Trump's Inflammatory Remarks May Empower School Bullies
BY:Adriana Murray/Contributing Writer
The 2016 election has been focused on hot button issues that find strong opposition and support, including immigration and foreign policy. Both the media and general public have taken notice on key moments, such as the candidate’s temperament and their treatment of others on the campaign trail. While Clinton has received criticism on previous decisions she has made while in office, her opponent, Donald Trump, has been widely criticized for his behavior.
Trump’s campaign has been filled with hurtful rhetoric; consequently, many people have spoken out against his inflammatory remarks. Throughout the course of his campaign Trump has made provocative statements about religious and ethnic minorities, as well as the role of women. He has mocked Asian Americans and a reporter with a disability, too. As a result, an unprecedented number of Republicans have declined to support their party’s nominee, or withdrawn their support, publicly denouncing statements Trump has made.
In addition to the group of Republicans, other key political figures have also condemned Trump for being sexist and racist. President Obama and other top democratic leaders have urged to RNC to step away from supporting Trump. Moreover, large unions have spoken out against Trump’s platforms and have publicly announced their support of the Clinton campaign. The support of unions are key in gaining votes from the middle class, America’s largest economic demographic.
The National Education Association is the largest labor union and is one of many super PAC organizations that have condemned Trump’s behavior. The NEA has been extremely vocal about their dislike of the comments made by Trump: the organization has announced their support for Clinton. The president of NEA, Lily Eskelsen Garcia, implied that Trump’s provocative language and speeches encourage and empower school bullies to antagonize ethnic and religious minorities.
Many teachers have provided anecdotal experiences to demonstrate the connection between the “Trump effect” and the increase in bullying at schools towards Arab and Muslim children, in particular. In an effort to take the battleground states, the NEA will roll out a six-figure advertising campaign, accusing Donald Trump of being a bully and highlight concerns of sexism, racism, and xenophobia.
The campaign will incorporate stories from teachers across the country, who have seen bullying in their classrooms that resemble Trump’s rhetoric. “There is bullying going on, [there are] children who feel that they have been given permission to repeat things they’ve heard out of Donald Trump’s mouth,” says one teacher.
The advertising campaign also shows students bullying Muslim kids by yelling “Trump, Trump, Trump” at them, invoking fear and anxiety within the classroom.
With the teachers’ anecdotes, people are able to understand the damaging consequences of the “Trump Effect”. Minority children have become fearful of what will happen to them and their families. School is supposed to be place for diversity and acceptance, but now it has become a place for intolerance and aggression. What’s worse, bullies become numb to the hurtful comments they say, making them unable to recognize their impact on others.
Through the advertising campaign and teachers’ experiences, the NEA hopes to show parents and children that it is unacceptable for them to say and do hurtful things towards others with differences. Candidates should be teaching the younger generation how to be tolerant and embrace diversity – not the other way around.