Tony Katz: Your job is to educate, not to help them learn how to be indoctrinated
Written by
Producer Karl
Published on
January 21, 2026
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Student walkouts disrupt school but exercise free speech rights, raising questions about schools' responsibilities.
Criticism of walkouts focuses on concerns about ideological indoctrination, not just educational disruption.
Navigating complex issues like immigration requires guidance to foster critical thinking, not just silence students.
When Students Walk Out of School
There’s a pressing issue that’s been making headlines: student walkouts. Specifically, we discussed the Free America walkout at Carmel High School in Indiana, where approximately 300 students participated in a nationwide protest against the policies and actions of President Trump’s administration.
The walkout was organized by the Carmel Young Progressives, a newly launched school group. But what caught our attention was the reaction from Tony Katz, who expressed frustration and disappointment with the administration’s handling of the situation. “Why are we allowing this?” he asked. “Why are we allowing students to walk out of school and disrupt the learning environment?”
The host’s concerns aren’t unfounded. While the students’ right to free speech and assembly is protected, the walkout did disrupt the school day and may have caused inconvenience to other students. But what’s more concerning is the underlying message that the walkout sends. “Never again is now,” one student’s sign read. But what does that mean, exactly? And is it a slogan that’s being used to mask a lack of understanding about the complexities of immigration and customs enforcement?
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The host’s criticism isn’t just aimed at the students, but also at the administration and teachers who allowed the walkout to happen. “Your job is to educate, not to help them learn how to be indoctrinated,” he said. “That’s all that this is. Parents, sign them out now.” But what’s the impact of this approach? Will it lead to a more informed and engaged citizenry, or will it simply silence students who are trying to make their voices heard?
The host’s comments sparked a heated debate about the role of education in shaping young minds. Should schools be a place for learning and critical thinking, or should they be a platform for ideological indoctrination? The answer, of course, is not a simple one. But what’s clear is that students need guidance and support to navigate complex issues like immigration and politics.
As we explore this topic further, we’re left with more questions than answers. What’s the best way to balance free speech with the need for a structured learning environment? How can we encourage critical thinking and engagement without promoting ideological extremism? And what role should parents, teachers, and administrators play in shaping the next generation of citizens?
If you’re interested in exploring these questions and more, tune in to our latest episode. We’ll dive deeper into the complexities of student walkouts, the role of education in shaping young minds, and the challenges of navigating complex issues like immigration and politics.
Listen to the “Carmel High Walkout” discussion in full here:
