Leading off this week’s curation is the latest op-ed in our series highlighting important civic institutions at RealClearEducation. RealClear American Civics portal editor Mike Sabo explores the work of Great Hearts, a nonprofit that manages 33 charter schools in Texas and Arizona that provide students with a classical education. Inspired by the recent revelations concerning tacit editing to the New York Times’s 1619 Project, columnist Bret Stephens takes an in-depth look at the editorial problems that led to current questions about the Project’s veracity. He also examines 1619’s central claim: that slavery is America’s defining feature. He contends that “1776 is more powerful than that of 1619 because what makes America most itself” is “244 years of effort by Americans – sometimes halting, but often heroic – to live up to our greatest ideal.” Reflecting on Columbus Day, Dave Seminara questions the growing anti-Columbus narrative in the academy and government and sheds light on Italian-American history that is being shunted aside in favor of woke ideology. In the Fall 2020 issue of the Claremont Review of Books, Robert Royal writes about how Columbus has become “a blank slate on which to project the loves and hatreds of our time” rather than a complex character who shouldn’t be judged according to modern standards. At RealClear’s American Civics portal, Ed Achorn notes the recent attacks on Lincoln’s statue in Portland, where public officials are at best indifferent, at worst fanning the flames of continued public disorder. Achorn argues that those who pull down statues and commit acts of violence are at war with America’s “freedoms, and the foundational rule of law that protects people’s civil rights.” Sen. Ben Sasse gave an “eighth grade” civics refresher course during the Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett last week. He spoke about the crucial distinction between civics and politics, the importance of religious liberty, and the problems judicial activism and court packing pose to republican government. Original Posts Mike Sabo, RealClearEducation Edward Achorn, RealClearPublicAffairs Essential Reading Robert Royal, Claremont Review of Books Bartolomé de las Casas, a Dominican friar active in the early years of the European missionary efforts in the Americas, earned the name... In the News Tom Mackaman & David North, World Socialist Web Site Ben Zimmer, Wall Street Journal Deirdre Walsh, NPR Francis P. Sempa, RealClearHistory John Wood, Jr., RealClearPolitics No Labels, RealClearPolicy Joshua Lawson, The Federalist Mark Bauerlein, James G. Martin Center Paul Meany, Cato Institute J. Peder Zane, RealClearPolitics Sean Wilentz, New York Times Marc Morial, USA Today James Monroe, History News Network Paul Ludwig, Law & Liberty Aleksandra Srdanovic, RealClearPolicy Sen. Ben Sasse, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee On the first day of the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearing for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, U.S. Senator Ben Sasse spoke on the distinction between civics and politics... Bill of Rights Institute This Homework Help narrative explores the history of the Founding of the U.S. and the reasons why federalism was created as an important part... Allen Guelzo, PragerU Everyone knows the basics of the American Revolution: thirteen North American colonies revolted against British rule and won their independence... Michael Warren, Patriot Lessons Learn how the Founders finally determined that the King was their enemy and a despot, including through Thomas Paine’s masterpiece - Common... Hillsdale College While the political climate of today fosters an urgency to tear things down, Hillsdale College believes in building things... Robert Paquette, National Association of Scholars Lecture by Robert L. Paquette, President and Executive Director at The Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western... Carl Cannon's Great American Stories Four years ago tonight, Nevada hosted a faceoff that some locals dubbed the biggest prize fight in the history of ... Good morning, it's Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, the day the week when I reprise an instructive or inspirational quotation. Today's ... On this date in 1775, British troops billeted in Boston steeled themselves for an attack by a rebel force ringing ... |