Julian Vasquez Heilig, an expert in higher education and Professor at Western Michigan University, joins David Sirota, founder of The Lever and former advisor to Bernie Sanders. They delve into the troubling impact of recent government policies on education, particularly the dismantling of DEI initiatives. The duo critiques the shift towards a patriotic curriculum that masks historical injustices and discusses how current political dynamics threaten academic integrity. They emphasize the necessity for universities to champion democracy amid rising authoritarianism.