The election of Donald Trump caused a vast array of emotional responses across America. Parents and teachers nationwide are trying to help children cope, but the process hasn’t been easy.
Nov. 11 was a tough day for Rachel Frost*, an assistant teacher at an affluent suburban Indiana school serving mostly white and Hispanic students. Just a few days after the election, she had a student tell her he would grab her by the p—-, another kid choked his girlfriend out of anger, and a third student told her he thinks “colored people” are racist.
“I’ve seen a lot more Confederate flags and slang being used lately. The offensive Obama shirts have come out of hiding, and anger is at an all-time high,” Frost said. “Some are angry at the outcome of the election, while others are angry about people who aren’t happy with the outcome. I’ve had students cry and students cheer. Having them both in class at the same time is an issue.”
Frost’s concerns are shared by many other parents and educators. Noblesville, Indiana, schools sent a note home to parents stating that they saw a “significant increase in student behavioral issues” and that “election rhetoric” is being used in a way that is disrespectful to other students.
Kente Bell, a father of two who does youth ministry at a Baptist church in Indianapolis, said he has observed discomfort regarding the president-elect from the teens he works with at church.
“They talk about how he wants to send Mexicans back or Muslims back, and they are worried about their friends who are Mexican. They talk about how Black people are treated by his supporters. Now that he is president(-elect), they have a strong fear about how they are going to be treated in America,” said Bell.
Bell said he tries his best to keep his oldest son, who is in the first grade, away from “grown-up television,” including the news, but added that it’s impossible to avoid it entirely.
In addition to students feeling fear, they have also been exhibiting more extreme behavior toward each other, including instances of racially motivated bullying. Bell recalled an instance that made his friend’s daughter feel uncomfortable in her high school.
“A young girl said a group of students at a high school in Fishers, Indiana, came to school wearing ‘Make America Great Again’ shirts. They were going through the hallways chanting ‘Trump, Trump, Trump,’” he said. “As they are chanting, this African-American young lady in this predominantly white school is texting her mom telling her she is trying to stay calm but is afraid. No young girl should have to deal with that in an educational facility. This is an element of bullying that some people will not even see as bullying. I think the bullying is going to be at an all-time high. It’s already happening.”
Many parents and educators are aware of hostile environments in the schools and are working hard to help kids feel safe. Brittany Burch*, an academic adviser and former teacher, thinks students have been “deeply impacted” by Trump’s election.
“Students understand his presence as a threat to their collective and individual rights and safety,” she said. “There is a sense of trauma that swept through schools among students upon his election. When I was teaching, a Latino student asked me if I was going to vote for Trump. I understood that my answer would greatly impact my teacher-student relationship.”
Burch said she thinks bullying is ingrained in the culture of the election process but intensified in the 2016 election.
“This election has become overwhelmingly personal to citizens. Trump gave license to hatred, racism and sexism and has given permission for bullying throughout the United States. The type of hate that has been glamorized is not age-specific,” Burch said.
According to a survey conducted by The Southern Poverty Law Center, more than two-thirds of teachers reported their students expressed fears about what might happen to their families after the election. More than half of the teachers said they’d seen an increase in uncivil political discourse. Forty percent were hesitant to teach about the election.
However, parents and educators are trying to use this election as a learning experience for all students. Burch says that parents, not the president, have the strongest impact on a child’s life.
“Family structure, especially parental presence, is the most important factor in a child’s life. The way parents react to the negativity will impact how children engage other students and members of the community who may have opposing viewpoints,” she said. “Use this time to push the importance of self-worth. I had parents remark they are teaching opposing behaviors to those displayed by Trump. I have heard teachers discussing Trump’s election as a platform to encourage children of color to be the best of themselves.”
Teachers at Frost’s school are doing the same. Many are making “hate-free zones” and “ally” posters for their doors to make it obvious to students where they can find solace. Frost has advice for parents who are worried about how their kids will be affected by the election.
“The biggest thing to make sure of is that we’re teaching our children respect. Without respect, they’re going to make mistakes,” she said. “It’s not fair for them to come to school and be hurtful toward others, no matter the reason. Be respectful. Be kind. Be ready to make a difference.”
*Some names have been changed to protect students and staff.
