Academia's Impact: Liberating Minds or Molding Thoughts?

Last week, we explored the first of The Seven Pillars of Propaganda: Government. I won’t rehash our discussion of that pillar, but suffice it to say that the government has become incredibly corrupt over the past several decades. It’s now being weaponized against political opponents.

This week, I’d like to explore the second of The Seven Pillars of Propaganda: Academia. By academia, I mean the established forms of education today, usually (though not always) public, that are being used by Radical Leftists to reshape this nation’s identity, sense of morality, and culture.

At one point in our nation’s history, the purpose of education was to help people learn how to think. This, my friends, should be the true objective of education. However, today, many educators simply want to teach students what to think.

This is a huge problem for at least three reasons.

First, we need a nation of independent thinkers, capable of cutting through the hogwash we’re given by The Seven Pillars of Propaganda.

Second, when we abdicate our individual responsibility to think for ourselves, we take a step away from liberty and toward tyranny. How can we remain secure in our liberty if we are subjecting ourselves to the thoughts and opinions of the technocrats and so-called ‘experts’ in the ruling class?

Third, it creates an environment where propaganda can thrive because the students in this environment have been taught to accept whatever it is that the educational system tells them.

This type of learning environment can produce a type of individual who, to borrow a phrase from my father, could be defined as an ‘overeducated idiot.’

Candidly, this is what the extremists in the ruling class and lovers of big government want: a citizenry who thinks education is synonymous with trusting the experts.

This, my friends, is how we get a generation of educated people who believe science can tell us, unequivocally, what caused the universe to come into existence.

Or that masks prevent the spread of a microscopic virus.

Or that biological boys can become female if only they physically mutilate their bodies – permanently.

Or that America fought for her independence from Portugal in 1924.

The sad truth is that education, under the control of the Radical Left, is no longer about the pursuit of knowledge and truth. Instead, it is about the defense of an ideology. And a morally bankrupt ideology at that.

So how do we combat the propaganda being thrust upon us, our children, and our grandchildren by Academia today?

Glad you asked because this wouldn’t be a practical column without answering this question.

The Radical Left’s worldview requires vast amounts of metaphorical darkness in order to have its greatest impact. So, the easiest solution is simple: shine light on the problem.

Here are some of the ways we can do that.

• It isn’t always convenient and fun, but we should attend school board meetings. Over 20 years ago, I was a school board member. And the truth is, I need to start attending some of these meetings again. I think we all do. Ask questions. Don’t be intimidated. Be ready for their games. And hold them accountable - respectfully, of course.

• If you’re a teacher, expose any woke nonsense that’s happening in your school. And resist those Leftist lunatics internally with all your might.

• If you’re a school board member or administrator, fire the bad teachers. And if they’re terminated for an egregious reason, fight the urge to keep that quiet in exchange for a resignation. It’s not your fault if they’re a radical activist.

• If you’re a parent, organize with other parents. There are many more reasonable, fair-minded people out there than there are radical lunatics. Well, unless you live in San Francisco.

• Stay informed regarding your state laws so that you have a solid understanding of relevant educational policies.

• Don’t be afraid to stand up to stupid. When you see something ridiculous going on, attack it head-on.

• Vote with your feet. Many states now have some form of school choice. If your district is woke, leave. You don’t owe them anything, especially if they’re using education as a tool to create little Leftists.

The single biggest thing you can do to fight back is to prioritize education in your life. The Radical Left certainly has! These jokers need disengaged parents who are burning the candle at both ends. Running their kids to a myriad of activities. Working overtime. Focused on making a living. All at the expense of being engaged in the fight. But if we fight in this arena with the same fervor as the Left, we will win.

America is a center-right country, my friends. The more we fight back against The Seven Pillars of Propaganda, the more we will all realize that truth.

So what will you do about it?

Conservative, not bitter.
Todd