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CATEGORY: EDUCATION (32 MIN)
With growing attention to the continuing radicalism of schools and the rise of woke influence over curriculum and educational policy, many parents have turned to alternatives to the public school system. Homeschooling, well-established private schools, and newer small classical schools have become more attractive options for the children of millions of Americans.
The New Yorker’s Emma Green took a mainstream look at the rise of classical schooling in the United States in a recent article. Although her perspective isn’t conservative, Green highlights the shortcomings which have driven not just right-wing parents but also centrist and left-wing parents to seek a better education for their kids.
Green discusses a charter-school system in the South Bronx called Brilla which sits in a heavily Democratic area with extremely poor public schools. Brilla, according to Green, has implemented a classical education re-emphasizing the techniques and topics which used to drive American schooling, focusing on phonics, memorization, and the great works to provide a balanced curriculum with the goal of excellence.
Green also zooms out to point out the interaction between conservatism and classical learning. She interviews some educators who believe that classical education is fundamentally conservative but seek to de-politicize it and widen its reach to people of all backgrounds.
Dive into this comprehensive and thoughtful look at American classical learning here.
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Weekly Poll
RESULTS: 3/14/24
Last week, we asked: Should conservatives try to dismantle DEI initiatives? Here are the results:
[A] Yes - 90.3%
[B] No - 5.4%
[C] Unsure - 4.3%
Would you consider classical schooling for yourself or your children if you were deciding among education options available today?
[A] Yes
[B] No
[C] Unsure
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CATEGORY: CULTURE (12 MIN)
Many writers have highlighted problems which have contributed to the collapse of families and marriages in America. Often, their takes will focus on the social forces driving men and women away from marriage. But other commentators discuss the forces which affect children—and how their influence causes prospective parents to have fewer of them in the first place.
In First Things, Leah Libresco Sargeant reviews two books: Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be by Tim Carney and The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt. They both explore the changing perceptions of children and their dangerous effects on the next generation.
Sargeant notes several common themes between the works. She points out that children are no longer exposed to risk or given opportunity to simply play. Instead, they’re protected from nearly all danger and sent to hyper-competitive, perfectly-scheduled activities which deprive them of basic aspects of humanity.
Likewise, Sargeant notes, parents are shaped by these trends. They become risk-averse themselves and focused on their children’s measurable achievements, not on their ability to be good, loving, joyful humans. And all these issues are simply compounded by the dangerous and complex online world which nearly all kids are allowed to inhabit.
To learn more about Carney’s and Haidt’s arguments, read Sargeant’s review here.
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CATEGORY: PODCAST EPISODE
In today's episode, we sit down with Matthew Peterson, the Editor-in-Chief at Blaze Media. Join hosts Tom and Marlo as they discuss with Matt his work at Blaze, the challenges conservatives face in media, and strategies to make a meaningful impact.
Matt shares his insights on why conservatives struggle in media and offers thought-provoking ideas on how they can overcome these obstacles. From the importance of messaging to the power of storytelling, Matt explores the keys to effectively communicating conservative values in today's media landscape.
But the conversation doesn't stop there. Tom, Marlo, and Matt delve into what it takes to be a great statesman, discussing the qualities and characteristics that define true leadership. With wisdom and passion, Matt inspires listeners to strive for excellence and make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.
Texts Mentioned:
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CATEGORY: PODCAST EPISODE
Spencer Klavan hosts Johnny Burtka on his video podcast, Young Heretics. Johnny's new book, Gateway to Statesmanship, is a collection of writings on one of our most neglected virtues. Statesmanship is the art of leading in complex and difficult times, especially when all of the options on the table involve painful trade-offs (sound familiar?). Johnny and Spencer discuss the changing conditions of history, the fight over "Christian nationalism," and what it would mean for a modern politician to recover the ancient virtue of prudence.
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An Evening with Brian Kilmeade on Teddy Roosevelt & Booker T. Washington
April 16th, 2024
Join ISI on Tuesday, April 16th at an exclusive evening with celebrated author Brian Kilmeade that promises to transport you back to the pivotal moments that shaped our nation. Kilmeade’s latest book, Teddy and Booker T.: How Two American Icons Blazed a Path for Racial Equality, offers a compelling look at the intertwined lives of Booker T. Washington and Teddy Roosevelt.
Visit ISI's historic 20-acre estate just two hours north of Washington, DC, in Delaware's Brandywine Valley. Sponsors will be invited to an exclusive VIP reception with Kilmeade and receive a signed copy of the book. Reserve your tickets and explore sponsorship opportunities at isi.org/kilmeade.
We look forward to seeing you at ISI this spring for an evening of historical discovery and intellectual delight!
Join us in Wilmington, DE >>>
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A Revival and Reinvention of the Traditional University
Ralston College is offering a one-year M.A. in Humanities, where students encounter transformative works of Western culture that have, for centuries, been central to humanistic learning.
The program begins with an immersive, two-month residency in Greece, which combines language study with instructive travel.
Then, on Ralston’s campus in Savannah, Georgia, students pursue an ambitious multidisciplinary curriculum, focusing on the greatest works of Western civilization from ancient times to the present.
Ralston College is keen to recruit the strongest possible students to its new cohort. To members of its incoming class, the college will award a number of fully funded fellowships, covering both tuition and room and board for the entirety of the program.
Join a community of scholars and teachers who value deep learning, free inquiry, the pursuit of truth, and the celebration of beauty.
Applications are now open >>>
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Because our student editors and writers are bravely bringing conservative ideas to their campuses, we’re highlighting their efforts here.
Students Able to “Disagree” with their Professors in Recent Free Speech Event via The Jefferson Independent
“Last Friday, a crowd of eager students descended upon the Rotunda once again, this time in an effort to spar with their professors. Think Again, an organization dedicated to critical thinking and freedom of expression, organized this event in an effort to facilitate difficult conversations that many shy away from during normal lecture hours.”
Lessons from an Ambassador via The Harvard Salient
“Last month, the Salient was pleased to welcome businesswoman Carla Sands for a discussion of her experiences as U.S. Ambassador to Denmark. In addition to stories about her time representing the U.S. abroad, Sands warned students about China’s growing influence on the world stage and argued in favor of President Trump’s reelection.”
U.S. Senate Candidate Eddie Garcia Visits W&L College Republicans via The W&L Spectator
“Eddie Garcia (R), a candidate for Virginia’s U.S. Senate seat, spoke to W&L College Republicans on February 21 as part of his effort to secure youth support for his campaign. Garcia hopes to win the Republican primary and challenge Tim Kaine (D), who has served Virginia in the Senate since 2013.”
EXCLUSIVE: The Review Sits Down with President Richard Saller via The Stanford Review
“On March 13th, the Stanford Review sat down with Richard Saller to talk about free speech, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the search for Stanford’s next president, and much more.”
BYU Requires Holland’s ‘Second Century’ Talk in Curriculum, LGBTQ Groups Protest via The Cougar Chronicle
“Beginning this winter 2024 semester, BYU officially implemented a new General Education requirement into the university curriculum—in their first BYU semester, students now take a comprehensive introductory course: UNIV 101. In this course, incoming freshmen are provided the opportunity to learn more about the unique mission of BYU, the specific aims of a BYU education, and the BYU community goal of covenant belonging... This collection also contains President Jeffrey R. Holland’s inspired talk: ‘The Second Half of the Second Century of Brigham Young University’... There has been
extensive backlash from local LGBTQ+ organizations and various news reports against the inclusion of President Holland’s talk.” |
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CATEGORY: CULTURE (13 MIN)
A world of mass information brings with it a host of new dilemmas. With just a touch of a button, Americans can read about the worst crises in every country in the world, learning more about the suffering of people thousands of miles away. What is one supposed to do with this information, especially with problems in our own families, cities, and country?
Tucker Carlson argues that the best way to help the world is to help those immediately around you—and fix your own life first. In an essay on the Modern Age website adapted from his address to ISI’s 70th Anniversary Gala, Carlson urges Americans to live virtuous, courageous lives. And he says that such lives provide a better defense against the chaos around us than anything else we choose to do.
Carlson emphasizes that this self-improvement is not the same as narcissism. After all, he believes that’s one of the cardinal sins of our age. Instead, reshaping one’s life primarily involves looking to God and the lives of those in one’s inner circle, according to Carlson.
“Take stock of your own life. Try to be virtuous. Live in a way that you’re proud of. The prouder you are of it, the less they’re going to mess with you,” Carlson says.
He then calls for courage in this nation—courage to stand against those who want to destroy those virtuous lives. Read Carlson’s full essay here to learn more.
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Thought of the Day:
“All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth.”
- Aristotle
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Join ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club
It’s never been easier for you to support our mission—and stay part of our community—with ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club!
For just $19.53 a month, you can join the fight and “pay it forward” by educating the next generation for ordered liberty.
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