Jenisha Watts to Send Son to Private School After Nikole Hannah-Jones' Education Reflections

<p>Jenisha Watts, a staff writer for The Atlantic, announced on September 24, 2026, that she plans to send her young Black son to private school, citing her own experiences with struggling schools. This decision contrasts with that of her friend, Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the 1619 Project, who recently expressed regrets about her daughter's public-school education.</p><p>In her Atlantic essay, Watts stated that Hannah-Jones’ experience influenced her decision, saying, "I could never make the choice she made. I know too well what can go wrong. I’m sending him to a private preschool, and I plan to apply for private kindergarten too."</p><p>Hannah-Jones responded to Watts, emphasizing the need to consider the experiences of Black children whose families cannot afford better educational options. She stated, "I have a deep respect for Jenisha and all she has overcome. Our concerns and values as parents are always shaped, to some degree, by our own experiences as children. Unlike Jenisha, I got a parachute out of my segregated school and that changed my life..."</p><p>Hannah-Jones reiterated her belief in public schools as a necessary good and called for systemic changes to address educational inequality. She remarked, "In the end, the inequality I write about and that Jenisha experienced is systemic and will only be fixed if we acquire the political will to make different policy choices that value the inherent worth of all of our children, even if those children happen to be born Black and poor."</p><p>Corey DeAngelis, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, supported Watts' decision, stating, "Jenisha Watts is doing what a parent is supposed to do. She is putting her son first. The scandal is that politicians and teachers unions fight to keep those options out of reach for everyone else. School choice is the equalizer."</p><p>Watts defended Hannah-Jones against critics who accused her of compromising her daughter's education for her ideals, explaining that her own challenging educational background in Lexington, Kentucky, influenced her decision for her son. She noted, "I’m a staff writer for The Atlantic, and I’m writing a memoir, and I still can’t shake off my poor education."</p><p>The discussion follows Hannah-Jones’ recent New York Times Magazine essay, where she revisited her earlier choice regarding her daughter's education. Hannah-Jones mentioned that her daughter, Najya, expressed a desire for more consideration of her educational needs alongside concerns for broader educational inequality.</p><p>New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels defended the public-school system, stating, "Every student, regardless of background or ability, should feel affirmed, valued, and held to high expectations." He emphasized the importance of inclusive environments and access to rigorous academics.</p><p>Watts concluded that her decision was not a condemnation of Hannah-Jones or other parents but a reflection of a broader failure that forces families to choose between their children's immediate educational interests and struggling schools. She stated, "America should not force parents to make that kind of choice."</p>