During the Vice Presidential debate, an 8th grader asked why American citizens can’t get along. She said all she sees is arguing between Democrats and Republicans, citizens fighting citizens and two candidates trying to tear each other down. She asked if they can’t get along, how do we [children] get along?
I taught eighth-graders and love the inquisitiveness of that age group. I appreciated her question. Elections always involve debates and disagreements, but our current situation is different. It has to do with President Trump.
Here’s why adults are at odds with each other more than usual at this important time in history.
1. Bullying
President Trump exhibits bullying behavior, even though his wife, the first lady, has an anti-bullying program. I haven’t always agreed with Presidents we have had in both parties, but I can’t recall any who bullied. President Trump displayed bullying debating V.P. Joe Biden. Biden showed some bullying too, but it seemed to be more out of frustration.
Schools aren’t supposed to condone bullying. President Trump’s bullying sets a terrible example for young people. It brings out the worst in everyone. Bullying is wrong no matter who does it. That citizens would condone electing a President who bullies is shocking.
2. Mocking Those With Disabilities
Donald Trump mocked a disabled person before the 2016 election. The person he mocked was a New York Times reporter, a critic of the president. But mocking someone with a disability is taboo. How Donald Trump could act this way and still be elected President astonished many disability advocates.
Also, Disability Scoop last February noted Trump’s $4.8 trillion budget proposal included reductions to Medicaid, food assistance, state councils on developmental disabilities, university centers on developmental disabilities, and protection and advocacy programs.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has not been supportive of students with disabilities in their public schools.
3. Politicizing Covid-19
The President knew about the dangers of Covid-19 yet he didn’t inform Americans of the dangers. He insisted children return to school. He and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos still threaten to take funds from schools that refuse to open due to the dangers of the coronavirus. He put America’s children, teachers, and families in danger. His son attends school virtually.
The President himself was reckless about this disease, caught it himself, and may have spread it to others. He creates confusion. He has not always supported the scientists who understand the seriousness of the disease. Many have lost loved ones to the coronavirus.
4. School Privatization
President Trump has not been supportive of democratic public schools that serve all children. He advocates school choice which is unfair and doesn’t serve students well. Even with a voucher, most parents will not be able to afford a quality private school. Nor will those schools accept every child who applies. It’s the school’s choice more than the parent’s choice. Parents will be left with the choice of charters or a public school that is underfunded. This divides us as a nation.
The President has made disparaging remarks about schools. In his inauguration address, he said we have an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge. Both of these statements are untrue. Many teachers purchase their own materials because they lack funds. And many students graduate and do well with a public school education due to good teachers.
5. Racism
There are concerns that President Trump is racist based on a variety of statements he’s made and his actions. Concerns surround civil rights, endangering decades of progress against voter suppression, housing discrimination, and police misconduct.
The President has stated that public schools are teaching kids to “hate our country” with a “far-left fascism that demands absolute allegiance.” This has to do with the removal of the statues of Confederate generals.
The President has stirred the divisiveness among us and has not worked to better understand the concerns of groups like Black Lives Matter. He has not sought to bring children together in their public schools.
6. Children at the Border
The Trump administration intentionally separated parents from their children at the border to try to keep migrants from coming to America. Americans responded with fierce opposition. These children deserve good schools too. How can you learn when you’re separated from your parents?
The New York Times recently reported in ‘We Need to Take Away Children,’ No Matter How Young, Justice Dept. Officials said that there were those in the administration who said it didn’t matter how old the children were when they were taken from their parents, all to prove a point.
Children don’t understand politics, and this cruel act resulted in a humanitarian disaster. Most of us have parents or grandparents that came to America from other countries, or we moved here from other countries ourselves.
7. Failed to make schools safe.
After the school shooting incident at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, President Trump met with parents and officials and it sounded like he would make schools safer. Instead, his administration did little to protect our young people from gun violence. They did nothing to address gun control.
8. Climate Change
President Trump doesn’t respect scientists on issues including climate change. It’s difficult to watch the fires in the western states and not wonder what is going on with the weather. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and many lives have been lost.
Recently the President visited California and he said it would get cooler. The head of the California Department of Natural Resources said I wish science agreed with you. The President responded I don’t think science knows, actually.
I hope that you attend a school that has an interesting science program and that your generation will take science seriously.
9. Women and LBGTQ
President Trump has made disparaging remarks about females, and he has not supported those in the LBGTQ community. I’m embarrassed to describe the actual comments that the President has made about women. His behavior has not been Presidential and is not a good example for children.
Every citizen in this democratic land has the right to life and liberty.
10. Health Care
Many people are worried that they won’t have good health care with President Trump. Children need to be healthy when they attend school.
Health care is critical in this country, and for those who have been sick in the past, the fear is that they won’t be covered by insurance in the future if President Trump continues to be President. Most Americans believe all people have the right to quality health care.
11. The Poor
Many people have lost jobs due to Covid-19 or they didn’t have good jobs before the pandemic happened. Many children and teens found themselves homeless before the pandemic hit. The difficulties of attending school when you are homeless are insurmountable.
Meanwhile, those who are wealthy get more money and do not pay their fair share of taxes.
_______
It’s important for young people to understand that, while American debate is healthy, the country’s current volatility is worse than usual. I hope that come November this changes.
Thank you for your question, and maybe someday you will be a leader who works to unite and not divide, who will care for your fellow Americans and the world. I hope so and I wish you well.
References
Miller, Greg. “Allegations of racism have marked Trump’s presidency and become key issues as election nears.” The Washington Post, 23 September 2020.
Strauss, Valerie. “Trump’s newest assault on America’s public schools: They teach kids to “hate their own country.'” The Washington Post, 5 July 2020.
Shear, Michael D., Benner Katie, Schmidt, Michael S., “‘We Need to Take Away Children,’ No Matter How Young, Justice Dept. Officials said.” The New York Times, 6 Oct. 2020.
Although I agree significantly with your assessment of our current political cess pool, I think there is a significant part of the this 8th graders question that is missed. In the short history of political solicitation through advanced media, TV, and now social Media, both Democrats and Republicans have participated in a practice of hyperbole, exaggeration, and outright lies about their opponents’ positions on the issues. Traditionally a Democrat, I have often viewed Republicans as the greatest offenders in this regard, but often wince at the Democrat response. The games played by political operatives are seemingly more brazen and lacking respect for the viewers intellect. The evolution of PACs has made this worse. This 8th grader shows significant wisdom asking such a question, the real challenge is convincing adults involved with politics to quit behaving like 3rd graders.
Thanks for sharing your opinion, Paul. Good point.
You forgot the most important one, overcrowded classes. If we have money for bank bailouts, endless Asian land wars, and cartel subsidies then we have money to reduce class sizes.
Yes! That’s what I usually complain about the most, Lawrence! Thank you.
Nancy, I appreciate you sharing your students’ inquisitive question. As much as I could say I agree with you and think you answered the question thoroughly, I can’t. As a young adult myself, I grew up with the TV constantly on showing Judge Judy or more often, a news channel. All I ever saw was the world dividing itself. People contradicting not just others but themselves. Your student sees this same division. Division among races, genders, work titles, and everything in between. This division, as you stated, is absolutely toxic to upcoming generations. Having bullying modeled, whether by the President of the United States or our own parents, leads us to believe that this is how people act. This is how I should act. Unfortunately, it is just causing us to become more and more divided. Although I agree that not much has been done to promote school safety or equality for genders and races, I don’t believe that will change until someone in high power truly believes and lives a life of full acceptance. Your students question however wasn’t about what our president has or hasn’t done for our community. Truth is, we have been a nation divided for a while now. The question instead is “why American citizens can’t get along.”
Dear 14 year old little girl,
American citizens aren’t getting along because we are too busy being defensive. We, because of the past, assume everyone is always judging us. Judging what we say, do, act, feel, wear. I can’t say whether or not this judgment will ever truly be extinct; however it must start with one person at a time. Be the first to listen to others and not assume that they are out to get you, or to drag you down. Yes we live in a judgemental society but we also live in a brutally honest society. People say what they think and feel, so listen. You don’t have to agree or even accept other lifestyles. You should however remain kind and generous and gentle. As much as you are wishing for a world unified, I am too. I am wishing that the rising generation that sees and is infuriated by all this hate can begin to make a change.
Beautifully written. Thank you, Alexa!
I echo your thoughts one-hundred percent. I have been a first grade teacher for twelve years and during this time I have seen a seeping shift in mindset and attitudes ever since Trump entered the political scene. My class is the ELL cluster for my grade-level, while other classes are mainly white, middle-class students. Even at the young age of six or seven, children are aware of the despicable dissent in our culture. My class is able to be a happy, inclusive bubble while we are in our room. However, on the playground and in other public areas, my students have faced increasing adversity in each of the areas that you addressed.
Racism and bullying are impacting and inhibiting students at even younger ages since Trump took office. It used to be that students would come to me crying about someone not taking turns on the swings just because of childish play. Now I get frequent tears about my students being called “black” or “dirty brown” and not being allowed to participate for that reason.
My students also have fears that they did not have before. When “the wall” was on the agenda, I had several students cry that they would never get to see their families again. My students have also been called “illegals,” “Mexican trash,” etc. Some students had fathers sent back and I even lost a student due to stricter deportation for families.
The fact that children are being exposed and encouraged to act so inappropriately towards others thanks to the model created by Trump is inexcusable. I had hoped the division would begin to heal when Biden took office, but unfortunately I live in a very rural area where people remain empowered by Trump’s actions and are confident that he will be re-elected in 2024. My only hope is that I can teach my students to view the world through the lens of critical literacy by creating a welcome space to have crucial conversations about the world around us. I believe that my students can create changes in social injustices and that they will have respect for one another superseding that national havoc created by Trump.
How sad. I agree that the country seems to have grave problems with civility, worse than ever before. And this can’t help but affect children and how they relate to others. I’m glad your students have you as a teacher! Thank you for your comment, Ansley.