Eradicating the Role of the Anointed
"To believe in personal responsibility would be to destroy the whole special role of the anointed, whose vision casts them in the role of rescuers of people treated unfairly by 'society." Prof. Sowell
It's almost cliché to reference Thomas Sowell, but…
Sowell, the great American economist, social theorist, and one of the most significant contributors to conservative and libertarian thought, has been a pebble in progressive ideologues’ shoes for nearly seven decades. His allegiance lies in empirical evidence rather than feelings.
In his 1995 work, The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy, he lambasts the "anointed class" (those who consider themselves morally and intellectually superior, possessing a vision of how society should be structured) and their quixotic policies and social movements that have become prevalent and destructive in American society.
Sowell sees the "anointed class" controlling most aspects of public education in the United States. (I discussed many of their pandemic failures in my article "They Knew Not What They Did?") Although this submissive position is difficult for parents, Sowell advocates against playing the victim and surrendering the field. Instead, he offers this sage advice:
“To believe in personal responsibility would be to destroy the whole special role of the anointed, whose vision casts them in the role of rescuers of people treated unfairly by “society.”
The essential conservative principle of taking care of yourself is enthusiastically embraced by one of our most important and influential American educational entrepreneurs, Eva Moskowitz.
Moskowitz is the founder and CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools. She started the venture in 2006 and has overseen its growth to over 50 academies. Despite the documented success, Eva Moskowitz faced formidable challenges from two of the most pernicious anointed progressives—former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. Nevertheless, she skillfully navigated and emerged victorious in battles over school choice in NYC.
Last December, Moskowitz addressed the American Enterprise Institute, delving into parenting roles, the significance of school choice, and the broader landscape of K-12 education.
Moskowitz's presentation and her firm commitment to nurturing resilience in students while maintaining rigorous standards for their academic achievement can help parents feel less helpless against the “anointed.”
Countering the prevailing myth that kids are delicate Fabergé eggs requiring endless bubble wrap protection, Moskowitz believes that parents and teachers must actively facilitate resilience, emphasizing its essential role in the student's ability to face challenges and overcome setbacks. And the good news is that parents can embed these values independently, far from the invisible hand of the "anointed." (Just don’t let them know what you’re doing; they’re very sensitive when not in control.)
"You have to figure out they're going to get knocked off their perch," says Moskowitz. "How are you going to ensure that they know what to do to get back in the game?"
One way for kids to not get back in the game, says Moskowitz, is playing hours and hours of mind-numbing video games, which she likens to "heroin" for children.
And the opposite number to video games is, of course, books.
Moskowitz champions traditional reading, with actual paper books, as the remedy for the limited vocabulary observed in many children. As a teacher of teenage boys, it's apparent that too many kids struggle with vocabulary that would have been plain and simple just a few decades ago. (I recently had a 9th-grade student ask me what ‘deceased’ meant.) The primary cause of this is their lack of reading—of anything.
The imperative for reform in American education is glaringly apparent. The pandemic laid bare vulnerabilities that demand accountability and a steadfast dedication to delivering the highest quality education for our children. However, progress feels stagnant and unresolved.
On an individual level, embracing Eva Moskowitz's fundamental principles of cultivating resilience and facilitating extensive reading can alleviate parental anxieties and remove power from the “anointed.”
On a broader scale, the achievements of Success Academy present a practical, common-sense blueprint for the future of American education within a free-market framework.
As we navigate the complexities of parenthood and education, sometimes going back to basics is the best way forward. Thomas Sowell's calls for personal responsibility and Eva Moskowitz's sensible approach to parenting should be a stiff arm against the mediocrity of the “anointed class.”