Heather MacDonald unpacks how political correctness is contributing to the demise of the humanities at UCLA (and elsewhere): In 2011, the University of California at Los Angeles wrecked its English major. Such a development may seem insignificant, compared with, say, the federal takeover of health care. It is not. What happened at UCLA is part of a momentous shift that bears on our relationship to the past—and to civilization itself. MacDonald explains that the evisceration of the core curriculum (not surprisingly) results in students losing interest in studying the humanities. Victor Davis … [Read more...] about The Humanities Have Forgotten Their Humanity
Culture
Why Working Class Men Are Falling Behind
Michael Jindra writes: In my work as an anthropologist, I’ve become convinced that American lifestyles are increasingly diverging between “hyper-achievers” trained early on to succeed, and those often labeled “slackers” whose lives revolve around entertainments of various sorts. You won’t be surprised to learn that a disproportionate percentage of “slackers” are men. Males, particularly in the working class, are working less, earning less, and are increasingly disconnected from families and from society as a whole. The future prospects for many working-class men seem very dim. … [Read more...] about Why Working Class Men Are Falling Behind
Why is Student Loan Debt a Big Issue?
A picture worth a thousand words: HT: Nancy Pearcey … [Read more...] about Why is Student Loan Debt a Big Issue?
Being Against Gay Marriage Doesn’t Make You a Homophobe
Great article in The Atlantic by Brandon Ambrosino, a young gay man who supports same-sex marriage but rejects the idea that to oppose gay marriage makes a person anti-gay (i.e., a homophobe). An excerpt: Disagreement is not the same thing as discrimination. Our language ought to reflect that distinction. I would argue that an essential feature of the term “homophobia” must include personal animus or malice toward the gay community. Simply having reservations about gay marriage might be anti-gay marriage, but if the reservations are articulated in a respectful way, I see no reason to … [Read more...] about Being Against Gay Marriage Doesn’t Make You a Homophobe
Riley Banks (17) – Short Q&A
A couple weeks ago I posted about Riley Banks, a young lady (today just 17, and still in high school) who is making a profound impact in Kenya. I had a chance to ask her how she got her start. You're 17 years old, and you've kept pretty busy. How did you come to get so involved with serving in Kenya? When I was 13 my Uncle Logan and Aunt Julie were serving in Kenya on a medical mission at Tenwek hospital. I thought it would be fun to go for a visit, to my surprise my parents thought it would be a great idea too. I gave up Christmas that year and did some fundraising and off we went! … [Read more...] about Riley Banks (17) – Short Q&A
Ronnie Smith – A Symphony of Scripture Recitation
A symphony of Scripture recitation unlike any you've ever heard, from our brother Ronnie Smith who gave his life in the hope that Libyans would hear the greatest message and come to treasure Christ above all things. HT: @Bloom_Jon … [Read more...] about Ronnie Smith – A Symphony of Scripture Recitation