Welcome back to school, it’s time to be indoctrinated! Everyone has different reasons to why we like or dislike school. I like school because I get to come see my friends, work for the Panther Prints and learn some interesting new things. But between all that, there lies a systematic problem. It’s two words: liberal Indoctrination. I know what you’re thinking; oh there goes that crazy conservative guy on another rant about how we all should own guns and praise Jesus. While I admit that thought does excite me (particularly the praise Jesus part), I’m not here to force you to agree with my beliefs, and I expect the same to come from my taxpayer-funded public school education. But it doesn’t.

Exhibit A: “America is the Worst”

Through my years in public school, I’ve picked up on a key theme about America in lessons from certain teachers. Apparently America and Americans suck. Yes, if you came into school with no outside knowledge about this country, without the ability to reason that your teacher may be biased, you’d leave believing that America was founded by a bunch of greedy, rich, white, Christian men who hated everyone but their own kind. I cannot tell you how much this has been drilled into my head, and the heads of other students, particularly in high school.

This bias is not usually blatantly stated by those who have it; they don’t just announce, “Hey everyone, I have a bias and you’ll be receiving a one-sided education from me, and I’m going to alienate those of you in this class who disagree with me!” No, they don’t do that, because that would defeat the purpose of having a bias. Instead, they gain the trust of innocent students who believe that those who teach must know what is best. They then feed these students lies and opinions, and tell them they are fact, as I’ve experienced when being told that the Civil War was fought for the sole purpose of slavery, or that Hitler was a Christian (he wasn’t) and therefore represents an evil side to Christianity. See, biases are not blatant, most aren’t, but it’s evident to me. I realize that I’m only being given one side of things.

As someone whose ancestors fought in the American and Texan revolutions, I’m offended by the notion that because I’m a well-off, white, Christian male, my ancestors must have been greedy racists, and I should feel ashamed of them. Well I’m not ashamed. I’m proud of my heritage. I’m proud to be a white, Christian male. Say I’m racist, say I’m a bigot, but then take a look at the world, all the racial, national and religious pride that exists, and you’ll see the double standard.

Exhibit B: “You Aren’t Allowed to Be Conservative in School”

On numerous occasions, upon having a liberal indoctrination slip off a teacher’s tongue, me and other young conservatives often will try to speak up. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten the eye roll from a leftist teacher after giving a factual correction, or rebutting one of their liberal arguments. Its not all teachers, but there are a certain few with a professor-like quality,who feel the need to force their views on their students. But I’m not alone. In fact, students all across the country have taken notice of this practice of liberals taking over institutions. In 2013, a high schooler in Appleton, WI documented his experiences of being continually bullied by his liberal teachers. There was also an English teacher in Illinois who stomped on an American flag, claiming it represented symbolism. A girl in McAllen was expelled from school after refusing to recite the pledge of allegiance of Mexico. That’s right, Mexico. All of these cases and so many more have been made right, and most of these indoctrinators have faced the justice they deserved, all thanks to those few patriot students willing to step up and stop the issue.

The indoctrinators will say that they are bringing a point of view which was not previously welcome into the classroom, that schools are too conservative. If being American and proud of it is only a conservative thing, then why do most eligible Americans, conservative, liberal and more, exercise their right to elect a president– something truly American? If truly a majority of people felt as though America is an evil nation that is fueled by hatred, then why would they choose to live here, and send their children to school here? Because this belief is not a majority viewpoint.

My message to the indoctrinators of the world is that I’m watching, and I notice when you slip in your America-bashing anecdotes, and your categorizing republicans as “rich, greedy, white businessmen,” and democrats as “poor, compassionate minorities, looking out for the common man” (Yes, those are actual characterizations I’ve been taught in school, word for word). If that’s not biased and prejudiced, then what is? I’m letting past, present and further indoctrinators know that what you do is not okay, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Please know, that I will vigorously work to hold teachers accountable to their duty to give all students a fair and balanced learning environment, one that does not teach the hatred of America and its ideals, or lies about one’s political foes. It’s not right that my publicly funded education is teaching me to renounce my God, my heritage and my country. You can tell me that it’s not, but I know how I feel better than anyone else, and other students around the world feel the same way. I’m not alone in holding educators accountable to this, and I’m not stopping.