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CATEGORY: CULTURE (7 MIN)

Fidelity Month and the "Classic, American Virtues"

You’ve probably been able to quickly tell that June has begun—major companies, sports teams, and even restaurants have donned rainbows (the biblical reminder of God’s promise not to flood the earth again) to proclaim the start of Pride Month. With so many mainstream organizations in lockstep, even after the political change of the past year, one might wonder if resistance is still acceptable.

Enter Fidelity Month. Jacob Ogan, writing in National Review, tells the story of Prof. Robert P. George’s brainchild, which was launched two years ago to oppose the dominance of Pride Month. Its symbol is a myrtle wreath, and its goal is to “celebrate the classic, American virtues that have long made this nation great.”

Despite the overall decline in religious attendance and moral values for the past few decades, Ogan shines the light on “pockets of hope.” He notes the increase in religious dedication in young men, and he points to those who continue to resist the “rampant secularism” that otherwise has reigned supreme.

Ogan links the concept of “fidelity” to a moral order centered around God, which leads to an overflowing love to our families, our neighbors, and our country. He calls this vision “more noble” than a mere counter-cultural effort; as Prof. George put it, Fidelity Month is a “positive and uplifting project." Ogan then urges individual, communal, and national commitment to such fidelity.

Read more of Ogan’s piece here.

Weekly Poll

Have you heard of Fidelity Month before reading this piece?

[A] Yes
[B] No
[C] Unsure
 

RESULTS: 6/5/2025

How familiar are you with the work of Alasdair MacIntyre?

[A] Somewhat familiar - 45.3%
​​​​​[B] Unfamiliar - 41.5%
[C] Very familiar - 13.2%

CATEGORY: CULTURE (4 MIN)

"Pleasing and True:" Reclaiming Conservative Art

What are other aspects of this concept of fidelity? If it’s centered around God, it likely also involves admiration for the good, the true, and the beautiful. Such concepts are often repressed and unpopular today, even in the conservative movement itself. So some organizations, including ISI, are stepping into the gap to honor artistic creativity that reflects the divine.

For First Things, Micah Mattix highlights these organizations’ efforts and urges the importance of placing excellent art and literature into a respected place in American culture. Mattix notes ISI’s inaugural Linda L. Bean Prize for Advancing American Art & Culture, which went to artist Jamie Wyeth at ISI’s 2025 Gala for Western Civilization last month. Mattix describes the award as “the only overtly conservative prize I am aware of that has honored a painter in the past fifty years.”

Mattix also discusses other recent developments in conservative art too. He cites the First Things Poetry Prize, which honors poems with “a high view of form.” Poet Dana Gioia, who spoke at ISI’s 2025 Gala, will judge this year’s edition of that prize. Mattix also mentions St. Thomas University (Houston, TX), which launched a new Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program that focuses on creating excellent literature.

Mattix then references several conservative publications that include good artistic work. (ISI’s own Modern Age has a poetry section for just this purpose.) And he concludes with a warning: don’t make great art just to shape morals or politics. Create great art that reflects the “pleasing and true” image of God, and it will do the job itself.

Read Mattix’s article here.