Speechless: An Exclusive Look at Democracy Today

In his essay, reflects on his experiences at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State, tracing the shift from spirited campus debate to self-censorship and fear of offending. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ric Esther Bienstock’s documentary Speechless explores this transformation through controversies at Evergreen State, York College, and Stanford Law, as well as political battles over DEI in Florida. Examining intolerance across the political spectrum, the film and essay asks what happens to democracy when free expression gives way to silencing dissent. Join FAIR for an exclusive screening on October 28 at 7 p.m. ET, ahead of the film’s U.S. release.

“37% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month. 72% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is acceptable, at least in rare cases. 34% of students say using violence to stop someone from speaking on campus is acceptable, at least in rare cases.”

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Resisting Cancel Culture:…Free Speech in the College Classroom

FAIR Board of Advisors member examines how campus culture has increasingly discouraged open discussion and encouraged self-censorship. Drawing on survey data and her experience as a law professor and former ACLU president, Strossen explores how social pressure and fear of reprisal can silence students and faculty, undermining the university’s mission of intellectual inquiry. She argues that resisting cancel culture requires more than defending the right to speak: educators must actively foster debate, encourage students to engage with opposing viewpoints, and create classrooms where controversial ideas can be examined rather than dismissed.

“Overall, a full 62% of respondents concurred that “the political climate these days prevents me from saying things I believe because others might find them offensive.” Moreover, almost onethird of respondents—32%—say they worry they could miss out on job opportunities or get fired if their political views became known.”

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In Defense of Free Speech and the Mission of the University

FAIR Board of Advisors member makes the case that universities must protect the freedom to explore and debate even deeply controversial ideas. Responding to calls for campus censorship amid rising antisemitism, George argues that restricting speech based on viewpoint threatens the university’s core mission of truth-seeking and risks empowering administrators to silence dissent. He contends that genuine intellectual inquiry requires humility, a willingness to question our deepest convictions, and the courage to engage arguments we find offensive or wrong.

“When university administrators, professors, or students forbid the expression of certain points of view precisely because they consider them false, wrongheaded, or even spectacularly offensive, they are undermining the epistemological norms that must be heeded in order for the truth to be pursued authentically and well. Pursuing truth is often a difficult and uncomfortable process. It can even be terrifying—since it could be the case that certain things we desperately want to be true are in fact false, and things that we desperately want to be false are in fact true. And, of course, our wanting things to be true (or false) doesn’t make them so.”

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In this episode, Jon Kay speaks with filmmaker Ric Esther Bienstock about her decade-long project Speechless, a sweeping documentary examining the rise of cancel culture, campus activism, and the social consequences of dissent.

From the Evergreen State College protests to the cultural aftershocks of The Coddling of the American Mind, the film traces how debates over language, identity, and power have reshaped public discourse.

Bienstock embeds herself inside some of the most controversial flashpoints of the past decade—featuring figures like Bret Weinstein, Kathleen Stock, Carol Hooven, and Christopher Rufo—while attempting something rare: to document, rather than judge.

“…whatever the reasons are to kind of uh give a little lift to people who might need that lift. I am 110% for that. I just don’t like that it hardened into an ideology where you force professors to make a a DEI pledge when they’re teaching physics.” (30:27)

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This Song Of Love

In “This Song of Love,” explores how music connects us across generations, from America’s folk traditions to today’s country charts, and how technological and cultural shifts are reshaping the music industry. Through the lens of astrology and music history, she examines how new platforms and corporate influence are changing who controls creative expression, arguing that music’s enduring power to bring people together across differences makes it all the more important to preserve creativity, independent expression, and human connection in times of division.

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Has a Loss of Community Created a Mental Health Crisis for Today’s Youth?

Zarina Macha () examines the growing mental health crisis among young people and asks whether declining social connection may be part of the problem. Macha explores the effects of smartphones and social media alongside the decline of religion, civic life, and other sources of shared purpose and belonging. She considers what secular society can offer in their place, arguing that young people need meaningful community, structure, and a sense of purpose—not necessarily a return to traditional belief.

“People need community to feel connected to something greater than themselves. We need not return to superstitious beliefs to achieve this. What we need is a philosophy of how to live well, how to treat others, and how to take responsibility for ourselves and our communities — without asking the individual to disappear, and without leaving the individual to invent a whole moral world alone.”

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Illustration by Anna Broadhurst.

Generation Anxiety: smartphones have created a gen Z mental health crisis – but there are ways to fix it

FAIR Board of Advisors member Jonathan Haidt examines the rise in anxiety, depression, loneliness, and self-harm among young people and the potential role smartphones and social media have played.

Haidt argues that Gen Z was the first generation to experience adolescence with constant access to an online world, contributing to a decline in face-to-face interaction, physical play, and other forms of real-world social connection. He describes this shift as a “Great Rewiring of Childhood” and argues that addressing its effects will require collective action from parents, schools, and communities.

“People don’t get depressed when they face threats collectively; they get depressed when they feel isolated, lonely, or useless…”

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One Reason People Are Spending So Much Time Alone

As young people face rising levels of loneliness and social isolation, one question is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: have we designed human connection out of everyday life? In The Atlantic, Gabe Bullard examines how modern conveniences—from delivery services to self-checkout and other frictionless technologies—can quietly eliminate the small, ordinary interactions that once brought people together. His piece offers a broader perspective on the social disconnection explored in Zarina Macha’s essay, asking whether a culture built around convenience and individual choice may also be making community harder to sustain.

“When showing up for others feels hard, some strugglers have lately steeled themselves with a version of this maxim: “Inconvenience is the cost of community.” It’s a reminder, oft-repeated on social media these days, that if you don’t want to be lonely—if you want to have robust relationships—you should occasionally do things that are effortful or even irritating…”

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“Banned”, Really?

In her latest FAIR in Libraries article, Dr. Anne examines the debate over what qualifies as a “banned” book and argues that the focus on definitions can distract from a broader question: whether public libraries provide readers with access to a range of perspectives. Her article raises questions about viewpoint diversity, collection practices, and readers’ ability to access competing arguments. Mulhern encourages patrons to take an active role in their libraries by examining catalogues, requesting titles that are missing or difficult to access, and reporting concerns to FAIR to help promote transparency and accountability.

“The public libraries are promoting one point of view aggressively, and the other point of view is being hidden from the sight of patrons.”

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There’s No Such Thing as a Reading Test

In this article, FAIR Board of Advisors member Robert Pondiscio and education scholar E.D. Hirsch argue that reading comprehension depends on more than decoding words and practicing reading strategies; it also requires background knowledge and familiarity with the subject matter. They examine how an emphasis on standardized testing and generalized reading skills can leave students without the knowledge they need to understand what they read. The authors advocate for an approach to literacy that integrates reading instruction with subjects such as science, history, and literature, helping students build the knowledge necessary for deeper comprehension. Their argument highlights the importance of ensuring students have access to a broad, coherent education that equips them to engage with a wide range of ideas and information.

“Rather, too many of our schools labor under fundamental misconceptions about reading comprehension — how it works, how to improve it, and how to test it…The more domain knowledge our children receive, the more capable they will become as readers.”

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Building Resilient Libraries: Protecting Against Book Bans

In this article, Catherine Hollerbach examines how libraries can defend intellectual freedom amid increasing efforts to challenge and restrict access to books. She outlines the importance of transparent collection-development policies, consistent procedures for reconsidering challenged materials, and legal protections for libraries and their staff. Hollerbach also explores legislative efforts to safeguard access to books and the creation of book sanctuaries that preserve access to challenged titles. Her article emphasizes libraries’ responsibility to serve communities with diverse interests and perspectives while upholding readers’ freedom to choose what they read.

“Customers have the right and responsibility for what they and their children choose to check out, and for reviewing items before their kids check them out, if that is their preference. They do not, however, have the right to dictate what other parents may and may not have access to checking out.”

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Let’s Make Every Week “Freedom to Read Week”

In her latest FAIR in Libraries article, Dr. Anne challenges the way we think about censorship and intellectual freedom in public libraries. While Banned Books Week draws attention to books removed from library shelves, Dr. Mulhern asks readers to consider a different question: What about the books that never make it onto the shelves in the first place? Drawing on her experience as a former library trustee and her work documenting library collection practices, she examines how ideological bias can influence purchasing decisions and limit the range of perspectives available to patrons. Dr. Mulhern also introduces FAIR in Libraries’ new Incident Reporting initiative, which allows patrons to document cases where libraries resist clearly expressed community demand for particular books. She argues that making libraries genuinely open to every point of view requires more than celebrating banned books—it requires ensuring readers have access to the books they are asking for.

“When I was a child, it never occurred to me that political biases might determine a library’s purchasing choices. Even as an adult I did not worry much about this, since I assumed that even if there was some bias, it probably would not restrict my reading choices…I have realized that I was wrong to be complacent. There is so much to be concerned about.”

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Before They Can Read

FAIR Board of Advisors member Robert Pondiscio explores the foundational role picture books play in children's literacy, cultural knowledge, and cognitive development. Rather than limiting children to a handful of recommended titles, Pondiscio argues for exposing young readers to a wide range of stories, subjects, languages, and cultural traditions. Drawing on research into vocabulary development and reading comprehension, he explains how picture books build the background knowledge children need to understand more complex texts later in life. He also makes the case for continuing to read aloud to children long after they can read independently, emphasizing that a rich literary foundation can cultivate curiosity, knowledge, and a lifelong love of reading.

“…the real aim ought to be exposing children to the widest possible range of stories, subjects, and language as possible. Picture books aren’t just charming artifacts of early childhood or a bulwark against a screen-based life. They are the foundation of literacy, cultural knowledge, and cognitive growth.”

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Books Aren’t Disappearing From Schools

In a recent essay, FAIR Board of Advisors member Robert Pondiscio examines a new RAND report on whole-book reading in secondary English classrooms. While nearly 90 percent of ELA teachers report assigning at least one complete book each year, Pondiscio argues that the findings raise a more troubling question: which students are getting sustained access to books, and how often? Students in high-poverty schools, majority-nonwhite schools, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities appear less likely to encounter whole books. Pondiscio explores how testing, curriculum design, and an increasingly fragmented approach to reading may be contributing to the decline of sustained literary engagement—and makes the case for recovering a richer understanding of reading as an experience of language, knowledge, memory, and thought.

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Out of Circulation: Expanding Censorship in Public Libraries

As debates over book bans continue, PEN America’s latest report, Out of Circulation: Expanding Censorship in Public Libraries, examines how censorship efforts are affecting public libraries across the country. The report documents not only challenges and removals of books, but also political pressure on librarians, restrictions on displays and programming, and efforts to influence library governance. Together, these developments raise broader questions about who decides what information remains available to the public—and what intellectual freedom means when censorship can extend beyond the removal of a single book.

“Public libraries can be a foundational democratic institution only if they can speak to everyone and only if librarians’ curation decisions can occur free from partisan pressure or restriction. However, ongoing political and public pressures are challenging these very principles.”

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The Fall and Rise of Jason Arday

the rise and downfall of Cambridge professor Jason Arday, arguing that his story raises broader questions about merit, accountability, and the institutional culture that helped elevate him. The essay considers what happens when reputation and identity become more important than scrutiny—and the consequences for both individuals and the institutions that champion them.

“There are many still alive who had a hand in this. And they are frantic to re-write his story now: Those who fawned over him. Who deliberately looked away from the many signs and portents signaling that the shaky credentials and the man himself demanded deeper scrutiny. The smug universities that treated him like both an exotic prince and a scalp brought home from the Indian Wars. The Marxists, who cynically turned him from a troubled man into a golden calf.

All of them put this man in the earth.”

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Merit, Identity, and the Rhetoric of Oppression

FAIR Board of Advisors member Erec Smith examines the relationship between DEI, meritocracy, and the language of oppression. Drawing on his experience testifying before Congress, Smith argues that framing people primarily through narratives of victimhood can limit rather than empower them—and calls for an approach centered on agency, achievement, and open dialogue.

“We can reject the tragic outlook and choose one of triumph, heroism, and empowerment, not as conditions we acquire but as conditions we possess in the first place. There is hope. Scholars like Lindsey Stewart and Badia Ahad-Legardy are doing interesting work that rejects the reduction of black American life to tragedy and trauma.”

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How Affirmative Action Backfires on Minority Students, and Why Colleges Do It Anyway

Kenny Xu examines the unintended consequences of race-conscious admissions policies, arguing that attempts to increase diversity can ultimately undermine the students those policies are intended to benefit. Xu focuses on the tension between institutional diversity goals and merit-based standards, and asks whether students are truly served when admissions decisions move away from individual achievement.

“When students are admitted to college for reasons other than their own merit, they will soon find themselves struggling to cope with expectations they were not prepared for. The school may score its diversity points, but minority students will often be ill-served.”

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Something Unusual Happened at the Emmys

Is Hollywood moving away from the expectation that major arts events double as political platforms?

FAIR in the Arts Interim Director looks at this year’s Emmy Awards through the lens of FAIR in the Arts, asking whether Hollywood is rediscovering the power of art to bring people together without requiring them to share the same politics. With the ceremony focused on creativity, craft, and the people who make television, the Emmys offered a glimpse of the pluralistic artistic culture FAIR in the Arts seeks to support—one where artists can disagree profoundly and still create something extraordinary together.

“But freedom of expression also means an artist should not have to adopt a political identity in order to belong to an artistic community, a point made by Pluribus creator, Vince Gilligan when he said ‘We will never agree on everything, but we can treat each other with respect.’”

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What Ballet Is

In this essay for The New Criterion, ballet director and FAIR Board of Advisors member Lincoln Jones considers what happens when artistic spaces become increasingly shaped by political and ideological expectations. Drawing on his experience directing American Contemporary Ballet, Jones argues for preserving art as a space for beauty, expression, and creative freedom—and asks what happens to art when artists no longer feel free to say what they think.

“Our society needs political thought, we need activism, and we need art. We don’t need them—nor can we have the best of them—in a single experience.”

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Art as Political Discourse

Philosopher Vid Simoniti explores what art can contribute to political conversations that conventional debate cannot. From satire to television, Simoniti argues that different artistic forms can challenge our assumptions, complicate our perspectives, and help us see people beyond political or social categories. His essay offers a complementary perspective to Howes’s look at the Emmys: rather than asking whether art should be political, it considers how artistic expression can create space for more thoughtful and pluralistic public discourse.

“There is no claim here that some distinct know-how or wisdom is acquired, nor that artworks are substitutes for lived experience. Artworks are simply contributions to a public debate. Those that are best at it will leave their audiences with beliefs better attuned to how the world is, in ways that would not have been possible had those audiences engaged in the objective-style debate alone.”

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What Are Libraries Including in Their “Inclusion” Policies?

examines the competing meanings of “inclusion” within the library profession, asking whether efforts to promote diversity and inclusion can sometimes come at the expense of intellectual freedom. Drawing on library policies and recent controversies involving books, speakers, and public events, Dudley explores the tension between creating welcoming spaces for everyone and adopting ideological approaches that may exclude certain ideas or perspectives. He argues that libraries must carefully consider what they mean by “inclusion” if they are to uphold their commitments to neutrality, equal access, and the freedom to read.

“These examples illustrate how “inclusive” policies can result, ironically, in a form of exclusion. In applying this social justice lens to library policy, librarians can end up imposing their own world views onto the craft and seeking to champion diversity and inclusion through the removal of ideas they view as harmful. All other things being equal, however, holding unpopular views–even those some find offensive–is not grounds for censorship.”

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Narratives and Reality with Wilfred Reilly

In this episode of FAIR Perspectives, political scientist and FAIR Advisor Wilfred Reilly examines the gap between popular narratives and objective reality. Reilly discusses how political and cultural narratives can persist despite contradictory evidence, the role of data and expertise in challenging prevailing assumptions, and the consequences of ignoring uncomfortable facts. The conversation also explores censorship, ideological conformity, and the importance of confronting reality—even when doing so challenges deeply held beliefs.

“So the focus of censorship today, and I would actually suspect the focus of censorship throughout history, is not on removing false information, it's on removing true information that powerful people don't like.”

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Misunderstandings of Intellectual Humility

Psychologist Todd B. Kashdan examines intellectual humility and challenges the idea that it is simply an individual trait. Drawing on psychological research, Kashdan argues that humility, curiosity, and openness to new ideas are also shaped by the social environments we create. He explores how groups and institutions can cultivate cultures that encourage questioning, perspective-taking, and a willingness to revise our beliefs in light of new evidence.

“It’s about how we, as a group, create an environment that encourages humility, that values questioning and curiosity, and that isn’t afraid to say, “I am definitely not the smartest person in the room, so where is my thinking off?”

This idea is in line with some of the latest psychological research. There’s a growing recognition that traits we usually think of as individual—like implicit bias or a growth mindset—might be better understood as a product of our social environments than about us as individuals.”

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The Artist’s Obligation is to the Work

By KJP Howes, Interim Director of FAIR in Arts, reflects on what FAIR has come to mean to her as an artist and why spaces that protect artistic freedom are increasingly important. Howes describes FAIR as a community where people can disagree, question, and debate while maintaining civility, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to art for art’s sake. She argues that artists should be free to follow their ideas wherever they lead, explore complexity, and tell the truth as they see it without having to make their work politically useful or conform to prevailing cultural expectations.

“There is enormous pressure today for artists to become activists and for works of art to affirm particular social or political perspectives. But activism is not the artist’s obligation.

The artist’s obligation is to the work. To follow an idea wherever it leads. To tell the truth as the artist sees it. To illuminate contradictions rather than conceal them. To explore the complexity of human beings rather than reduce them to categories. I believe that is the kind of art that needs to be protected and supported.”

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AGAINST SELF CENSORSHIP IN THE ARTS

Heather Shayne Blakeslee examines how cultural and political pressures can cause artists to censor themselves before their work is even made. Through her conversation with painter Charles Browning, Blakeslee explores how concerns over identity, representation, and who is “allowed” to tell certain stories can leave artists questioning whether they should create at all. She argues that artists need the freedom to follow their creative instincts, take risks, and explore unfamiliar territory without being constrained by the expectations of the moment.

“In the ’90s, Browning felt that he’d become stuck as an artist, and that maybe no one needed his voice, thinking to himself, “White men have had plenty of space to speak,” he told me. Other white male artists I’ve spoken with have also become so absorbed in a certain kind of progressive worldview about whose voice should be lifted and whose we don’t need to hear from that they considered not making art anymore. I find this a troubling phenomenon, not least of which because the amount of art that should be made is not finite, nor is there a finite number of souls who deserve to make it.”

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THE CASUALTIES OF THE CULTURE WAR

Angel Eduardo explores what happens to art when everything is expected to serve a political purpose. Eduardo argues that artists need the freedom to create work that is strange, challenging, beautiful, or simply human—not art designed to “further the cause.” When ideological conformity becomes the standard by which art is judged, we risk losing the experimentation, complexity, and dissent that make art valuable in the first place.

“We also need institutions that are viewpoint neutral, so that the rebels, nonconformists, oddballs, kooks, and contrarians have the chance to contribute something without having to tick identity boxes or fulfill ideological requirements. We need works that stir something in us, that cause us to stop and think, that get us roaring with laughter and seething with rage. It’s all valuable. It’s all necessary. It’s all human.”

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Civil Discourse, Civic Friendship, and Civil Liberties

This week, we highlighted Robert P. George’s reflections on the role of intellectual humility in preserving meaningful civil discourse and protecting civil liberties. George argues that recognizing our own fallibility is essential to genuine truth-seeking, particularly when engaging with people whose political, moral, or religious convictions differ from our own.

Rather than treating disagreement as a battle to be won, the essay encourages readers to approach opposing viewpoints as opportunities for dialogue, challenge, and deeper understanding. George ultimately warns against both relativism and dogmatism, making the case that a shared commitment to truth can help sustain civic friendship even amid profound disagreement.

“People of goodwill, intellectually and morally serious people of every shade of belief, have in common a desire to know the truth and to live by the truth. We want to avoid falling so deeply in love with our opinions, whatever they happen to be, that we prefer them to the truth. If something we believe, even if it’s a belief we cherish, is in fact false, we want to know that. We want to get ourselves in line with the truth, even if it means abandoning an opinion we had deeply held. Even when the truth is a hard truth, we’d rather know it than continue to embrace a falsehood, even a comfortable and comforting falsehood.”

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What Yale Law School Taught Me About Free Speech and Friendship

Jonathan Kay reflects on his time at Yale Law School, where political disagreements were often sharp but did not prevent students with very different beliefs from becoming friends. He contrasts that experience with today’s increasingly polarized, digitally mediated political culture, where ideological differences can become barriers to meaningful relationships and conversation. Kay argues that real-world friendships create an important incentive to listen, debate in good faith, and remember that the person on the other side of an argument may also be a colleague, neighbor, or friend. His essay ultimately asks what is lost when political identity becomes so central that it prevents us from engaging with people who see the world differently—and whether genuine friendship across disagreement can help preserve the open dialogue essential to a healthy civic culture.

“By today’s standards, however, these discussions were reasonably civil, in part because they were conducted exclusively in person, not on social media (which didn’t yet exist). YLS is a tiny place (a third the size of Harvard’s law school) and so you had to keep in mind that your debating opponent might also be your friend, law-journal colleague, roommate, softball-team teammate, or racquetball partner (yes, that sweatband-and-Tab sport was still a thing back then). These real-world social and civic connections kept your tongue in check.”

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What Happens When We Stop Trying to Win a Difficult Conversation?

Willow Paul explores how curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to listen can transform difficult conversations. Drawing from her own experience and work in public deliberation, Paul argues that understanding someone’s perspective does not require agreeing with them—it requires looking beyond conclusions to the experiences and values that shaped them. Ultimately, the essay offers a case for choosing curiosity over certainty and seeing disagreement not as a contest to win, but as an opportunity to learn from one another and build stronger communities.

“The goal, I discovered, should never have been agreement. It was understanding, the point where someone’s view makes sense to you as something a person could reasonably arrive at, even when reaching that point is hard. That was exactly what my father and I had never had a way to give each other. It showed me the path I wanted to take in life.

Even beliefs that look irrational on the surface usually trace back to a real concern or value underneath. Understanding that root does not mean every belief holds up equally against facts. Some do not. What it means is that curiosity about the person’s underlying concern is what makes deep value-based conversation possible. You can respect where someone is coming from and still hold the line on what is true.”

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I Am Not Your “Black Friend” — An Experience of Race.

This week, we examine race, identity, belonging, and the assumptions that can shape how we see ourselves and one another. In “I Am Not Your ‘Black Friend,’” offers a deeply personal reflection on growing up without rigid racial categories, confronting them later in life, and navigating the expectations placed on her because of her appearance and identity. From experiences with racial bullying and cultural erasure to confronting racism from different communities, Fox considers what it means to be seen as an individual rather than a representative of a particular group. Ultimately, her essay is about the freedom to define yourself beyond the labels others place upon you—and the importance of embracing the complexity of our own stories.

“As an adult, standing up still looks like calling out injustice even when it doesn’t immediately create change, and, more importantly, accepting myself. I used to hold firmly to the identity of multiracial. I would suck in my lips, copy trends in Eurocentric fashion and never wear my hair out. Being multiracial made others more comfortable, and I experienced much better treatment when I was “exotic.” I have since accepted the racial marker Black, partially for convenience, but also because if that is what others already see me as, then fine—I will be Black, but I will be my version of Black.

I will wear my afro. I will have a story that goes against stereotypes. I will see myself and others as human first. I am an artist, an author, Polish, American, Bahamian, French-speaking, human... and yes, I am also proudly Black.”

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White Guilt Releases on October 6

This week, we look at how ideas about race, identity, and history shape the stories we tell about ourselves and our society. In “White Guilt Releases on October 6,” filmmaker Eli Steele reflects on the long journey behind his new documentary, the ideas that inspired it, and his father’s decades-long examination of what he calls “white guilt.” Steele considers how these questions have increasingly entered public debate—and asks what happens when a society assigns permanent guilt to an entire race. The piece offers a look at the film’s origins, the cultural conversations surrounding it, and the broader questions Steele hopes the documentary will provoke.

“The one thing I admire about my father is that he took the blows for warning about white guilt when there was no reward for it. There was only a cost. This was in the 1990s and the 2000s, which were brutal, isolating times in the culture wars. CNN and the New York Times and the like iced him out completely. Universities stopped inviting him. If the left could not debate his ideas, they would isolate him to the margins. His books were dropped from bookstores and libraries.”

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Deracialization Now

Deracialization Now explores the possibility of moving beyond race as a defining category of identity and public life. Greg Thomas argues for separating race from culture and heritage, allowing people to embrace their histories without being bound by racial classifications or stereotypes. Drawing on thinkers including Glenn Loury, John McWhorter, Kmele Foster, and Charles Johnson, the essay asks whether a more individualistic, human-centered approach to identity could help Americans move toward greater pluralism and shared civic life.

“By definition and intent, race separates and divides. Conflating race and culture twists and tightens this division. Separating or bracketing culture from race tends toward appreciating human commonalities and differences in a more nuanced manner than judging and stereotyping groups of people based on skin color will allow.”

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Challenges in Navigating the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of American History

This week, we highlighted an essay by Matt Marsden examining how conflicting narratives about American history can shape our understanding of the country’s founding, Native American history, and ideals of liberty. Responding to a PBS video that he argues presents an overly simplified account of America’s past, Marsden calls for greater context and nuance when examining the country’s complicated history.

Marsden explores the dangers of replacing one revisionist narrative with another, arguing that difficult chapters of American history should neither be erased nor reduced to simple categories of good and evil. Ultimately, the essay makes the case for greater informational literacy and intellectual humility, encouraging readers to research competing claims, acknowledge historical complexity, and engage in good-faith dialogue about the past.

“Cycles of competition and cooperation are the norm throughout human history—an unfortunate aspect of our shared humanity.”

“But while American history has seen no shortage of bias, it must be maintained that replacing one revisionist history with another isn’t the answer. Such stark representations may instead create misunderstanding, confusion, distrust, or even resentment, while stunting efforts towards progress for all parties.”

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Ferguson at Twelve: The Lie That Divided a Nation

This week, Eli Steele revisits the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the competing narratives that emerged in its aftermath. Steele examines how the “Hands up, don’t shoot” account became a powerful cultural narrative despite subsequent investigations challenging key elements of the story, and argues that its legacy continues to shape how Americans understand race, policing, and justice.

Steele explores how the Ferguson narrative moved beyond the original event and into schools, universities, politics, and racial justice organizations, arguing that the reluctance to question an established narrative can have consequences long after the original facts have been established. Ultimately, the essay asks what happens when political and cultural narratives become so entrenched that challenging them is treated as a moral failing rather than an invitation to examine the evidence.

“On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown was eighteen years old when he was shot and killed by Officer Darren Wilson. Within hours of the shooting, Dorian Johnson, who had been with Brown prior to the shooting, told the world that Brown had his hands up in the air and said, don’t shoot. The “Hands up, don’t shoot” slogan spread across the world like wildfire…It became, to use my father’s phrase, a poetic truth, the kind of lie that a nation believes not because the evidence supports it but because it confirms what many Americans suspected of their nation.”

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Why Knowledge-Rich Curriculum Never Wins

This week, we highlighted an essay by Robert Pondiscio examining why knowledge-rich education remains difficult to implement despite growing evidence that background knowledge is essential to reading comprehension and critical thinking. Pondiscio argues that the barriers are not primarily scientific, but instead stem from competing educational philosophies, institutional structures, teacher autonomy, local control, and an emphasis on skills over shared knowledge.

Pondiscio explores the tension between educational pluralism and a common body of knowledge, as well as the challenges posed by AI, which can make information easier to access while making genuine understanding more important than ever. Ultimately, the essay argues that while the evidence for knowledge-rich education may have won the debate, the deeper cultural and structural obstacles to putting that evidence into practice remain.

“None of these obstacles are disputes about cognitive science. Most analysts and advocates now accept that knowledge matters. There is nearly universal acceptance that reading comprehension depends heavily on what readers already know. Said differently, the obstacles to knowledge-rich education are not scientific; they are ideological, professional, structural, political, cultural, and increasingly technological. That should be sobering for curriculum advocates. It is a profound misunderstanding of the current moment to assume that knowledge-rich education is merely a matter of implementation.”

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Is the Backlash Against Tech in Schools Going Too Far?

This week, we highlighted an essay by Lina Eroh examining the growing backlash against technology in schools and the need to distinguish between tools that hinder learning and those that genuinely support it. Eroh acknowledges legitimate concerns about excessive screen time, artificial intelligence, and the loss of deep thinking and human connection, but argues that treating all educational technology as equally harmful risks eliminating tools that can provide meaningful academic and accessibility support.

Eroh ultimately calls for a more evidence-based approach to ed-tech, asking whether a tool actually improves student outcomes, strengthens rather than replaces good teaching, and serves a clear educational purpose. Rather than framing the debate as technology versus no technology, she argues that schools should focus on understanding when technology helps students learn—and when it gets in the way.

“The past decade offers plenty of reasons for skepticism. Schools adopted lots of technology rapidly, often without clear evidence that it improved student outcomes. One study of tools built specifically for education purposes found only 1 in 5 showed any evidence of impact. It’s no wonder that teachers experienced firsthand how devices and poorly designed products could interrupt learning rather than support it and that parents watched children struggle with attention, social connection, and mental health in an increasingly digital world.

Those lessons matter. But another lesson matters too: Schools, teachers, and students continue to face real challenges, and technology can help address them.”

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The Case Against Andrew Tate, but For Free Speech

This week, we highlighted an essay by Michael Mohr examining the controversy surrounding Andrew Tate’s presence on Substack and the broader debate over free speech, censorship, and deplatforming. While Mohr makes clear that he does not endorse Tate or his views, he argues that defending free speech requires protecting the right to express even ideas that many people find offensive or objectionable.

Mohr explores the tension between private platforms and the increasingly important role social media plays as a modern “town square.” He argues that cultural censorship and deplatforming can have consequences beyond any individual platform, particularly as society’s definitions of what is acceptable, offensive, or harmful continue to change. Ultimately, the essay asks whether free speech can truly protect everyone if it only extends to ideas that are considered acceptable by the prevailing culture.

“Free speech has one main purpose: To protect citizens’ unpopular speech. The problem with people mobbing together and deciding who can stay and who must go is that we as a society don’t have agreed-upon understandings of what is ‘moral,’ ‘good,’ ‘safe’ and ‘right.’”

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The Cambridge Fabulist

This week, Eli Steele examines the controversy surrounding Cambridge professor Jason Arday and journalist Jack Grove, who investigated allegations that Arday’s doctoral thesis contained passages similar to those in an earlier dissertation. Steele focuses not only on the disputed plagiarism allegations—which Arday denies and which remain contested—but also on what followed when Grove raised questions about the thesis.

Steele argues that Grove’s inquiry raises broader questions about academic scrutiny, institutional accountability, and the consequences of invoking accusations of racism in response to criticism. He contends that legitimate questions about academic work should be examined on their merits, regardless of the identities of those involved, while acknowledging that the underlying allegations remain unresolved.

“…white guilt and the genius of this power is that it never has to argue. It only charges racism. It makes no offer to review and pick apart the evidence … and it makes the examination of the evidence itself the crime. Arday’s black skin in this culture of victimization gave him the power to flip the script on Grove and the accused became the accuser. And the terror of being seen as a racist strikes fear in the newly accused. Grove had committed the sin of asking the question of a black man who reached not for merit but the charge of racism in response.”

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Public university employees feel less free to speak out on campus, surveys show

We’re also highlighting a recent report from the Iowa Capital Dispatch examining free expression among public-university employees and students. New survey results suggest that while a majority of students do not feel their free-speech rights are restricted, more than two-thirds of university employee respondents reported feeling less free to speak openly on campus.

The findings raise broader questions about academic freedom, workplace culture, and whether professors and university employees feel able to express controversial views without fear of professional or social consequences.

“More than two-thirds of surveyed faculty said they worried at least a little bit about being reported inside their classrooms, Kysar-Moon said, and the more closely respondents pay attention to higher education policy, the more likely they are to self-censor. This could include avoiding certain topics in academic or research settings or changing their behavior or engagement with social media and public spaces.”

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2026 College Free Speech Rankings

This week, we’re also highlighting FIRE’s 2026 College Free Speech Rankings, which examine the state of free expression on college campuses across the country. Drawing on years of student survey data, the rankings explore how comfortable students feel expressing controversial opinions, engaging in political discussions, and disagreeing with their peers and professors.

The findings offer a broader look at the climate surrounding free expression and speech in higher education and raise an important question: Can meaningful intellectual debate exist when students are afraid to speak openly?

“After six years of surveying almost 300,000 college undergraduates nationwide, a sobering picture has emerged: students are reluctant to speak their minds, especially on controversial political issues. Many report that they self-censor regularly, avoid certain topics entirely, and doubt their administrators would defend free expression if controversy struck.”

“The 2026 rankings reveal a bleak picture: 166 of the 257 schools evaluated received an overall score below 60 — earning a failing grade for their campus speech climate. This group includes some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions: Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, and both the University of California at Berkeley and in Los Angeles. Notably, UCLA also holds the distinction of being the lowest-ranked “green light” school this year.”

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Where Are You From?

This week, we highlighted an essay by Vic Levitin reflecting on identity, immigration, and the search for belonging in an increasingly interconnected world. Drawing on his experiences growing up in Israel after being born in Ukraine, and later raising his family in Thailand, Levitin explores how moving between cultures reshaped his understanding of home, tribe, and human connection.

Rather than viewing identity as something determined by nationality or ethnicity alone, he argues that belonging is built through shared experiences, relationships, and the communities we create throughout our lives. Through deeply personal stories of family, travel, and parenthood, the essay asks readers to reconsider what it really means to answer the seemingly simple question, “Where are you from?”

“When everything from the money to the social codes becomes unreadable, your brain starts desperately scanning for any familiar anchor just to simplify things again. This is not to suggest one culture is superior to the other. As a multilingual, multicultural traveler, I have experienced the best and worst of many nations. Rather, in a world that often sends us out from our homes, away from our tribes and into places we can’t speak our mother language, familiarity becomes the ultimate comfort.”

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FAIR SCREENING - KILLING AMERICA

This week, FAIR hosted a screening of Killing America, followed by a live discussion with filmmaker Eli Steele, FAIR Executive Director Monica Harris, and Diana Blum, whose fight against antisemitism in one of America’s wealthiest school districts became the focus of the film.

In a companion essay, Steele reflects on the unexpected barriers the documentary faced before its release, recounting how organizations that publicly champion viewpoint diversity and combat antisemitism repeatedly declined to host screenings. The piece asks an uncomfortable but important question: What responsibility do institutions have to act on the values they publicly endorse?

“It raises a question the institutions should have to answer: What is the point of an organization that claims to fight antisemitism if it will not show up for the film, or even for the families, when it actually matters? And why do so many of these organizations refuse to address the underlying conditions that give permission to antisemitism such as liberated ethnic studies and other similar forms of indoctrination?”

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Cultural Misunderstandings: On the Misuses of the Term “Culture”

Dr. Doug Novotny, FAIR’s new Interim Director of FAIR in Medicine, explores how the term culture has becomee increasingly flattened in modern mental health discourse. Rather than treating culture as a static collection of demographic traits, Novotny argues for a richer understanding rooted in shared meaning, history, traditions, and lived experience.

Drawing on psychology and anthropology, he suggests that viewing people through the lens of dynamic cultural systems—rather than fixed identity labels—allows for deeper human connection, more effective therapy, and a fuller appreciation of individual complexity.

“True culture is fascinating and evocative, like a novel, the arts, or cinema. A person, an education, or the arc of a therapy can be fruitfully understood in this way. In contrast, fetishized culture diminishes anything or anyone viewed through that lens. No one should be regarded as a mere set of concrete traits, least of all by professionals, whose job it is to see beyond—not be bound within—dehumanizing tendencies.”

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Oh, Great Nation

This week, we featured an essay by Anisa Fox reflecting on America’s 250th anniversary through the perspective of a Bahamian-American immigrant. Drawing on her experiences growing up in the Bahamas and later moving to the United States, Fox argues that patriotism and honest criticism are not mutually exclusive. While acknowledging America’s flaws, she contends that they should not overshadow the freedoms, opportunities, and stability that continue to make the nation worth celebrating.

Fox’s appreciation for the everyday aspects of American life that are often taken for granted—from reliable infrastructure and educational opportunities to civic freedoms and public institutions informs her sense of gratitude and national self-reflection. She recognizes that America’s imperfections need not diminish its enduring greatness.

“I will never forget the first time a package arrived at my door after I moved to the United States. It felt like magic. I will never forget my first time in a Super Walmart. I thought it was a mall—I couldn’t imagine such abundance. I will never forget my first time riding a train or visiting a library or museum, many of which are free in America. Having police that respond in minutes, a court system that takes its cases seriously, and being able to vote in ways that bring about impact are all things that as an American I am thankful for and as a Bahamian am amazed by.”

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How to Raise a Grateful American

This week, we also recommend an essay by Robert Pondiscio examining the role parents can play in cultivating gratitude and civic responsibility as America marks its 250th anniversary. Arguing that schools alone cannot instill a love of country, Pondiscio encourages families to teach children not only about America’s failures, but also about the freedoms, institutions, and opportunities that generations have worked to build and preserve.

Rather than advocating for blind patriotism, the essay argues that gratitude and honest criticism are complementary civic virtues.

“For all our political divisions, cultural anxieties, and a litany of daily complaints, I suspect most of us would choose America. Not because America is perfect. Not because it is free from injustice, conflict, or disappointment. Simply because if you had to place a bet on which nation offered you the greatest likelihood of living your life in safety, prosperity, dignity, and freedom, you would be hard-pressed to make a better wager. Needless to say, this is not how many Americans think about their country. Nor, alas, is it the way many children learn about it.”

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Devon Akmon explores the unique role museums can play in rebuilding trust at a time of growing social division. Drawing on research showing that museums remain among America’s most trusted public institutions, Akmon argues that they are uniquely positioned to foster curiosity, dialogue, and meaningful engagement across political and cultural differences.

Akmon suggests that by encouraging thoughtful conversation instead of ideological certainty, museums can help strengthen the habits of empathy, curiosity, and civic trust that underpin a healthy democracy.

“At a moment when trust in public institutions is fragile, museums hold a rare and valuable position. They are places where people still expect to learn something new and to encounter ideas different from their own. When museums invite visitors to think together about complex issues, whether through exhibitions, conversations or community partnerships, they help nurture the habits of curiosity and empathy that democracy depend on.”

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The Publishing Industry Stopped Believing in Its Readers

This week, we featured an essay by exploring what the extraordinary success of Theo of Golden reveals about the modern publishing industry. Using Allen Levi’s bestselling novel as a case study, Libes argues that publishers have spent decades favoring minimalist, fast-paced fiction while increasingly assuming that readers lack the appetite for slower, more intellectually demanding literature. She suggests that Theo of Golden challenges those assumptions, demonstrating that ambitious literary fiction still has a broad audience when given the chance to reach one.

Looking beyond a single bestselling novel, the essay examines how editorial preferences, BookTok culture, and an industry-wide emphasis on accessibility may be reshaping not only what gets published, but also how readers engage with literature itself. Libes contends that publishing plays a powerful role in shaping culture and argues that if publishers once again champion complex, reflective fiction, readers may prove far more willing to embrace it than the industry has long assumed.

“Publishing shapes our culture more than we like to admit. The very books championed by our publishing professionals become the books that we not only read and discuss but also aspire to write ourselves. If year after year the publishing industry rewards simpler, faster, and more disposable fiction, then readers inevitably become accustomed to “fast-paced” books that require no afterthought.

If, on the other hand, publishers start championing ambitious, intellectually rich novels again, then there is every reason to believe readers would rise to meet them.”

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This week, we shared a tribute by Natasha Willowdale remembering educator and FAIR chapter leader Richard Bilkszto on the third anniversary of his passing. Reflecting on their friendship, Richard's unwavering commitment to fairness in education, and the profound impact he had on colleagues and students alike, Willowdale offers a deeply personal remembrance of a man who continued advocating for the principles he believed in long after his retirement.

The essay also reflects on the importance of preserving Richard's legacy by continuing the work he dedicated himself to throughout his career.

Learn More Here

Friends of Richard Bilkszto

What Killed Michael Brown?

This week, FAIR hosted a screening of What Killed Michael Brown?, the award-winning documentary by filmmaker Eli Steele and his father, Shelby Steele. Revisiting the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown and the national conversation that followed, the film examines how one of the defining events of the last decade shaped public discourse on race, policing, and systemic racism.

Ahead of the screening, Eli reflected on the making of the documentary, the climate in which it was released, and why he believes revisiting Ferguson remains important today. Missed the screening? You can still read Eli’s reflections on the film and explore additional resources using the links below.

“What makes us most proud is the impact the film had on so many Americans. It gave them the voice and the ability to push back against the narrative. We have many letters from people calling it “freeing” and “liberating.”

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Why Did We Let Big Tech Take Over Education?

Jonathan Haidt features a discussion by Sophie Winkleman on his After Babel Substack exploring the growing role of screens, educational technology, and AI in the classroom. Drawing on research from educators, neuroscientists, and learning scientists, Winkleman argues that the rapid shift toward device-based learning has come at the expense of children’s attention, imagination, handwriting, and critical thinking while weakening the essential relationship between teachers and students.

Rather than rejecting technology outright, Winkleman makes the case for a “paper-first” approach to education—one that reserves technology for situations where it genuinely enhances learning rather than replacing it.

“When we talk about children, social media, smartphones, iPads, we tend to frame the discussion around the issue of harmful material. But Justine’s pupils weren’t traumatized by harmful material, they were just dazed, glazed, and passive, their young minds deactivated by constant, low-level stimulation.”

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A cross-party UK parliamentary inquiry has called for the UK National Year of Reading to become a National Decade of Reading, arguing that reversing the decline in reading for pleasure will require sustained cultural change rather than short-term initiatives. The report recommends expanding access to school and public libraries, ensuring every child has regular opportunities to read for enjoyment, and addressing barriers ranging from increased screen use to unequal access to books.

“The rise of screen use is a “major factor” reducing the time children spend reading for pleasure, according to the report. Author, illustrator and teacher Onyinye Iwu told the inquiry that when she asked students why they don’t read, “a lot of them were like: ‘Miss, but we have TikTok. What is the point?’ That is it. You have TikTok, you have Netflix, you have the film coming out; why would you read the book?”

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How Librarians’ New Social Justice Mission Goes After the Privacy of Library Workers

This week, we featured an essay by Kristin Antelman examining how the library profession’s growing emphasis on social justice advocacy may be reshaping its longstanding commitments to institutional neutrality and intellectual freedom. Focusing on DEI training, employee privacy, and workplace culture, Antelman argues that ideological conformity within libraries can erode the trust these institutions have historically earned from the public.

Rather than dismissing libraries’ important role in advancing access to knowledge, the essay contends that their greatest strength lies in serving as neutral spaces where diverse viewpoints can coexist. Antelman suggests that preserving privacy, encouraging viewpoint diversity, and recommitting to the profession’s foundational values are essential if libraries are to remain trusted institutions for future generations.

“When a privacy-defending public service entity such as a library fails to protect the diversity of thought and privacy of its own employees, it has shown itself to have profoundly lost its way.”

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Report Finds Books Aren’t Vanishing From Schools. But That’s Not the Whole Story

FAIR Board of Advisors member Robert Pondiscio examined new research on the role of whole books in today's classrooms. While recent data suggests that novels have not disappeared from schools, Pondiscio argues that too many students—particularly those in underserved communities—are reading too few complete works and missing the unique cognitive and educational benefits that sustained reading provides. His essay highlights why cultivating deep reading habits remains essential for literacy, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement with literature in an increasingly fragmented digital age.

“The researchers’ most troubling finding is that teachers serving disadvantaged students consistently assign fewer books. Students in high-poverty schools or majority nonwhite schools, multilingual learners and students with disabilities all appear less likely to experience sustained encounters with complete works of literature.

That matters, because reading a book is not just an extended version of reading a passage. It requires different cognitive habits…”

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The Science of Reading Has Won the Argument. Has It Won the Classroom?

FAIR Board of Advisors member Robert Pondiscio explored the progress—and remaining challenges—of the science of reading movement. While evidence-based literacy instruction has gained widespread support in state policy and school districts, Pondiscio argues that meaningful reform depends on what happens in classrooms. He examines why teacher preparation, curriculum, and sustained implementation remain critical to ensuring all students receive effective reading instruction grounded in the best available evidence.

“The first phase of reading reform was winning the argument against bad ideas. Mission (mostly) accomplished. The next phase is harder: building systems where good ideas can survive contact with reality and resistance. That means better teacher preparation, curriculum selection, and coaching. It means less initiative churn and more consistency, follow-through and patience.”

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Public libraries have long served as trusted centers for learning, and today that mission extends beyond books. A new report from the Public Library Association examines how libraries are helping communities develop media literacy, strengthen digital skills, and navigate an increasingly complex information landscape while continuing to provide equitable access to reliable information. As misinformation becomes easier to spread and technology continues to evolve, these skills are increasingly important for helping people think critically, evaluate sources, and engage confidently in civic life.

“Among the report’s key findings:

• Public libraries are on the front lines of media literacy, helping patrons evaluate sources, navigate digital content, and access trustworthy information every day.

• More than 65% of respondents said patrons struggle to use digital resources, while staff training emerged as the top investment needed to help libraries meet growing demand for digital literacy support.”

Learn More Here

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On this 250th Anniversary of American Independence, Try Gratitude Instead of Grievance.

This week, we reflected on America’s 250th anniversary with an essay by David King that argues for gratitude over grievance. Drawing on his experiences living abroad, the author suggests that a global perspective can help place America’s challenges in context while highlighting the freedoms, stability, and opportunities that are often taken for granted.

Rather than ignoring the nation’s shortcomings, the essay contends that acknowledging them should not come at the expense of appreciating what America has accomplished. King notes that we should all cultivate gratitude as a foundation for constructive civic engagement, arguing that a healthier national conversation begins with recognizing what parts of our nation are still works in progress alongside our many national successes.

“So on this anniversary of independence, if you feel compelled to say that we are inappropriately celebrating 250 years of oppression, imperialism, exploitation, racism, slavery, brutality, and warmongering, spare us the complaints. Take that energy and go make something better instead.

We here in the USA are so damn lucky. Yes, even you. And while things may feel dystopian at this particular juncture in our history, only by choosing to be grateful for what we have can we stave off those threatening to take it away from us.”

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How do public libraries select the wrong books for kids?

This week, we explored how children’s books make their way onto public library shelves and the often-overlooked process behind library collection development. Rather than focusing solely on individual librarians, the essay examines the broader publishing ecosystem—including publishers, reviewers, wholesalers, and acquisition practices—and argues that these institutions collectively influence the range of viewpoints available to young readers.

The author contends that ideological incentives throughout this pipeline can shape children’s collections in ways that narrow viewpoint diversity, particularly on topics such as gender and sexuality. The essay explores how libraries can better uphold intellectual freedom through more independent collection development, broader representation of perspectives, and greater community engagement in the selection process.

“Even if these elements are not always aligned, the process still results in library collections being stacked with books for kids on gender and sexuality that skew heavily toward a one-sided viewpoint. These views [are], presented as fact to an audience not yet capable of critical analysis…”

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Commencement 2026: Jonathan Haidt Address

Cradle Americans

Eli Steele’s essay reflects on America’s 250th anniversary by exploring what it means to inherit freedom rather than fight for it. Drawing on his family’s history—from segregation and the Civil Rights Movement to the Holocaust—Steele argues that many Americans have become “cradle Americans,” born into freedoms they have never had to defend and, as a result, may not fully appreciate.

Using personal history alongside philosophical reflection, Steele contends that freedom is not merely a legal or political condition but an individual responsibility that must be actively exercised. Rather than dwelling on America’s failures or idealizing its past, he encourages readers to honor the sacrifices of previous generations by embracing personal courage, accountability, and the freedoms they have inherited.

“I am the first male on my father’s side to be born free of any government-sanctioned racial oppression, and who knows how far back the line of unfree men runs behind me in America. That is the inheritance my converts left me. I did not earn it. I was the cradle American they made possible. I grew up in freedom but do I and the millions of others like me know what I was given? Or do I only practice it out of habit? What is the value of a freedom that has not been suffered for?”

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How Jack Became Black

This week, we announced the opening of FAIR's Summer Film Series with a screening of Eli Steele's documentary How Jack Became Black. Inspired by his experience enrolling his multiracial son in public school, Steele examines the role racial classification continues to play in American institutions and asks what it means to see people as individuals rather than members of racial groups.

Blending personal experience with broader cultural reflection, Steele questions the purpose and consequences of race-based categorization in education and public life. The film invites viewers to consider how concepts of identity, equality, and individual dignity shape the way we think about race today, followed by a live discussion exploring these questions in greater depth.

“This film is the record of one father trying to keep one boy out of a category, and finding a whole country built on the practice. FAIR has framed the night around the right questions. Will we ever see people as individuals rather than members of groups? Who belongs? How should we think about race?”

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Watch Trailer Here

Watch the Full Film

Why Democracy Requires Renewal

Michael Dimock, Ph.D., “president of Pew Research Center, a leading source of nonpartisan, non-advocacy data”, reflects on America’s 250th anniversary and the future of the nation’s democratic experience. Drawing on public opinion research, he explores the growing challenges of political polarization, civic disengagement, and declining trust in institutions while arguing that these trends need not define America’s future.

Rather than dwelling solely on the nation’s divisions, the address calls on Americans to reclaim a sense of civic responsibility by engaging with one another, embracing democratic participation, and remaining open to institutional reform. It ultimately argues that the founders left behind not a finished system, but an ongoing project—one that each generation has both the opportunity and the responsibility to strengthen.

“In a way, what binds us is this very idea that this nation can be, hopes to be an inspiration to future generations and a beacon to the world. What we sometimes forget though is that this system was never meant to be static. The founders didn’t hand us a finished product. They handed us an ongoing project that requires engagement and creativity from one generation to the next. Right? So our responsibility is to carry that democratic imagination forward to make sure that this democratic republic doesn’t become static, right, or stuck or rigid or even cynical.”

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The American College of Surgeons Remains Committed to Ideology

Dr. Richard T. Bosshardt examines what he sees as the American College of Surgeons’ continued commitment to DEI initiatives, arguing that recent leadership decisions reflect an ongoing preference for ideological priorities over viewpoint diversity and merit-based principles.

Focusing on the organization’s decision to invite Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to deliver a keynote lecture at its 2026 Clinical Congress, Bosshardt contends that the invitation signals an enduring institutional alignment with DEI despite growing legal, scientific, and public debate surrounding these issues. His essay raises broader questions about ideological conformity within professional medical organizations, the role of open debate in scientific institutions, and how organizations can foster excellence while remaining open to differing perspectives.

“My suggestion to my fellow surgeons: boycott the Clinical Congress in September and make it the least attended in ACS history. Perhaps then, the leadership will get the message that we are not racists, that surgery is not racist, and that surgeons treat patients with the same care and competence, regardless of race or other immutable characteristics.”

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Running the DEI Gauntlet

This week, we featured Jim Condon’s firsthand account of his final years at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and the legal battle that followed. After publicly opposing workplace DEI policies he believed conflicted with principles of merit, equal protection, and free expression, Condon says he was removed from the position he had held for decades.

Reflecting on that experience, Condon argues that institutional pressure to affirm particular viewpoints can have unintended consequences for employees who feel unable to support contradictory policies. His essay raises broader questions about compelled speech, workplace culture, and how organizations can pursue diversity while preserving viewpoint diversity, due process, and merit-based decision-making.

“The real issue throughout all of this ordeal was never about a truly diverse workplace where all are judged equally on their merits; it is about using diversity to justify compelled speech, bullying, discrimination, and retaliation by employers.”

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Commencement 2026: Jonathan Haidt Address

Jonathan Haidt’s 2026 NYU commencement address, is a reflection on attention, resilience, and human connection in an age of constant digital distraction.

Drawing on decades of research, Haidt argues that our attention has become one of our most valuable resources—and one of the most contested. He encourages graduates to reclaim agency over their lives by resisting technologies designed to capture their focus, embracing difficult challenges, and investing in meaningful relationships.

Rather than offering career advice alone, Haidt presents a broader vision of human flourishing: one grounded in intentional living, real-world connection, and the courage to pursue what truly matters. His message serves as a timely reminder that how we choose to spend our attention ultimately shapes who we become.

“I ask them to delete social media apps from their phones just for one week…They get back precious hours each day and a feeling of agency over how to spend that time. So treasure your attention more than the people who want to take it from you. Never forget what it’s worth. For Meta, it’s more than a trillion dollars. For you and your life, it’s priceless.”

Watch Full Speech

‘Disagreement itself has become morally legible’: Glenn Loury critiques self-censorship

This week, Stanford welcomed economist and public intellectual Glenn Loury for a conversation on self-censorship and the state of public discourse. Drawing on themes from his recent book Self-Censorship, Loury argued that fear of reputational consequences can discourage open inquiry, leading individuals to remain silent even when disagreement could improve public understanding. His remarks explored the relationship between free expression, institutional incentives, and the importance of candid conversation in a healthy democracy.

“Loury described self-censorship as “the equilibrium outcome of rational behavior,” and emphasized its compounding nature stating “silence today produces greater silence tomorrow.”

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“You Can’t Say That!”: How Speaking About My Experiences as a Woman Researcher Ended My Academic Career

This week, we highlighted a personal essay by postdoctoral researcher Sylvia B.

In the piece, Sylvia reflects on the professional fallout that followed her attempts to discuss the challenges women in academia face. What began as a conversation about career mobility and sex-based differences evolved into accusations, formal complaints, and ultimately her decision to leave academia altogether. Through her experience, she asks whether institutions that encourage employees to “bring their whole selves to work” truly make room for diverse perspectives and imperfect conversations—or only some of them.

“A healthy intellectual community should be able to tolerate imperfect conversations and different viewpoints. I am not rejecting inclusivity or efforts to make all people feel welcome in science. I am asking whether the exhortation to “bring your whole self to work” actually includes everyone. Instead of empowering the performatively self-righteous to demand ideological obedience, we should promote open communication and professional tolerance of different lived experiences—for all people, not just select groups.”

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Breaking the Spell: White Guilt from Belfast to Britain — with Jenny Holland

In a recent episode of Man of Steele, filmmaker and writer Eli Steele speaks with Belfast-based commentator Jenny Holland about the social and political tensions unfolding in the UK. Drawing on her proximity to recent unrest in Belfast, Holland discusses immigration, policing, identity politics, and the influence of what she and Steele describe as a culture of “white guilt.” Their conversation explores concerns about institutional ideology, the changing character of Irish republicanism, and growing frustrations among segments of the British public. Together, the pair argue that many of these issues are being overlooked or misunderstood by political and cultural elites.

“The younger generation aren’t seeing the benefit of the anti-colonial resistance narrative. In fact, they’re really getting it in the rear, to be crude about it. And they know they are. They know that they’re getting fucked, basically. And they’re like: no, we’re not going to endure this — so that you can pontificate in front of a microphone about how great and good you are, and how migrants are welcome. You’re not doing that off our backs. I think there’s more of that sentiment on the ground than has been reported.”

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Why We Should Listen to Robert Coles — and to Each Other

Shared by FAIR board advisor Nadine Strossen, this reflection by historian Jonathan Zimmerman revisits the life and legacy of psychiatrist Robert Coles, who died on June 4. Coles spent decades listening to Americans from across racial, social, and political divides. He resisted reducing people to stereotypes, insisting that understanding begins with curiosity and conversation. He was best known for his conversations with children, especially those who had faced racial violence. Through more than 50 books and hundreds of articles, Coles championed the idea that every person—and especially every child—has something important to say. His work offers a timely reminder that listening to one another as individuals, rather than caricatures, is essential to a more humane and less polarized society.

“…every individual you meet becomes exactly that: an individual. They’re no longer a category or a caricature. They’re a human being, trying to make sense of the world. Just like you, and like me.”

“I don’t look upon them as good or bad,” Coles explained. “I look upon them as human beings, strong and sensible, weak and full of faults.” He readily acknowledged “the blindness, the distortions, the racism, the meanness” among them. But he refused to reduce them to that.”

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Engaged citizens built America. Today, civics education is coming back.

Can a divided nation rediscover the habits of self-government? As America nears its 250th anniversary, a growing movement to strengthen civics education aims to do just that. Across the country, students are learning not only how government works, but how to wrestle with competing interpretations of history, engage opposing viewpoints, and participate responsibly in civic life. In an era of deep polarization, many see these efforts as essential to preserving a culture of pluralism and constructive disagreement.

“Nicholas Longo, director of the Rutgers Democracy Lab at Rutgers University, says young people want to be engaged, and when they have opportunities, they do great things. In these tumultuous and highly polarized times, teaching young people civics skills can have a profound impact on society, he says.”

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Wildcard: On Authorship and Refusing the Script

This week, we featured Johari Mayfield’s (M. Octavia Faulkner) reflection on Wildcard, an evolving performance project inspired by the life of Saartjie Baartman. What began as an attempt to confront spectatorship and objectification gradually became something more personal: an exploration of embodiment, artistic integrity, and the tension between inherited narratives and lived experience.

Drawing from years of research, collaboration, and recovery, Mayfield traces how Wildcard transformed from an intellectual exercise into what she describes as a “satirical séance” — a communal practice of integration rather than accusation. Her essay raises enduring questions about identity, historical memory, and the relationship between art and authenticity, suggesting that wholeness cannot be engineered or imposed, but must be continually practiced.

“Wildcard is evolving into a larger work — part satire, part embodied inquiry- and what I call a “satirical séance.”…Through movement, dialogue, and humor, participants explore what it means to remain whole — to resist fragmentation in their own thinking and bodies. The aim is not accusation, but integration. Wholeness is not achieved in isolation; it is practiced in relationship.”

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When the UK Betrayed Justice for White Guilt

This week, FAIR Board of Advisors member and filmmaker Eli Steele examines the cultural and historical forces that have shaped modern conversations about race, identity, and institutional responsibility in Britain. Reflecting on the legacy of anti-racism policies and the tension between group identity and individual dignity, Steele argues that societies flourish when they remain grounded in universal principles rather than inherited guilt or tribal divisions.

His essay explores how the pursuit of justice can lose sight of its original aims when institutions prioritize narratives over individuals, and asks what it would mean to renew a shared commitment to character, accountability, and common humanity.

“If we do not wish to be defined by tribes or condemned because of our skins, then we must accept that we are judged by what we do. That is what it means to be Western. We are judged by our character and actions and that includes protecting and defending the universal Western principles and values for all.”

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Kemi Badenoch: My Plan to Bring Back Common Sense

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the British Conservative Party, gave a powerful speech outlining her vision for restoring what she describes as common sense to public life. The speech provides a compelling case for the importance of free speech, institutional trust, and civic confidence. Addressing questions of national identity and political culture, Badenoch argued that democratic societies function best when they are grounded in shared values, open debate, and a willingness to engage with disagreement rather than suppress it.

“The answer to Black Lives Matter is not a white lives matter born of the same racial grievance. We will not defeat identity politics by building a mirror image of it.”

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Critical Social Justice and Its Cognitive Distortions: Diagnosing the Liberal’s Poor Mental Health

In a new paper, Arnoldo Cantú and Nathan Gallo explore the relationship between ideology and mental health. Drawing on concepts from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the authors examine how certain patterns of thinking embedded within contemporary social frameworks may reinforce cognitive distortions and shape psychological well-being.

Their paper offers an alternative perspective on rising rates of psychiatric diagnoses and invites further discussion about the connections between cognition, culture, and mental health.

"In addition to the distortions listed, a throughline that can certainly cut across the entire ideology is that of the certainty trap: “A pervasive cognitive distortion that leads individuals to treat their knowledge and beliefs as definitive and final rather than provisional, particularly regarding contentious social and political issues”

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