Propaganda is pervasive and tenacious in modern society. Upon leaving high school, today’s graduating high school seniors will be totally unprepared to deal with this phenomenon. It is our duty to ensure that our young men and women can recognize propaganda in film, media and literature.
This is a task that is most easily implemented at the local level, through the power of the local vote.
Media Analysis Skills Training is designed to be implemented by local activists, by presenting a proposal to county committeemen or to the local school board. Should this effort fail, the next step would be to organize a ballot initiative. A link to a sample ballot initiative is provided at the end of this document.
MAST will be a series of online social studies elective classes that will consist solely of book readings. These online classes will be electives, rather than required classes. The three book choices are only suggestions; local activists are free to make substitutions, if so desired.
Proposed MAST book readings:
–Intellectuals and Society, Dr. Thomas Sowell. This scholarly, yet spell-binding, book gives an in-depth analysis of the motivations behind a wide variety of propaganda found in modern society. Senior level.
–Why We Whisper: Restoring Our Right to Say It’s Wrong, DeMint & Woodard. This book describes the effect propaganda has had on American institutions during the last several decades. Junior/Senior level.
–The Miracle of Freedom: 7 Tipping Points That Saved the World, Chris & Ted Stewart. The book describes how modern freedoms have been enabled by seven specific events over the millennia. A fun book that is ideal for Freshmen/Sophomores.
Detailed reasoning in support of these book choices can be found in two Aug/Sept 2021 posts and one April 2022 post, all entitled “Rationale”. Links to these posts are below. Also below is the link to a sample ballot initiative for implementing MAST at the local level.
Rationale #1 (for Intellectuals and Society, Sowell) – https://votermuscle.com/2021/08/rationale-1/
Rationale #2 (for Why We Whisper, DeMint & Woodard) https://votermuscle.com/2021/09/rationale-2/
Rationale #3 (for The Miracle of Freedom: 7 Tipping Points that Saved the World – Chris & Ted Stewart) https://votermuscle.com/2022/04/rationale-3/
Sample ballot initiative https://votermuscle.com/ballot-initiative-template/
John Hilt, BS 1988 physical education UIC, [email protected], 312-259-5842 (mobile) Most of the time I’m not able to pick up phone calls; best contact methods are text, voicemail, and email.
Voter Muscle is based in Chicago NW suburbs. We can provide logistical and financial support for communities in other locales, who wish to implement MAST electives in their schools. Mr. Hilt can conduct zoom meetings with interested individuals and groups, and may be able to travel to your community.