juneteenth national independence day act making it the 11th federal national holiday in the first one established since the creation of martin luther king day. juneteenth celebrated on june 19 commemorates the end of slavery. here's a look at the white house commemoration and signing. [applause]