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by Gladys Marquez
High School Bilingual/ELL English Teacher
Blue Island, Illinois
Like thousands of teachers across the country, I am blessed to teach in a school district that is rich in culture and diversity. As an educator, I understand that together we work to support all students, from every background and every zip code.
However, what happens when political bullying transcends virtual boundaries and negatively impacts our learning communities? When a presidential candidate refuses to take accountability for his own hateful rhetoric, which negatively impacts the lives of our nation’s most vulnerable communities?
You get what educators and parents call the “Trump Effect.” That term describes the negative impact Donald Trump’s hostile and, often, hateful rhetoric is having on kids, particularly English Language Learners and Latino students. It has reverberated in classrooms across our nation and is causing students of color to question their ability to achieve their dreams and overall acceptance within a society where politicians openly discuss building walls and deporting millions.
Case in point: My students were charged with the task of comparing and contrasting events outlined in the novel The Book Thief, which is about historical events that transpired during WWII. To my horror, my students quickly began to draw parallels between the Holocaust, their own dreams and opportunities, and the upcoming presidential election.
I could see the fear in their eyes as they discussed and fought to rationalize what was being proposed by Donald Trump. They wrestled with the possibility of mass deportations and began to discuss where their friends and families would hide to avoid his proposed round-up of 11.5 million undocumented immigrants.
“Surely our friends would take us in,” said one student. “I know I would do what I could to help my friends and family…”
“Maybe we should all just leave if they don’t want us here,” said another.
My heart broke as one by one they presented their findings and all of their stories pointed to their own need to protect those they love from impending doom.
This election cycle, Americans have been fed a negative narrative that has ultimately and systematically rewritten societal norms and allowed the acceptance of systemic and institutionalized racism, bigotry, and oppression. As educators, we must join with our communities to reclaim the narrative and write a new chapter of hope for our students.
All students must be supported for who they are, their intrinsic uniqueness, and their aspirations to achieve the American Dream. They need us, the adults, to be brave, to organize, to work together and fight for their futures. We must make a difference in their lives—the future of our country depends on it.