LCS students are guardians of America’s cultural literacy. Does such a larger-than-life declaration seem far-fetched? I don’t think so.
Neither did Dr. E.D. Hirsch find the proposition dubious when he penned the book that substantially defines our school, Cultural Literacy, way back in 1987. His conclusions, in an American context, about what a school should be offered as much rational hope then as they do today.
For example, I was invited to participate (remotely), last week, in a “conversation with Ukrainian mayors” that clarified the point. Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov described how, when Russian aggressors invaded his city, they targeted the schools, especially those where children used the Ukrainian language, practiced Ukrainian traditions, adhered to Ukrainian customs, and learned from Ukrainian textbooks.
“Russians try to kill all Ukrainian identity,” he said. “They start to deport our citizens who prefer the Ukrainian position. Second, they start to choose (target) our children who study by Ukrainian program in our schools. And, of course, they try to do everything to stop education by the Ukrainian program.”
Public schools should unapologetically advance a common culture of liberty. That’s definitely the intention of Liberty Common School. Our intentionality stands in contrast to the unbridled mission-drift afflicting American public schooling; and, it’s a contrast we rather boldly embrace.
As a purpose-driven, American-school community, we should always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks for a reason for our hope, but to do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping our conscience clear so that, when we are maligned, those who defame our good conduct may themselves be put to shame.
Слава Україні (Slava Ukraïni! – Glory to Ukraine!).
