History teachers, Rebecca Anthony and Todd Boren might never agree on women’s reproductive rights. For some people, a difference in opinion like that can split families in two, ruin friendships, or destroy happy memories. 

But even though they don’t always see eye to eye, Anthony and Boren can still enjoy lunch together. They still reference “getting the band back together” from that one karaoke night, singing “Sweet Caroline” in Florida with AP European history teacher Matthew Wolfe when they all showed up for the same IB history training. 

“I have immense respect for , just like as a human, and the fact that we might not agree 100% on some political issues isn’t going to affect that at all,” Anthony said.

Anthony and Boren have been friends since Anthony started at Shawnee Mission Northwest 18 years ago. Anthony teaches AP US History and Boren teaches AP and IB European History. Anthony is a Democrat, and Boren leans more toward Republican views. They actually sponsor the two political clubs at Shawnee Mission Northwest, Young Democrats and Young Republicans, though they usually mediate the kids and guide conversation when needed. 

Today, in America, politics are as polarized as ever. Eighty-eight percent of Americans said there are “strong conflicts in the country between people who support different political parties,” according to data from the Pew Research Center. It’s common knowledge that some people disown or cut off friends and family because they don’t agree on politics.

Anthony thinks it’s very upsetting; her own father and his brother don’t speak to each other. 

“That’s where it gets sad. Because you’re allowing politics to destroy Christmas memories? Destroy Thanksgiving memories? Destroy birthday memories?” Boren said. 

Boren enjoys discussing politics himself, but he also agreed that there’s a time and a place. 

Politics are an aspect of life, but Anthony also thinks politics shouldn’t be something that prevents people from functioning as a decent human being. 

Although they both have their own opinions, Boren’s always been a believer that if you’re going to argue against something, you should know what the other side is standing for. 

Anthony thinks the best solutions are going to come via compromise. 

“We would agree at like a very fundamental level on most things. Like, should the government function? Yes. Is democracy good? Yes. You know, should we try our best to take care of people? Yes,” Anthony said. “I think most people can find a lot of common ground on the fundamentals.”

Boren says he has many really nice political talks with science teacher Michael Pisani as well. 

“We don’t agree on a lot of stuff, but at the end of it, it’s like, alright man, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Boren said. 

Anthony also shares the same thoughts.

“I have no issue listening to someone who has a different viewpoint than me,” Anthony said.

She is curious and wants to learn more about what other people think, how they think and about their perspective and their experiences because it doesn’t have to be a big fight all the time. 

“We don’t agree on a lot of things,” Boren said, “But that’s okay.”