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Stupid and proud: Anti-intellectualism
Among the greatest gifts a republic can give its citizens is an open mind. In order to be effective voters, people must constantly expose themselves to new ideas and thoughts. They must ward away intellectual stagnancy and constantly push to better themselves. By strengthening the mind, we can strengthen the nation.
At least, that’s the idea. But there is a deep, deep flaw in our national consciousness concerning intelligence. It is present in almost every facet of our culture, from smart kids being bullied as “geeks” and “nerds” to Secretary of State John Kerry praising America’s “right to be stupid.” In this country, we distrust educated people, denouncing them as elitists who have lost touch with the common man. What’s worse, however, is that ignorance has become a point of pride. That’s how people who believe the world is only 6,000 years old (give or take) can be elected to office.
Ignorance itself is not necessarily a point of contrition. Not everyone is given the same opportunities in life, and in a school system as uneven as ours, it is to be expected that some people would not know as much as others. But the idea that ignorance is somehow superior to intellect has got to stop. It is damaging our country in a very real way. After all, would you want someone who deliberately ignores facts and is proud of it to lead your country? You wouldn’t hire a plumber to fix your roof, so why a hockey mom to fix your economy?
The truth is that in America, you do not have the right to be stupid. Ignorance is the domain of totalitarian governments, not free states. In fact, even the phrase “right to be stupid” is a smack in the face to not just our heritage but to every man and woman who has died to make this country what it is. Rather, it is both a right and a privilege to be educated. As Thomas Jefferson said: “If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be…If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed.” After all, the first freedom is that of the mind. If a person’s thoughts can be governed, then he is in bonds as effective as any chain.
Today, Americans live with a constant barrage of media bias and entertainment designed to cater to the lowest common denominator. News outlets from all sides of the political spectrum shout diatribes and are cheered on by their followers. Both sides view the other as evil, and little, if any interaction between groups takes place. The only way to properly navigate such waters is to keep an informed head. People who do not have the facts or who get information from only one source are much more likely to be led astray.
And we encourage it. Compromise, which is the foundation of this country, has become an anathema. Politicians tell their supporters that they will get exactly what they want and that as representatives, they will not budge an inch. Such fanatical adhesion to doctrine has led to congressional deadlock and is a major reason why this country is currently going nowhere. No one is willing to accept that the other side might have a point, and the few sensible people are drowned out by the screaming and finger pointing of others.
But what is to be done? To quote another president: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” It is the civic duty of every American to stay informed of current events, to push his mind and reach out beyond his own experiences. Only then can we make this country what it was always meant to be.