An American Renaissance Today

American Political Intelligence In 2013, Mississippi ranked 49th in fourth-grade reading. Today, it ranks 9th. In Steubenville, Ohio, over 95% of third graders pass reading benchmarks despite widespread poverty. These results point to something deeper — a cultural renewal rooted in literacy and human dignity. Mike Steger Feb 28, 2026 Mississippi. Steubenville. And the Rebirth of a Culture of Literacy.Last week, we challenged the dominant narrative that America is collapsing.This week, we show you the proof that something very different is happening.Watch the full video here:👉 https://youtu.be/5TBDoHdUlq8 Promethean Action Overviews is dedicated to examining the economic, political, and historical forces shaping the future of the American System. You can subscribe to the Promethean Action Overviews channel on YouTube for more in-depth analysis.In this episode, Steger turns away from the noise of national politics to examine something far more consequential: a quiet but measurable transformation taking place inside American classrooms. While headlines focus on division and decline, states like Mississippi and districts like Steubenville, Ohio are producing results that defy expectations — and challenge long-held assumptions about poverty, education, and cultural decay.Steger explores Mississippi’s rise from 49th in fourth-grade reading in 2013 to 9th in the nation today, with low-income students leading the country in gains. He highlights Steubenville’s sustained success over two decades, where more than 95% of third graders consistently pass reading benchmarks despite widespread economic hardship and lower per-pupil spending.Placing these developments in a broader historical framework, he argues that literacy is not merely an educational metric but a civilizational principle. From Frederick Douglass to the Christian Renaissance movements of Europe, he shows how cultural renewal has historically begun with a commitment to cultivating the human mind. What is emerging in these communities, he contends, may represent the early stirrings of a new American Renaissance — grounded not in technology or ideology, but in the moral conviction that every child’s mind is worth developing.Watch the full episode to understand why Mississippi and Steubenville may be signaling something far larger than an education reform story — and what it could mean for the future of American civilization.00:00 An American Renaissance00:52 Mississippi: From 49th to 9th02:14 The Literacy-Based Promotion Act04:36 The “Man Overboard” Principle06:02 Steubenville’s Reading Miracle08:27 Poverty and Civilizational Commitment10:41 Literacy and Freedom12:08 The Devotio Moderna and the Second Renaissance14:32 Groote and the Brothers of the Common Life16:44 Lincoln, Douglass, and the American Tradition18:55 Rebuilding the Mind of the Nation20:12 A Third Renaissance Begins21:03 Reclaiming American Civilization Author Mike joined LaRouche’s last campaign for President in 2002. He ran a political intel and outreach company from 2011–2021, and co-founded Promethean Action in 2021. He lives in the Detroit area with his wife. [email protected] View articles