Episode 17 | Education & THe Press
In a stable democracy, a free press and schools are two institutions that can generally be counted on to provide a wide range of views in an objective, expansive way. When governments start to control the media and limit the capacity of esteemed educational institutions, it threatens our ability to hold and honor differences and creates more divisiveness.
The Trump administration's attack on both the media and education is strategic. He said to 60 Minutes Anchor, Lelsey Stahl, that he works so hard to discredit the press and “liberal” education so that no one will believe them when Trump is portrayed negatively. It is really something when the leader of the so-called “free world” cannot handle criticism. I’ve said this repeatedly, but our job as citizens of a democracy is to challenge it so that it grows and stretches continually.
You don’t have to do something giant and newsworthy to take a stand against the erosion of these two entities. Hope is usually much quieter than power. It consists of considering what is, noticing what needs tending to, and picking up the pieces where you can. It consists of small daily acts. Fascism seeks to erode hope, but whether we let it is up to us. Stand up for your schools and your local publications wherever you can.
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Bono on “Stories of Surrender”
The New Yorker Radio Hour with Lesley Stahl
Heather Cox Richardson, May 31, 2025
“Crucible of Hope” with Dr’s Bill Kerley and Holly Hudley
Ruby Bridges, “A Talk With My Teacher”