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4/11/2022

This week’s curation at RealClear’s American Civics portal begins with Jack Miller’s latest article, “The Declaration’s Vision Should Unite Us.” He contends that if we want to re-establish a rich and deep understanding of American citizenship that can incorporate people of all races, ethnicities, and religions, we should look to the Declaration of Independence. With battles raging today over civic education – for example, the introduction critical race theory in classrooms – the Declaration’s universal principles can serve as the foundation of a shared political life. As Miller writes, “Each generation should learn about the Declaration’s vision of equality and our continuing efforts to fulfill it. And they should learn how to be good, productive, and knowledgeable citizens.”

In a related piece that was also published at the American Civics portal, David Randall of the National Association of Scholars argues that parents should ensure that their children receive a complete civics education. This includes not only teaching from a solid civics curriculum (Randall recently wrote a report that surveys popular civics curricula) that teaches the basics of American government and the Founders’ moral beliefs but also urges parents to make “patriotism part of their" childrens' daily lives. Parents should have them sing patriotic songs, “fly the flag and teach their children about flag etiquette,” and “buy posters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and teach their children to read from them.”

Samuel Abrams discusses the findings of a recent survey that “reveals that Jewish Americans’ penchant for political engagement remains notably higher than the national norm.” He continues: “Jewish Americans are, for instance, far more likely to engage in political matters and vote” and “are far more likely to talk regularly about politics with their families at home compared to most Americans.” Also, they are “much more involved in their local neighborhoods than most Americans, and they are more open to political discussion,” which are “both gateways that lead to political engagement and voting” – especially in the 2022 midterm elections later this year.

Original Posts

The Declaration’s Vision Should Unite Us

Jack Miller, RealClearAmericanCivics

Deep divisions and endless hostility – especially around the controversial topics of race and discrimination – threaten to tear...

Parents Should Guide Their Children’s Civic Education

David Randall, RealClearAmericanCivics

In the News

Jackson Confirmed to the Supreme Court

Mary Clare Jalonick & Mark Sherman, Associated Press

Museum of African American History Spotlights Jackie Robinson

Paige Leckie, MLB.com

World’s Tallest Flagpole Project Unveiled in Rural Maine

Chris McLaughlin, MassLive

1619 Author Talks About ‘Racist’ World War II Generation

Ariel Zilber, New York Post

Judicial Discretion and the Rule of Law

N. William Delker, New Hampshire Bulletin

Debunking the Debunker

Alexander Riley, Minding The Campus

Institute for American Civics Comes Into Focus

Becca Wright, Knoxville News Sentinel

These Books Provide a Wider Perspective on Robert E. Lee’s Life

Wilford Kale, Virginia Gazette

To Keep Western Civilization Alive, Join In Its Great Conversation

Paul Krause, The Federalist

Getting America to Do Right by Americans of Color

Leonard Pitts, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

America’s Founders Remind Us That Transparency Is Part of Civic Courage

Jeffrey Brindle, Insider NJ

'The Flag and the Cross': Defining Christian Nationalism

D.G. Hart, Wall Street Journal

John Hancock Letter Proclaiming Independence Up for Auction

Pat Ralph, Philly Voice

‘His Greatest Speeches’ Review: Reading Lincoln With Care

Harvey C. Mansfield, Wall Street Journal

What Colleges Can Learn From Georgetown Day School's Embrace of Diverse Viewpoints

Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune

Multimedia

By the Sweat of Your Brow

Joshua Mitchell, First Things

2022 First Things Annual Lecture given by Professor Josh Mitchell of Georgetown University. The title this year is “By the Sweat...

Three Threats to Liberal Education

Peter Berkowitz, School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Part of the 2017-2018 lecture series, “Free Speech and Intellectual Diversity in Higher Education and American Society,” at Arizona State University.

MLK's Letter From a Birmingham Jail

Greg McBrayer & Jeff Sikkenga, American Idea

In this episode of The American Idea, Jeff welcomes back Dr. Greg McBrayer, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ashland...

LBJ and the Great Society

David Zarefksy, Julie Sweig, & David Randall, National Association of Scholars

In the mid-1960s, President Lyndon B. Johnson launched a series of domestic programs termed the "Great Society" that were...

What the White House Means to Me

Stewart McLaurin, 1600 Sessions

From reflections to a historical lightning round, Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, catches...

Carl Cannon's Great American Stories

Great American Stories: Betty Ford's Quote

It's Friday, April 8, 2022, the day of the week when I pass along a quotation intended to be uplifting. ...

Great American Stories: Franklin's Toleration

On this date in 1774, Benjamin Franklin penned a subversive political essay that revealed his particular genius as well as ...

Great American Stories: April Fools' Day Quote

On this date, one known for hijinks and humor, I must add a caveat: There is a basic difference between ...

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