Mattarella crushes left-wing censors and redefines Schlein

The occasion is the centenary of don Milani’s birth. Sergio Mattarella arrives by helicopter in Barbiana, a small town in the Apennines in the municipality of Vicchio del Mugello (Florence), to participate in the event in memory of the educator who linked his existence to giving the poorest children a chance at life. In the opening speech of the celebrations, the President of the Republic recalls that «the Barbiana school lasted all day, seeking to instil the desire to learn, the desire to work together». And, above all, “he sought to create the habit of observing the things of the world with a critical spirit. Without ever running away from confrontation, without intending to silence anyone, least of all a book or its presentation. In short, he invited us to know how to discern ». I can’t help thinking about what happened on Saturday, May 20, at the Book Fair in Turin, when a group of environmental feminists prevented the Minister of Family and Birth, Eugenia Roccella, from presenting her book “A Radical Family”. The objective was achieved: managing to muzzle Roccella, with Salone director Nicola Lagioia being surprisingly permissive. Rather than allow free debate, after an on-stage brawl, he walked out, leaving his hand free for the protesters.

What was even more surprising was the silence of leftist parties. After initial indecision, Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein intervened. Those who expected a condemnation and a defense of freedom of expression were disappointed: “In a democracy, whoever holds power or makes policy must take into account that there are disputes, that there is dissent.” Phrase in itself impeccable, if the dispute had not turned into censorship. Yesterday, Matteo Renzi thought of thanking Mattarella on Twitter: «From the seats of Don Milani, Mattarella intervenes on the events of last week in Turin: “Never shut up the presentation of a book”. Thank you President, long live democracy”. The fulcrum of the speech by the head of state in Barbiana revolves around the concept of “merit” in school. Yes, that same word: merit, which with the Meloni government even entered the denomination of ministry: Education and Merit, by the way. «Merit is not extending the advantage of those who are already favorites underlines Mattarella – Merit is giving new opportunities to those who don’t have them, because it’s fair and so as not to make Italy lose precious talents if it finds the opportunity to express itself , as all must be secured”. In “Letter to a teacher”, a disturbing text not always rightly brandished even in 1968, Don Milani criticized the elitist school, a metaphor for a society, while “the school belongs to everyone, it should belong to everyone”. As don Milani explained, “having before him the children of peasants who seemed inexorably destined to be alien to school life – adds the President of the Republic – A school that selects destroys culture. It takes away the means of expression from the poor. It takes away from the rich the knowledge of things”, wrote the young parish priest.

“Impossible not to understand the wisdom of these thoughts. It was his pedagogy of freedom», clarifies the president. Don Milani, “a great Italian who, with his lesson, invited us to exercise an active responsibility”. Perhaps he is known by younger people for his motto, “I care”, the anthem of those who “reject selfishness and indifference”. For the head of state, who will visit the wetlands of Emilia Romagna on Tuesday, “this expression was accompanied by another, less well-known one. He said, “As long as there is effort, there is hope.” Society does not improve without effort. Commitment accompanied by confidence that illuminates the path of those who really want to build». Reflection on merit as an antidote to discrimination is reminiscent of the words spoken two months ago by Giorgia Meloni at the CGIL assembly: “In my view, merit is the only real social elevation that exists. Of course, if accompanied by equal starting conditions».

Source: IL Tempo

\