Younger generations are not as patriotic as our parents and grandparents. Recent polls reveal that the percentage of Americans who are proud of their country has declined over the last several decades. Sadly, the fault does not lie with our children, but rather with their education.

The gradual adoption of critical race theory in our public schools and universities is one of the main drivers of that decline. The growing support of it over the years has led to a one-sided education that has taught our children many of our nation’s sins, but very few, if any, of its virtues. This miseducation has led to a generation that would not be able to pass the U.S. citizenship test. A recent national survey found that only 19% of Americans under the age of 45 could pass the citizenship test, compared to 74% of those 65 years old and older.

A descendant of American slaves and the son of parents who lived through the Jim Crow South, I am keenly aware of our nation’s past. But I’m also aware of how far we’ve come. Sadly, this holistic view of the country hasn’t been taught, leaving many of our children and grandchildren with bitter feelings toward our nation, as seen in the declining patriotism and pride. This resentment has also led to an uptick in a dangerous precedent that has seen a young Air National Guardsman post classified documents online and a Supreme Court decision leaked to the press before it was finalized and made public.