The week’s curation at RealClear’s American Civics portal begins by noting a new partnership in civic education. The New Hampshire Department of Education recently announced a collaboration with the Woodson Center and 1776 Unites that has produced a video series and other material intended to show K-12 students the stories of black Americans who overcame adversity and lived up to the American promise of liberty and self-government. The four short videos feature well-known stories and figures, such as the exploits of the 54th Massachusetts regiment in the Civil War; Booker T. Washington, the distinguished author, orator, and educator; and other Americans who have long deserved to be highlighted, such as the inventor Elijah McCoy and Bridget (Biddy) Mason, who was born into slavery and died a California multi-millionaire. Ian Rowe, who hosts and narrates each video, said in a press conference that these efforts provide a more complete picture of the “African American experience in the United States.” They “offer authentic, inspiring stories” from our nation’s “past and present that show what is best in our national character, and what our freedom makes possible even in the most difficult circumstances.” At Newsweek, Delano Squires argues that the crumbling of the family in our culture – especially for black Americans – needs to be addressed. He explores the reasons why this is occurring: “The truth is that economic forces, broader cultural shifts around sex, marriage and children, and targeted policy interventions since the 1960s are a much more likely proximate cause for the increase of non-marital births among African Americans today than anything that happened on a southern plantation in 1822.” And he notes the unfortunate tendency of black Americans, such as former President Barack Obama, who have discussed these concerns in public to be “viciously attacked . . . for talking about the importance of marriage and fatherhood.” Original Posts Adam Carrington, RealClearPublicAffairs In the News Delano Squires, Newsweek Mark Hillman, Colorado Politics No Labels, RealClearPolicy Russell Berman, The Atlantic Keith Hennessey, George W. Bush Institute Brandon Millett, Philanthropy Roundtable Marcia Paterman Brookey, ASU News Sam Dorman, Fox News Scott Bomboy, National Constitution Center Douglas Carswell, Martin Center for Academic Renewal Patricia Murphy, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Allen C. Guelzo, Public Discourse Jennifer Miller, The Atlantic Jasmine Hollie, Tuscaloosa News Robby Soave, Reason Ian Rowe, Woodson Center In January 1863, President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, and the Union Army began recruiting Black... Diana Schaub & Tony Williams, Bill of Rights Institute How did Abraham Lincoln’s rhetoric in his speeches represent his principled statesmanship? In this episode of Scholar Talks... Patrick Dooley, Lee Clark Mitchell, James Nagel & David Randall, National Association of Scholars Despite his youth and lack of personal experience with warfare at the time of his writing, Crane wrote remarkably realistic... Carl Cannon's Great American Stories It's Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, the day of the week when I pass along a notable quotation. Today's words of ... Ten years ago, the Republican establishment awoke to the bracing reality that their planned coronation of Mitt Romney would have ... It's Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, the day of the week when I pass along an elucidating quotation. Today's insight comes, ... |