Victoria Cavaleri
When Johnny Cash sang “What Is Truth” at the Nixon White House, he called himself “a dove with claws”—no disrespect meant. Two weeks later, Nixon invaded Cambodia after promising the war was winding down. He lied.
On his television show, Cash sang “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Soon after, Neil Young wrote “Ohio”—an instant number one hit—after the killing of four students at Kent State. Then came Watergate.
Today, the headlines are different, but the pattern is the same. The stakes are as high as ever. People shrug and say, “It’s just politics. Be patient—this too shall pass. “But patience won’t fix the fact that empathy in America is at an all-time low, and democracy itself feels fragile.
There is one sure, lasting solution: Teach empathy in America’s schools. Every year. Every grade. Make it as essential as math, English, history, physical education, and music. Not as an afterthought—but as a way of life. Teach art and music.
“What is truth?” It’s what we teach our children, every single day. And sometimes, the best way to tell it… is in a song. Empathy does not require wealth or beauty, just love and truth. Teach truth about all!
