I have nothing but respect and admiration for thinkers like Thomas Paine, Emerson, Thoreau, amongst others of their times. The vitality of those times, the momentum I think, dissipated quite rapidly. Pure capitalism took hold. Slavery closed the American mind. We know the rest. Thinkers like MLK were assassinated. All progressive thought suppressed and to this day, violence stalks those who raise questions. Covert or overt bigotry have eaten into our souls. Law enforcement shoots first, then covers up blatant brutality towards people of color. WHY the hate? White people must answer that question to save the country. And their souls.

I agree that to look solely to the govt for ‘education’ is certainly folly. As we know, governments make policies and allocate funds towards formal education. It’s disappointing that modern day American policy has placed education on a low rung of hierarchy of needs. Only a shell of American history is taught in schools. Geography? What’s that? Insularity governs our actions. Finance, economics, ethics? Not at school levels. Like your kids, mine also continue to grow into awareness on their own. Ivy leagues? Trump’s Alma Mater traumatized my child, who escaped to England for a PhD and loves it. Learning is fostered. At least at premier institutions.

We got it so wrong. Now, magacartels run our country. A handful hold captive America’s wealth. Sorry, it’s turned into a bit of a ramble!!