D’Souza challenges students to verify truth on their own

Before engaging student questions, political commentator Dinesh D’Souza warned the crowd during Liberty University Convo Select on Monday to research on their own instead of accepting historical narratives. His visit was presented by Young America’s Foundation.

His appearance came on the heels of a screening of his newest documentary, “Death of a Nation” in Convocation last Friday where free popcorn and drinks were given to students. (The 1-hour, 49-minute movie was pared down to an hour.)

D’Souza is a right-wing pundit who regularly appears on major news networks and pens columns for newspapers and magazines. He has written, directed, and produced several documentaries (one of which is among the five highest grossing of all time) and is a No. 1 New York Times best-selling author.

At Liberty, D’Souza reinforced the message of “Death of a Nation,” (the documentary and book of the same name) — that the origin of fascism and the blame for the Civil War are largely misunderstood.

“We are at a very critical time,” D’Souza said. “It is a time where we need more civility. But, it is a time, most of all, where we need more truth.”

He described the corroboration of the idea that fascism is a right-wing phenomenon as “the same bullet ricocheting from one wall to another … coming at you from different directions.” D’Souza shared what he concluded from examining history, including about western influences on Nazi ideology, Abraham Lincoln’s self-professed conservatism, the role of both Northern and Southern Democrats in the Civil War, and a post-World War II effort to shift the blame for slavery from the political left to the political right.

D’Souza encouraged students to have courage to stand up for their beliefs no matter the cost.

“Ultimately, be Socratic,” he said. “Be independent. Be willing to stand up for your beliefs. Check things out; verify them for yourself. At the end of the day, liberate your mind.”

D’Souza took questions from students in the audience during a Q & A, which touched largely on his views on Civil War history, left-wing racism, and the manipulation of historical education, which was espoused in his movie. He explained the title of the project, a play on 1915’s “Birth of a Nation” which, he said, has ideas that if progressed would result in America’s death. He also advised students on how to adjust their messages to better reach culture and to use media, like films, to expand influence.

Liberty President Jerry Falwell moderated the Q & A and thanked D’Souza for “shining a light on these revisionist historians.”

“I admire him for taking a stand,” Falwell said.

D’Souza echoed his challenge as he responded to questions.

“It’s your job to figure out if any of it is true,” he said of historical narratives, including those in his documentaries. “Be a free thinker in the true sense of the term and, ultimately, that will make you … a very dangerous American. Because when you are equipped with facts, you become dangerous.”

Following Convocation, D’Souza took time to meet with students in the lobby of The Center for Music and the Worship Arts and pose for pictures.