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As far back as June of last year , the National Urban League called upon all Presidential candidates to refrain from using racially divisive and disparaging language in their campaigns .
In the ensuing months , we heard an unprecedented call to ban all Muslims from the nation , even United States citizens . That call was followed by more than two dozen anti-Muslim attacks in the United States , ranging from a cabdriver shot in Pittsburgh to the deliberate torching of a Somali restaurant in Grand Forks . N . D . The owner of a food market in Queens was beaten by a customer who vowed to “ kill Muslims .”
The level of vitriol against immigrants and racial and ethnic minorities was amped so high during the campaign that the Southern Poverty Law Center , which tracks hate groups , coined the term “ The Trump Effect ” to describe the alarming level of fear and anxiety among children of color over racial tensions and their fears of being deported .
According to an SPLC survey of teachers :
More than two-thirds of
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the teachers reported that students — mainly immigrants , children of immigrants and Muslims — have expressed concerns or fears about what might happen to them or their families after the election .
More than half have seen an increase in uncivil political discourse .
More than one-third have observed an increase in anti-Muslim or anti-immigrant sentiment .
More than 40 percent were hesitant to teach about the election . Other children have been using the word “ Trump ” as a taunt or as a chant as they gang up on others .
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Over two-thirds ( 67 percent ) of educators reported that young people in their schools — most often immigrants , children of immigrants , Muslims , African Americans and other students of color — had expressed concern about what might happen to them or their families after the election . Close to one-third of the students in American classrooms are children of foreign-born parents . This year , they are scared , stressed and in need of reassurance and support from teachers . |
Muslim children are harassed and worried . Even native-born African-American children , whose families arrived here before the American Revolution , ask about being sent back to Africa . Others , especially younger students , have worries that are the stuff of nightmares , like a return to slavery or being rounded up and put into camps . Overall , these vulnerable students are disillusioned and depressed at the hatred they ’ re hearing from candidates , in the news , from classmates and even , sometimes , from trusted adults .
As we have said throughout this campaign , religious and racial bigotry are not core American values . In fact , such bigotry is more than unpatriotic ; it threatens our national security .
So , where do we go from here ?
We are hopeful now that the heat of the campaign begins to cool , our President-Elect and his supporters will adopt a more sober approach to issues of racial justice . He has called for the country to unite , and we will take him at his word .
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