Across America today, there’s a palpable sense of anxiety—echoes of division and violence fill both the streets and our screens. It’s distressing, really, how often our responses seem to lean towards destruction and confusion, often opting for temporary fixes rather than addressing the underlying issues.
We tend to discuss policies and propose reforms, trying to manage disruptions on the surface. Yet the real crisis goes much deeper, and it’s, um, uncomfortable to admit that. The anxiety we’re witnessing isn’t just random; it stems from moral and spiritual upheaval—a collapse that didn’t happen spontaneously but was, in fact, cultivated within our education system for decades.
For many generations, American education had a meaningful purpose. It went beyond just conveying knowledge—it was about shaping character. Schools partnered with families and communities to instill enduring values, emphasizing authority, national pride, personal responsibility, and virtue. These qualities prepared young men and women to be constructive citizens and moral leaders. Somewhere along the line, though, we seem to have lost sight of that mission.
As a university president, I encountered countless remarkable young people. But, too often, I found students arriving at our institution feeling let down—not because of their scholarly abilities, but due to a lack of moral guidance. Many are eager and capable, yet they search for purpose and clarity in a world that has taught them to question the very foundations that once provided stability. I recall one student saying, “I don’t even know what I believe anymore. Everything feels controversial.” It’s a sentiment echoed by many who, after years in the public education system, find themselves questioning their truths.
Another instance comes to mind—a transfer student who felt compelled to shed the values he grew up with while at his previous school. That kind of pressure should never exist within a learning environment. It really highlights how distorted education can become when it strays from its true purpose, morphing into an ideological weapon instead of a place of genuine learning.
In the name of progress, we’ve stripped away the very principles that once held society together. Objective truth has been overshadowed by personal feelings. Moral absolutes have, sadly, been dismissed as stifling. The quest for wisdom is overshadowed by ideological pursuits. Faith has been sidelined for secular views, and virtues dismissed as old-fashioned.
Instead of guiding students toward what is fundamentally true, we’ve taught them that truth is just a personal determination. Virtue? Well, it’s merely a pleasant feeling for the moment. Higher authorities? They should be questioned—maybe even disregarded.
The fallout from all this is painfully visible. Look around—we see fractured families, increased disrespect for life and law, and a culture that tends to celebrate victimhood amid divisions. There’s violence erupting on our streets and a hostility that permeates public discourse.
This degradation didn’t occur overnight. It’s been decades in the making. Extremists have long sought to reshape education—not to foster noble citizens, but to engineer society according to their ideology. They understood that controlling education meant controlling beliefs, and ultimately, shaping the future of America.
Far too often, we’ve stood by and allowed this to unfold. The churches bear some responsibility, too. When courage was essential, many chose comfort. Too many voices remained silent when the truth needed to be spoken. We took the path of least resistance, and in doing so, we lost a crucial moral compass.
Imagine if we could reclaim education for the sake of truth. Picture classrooms where students are taught to value life, to uphold virtues, and pursue wisdom over ideology. Schools could be places where families collaborate on character development, not just opinions. If raised with moral clarity, future generations could build, rather than tear down; unify instead of divide; serve, rather than seek to be served.
This isn’t merely about reforming schools. It’s about saving our nation. The violence and division we witness today aren’t the root problems; they’re symptoms. The real issue is this moral and spiritual disarray. And healing starts with confronting the truth.
If we genuinely want to rebuild America, we must begin with the hearts and minds of our children. The classroom has to be the focal point. We should stop merely treating symptoms and face the underlying causes. It’s time to stand firm and reclaim our schools, culture, and future.
Otherwise, the anxiety we’re experiencing now is nothing compared to the confusion that awaits us tomorrow.
