You’ve seen the sign in your neighbor’s yard or Facebook page: “In this house, we believe: Black lives matter / Women’s rights are human rights / No human is illegal /­ Science is real / Love is love / Kindness is everything.”

Smug, I think, when driving or scrolling by. Condescending. Why, I think, would anyone post such a collection of obvious-sounding statements except as a slap to conservatives? Isn’t each one a signpost for left-wing values like militant antiracism, feminism, open borders, scientism, LGBT rights, and virtue signaling?

We timed it just right last year, when my sister and I fulfilled a long-standing ambition to visit Yosemite National Park for our annual fall camping excursion. “Camping” has become more of a spectrum for us—where once we tramped down the Grand Canyon’s South Kaibab Trail carrying all our supplies on our 50-year-old backs, we now do moderate day hikes, rounded out in a comfy cabin. At Yosemite we split the difference and stayed in a canvas-sided tent with mattresses and electrical outlets. We got the spectacular trees and scenery.

I read about it two years ago on The College Fix. An academic article called “Human reactions to rape culture and queer performativity at urban dog parks in Portland, Oregon” had been published in a feminist journal. It was about “dog rape,” apparently. Were college professors actually writing—and publishing—stuff like this? Right-wing education sites buzzed about it for days until the punchline hit: the doggy piece was a hoax.

In 1876, the United States celebrated its centennial with parades, speeches, and an Exposition in Philadelphia, open to the world. But the general election that year was no cause for celebration. 

Humans share many traits in common, but each human is a universe unto himself, a peculiar mix of experiences, prejudices, pains, pleasures, and conflicts. That’s why it’s a mistake to judge another human by one’s own dogma. 

If you are a parent of school-age children, I don’t have to tell you that COVID-19 has shaken no institution more than education. July saw a mad scramble as school districts across the nation anxiously eyed the data and monitored each other on best practices for reopening their facilities—or not.

In the dark days of the pandemic, actor John Krasinski premiered a homemade video podcast called Some Good News (or, as it soon became known, SGN). Producing it in his living room with a title card drawn by his school-age daughter, Krasinski walked the nation through the normal highlights of springtime (prom, graduation, weddings), virtual-style. Celebrity friends contributed their talents and viewers contributed short videos, artwork, and inspiring messages.