Do we cultivate a culture of ignorance?

I recently read a commentary on STL Today, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website, on Barack Obama's recent speech on race. The article discusses our country's descent into ignorance and rejection of intellect. The writer praises Barack Obama for believing in the American people and not dumbing down his speech on race.

I encourage you to read the short article from STL Today and to listen or read Barack Obama's full 37-minute speech on the state of race in America. Please do not only listen to the short 30-second soundbites on CNN or Fox News, as I did. If you do, you will miss out on this profound emotionally and intellectually stirring speech. I truly believe that Barack Obama writes from his heart. The words are not empty, but so full of meaning that I admit to tearing up at the end of the speech. He really makes me believe in the promise of America.