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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Court backs Arkansas ban on Critical Race Theory, cementing state power over curriculum
FILE - In this Sept. 26, 1957, file photo, members of the 101st Airborne Division take up positions outside Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. (AP Photo/File) A decades-old struggle over race and education has resurfaced in the heart of Arkansas, this time not at the steps of Little Rock Central High School, but inside its classrooms. A federal court ruling on Wednesday gave the state legal clearance to enforce its ban on teaching critical race theory (CRT), marking a decisive moment in a national battle over who controls the narrative in American public education. The decision, issued by a three-judge panel of the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals, vacated a prior injunction that had partially blocked the enforcement of the law. In doing so, the court declared that students do not possess a First Amendment right to demand a particular ideology in school curricula. a verdict that legal experts say could have sweeping implications for classroom instruction across the country. Historic site, Modern conflict The lawsuit was brought by two teachers and two students at Little Rock Central High School—a school forever etched in civil rights history for the desegregation crisis of 1957. This time, the conflict centers not on access to education, but on what is allowed to be taught within it. While the district court had previously granted a temporary injunction for the students, the appellate court struck it down, affirming that educational content lies squarely within the government's discretion. Critics warn of a chilling effect Attorneys for the plaintiffs expressed deep concern about the court's reasoning. Attorney Mike Laux warned that by reinforcing state control over pedagogy without clear definitions or protections, the ruling risks silencing necessary conversations about race, power, and history, as reported by the Associated Press. Although parts of the legal challenge remain active, the court's ruling hands Arkansas a significant interim victory in its broader push to reshape public education along conservative ideological lines. Governor Sanders and GOP officials celebrate Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who signed the education overhaul into law in 2023, praised the court's decision as a win for 'common sense and educational freedom.' The Republican governor has positioned herself as a leading voice in the conservative campaign to ban CRT and similar frameworks, repeatedly asserting that children should be taught 'how to think, not what to think.' Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin echoed her sentiments, calling the ruling a validation of democratic control over curriculum. Vague law, broad consequences Although CRT is a graduate-level academic framework rarely taught in K-12 settings, the law's opponents argue that its ban, deliberately undefined, grants sweeping authority to state officials to suppress discussions about systemic racism, white privilege, and other socially significant topics. Arkansas's statute does not offer a clear definition of what constitutes CRT, leaving teachers and administrators in a state of uncertainty. Critics say the ambiguity could lead to self-censorship, the erasure of diverse perspectives, and a whitewashing of historical truths. A pattern of conservative curriculum wars Arkansas is not alone. Over the past three years, more than a dozen Republican-led states have enacted legislation to restrict how race and gender are discussed in classrooms. President Donald Trump added momentum earlier this year by ordering that federal education funds not be used for 'indoctrination' involving CRT or what he labeled as 'radical gender ideology.' Supporters argue these efforts protect children from divisive ideologies. Opponents see a coordinated campaign to undermine intellectual freedom and rewrite historical narratives for political ends. Beyond the classroom walls While the appellate panel acknowledged the students' discomfort with ideological overreach in education, it maintained that courts have no authority to interfere with curriculum decisions based on policy disagreements alone. 'The Constitution does not give courts the power to block government action based on mere policy disagreements,' the judges wrote. That assertion may provide legal clarity, but it does little to settle the moral and educational questions now gripping communities across the nation. Who decides what young Americans learn? And how do public schools balance civic values with political mandates? The new front line in the culture war This ruling carves out a stark new boundary in the ongoing cultural clash over American identity and education. As state governments claim greater control over what is taught, teachers, students, and parents are left navigating a fragile terrain, where history is contested, speech is regulated, and the classroom becomes a battleground for competing visions of truth. In Arkansas, the lesson is clear: The curriculum may no longer be just an educational tool, it is now a political weapon. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Chicago Tribune
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Bradshaw: College classrooms remain spaces for ideas not ideology
In the fall of 1970, I was a Army veteran of the 101st Airborne Division enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley. The protests were loud, the slogans blunt, and the politics tense. I wasn't there to protest. I was there to study. While others were debating American imperialism on Sproul Plaza, I was deep in constitutional law and political theory — preparing for the rigors of law school. I never felt silenced. Professors were tough but fair. Students had their causes, but classrooms remained spaces for ideas, not ideology. Fifty years later, the American college campus is again in the spotlight — for reasons less academic. Parents worry their children will face litmus tests. Students ask if admissions offices want confessionals or credentials. The truth, as usual, is more complicated. Most high school seniors applying to selective colleges this fall don't need a lot of advice on how to polish their personal essay or list extracurriculars. What they need is what's missing from most guidance offices: the hard, often uncomfortable realities about how top-tier admissions actually work. Here are a few things students — and their parents — ought to know. 1. The Ideology Panic Is Overblown — But Strategy Still Matters: Yes, there are loud political skirmishes on campus. And yes, a few faculty members have become activists with tenure. But the people reading applications aren't professors. They're admissions officers. Their chief priority isn't ideological purity — it's institutional prestige. They are looking for students who will enhance the school's brand, contribute visibly, and ideally donate generously later on. That means your student can write an essay on social justice — or on rebuilding a motorcycle engine — as long as it's compelling. Political alignment is less important than intellectual substance. At Harvard, a thoughtful conservative from Indiana still stands a chance — if he doesn't try to game the system by pretending to be someone he's not. 2. Excellence Still Wins — but It Has to Be Distinct: Top colleges routinely reject students with 4.0 GPAs and perfect test scores. This isn't a conspiracy. It's oversupply. What wins isn't just academic performance but differentiation. Admissions officers look for what researchers call a 'spike' — a student with demonstrable, often rare, excellence in a focused area. An Intel science finalist, an Olympic-level cellist, a published author — these applicants stand out. Not because they're well-rounded, but because they're sharp-edged. The days of trying to be captain, president, volunteer, and valedictorian are over. Focus beats breadth. 3. Legacy and Money Still Buy Access — Quietly: Despite frequent denials, legacy status and donor connections still tilt the field. A 2023 working paper from Harvard researchers revealed that legacy applicants were admitted at rates several times higher than their non-legacy peers, even when controlling for qualifications. 'Need-blind' admissions doesn't always mean aid-blind decision-making. At many institutions, full-pay applicants enjoy subtle advantages. No high school counselor will say this outright—but students should understand that the playing field, while not rigged, is hardly level. 4. Recommendation Letters Are an Untapped Resource: Most students default to teacher recommendations, often from their 11th-grade English or history teacher. These are fine. But the best letters often come from outside the classroom: a mentor from a summer research lab, a supervisor at a startup internship, or a coach who has worked closely with the student for years. Admissions officers want specifics. 'John is responsible and hardworking' is generic. 'John built a solar-powered irrigation system using his own algorithms' is not. 5. Social Media Is a Portfolio — Not Just a Risk: Students are told not to post anything online they wouldn't want a dean to see. Good advice. But here's what they don't hear: social media can also help. A well-produced YouTube series on political philosophy or a blog that analyzes Supreme Court rulings shows initiative and thought. Colleges appreciate authentic intellectual curiosity — especially if it's public. A 2022 Kaplan survey showed that 36% of admissions officers had reviewed applicants' social media. For a few, it helped. 6. Campus Is Still a Place for Ideas — If You Show Up for Them: The loudest students often dominate headlines. But most undergraduates aren't professional protesters. They're trying to learn. And most professors, even on politically active campuses, still reward clarity of thought, not conformity. At Berkeley, my views weren't always in line with the majority. No one cared. Because I showed up prepared, wrote rigorous papers, and engaged the material. That dynamic still exists, though it requires a thicker skin and a sense of proportion. 7. Prestige Is Overrated — Outcomes Aren't: Finally, the most underrated truth: many students chasing Ivy League names would be better served at public honors colleges, strong liberal arts schools, or universities where they can stand out. Law schools, med schools, and employers care far more about what students do with their education than the name on the diploma. A focused, debt-free graduate from UT-Austin or Michigan can outpace an ambivalent Ivy Leaguer with a bloated résumé and a drained bank account. If you're a high school senior, don't try to play a role. Be sharp. Be real. If you're not marching across campus in protest, that's fine. If you are, make sure you can defend your cause with reason. But either way, show the admissions committee something they can't ignore. Because at the end of the day, what top colleges want most is not an ideology — but a mind that's awake.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Army pilot killed in helicopter training accident in Kentucky identified
A 40-year-old Army pilot was killed, and a second pilot was injured, in a helicopter training accident Wednesday evening at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, the Army post said. The soldier killed was identified Friday by the 101st Airborne Division as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin K. Wright. In a post to social media earlier Friday, the 101st Airborne Division said the incident involving an AH-64 Apache helicopter had occurred in "preparation for the Army's 250th birthday," the festival and parade being held in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the Army's 250th anniversary — that also coincides with President Trump's 79th birthday. However, in a follow-up post, the division said it wanted to "clarify" that the incident "occurred during a routine attack aviation training mission inside the Fort Campbell training area. The crew was not in direct support of Week of the Eagles or Army Birthday." A spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division also told CBS News by phone Friday that the training exercise had "100% nothing to do with the birthday parade in D.C." and was simply "happening while the Army prepares for the 250th birthday date." Week of the Eagles is an annual event that honors the heritage of the 101st Airborne Division. The injured pilot was treated and released from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital for minor injuries, officials said. No further details were provided. The incident is under investigation. Wright joined the Army in 2010 and had served at Fort Campbell since May 2022. He was highly-decorated, having been awarded the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Parachutist Badge, among others, his division said. "The entire 101st Combat Aviation Brigade grieves the loss of CW2 Dustin Wright," Col. Tyler Partridge, commander of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, said in a statement Friday. "A former Infantryman, Dustin cherished every opportunity to be outside and support ground troops. He did so with strength and honor. We will forever cherish the memories of his service, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him." Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was among those offering condolences to the family of the soldier who died. "No matter how it happens, when we lose someone who has committed to serving our country, I know it hurts that family but it should hurt us all," the Democratic governor said Thursday. Kentucky state Sen. Craig Richardson, whose western Kentucky district includes the Fort Campbell area, said the soldier's death was heartbreaking. "This tragedy is a solemn reminder that the dangers our military faces are not limited to distant battlefields," the Republican lawmaker said. "The call to serve brings risks at home, in training, preparation, and quiet readiness." The sprawling Fort Campbell post straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee line. Video shows Air India plane crashing in Ahmedabad Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff, carrying more than 240 people Israel ready to launch operation into Iran, U.S. officials say
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
One Soldier Dead, Another Injured in Fort Campbell Helicopter Training Crash
A soldier was killed and another injured during an aviation training mission Wednesday evening at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the service announced. The incident occurred at 7 p.m. local time, according to a statement from the 101st Airborne Division. Emergency responders confirmed one fatality at the scene. The second soldier was evacuated to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Clarksville, Tennessee, where they were listed in stable condition. The helicopter involved was carrying only two personnel -- the pilot and co-pilot -- at the time of the accident, according to the service. Officials did not release the names of those involved or specify which crew member died. Identities are commonly withheld until notification of the next-of-kin. Read Next: Army Officials Pushed Back on Pop-Up MAGA Shop Ahead of Fort Bragg Trump Speech The division did not release further details on what led up to the crash or the nature of the training exercise. An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. The fatality comes just weeks after another deadly incident involving a 101st Airborne soldier. Sgt. Aaron Cox died during a vehicle training exercise near Camp Croft, Hungary, in early June while assigned to the division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team. The Army has grappled with a series of high-profile aviation mishaps, particularly involving Black Hawk helicopters. Despite the frequency and severity of these incidents, Army officials have not publicly indicated whether the accidents stem from aircraft design flaws, training protocols, or systemic oversight gaps. In January, a Black Hawk helicopter collided with American Airlines Flight 5342 over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., killing all 64 people aboard the commercial jet and the three-soldier military crew. That incident followed a deadly 2023 crash in which nine soldiers died during a nighttime training flight when two HH-60 Black Hawks collided near Fort Campbell. It was one of the most serious non-combat aviation accidents in Army history. Just weeks later, three soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska were killed when two Apache helicopters collided during a training mission. The back-to-back incidents triggered a force-wide stand-down to review flight safety procedures. Fort Campbell, encompassing more than 106,000 acres, is home to several key Army units, including the 101st Airborne Division, 5th Special Forces Group and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. The base serves as a critical hub for air assault and special operations. Related: Route Used by Army Black Hawk During Deadly Collision Was Far Too Risky, Safety Officials Say
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Soldier killed, another injured in Fort Campbell helicopter incident
One soldier was killed and another was injured in a helicopter training incident Wednesday at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Army officials said Thursday. The incident involving two service members occurred at approximately 7 p.m. Wednesday in the base training area, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) said in a release. Emergency services responded. One soldier was confirmed dead, and the other soldier was taken to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital and is in stable condition, according to the release. The soldiers' names are being withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification. The release did not provide additional details on the incident, which is under investigation. Nine soldiers were killed in March 2023 when two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters collided midair and crashed near Fort Campbell.
