I like to think of myself as relatively well-read in history and sociopolitical matters. I definitely have better media literacy than the average American. Being well-read and having better media literacy, the current state of the United States is, well, concerning. I live in Oklahoma, which is “Texas Lite.” We have a caricature of a MAGA educator as our living, breathing Superintendent of Schools here. Ryan Walters is a prime example of being a harbinger of things to come.
Who is Ryan Walters?
Ryan Walters is the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Oklahoma. He basically is the chief executive officer of the Oklahoma State Department of Education. So, like the Education Secretary of Oklahoma, if you will.
Now, I shouldn’t call him “the human equivalent of athlete’s foot on the foot of society” but, I cannot come up with a better thing to call him. Not because of how he looks (which is exactly like that white supremacist meme format) but because of his ideology and ideas of education as a whole.
But why is he the human equivalent of the human equivalent of athlete’s foot on the foot of society?
I am so glad you asked.
Mr. Walters is from a city in Oklahoma called McAlester – which is situated in the lower right quadrant of Oklahoma in Pittsburg County. As of 2020, it had a population of 18,140 residents with 69% of those residents identifying as white, 4.8% as African American, 8% as Indigenous .7% Asian, 15.6% as two or more races, and 7.7% as Hispanic or Latin origin. The “white alone” identified as 65.2%. The median household income in Mc Alester was $26,631 with 24.1% of the residents being at or below the poverty line. Males had an income of about $29K whereas women had $19K.
Harding University
Walters attended Harding University – a private Christian Liberal Arts University in Searcy, Arkansas. It has all your basic and normal majors with a flavoring of “Bible and Missions,” “Bible and Ministry,” “Bible and Family Ministry,” and “Foreign Language and Ministry.” Getting a degree at Harding requires 20 Hours of Bible classes, with 10-16 hours of “upper-level Bible courses to satisfy the graduation requirement.” Makes sense as it is a bible college. Basically, you must attend the class, even if you are failing, and if you miss too many classes you will be placed on “Bible Attendance Probation, and will be required to sign a Bible attendance contract to register for the following semester. If it happens in a second semester, well, you’re suspended!
The only way to be exempt is to pass eight semesters of Bible and fulfill the “Scripture, Truth and Ethics” requirement, which will have students “know, live and share God’s Word,” “examine a variety of disciplines from a Christian perspective,” and “pursue and advocate for truth.”
Okay, it’s a bible college – so what can be so concerning – well, when the student body circulated a “statement of attitude” in 1957 where 75% of students, staff and faculty were like “Uh, we wanna integrate with the not-whites” the president of the Time, George S. Benson made an address in response called “Harding College and the Colored Problem” (okay, ew). He called POC inferior and that “integrations was youthful idealism” and insisted students refer to their elders. And then went on to state that interracial marriage would lead to broken homes and rises in crime (holy shit, what the fuck?).
Okay in modern times, the university has had issues with LGBTQ+ students wanting to have a Zine and the faculty being like “Yeah, no.” Cause gay stuff is like super scary. In April 2022, a zine was released and requested that “Harding fully acknowledge, affirm, and protect its LGBT students.” I am inferring that it isn’t going so great.
Additionally, Harding is associated with the Churches of Christ (AKA Church of Christ) calls themselves nondenominational, but is an Evangelical Protestant flavor of Christianity that prohibits musical instruments in worship and baptism is important to be saved. Staff is required to affirm in their annual evaluation that they are a member in good standing of the Church of Christ and attend services weekly.
It is a little weird that it has to be said that students and staff can’t have sex, they also prohibit premarital, extramarital, and homosexual sex. (See above LGBT students wanting protection).
The handbook is quoted as saying: “”Harding University holds to the biblical principle that God instituted marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman and that gender identity is given by God and revealed in one’s birth sex. Students are prohibited from being married to or dating a person of the same sex. Neither may students engage in behavior suggesting a romantic relationship with a person of the same sex. The University further holds to the biblical principle that sexual relationships outside the context of marriage are unacceptable to God and immoral. Sexual immorality in any form will result in suspension from the University.”
Additionally, it goes on to say it forbids the “unwelcome and inappropriate emphasizing of sexual identity.” It was also listed by Campus Pride on the list of “The Absolute Worst, Most Unsafe Campuses for LGBTQ+ Youth.” It has gone so far as to get a Title IX exception based on religious grounds in 2017.
Why is his college important?
Ryan Walters’ time at Harding University seems to have profoundly shaped his worldview, particularly in his staunch conservative stances on education and social issues. The university’s emphasis on traditional Christian values, including its prohibition of LGBTQ+ rights and its controversial past with race relations, reflects a broader ideological framework that Walters has carried into his role as Superintendent of Public Instruction. His alignment with far-right, evangelical beliefs has led to policies that challenge the diversity and inclusivity of public education in Oklahoma.
His tenure has seen attempts to push Christian conservative values into the curriculum, including efforts to limit discussions on LGBTQ+ issues and the teaching of “divisive” topics related to race. This push to impose a narrow worldview onto public schools aligns with the same rhetoric and mindset seen during his time at Harding. As a result, his actions as a public official echo the exclusionary and often harmful ideologies he was exposed to during his education.
Ryan Walters and His Articles in The Federalist Society
In addition to his controversial educational policies, Ryan Walters has also contributed to conservative thought through his writings in The Federalist Society—a well-known legal and political organization that advocates for a strict interpretation of the Constitution and promotes conservative policies. His articles reflect a deeper alignment with the ideals of limited government, the promotion of traditional values, and skepticism toward progressive movements in education and society at large.
Walters’ contributions to The Federalist Society highlight his broader ideological framework and his desire to shape the direction of American education and governance through a conservative lens. In his writings, he has critiqued the rise of progressive ideologies in schools and the influence of left-wing politics on public education. Much like his policies in Oklahoma, these articles advocate for the reinforcement of traditional American values, while opposing the growing influence of social justice movements in educational settings.
His articles often emphasize the importance of parental rights in education, the dangers of “woke” ideologies, and the need to protect children from what he perceives as harmful, politically-driven educational content. These themes mirror his efforts as Superintendent of Public Instruction in Oklahoma, where he has pushed to limit the teaching of certain topics, particularly those related to race, gender, and LGBTQ+ issues.
By contributing to The Federalist Society, Walters further cements his position as a key figure in the national conversation about the direction of education and the role of government in shaping curricula. His writings have become an extension of his political agenda, revealing how his conservative views on education are deeply rooted in his broader political ideology.
Ryan Walters’ Response to the Death of Nex Benedict and Chaya Raichik
The tragic deaths of Nex Benedict and Chaya Raichik have drawn attention to the increasing tensions surrounding issues of identity, free speech, and the rights of marginalized groups in today’s society. As these events gained media coverage, Ryan Walters’ response to their deaths highlighted his controversial stance on certain social issues, revealing how his ideological beliefs shaped his actions as an educational leader and public figure.
Nex Benedict, a young trans activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and Chaya Raichik, a known conservative voice and founder of the “Libs of TikTok” social media platform, both met untimely and tragic ends in the midst of their highly polarized public lives. While Benedict’s death was met with an outpouring of grief from the LGBTQ+ community, Raichik’s passing sparked a different reaction, especially among conservative circles where she was seen as a symbol of free speech and resistance to progressive ideologies.
Ryan Walters’ response to these events drew criticism from many quarters. In statements regarding Benedict’s death, Walters did not offer the same sympathy or calls for healing that many expected. Instead, his comments were framed within a narrative of conservative values, where he often downplayed the importance of LGBTQ+ advocacy and emphasized his views on limiting “liberal” ideologies in schools. Walters reframed the conversation to focus on what he believed were the dangers of “woke” culture, which he contends is a primary driver of division in society.
In contrast, Walters’ response to Chaya Raichik’s passing was much more aligned with his usual political rhetoric. He publicly expressed support for Raichik, praising her efforts to expose what he called “radical leftist agendas” in education and the media. Walters, who often positions himself as a defender of traditional values, viewed Raichik as a champion of free speech and an opponent of what he considers the politicization of education. He used her death to bolster his narrative about the need to protect conservative viewpoints from what he perceives as a rising wave of liberal censorship.
These responses shed light on how Walters selectively engages with tragic events, reinforcing his ideological stance while steering public discourse away from discussions about unity and healing. By aligning himself with figures like Raichik, who advocated for the suppression of progressive voices, Walters further cements his place in a broader culture war over the future of education and societal values. His responses to these deaths underscore how political ideologies can shape not only policies but the very manner in which personal tragedies are processed in the public sphere.
Walters’ influence highlights a growing trend in American politics where education is being shaped by personal beliefs rather than objective, inclusive policies. This creates an environment where students may be denied the opportunity to learn in a diverse, open-minded setting, fostering division rather than understanding. As Oklahoma’s education system is increasingly shaped by Walters’ views, the future of public education in the state is at risk of becoming more divisive and less representative of the values of all its citizens.