71. Why Authoritarians Fear Education

This essay explores the commonalities between racism and fascism, arguing that both ideologies rely on the construction of an 'other' to justify violence and oppression. Morrison examines how language, historical narratives, and cultural representations are manipulated to dehumanize marginalized groups. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and resisting these tactics to prevent the erosion of democratic values. The essay calls for a critical examination of power structures and a commitment to challenging all forms of discrimination and injustice. Morrison suggests that understanding the historical roots and psychological mechanisms of racism and fascism is essential for building a more equitable and just society.

In this book, Thomas Frank explores the transformation of Kansas from a state with a radical past to a stronghold of conservative politics. He argues that the culture wars have allowed the Republican Party to capture the populist language of social class, presenting themselves as the embodiment of working-class anti-elitism. Frank analyzes how conservatism, once associated with class privilege, became the creed of many ordinary Americans, particularly in Kansas, where workers and farmers support policies that often harm their own economic interests. The book critiques the role of the Democratic Party in neglecting its traditional support base, such as organized labor, and how this neglect has contributed to the rise of conservative politics.

Published in 1935, 'Black Reconstruction in America' challenges the dominant views of the time by portraying the Reconstruction period as a critical time of Black advancement and a near-revolution of anti-racism and societal change. Du Bois argues that African Americans were active agents of their emancipation and that the period was a second American revolution aimed at democratizing the South. The book critiques traditional historians' views and highlights the significance of African American agency in building U.S. democracy, despite the ultimate failure of Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow laws.

In *Erasing History*, Jason Stanley exposes the true danger of the authoritarian right’s attacks on education, identifying their key tactics and funders, and tracing their intellectual roots. He illustrates how fears of a fascist future have become a present reality, with hearts and minds being won in schools and universities. Stanley shows how democratic societies are ill-prepared to defend against these fascist assaults, which aim to erase historical memory and critical inquiry. The book is a global call to action to preserve democracy by understanding and combating these authoritarian efforts.