by Vaun Monroe
This image is from the animated show “Justice League”, the most diverse version of the Justice League, written by Dwayne McDuffie.
“Lord, enable me to teach with Wisdom, for I help to shape the mind. Equip me to teach with Truth, for I help to shape the conscience. Encourage me to teach with Vision, for I help to shape the future. Empower me to teach with Love, for I help to shape the world.”
-Teacher’s Prayer, Writer Unknown
Whether you are a person of faith or not, it seems likely that instilling wisdom, sharing truth, nurturing a vision for the future, and sharing love for learning as well as empathy for other humans are a big part of what brought you to teaching. These values are under attack in America today.
Higher education, particularly liberal arts, has become an endangered species in 2025. The liberal arts foster critical thinking, historical awareness, and empathy—values that are essential to a functioning democracy. Film studies, as an extension of liberal arts, show how stories shape the manner in which societies understand themselves, which is why authoritarian movements have always sought to control narratives, suppress dissenting voices, and undermine education that encourages media literacy.
This approach aligns with a broader moral tradition—one that recognizes the inherent dignity of all people and the importance of bearing witness to injustice. Just as the foundational texts of human rights emphasize fairness, truth, and care for the marginalized, studying film through this framework requires students to engage deeply with narratives of struggle and resilience. If fascism thrives on ignorance and fear, then film studies and media production programs must be a space where students develop the ability to think critically, empathize deeply, and challenge the narratives that seek to divide and dehumanize.
In an era of rising white Christian nationalism and increasing attacks on academic freedom, teaching film studies through a framework that prioritizes diverse perspectives, ethical storytelling, and critical engagement is not just an academic pursuit—it is an act of resistance.
The nation’s identity as the most successful multicultural society the world has ever seen hinges on citizens who appreciate and understand diverse perspectives. However, the increasing embrace of authoritarianism evident in the disdain for education, cruelty toward the vulnerable, and overt contempt of intellectual freedom threatens the very foundation of American democracy.
A stark illustration of this trend is President Donald Trump’s treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their February 28, 2025, meeting at the White House. The encounter, intended to strengthen U.S.-Ukraine relations, devolved into a grotesque attempt at public humiliation. Trump, berated Zelenskyy in an unprecedented manner, trying to force a wartime leader and ally whose nation is currently embroiled in deadly conflict with Russia to grovel at his feet. This incident showcased a lack of diplomatic decorum and highlighted a profound absence of empathy and respect for democratic principles. Trump’s portrayal of Zelensky as a “dictator” who caused the war in Ukraine are also far from any version of objective truth.
Empathy, a cornerstone of the liberal arts, empowers individuals to transcend their immediate self-interest, recognize suffering, and understand differing viewpoints. Authoritarian regimes thrive on the erosion of empathy, as it paves the way for manipulation and control. Consequently, such regimes often attack the liberal arts, labeling them as frivolous or subversive.
This erosion of democratic principles is further reflected in the rise of white Christian nationalism, an ideology that seeks to “Make America Great Again” not as a pluralistic democracy but as an ethno-religious state where power is concentrated in the hands of white conservatives. This movement perverts the Constitution, claiming to uphold American values while systematically dismantling the very principles of fairness, religious freedom, and equal protection under the law. Rather than embracing the Constitution’s enlightened commitment to justice for all, devotees of white Christian nationalism selectively apply its tenets, using faith as a justification for discrimination, political violence, and the erosion of civil rights.
The fear of a rising number of ethnic minorities achieving full participation in American society has driven many to abandon constitutional ethics in favor of authoritarianism. The very principles that once made America a shining beacon of opportunity (education, free thought, and inclusion) are being actively suppressed in an effort to maintain power. This is why the right-wing assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs is so insidious. The attack on DEI is not about meritocracy; it is about ensuring that BIPOC, LGBTQ people, and women are systematically excluded from positions of influence while less capable but ideologically loyal individuals take their place.
The rise of Elon Musk further highlights how authoritarian tendencies are being amplified through economic and technological power. Musk, who comes from apartheid-era South Africa, a system explicitly built on white minority rule, has continually demonstrated a deep hostility toward democratic ideals. His control over vast communication networks, such as Twitter/X, has allowed him to shape political discourse in ways that benefit authoritarian interests. Musk has openly platformed white nationalist rhetoric, attacked independent journalism, and used his wealth to undermine regulatory structures meant to ensure fairness in industry and society. His ascendancy represents a dangerous shift from democracy to oligarchy. Billionaires rather than elected representatives are determining the boundaries of free speech, public policy, and access to technology.
His rise is emblematic of a broader trend where oligarchs, tech magnates, and authoritarian politicians form an unholy alliance to suppress dissent and concentrate power. While working-class Americans, especially marginalized groups, face increasing barriers to social mobility due to nepotism, cronyism, racism and targeted dismantling of institutions designed to protect against them Musk and his allies ensure that their own children and social circles remain insulated from the pain of these struggles.
The Trump administration’s attacks on education, diversity, and critical thinking are not new; they are part of a long tradition of using ignorance as a tool of oppression. This tactic has a long history in America, most notably in the way slaveowners actively prohibited enslaved people from learning to read or write. They understood that education breeds independent thought, and independent thought breeds resistance. In the same way, today’s right-wing movements aim to keep the public ignorant, ensuring that people do not have the tools to question or resist their own oppression.
Another instance was the backlash after the civil rights victories of the 1960s. When Black Americans and other marginalized groups made strides toward equality, the cost of higher education, particularly in state schools, began to soar. Public universities, once designed to be affordable pathways to upward mobility, became increasingly expensive, making it harder for working-class students, especially Black and Brown students, to access a robust education. This shift was not accidental. While liberal arts education became financially out of reach for the poor, the wealthy ensured that their children continued to receive every advantage by preserving legacy admission policies that are patently unfair.
This is why the liberal arts matter. They equip students with the ability to dissect propaganda, recognize injustice, and imagine a better world. A society that values literature, history, philosophy, and the arts is a society that values humanity itself. In contrast, a society that devalues these disciplines risks descending into cruelty and authoritarianism.
The battle for democracy extends beyond the ballot box; it permeates classrooms, libraries, and theaters, spaces where individuals engage with diverse narratives, grapple with history, and confront complex ideas. As the United States stands at a pivotal juncture, the imperative for an education rooted in empathy and intellectual curiosity has never been more urgent. Teaching the liberal arts is not merely an academic endeavor; it is an essential act of resistance against the encroaching forces of tyranny. Regardless of who is in power, I will continue to use wisdom, truth, and love to help my film production students create their own visions for a better future for a truly diverse and inclusive America. What we do, say, and teach in the classroom continues to matter deeply.
Vaun Monroe is currently an Assistant Professor in the Digital Cinema Program at Southern Oregon University. He is also one of the founding members of EDIT Media: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Teaching Media, a faculty-driven initiative dedicated to researching, developing, and educating about best practices in inclusive teaching in college-level media production. Monroe was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. He earned his BA in Liberal Arts at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA and his MFA in Film and Media Arts from Temple University in Philadelphia.
Editor’s note: The ZoomIN Blog was created as a place to showcase methods, ideas and practices for inclusive teaching in the field of media. Entries are usually short and concrete, discussing assignments, projects, and resources for celebrating diversity and creating inclusive practices. Given the current political environment, I am thrilled to publish a piece by Vaun Monroe about why doing this work is so important. Please send more posts about both your successes and your struggles to zoominblogapATgmail.com.
