Commentary

1831-2026: From Slave Codes to School Vouchers

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

The past is never dead. It’s not even past. -William Faulkner, Requiem for a Nun, 1951 In 1831, southern lawmakers tried to create a white nation by making it a crime to educate Black Americans. In 2026 the intent to exclude certain Americans from participation in the Enlightenment principles that undergird the nation remains the same, … Continue reading 1831-2026: From Slave Codes to School Vouchers

A US Veteran of the US War in Vietnam Remembers

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , ,

I first saw this in a Subreddit. The past is never dead. It’s not even past. -William Faulkner,* Requiem for a Nun, 1951 Of the 2.7 million US military personnel who served in the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) during the US war, between 1 million and 1.6 million either fought in combat, provided close … Continue reading A US Veteran of the US War in Vietnam Remembers

‘Nobody Wants Us Here:’ U.S. Visa Rules Leave Foreign Students in Limbo

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , ,

This image of the white nationalist Dracula is AI-generated. This is a depressing U.S. News article, but what else can many international students conclude? Since Day One, the MAGA regime, led by Stephen Miller, the power behind the Orange Throne, chief architect of the regime's immigration crackdown, and White House deputy chief of staff for … Continue reading ‘Nobody Wants Us Here:’ U.S. Visa Rules Leave Foreign Students in Limbo

Israel, Thy Names Are Cruelty and Moral Depravity

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , , , , , , ,

The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality. -James Baldwin If you sit at a hipster café in Tel Aviv and start talking to a random person, 20 minutes later, this … Continue reading Israel, Thy Names Are Cruelty and Moral Depravity

Selective Humanitarian Messaging in Children’s Media

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , , , , , , ,

Exploring Narrative Imbalance, Victimhood, and Anti-Semitic Erasure in the Case of Ms. Rachel (Source: St. John's University) This flyer was created by St. John's University for this "study." Instead of "Help Us Study Ms. Rachel" the request should be "Help Us Slander Ms. Rachel." This is the title of an IRB-approved research study conducted by … Continue reading Selective Humanitarian Messaging in Children’s Media

#223. Research into Child Psychology is Largely the Study of Effects of Captivity

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , ,

I've followed Peter Gray for many years. He's a US psychology researcher and scholar, a research professor of psychology at Boston College, and the author of an introductory psychology textbook. Gray's research explores the relationship between neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology and education. Peter's also a great role model for all of us. At 82, he's … Continue reading #223. Research into Child Psychology is Largely the Study of Effects of Captivity

Standing Up for Justice

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, video , , , , , , ,

The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie. One word of truth outweighs the world. This is the original version of a video that's been making rounds on social media. I created the transcript below followed by a short essay that complements the video and a link to … Continue reading Standing Up for Justice