Harvard University has been besieged since the current administration took office. Billions of dollars in federal funding for research at Harvard have been frozen. They have been threatened with government interference in who they can hire and what they can teach, with the removal of their tax-exempt status, and with suits targeting a perceived failure to fight anti-semitism. The federal government has prohibited entry into the country for foreign students who want to study at Harvard and has detained other students who are here on fully government-compliant visas.
In response to relentless government efforts to control one of the premier institutions of higher education in our country, Harvard introduced a menu of free online courses to help people better understand the principles of democracy. Justice – Social and Criminal. We the People. American Government – Constitutional Foundations. Citizen Politics In America. Rhetoric – learning how to speak clearly about issues in the political arena. The courses are open to everyone, and they are free.
What a marvelous illustration of the teachable moment! The federal government’s actions showed a profound lack of understanding of democracy and an equally profound lack of respect for individuals involved in higher education at Harvard. That such a thing could happen spoke volumes about the need for citizen education on the fundamentals of life in our society.
Harvard did what Harvard does best: they taught. They taught us that knowledge is power, and offered us their knowledge. They created open access to Harvard teachers and courses that strengthen citizens’ knowledge and resources for participating fully in our democracy instead of idly accepting events and wondering what to do. While other institutions cave to the government’s demands, Harvard offers us tools for resisting an onslaught of actions designed to openly dismantle our democracy.
Mr. Rogers used to say that in any kind of crisis, look for the helpers. In the present crisis, look for the teachers. Look for the leaders who create ways to teach us what we need to know.
Notes:
https://pll.harvard.edu/catalog?keywords=justice&url=
Harvard.edu/president/news/2025/upholding-our-values-defending-our-university
