5/20/2024

Last week’s curation at RealClear’s American Civics portal begins with an op-ed by Judge Michael Warren, who argues that the protests erupting throughout America – and especially lately on college campuses – show that promoting a quality civics education is needed now more than ever. And this has been needed far before October 7, 2023, as can be seen from the 1619 Project to national surveys that show Americans’ general lack of basic knowledge about the country they call home. Judge Warren calls teachers to explain to their students “why America – even with its imperfections – is still the greatest nation in world history.” He continues: “We must celebrate our history, our Declaration, and our Constitution. We need to reignite our dedication to offer to all students an informed and meaningful civics education and balanced history classes. We must work to live up to our promise with increased devotion.” This project is one that is imperative if we want to deliver the blessings of liberty we have been given to the next generation of Americans.

At Law & Liberty, George Hawley reviews a new book by Coleman Hughes, “The End of Race Politics,” who argues for a colorblind America. Hawley writes that though Hughes’s arguments are not new, they are nonetheless important because they are grounded in the historic American tradition. More importantly, they come not from a conservative but a liberal. “Inspired by Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, and other civil rights leaders from earlier generations,” Hawley contends that Hughes “makes a persuasive argument that his position is the one most aligned with the principles early champions of black civil rights promoted.” Hawley hopes Hughes’s book “finds a large audience, and that it starts many worthwhile conversations.” “We will not move closer toward Hughes’ colorblind ideal,” Hawley concludes, “unless more people across our racial, ideological, and partisan divides are willing to set aside their resentments, giving up the unwholesome pleasures that the victimhood mentality can provide.”

Original Posts

Long Live America!

Michael Warren, RealClearPublicAffairs

I vividly remember when the impossible had happened — the Berlin Wall had fallen. Through my dorm window at the University of Michigan Law School, I watched European students spontan...