The Voices of Tomorrow: Educators in a Dangerous Time

In recent years, as we are faced with tremendously controversial electoral politics and shocking global conflicts, political discourse has become increasingly polarized and emotionally charged, rendering it extraordinarily difficult for many to engage in the productive discussion and debate necessary to move society forward. Looking forward and recognizing the looming crisis ahead, the Sphere Education Initiative was developed in 2019 with the mission of advancing free speech and civil discourse in the educational system in order to give (grade 5-12) students the skills to engage in contentious political discussion in an informed, engaged and constructive manner.

Voices of Tomorrow, a short documentary piece directed by Lena Popilieva (and produced by Sphere in conjunction with employees from the Cato Institute, the libertarian think tank that houses the initiative) takes a closer look at two Detroit area schools that have incorporated Sphere’s educational tools and curricula into their classes over the past six years. Taking the format of interviews with students and teachers from the programme, the slickly produced piece is most compelling in its focus on the dedication of its featured educators.

Bringing to mind many of my own favourite teachers from high school, they are undeniably passionate about their work, and committed to fostering a safe space for difficult discussion in their classrooms and beyond. Most lament the increasing difficulty of dealing with conflict and differences of political opinion both inside and outside of the classroom, especially in the context of the last few election cycles – and in the wake of the 2016 election in particular. As Popilieva peppers their testimony with flashes of footage from the January 6^th insurrection, Black Lives Matters protests, and snippets of images from Trump and Harris’ recent presidential campaigns, little ambiguity is left to their meaning. To be sure, it would be difficult to argue with one of the teachers assertions that politic discussion has, in recent years become something of a bloodsport.

Adding further nuance to the discussion, another argues that the advent of social media has greatly complicated reasonable discourse in recent years, an assertion that would be difficult to argue against. Indeed, in an age where the tenet of free speech seems to be constantly and very casually thrown about to justify all manner of wild conjecture and confabulation in the online space, these educators place a heavy emphasis on not only the foundations of that vitally important concept, but also in understanding the nuances of its implications. Freedom of speech does not simply imply the freedom to say what we like without consideration of the consequences, but to express ourselves without fear of retaliation from the government. An important distinction indeed.

Without a doubt, the central message of the film – not to mention the mission of the Sphere Initiative itself – appears to be quite noble. However, it does give one pause to consider how an established think tank with a specifically delineated political agenda seems to have managed to (perhaps tangentially) insert itself into the American education system. To be fair, the Sphere Initiative identifies itself as a decidedly non-partisan organization (and this designation is indeed central to its fundamental aims), but it is important to note that they function within the framework of the Cato Institute, a well-established think tank based in Washington, DC. Notably, many of the crew members of this documentary, including director Lina Popilieva, are employees of the Cato Institute. Unfortunately, in an age where media literacy is more important than ever, any perceived obfuscation of Sphere’s connection to the Cato Institute has the potential to somewhat muffle the power of their message. Non-partisan, as candidly as it the term seems to be bandied about, does not mean lacking an agenda.

Nevertheless, Voices of Tomorrow spotlights a set of vitally important issues facing society today, shining a light on some of the greatest challenges currently facing educators (especially in the American context) and celebrating their efforts to connect meaningfully with the potential leaders of future. As one of the featured teachers so succinctly puts it, their true mission is clear: to save the world one student at a time. A lofty goal indeed, and one in which we can all wish them success.