WE COMPLAIN ABOUT FAKE NEWS BUT WE KEEP PRODUCING FAKE PEOPLE THROUGH OUR SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE DON'T TEACH OUR STUDENTS WHO THEY REALLY ARE.

WE COMPLAIN ABOUT FAKE NEWS BUT WE KEEP PRODUCING FAKE PEOPLE THROUGH OUR SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE DON'T TEACH OUR STUDENTS WHO THEY REALLY ARE.

Fake news has become a major problem in our age of information and social media. Fake news affects the way we think, the way we process information, and the way we form opinions. But, it is not the only form of deception in our culture. We are also creating “fake people” in our schools and universities by failing to teach our students who they really are.

When discussing such a complex and encompassing topic, it is important to consider the long-term implications of a fake education. By not teaching our students their true identities, we are creating generations of people who lack true confidence and understanding of their own values and beliefs. In our society today, too many individuals fall victim to a false notion of identity and rely on media, advertisements, and other sources of deceptive information to define themselves.

Furthermore, we are failing to teach our students the complexities of their personal stories. Our educational systems often promote a “one size fits all” approach to learning, which leaves many students lost and confused when faced with topics such as race, gender identity, intersectionality, and so much more. Not only does this lack of information leave students ill-equipped to properly express their thoughts and opinions, but it denies them the opportunity to explore and define their own individual identities.

The “fake people” epidemic permeates our society beyond the realm of education. We live in a world in which people are judged and labeled based on the outward appearance that they have been taught to cultivate. We are living in an era where individuals are judged and valued based on their external characteristics and contributions and not their personal traits and values. This need to conform to outside expectations results in the self-censoring of our natural personalities, leaving us feeling lost and empty.

Ultimately, fake people cannot exist in an environment that provides an abundance of true and meaningful information. We have a responsibility to create an educational system that places the emphasis on teaching students who they are and developing their individual stories. Our goal should be to create a place in which all of our collective individual identities are respected and embraced. Such an understanding of our true identities will enable us to break the cycle of fake news and create a brighter future for all.