The Book of Statuses – The New York Times

“Nice White Parents” is a new podcast from Serial Productions, a New York Times Company, about the 60-year relationship between white parents and the public school down the block.

Listen to the first two episodes now, and keep an eye out for new episodes each Thursday, available here and on your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Spotify | Via Google

It’s 2015, and one Brooklyn middle school is about to receive a huge influx of new students.

In this episode, Chana Joffe-Walt, a reporter, follows what happens when the School of International Studies’ 6th grade class swells from 30 mostly Latino, Black and Middle Eastern students, to 103 — an influx almost entirely driven by white families.

Everyone wants “what’s best for the school,” but it becomes clear that they don’t share the same vision of what “best” means.

Up next: In Episode 2, Chana digs into New York City’s Municipal Archives to trace the complicated history of integration at the school — and across the city.

“Nice White Parents” was reported by Chana Joffe-Walt; produced by Julie Snyder; edited by Sarah Koenig, Neil Drumming and Ira Glass; editorial consulting by Eve L. Ewing and Rachel Lissy; and sound mix by Stowe Nelson.

The original score for “Nice White Parents” was written and performed by the jazz group The Bad Plus. The band consists of bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Orrin Evans and drummer Dave King. Additional music from Matt McGinley.

Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Julie Whitaker, Seth Lind, Julia Simon and Lauren Jackson.