John,

 

As a fellow patriot, I’d like to send you a Betsy Ross flag. 

 

The design of this flag, with its 13 stripes and circle of 13 stars—representing America’s original 13 colonies—is a powerful symbol of the American Revolution and of the principles on which the Revolution was fought.

 

In the words of the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

 

Throughout most of our nation’s history, Americans learned about and revered these ideas. 

 

Sadly, because of the Left’s hijacking of history education in so many of our schools, this is no longer true. 

 

Consider the 2019 controversy surrounding the Betsy Ross flag I mentioned above.

 

When, shortly before Independence Day, Nike announced its plans to release an athletic shoe featuring the Betsy Ross flag, Nike spokesman Colin Kaepernick objected, condemning the flag as a symbol of racism and slavery. A social media storm followed.

 

Consequently, Nike announced that it was halting production of the shoe.

 

This controversy was trivial. But the episode points to something else…

 

What is NOT trivial is the attempt to spread anti-American ideology into every area of American life…

 

....and the fact that too many in positions of authority immediately retreat when confronted by political correctness and anti-Americanism.

 

The Kaepernick episode illustrates the problem of progressive education, which seeks to rewrite our nation’s history and undermine the kind of informed patriotism that is essential to preserving liberty.

 

Instead of learning to love America, many students today learn to hate it.

 

The Nike shoe controversy, like the frenzy for tearing down statues that we witnessed in so many of America’s cities last summer, is the bitter fruit of this progressive educational agenda.

 

We must confront this destructive ideology with the truth about American history.

 

And we must nurture an informed patriotism among the young if our liberty is to be preserved. As always, liberty’s only sure defense is an educated citizenry prepared to defend it. 

 

This is why your support of Hillsdale College is so important.

 

Hillsdale’s educational outreach efforts reach and teach millions of Americans of all ages—including many young people—and equip them with the knowledge they need to understand and defend our great American heritage of liberty.

Your generous support today will... 

 

• Expand the circulation of Imprimis, Hillsdale’s digest of liberty, to reach millions of Americans (you can also receive a free subscription to Imprimis…for life).
  
  
• Send millions of pocket-size copies of America’s founding documents to schools and individuals.
  
  
• Increase the number of citizens (especially younger Americans) enrolling in Hillsdale’s free online courses such as “Constitution 101” and “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope.”
  
  
• Launch Hillsdale-affiliated classical K-12 charter schools that teach thousands of students nationwide.

 

You should be aware that…

 

To maintain its independence, Hillsdale College undertakes its work while refusing EVERY PENNY of government funding—even indirectly in the form of federal or state student grants or loans. NOT. ONE. PENNY.

 

Your support is crucial to ensuring that future generations of Americans will learn about and be prepared to defend freedom.

 

With a gift of $76 or more today to support educational outreach efforts that reach and teach millions, Hillsdale will send you a 3' x 5' Betsy Ross Flag to thank you for your support.. Supplies are limited, so please make your best tax-deductible gift right away.

 

You can give your best tax-deductible gift of $25, $76, $100, or even $250 or more by following the secure link below:

 

https://secured.hillsdale.edu/hillsdale/betsy-ross-flag

 

I hope you will display your Betsy Ross flag at your home or office. It reminds us of the debt we owe America’s Founders and of our obligation to preserve liberty for future generations.

 

In that spirit, I hope you will stand with us as we continue to provide the kind of education that has made possible our great American heritage of liberty.

 

 

Warm regards, 

 

Larry P. Arnn

President, Hillsdale College

Pursuing Truth and Defending Liberty Since 1844