The State We're In

The Battle Over Divisive Concepts

The Battle Over Divisive Concepts

Perhaps it's ironic — or even prophetic — that something purporting to stop so-called "divisive concepts" would be so divisive.

A lawsuit concerning these relatively new state regulations is making its way through the court system.

What are these concepts? What do they mean? And why is there a lawsuit against the state about them? In July, The State We’re In host Melanie Plenda explored these questions with NAACP President James McKim, Granite State News Collaborative Reporter Adam Drapcho, ACLU-NH Legal Director Gilles Bissonnette, and plaintiff Tina Philibotte, who serves as the Manchester School Districts Chief Equity Officer.

Native Americans in NH: Q&A with Anne Jennison and Denise Pouliot

Native Americans in NH: Q&A with Anne Jennison and Denise Pouliot

Archeological evidence shows that indigenous people lived in New Hampshire for more than 13,000 years. 

Today, about 4,000 Granite Staters, or .3% of the state's population, identify as Native American, though actual numbers could be double that. 

The State We’re In host Melanie Plenda recently sat down to discuss the history of indigenous people in the state, and current efforts to recognize and celebrate that history and culture with  historian Anne Jennison, chair of the state's Commission on Native American Affairs and Denise Pouliot, a member of the commission and the Sag8moskwa or Head Female Speaker of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People.

'We have Always Been Here': Despite Misconceptions, Native Americans Have Long History in New Hampshire

'We have Always Been Here': Despite Misconceptions, Native Americans Have Long History in New Hampshire

Anne Jennison is constantly referred to as if she isn’t here anymore. An indigenous resident of New Hampshire, Jennison said people default to talking about the Abenaki in the past, a habit that speaks to a long, dark history.

“Except for indigenous people themselves, they are almost invariably referred to in the past tense — like a great big rubber eraser literally has taken the history,” she said.

The State We're In - Helping Ukrainian Refugees

The State We're In - Helping Ukrainian Refugees

News updates, photos, and videos coming out of Ukraine have been horrifying. Watching millions flee their homes during the fighting has been equally heartbreaking. One granite Stater studying in Europe is doing what she can to help the refugees pouring into Poland. Wolfeboro natives Rebecca Connelly and her father, Jamie, about Rebecca's work helping Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

“Freedom from Discrimination” Law Impact

“Freedom from Discrimination” Law Impact

Critics say that the Divisive Concepts, or Freedom From Discrimination law, puts a chill on important conversations about race and history in schools. It specifically prohibits schools or governmental agencies from teaching that an individual is racist, sexist, or otherwise oppressive by virtue of their age, sex, or other identity, either consciously or unconsciously. The state legislature is currently considering a handful of bills that would enact changes to the law from repealing it to expanding its reach to universities and colleges. Joining the State We’re In host Melanie Plenda to discuss the issue is JerriAnne Boggis, executive director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire; state Senator David Watters; Granite State News Collaborative reporter, Jenny Whidden; and Jonathan Friedman, director of Free Expression and Education for PEN America. Later, 8th grade American History teacher at Portsmouth Middle School Erin Bakkom weighs in with her perspective.