Dateline April 3rd, in the Year of our Lord 2023 In Matthew Freeman’s April 3rd piece in The American Conservative, “Classical Education’s Woke Co-Morbidity”, I found little to disagree with, except that he uses me as his antagonistic foil. Thanks for reading Classical Christian Times! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
"The whole DEI apparatus was conjured, as Freeman referenced from my piece, by the descendents [sic] of the Frankfurt Group, to get us off target Racism, misogyny, etc., are a bunch of balloon tanks that look pretty convincing from a 30,000 foot reconnaissance aircraft."
No, the purpose of this movement is to destroy the Western tradition, including any meaningful practice of Christianity. These critics are not misguided egalitarians, they don't want the West to have a future. If you don't believe the genetic descendants of the people who created the Classical tradition have a right to their own homelands because that would be "racist," Freeman's point is that you have already lost. If you are teaching about a hero of history and prefacing it with, "he was a hero, but also we condemn his racism, sexism, etc." you are making an argument that is certain to lose.
Freeman doesn't seem that familiar with our philosophy. What we espouse is simple: great people and great works deserve our attention because they reveal greatness. Calling classical education "hero worship" is funny (he's not far off but I'd prefer "veneration") and like Plato's philosopher who loves wisdom wherever he finds it, so loving greatness means CCE is not exclusive; we can celebrate Augustine the African as much as Bede the Britain, and an impressive woman as thoroughly as an impressive man. The purpose of all this, though. is to inspire emulation; thinking about the great thoughts of great thinkers helps us become great thinkers ourselves. Honoring heroes teaches us to be heroic. Learning from Horatius and Austen and Solzenhitzyn may seem "elite", but I wonder at any parent who wouldn't want an elite education for his child.
Freeman grossly misquotes you, particularly when he links you with anti-racism. Sowell talks about this phenomenon in the chapter "The World of Words" in "Discrimination and Disparities." It casts a shadow on an otherwise strong article from Freeman. I have read the Wilson article and know that Freeman properly frames her position, but I would be quick otherwise to wonder if Freeman represented her correctly with how poorly he represents you. Keep up the good work, David, and I'll remember to say hi at the ACCS in Pittsburg in a couple months. I'm presenting a workshop on the progymnasmata.
Thank you for: Our movement thrives on the action of everyday commoners starting schools with the hope of better days ahead.
FYI, Pavlos Papadopoulos and I are talking about Freeman's attack on JH Wilson (deserved), and on yourself (clearly undeserved) over at our stack, PostModernConservative. https://pomocon.substack.com/p/is-classical-education-going-woke
Solid last line, ha.
"The whole DEI apparatus was conjured, as Freeman referenced from my piece, by the descendents [sic] of the Frankfurt Group, to get us off target Racism, misogyny, etc., are a bunch of balloon tanks that look pretty convincing from a 30,000 foot reconnaissance aircraft."
No, the purpose of this movement is to destroy the Western tradition, including any meaningful practice of Christianity. These critics are not misguided egalitarians, they don't want the West to have a future. If you don't believe the genetic descendants of the people who created the Classical tradition have a right to their own homelands because that would be "racist," Freeman's point is that you have already lost. If you are teaching about a hero of history and prefacing it with, "he was a hero, but also we condemn his racism, sexism, etc." you are making an argument that is certain to lose.
What's hard to believe in the Christian Bible? Please comment at https://acts15church.substack.com/p/hard-to-believe
Thank you. G'Day
Freeman doesn't seem that familiar with our philosophy. What we espouse is simple: great people and great works deserve our attention because they reveal greatness. Calling classical education "hero worship" is funny (he's not far off but I'd prefer "veneration") and like Plato's philosopher who loves wisdom wherever he finds it, so loving greatness means CCE is not exclusive; we can celebrate Augustine the African as much as Bede the Britain, and an impressive woman as thoroughly as an impressive man. The purpose of all this, though. is to inspire emulation; thinking about the great thoughts of great thinkers helps us become great thinkers ourselves. Honoring heroes teaches us to be heroic. Learning from Horatius and Austen and Solzenhitzyn may seem "elite", but I wonder at any parent who wouldn't want an elite education for his child.
Freeman grossly misquotes you, particularly when he links you with anti-racism. Sowell talks about this phenomenon in the chapter "The World of Words" in "Discrimination and Disparities." It casts a shadow on an otherwise strong article from Freeman. I have read the Wilson article and know that Freeman properly frames her position, but I would be quick otherwise to wonder if Freeman represented her correctly with how poorly he represents you. Keep up the good work, David, and I'll remember to say hi at the ACCS in Pittsburg in a couple months. I'm presenting a workshop on the progymnasmata.