how ironic Angela Merkel the Chancellor of Germany the stalwart leader of democracy in the west and having to lecture America against neo Nazis, racism and anti semitism.
5
Is Trump going to have to give a speech? Remember, he's currently married to or new incoming Anti-Bullyer-in-Chief, so?
3
The president was elected and the deal in concealed.Those protesters are from Sudan.In Iowa there are African whom from Africa, 0% percent protest in Iowa City,because is great place to be and live.And they are lucky to work and go to school. America is America regardless who is the president.These Sudanese students whom they are helping the outsiders, they need to be held responsible to the damage,stress had caused the Iowa community.Or they can be free to go back to Sudan.It is more better than creating dramas in people lives.Now they are super happy about media attention they caused.Still they can turn back and fix their mess, and stop blaming the election on their own behavior.Then need to love,and appreciate their surroundings,and the people of Iowa instead screaming and shouting in down town,this my body, this my body,I lived in US for 24 years never heard of that shouting, what the election had to do with their bodied, something very wrong in here.
5
The official of Iowa City have been working very hard to make Iowa a welcoming home to everyone, from everywhere.We have diverse people from almost everywhere.That what I felt from 1999 til now.I never felt comfortable as am walking around,people smiling, helping,and very caring.We do n't have race issue at all.Other wise i will never be here.West High students whom from Sudan ,they need to be held responsible on disrespecting the other students.Still when the protest by taping their mouth, they did not ask about permission,they just left their classrooms, and locked the door behind them.The other students from West High had felt they been more divided than before, which is so sad.Something is n't quiet right.They should not betrayed Iowa City community,and it is not fair to blame the election.They need to be held responsible.
3
It's time for everyone to toughen up. Kids made fun of me for all sorts of thilngs when I was growing up. And I'm sure I said some not-nice things to my classmates from time to time. There is a saying, "Sticks and stones will hurt my bones, but words will never hurt them." Believe it. Not everyone will be your friend, and you will not like everyone you go to school with, or later whom you work with. That's life, and it isn't always fair.
4
There's no place for racist or sexist remarks anywhere, especially in the formative years. As teachers, as I am, we are charged with educating children to live positively in a multi-cultural and muti-religious society, the reason we had revolutionary and civil wars. Children do not see differences or hatred unless taught to do so. We are in a time where this is happening and I call on parents, politicians, teachers and all of us to teach acceptance and understanding and empathy. I would never tell
them to toughen up or get over it..that's very belittling. Listen listen listen. Talk and work it through.
them to toughen up or get over it..that's very belittling. Listen listen listen. Talk and work it through.
8
A word of hate is more painful then a physical blow, and a kind word to a fellow human can be the most beautiful experience one can have.
It all starts from home, the first school kid ever have. Kids observes and copy parents in every way.
Media, and school are the second source of knowledge. Schools do have some cultural awareness programs but media in general creates a hype stereo typing certain group of individuals demonizing them and creates a perception intolerance.
It all starts from home, the first school kid ever have. Kids observes and copy parents in every way.
Media, and school are the second source of knowledge. Schools do have some cultural awareness programs but media in general creates a hype stereo typing certain group of individuals demonizing them and creates a perception intolerance.
5
I live in Iowa City,since 1999,I have four kids whom they all born in USA,my four kids went to Pheasant Ridge day care,Rossevelt Elementry,North West Junior ,West High,three had graduate from West High and they are in college now,the youngest in 11th grade, in West High.Am from Sudan and the Sudanese Community had grown rapidly in Iowa City.Sadly they brought all their problems from Sudan.I myself as a single divorce lady I faced harassed, and bullying from my own Community, the election had nothing to do with event and the protest from West High.There are huge numbers from Sudanese students whom they do not wear Hijab or scarf.Those girls were bullied along with their parents.Somehow there is Mosque and not far from all these things.They choose the Emam to be very young,so he can know how to control and watch how students dress. So the students whom wear Scarf sadly had shown disrespect, and bullying their other students whom they different.They did not forget to bully my daughter as well,and for too long.When other students talk to them, they complain as they are victims themselves.Those students need to reach out to their classmates and respect them.The outsider social media had played role and push those students to shake the school ground and distracting the students from learning.In Iowa City 90% of the Sudanese are not working and living in low income housing.Some of them from 1960 still with their grand kids.These students had created drama in people live.
9
The hijab issue points out the hypocrisy of liberals very clearly, they do not care when young girls are bullied INTO wearing the hijab. It's only when someone bullies them into taking it off that it becomes a problem. This is 21st century liberalism. Thanks for speaking up, Najwa.
6
It's about choice Dan. And each teenager is an individual who will make that choice. No one else gets to write that narrative, and that includes you.
2
"'Kids are hearing it at home...'"
The saddest, most damning sentence in the article.
The saddest, most damning sentence in the article.
4
Trump's behavior (social media bullying, sexual predation, lying, withholding information, hate language, slurs of many protected classes, etc.) would have had him expelled from any middle school in the country. No three strikes. Out. Simple as that. So, parents who voted for him, what do you say to your children? "Gee, Johnny, it's ok to grab women by the ...., they let you..." Or maybe you can just mock a disabled child because evidently that's ok too. What a disgrace. So begins Trump's Vierjahresplan.
10
I live in Iowa City. To say that racism and classism did not exist in Iowa City before Trump would be absolutely false. We've closed one centrally located school(Roosevelt) in favor of building another one(Borlaug) in a more wealthy area, and now want to do the same thing with another school(Hoover). We expect students who attend an elementary school(Alexander) to attend a junior high and high school that are ridiculously far away, and will put an unfair burden on these families.
Our school board has listened to many many hours of commentary about from wealthier parents not wanting their kids to have to attend the same elementary as people from disadvantaged backgrounds. They may not frame it like that, but that is how it is.
School officials don't care to listen to families from schools with a greater number of students in poverty or students who are minorities. One former school board member wanted to entirely shut down comment from the public.
This is a wealthy, liberal university community.
In the past women from more conservative religious backgrounds, whether Christian or Muslim have been shamed by those who are secular.
Ask University of Iowa students who don't identify as Democrat if they feel they can freely speak their opinions in the classroom without being penalized.
Our school board has listened to many many hours of commentary about from wealthier parents not wanting their kids to have to attend the same elementary as people from disadvantaged backgrounds. They may not frame it like that, but that is how it is.
School officials don't care to listen to families from schools with a greater number of students in poverty or students who are minorities. One former school board member wanted to entirely shut down comment from the public.
This is a wealthy, liberal university community.
In the past women from more conservative religious backgrounds, whether Christian or Muslim have been shamed by those who are secular.
Ask University of Iowa students who don't identify as Democrat if they feel they can freely speak their opinions in the classroom without being penalized.
2
Progressive, affluent Democrats like the abstract idea of our country welcoming poor, uneducated immigrants from countries around the world, but, they, themselves, would prefer to not have to interact with such people. They expect the immigrants to move to the poorer communities, and are surprised that people in these communities have voted for Trump and against unfettered immigration.
7
"Mason Hanson, 16, ... no longer wears his “Hillary for Prison” T-shirt because he does not want to be lumped in with the people accused of making insulting comments to minorities.
“After hearing about that stuff, I was honestly surprised,” he said. “I hadn’t heard it before. Usually we’re all polite to each other."
I don't how to respond to this young man's remarks, because they demonstrate a lack of understanding so extensive that it's hard to find a way in to a discussion of how to help, or educate, him.
“After hearing about that stuff, I was honestly surprised,” he said. “I hadn’t heard it before. Usually we’re all polite to each other."
I don't how to respond to this young man's remarks, because they demonstrate a lack of understanding so extensive that it's hard to find a way in to a discussion of how to help, or educate, him.
4
I am an Iowa City native. Iowa City is the liberal hot spot of Iowa. This is shocking, but I am neither shocked or surprised. But not unexpected.
We have a new world of overt racism modeled by our future president, reflected in his selection of his staff. The major change is a move from covert to overt, and unfortunately, such a contrast to our wonderful leadership the past eight years. Woe is us.
We have a new world of overt racism modeled by our future president, reflected in his selection of his staff. The major change is a move from covert to overt, and unfortunately, such a contrast to our wonderful leadership the past eight years. Woe is us.
2
My mother's parents were both in Ireland and came to America in their teens; therefore my mother is Irish-American. My father's mother was born in Canada, and moved to America to marry my grandfather, whose parents were born in Ireland. Therefore, I consider myself 3/4 Irish, and 1/4 Canadian (English since her parents went to Canada from England). I married a woman whose mother is 1/2 Russian and 1/2 Italian; and her father is 1/2 English 1/2 Irish. We have 2 children, and if we used fractions, they would be considered 1/2 Irish, 1/4 English, 1/8 Russian, and 1/8 Italian. If you ask them, however, they consider themselves 100% American. All of the parents and grandparents and great gandparents were citizens of the United States, and for the ones who were not born in America, they went through the legal process of becoming U.S. citizens.
The ironic part of this littel story is that it took 3 to 4 generations in our family for the people born in America to actually consider themselves Americans first. I imagine this is typical of many families. While many of my ancestors had never spoken English before coming to America, and as I understand it, they had different customs and different ways of dressing, they all found it much easier to change their ways so they fit in. They could have clung to their culture from their homeland, but they realized their children would have better lives if they encouraged them to fit in. It is not forced, but it is choice.
The ironic part of this littel story is that it took 3 to 4 generations in our family for the people born in America to actually consider themselves Americans first. I imagine this is typical of many families. While many of my ancestors had never spoken English before coming to America, and as I understand it, they had different customs and different ways of dressing, they all found it much easier to change their ways so they fit in. They could have clung to their culture from their homeland, but they realized their children would have better lives if they encouraged them to fit in. It is not forced, but it is choice.
2
I am so disappointed to hear stories from both sides. It's hard to quantify 'how many' and we run the risk of generalizing from anecdotes.
But I was particularly surprised by this student's reasoning. He wore a T-Shirt suggesting that the way to political victory was jailing the opposition, yet is now concerned that he may be lumped in with 'racists'. In what way is using the power of the Government to crush political opposition okay but 'racism' is not?
But I was particularly surprised by this student's reasoning. He wore a T-Shirt suggesting that the way to political victory was jailing the opposition, yet is now concerned that he may be lumped in with 'racists'. In what way is using the power of the Government to crush political opposition okay but 'racism' is not?
4
Here are some stats that even "Mainstream" media is unwilling to address (perhaps it is so shocking) - you can google it.
*62% of ALL white males voted for Trump
*53% of ALL white females voted for Trump
*45% of Trump voters had a college degree (NOT poor, uneducated, white trash as promoted by the pundits)
*Median income of Trump supporters was $72,000 - these weren't all struggling, unemployed, destitute white people
Go figure
*62% of ALL white males voted for Trump
*53% of ALL white females voted for Trump
*45% of Trump voters had a college degree (NOT poor, uneducated, white trash as promoted by the pundits)
*Median income of Trump supporters was $72,000 - these weren't all struggling, unemployed, destitute white people
Go figure
7
I figure that the disastrous consequences will be well deserved. May we learn from this appalling choice.
4
Please send link for your stats. Best way to get MSM to take you seriously is to show where information originates. Journalism 101.
2
What a pity.
1
We can teach history to students using textbooks and lectures, and from that they can think they know about it. Or we can let them experience it for themselves so that they really know what it means. Maybe the lesson from all this might this time really mean something that will result in positive actions and not just more words. Perhaps it's not as bad as we think and maybe we can all learn from this.
3
“It’s impossible to wall schools off from the rest of society..."
It shouldn't be, particularly since this is high school. Teachers and administration should have seized it as a teaching moment to have students of diverse opinions for open dialogue and discussions. Just hugging the sobbing students and telling them they are loved is such a meek response. Let this be an open debate, let students learn to use civilized words, and "agree to disagree." These are teenagers and young adults, it's about darn time they start to learn it, even if full-grown adults like Trump can't.
And for that young Republican student who wore "Hillary for Prison" to say, he's "surprised" by all these vitriol? I have to say, where's your brain, young man? Did he not realize what it really means by chanting and supporting a man who openly advocating the jailing of his political opponent even though there is no basis for it? Did he not understand the total lack of civility in his stance?
I do take issues for this country sheltering all the illegals as if it's their birthright, because it isn't. I'd say, create a pathway for people to come to this country legally, as millions others who do just that waiting for years (sometimes even decades) for that privilege. I don't like seeing people jumping the queue, and then jumping up and down and demand their "rights." Perhaps in that sense, I do see certain alignment with some of Trump's worldview.
It shouldn't be, particularly since this is high school. Teachers and administration should have seized it as a teaching moment to have students of diverse opinions for open dialogue and discussions. Just hugging the sobbing students and telling them they are loved is such a meek response. Let this be an open debate, let students learn to use civilized words, and "agree to disagree." These are teenagers and young adults, it's about darn time they start to learn it, even if full-grown adults like Trump can't.
And for that young Republican student who wore "Hillary for Prison" to say, he's "surprised" by all these vitriol? I have to say, where's your brain, young man? Did he not realize what it really means by chanting and supporting a man who openly advocating the jailing of his political opponent even though there is no basis for it? Did he not understand the total lack of civility in his stance?
I do take issues for this country sheltering all the illegals as if it's their birthright, because it isn't. I'd say, create a pathway for people to come to this country legally, as millions others who do just that waiting for years (sometimes even decades) for that privilege. I don't like seeing people jumping the queue, and then jumping up and down and demand their "rights." Perhaps in that sense, I do see certain alignment with some of Trump's worldview.
2
I hate that they are being bullied. It's wrong.
The US, the country with the most freedom will never be a Muslim nation.
The US, the country with the most freedom will never be a Muslim nation.
1
Yes by god it whill never vere be a Fundamentalist Christian country either. It is a secular Nation.
2
CBSDFW/AP reported a female Muslim student at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette has acknowledged she fabricated a story that she was assaulted and robbed of her wallet and Muslim headscarf by two men, one of whom she described as wearing a white “Trump” hat. The young lady admitted to law enforcement she made the whole thing up.
The problem is too many of the so-called “hate-events” are fabricated, but presented as the truth: media repeats into their echo chamber which generates more fabricated hate stories that propel through social media for students yearning for group acceptance, wanting to belong,who join young hoodlums and angry Democratic supporters.
Harry Reid claims Americans feel "validated" in hateful actions following the election of Donald Trump. Democrat Congressman Jared Huffman added to Reid’s insanity by saying, “We must prepare for more of this because the Trump campaign has legitimized and given public space to some shadowy groups that used to hide from public view.” WHAT?
Wake up America: who are generating protests and angst? POTUS is on a world tour claiming he is meeting with world leaders to introduce them to President-elect Donald Trump, who is absent from the introductions.
Obama's sarcasm and arrogance is well known in Washington: we are left to surmise the comments coming from the lips of POTUS.
The problem is too many of the so-called “hate-events” are fabricated, but presented as the truth: media repeats into their echo chamber which generates more fabricated hate stories that propel through social media for students yearning for group acceptance, wanting to belong,who join young hoodlums and angry Democratic supporters.
Harry Reid claims Americans feel "validated" in hateful actions following the election of Donald Trump. Democrat Congressman Jared Huffman added to Reid’s insanity by saying, “We must prepare for more of this because the Trump campaign has legitimized and given public space to some shadowy groups that used to hide from public view.” WHAT?
Wake up America: who are generating protests and angst? POTUS is on a world tour claiming he is meeting with world leaders to introduce them to President-elect Donald Trump, who is absent from the introductions.
Obama's sarcasm and arrogance is well known in Washington: we are left to surmise the comments coming from the lips of POTUS.
8
Give us the link please so we can judge for ourselves your source.
1
President Obama has been exceedingly generous to a man who denied the truth of his birth, denies science and facts, assaults women and the disabled, insults immigrants and has no idea of the world. Indeed, he has screwed students and vets at his bogus college and has refused payment to vendors. He is not fit to shine the shoes of the very intelligent president Obama.
3
Well all of this will be moot as time goes on. The overall global warming inertia is at up 1,7 degrees overall and snowballing. - but Trumps "there is no global warming" blinders don't know that 4 degrees overall is where the planet can not sustain life
5
Note how many comments from the Trump supporters contain outright falsehoods and invented "facts." It's going to be hard to unite our country when a core group can't even accept reality.
11
"Uh it's called weather. T gets hit , it gets cold" lol "invented by the Chinese"i
2
To these young people, continue to resist, continue to take a stand, continue to say NO to the bigotry and racism that is endemic to America; the America that calls itself Christian.
In 1845 Frederick Douglass wrote “between the Christianity of this land and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference—so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked. To be the friend of one, is of necessity to be the enemy of the other….I can see no reason, but the must deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity. I look upon it as the climax of misnomers, the boldest of all frauds, and the grossest of all libels. Never was there a clearer case of stealing the livery of the court of heaven to serve the devil in. I am filled with unutterable of loathing when I contemplate the religious pomp and show, together with the horrible inconsistencies, which ever where surround me.”
In 1845 Frederick Douglass wrote “between the Christianity of this land and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference—so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked. To be the friend of one, is of necessity to be the enemy of the other….I can see no reason, but the must deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity. I look upon it as the climax of misnomers, the boldest of all frauds, and the grossest of all libels. Never was there a clearer case of stealing the livery of the court of heaven to serve the devil in. I am filled with unutterable of loathing when I contemplate the religious pomp and show, together with the horrible inconsistencies, which ever where surround me.”
5
The NYTimes is increasingly becoming a one-sided vendor of what purports to be truth and justice. I'm not a Republican, but can easily see why they strongly dislike it.
10
"The NYTimes is increasingly becoming a one-sided vendor of what purports to be truth and justice."
Children are being assaulted in schools by white supremacist bullies. What is the other "side" you wish to see represented in this story? A study that shows the victims are inferior and deserving of abuse?
Sometimes there is only right and wrong.
Children are being assaulted in schools by white supremacist bullies. What is the other "side" you wish to see represented in this story? A study that shows the victims are inferior and deserving of abuse?
Sometimes there is only right and wrong.
9
And sometimes the lovely comment reviewers impose their own bias to editing
4
Maybe it is time to put that old Upton Sinclair novel, "It Can't Happen Here" on the required reading list.
3
Sinclair Lewis, but you're right. See my own take on it from last March: http://thetyee.ca/Culture/2016/03/10/Sinclair-Saw-Trump-Comig/. Eerily close.
3
Thanks Crawford, my bad.
I just ordered another copy for my book club exchange.
I just ordered another copy for my book club exchange.
2
@ Crawford
I'll write your link in the inside cover:)
I'll write your link in the inside cover:)
1
I detest Trump but I detest the Times even more.
I am sure people have slandered many Muslims in this school
It is wrong to portray them as simple racist.
I pretty much am sure this is not be condoned by Trump and to imply it has is wrong.
I will blame the acts of violence taking place all over the world by Muslims.
it is not right to slander these students but is also understandable why it happens
I believe there has to be a discussion where it is made clear that slandering
fellow classmates is unacceptable.
I believe this discussion has to include not only the above but also include something about the violence Muslims are doing in the name of that religion.
You can't expect some students when they know what some Muslims have done not to act the way they do.
A discussion has to take place that what some Muslims have done has to be condemned but the Muslims in the school have done nothing they should
be ashamed of and they and have to be treated not only with respect but also with friendship.
These Muslims are just as American as they are.
When you mistreat them you are miss treating a fellow human and a American.
.
I am sure people have slandered many Muslims in this school
It is wrong to portray them as simple racist.
I pretty much am sure this is not be condoned by Trump and to imply it has is wrong.
I will blame the acts of violence taking place all over the world by Muslims.
it is not right to slander these students but is also understandable why it happens
I believe there has to be a discussion where it is made clear that slandering
fellow classmates is unacceptable.
I believe this discussion has to include not only the above but also include something about the violence Muslims are doing in the name of that religion.
You can't expect some students when they know what some Muslims have done not to act the way they do.
A discussion has to take place that what some Muslims have done has to be condemned but the Muslims in the school have done nothing they should
be ashamed of and they and have to be treated not only with respect but also with friendship.
These Muslims are just as American as they are.
When you mistreat them you are miss treating a fellow human and a American.
.
7
There's plenty of room for detest to go around . I detest the comments design
2
The boy was wrong for swearing at Ms. Hamad, and Americans who lower themselves to hurl insults and project hate to immigrants are wrong.
The better response is a rational discussion with immigrants like Ms Hamad. We are all descendants of immigrants, but we have for the most part, we have assimilated into an ever-evolving culture influenced by many cultures. The students staging the sit-in at West High in Iowa City are not wrong to be against discrimination and hate, but they need to make some choices. They are free to isolate themselves by the way they dress and the people with whom they associate, but they may find living in America to be a better experience if they try just a little to assimilate and leave behind some of the cultural differences that cause the separation and isolation, which they interpret as hate. I am by no means suggesting immigrants must give up the culture, customs or traditions they bring with them to America from their homeland, but the discussion we should be having is the history of other people who came to America from other cultures and found a better way of life by trying to fit in. The 1st generation Italians, Irish, Germans, and Eastern Europeans, could have all held onto the culture and language from their homelands, and we could all be stubborn and speak different languages, but that would not have resulted in the strong nation we are today. Tolerance is important, but maybe we all should try a little harder to be Americans first.
The better response is a rational discussion with immigrants like Ms Hamad. We are all descendants of immigrants, but we have for the most part, we have assimilated into an ever-evolving culture influenced by many cultures. The students staging the sit-in at West High in Iowa City are not wrong to be against discrimination and hate, but they need to make some choices. They are free to isolate themselves by the way they dress and the people with whom they associate, but they may find living in America to be a better experience if they try just a little to assimilate and leave behind some of the cultural differences that cause the separation and isolation, which they interpret as hate. I am by no means suggesting immigrants must give up the culture, customs or traditions they bring with them to America from their homeland, but the discussion we should be having is the history of other people who came to America from other cultures and found a better way of life by trying to fit in. The 1st generation Italians, Irish, Germans, and Eastern Europeans, could have all held onto the culture and language from their homelands, and we could all be stubborn and speak different languages, but that would not have resulted in the strong nation we are today. Tolerance is important, but maybe we all should try a little harder to be Americans first.
11
@IIknur
She is 15 and was most likely born here. Assimilation takes time.
My father in law was a first generation American and knew no English when he entered first grade because they only spoke Italian in the home. He has forgotten most of his Italian, never taught my husband. I think that is a shame. He lost part of his heritage
I speak Spanish, I learned it from the ground up in college and from my two years living in Mexico. I am a fourth generation American, Irish, English, French, Swiss German, Russian, so I've been told. Heinz 57 or in my father's words, sturdy peasant stock.
What I think is missing from the discussion is that being able to communicate in different languages expands our opportunities. I have used my Spanish countless times in my medical career, in social and business settings. We can be Americans and still celebrate our varied heritages, in fact we should embrace them, that's what makes us who we are.
The nativism we are seeing since Trump was elected will only do us harm in the long run, those who feel alienated will retreat into their "safe spaces" fearing retribution for being who they are. I thought we were better than that, maybe I was wrong.
She is 15 and was most likely born here. Assimilation takes time.
My father in law was a first generation American and knew no English when he entered first grade because they only spoke Italian in the home. He has forgotten most of his Italian, never taught my husband. I think that is a shame. He lost part of his heritage
I speak Spanish, I learned it from the ground up in college and from my two years living in Mexico. I am a fourth generation American, Irish, English, French, Swiss German, Russian, so I've been told. Heinz 57 or in my father's words, sturdy peasant stock.
What I think is missing from the discussion is that being able to communicate in different languages expands our opportunities. I have used my Spanish countless times in my medical career, in social and business settings. We can be Americans and still celebrate our varied heritages, in fact we should embrace them, that's what makes us who we are.
The nativism we are seeing since Trump was elected will only do us harm in the long run, those who feel alienated will retreat into their "safe spaces" fearing retribution for being who they are. I thought we were better than that, maybe I was wrong.
4
There may actually be a silver linings for all we old white men here in America, thanks to Global Warming. Antarctica may soon be habitable and we can all migrate to there. I'm up for the adventure, and if it helps bring balance to an imbalanced world, even better. And then I'll get to feel what my great great grandfather must have felt when he came here from Norway a hundred years ago. I wonder if we'll have to change our names back?
1
"Antarctica may soon be habitable and we can all migrate to there."
Canada's closer and much bigger. We don't have penguins, though. Tough call.
Canada's closer and much bigger. We don't have penguins, though. Tough call.
2
Polar Bears?
1
Harassment of any kind should never be tolerated. However to be frank about all this. This is Iowa. The "diversity"in this high school is not organic but was created by left wing immigration and education policy and a failed foreign policy that forced people out of their homes and countries and now they have been relocated to the great White Midwest. Many people have viewed these events as an attempt to foist demographic changes on a part of the nation that is reliably Christian,Republican and Conservative. This election is an indication that people are pushing back. That certain values and the Constitution will continue to be honored. All across the Internet I can find videos of Trump supporters being beaten,spat at and attacked by a "diverse"group of young people who apparently have zero tolerance for a different point of view. Yet the New York Times chooses to ignore those incidents. I hope very much that these students will be okay that they will be educated and end up in a good place in our society. However as adults we have failed them miserably since they appear to be unaware that here in this country elections reflect the will of the people. One side wins and the other side accepts that fact and moves on. Democracy is about freedom it is not about always getting your way or always having your personal opinions validated by the electorate.
10
Back in 1993 when I was a new immigrant and a new employee, my manager called me to his room to say that one of the other employee had complained that I was not being "respectful of her personal space" (We didn't have any cubicles and I had walked to the other side of the room passing by the space behind her desk). When I asked whether it was so and so who had complained, the manager went into a tirade about how we immigrants lack social graces, that he's aware that every person on the streets of Bombay wants to come to America but Americans didn't want us and would like to pay us all a little money and send us right back. This was a grown man and no adolescent and the year was 1993 when President Clinton had just been ushered in. My point is, xenophobia is not new nor is it confined to America. I find the same kind of xenophobia in India among people from different states. But it's never wide-spread unless there is underlying economic malaise.
7
public institutions are easy targets of course. institutionalized and systemic religious sexism and racism is not uncommon but none have near the impact as islam, so when i see women in hijabs gnashing their teeth over the unrealized injustices they have faced as a result of trumps victory, i wonder why these same women obediently stay away from the mosque when menstruating and adhere to the other sexist, and the anti-semitic teachings and laws their religious leaders (only males) prescribe.
7
...you, of tender years,
Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth,
They seek the truth before they can die.
Teach your children well....
~ Teach Your Children
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth,
They seek the truth before they can die.
Teach your children well....
~ Teach Your Children
Crosby, Stills & Nash
2
Mason Hanson says he is surprised about the slurs so he is not wearing his
Hilary for Prison t- shirt any longer. He is part of the problem but thinks he is being generous. I was appalled by his behavior and remarks.
Hilary for Prison t- shirt any longer. He is part of the problem but thinks he is being generous. I was appalled by his behavior and remarks.
5
So being part of the problem is just a matter of wearing a T shirt stating an opinion in contrast with democratic propaganda? Are those wearing T shirts dismissive of Trump or supporting Clinton part of the problem too, or are they OK because they embrace the correct ideology? I guess the "peaceful protesters" ganging up on Trump speech attendees and leaving sidewalks stained with Trump supporters' blood weren't part of any problem?
Thugs attacking people on the streets trump Hillary for Prison T shirts any time, every time.
Thugs attacking people on the streets trump Hillary for Prison T shirts any time, every time.
6
This is why Trump won. Do my liberal counter parts not understand this whiny, over the top, so called protests, will just push more people into that man's camp??!!!
This is federal law... if that Trump so chooses, he can cut off federal funding to States that house sanctuary cities or to the cities them selves!
Everyone has a sad story.
This is federal law... if that Trump so chooses, he can cut off federal funding to States that house sanctuary cities or to the cities them selves!
Everyone has a sad story.
11
" ... that Trump so chooses, he can cut off federal funding to States that house sanctuary cities or to the cities them selves!"
Actually, no, he can't: that would be up to Congress. If you don't have a copy of your Constitution, this Canadian would be happy to send you hers.
Actually, no, he can't: that would be up to Congress. If you don't have a copy of your Constitution, this Canadian would be happy to send you hers.
2
Say and think what you wish, it is your right as an American citizen. But be tolerant of other peoples opinions if they are not the same as your own. Extremists on both sides of the political spectrum will only antagonize the majority of citizens with intolerant remarks. Put your "Patriot pants" on and deal like informed citizens with this time in history and teach your children to be thoughtful and tolerant Patriots of the future. Be thankful we can have these rigorous discussions; other people only can wish for this right.
5
[[Another said she saw people chanting “Trump” in the hallways when they passed black students.]]
So, what?
Did "black" students wear Obama shirts eight years ago? Was that racist or oppressive?
So, what?
Did "black" students wear Obama shirts eight years ago? Was that racist or oppressive?
7
@ Third Coast
Obama never advocated stopping and frisking white men, so no.
Obama never advocated stopping and frisking white men, so no.
7
where were these girls when we needed sit-ins for the massacres in Florida, Boston, and California??
10
Yup
3
They were in school in Iowa City, where they belonged.
And he hasn't even taken office yet. Our nation is finished.
4
It just feels that way because of this monster invasion.
3
To those who are shocked - shocked! - at the rise in racial slurs and bullying in our schools, I ask, what exactly did you expect? Donald Trump, who began his campaign stating that he doesn’t have time to be politically correct, certainly managed to make time for insults, bullying, and crude innuendos. Now, with his election, our teachers find themselves on the front lines, using literature to reflect our common humanity, history to show what can happen when well-meaning citizens stand by and do nothing, and yes, even theater to provide a safe space to explore controversial subjects and voice concerns (see the cast of Hamilton’s recent comments to Mike Pence). If nothing else, these events should move us to redouble our efforts to educate our young people to become citizens of a democracy.
18
Donald Trump is responsible for this climate of hate. He started it, he continued it, all under the guise of "political correctness."
Give me a break. Opposing PC speech was a tawdry excuse for vile racial epithets and the demonization of immigrants, both legal and otherwise, and racial minorities.
Now elected President, trump says nothing about these hate crimes, just as he egged his supporters on to vulgar language and racial taunts, and encouraged violence against protesters.
Even before being sworn in, Trump is setting his legacy. Unless he makes good in his promise to be the President of all Americans, his risks being one of the worst presidencies in our nation's history.
Give me a break. Opposing PC speech was a tawdry excuse for vile racial epithets and the demonization of immigrants, both legal and otherwise, and racial minorities.
Now elected President, trump says nothing about these hate crimes, just as he egged his supporters on to vulgar language and racial taunts, and encouraged violence against protesters.
Even before being sworn in, Trump is setting his legacy. Unless he makes good in his promise to be the President of all Americans, his risks being one of the worst presidencies in our nation's history.
14
He was incapable of turning the Hamilton moment into an embracing moment.
His daughter know the truths but her DNA says "money money money"
His daughter know the truths but her DNA says "money money money"
3
The reason I'm not surprised this is happening is because after Bush won re-election in 2004 along with a bunch of anti-gay state propositions, the hate radio screamers and their listeners took this as a signal to denigrate gays in a way that they didn't just a week before. A new scaffold was put in place whereby their rhetoric could be amped up.
Same thing here. Trump has created a sturdy scaffold on which the haters can stand from which to launch even more vitriolic comments and thoughts. After a few years at the current level, a more strident hater could scaffold up again, making today seem like the good old days. This was the greatest horror of a possible Trump administration - creating the scaffolding for increasing levels of hate. This is all on Trump and his supporters, because opening this box is simply unforgiveable. There are too many societies that destroyed themselves through exactly this means, to treat Trump so casually (and now to normalize this). Please do not treat this as normal.
Same thing here. Trump has created a sturdy scaffold on which the haters can stand from which to launch even more vitriolic comments and thoughts. After a few years at the current level, a more strident hater could scaffold up again, making today seem like the good old days. This was the greatest horror of a possible Trump administration - creating the scaffolding for increasing levels of hate. This is all on Trump and his supporters, because opening this box is simply unforgiveable. There are too many societies that destroyed themselves through exactly this means, to treat Trump so casually (and now to normalize this). Please do not treat this as normal.
10
A person who wore a "Hillary for Prison" shirt is suddenly shocked that political discourse has gone down the drain? He backed a campaign that avidly opposed political correctness. Where did he expect that to take us?
19
We shouldn't let coverage of the inevitable fall-out (really - should anyone be surprised that the uber-bully has emboldened other bullies?) distract us from the $25,000,000 FRAUD settlement and all the unanswered questions. The settlement received some basic coverage on Friday, and then everyone moved back to talking about his frightening cabinet picks and Trump's continued childish, bullying behavior.
These things should be covered, but so should Trump's utter lack of transparency and his financial and business entanglements. The idea that he entered office unbeholden to anyone, and with no conflicts of interest (both foreign and domestic), is patently false. And the audit and his TAXES? We need more reporting on this.
These things should be covered, but so should Trump's utter lack of transparency and his financial and business entanglements. The idea that he entered office unbeholden to anyone, and with no conflicts of interest (both foreign and domestic), is patently false. And the audit and his TAXES? We need more reporting on this.
13
We asked people to think of what they would say to their children if they elected this man, but many apparently didn't care. I think what this piece suggests is that many children will now figure it out for themselves, regardless of what adults tell them. In no K-12 school I ever attended did we cry over the outcome of an election. We never staged protests, demonstrations, or walkouts over racism, immigration, gender equity, or religious tolerance. I can hardly imagine what effect such dramatic events are having on our young people now, in their formative years. I don't believe Trump supporters are prepared for what's coming, and I don't expect many of them to like it.
12
Gee, having children figure something out for themselves? Are you joking?
We have created this bunch of sniveling little whiners and now we are seeing the repercussions.
Yes, they SHOULD be able to figure this our for themselves. But I fear they will not be able to.
We have created this bunch of sniveling little whiners and now we are seeing the repercussions.
Yes, they SHOULD be able to figure this our for themselves. But I fear they will not be able to.
5
Do you have children? See them much? I think the way we parent says a lot about how we value and treat people in general. So, you think these students are "whiners" because they are upset about harassment by fellow students? They are 14-17 years old for the most part. Ever spent time with a teenager? They think and feel differently because their brains and bodies are developing. They often need help processing the world and might benefit from some help but maybe not from ALL adults.
1
In reply to my own comment: I was responding to IJReilly.
1
Could there be a silver lining in these stories? As a boomer, I see it as this: these schools are integrated-!
The teenage bullies may be spouting off now, and of course the school must deal with it. But soon enough they will be adults in integrated workplaces.
Despite their narrow thinking, at least they are getting multicultural exposure in high school. Hopefully, their views will evolve with maturity and experience.
Or, am I being too optimistic?
The teenage bullies may be spouting off now, and of course the school must deal with it. But soon enough they will be adults in integrated workplaces.
Despite their narrow thinking, at least they are getting multicultural exposure in high school. Hopefully, their views will evolve with maturity and experience.
Or, am I being too optimistic?
Too optimistic? I fear you are. But I am willing to be proved wrong! Given that many high school students won't be able to vote by the 2018 midterm elections or won't be out in the workplace for a few years yet, I am wondering - how long can we wait?
1
I have sensed a dearth of political involvement in political and social issues by students since the "Boomers" united and put a stop to the Vietnam War. After that movement achieved many of its goals and students graduated, went to work and started families involvement in social and political issues just seemed to faded away. The noble ideas that drove the movement seemed to have be replaced with a total preoccupation with making money. Now comes a presidential election that has exposed deep felt economic and sociological anxieties and polarized the country in a way unfamiliar to most Americans, especially students. All of a sudden students are engaged in the process again and are making themselves heard. As we like to say in the sixties "Power to the People"..."Peace and Love"...students can still change the world!
Perhaps every cloud does have a silver lining.
Perhaps every cloud does have a silver lining.
3
Elementary, middle and high schools capture such a reflection of the population of the United States. It is the perfect environment in which such social/political issues should be discussed and worked through; especially at this age. It's important to learn that not everybody gets a trophy, that life isn't necessarily fair and that we sometimes need to challenge our own beliefs and actions in light of situations in which we don't agree.
7
Mason, like so many Trump supporters, fails to see the connection between his support for Trump and the harmful side effects of his election.
When you vote for a president, you're not just voting for one part of his platform or one empty slogan. You're voting for the whole package - that includes all the hate speech, all of policies Trump enacts once in office, all of his rhetoric and all of the things his supporters are emboldened to do thanks to his victory.
If you chose not to vote or to vote third-party, then you declared yourself willing to see these things come to pass.
People in this country have such a tragically simplistic understanding of politics and what it means. Unfortunately, the rest of us must live with the consequences of their stupidity.
When you vote for a president, you're not just voting for one part of his platform or one empty slogan. You're voting for the whole package - that includes all the hate speech, all of policies Trump enacts once in office, all of his rhetoric and all of the things his supporters are emboldened to do thanks to his victory.
If you chose not to vote or to vote third-party, then you declared yourself willing to see these things come to pass.
People in this country have such a tragically simplistic understanding of politics and what it means. Unfortunately, the rest of us must live with the consequences of their stupidity.
5
I'm glad you no longer feel accepted wearing the hijab. If you want to live in a sexist country where women are treated beneath men, there are many where this is accepted. I have to laugh at someone who is mad at America rejecting their first female president while also being mad that it's not longer acceptable for Muslim women to demonstrate physically their subjugation to men.
A lot of this "sexist racism" you're seeing is just straight white men who are sick of being criticized for their gender, sexuality, and skin color when everyone else on the planet is constantly celebrating theirs. We've been biting our tongue for a long time and now you get to experience our microaggressions again, you've been directing them at us for the past decade.
A lot of this "sexist racism" you're seeing is just straight white men who are sick of being criticized for their gender, sexuality, and skin color when everyone else on the planet is constantly celebrating theirs. We've been biting our tongue for a long time and now you get to experience our microaggressions again, you've been directing them at us for the past decade.
25
@ Dan
You're glad that these young girls are being intimidated to reject their faith?
Did you skip over the part where a male student roughly bumped into a 15 year old swore at her and told her to "Go back home"? Real funny.
Maybe you are not aware that many faiths cover their hair, Married Orthodox Jewish women do, your discerning eye may have missed that since many of them wear wigs to do it. Orthodox men wear yarmulkes. Sikh men wear turbans, Sikh women also wear turbans though the practice is waning.
How these people choose to display their faith is not yours to call it unacceptable, read the First Amendment.
Just exactly who is criticizing white, straight men? All we women and minorities want is what you already have, namely equal pay, the ability to control our bodies without government intrusion, to marry who we love, to walk down the street or drive our cars without suspicion without getting stopped and frisked or shot.
Your last sentence was very telling, pray enlighten us, what micro-aggressions can we expect now that you are newly empowered?
You're glad that these young girls are being intimidated to reject their faith?
Did you skip over the part where a male student roughly bumped into a 15 year old swore at her and told her to "Go back home"? Real funny.
Maybe you are not aware that many faiths cover their hair, Married Orthodox Jewish women do, your discerning eye may have missed that since many of them wear wigs to do it. Orthodox men wear yarmulkes. Sikh men wear turbans, Sikh women also wear turbans though the practice is waning.
How these people choose to display their faith is not yours to call it unacceptable, read the First Amendment.
Just exactly who is criticizing white, straight men? All we women and minorities want is what you already have, namely equal pay, the ability to control our bodies without government intrusion, to marry who we love, to walk down the street or drive our cars without suspicion without getting stopped and frisked or shot.
Your last sentence was very telling, pray enlighten us, what micro-aggressions can we expect now that you are newly empowered?
6
Just a heads-up that the hijab is worn as a symbol of modesty, not of male subjugation. It's also common for women who are members of some American Christian denominations to dress modestly, and/or for women to cover their heads when in church. And even though Catholic women are not permitted to be priests, nuns traditionally cover their heads, but at the least the two I personally know in my family, definitely don't view that as a sign of subjugation to men.
7
Everyone is criticizing straight white men. Constantly. Then when we complain, you pretend it isn't happening. I believe you call this "gaslighting." I'm not against equality but I am against propaganda that says only white people can be racist, that white men are uniquely responsible for all the evil in the world, that I have to answer for American slavery despite the fact that my first ancestors didn't get here until the time of the Civil War and were immediately drafted into the Union army to risk their lives to free the slaves.
I dropped out of college because of a microaggression on campus called 9/11 and no one cared, so forgive me for not shedding any white male tears because someone in high school in Iowa got teased. What you are seeing now is not racism, white men are just having the honest conversation about race that you wanted so badly. You're equal to us now, enjoy!
I dropped out of college because of a microaggression on campus called 9/11 and no one cared, so forgive me for not shedding any white male tears because someone in high school in Iowa got teased. What you are seeing now is not racism, white men are just having the honest conversation about race that you wanted so badly. You're equal to us now, enjoy!
Institutions have policies and programs, human beings have feelings. The problem arises when we try and assume that the two are them same. People should not be demonized because they can't be machines.
2
Lets get this straight, the USA was NEVER a democracy. First, the white man came and conqured the land by slaughtering most of the people native to this land and rounding the rest up and marching them into reservations denying them any human rights at all. Then they brought slaves from Africa to till the land for the white landlords that confiscated the land by brute force and violence. The new, white rulers of this land were all men. Their "democracy" was all white and male. Even white women didn't get the vote until 1920! African Americans didn't win the right to exercise their right to vote until August 6, 1965! And non of us have the right to vote for what we want; we only have the right to vote between the candidates of the wealthy elite who control the elections anyway. This has never been a democracy. A real democracy is when working people get to decide the issues that effect their lives like whether or not healthcare should be free and available to all which, by the way, is what the majority of us want! And all the other issues that effect our lives like wages, housing, education, maintaining a health environment on our land and in our workplaces and an end to wars that bring nothing but death and destruction. What we need is an independent, democratically organized working class party that can challenge the rule of the "one percent." Hopefully our children will see this through! It's our only hope for survival of our species--all species--and the planet we share.
8
During the campaign, it seemed that significant number of Trump fans likes him because he said outrageous things, including defaming Muslims, blacks, immigrants from Mexico, women, . . . People seemed to like that he was not "politically correct," which, of course, to them means he said nasty things they have felt they couldn't say. I taught in a very diverse middle class high school, and before that, a junior high school, that was quite diverse. Adolescents in schools that serve diverse populations may be used to being in class with people that don't look exactly like them. But their brains are certainly not fully developed and they can easily slip into imitation of what they hear adults say. If their parents talked about other people in the same way the president-elect did, it's easy for them to rationalize being outrageously rude. They simply see that Mr. Trump didn't have to be "politically correct," so it must be ok. We have a lot of work to do.
5
Perhaps the time Trump spent twitting about SNL and their treatment of him would have been better spent reassuring these students that they are every bit a part of this country as anybody else and how wrong it is for those who think otherwise. That is what a real President would do.
8
I'm a bit confused as to why moslems would want to move to a place like Iowa.
17
It's the views.
2
Me too.
1
I'm guessing it's because of the major university there. That's what make my little corner of Northwest Ohio so diverse.
3
The democrats needed a better candidate. They bulldozed past all the warning signs, most important, the reluctance of actual democrats and liberals to embrace the candidate. And how did the candidate wind up her campaign? By sipping champagne in anticipation of a victory.
They were arrogant and lazy…that's why they lost.
They were arrogant and lazy…that's why they lost.
16
Based on incidences directed at minorities and Hillary supporters occurring throughout the county it seems that there is a huge deficit in our educational system. It would seem that people do not understand how our system of government works, the separation of church and state, the three branches of government and how they check and balance each other, the need for a free and independent press. People do not know the difference between an authoritarian and totalitarian government, nor do they understand what fascism looks like. I am also seeing a huge deficit in our religious leaders. There is no teaching of tolerance and gratitude which are hallmarks of all great religions. Martin Luther King Jr. called Sunday services the 'most segregated hour of Christian America'. Have religious leaders done any introspection since this comment was made? Made any effort to integrate their houses of worship or ask their congregants to visit their local mosque and learn about other religions in their community? Regarding West High: Is the young man seen on tape in the cafeteria, and heard by a witness, able to step up to the plate, admit what he said, apologize, and take responsibility for his actions? If not, it is a reflection on how he was raised. This is the third major deficit, parents are not properly socializing their children. The lack of empathy is appalling.
8
Another major deficit you understandably don't mention, is the incapacity of Liberals like yourself to fathom the possibility they might not hold the truth just because they say so.
In the alleged incident involving a Muslim student and a young man, she claims she heard something; he insists he didn't say it. Unless you are the young man himself, you have no way to know what he said, or if he said anything at all. Yet you go ahead and condemn him from the righteousness of your armchair.
You mention segregation in Christian churches, and lay the responsibility for opening up to others on the Christians, not on the Muslims. You might not be able to enter a mosque, but start by reading the Quran before you go around teaching lessons about tolerance. You'll be surprised by what you learn.
In the alleged incident involving a Muslim student and a young man, she claims she heard something; he insists he didn't say it. Unless you are the young man himself, you have no way to know what he said, or if he said anything at all. Yet you go ahead and condemn him from the righteousness of your armchair.
You mention segregation in Christian churches, and lay the responsibility for opening up to others on the Christians, not on the Muslims. You might not be able to enter a mosque, but start by reading the Quran before you go around teaching lessons about tolerance. You'll be surprised by what you learn.
8
Chris,
Let's not set up straw man arguments. Each of our Abrahamic religious texts include messages of tolerance and messages that depict great violence. Do you know any Muslims in the US? Have you ever attended a mosque in the US? If you visit the USA, I'd be happy to have you attend a service in NYC as a guest. It is a very different context than France's marginalization of North and West African Muslims. Or, has been.
Let's not set up straw man arguments. Each of our Abrahamic religious texts include messages of tolerance and messages that depict great violence. Do you know any Muslims in the US? Have you ever attended a mosque in the US? If you visit the USA, I'd be happy to have you attend a service in NYC as a guest. It is a very different context than France's marginalization of North and West African Muslims. Or, has been.
2
Not wanting to be harassed by your classmates while you are trying to go to school to learn is a "whim" as one reader suggested? I see numerous comments blaming these worried high schoolers for being responsible for the bullying behavior that has them afraid. What it actually sounds like is that some readers are in agreement that these minority students should be targeted. Some even suggest it will toughen them up for the real world. Are they saying that the kind of world where people are afraid because of their religious beliefs or skin color or ethnic origin is okay? This well-reported article is not that hard to understand. Reading skills of some NYT readers are suspect. How many of these "blame the victim" comments are posted by people who have actually read the article? Who is directing this frame of mind?
6
Children learn from their parents. The polarizing is going to get worse ... much worse, largely because Trump and the people around him have no history of being uniters but all have histories of making inflammatory comments. By 2020 there is going to be a lot more rhetoric about states seceding from the union, and even cities seceding from states.
3
Spoke about this in church today. I want to help protect those who feel threatened. I need to gain the courage to do so. I'm still grieving and people ridicule me for that and I don't understand why. I hope when my heart is healed I'll be able to be strong for others.
2
Knowing that other people also are feeling as you do may help. Finding a few ways to act positively to build a better world also helped me. Sadly, some people may not find their church family to be as supportive as they need. I am looking at the charities I support, including church-based ones whose prominent religious figures have supported Trump. Why should I give money to groups that preach love yet don't call on Trump to take responsibility for his comments that have denigrated women, minorities, and Moslems among others. I have heard several people talk about "the God Factor" and how God can use anyone (meaning a flawed man)to achieve His purposes. Ok, I don't expect perfection but I do reserve judgment on whether Trump can be humble enough to be used by God. Rather I might have to show my true character as a Christian by resisting what clearly goes against my religious beliefs.
2
This is what happens when Pandora's Box is opened, and hatred & bigotry is made legitimate. To say that it is appalling as well as frightening is the understatement of the year. I have 2 young adult daughters who graduated from New Rochelle High School (the younger in 1999), a large suburban high school, where there were students from every race, religion, economic status and ethnicity. While there was self segregation in the lunchrooms, there were NEVER the kind of comments and actions described in the article, either reported by my daughters or the school itself. As parents and grandparents, we can double, triple our efforts to prioritize acceptance and kindness for our children and grandchildren but it is going to be a LONG 4 years ahead.
7
This newspaper has printed numerous columns by or about Muslims who are feeling victimized. Perhaps it is time for Muslims across America, from all walks of life, to ask their religious leaders to organize discussions on Islamic extremism. They need to discuss whether as a united group, they can take a strong stand for religious pluralism and against religious extremism.
Instead of playing the victim, American Muslims could make a strong and highly publicized stand against religious extremism. This would go a long way towards garnering American respect for them.
Instead of playing the victim, American Muslims could make a strong and highly publicized stand against religious extremism. This would go a long way towards garnering American respect for them.
21
It would be helpful if the white so-called Christians of all classes who voted for Trump organized themselves and spoke out against the hatred many who are part of that group are spewing. That would go a long way toward garnering American respect for them.
15
You really want white Christians to organize based on their race and religion?
5
And maybe Christians can do the same? Maybe they can make a stand against their own brand of religious extremism? And recall their love of the 10 Commandments, despite their votes for a well publicized adulterer? Somehow 'Love thy Neighbor as thyself' has been lost from the Christianity that I grew up with. Sad.
1
I recall being a high school student on May 5, 1970, in a high school less than 10 miles from where 4 Kent State University students were killed and 9 were wounded.
Suddenly, every young adult, even straight arrow students with buzz cuts, were under suspicion.
Walking home from school, drivers would honk and gesture rudely. The reputable local and and regional papers were filled with page after page of angry letters.
Paying attention to serious subjects like calculus became difficult. I literally can't remember the last weeks of classes that year.
I hoped we'd never return to those days.
Suddenly, every young adult, even straight arrow students with buzz cuts, were under suspicion.
Walking home from school, drivers would honk and gesture rudely. The reputable local and and regional papers were filled with page after page of angry letters.
Paying attention to serious subjects like calculus became difficult. I literally can't remember the last weeks of classes that year.
I hoped we'd never return to those days.
8
Few will like what I am about to say but think about it. When The Pledge was struck from the opening of the school day, when diversity triumphed over assimilation, when our value system became malleable to the political correctness of the moment, when groups of all stripes were pandered to, the cohesiveness of being an American was lost. Trump and his despicable troop saw the opening of general dissatisfaction and worked the moment.
The hounds have been released.
The hounds have been released.
9
The Pledge of Allegiance is said daily in the schools districts where I tutor children in reading. People often decry the "fact" no one says the Pledge in school anymore. If you call your school district office, you might be surprised how many schools have continued this practice. Kindergarteners don't always know what the big words mean but they know that the US Flag represents the idea that everyone is offered its protection as "one nation" and that liberty and justice are "for all." It is time for the president-elect to take a role in making that true.
2
I think that's the bane of democracy. Where we see diversity, politicians see vote bank. The majority population feels resentful because of the perception that the minority is being pandered to. It's like parents who always take the side of the weaker kid irrespective of circumstances, which makes the stronger kid resentful and weaker kid a whiner by never allowing him to discover his strengths.
3
This is what happens when we teach our children that they are victims. Safe spaces and trigger warnings have turned the younger generation into a bunch of sniveling milksops.
16
Blame Obama. He's spent 8 years dividing people by identity instread of treating all as Americans.
13
He spent 8 years acting Presidential. You're the one who's been divisive and spreading identity politics.
8
He did? How so? Be specific.
1
Stop blaming the election. Parents need to take responsibility for the children they create, enough excuses and pointing fingers elsewhere. Your kids aren't perfect, that's okay.
4
As if growing up isn't already challenging enough (including fitting in and being accepted). Now these young people are having to navigate the job of growing up and developing in an often threatening/divisive school environment. Therefore, it sounds as if it would behoove schools around the country to make a special effort to teach required classes about differences; about how to identify feelings that might come up regarding those differences; about how to notice and identify negative hurtful inner feelings (before they are impulsively acted out); and what to do with them in their own head (self talk) to turn inappropriate into appropriate.
Compassion also could be taught. How to get into someone else's shoes. Also how to learn to focus on what's common in the human experience rather than what's different.
Kids have to be taught the cognitive and behavioral skills that make them healthy productive members of their school and then society at large.
Thus, this unsettling time sadly unleashed as a result of the mindless, destructive, divisive shameful campaigning can be used as an important teaching opportunity. It would also be wise, I believe, if the president elect also got schooled in such matters of the head and heart.
Compassion also could be taught. How to get into someone else's shoes. Also how to learn to focus on what's common in the human experience rather than what's different.
Kids have to be taught the cognitive and behavioral skills that make them healthy productive members of their school and then society at large.
Thus, this unsettling time sadly unleashed as a result of the mindless, destructive, divisive shameful campaigning can be used as an important teaching opportunity. It would also be wise, I believe, if the president elect also got schooled in such matters of the head and heart.
2
It appears, in the wake of a historically polarizing and charged election, we are seeing the unfortunate, yet predictable emotional reactions from the fringe elements on each side. Hopefully, these demonstrations or outright confrontations remain peaceful and constructive, and won't last too long. To people demonizing one another for who they voted for, remember there was no clear option this year, more so than ever. Give our President a chance, and, too each side, grow up and treat people how you would like to be treated. About as simple as that...
6
well if last year that young man suffering from affluenza was any indicator of reasoning poor behavior, just wait till some lawyers use the president does it how can it be wrong defense. just wait, it is coming. american jurisprudence marches on.
1
The people that are surprised at this bigoted behavior are people who don't read the paper or anything else. If they bother to get news from at all, they get it from Facebook. 38% of the Republican slanted news was fake news and propaganda.
So nobody who is a Trump voter get a free pass with by saying "I didn't know this would happen. The fact that this is happening in our schools is shameful.
One of Trump's promises in the First 100 Days is to defund Sanctuary Cities (LA, NYC, Seattle, Dallas, Witchita, etc) so we need to figure out a way to help these places. If this is implemented, I feel as if those in Sanctuary Cities have the right to place income taxes into Trust Funds or other holdings as tax protests until Federal funds to these cities are returned.
So nobody who is a Trump voter get a free pass with by saying "I didn't know this would happen. The fact that this is happening in our schools is shameful.
One of Trump's promises in the First 100 Days is to defund Sanctuary Cities (LA, NYC, Seattle, Dallas, Witchita, etc) so we need to figure out a way to help these places. If this is implemented, I feel as if those in Sanctuary Cities have the right to place income taxes into Trust Funds or other holdings as tax protests until Federal funds to these cities are returned.
1
Income taxes are submitted directly to the Feds. How can a city put them into trust when cities are nowhere involved in the process?
4
Is any American allowed to go to school in an Arab country, much less where our bikini and cause a ruckus against their government. Didn't think so.
13
Someone should have taken the student with the Hillary for Prison T shirt aside and talked to him about how our democracy works and how the president does not have the right to imprison anyone, let alone his opponent. As for his crocodile tears over students being bullied, he needs to own it. The attitude embodied in that shirt is an attitude of hate and bullying. Shame on him for wearing it--ever. And shame on his parents for letting him walk out the door with it on.
7
If the President's opponent is indeed a criminal, however, he or she may be tried and jailed if convicted.
4
Hillary Clinton is one the most powerful women in the world and also very wealthy. How on earth does some kid in Iowa's t-shirt qualify as hatred and bullying?
It's free speech. Perhaps obnoxious to many but still free speech. Feeling compelled to close him down is much more dangerous than some silly slogan.
It's free speech. Perhaps obnoxious to many but still free speech. Feeling compelled to close him down is much more dangerous than some silly slogan.
12
"Someone should have taken the student with the Hillary for Prison T shirt aside and talked to him about how our democracy works and how the president does not have the right to imprison anyone, let alone his opponent."
If someone had, they'd have been wrong. See Guantanamo Bay.
If someone had, they'd have been wrong. See Guantanamo Bay.
3
The US is a deeply, profoundly racist country. We forget that the 1970s wasn't that long ago, and it was only then that the US could make the legitimate claim to be a true liberal democracy, i.e., when it finally extended full rights to all its citizens. But even as that was happening, Nixon was implementing the Southern strategy and the GOP was fully embracing dog-whistle politics. The US has never come to terms with its deep racism, despite the fact that it is largely what is responsible for undermining the idea of the welfare state in the US. And, after the 1970s, there came the 1980s with the slow poison that Reagan injected into the system - the normalization of extremism- that has now fully infected and sickened the body politic in the form of Trump. If there is one silver lining to this election it is that the racism is finally and completely out in the open, ready to be seen and treated. Maybe, after all of this, the patient will finally begin to recover from the disease. But it may get a lot worse before that happens.
3
If these kids are actually protesting misogyny, homophobia and intolerance they definitely should not wear hijabs. That sends a very confused message concerning these issues. The islamic hijab is a symbol and a celebration of all of the above.
15
Students have cell phone video and audio of everything these days. Can we please see some of this hatred documented? There have been too many news stories in the last year that have to do with false reporting. Conversely, the ones with documentation rock the nation with their power. Is there incentive to falsify here? Surely. Is there real hatred out there? Also surely. Let's see some good evidence.
10
If chanting Trump's name is enough to frighten and distress members of other religions and minorities, what does that say about him and about the supporters who chant it?
1
What can you say other than Southern Poverty has its work cut out for it for at least the next four years, perhaps eight, hopefully.
Seems what they also need is a "bigly cloud" to store all that secret information they gather and store always to be released as the march of Liberal Imperialism and multiculturalism uber alles requires.
Look forward to more of Southern Poverty's hysterical bloody shirt waving in the coming weeks, months, and years.
Seems what they also need is a "bigly cloud" to store all that secret information they gather and store always to be released as the march of Liberal Imperialism and multiculturalism uber alles requires.
Look forward to more of Southern Poverty's hysterical bloody shirt waving in the coming weeks, months, and years.
4
Alice's Restaurant? Your really kidding
Arthur Pemn and Arlo Guthrie would differ
Arthur Pemn and Arlo Guthrie would differ
1
That's a different restaurant if you remember the lyrics at all. Probably too young, though.
2
Lots of dismissive shouts to "get over it" following this viscerally upsetting election. What's clear is those most in need of getting over it are the Trumpistas and their supporters. America is a diverse nation and becoming ever more so.
There is not one thing the Trumpistas can do about this, short of a pogrom, which would be the true height of evil. Learn to live with those who are different from you or crawl back beneath the antiquated rock from which you sprang.
There is not one thing the Trumpistas can do about this, short of a pogrom, which would be the true height of evil. Learn to live with those who are different from you or crawl back beneath the antiquated rock from which you sprang.
4
If the cafeteria had it on tape that the student bumped the girl with the hajib, that should have been enough evidence of harassment. Shoulder checking andand bumping behaviors are usually aggressive adolescent male behaviors. He should have been disciplined for it, rather than allowed to lie his way out of it. Then the demonstrations probably would not have happened.
6
What is baffling is the obtuseness reflected in the young Republican who was mystified at the things which were being said in his high school. He said he supported Trump, but because of the things being said, he decided not to wear his Hillary for prison t-shirt. Apparently it didn't dawn on him that the positions and statements of his candidate, along with this young man's choice of attire, were the root of the problem he was witnessing. As I've heard it said many times over in the last two weeks, irony is dead.
3
I taught a college seminar on urban studies in Israel where about one-third of my students were Muslim, hijab-wearing women. In the first class I told my students that we are going to discuss gender, freedom, feminism, theology, and other sensitive subjects insofar as they pertain to the urban experience. I also told them I am an atheist and believe that all sacred books, including the Quran, are poetic fictions. I said that if they did not want to study with me, they were free to leave. Not a single one did. And all those hijab-wearing girls wrote great papers, often precisely on the subjects I expected them to be most uncomfortable with, such as gender segregation, female rebellion and racial animosity. Another Muslim students wrote a paper comparing Muslim, Jewish and Christian attitudes to evil. Avoidance of controversial subjects in order to "respect" cultural and religious differences leads to the dumbing-down of the public discourse, in which even Trump's crudeness feels like a breath of fresh air.
11
Parents must teach their children that they are no better or worse than other humans. That it is wrong for one human or group of humans to think they are better than another. Or to be rude and uncivil. As an ideal, we are all equal. Schools should reinforce this message.
We also have to be adults and be realistic. Some people in the world don't think like many of us do and we have to acknowledge it. Of course it isn't right but it is reality. And as teachers and adults we will do our best to protect you from such people, but we can't always protect you. But we'll try.
When faced with prejudice, cruelty and injustice you can speak out and let others know you disagree with what they are saying or doing. And when appropriate speak to a teacher or other adult who may be able to help you.
This world has joy, beauty and lots of people with good hearts. It also is filled with people with hate and intolerance in their hearts. You're going to meet plenty of both. The invitation to us all is be fair, just, kind and compassionate as a general way of being in the world. Stand up for our selves and the values we believe in as required. And seek help when threatened.
If millions of individuals live this way, we will take our country back from this phase where trump seems to have given many citizens permission to openly allow the toxins inside themselves to manifest as ugly words and behaviors. Good triumphs in the end, but only if we live the values we profess to believe in.
We also have to be adults and be realistic. Some people in the world don't think like many of us do and we have to acknowledge it. Of course it isn't right but it is reality. And as teachers and adults we will do our best to protect you from such people, but we can't always protect you. But we'll try.
When faced with prejudice, cruelty and injustice you can speak out and let others know you disagree with what they are saying or doing. And when appropriate speak to a teacher or other adult who may be able to help you.
This world has joy, beauty and lots of people with good hearts. It also is filled with people with hate and intolerance in their hearts. You're going to meet plenty of both. The invitation to us all is be fair, just, kind and compassionate as a general way of being in the world. Stand up for our selves and the values we believe in as required. And seek help when threatened.
If millions of individuals live this way, we will take our country back from this phase where trump seems to have given many citizens permission to openly allow the toxins inside themselves to manifest as ugly words and behaviors. Good triumphs in the end, but only if we live the values we profess to believe in.
2
Donald Trump's campaign and election has unleashed the dogs of racism that were always snarling below the surface in this country. He is the most fearsome man ever to assume the presidency and his appointments prove that.
Years ago the acclaimed author Sinclair Lewis wrote It Can't Happen Here, a chilling story of how fascism came to America. Read the book and understand that with the new Trump regime, it can happen here but we must not let it happen.
Years ago the acclaimed author Sinclair Lewis wrote It Can't Happen Here, a chilling story of how fascism came to America. Read the book and understand that with the new Trump regime, it can happen here but we must not let it happen.
Having grown up in a small midwestern town I was the brunt of hearing "dirty little foreigner, dirty little hunky" even though I was born in that same town. I had a foreign-sounding name in a town filled with smiths and jones. My favorite song is by Rodgers and Hammerstein -
You've got to be carefully taught
To hate and fear
You've got to be taught
From year to year
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught
You've got to be carefully taught
To hate and fear
You've got to be taught
From year to year
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught
5
I'm sorry these students are being harassed, but there is one thing the hijab-wearing students can do: stop wearing a hijab. I don't understand why American citizens don hijabs today. Is it a form of protest? Are they children of immigrants who wear the traditional garb of their homeland? Why are their children not following every other immigrant second generation and dressing like Americans? Refugees? You're in a new place where people dress differently - if you chose to continue wearing your native costume, especially since 9-11, you might expect to be treated less warmly than if you dressed in the clothes of the place wear you live.
The black kids should be protected and the racist students turned around. This is where the faith communities can join together and heal theese racist hearts.
The black kids should be protected and the racist students turned around. This is where the faith communities can join together and heal theese racist hearts.
8
Here in the civilized part of the country we see women wearing hijabs and it is accepted here in the urban areas of Massachusetts.
However I must confess that despite my liberal bent I do look down on those who have tattoos and tongue rings.
However I must confess that despite my liberal bent I do look down on those who have tattoos and tongue rings.
11
A hijab is not a native costume or national dress. It is not worn by immigrants only. The head covering is not a symbol of oppression for the women who wear one. The hijab is a scarf worn by Moslem women for modesty and to honor their religious beliefs. Some countries have extensive head-to-toe coverings called burka, niqab, chador and dupatta.
Americans need cultural context in order to understand these customs. I wear a cross. Does that offend you?
Americans need cultural context in order to understand these customs. I wear a cross. Does that offend you?
1
President elect trump was elected by 50% of the voting population. This 50% has been neglected and forgotten.
If the liberals want to heal the divide then they should not do violent protests and insult.
Or are so called liberal words only that, just false words.
If the liberals want to heal the divide then they should not do violent protests and insult.
Or are so called liberal words only that, just false words.
7
I'm of Asian descent, immigrated as a baby, and was naturalized as a teenager. I grew up in the South in the 1980s-1990s. I still enjoyed a life with virtually no racial confrontations. I can't imagine enjoying that benefit if I were a 10 year old growing up there today, and I worry even now about encountering the wrong people when I go home to visit my parents. Most of all, I worry about them.
It's sad to say: although I want kids eventually, this election has made me glad I don't have them now. My hats off to the parents who are dealing with explaining this election to their children and doing their best to instill good character despite the current toxic cultural/political climate instigated by our President-Elect and his team of ideological rogues.
It's sad to say: although I want kids eventually, this election has made me glad I don't have them now. My hats off to the parents who are dealing with explaining this election to their children and doing their best to instill good character despite the current toxic cultural/political climate instigated by our President-Elect and his team of ideological rogues.
2
"You people" keep on emigrating here. In addition to Latinos and African Americans demography will come to the rescue. Keep hope alive.
Also have kids but avoid living in the red states.
Also have kids but avoid living in the red states.
1
I agree with your concerns. My husband is Japanese. One daughter has Asian eyes but my Irish reddish brown hair. She lives in California and feels very comfortable. Another daughter and our son have black hair and dark brown eyes but often have been asked if they are Italian, Armenian, Middle Eastern, Mexican or Native American, depending on where they are at the time. When I have expressed concerns about possible profiling of immigrants, people have told me "Don't worry. Your kids will be fine." Why? Because they were born here and are US citizens? Or because they are half white? Will people have to carry their US passports with them everywhere? Legal status carries no physical identifying mark. Are tattoos or identity badges going to become a requirement?
The whole society needs to recover the capacity for civil and respectful dialogue among those who have major disagreements. The election discourse was utterly debased. Replace the catch-phrase of ridicule -- "politically correct" -- with terms such as respectful, willing to speak calmly and honestly and to listen, open-minded, to those with very different views. Schools can be an exemplary arena for teaching this. Teachers need to review the ground-rules of respectful discourse and then invite students of opposing views to discuss their differences with one another honestly but with consideration for the feelings of others. We need to learn much more about how it feels to be the other. Schools are a good place to start. Is reconciliation and mutual respect possible across the post-election divide? No, not with some on the fringes. But with most, yes. It's not easy but we need to work on it.
4
Let's hear it for West High! Active committed and involved students with a responsive and engaged faculty. I am so proud to live in Iowa City!
2
The correct way for schools to respond to this kind of behavior is to focus on teaching and learning and refuse to tolerate "protests" during school time. Students who miss class or otherwise fall back in their studies due to their "feelings" should be graded accordingly and not given special dispensation for their actions. Teachers' comments in this section describing their stunning heartbreak and disbelief should be disciplined for bringing their personal views into the classroom or worse yet calling off teaching for the day to grieve. Look around the current world situation and learn your history--cultures do not easily mix, and immigrants who insist on retaining their native country's customs, et al, are in for a long unhappy ride.
7
Teachers should not be asked to be objective and neutral when discussing the election results.
The harsh reality is that liberal Democrats are shocked while right-leaning Republicans are celebrating after enduring years of policies that contradict their religious or conservative values.
A long-standing complaint by conservatives is about "political correctness" which they feel creates abhorrent policies. One side cites racism, whereas the other cites a deterioration of long-held values.
The headline photo of this article, on my iPad, shows an interesting paradox. Muslim women wear a hijab and their mouths are taped shut. The liberal sees all nationalities and religions as equal, whereas conservatives see a foreign cultural and existential terrorist threat.
Both opinions have their conclusions but let a dialogue expose their weaknesses. A hijab originates from a religion and culture that suppresses women and does not allow freedom of speech. This hijab represents their taped shut mouths before this election. Muslims are not the only group to wear distinctive religious attire, but they are by far the most publicized group associated with violent problems around the world.
This is only one example, prompted for me by the photo, of the many differences between the right and left, so my point is that we need to explore those differences and not dismiss them with soothing comments and hugs. Let our teachers be educational guides, not therapy counselors.
The harsh reality is that liberal Democrats are shocked while right-leaning Republicans are celebrating after enduring years of policies that contradict their religious or conservative values.
A long-standing complaint by conservatives is about "political correctness" which they feel creates abhorrent policies. One side cites racism, whereas the other cites a deterioration of long-held values.
The headline photo of this article, on my iPad, shows an interesting paradox. Muslim women wear a hijab and their mouths are taped shut. The liberal sees all nationalities and religions as equal, whereas conservatives see a foreign cultural and existential terrorist threat.
Both opinions have their conclusions but let a dialogue expose their weaknesses. A hijab originates from a religion and culture that suppresses women and does not allow freedom of speech. This hijab represents their taped shut mouths before this election. Muslims are not the only group to wear distinctive religious attire, but they are by far the most publicized group associated with violent problems around the world.
This is only one example, prompted for me by the photo, of the many differences between the right and left, so my point is that we need to explore those differences and not dismiss them with soothing comments and hugs. Let our teachers be educational guides, not therapy counselors.
4
This is what happens when you re-brand bigotry and hatred as mere political incorrectness.
12
"Paul, grab plan to Cooperstown...to the Baseball Hall of Fame...check the archives and find out how many home runs Rogers Hornsby hit in Yankee Stadium in his major league career!"
"Education is the point at which we decide whether we love the world enough to assume responsibility for it and by the same token save it from that ruin which, except for renewal, except for the coming of the new and the young, would be inevitable. And education, too, is where we decide whether we love our children enough not to expel them from our world and leave them to their own devices, nor to strike from their hands their chance of undertaking something new, something unforeseen by us, but to prepare them in advance for the task of renewing a common world." Hannah Arendt.
And that means love for ALL the children; include them ALL in the common world. Plurality needs to be alive in the common world. And that should exclude any policy or behavior that seeks to drive out, or expel, a whole group of people not because of anything they do, but because of who they are.
And that means love for ALL the children; include them ALL in the common world. Plurality needs to be alive in the common world. And that should exclude any policy or behavior that seeks to drive out, or expel, a whole group of people not because of anything they do, but because of who they are.
4
Talk about fake news stories – The drama and insensitivity of a group of adolescents presented as a slice of America. Some real hard hitting investigative journalism here. Roll in with the adolescents a bunch of education professionals so lost in their own pain that they can only wallow in the same adolescent angst.
23
Shouldn't you be waiting outside Trump Tower for a glimpse of your messiah?
If Iowa weren't 'a slice of America' we wouldn't be having this discussion. Adolescents and 'education professionals' are usually considered real Americans too, or am I wrong? What's fake or not true about this story? Even if you really believe that Hillary could murder Vince Foster and commit numerous other crimes with impunity, you, too are a real 'slice of America'. This is what we al need to deal with now.
2
So the behavior of young people on the verge of adulthood should not be taken into account? By 17, if you're a mean-spirited person, it
reflects upbringing, and culture, and is simply wrong.
reflects upbringing, and culture, and is simply wrong.
2
As a leftist Bernie guy myself, I say it's actually good for America to finally be having the real honest conversation on race we've needed for a long time, a conversation in which white anger at blacks and others is no longer muzzled and they feel free to tell blacks and others just what they think of them, as our PC media and schools have forbidden them to do, for fear of being denounced as "racists" (which they may well be) for decades now, while blacks, women, and the rest have been strongly encouraged by the same media and schools to let all their anger at white men flow as freely as possible. Let's now hear what the angry white men have felt in response to the incessant attacks on them for decades. My guess is that some of their responses will be perfectly valid, however much racism, sexism, and homophobia will come out as well. No matter what comes out, there's no way to have a "real" conversation without everyone feeling equally free to vent, without fear or favor. Trump has now created the grounds for that, whether we don't really want an "honest" conversation on race, gender, and the rest or not. Deal with it, and America will come out the other side better off for it. Obama was Hegel's thesis, Trump his perfect antithesis. Let's pray for a healing synthesis in the future which can only be reached by ALL Americans feeling they have been heard, even (gasp!) the evil fiends of identity politics, angry white working-class males who never got the memo from the pure..
25
Part of me wants to agree with you, Fred. The Right keeps saying that racism is effectively over in this country and that political correctness is a reaction to things that happened a long time ago and for which most of those now living can't fairly be held responsible. If those who harbor racist sentiments feel liberated by Trump's election to speak their minds, we may find out that the Right is Wrong, that racism is alive and well and much more widespread in our country than even the Left believed it was. Then what will the Right say?
There have been many calls for a "conversation" but, in reality, whites were not invited to participate openly in it. It's been largely one-sided. White were expected to listen and learn. They were responsible for the grievances and somehow lost the right to complain.
I agree that it's about time that everyone got to contribute to this conversation. There can never be progress if one side is prevented from airing its frustration and resentments.
The best thing that has happened is that everyone in our country has been able to speak openly. Progressives are very uncomfortable with this. They consider any objection to be racist. But that's their own problem. They don't get to write the rules governing this dynamic. They're just one party to it.
I agree that it's about time that everyone got to contribute to this conversation. There can never be progress if one side is prevented from airing its frustration and resentments.
The best thing that has happened is that everyone in our country has been able to speak openly. Progressives are very uncomfortable with this. They consider any objection to be racist. But that's their own problem. They don't get to write the rules governing this dynamic. They're just one party to it.
10
Well said.
3
Well young Mason Hanson, didn't you know you were supporting a man who never fully repudiated an endorsement for him by former KKK leader David Duke? And did you ignore all the White Nationalist chatter saying that their, "time had finally come"? Referring to a possible and then actual Trump election.
Congratulations for falling into the trap set for you and many around this country by tacitly supporting a man who gratefully accepted white supremacists support in his run for an office he is so ill equipped to hold.
Sometimes it's too late to take things back. Your schooling should have taught you that.
Congratulations for falling into the trap set for you and many around this country by tacitly supporting a man who gratefully accepted white supremacists support in his run for an office he is so ill equipped to hold.
Sometimes it's too late to take things back. Your schooling should have taught you that.
21
These sick people have no idea what they are doing. What, they want to play Nazi in their "safe" little world? Look what has happened. Trump kicked a hornet's nest. The consequences can be devastating if we do not as a society condem these people and attitudes. I have relatives who are alive who survived WW II. Many of their family members did not. It was horrifying and they are still scarred from it. These racist fools have no idea what they are playing with. Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
18
In Iowa this is par for the course.
I lived in Sheldon, a small farm town with Dutch heritage.
Anyone even white people, not born in or meeting the stereotypical definition of what was acceptable by society was bullied either verbally or attached physically.
I lived & worked in Sioux City and an extreme double standard as to how women where treated was again the norm. White Night Clubs in the 70's wouldn't let you in if you wore a hat because many Black men & women wore hats.
I hope the school children in this article have the strength and courage to deal with the future - "make American great again" is trumps code for destruction of anyone that is not white, christian and conservative.
Be vigilant, President Obama said we need to give trump a chance - we know already what kind of presidency he will rule over.
Major thanks to the cast of Hamilton for their courage to make a statement on stage when pence was in the audience.
I lived in Sheldon, a small farm town with Dutch heritage.
Anyone even white people, not born in or meeting the stereotypical definition of what was acceptable by society was bullied either verbally or attached physically.
I lived & worked in Sioux City and an extreme double standard as to how women where treated was again the norm. White Night Clubs in the 70's wouldn't let you in if you wore a hat because many Black men & women wore hats.
I hope the school children in this article have the strength and courage to deal with the future - "make American great again" is trumps code for destruction of anyone that is not white, christian and conservative.
Be vigilant, President Obama said we need to give trump a chance - we know already what kind of presidency he will rule over.
Major thanks to the cast of Hamilton for their courage to make a statement on stage when pence was in the audience.
19
What courage does it take to deliver a preachy little talk to a captive audience. Bad manners maybe; courage? I think not.
5
Iowa City (the highly diverse university town where I grew up) is not much like Sheldon (a small farm town in NW Iowa) or like Sioux City (a largely working-class city fueled by the meatpacking and health care industries). Please see Hroswitha's earlier comment on this thread, from which I quote here: "My 16 year old son attends West High. Despite being a midwestern town, we have been fortunate to have such a large number of students and families from places around the world, and my son has grown up with diversity as an expectation, not a unique situation. His grade school boasted having 13 different languages spoken in the homes of children who attended. His day care had children from Somalia, China, Mexico, Denmark, the Congo, Nigeria, and Germany. He grew up identifying other children by what they wore, not by the color of their skins. This is how it should be."
2
pnp, I too lived in Sioux City, and also Iowa City. They could not be more different communities in their cultural diversity, education level and political leanings. Johnson County, Iowa went solidly blue in this and most other elections. It is home to a thriving community of international students and faculty, attracting researchers, writers, scientists from across the country and the globe.
Which is why reading this story unlocked all the sadness I had stored in my liberal Iowa heart since this dreadful election delivered upon us its wicked wrath. I go there for Thanksgiving this week. I hope the tears stop by then.
Which is why reading this story unlocked all the sadness I had stored in my liberal Iowa heart since this dreadful election delivered upon us its wicked wrath. I go there for Thanksgiving this week. I hope the tears stop by then.
2
We're at a point of crisis in our society. I remind people that the Chinese character for "crisis" includes "danger" and "opportunity." I see this as a teachable moment in high schools and everywhere. It's definitely a time to listen to the other point of view. As long as we "liberals" make Trump and his ilk the enemies, we are contributing to the polarization that is causing these incidents. Let's talk about it. Better yet, let' listen to the "enemy."
As Pogo said, long ago,"We've met the enemy and it's us." "-)
As Pogo said, long ago,"We've met the enemy and it's us." "-)
10
I too have used the Chinese crisis/opportunity lesson in conversation post 11/9 as greatest take-away from the disastrous political climate our country finds itself in. It's time for everyone - especially the regretful Matt Hansons of the world - to step up and get involved in positive political/social change now.
The often repeated view that the Chinese word for "crisis" means both danger and opportunity is incorrect. Interestingly, an explanation of the word's real etymology shows that its correct translation actually makes it even more appropriate for use during the current political situation.
The two syllables of wēijī are written with two separate characters. The first is "danger." The second is "incipient moment; crucial point" as when something is beginning. It second syllable is not the word used for opportunity.
Steve Nguyen, PhD, in an article at workplacepsychology.net quotes Victor H. Mair, a professor of Chinese Language and Literature at the University of Pennsylvania;
"Thus, a wēijī is indeed a genuine crisis, a dangerous moment, a time when things start to go awry. A wēijī indicates a perilous situation when one should be especially wary." Quote marks stand in for a block quote.
So rather than looking for a somewhat ephemeral opportunity presented by the new administration based on recent events, let's look at this crisis in our political landscape and be wary of the danger. Failing to be vigilant would be dangerous.
The two syllables of wēijī are written with two separate characters. The first is "danger." The second is "incipient moment; crucial point" as when something is beginning. It second syllable is not the word used for opportunity.
Steve Nguyen, PhD, in an article at workplacepsychology.net quotes Victor H. Mair, a professor of Chinese Language and Literature at the University of Pennsylvania;
"Thus, a wēijī is indeed a genuine crisis, a dangerous moment, a time when things start to go awry. A wēijī indicates a perilous situation when one should be especially wary." Quote marks stand in for a block quote.
So rather than looking for a somewhat ephemeral opportunity presented by the new administration based on recent events, let's look at this crisis in our political landscape and be wary of the danger. Failing to be vigilant would be dangerous.
If my husband were to abuse my kids and I either looked the other way or made excuses for him "because he really is a good man", then I would be enabling abuse. The excuse of "I'm not an abuser, so why are you blaming me?" is not enough. If I didn't do something about it, I would be part of the problem and failing to protect my children.
20
Anyone who behaves in discriminatory ways should be prosecuted to the full extent of the local, state and federal civil rights laws; and they also should be on school probation; and they also need to take public responsibility for their destructive actions. Furthermore, their parents ought to be part of the process of their children's processes of apology and services to the school and the community.
9
These reactions to the recent election, amongst young and old alike, are as much a reflection of a society focused on gender, identity politics and associated entitlements, as a reaction to the results of the presidential election.
Clearly many people, who voted for Trump did so because they no longer classified themselves as privileged or uniquely qualified in a new system of rights and entitlements, whether perceived or factual.
Clearly many people, who voted for Trump did so because they no longer classified themselves as privileged or uniquely qualified in a new system of rights and entitlements, whether perceived or factual.
12
Some people were sure that Trump would be more palatable once elected. The campaign rhetoric would cease and the real work of governing to make America great would happen. I actually hear people say I "have" to vote for Trump. Why? They said he had good ideas and would think outside the box. Unfortunately we get ALL of Trump. Can't pick and choose which part of Trump ascends now that he has been elected. He is the same narcissistic, sexist, racist bigot he was before the election. And "making America great again" sounds wonderful until you hear what that incurs and what kind of America that will be. These high school students have real concerns. Real fear. Let's take real action. Don't give up the fight to be heard. And show a little compassion, readers.
2
"Entitlements" like equality?
1
Haviing spent a quarter century in multi ethnic schools in times like this it's the faculty who must confront the racism and taunts at every opportunity. It becomes job one period No slur is ignored. Every school has a coterie of teachers who have great rapport and control of all the students. These teachers bring perpetrators and victims together in small groups and discuss exactly what was said and how that made people feel. Then these educators must spend every bit of rapport capital they possess to restore respect and tolerance. Trust me if you utilize the right educators this paradigm will work.It's not easy and other educational priorities must be put on the back burne, but Nothing is more important to a school than this. The teachers are the key.
5
It makes me shudder to see all of the hate and venom that has resided in people - who they truly are - that has been released as these people perceive Trump's victory as a license to vent their prejudice and hatred. For them, this is what the Trump candidacy was all about. Nothing else. Forget about trade and global warming - concepts they barely understand, if at all. It was all about race. God help us all.
15
"Kids are hearing it at home and they’re amplifying it.”
Wake up parents, and realize the influence, both good and bad, you have on your kids.
Wake up parents, and realize the influence, both good and bad, you have on your kids.
9
May I take a minute here to wonder why this is a national news story on the front page of the New York Times?
There is no evidence that this event is representative of American high schools, or of anything else; nor is there any evidence that such events were not also common before the election. That one 15 year old in Iowa said a mean thing to another 15 year old (which he later denied saying) would not ordinarily be national news. I am suspecting that this story is here chiefly because it furthers the Times' narrative.
There is no evidence that this event is representative of American high schools, or of anything else; nor is there any evidence that such events were not also common before the election. That one 15 year old in Iowa said a mean thing to another 15 year old (which he later denied saying) would not ordinarily be national news. I am suspecting that this story is here chiefly because it furthers the Times' narrative.
33
One or more of the teachers colluded with the NYT to make a story to fit their agenda.
5
This is a very good assumption Susan.
5
May I suggest the obvious: It can be blamed on the GOP president-elect. The Times is determined to keep the identity wars alive. Expect minutiae to be elevated to front page stories so The Times can continue to promote this agenda.
Meanwhile the rest of the country has moved on.
Meanwhile the rest of the country has moved on.
6
A Young Republican no longer wears his "Hillary for Prison" T-shirt "because he does not want to be lumped in with the people accused of making insulting comments to minorities."
In other words, before the election, this young man thought it was completely appropriate to wear a "Hillary for Prison" T-shirt to school.
"Hillary for Prison" is a smear based on a lie. I shudder to think that this young man apparently thinks there's a difference between "Hillary for Prison" and the current wave of Trump-inspired hate speech.
I'm glad he stopped wearing the T-shirt. I'm appalled that he bought it in the first place.
In other words, before the election, this young man thought it was completely appropriate to wear a "Hillary for Prison" T-shirt to school.
"Hillary for Prison" is a smear based on a lie. I shudder to think that this young man apparently thinks there's a difference between "Hillary for Prison" and the current wave of Trump-inspired hate speech.
I'm glad he stopped wearing the T-shirt. I'm appalled that he bought it in the first place.
17
What lie? Be specific, please.
2
Who does this boy harm by exercising his first amendment rights?
It seems to me the impulse to shut him down is much more dangerous than some statement, even an obnoxious statement, on a kid's t shirt.
It seems to me the impulse to shut him down is much more dangerous than some statement, even an obnoxious statement, on a kid's t shirt.
5
I have sympathy for the way these minority students are being treated and it should never occur. I too have had insults directed at me because I am a conservative white woman living among a den of ultra liberal Democrats in Manhattan. It is not easy. i just go about my way and live my life. I do not change my values or principles to suit them. I am who I am.
I would make a suggestion to those Muslim girls who wear the head scarves to school. Leave them home and this will go a long way to there being accepted by their peers. They should then try to assimilate into American culture and show they enjoy our American way of life . This is how immigrants before them behaved and they became a part of the American fabric. Today those whose ancestors immigrated from Europe and other parts of the world are treated as truly American.
I would make a suggestion to those Muslim girls who wear the head scarves to school. Leave them home and this will go a long way to there being accepted by their peers. They should then try to assimilate into American culture and show they enjoy our American way of life . This is how immigrants before them behaved and they became a part of the American fabric. Today those whose ancestors immigrated from Europe and other parts of the world are treated as truly American.
25
no. they should absolutely leave them on. this is america and we are free to practice our religion.
18
Hijabs are as much a part of American culture, as are, say, rosary beads.
As for assimilation, what a vanilla version you describe. Europeans didn't try to assimilate. They used modern weaponry to conquer, something today's immigrants don't do.
Stop trying to justify these heinous acts, KMW. The fact is Trump has given the nation license to bigot, and you, like the rest of us, should be deeply angry about it.
As for assimilation, what a vanilla version you describe. Europeans didn't try to assimilate. They used modern weaponry to conquer, something today's immigrants don't do.
Stop trying to justify these heinous acts, KMW. The fact is Trump has given the nation license to bigot, and you, like the rest of us, should be deeply angry about it.
28
how do you know they gave not assimilated? Should Indian American women be not wear Saris? Orthodox Jewish women not wear scarves or wigs to show they are "true" Americans?
12
In an attempt to shift slightly away from my preoccupation with Trump and his crews' unsavory attitudes, I have been trying to find policy items I can get behind, such as re-implementation of Glass-Steagall, term limits for Congressional members, etc. Inevitably though, the authorization the Trump campaign gave to demonstrative bullying behaviors continues to remain central. My two young daughters, 1st and 3rd grade, are dealing with agression and bullying from their Trump-supporting peers every day, and have been since weeks before the election. Their anxiety levels are very high, and granted, they are absorbing a fair amount of stress from their mother and I, but much of it is due to their inability to feel safe at school.
Longview perspective, this tension can potentially make our communities stronger based on the thesis, antithesis, synthesis theory. Getting these unsavory tribal attitudes out and into the public discourse will allow us to challenge and ultimately change them, but a lot of people have been, and will be, hurt along the way. And that is hard.
Longview perspective, this tension can potentially make our communities stronger based on the thesis, antithesis, synthesis theory. Getting these unsavory tribal attitudes out and into the public discourse will allow us to challenge and ultimately change them, but a lot of people have been, and will be, hurt along the way. And that is hard.
6
When did Hegel make such a comeback? "Tribal attitudes"? This is the alt-Reich speaking.
The only thing I can say to these kids is:
"Knowledge is power"
Continue studying and finish strong!
The more you know the more open minded you will be.
And "that's" what is going to make the difference between you and the ones who stay behind. I can guarantee you that!
"Knowledge is power"
Continue studying and finish strong!
The more you know the more open minded you will be.
And "that's" what is going to make the difference between you and the ones who stay behind. I can guarantee you that!
4
It seems odd that Trump was highly offended by a group of actors being polite to the VP-elect.
20
The adults in the media are totally to blame.
Kids shouldn't come to school crying and sobbing because of any election in this country.
And shame on the parents also for not ensuring their children feel safe, and feel calm.
This school should have held an assembly once they figured out how emotional everyone was. Has that happened yet?
Kids shouldn't come to school crying and sobbing because of any election in this country.
And shame on the parents also for not ensuring their children feel safe, and feel calm.
This school should have held an assembly once they figured out how emotional everyone was. Has that happened yet?
8
So then do you believe that the emotions of teenagers are not valid and should be suppressed?
1
Blame the people who are being taunted? Their parents are at fault? Did we read the same article?
2
Slimz and Deborah, the OP said nothing about suppressing emotions, nor was any blame assigned.
1
In my day (the 80's), it was embarrassing to say "that black kid" or "that white kid", etc. My parents were liberal and taught me to love all people. Today its not shameful to identify a person by their ethnicity/race/etc. I don't feel guilty today saying, "she's the Black lady with the short hair". My whole life growing up, I never acknowledged so called "race". We were a colorblind society.
In many ways, today is better. According to this article, there's an awareness or identity a child has of his/her ethnicity. We have diversity but the same language, American culture and Borders.
The stupid name calling at this school, which does not identify the name callers as white (I don't think). is the same stupid behavior we had. In my day, you were called "fat" or "gay"---the actual term also means cigarette...
Today's kids are better than yesterdays kids. That's my motto. They are unafraid to speak out and defend their beliefs. I know this, I have 3. It's a good day in America. My kids are White. If they were harassed by other students at school for their being White, I would be livid. I would go to the school and nip it in the bud. Student protest is understandable!
I am a Trump supporter--a White/Lebanese College Educated woman, mom to an LGBT. I'm sick of the middle class being taxed to death, marginalized, ripped off. I LIKE old white guys---- my dad was one, my brother, my husband. There's no shame in being white, friends. The guilt is over.
In many ways, today is better. According to this article, there's an awareness or identity a child has of his/her ethnicity. We have diversity but the same language, American culture and Borders.
The stupid name calling at this school, which does not identify the name callers as white (I don't think). is the same stupid behavior we had. In my day, you were called "fat" or "gay"---the actual term also means cigarette...
Today's kids are better than yesterdays kids. That's my motto. They are unafraid to speak out and defend their beliefs. I know this, I have 3. It's a good day in America. My kids are White. If they were harassed by other students at school for their being White, I would be livid. I would go to the school and nip it in the bud. Student protest is understandable!
I am a Trump supporter--a White/Lebanese College Educated woman, mom to an LGBT. I'm sick of the middle class being taxed to death, marginalized, ripped off. I LIKE old white guys---- my dad was one, my brother, my husband. There's no shame in being white, friends. The guilt is over.
21
Thank you for your thoughts.
Do you worry about your gay child and if so why? Do you worry for her/his physical safety? What factors do you think protects your gay child? Will s/he be safe wherever s/he goes in this country?
Can you imagine what the mother of an of-color child worries about? What about if her child were of gay and of color? Where would s/he be safe? What if s/he loved and was proud of her family's culture? Where would s/he be safe in your America under Trump's administration?
Do you worry about your gay child and if so why? Do you worry for her/his physical safety? What factors do you think protects your gay child? Will s/he be safe wherever s/he goes in this country?
Can you imagine what the mother of an of-color child worries about? What about if her child were of gay and of color? Where would s/he be safe? What if s/he loved and was proud of her family's culture? Where would s/he be safe in your America under Trump's administration?
3
Taxed to death? In what world?
What nonsense and hyperbole, as usual, coming from the left. Buck up snowflakes. There are people who have differing opinions than you. It shouldn't be a news flash. Yet it's further evidence of the fact that the left has no respect for the First Amendment.
And stop lying about moving to lily white Canada.
And stop lying about moving to lily white Canada.
24
Lily white Canada??
" Visible minorities represent 19.1% of the total population of Canada. Of these visible minorities, 30.9% were born in Canada and 65.1% were born outside the country and came to live in Canada.15 Sep 2016"
Hardly what you'd call lily white.
" Visible minorities represent 19.1% of the total population of Canada. Of these visible minorities, 30.9% were born in Canada and 65.1% were born outside the country and came to live in Canada.15 Sep 2016"
Hardly what you'd call lily white.
2
"Lily white Canada"? Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world! About 1 in 5 Canadians identifies as a visible minority (i.e. non-Caucasian, non-Aboriginal) and the proportion is much higher in a number of urban and suburban areas, including mine (Greater Vancouver 62%, Vancouver proper 51%). This isn't a matter of opinion, it's fact, unlike your wholly unsupported assertion that "the left has no respect for the First Amendment."
1
Sorry, Walter, you misunderstood. It was not someone expressing a "different opinion." We were discussing the many acts of bigotry against people like the young girl with the hajib. Do you SEE the distinction?
1
Oh brother, give me a break. Our education industry employees are part of the establishment political party, i.e. the democrats. The non-establishment party won the election. Since then, the establishment party has been bleating about how awful things are. Meanwhile, having accomplished nothing except gay marriage and a national discussion about which bathroom to use, then nominating a candidate that was dishonest and corrupt, we're supposed to listen to all the heartbreak from the losers. I don't recall articles about the other half of the country's despondency when Obama was elected, a guy that promised change and then acted as if he were king. Get over yourselves and move on.
30
Why were people despondent when President Obama was elected? And how did he act like a "king"? You've been reading too much fake news.
3
Why on earth are these teenage girls wearing hijabs? If you really want to help them, tell them that it's an ancient sexist custom that subjugates women. And if they want to be accepted as Americans, try identifying as an American first and a Muslim second.
29
"I'm a Christian, a conservative and a Republican in that order." Mike Pence. I'm a Christian conservative as well. So the ordering of God and country is ok, as long as it's your religion? Don't tell people what they should wear to conform to our culture. Let them be and let them believe what they want as long as it doesn't run afoul of the law and our basic tennets, and discourage your kids from making fun of other people. Pretty much common sense.
12
You are spouting a version of what it means to be an American that I reject. We are not all the same but we can be united for a common good. I am a 60-year-old white woman reared a Republican who voted for Hillary because she could govern all the people in this country. The 70-year-old white man who won is going to have to show me he has what it takes to unite this country.
Your Vice President elect identifies as a "Christian first". Many sects of Christianity also have long histories that involve sexism and gender inequality. How is this any different?
1
This is going to shock people, but if you don't look like the people around you, particularly if you make an effort not to look like them, you may face negative consequences. This is based on, oh, only about a quarter of a million years of human social development. We've come a long way, but people don't seem to understand that you don't get to change everything overnight, or even in a century.
18
Especially if you actively go out of your way to not look like the people around you.
2
" if you don't look like the people around you . . . you may face negative consequences"
So, based on a made-up notion of evolutionary biology, you are condoning bigotry based on entirely superficial trivial characteristics. I guess you've never been subjected to this yourself, or you wouldn't be so sanguine about it.
So, based on a made-up notion of evolutionary biology, you are condoning bigotry based on entirely superficial trivial characteristics. I guess you've never been subjected to this yourself, or you wouldn't be so sanguine about it.
Isn't this the same paper that defended Steve Salatia, a Virginia tech professor who was not hired due to tweets in which he said anti-Semitism was a great thing and applauded the murder hate crimes of Jews? I have seen many individuals, Cornel West being one, who defended Salatia who went on to call Trump a racist.
I also remember this same paper condemning 2 University of Oklahoma students who were expelled for similar remarks as Salatia but directed towards a different demographic.
There are hundreds of instances caught on tape showing Jewish students being menaced by activists on campus. Why does unsubstantiated allegations of bigotry towards some groups cause a huge uproar of condemnation and media attention while very substantiated and provable incidents of bigotry and harassment towards other groups get defended or ignored?
I also remember this same paper condemning 2 University of Oklahoma students who were expelled for similar remarks as Salatia but directed towards a different demographic.
There are hundreds of instances caught on tape showing Jewish students being menaced by activists on campus. Why does unsubstantiated allegations of bigotry towards some groups cause a huge uproar of condemnation and media attention while very substantiated and provable incidents of bigotry and harassment towards other groups get defended or ignored?
22
My heart goes to al children and people who are being harassed by the Trump supporters.. Shame on you!
My protest; I won't watch the hijacking of the Oval office by a bigot, an instigator and by a demagogue; who sought support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.
I won't be able to change the president-elect, but I will show my stand against bigotry, racism, and homophobia. So, NO! I won't watch on January 20!
My protest; I won't watch the hijacking of the Oval office by a bigot, an instigator and by a demagogue; who sought support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.
I won't be able to change the president-elect, but I will show my stand against bigotry, racism, and homophobia. So, NO! I won't watch on January 20!
1
While I am entirely of the view that Trump is a an extremely dangerous vulgarian and the worst presidential role model for children since Andrew Jackson, there seems to me to be an unacknowledged complexity to the Muslim girl's protest with the duct tape on their mouths.
Wearing a hijab and the rest of the Middle Eastern Muslim coverings for women (only, of course) is a wearing on their bodies symbols of them buying into a culture of suppression of women, where women are either not allowed to speak or not paid any attention to because of their position of being subservient in all ways to all men.
By wearing these coverings they are publicly endorsing and identifying with these misogynistic and patriarchal views which to various degrees mean the shackling of women, including their voices.
Wearing a hijab and the rest of the Middle Eastern Muslim coverings for women (only, of course) is a wearing on their bodies symbols of them buying into a culture of suppression of women, where women are either not allowed to speak or not paid any attention to because of their position of being subservient in all ways to all men.
By wearing these coverings they are publicly endorsing and identifying with these misogynistic and patriarchal views which to various degrees mean the shackling of women, including their voices.
18
Agreed. I have often tought that females raised in Islamic societies or in this case, Muslim families, have a kind of Stockholm Syndrome wherein they have been trained to cooperate and support their own oppression.
I disagree. You are imputing to these young women your understanding of the hijab. Theirs may be entirely different, and as they are still young, they or may not come to share your views. The hijab-wearers I know are mostly independent, articulate, self-confident women, at least to outer appearances. I admit I've never asked any of them about their dress. Some, I assume, are making statements of some sort. Others surely feel that a hijab is as natural as Mormon underclothing is to Mormons, or turbans to Sikh men. Many, I suspect, are less aware of the status of women, past and present, in other countries than one might hope, from the perspective of "global awareness."
In any case, as an Iowa City mother of 3 West High grads, I am saddened, to say the least, by the venom conveyed in many responses to this article. Its writer is correct--we take comfort--obviously too much--in our expectation of civility and tolerance in our community. Trump's election has shown us how willingly we've ignored the strains of racism, and the fear of the Other, that persist under our usual easy coexistence with each other. We have lots to learn, clearly, and I hope that commenters here will try to educate rather than castigate me. Please come halfway.
In any case, as an Iowa City mother of 3 West High grads, I am saddened, to say the least, by the venom conveyed in many responses to this article. Its writer is correct--we take comfort--obviously too much--in our expectation of civility and tolerance in our community. Trump's election has shown us how willingly we've ignored the strains of racism, and the fear of the Other, that persist under our usual easy coexistence with each other. We have lots to learn, clearly, and I hope that commenters here will try to educate rather than castigate me. Please come halfway.
2
This is just a lie or misrepresentation of the truth which is that the vast majority of Muslim immigrants treasure if not simply value equal rights for women - covering the head/hair has to do with modesty and pleasing God which used to be the practice for women in all semi-conservative abrahamic religions ; the Amish, Jews, and until the 60s or 70s Catholics (at least in church), the founding Christians do/did this.. The abayas and burkas on the other hand are quite rightly a step too far by obscuring the face they are a threat to public security. (I found myself wondering in an article about Isis where it quoted a woman who was in full Isis dress escaping with her husband and family if some of the "women" in said family weren't Isis fighters). Please don't discriminate against women's rights to be seen as separate but equal as a woman's anatomy and physiology leaves her vulnerable to things a man is not in the same way and it's been proven that based on hormonal exposure/genetics,etc.. Women and men do tend towards different strengths intellectually, socially, etc... I am liberal but sometimes yearn for a culture in which a woman can be recognized as someone deserving of extra protection from male peers and family and not valued so strongly based on her sexuality and appearance as we are in this country. Try to admire the hijab for its purpose denoting that the wearer has a strong faith and desires to participate as a modest woman in the joys of Americas society.
2
Trump is a symptom. It doesn’t make anyone happy to acknowledge this, but if he never ran, if he disappeared tomorrow, would all these issues be gone from America? It is easy to focus on the lightening rod, and ignore the fact that Congress has failed us for almost 50 years. Money and influence peddling are indistinguishable from the legislative process, on a local, state and federal level. It is easy to assail Trump, but if we want Trump to be gone, the effort must begin with a serious effort to change the branches of government that no longer represent or serve the individual
6
Great idea to change those branches of government which no longer represent or serve the individual.
I suggest we start with the Legislative, the Executive and the Judicial branch.
I suggest we start with the Legislative, the Executive and the Judicial branch.
All this could have been avoided if Obama had only enforced the immigration laws instead of allowing millions of "illegals" to come unlawfully under the barbed wire fences at night. This strategic error cost Hillary the election and gave us Mr Trump. What a pity. It did not have to end up this way.
20
Yep. By in effect seeking to reduce American ctizenship to a mere formality, and support the permission of non-citizens to vote, and to pursue a policy of, in practice, open borders, the Dems shot themselves in the foot. By focusing on social causes rather than pragmatic nuts and bolts issues the voters really care about, the Dems reduced themselves to being icing on the cake, when the ppl were hungry for the actual cake. And yet, and still, the Dems seem pathologically incapable of taking responsibility for their own well-earned failure. Pathetic.
3
The pity is that the DNC and Debbie Wasserman Schultz sabotaged the Bernie man's opportunity to be Democrat candidate. He would now be president elect a benefit to most of those pesky Trump voters.
2
I remember a playground chant when I was in grade school. "Kennedy, Kenndey, he's our man. Throw Nixon is the garbage can." Of course the names can be reversed and probably were.
7
Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act 50 years ago in my lifetime.
There were bombings and murders in the years leading up to that.
Whatever is in the gene pool that gives that kind of thinking did not go away these past 50 years.
It is only by what society allows that it goes away.
Think of Germany and Hitler and then Germany after WWII and they realized what they had done and no longer tolerated that kind of racism.
There were bombings and murders in the years leading up to that.
Whatever is in the gene pool that gives that kind of thinking did not go away these past 50 years.
It is only by what society allows that it goes away.
Think of Germany and Hitler and then Germany after WWII and they realized what they had done and no longer tolerated that kind of racism.
2
Racism is not born, it is taught.
Do not look at the students as the root of the problem, look at the parents.
Do not look at the students as the root of the problem, look at the parents.
8
Perhaps forced diversification was the wrong approach, a more subtle strategy appears more fitting given the backlash.
10
Teachers cannot undo what is acceptable in the home. As we approach Thanksgiving, I am thankful to my deceased mother and father, born in 1918 and 1912, for teaching me the value of all human beings. This article saddens me. My actions will always be friendly and welcoming no matter your color, head cover, sexual orientation, level of education, or if sadly you have become homeless. I only wish that Mr Trump admonished this behavior in his tweets with the same vigor he uses with the cast of Hamilton.
5
This pains me to hear. I feel so sad that going to school in the 90s was a much better experience than what children have today. I know that there has been a call for more unity and less division, but I wonder if we need more diversity education in our schools. As a child, I was very privileged to have a Holocaust survivor visit our kindergarten classroom with a local Rabbi. This was an event that was seared in my mind from a very young age, the danger of demonizing other people-- and I must admit our school had pretty healthy race relations as a result, each year we had a reflection and a course on minority groups that continued in this manner. I never felt angry or resentful about this, and I can't understand why people would ever feel like this is a negative aspect of education. I hope that we can revitalize an interest in perhaps a more reflective way of education that everyone can learn and connect in a healthy way that does not make people feel angry or singled out.
5
More sad news to darken our days after the depressing election. I, a 71 year old white native American male, feel betrayed and shocked. It honestly feels like the women I have loved for 65 years has been mugged, kidnapped, and now is held hostage waiting for the brute who took her, and his gang of despicable cohorts, contemplate the real violence against her.
2
Interesting. Did I really read in this article that one student used to attend class in a "Hilary for prison" T shirt ? Surely that is inflammatory ? I'm all for free speech and political debate amongst young people but this sort of thing surely feeds into the shouting match that modern politics is becoming rather than civilised debate. I'm glad kids in the UK have to wear uniforms to school.
2
"Did I really read in this article that one student used to attend class in a "Hilary for prison" T shirt ? Surely that is inflammatory ?"
Hardly. It's called freedom of speech. If you have it, so do others. Will you condemn the ACTUAL crimes being committed vs. DT supporters, recorded on phones and uploaded to YouTube? Bet you wouldn't.
Hardly. It's called freedom of speech. If you have it, so do others. Will you condemn the ACTUAL crimes being committed vs. DT supporters, recorded on phones and uploaded to YouTube? Bet you wouldn't.
12
Wouldn't this be an excellent time for both sides, Democrats and Republicans to unite? I'm sorry but both sides are guilty - parents and teachers too. I ask both sides, "is this what you want for our children?" Teachers are going to condone students sitting in hallways, inflaming the other side? My parents taught me to ignore those who called me names - as soon as they see they can't get a rise out of me, they'll quit. And, how about the vice president being called out in public at the theater? Both sides should be ashamed of themselves --- and make sure I'm not associated with either group! Gross!
7
Both sides are harassing each other. I have three in college and they know better then say they are republicans. Especially to teachers. They are afraid it would effect how they are graded.
18
Don't worry. If they have been taught to think for themselves they shouldn't have any trouble getting an A. It won't matter if they are Republican or Democrat as long as they know how to think for themselves. College teachers like people who can state their points clearly even if they don't agree. And in many subjects, opinions don't figure heavily in solving calculus problems or calculating the chemical composition of an unknown substance. But if they think they should be silent, find out why.
2
Deborah Smith:
They are smart enough to know not to antagonize liberal educators.
Forget whether this is "fair" to non-liberal students. Forget whether their tuition is being wasted when classes are cancelled because students are too upset to attend because of Hillary's loss. The bigger issue is the effect on students who feel they must censor themselves because they don't share their liberal educators' ideology. Talk about an undue burden.
What's surprising is how surprised liberals are when there is a backlash from all their censorship. No wonder they are so widely disliked. Who wants to be attacked and/or censored for disagreeing with them?
They are smart enough to know not to antagonize liberal educators.
Forget whether this is "fair" to non-liberal students. Forget whether their tuition is being wasted when classes are cancelled because students are too upset to attend because of Hillary's loss. The bigger issue is the effect on students who feel they must censor themselves because they don't share their liberal educators' ideology. Talk about an undue burden.
What's surprising is how surprised liberals are when there is a backlash from all their censorship. No wonder they are so widely disliked. Who wants to be attacked and/or censored for disagreeing with them?
4
affect, not 'effect'.
1
Our information is an embarrassment, first amendment abuses reaching critical stage in the midnight hour. Hermes under siege, and a crooked media taking full advantage of what it sees as an opportunity to distract the people in their quest for freedom. The only thing young people have to fear is an institution still bent on keeping them in the dark, which seems rather futile being that morning is waiting for them around the corner. The young people know this better than the adults, making it the story that needs to be told, rather than the disruptions perpetrated by the few malcontents amung us. There is much to be thankful for this year and it is time that even our media should be allowed to participate in the celebration.
3
Perhaps the long-disrespected Electoral College will save us from a Trump administration. One can only hope at this point. JGAIA
9
Havent we learned from our past? Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and we put ALL Japanese Americans in interment camps because of racism not for the good of the country. HISTORY is repeating itself in an ugly way
1
What does your comment even mean? Please go on.
4
That was the original purpose of the Electoral College. But I wouldn't expect them to exercise such wisdom in 2016.
1
“We, sir, we are the diverse America, who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.”
This draws the ire and fevered tweets of our President Elect, but not klan rallies, physical harassment, and lynching threats?
I had decided to give him a chance, but he has at least 2 strikes already.
This draws the ire and fevered tweets of our President Elect, but not klan rallies, physical harassment, and lynching threats?
I had decided to give him a chance, but he has at least 2 strikes already.
35
I am hoping that public pressure will go a long way in turning back the tide of hate. I will never give him a chance. He will never be my president.
3
I teach English in a suburban high school. The morning after the election, I was speechless, and so I made a small sign: "I have no words. Day of silence." Students worked in essays in the computer lab, and I was available should they have a question. I just could not talk about the election and I couldn't pretend it hadn't happen. I did what I felt was right, not just for me, but for my students. Not surprisingly, there were parent complaints and I had to explain my stance as a lesson in social and emotional learning (don't speak when in a heightened emotional state) which is partly was. But not completely. I was stunned, staggered, and deeply concerned as to how the results would be interpreted by my students. Do teachers really surrender their humanity when they walk into school? I can't.
22
Your actions would only be appropriate teaching in a parochial school not in a public school.
13
First, becoming dysfunctional for a day is hardly ideal behavior. Unfortunately, you modeled inappropriate behavior for your students. Second, what of your students who don't share your political ideology? In fact, your politics have no place in the classroom.
3
I am hoping and praying that teachers, schools, institutions can use this chance to instill a sense of mission to the youngsters that it's up to them to resist and oppose the negativity and divisiveness this election and president-elect encouraged. They will be this country's last stance, for good reasons and all the reasons in the world. They have learned from history books; now is the time to truly live and create their own: humanity's past, and even in the animal kingdom, has shown us that extinction is brought by the inability and unwillingness to open mind, accept and adapt.
6
To understand the good and bad actions of children one usually need look no further than their parents/guardians and home environment. As a member of a university sponsored children's outreach program that promotes involvement in the STEM disciplines, we witness how much children are able to grasp and internalize very complex scientific concepts described by university researchers, much more than we adults think they do. Many parents tell us how they themselves didn't understand a particular lecture but their children understood it and taught them. So it is not surprising to learn how children pick up on even subtle references or things that aren't overtly implied and think it is ok to bully other people.
But it is especially disheartening to see other people, especially children, being taunted and harassed not only because they see it at home, but because our president elect is doing it. However, at the time of this writing, I love my country very much and there is nowhere on earth I would rather live (and is any place ever perfect?). Because I believe the actions of good men, women, and children of this country (like a Virginia community that rallied around a lesbian couple who had hate remarks made on their Clinton/Kaine lawn signs) will continue to far outweigh the bigotry, racism and hatred that is making the headlines in these post election days, or even the years to come.
But it is especially disheartening to see other people, especially children, being taunted and harassed not only because they see it at home, but because our president elect is doing it. However, at the time of this writing, I love my country very much and there is nowhere on earth I would rather live (and is any place ever perfect?). Because I believe the actions of good men, women, and children of this country (like a Virginia community that rallied around a lesbian couple who had hate remarks made on their Clinton/Kaine lawn signs) will continue to far outweigh the bigotry, racism and hatred that is making the headlines in these post election days, or even the years to come.
4
Liberals and conservatives don't talk to each other. They live in different parts of the country and lead different lives. One thing that does bring us together is our national electoral process and the need to accept its outcome. So lets get together on that one thing and move on as a country instead of giving in to our fears and prejudices. Okay?
8
I am between a liberal and conservative. There is a group of us too! I can't agree more with you Stop hurling racism at our minorities though
4
Totally disagree. There are plenty of us living in mixed areas and working with people of diverse thought.
6
I agree we need to move on together and put aside prejudice. But the point of this article is that in some places where various types of Americans mix, the election has had a really volatile effect. I feel like instead of some parts of the population protesting, it would be great if we had school- or country-wide "American solidarity rallies."
3
I always find it ironic that some western European descended halfwit has the cheek to spout "Go back home" while standing on Native American lands.
39
You realize, I hope, that even "native Americans" did not evolve here but immigrated from Asia and before that, east Africa. EVERYBODY is an immigrant except those in that primordial homeland. So let's can the none sense and discuss what kind of country we want to have and how we can make it work.
9
Someone's ancestry does not make them less of a native than the American Indians. Unfortunately the concept has given us anchor babies
9
Otherwise known as Americans.
Time for the press to do a big mea culpa. Assuring everyone that Clinton would win is part of what has led to all of this disillusionment.
Civility and kindness (Ellen de Generes - tap her for an editorial) can go a long way.
Also give the duck some time to wiggle out of his more idiotic comments and stop supporting executive privilege. Expose what really goes on. I learned more about how gov really works from this past election cycle than ever before. Transparency.
Don't forget that Bill Clinton brought us more jails (in tandem with California three strikes and Giuliani), decimated certain parts of welfare for mothers and kids, helped create the Wall St. mess/recession by eliminating rules and regs for Wall St., and served as provost for a for-profit online college and then there are the presidential pardons.
Let's hope bark worse than bite. Legal is legal.
Perhaps this is the wake-up Americans and those in Congress and the rest of government need... Another election is just two years away. Meantime, limit executive privilege and report every scandal, when Trump is in office.
Civility and kindness (Ellen de Generes - tap her for an editorial) can go a long way.
Also give the duck some time to wiggle out of his more idiotic comments and stop supporting executive privilege. Expose what really goes on. I learned more about how gov really works from this past election cycle than ever before. Transparency.
Don't forget that Bill Clinton brought us more jails (in tandem with California three strikes and Giuliani), decimated certain parts of welfare for mothers and kids, helped create the Wall St. mess/recession by eliminating rules and regs for Wall St., and served as provost for a for-profit online college and then there are the presidential pardons.
Let's hope bark worse than bite. Legal is legal.
Perhaps this is the wake-up Americans and those in Congress and the rest of government need... Another election is just two years away. Meantime, limit executive privilege and report every scandal, when Trump is in office.
5
Were i the principal of a high school i would invoke barber shop rules.
No discusion of politics or religion.
Being a teacher is hard enough without refereeing political debates and feelings amongst teenagers and the ensuing chaos described is this article.
School is a place to learn under a rigidly controlled environment of safety from all the hysteria outside.
Maybe part of the reason for falling scores in math and science for US students is all this touchy feely allowed in school instead of hard core discipline and teaching.
There are plenty of spaces to hash out politics other than where kids should be erradicating their ignorance.
Over the past week of wasted hysteria at this school the students could have read The Federalist Papers and then might have a clue about politics and how we got where we are.
Time to shut mouths and open minds.
No discusion of politics or religion.
Being a teacher is hard enough without refereeing political debates and feelings amongst teenagers and the ensuing chaos described is this article.
School is a place to learn under a rigidly controlled environment of safety from all the hysteria outside.
Maybe part of the reason for falling scores in math and science for US students is all this touchy feely allowed in school instead of hard core discipline and teaching.
There are plenty of spaces to hash out politics other than where kids should be erradicating their ignorance.
Over the past week of wasted hysteria at this school the students could have read The Federalist Papers and then might have a clue about politics and how we got where we are.
Time to shut mouths and open minds.
13
Great commentary! I think your final sentence about sums it up.
Less talk; more listening/thinking.
Less talk; more listening/thinking.
4
It's nice that the Young Republican Club member stopped wearing his "Hillary for Prison" tee shirt so as not to offend minorities. Women of course are not a true minority, we are treated as second class human beings trying to gain equality by breaking the achievement glass ceiling. The basic human needs of women and children are likely to be on the chopping block and if Pence guides domestic policy nationally, many vulnerable and single mothers' children will find themselves on the adoption auction block as they did in the Baby Scoop Era of 1950-1970 and do now more than ever, according to Pence, in Pence's Indiana.
Now that that is out of my system, many white working class and working poor people of good will have grown tired of hearing about institutionalized racism and intolerance from wealthier, more privileged students and activists black and white. Many people see institutionalized racism in minority quota hiring. Gender bias, some of it traditional patriarchal woman over progressive woman, fueled the animosity in this race. And we seem to continue to forget, Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine won the popular vote. Issue anyone?
Now that that is out of my system, many white working class and working poor people of good will have grown tired of hearing about institutionalized racism and intolerance from wealthier, more privileged students and activists black and white. Many people see institutionalized racism in minority quota hiring. Gender bias, some of it traditional patriarchal woman over progressive woman, fueled the animosity in this race. And we seem to continue to forget, Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine won the popular vote. Issue anyone?
6
My speech/debate class teacher in the 8th Grade would not have permitted the President - elect to debate nor present in her classroom. Ad hominen was impermissible. We learned how to state our case without insulting another person.
9
Irredeemable Basket of deplorables. No ad hominem there. Just an indictment of 25% of Americans. Still wondering why she lost?
9
Then I suppose Hillary (deplorable) and Mr Biden (slaves back in chains) would not have made the cut either, to say nothing of Elizabeth Warren (the liberal loud mouth). It gets tiring hearing about students and teachers' opinions about the election. Students as they're still young and ignorant, teachers as they have cruiser part time jobs and don't have to worry about their job performance. Here in central Oregon, I was entertained to see a group of educators wearing safety pins, in an all white city, having drinks and wearing all their designer clothes. Embarrassing to anyone else.
8
I agree, Trump would have failed debate and would have been suspended. This is a national tragedy of epic proportions.
From an Althouse Blog commenter: There are dozens of video of violent leftists rioting in Portland. There is video of a white man being beaten while blacks shout Trump at him in Chicago. There is video of a man being beaten in CA for daring to wear a "Make America Great Again" hat. Another Trump hat wearer in NYC filed a police report after he was choked and beaten on the subway for wearing his hat. On Bloggingheads "Glenn Show" Mcwhorter acknowledged a white teacher he knows who votes Democrat was surrounded by her black/brown students accusing her of voting Trump. A good friend of mine who is white, was surrounded by Chinese/Hispanic co-workers screaming in her face. The presumption being that based on her skin color she was a Trump voter. She told them "you don't know how I voted." This was in an employee only area of a major Hotel chain located in Brooklyn. She was petrified for her safety and felt admitting voting Trump would have resulted in them jumping her. Documented violence is all being done by the left. This does not fit the narrative so media has resorted to elevating high school squabbles into national news. Meanwhile, we are told of the dangers of"fake news." They are desperate to hide reality.
14
To all: it is sobering how much schools need to articulate their support of all students - students of color, immigrant students, LGBTQ students, mixed race students - and their love of them since the election. Teachers (I am one) and parents (I am one) have had to let their students and children know that DESPITE the words of our president-elect, we will continue to expect and demand that young people in our worlds are inclusive, considerate, and acting with integrity. We have to demand that our male students and our sons do not follow the behavior of our president-elect but instead that they continue to respect girls' and women's words and bodies. We tell them that they may not tease Hispanic students about the building of a wall nor tell Muslim students to 'go home'. I felt to sad to have to tell my children and my students that I expect them NOT to emulate the words and actions of the man who will soon be the odious leader of my country.
6
And how much respect and tolerance is owed to supporters of "the odious leader?" Where's THAT love?
4
It must be included as well!
1
We endlessly hear of the alleged terrible traumas inflicted on these gentle snowflakes, but here in the Times there is no danger of seeing reports of Trump supporters and voters being viciously beaten, including by thugs hired by contractors to the Democrat National Committee. No, those stories, while all true and documented, just don't "fit" the Times.
17
You need to offer a link to back up this assertion. Otherwise it's just more from the Alt right, which seems to operate on a fact-free platform.
4
Because that is not real news and is fake. There are not any contractors hired by the DNC to hurt others. If you actually believe such false reporting that is not backed by thorough fact checking that the NY Times and other great actual news organizations around the country, such as the LA Times and Washington Post, then perhaps the NY Times should take your subscription away.
1
You'd have to go to what the progressives are now calling "alt right" websites to find evidence of Trump supporters being brutally beaten and attacked. The information is there for anyone willing to track it down.
Those who choose to stay with left-leaning news outlets will never get the full story. That is their choice and their loss.
Those who choose to stay with left-leaning news outlets will never get the full story. That is their choice and their loss.
2
Right now the issue is not the presidential candidates since the election if over. The main instigators of fear and hate are the 24 hour news channels. We are constantly barraged with divergent points of view which seem to have no tolerance for any view which differs. The education system has failed in many ways and clearly teaching how democracy works is one of them. It is time to teach how to think not what tp think. It is time to allow students to fail when they should fail or lose when their team loses. It is time to teach them how to live in the real world not in a bubble world where their every whim is realized.
5
When you encourage the worms to come out from under the rocks to create a win at any cost coalition this is what happens. We shouldn't think we are above other civilized societies who have gone down this rabbit hole. Remember, pre nazi Germany was among the most civilized, literary and scientifically "advanced" countries in the world.
4
The teachers are going about this all wrong. West High School is not representative of Iowa or the Midwest. The students have been lulled into believing that all that talk of inclusiveness, civil rights and decent American people is real rather than just talk. They should be told the reality that most of the white students around them have limited opportunities, have been taught since birth that no matter much of a failure they are they are still better than minorities, their God supports their prejudice and hatred and they are the only real Americans. Apart from major cities, which have their own issues, many of these same realities are present. So, sure, keep teaching these kids all the morally and ethically correct things, but don't forget to mention that the majority surrounding them has a whole different game plan (and it doesn't include you).
3
More importantly, today's kids have no sense of reality. They live in an idealistic bubble fostered by parents and teachers. This ill-serves them.
2
Sadly, this is an opportunity for schools to start teaching serious history courses that focus on the lead-up to WWII and the Holocaust. Nothing informs the present like the past.
8
If you read this and felt vindicated seeing that Trump supporters are uncomfortable, then you're part of the problem.
If you read this and saw opportunity in the Trump supporters' confusion, roll up your sleeves and let's get to work.
If you read this and saw opportunity in the Trump supporters' confusion, roll up your sleeves and let's get to work.
7
Only a moral monster could read a story like this one with approval or even indifference. And yet almost half the electorate voted for this?
6
So the president of The Young Republicans wore a "Hillary for Prison" tee shirt and is surprised people are blaming him for the bad atmosphere at his school.
Millions of tax dollars have been spent trying to find something criminal on the Clinton's and nothing has been found and yet this guy wears a tee shirt that assumes she is guilty of something. He sounds like your typical Trump voter to me with their war on people that aren't white, disenfranchising of voters, hatred of women that aren't home bare foot and pregnant, and in general anybody that isn't a white male.
I fear for the future of our country. Trump has unleashed the worst in us and in our character and people like this child man don't even know it is wrong it is becoming so normal.
Millions of tax dollars have been spent trying to find something criminal on the Clinton's and nothing has been found and yet this guy wears a tee shirt that assumes she is guilty of something. He sounds like your typical Trump voter to me with their war on people that aren't white, disenfranchising of voters, hatred of women that aren't home bare foot and pregnant, and in general anybody that isn't a white male.
I fear for the future of our country. Trump has unleashed the worst in us and in our character and people like this child man don't even know it is wrong it is becoming so normal.
38
So he traded a "Hillary for Prison" t-shirt for a "Nine Millimeter" t-shirt. What is his message, I wonder.
Pathetic.
Pathetic.
4
Big step down America has taken by electing low IQ trump (probably reflecting IQ of most that voted for him). If these people don't want us immigrants and our hard working educated people (just a small example: just Pakistanis alone have 11,000 doctors in the US) we will leave and others won't come here. There are plenty of decent places to go to, including our old home countries (or our ancestor home). We will survive, but will you?
8
Please have a safe trip home.
7
I think we'll get along just fine. Good luck on your travels.
6
I am a white male who's family has been here for generations and who lives in California. We woke up to the shock and horror on Nov. 9 as well. Our great state encourages diversity and the contributions of all as shown in the our state election results. Perhaps it is time to deport the types who voted for Trump that blame others for their own failings.
1
Like many Americans, when I woke up on November 9th and realized that Mr. Trump had won, I went into a state of shock. I gave myself a couple of days to wrap my head around it. People popped in and called to talk about their shock. Yesterday a neighbor came by to talk to us. He was practically in tears. He said he and his wife were concerned about their teenage son who feels afraid. By the way, they are not a minority family.
The point I'm trying to make is, I've never been afraid when a new president was elected no matter their party preference (I'm 76). First of all, Mr. Trump has been trying to make it the new normal to be rude and a bully. It isn't. Being thoughtful about ones neighbor's feelings is not P.C. I resent Mr. Trump saying its okay to be rude and to harass others. He may have not said it in those words, but he said it. The message came out loud and clear.
How are we supposed to teach our children to be a civil member of society when the President models bullying behavior? Are we going to see a new era of violence? Will our minority citizens worry about their civil rights being ignored by some segments of society?
The only good thing about this is now we know who the bigots are. We now know who to stay away from. I don't want their poison to worm its way into my soul. I know how this sounds, I'm normally a very inclusive person, but this hate and bigotry is beyond the pale.
The point I'm trying to make is, I've never been afraid when a new president was elected no matter their party preference (I'm 76). First of all, Mr. Trump has been trying to make it the new normal to be rude and a bully. It isn't. Being thoughtful about ones neighbor's feelings is not P.C. I resent Mr. Trump saying its okay to be rude and to harass others. He may have not said it in those words, but he said it. The message came out loud and clear.
How are we supposed to teach our children to be a civil member of society when the President models bullying behavior? Are we going to see a new era of violence? Will our minority citizens worry about their civil rights being ignored by some segments of society?
The only good thing about this is now we know who the bigots are. We now know who to stay away from. I don't want their poison to worm its way into my soul. I know how this sounds, I'm normally a very inclusive person, but this hate and bigotry is beyond the pale.
18
"Now we know who the bigots are." Really? Who are they? Everybody who voted for Trump? Brilliant! Sad, actually.
7
Wolf201, I'm 55 and a white male and I feel exactly the way you do. You said it much better than I could have.
Correct 100%; stay away from low IQ trump voters. They are dumb as they come.
The students are learning a sad lesson on how quickly anger and hate can spread like wildfire. Older people who witnessed the fascist movements of Germany and Italy know this cancer. So do people from East Africa during the ethnic wars of Rwanda and Sudan. This country has kept these demons under wraps since the 1960s.
The Trump campaign has given these passions new life. If our political, economic, cultural, and media leaders continue to fan the flames of white supremacy, this country will pay the price. Fascist movements always go down in flames -- but after creating much misery and bloodshed.
These young students are right to be afraid and to fight for the society they envision. Do not allow the old people with their ignorance and hatred to dictate the future.
The Trump campaign has given these passions new life. If our political, economic, cultural, and media leaders continue to fan the flames of white supremacy, this country will pay the price. Fascist movements always go down in flames -- but after creating much misery and bloodshed.
These young students are right to be afraid and to fight for the society they envision. Do not allow the old people with their ignorance and hatred to dictate the future.
7
Parents and teachers should teach their children and students the need for us as a nation to accept the outcome of the election and rally around our president-elect instead of tolerating and even encouraging immature acting out and disruptiveness to the educative process whether it be for or against Trump. The election is over. In time this will all work itself out. Trump is not the end of the world. He may even do some good. So lets give him a chance and move on. Is that so bad? The NYT and other institutions also have a role to play by engaging in responsible journalism and not fanning the flames of hysteria and discontent. Well? Are we up to the task of behaving like adults or do we let the immature child overtake our instincts?
11
The students were not protesting until after they felt threatened by the winners of the election. Teachers were supportive in order to make the students feel safe from their fellow students. The harassers at this Iowa school, and elsewhere, are Trump supporters (either students who personally followed the campaign or are repeating what they heard at home). The people who wish the election had gone the other way are disappointed, but they are not using racial slurs against their fellow students, neighbors, co-workers, and strangers. This article clearly states that children are afraid. Everyone should reread it and then comment. Tell me then, who is the problem? It is a five letter word: Trump. Bigot. Clown. You pick.
5
Trump had his "chance" upon winning the election. All he had to do is atone for his hateful words and behavior. Of course it's not the end of the world, but rather a traumatizing dark period for America. The worst time in my life. People's lives are directly affected.
6
Not afraid? You can be sure that there were plenty of people who were afraid to show their happiness on November 12th. All you have to do is read the NY Times commentary and see how they were being labeled and excoriated.
6
Trump's reluctance to formally and forcefully call for a stop to these heinous acts of microaggression are further proof he has absolutely no interest in public service. He merely wanted to win the contest, and, having done so, at least according to the EC, he is now outsourcing what he should be doing to prepare for his administration to people who also have no genuine interest in public service, and instead want to use government to further their own interests. (It's interesting how Trump's supporters criticize Hill as engaging in unproven pay-for-play while outright admiring an empirical attempt by Trump vis-a-vis his kids).
As such, the slimy behavior under the rocks that we have kept at bay for decades has been given free license to slither from underneath and present itself full on. A truly frightening effect is that an untold number of Americans could find themselves in court fighting to secure rights for themselves already guaranteed by the Constitution.
Here is my current solution: I am likely to get a very nice tax cut shortly, courtesy of Trump, and subsidized by his unsuspecting supporters (we warned them, but they chose not to listen). I am going to use my cut to make a sizeable donation to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and other, similar organizations, large and small alike.
If you are able to, put your money where your convictions are. Bigots and racists win the battle sometimes, but they have never, ever won the war, and they never will.
As such, the slimy behavior under the rocks that we have kept at bay for decades has been given free license to slither from underneath and present itself full on. A truly frightening effect is that an untold number of Americans could find themselves in court fighting to secure rights for themselves already guaranteed by the Constitution.
Here is my current solution: I am likely to get a very nice tax cut shortly, courtesy of Trump, and subsidized by his unsuspecting supporters (we warned them, but they chose not to listen). I am going to use my cut to make a sizeable donation to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and other, similar organizations, large and small alike.
If you are able to, put your money where your convictions are. Bigots and racists win the battle sometimes, but they have never, ever won the war, and they never will.
15
Valerie, I'm not a Trump supporter, but it's factually inaccurate to claim he hasn't called for these hateful acts to stop. He did so on 60 Minutes last week.
8
Once. And, in contrast, how many tweets has he sent?
5
Trump only asked for it to stop after Leslie Stahl asked him to several times. Was it genuine? It did not seem to be. Will Trump's nonracist and inclusive supporters come out against this harassment? So far, it's just been the same old toddler argument, "But the Democrats are doing it to us." We need to stop both kinds of harassment and be polite. As a Democrat, I can make more of an impact by being polite but cautious of my Trumpster friends, while being vigilant to step in if hatemongering erupts. Republicans can do the same to Democrats. We both must call out and reprimand our own parties transgressors, too.
3
Absent from this story is whether the students did anything to provoke the bullying reported here.
In American universities various groups have protested taking required core courses that teach American history, values, and culture. They attended the universities knowing those courses were required, yet they protest the courses.
Moreover they want to replace the core courses with ones that favor their own history, values, and culture.
For hundreds of years Germans, Italians, Greeks, Poles, Irish, Russian, ... immigrated to America and happily adopted American history, values, and culture as their own. They did not demand, for example, that we require everyone to learn Italian history - and we don't require it.
It looks like the liberals excuse some groups from preferring their own history, values, and culture (and religion), but they condemn whites and Christians from wanting the same.
In American universities various groups have protested taking required core courses that teach American history, values, and culture. They attended the universities knowing those courses were required, yet they protest the courses.
Moreover they want to replace the core courses with ones that favor their own history, values, and culture.
For hundreds of years Germans, Italians, Greeks, Poles, Irish, Russian, ... immigrated to America and happily adopted American history, values, and culture as their own. They did not demand, for example, that we require everyone to learn Italian history - and we don't require it.
It looks like the liberals excuse some groups from preferring their own history, values, and culture (and religion), but they condemn whites and Christians from wanting the same.
24
Ah, sounds like we have a bully on our hands. Only another bully and/or bigot blames the victims. People don't do anything to "deserve" bullying. And I have no idea where you're getting this fantasy idea of people protesting classes. Breitbart or some other purveyor of fact-free "news" that tells you only what you want to hear instead of what is REAL, perhaps? And it sounds to me like someone knows little to nothing about American history and how it has ALWAYS treated immigrants poorly. Like most folks, you have probably conveniently forgotten just how terribly Italians (that was your first example) were treated. The largest mass lynching in U.S. history was of Italians in Louisiana in 1891. And don't even get me started on how the Irish and Pols were treated.
8
How in the world did you get that from this article? As I have said before, reread the article and then comment. These are high school students. They take required courses. No one is talking about content. They are not protesting about being in class. They are being harassed by their classmates. It needs to stop.
3
"Provoke bullying?" Classic victim blaming. Having been the object of domestic violence, I can state with complete confidence that when a bully bullies, nothing the victim does is the cause. The victim can do anything or nothing and still be the target.
Sounds like you are demanding everyone learn and prefer whatever it is you think is "white" and "Christian" history. I actually have studied those things, along with many other histories and cultures. We whites and you Christians don't have the stellar track record you think you do. Perhaps you should study your own history.
Sounds like you are demanding everyone learn and prefer whatever it is you think is "white" and "Christian" history. I actually have studied those things, along with many other histories and cultures. We whites and you Christians don't have the stellar track record you think you do. Perhaps you should study your own history.
1
I'm 53, life long left of center democrat who grew up in a small New England town. For the first time I
Find myself saying ("screaming"): "I want my country back".
I'm tired of the incessant whining from minority communities with their unearned sense of entitlement, and the N.I.M.B.Y liberals who enable them.
People wearing hijibs in Iowa? I'm sorry, but this isn't your place.
Find myself saying ("screaming"): "I want my country back".
I'm tired of the incessant whining from minority communities with their unearned sense of entitlement, and the N.I.M.B.Y liberals who enable them.
People wearing hijibs in Iowa? I'm sorry, but this isn't your place.
42
It is not "entitlement" when a Muslim woman wears a hijab, an Amish woman wears a cap and 19th century clothes, or an Orthodox Jewish woman wears a wig. It is xenophobia, however, when someone tells other citizens they don't belong here, because their faiths, ethnicities, race, or customs differ. Perhaps the commenter would feel more comfortable in places like Mississippi or Alabama, rather than in a progressive, diverse area where the economy is humming along well (diversity and a thriving economy tend to go hand in hand), education levels are high, and tolerance is regarded as a civic virtue.
9
Hi, Paul -
I live in California, and have seen my share of those who abuse entitlements and want something for nothing. Like you, I don't approve of it.
That said, however, that is not what this article is about. This article is about young people who are being exposed to the ugly bigotry and xenophobia that has been legitimized by Donald Trump's campaign. While this bigotry and xenophobia is part of America's history, it is contrary to our written ideals and is therefor un-American.
The remark you made at the end of your post is absolutely un-American. The constitution guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of (or from) religion. People are absolutely entitled to wear hijabs in Iowa, California, or Boston, or anywhere else in the United States that they choose to.
It is absolutely their place to do so. Where did you get the idea that it wasn't?
I live in California, and have seen my share of those who abuse entitlements and want something for nothing. Like you, I don't approve of it.
That said, however, that is not what this article is about. This article is about young people who are being exposed to the ugly bigotry and xenophobia that has been legitimized by Donald Trump's campaign. While this bigotry and xenophobia is part of America's history, it is contrary to our written ideals and is therefor un-American.
The remark you made at the end of your post is absolutely un-American. The constitution guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of (or from) religion. People are absolutely entitled to wear hijabs in Iowa, California, or Boston, or anywhere else in the United States that they choose to.
It is absolutely their place to do so. Where did you get the idea that it wasn't?
6
As a former Iowan and graduate of the University of Iowa it makes me sick to see people like you who think it is only YOUR country. AMERICA ia our country and that includes all the minorities who live here and abide by the laws. You better wake up to reality and leave your make believe hateful world of reasoning.
4
This may be shocking to the East Coast elites, but I lived and worked in rural Iowa many years ago, when it was all white. It was every bit as racist as the deep south. I was horrified when I first witnessed it. All of these seemingly nice people would say the ugliest things once you got to know them. Back then Iowa used to send moderates to the U.S. Senate, so I'm not saying all or even most Iowans were deeply racist. However, we can all see who they send to the U.S. Congress now. I wouldn't be surprised if it became the first state to elect openly declared fascists in the next decade or so. It is America's heartland.
12
I grew up in Virginia and lived in both Pennsylvania and Michigan. I can assure you there is just as much hate and racism in those states as in Virginia. There is some racism based upon southern attitudes regarding the Civil War, but most is based on other factors, such as economic, limited exposure beyond their immediate environs and a stunning misperception of their value to society as compared to others. Trump has simply given them license to say in public what they have said for years in private.
6
We will now have a President that provides the last missing piece. We are now a legitimate banana republic. When I was born over 70 years ago, the thought that we would be led by a nasty bigot was not even in my subconscious. We need to stand up and fight this despicable man and his divisive and disconnected twitter view of America or we will all be fighting against each other and endure economic decay for all average Americans.
20
I haven't seen this reported widely or with great emphasis, but there have been stories that Trump is pressing the idea of imposing term limits on members of Congress. Predictably, Congressional members from both parties are very resistant of the idea to say the least.
This is a very popular concept with voters, enjoying broad public support across both parties. If you consider that national polls for Congressional approval ratings have been lingering in the mid-low teens for years now, this would be a useful mechanism for eliminating gridlock that has seized Washington. Automatic legislative turnover.
I can't recall hearing this idea pushed forward once in the Obama administration. There are many valid criticisms of Trump's personality, behavior, administration picks and also his policy aims. This one, however, would be a monumental win for voters, if he were somehow able to champion this through. I unfortunately don't think the lobbyist-financial parasite arrangement in Congress would ever permit it. I didn't vote for Trump, but if he actually forced the political establishment to eat term limits, I would very much approve this and call it a major success.
To what extent do you think that any young protesters are aware of this stated policy goal from Trump? To what extend are these youngsters aware of ~any~ of Trump's policy goals?
Are we now in a place where celebrity status, identity, cosmetic looks, and ability to speak eloquently outweigh ability to govern?
This is a very popular concept with voters, enjoying broad public support across both parties. If you consider that national polls for Congressional approval ratings have been lingering in the mid-low teens for years now, this would be a useful mechanism for eliminating gridlock that has seized Washington. Automatic legislative turnover.
I can't recall hearing this idea pushed forward once in the Obama administration. There are many valid criticisms of Trump's personality, behavior, administration picks and also his policy aims. This one, however, would be a monumental win for voters, if he were somehow able to champion this through. I unfortunately don't think the lobbyist-financial parasite arrangement in Congress would ever permit it. I didn't vote for Trump, but if he actually forced the political establishment to eat term limits, I would very much approve this and call it a major success.
To what extent do you think that any young protesters are aware of this stated policy goal from Trump? To what extend are these youngsters aware of ~any~ of Trump's policy goals?
Are we now in a place where celebrity status, identity, cosmetic looks, and ability to speak eloquently outweigh ability to govern?
13
Neither Trump nor the Congress can impose Congressional term limits. It would require an amendment to the Constitution. Most amendments start with a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress so what is the likelihood that this or any Congress would vote for term limits? The other alternative is a convention called by two-thirds of the States but that is most unlikely and probably dangerous since a Constitutional Convention called to consider Congressional term limits could also re-write the entire Constitution.
1
And if you followed up on any reading, you'd know that Mitch McConnell, a Republican, has already flatly rejected that. Nice idea, never going to happen, which is why it has never been proposed in the first place. So that's one decent, though impossible to implement, idea out of a pile of terrible ones.
1
Term limits tend to disempower legislatures vis-à-vis executive branches of government even if they apply to both. They strip legislatures of a core group of dedicated public servants, many little known outside their own districts, who through experience have become expert in a particular area of government. They are often the only counterweights to lobbyists; they are relied upon by their colleagues. Since you care about ability to govern, you should be leery of term limits.
Look what term limits on the Presidency brought us in 2016.
Look what term limits on the Presidency brought us in 2016.
The contrast between 2008 and 2016 is striking. When Obama won in 2008, there was no outbreak of anti-white jeering, insults, and threats. Yes, Obama's supporters were very happy, understandably, McCain's supporters were sad (though even McCain graciously acknowledged that Obama's victory was historic for the country). But life went on and no one was afraid of being attacked, insulted, or expelled from their community.
2016 is different. Trump's campaign was based largely (not entirely, but largely) on promoting white nationalism and making white people feel they've been disenfranchised. The widespread racist incidents in the US since the election are a reflection of what Trump has encouraged. Trump did not create racism but he fueled and legitimized it.
The striking difference between 2008 and 2016 exposes the fallacy of the conservative movement's condemnation of what they refer to as identity politics. When people of color try to claim their basic human rights, they do not do so by attacking white people. Yet when those whites who fear people of color and want to keep them in their "rightful" place feel it is time to celebrate, their anger and hatred toward people of color is unleashed.
The responses are not equal.
Trump is continuing to wink at the current hate wave by indicating it's not a significant problem and by saying "Stop it" only after being repeatedly asked if he was willing to say the words (though he never says what to stop).
2016 is different. Trump's campaign was based largely (not entirely, but largely) on promoting white nationalism and making white people feel they've been disenfranchised. The widespread racist incidents in the US since the election are a reflection of what Trump has encouraged. Trump did not create racism but he fueled and legitimized it.
The striking difference between 2008 and 2016 exposes the fallacy of the conservative movement's condemnation of what they refer to as identity politics. When people of color try to claim their basic human rights, they do not do so by attacking white people. Yet when those whites who fear people of color and want to keep them in their "rightful" place feel it is time to celebrate, their anger and hatred toward people of color is unleashed.
The responses are not equal.
Trump is continuing to wink at the current hate wave by indicating it's not a significant problem and by saying "Stop it" only after being repeatedly asked if he was willing to say the words (though he never says what to stop).
35
"The widespread racist incidents in the US since the election are a reflection of what Trump has encouraged. "
No, they are staged and/or falsely-reported incidents by disgruntled Hillary supporters. They are happening in blue states or cities, uncorroborated by witnesses, and focus around defacements and verbal incidents, all easily falsified. The assaults on DT supporters are otoh corroborated by videos taken of the assaults by their assailants.
No, they are staged and/or falsely-reported incidents by disgruntled Hillary supporters. They are happening in blue states or cities, uncorroborated by witnesses, and focus around defacements and verbal incidents, all easily falsified. The assaults on DT supporters are otoh corroborated by videos taken of the assaults by their assailants.
1
Immediately following the election, many claimed that "this is not my America". Well get used to it because this is your America. What are we to do about it? donald exposed a boil filled with the bile of anger and fear, xenophobic in nature, blaming others not like oneself to be the source and blame for one's problems. How history continuously repeats itself.
Now donald how will you, as you promised to do, be the one to bring this country together, a leader for all Americans. Will the historical environs of the White House, as you sit in the Oval office, seep into your consciousness for you to realize the responsibility placed upon you to resolve this fear and anger. Can you seriously accept this challenge? donald, wish you all the very best. If you can accomplish this, in future comments, you'll be referred to as Mr. President.
Now donald how will you, as you promised to do, be the one to bring this country together, a leader for all Americans. Will the historical environs of the White House, as you sit in the Oval office, seep into your consciousness for you to realize the responsibility placed upon you to resolve this fear and anger. Can you seriously accept this challenge? donald, wish you all the very best. If you can accomplish this, in future comments, you'll be referred to as Mr. President.
7
Julie Bosman's story overlooked an equally important story from two of Iowa City's high schools, City High and West High: a multiracial student-led walk-out protesting Trump-fueled racism and discrimination. These students were clear about expressing their anti-hate stance and their solidarity with diverse communities. The protest was supported by school officials in the Iowa City Community School District. You can read about it here:
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2016/11/17/iowa-city-school-dist...
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2016/11/17/iowa-city-school-dist...
6
Actually, it was just Iowa City's City High School that held the walkout; apologies for the error.
My second grader came home and she was bullied at school. She said a kindergarten student told her she saw the boy throw up first and not her. And folded her arms. That's bullying today.
8
Lujayn Hamad was in the cafeteria when she said a boy she barely knew roughly bumped into her and swore at her.
“Go back home,” he told Ms. Hamad, who is 15, and an American citizen, and wears a hijab.
The problem that we face and the shame and disgrace that we should all acknowledge is that the President elect of the United States was among the first to publicly say "Go back home."
America is a great nation. We pride ourselves on our "openness and progressivism." Minorities are welcome in the United States. Until November 8th. Donald Trump is sowing the seeds of "division and mistrust." "Even Trump supporters say they feel under siege."
We need more than words and platitudes to bring to Mr. Trump the message that many Americans regard his messages and his views as sordid and repugnant. It is time to march on Washington and Trump Tower too. Our voices must be heard. Mr. Trump needs to listen and end his messages of fear and intolerance. If necessary we need to place duct tape across the mouth that has created an atmosphere of terrible intolerance. Time to drown out Trump.
“Go back home,” he told Ms. Hamad, who is 15, and an American citizen, and wears a hijab.
The problem that we face and the shame and disgrace that we should all acknowledge is that the President elect of the United States was among the first to publicly say "Go back home."
America is a great nation. We pride ourselves on our "openness and progressivism." Minorities are welcome in the United States. Until November 8th. Donald Trump is sowing the seeds of "division and mistrust." "Even Trump supporters say they feel under siege."
We need more than words and platitudes to bring to Mr. Trump the message that many Americans regard his messages and his views as sordid and repugnant. It is time to march on Washington and Trump Tower too. Our voices must be heard. Mr. Trump needs to listen and end his messages of fear and intolerance. If necessary we need to place duct tape across the mouth that has created an atmosphere of terrible intolerance. Time to drown out Trump.
6
During the primaries, it concerned me that so many young people blindly followed a man who reduced the issues of race, religion and gender to by-products of his battle against the "Oligarchy". I understand that so many of them believed that they were living in a post-racist and post-misogynistic society. Clearly, that is not true and now they are faced with a government who represents the worst half of our country. They are about to live the same struggle that their parents and grandparents fought for them.
It's too bad that "Stronger Together" didn't resonate with them when they had the chance to make a difference with just a vote.
It's too bad that "Stronger Together" didn't resonate with them when they had the chance to make a difference with just a vote.
2
Disgusting! Where are the parents in these outrages? Parents,not the schools, are responsible for instilling proper social values and respect. Trump as the President-elect has brought out the ugliest side of America. Now it is okay, by Trump's behavior, do denigrate those who are different from them and the (current) majority. Shame on Trump and those who support him (in spite of the perhaps 'positive' reasons voters cast their ballots favoring Trump. (I understand the disappointment in political parties that don't seem to address the legitimate needs of many, such as decent jobs.) Justice and equality for all come first!
5
Julie Bosman has captured the most healthy reaction to Trump that I have seen.
Iowa City kids may lead the nation. The best thinking started in Iowa right during and after WW II.
Their teachers might want to assign Samuel Andrew Stouffer... who died in 1960, the year we were married. I read him in college at The University of Chicago. Prof. Stouffer was born in Sac City, Iowa, grew up on journalism working for his dad. He got his PhD at my university, U of Chicago. He fathered modern opinion polling - and studied tolerance. Communism, Conformity and Civil Liberties was one of his best.
Stouffer researched tolerance in city police chiefs and mayors. It's time for America to learn again what Samuel Stouffer taught us...
Our recent election and the reaction captured here brings hope today.
To Iowa, to Julie Bosman - thank you.
Iowa City kids may lead the nation. The best thinking started in Iowa right during and after WW II.
Their teachers might want to assign Samuel Andrew Stouffer... who died in 1960, the year we were married. I read him in college at The University of Chicago. Prof. Stouffer was born in Sac City, Iowa, grew up on journalism working for his dad. He got his PhD at my university, U of Chicago. He fathered modern opinion polling - and studied tolerance. Communism, Conformity and Civil Liberties was one of his best.
Stouffer researched tolerance in city police chiefs and mayors. It's time for America to learn again what Samuel Stouffer taught us...
Our recent election and the reaction captured here brings hope today.
To Iowa, to Julie Bosman - thank you.
1
The country cannot be at peace until there are some 'checks and balances' against the empirical rise of 'the Trumps'. The apparently like minded, and complicit fascists elements in congress offer no comfort that any relief is on the horizon, just a parallel agenda of despotism, of laying waste to the 240 years of human progress represented by American democracy.
There is no mandate, just a rogue bands of salivating looters rampaging willy-nillly across the country in pursuit of loot.
There is no mandate, just a rogue bands of salivating looters rampaging willy-nillly across the country in pursuit of loot.
1
I am an Iowa native and 1980 graduate of Iowa City West High, but I now live in Virginia. I never thought I would see the day when Virginia would become a blue state and my home state - and high school - would become such a haven of intolerance. At the same time, as a lifelong progressive liberal Democrat, I now recognize that the Democratic Party - and liberals everywhere - need to take seriously the concerns of rural, predominantly white communities, who have suffered greatly as a result of "free trade." What everyone is missing here, I think, is that the enemy is not people of different skin colors or religions (whether minority or white) but rather economic policies that let corporations suck the life out of our communities (whether urban or rural) without paying workers a living wage, decent benefits, health insurance, or job security. Those are things that used to define the American Dream and ought to unite us, regardless of what we look like or how we worship. Everybody, please don't let misplaced hate take your eye off the ball of what we share and what truly makes the country great, namely that all citizens should have a chance at this dream.
16
You might have mentioned support for unions.
1
Tears over a conjecture? Over the idea that maybe someone somewhere might be the subject of official government sanction for having broken the immigration laws?
Someone needs to ask these kids--what racist, bigoted, homophobic, thing did you hear Trump say? Just claiming that he stands for those things because maybe some of his supporters do isn't enough. And saying that he plans to enforce duly-enacted immigration law isn't evidence that he is any of those things either. And then maybe they can get a grip on their hysteria.
What a bunch of overwrought, misplaced drama. Give 'em a participation trophy and a comfort puppy and tell 'em to get back to their studies.
Someone needs to ask these kids--what racist, bigoted, homophobic, thing did you hear Trump say? Just claiming that he stands for those things because maybe some of his supporters do isn't enough. And saying that he plans to enforce duly-enacted immigration law isn't evidence that he is any of those things either. And then maybe they can get a grip on their hysteria.
What a bunch of overwrought, misplaced drama. Give 'em a participation trophy and a comfort puppy and tell 'em to get back to their studies.
18
I heard him say plenty of nasty things, not least boasting about sexually assaulting women. But I'm guessing you and I have a different definition of intolerance and bullying if the sneering and dismissive last paragraph of your comment is anything to go by.
2
He didn't boast about sexually assaulting women as part of his campaign. It was a private conversation over a decade before the campaign. So, I'm pretty sure sexual assault wasn't among the planks in his campaign platform.
1
The media has and continues to deliver the message that depicts Trump, and all of his inner circle, as racist, white-supremecists, and misogynists. The media in its quest to assassinate the characters of all people connected to Trump, is manipulating the most vulnerable to propaganda - teenagers and the young (due to their limited ability to use reason and logic)- and therefore, the media is responsible for the current state of affairs in schools. The media has done nothing to stop this witch hunt for racist white supremacists that have taken over the federal government. As a result, young people are suffering. The media needs to recommit to spreading truth and light in the world via accurately reporting information.
20
Yes, good comment. A description of the New McCarthyism.
4
The media cannot be blamed for reporting the speech and actions of Trump and his circle. Throughout the campaign, he said the most egregious things. The only thing that the press could do to make things worse would be to elide the actual positions that Trump has celebrated in public and on tape. There is no "witch hunt for racist white supremacists." Trump is the one appointing these people to high-level positions, not the media. I applaud the press for reporting the truth. Long live the Fourth Estate! They are our only recourse against the mendacity that seems to drive the new president and his administration.
3
There is no record of Trump or anyone he has appointed, to have said anything that would reveal their character as that of a racist, white supremacist, or misogynist. What the press has been doing and currently- see the current Washington Post story on Bonner- is report what other people SAY that they are, and or because they may give praise to other people who espouse "questionable beliefs", Trump and his team are guilty as those same questionable beliefs because they praised the person with questionable beliefs. To illustrate my point, When the World Trade Center was bombed by jet airliners, I thought then and do now, that was genius of terrorists. They could not get bombs any other way and they came up with tis very effective solution to their predicament Because I am acknowledging the cleverness of the terrorists that did that, does not mean that I am a terrorists, or secretly agree with what they stand for. Yet this argument is presented time and time again by EVERYONE EVERYWHERE, including yourself, and it goes unquestioned. All you need to do is go back and read all these articles that you claim to prove that these people are racist, white-supremecists, and misogynists.
2
I'm absolutely for women's rights, in the sense of equality, no better or worse than men. However, some of the women that are protesting. Would Islam respect women's right's in the same way that western ways respect women's rights? I find the dichotomy interesting. Surely women are just as important whether they are born in Somalia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen or Afghanistan or New York. I'm only asking to understand why the right's of Muslim women in America is viewed politically as a separate issue, when Islam would not give women in Islamic political situations the same rights as women born and or living in Western Culture. Why do they not oppose Islam when it denies women rights, but are happy to oppose western politics? I'm not saying I'm right, just confused. I see the worst violation of women's rights happen under Islamic governments. Is something wrong with me, am I misunderstanding, honor crimes, fgm and rape being excuse. It must be me.
24
Your argument cannot be limited to "Islamic culture". First, Muslim countries are incredibly syncretic and diverse in their religious, class, sect and cultural practices. You know that.
Secondly, if you want to carry this line of reasoning forward, let's explore the Papal influence on Rowe v. Wade. Are those cultural and religious origins in Italy and Ireland? What then?
How about the "Germanic influence" on neo-Nazism so prevalent in the US? Do your concerns include the Klan March scheduled for next month? Are you familiar with the reign of terror white supremacy has subjected white women, boys and girls to? The reign of abhorrent terror the Klan has subjected African Americans to? The reign of terror the Klan has subjected Jewish Americans and others to? That lynchings were social events that communities attended as if they were picnics? Is that a "Protestant" value? Where would that be coming from?
j
Secondly, if you want to carry this line of reasoning forward, let's explore the Papal influence on Rowe v. Wade. Are those cultural and religious origins in Italy and Ireland? What then?
How about the "Germanic influence" on neo-Nazism so prevalent in the US? Do your concerns include the Klan March scheduled for next month? Are you familiar with the reign of terror white supremacy has subjected white women, boys and girls to? The reign of abhorrent terror the Klan has subjected African Americans to? The reign of terror the Klan has subjected Jewish Americans and others to? That lynchings were social events that communities attended as if they were picnics? Is that a "Protestant" value? Where would that be coming from?
j
4
With regard to all the protest against Trump, can someone please explain to me why whites did not protest the election of Obama in 2008? Thank you.
15
With pleasure. President Obama's campaign was not built on hateful rhetoric.
2
Easy. Obama's message was one of uplift and hope. Trump's message is one of scapegoating by race, religion, and ethnicity.
Your welcome.
Your welcome.
What he means to say, if that is all of these Trump supporters are racists, they would have protested the election of Obama, for the fact that he is part black, and for nothing that he said. This is the argument at play here- Trump supporters are all racists. He is saying if that were true, why didm' tit all come out when Obama got elected?
2
Here in Canada on the morning after the election a group of white boys were chanting "Trump, Trump" in front of our primary school as I arrived with my daughter, who is Black. I am sure that these boys parents would be very angry if they knew - this is not exactly Trump land - but shows that the disruptive, ugly influence of Trump on young and old will be felt worldwide.
7
Umm, how is chanting "Trump" dangerous, etc.? No more so than the many incidents where students gathered in support of Hillary. It's called free speech. Deal with it, snowflake.
2
Safety pins and hugs are not the answer, but information is. If students are sobbing about the results of the election, it's because they are being misled by the media and misinformed by their parents and their teachers. As the principal stated, discriminatory behavior would not (and should not) be tolerated and neither should the deliberate or intentional distortion of facts.
21
Hard to imagine a more biased piece of journalism. The high school principal has "a pit in my stomach" and Presidenr Elect Trump's victory "changed the earth that we stood on a little bit." Wow, in a state Trump carried, how out of touch is the principal! This reflects the Nation's divide? No, it reflected the hysteria of Democrats, everything said about Trump has been said about every Republican candidate for my lifetime which goes back to 1960. The story said nothing of the Democrat candidate and that it is perfectly legitimate to not vote for her, but you must be an evil person to vote for her opponent.
23
Oh yes only democrats do that. Surely Rush never said anything that demonized democrats. Of course not.
2
Here's the thing: Donald Trump unleashed this bigotry. The rhetoric of his campaign, down to the promises he made to separate Muslims and Hispanics from "real Americans." You don't have to be a Hillary supporter to recognize hate and bigotry. I suspect that by the time emotions from the election cool a bit, even some Trump supporters are going to come around to seeing this stuff for what it is. If there are those who did, in fact, support him for his economic message, surely they can't be happy about this. The President-elect himself needs to speak up and tell his supporters to stop this behavior, but I won't hold my breath.
6
I am a college professor. Usually I keep my personal opinions to myself and try to engage the students on both sides of an issue. But after this election, I told my students that I could not be silent. I told them that I could respect conservative or liberal politics but not violence or bigotry. "You can be against terrorism, but don't be against Muslims. You can be against illegal immigration and not against Latinos. Choose the path of kindness and unity," I challenged my students. These are dark times, but as teachers, we have the responsibility to educate our youth about a better path.
11
I wish you had not characterized your statements as personal opinions. They are rather a distillation of objective truth. The objective truth is that nearly all Muslims in the US are good neighbors, just as are nearly all people of every religious persuasion including we atheists. The same objective truth goes for Latinos who are here legally.
They cover their mouths with tape to protest Trump. There own religion treats them a second class citizens. An inconvenient truth.
They are living in the heartland, but have not adopted any of the cultures of the heartland.
They are living in the heartland, but have not adopted any of the cultures of the heartland.
21
Yep. How ironic.
This behavior, this hatred, is being experienced all across the nation - you have to be asleep to not know it's going on.
And our glorious Fuhrer-in-Training wants an apology from a bunch of actors for calling a spade a spade...but where is Trump now?...where is that call for unity we heard from him for oh so brief a moment right after the election?
This won't stop, unless Trump himself ends it...and he knows that. Time to step up, Mr. President Elect...prove that you're the "President for Everyone"!
And our glorious Fuhrer-in-Training wants an apology from a bunch of actors for calling a spade a spade...but where is Trump now?...where is that call for unity we heard from him for oh so brief a moment right after the election?
This won't stop, unless Trump himself ends it...and he knows that. Time to step up, Mr. President Elect...prove that you're the "President for Everyone"!
4
Hate speech? Racism? Bigotry?
But it was okay for Hillary to call Republicans "deplorable" and more.
Democrats lost, Trump won. You can take your hate out on Trump, but when you look in the mirror, the reflection is a Democrat image that failed you.
But it was okay for Hillary to call Republicans "deplorable" and more.
Democrats lost, Trump won. You can take your hate out on Trump, but when you look in the mirror, the reflection is a Democrat image that failed you.
24
I'm sorry, what part of swastikas in the boys bathroom has Democrats written all over it?
I love how we are supposed to roll over and take it when Republicans fought Obama at every turn.
I love how we are supposed to roll over and take it when Republicans fought Obama at every turn.
7
Someone should remind the West High School Muslim students that 30 Muslim Americans died in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Donald Trump’s proposal to temporary suspend travel and immigration from countries that the State Department and Department of Homeland Security designate as exporters of terrorists will help protect Muslim Americans as well as non-Muslim Americans against terror attacks. The proposed temporary suspension would be anti-terrorist, not anti-Muslim. The United States in the past has suspended travel from Christian nations. The allegation that Trump plans to set up a registry for all Muslims entering or residing in America is false. Trump transition team members says the president-elect may restore the national registry of foreign visitors from countries with high terrorism activity that was in place during the Bush and Obama administrations. The registry isn’t anti-Muslim; it’s anti-terrorist. Islamic terrorist attacks have killed thousands of Americans while West High School students were growing up. If the number of Islamic terror attacks subside, fewer Muslim Americans will be taunted about wearing hijabs.
20
Put a couple if cops to patrol the hallways if thing start getting out of hand. Kids are smart, but they're not mature enough to handle all of this, so they say an do stupid stuff. If I was there, I'd just tell the young people the world has not ended, and most of the stuff they heard in the campaign was nothing more than overblown campaign rhetoric. Americans today are not any different than they were a month ago. The streets are still safe, people are still getting up every day going to work or school, and in spite of what they might believe to the contrary, this is still a nation of laws, and nobody is above them. So, chill out and move on. It's not really the Apocalypse. That was just more Clinton campaign rhetoric, too.
11
"“Please be positive and strong and teach the heck out of our kids today,” Mr. Shoultz wrote in the email."
Seriously, this is the best a high school principal can do to deal with the aftermath of a highly divisive election? Was he blind to all that was going on around him both in his school, in his neighborhood and the rest of the country? Rather than offering the pablum found in his email to his teachers for how to confront any possible school disruptions by students over the election results, he should have started the day off with gathering of all the students in the school auditorium to let them know what was expected of them and what would and would not be tolerated. This guy, Shoultz, really dropped the ball on this one.
Seriously, this is the best a high school principal can do to deal with the aftermath of a highly divisive election? Was he blind to all that was going on around him both in his school, in his neighborhood and the rest of the country? Rather than offering the pablum found in his email to his teachers for how to confront any possible school disruptions by students over the election results, he should have started the day off with gathering of all the students in the school auditorium to let them know what was expected of them and what would and would not be tolerated. This guy, Shoultz, really dropped the ball on this one.
2
Disgraceful and disturbing behaviors. Working at a local high school last week I saw President Obama'said picture disappear from a bulletin board and " Trump" written over the empty space in black magic marker. Children take their behavioral cues from their parents and I wasn't particularly surprised. It is truly an embarrassing time to be an American.
8
All these protests are misguided. What Mr. Trump said during the campaign is not hate, but common sense. Mr. Trump said we need to extremely vet Muslims who want to come to this country because some of them want to kill us. He wants to control the border because we have to control immigration to this country, especially illegals with criminal records. These statements can be (mis)interpreted as hateful but the real aim was national security and protection of citizens. People who are misguiding these students have their own motivations, to create divisions in this society for their political benefits. At this election they have been rejected, accept the realty and move on.
20
But Alex, this is not a story about immigration control. We all agree that there needs to be vetting of immigration. This article is about harassment and intimidation of American Citizens. These students are neighbors of one another, and share the same classrooms. Where is the security and protection, you talk about, for these students?
7
If you want to wear your silly costumes then you have to count on some resistance by those of us that find them disgusting. You consistently throw in Hispanics and all the other immigrants with Muslims. I don't see a Mexican in his native costume going to high school. Now I could be wrong. If you assimilate, all is well but if you want to stand out with your silly clothing you can expect some discrimination. As a woman I shudder to think I would ever have to wear anything like that much less believe in this nonsense religion.
21
In spite of the fact that your name is Chris, my guess is that you are not a nun wearing a habit.
2
Live and let live.
Look around you. Diversity is the rule of the universe. In a forest, if you look close enough, every leaf is different.
Look around you. Diversity is the rule of the universe. In a forest, if you look close enough, every leaf is different.
4
Yesterday my daughter asked me if I was religious. The idea that people believe in the deeds of a guy who did all kinds of preposterous stuff is just unbelievable to me -- and his mother became pregnant by a god. Crazy stuff. You believe your silly religion and they believe theirs.
3
We never had civics classes in any of my public schools. Worst part is, our city, New York City, spends more per student then anywhere else in the country. Hopefully the NYC Dept. Of Education has vastly improved since I attended in the late eighties and early nineties.
You have heard it before that "Education is the silver bullet" and education, or the lack thereof, is one of the more significant reasons that Donald Trump is the President Elect.
I don't know what can be done about education in the rest of the nation but here, all we need to do is break the Teachers Union (yeah, I said it). For the record, I am a liberal Independent.
You have heard it before that "Education is the silver bullet" and education, or the lack thereof, is one of the more significant reasons that Donald Trump is the President Elect.
I don't know what can be done about education in the rest of the nation but here, all we need to do is break the Teachers Union (yeah, I said it). For the record, I am a liberal Independent.
7
As distressing as the expressions of bigotry, discrimination and plain old rudeness are, I believe there is a silver lining here. Students are thinking deeply about things that matter - even the ones who are behaving badly. We made it through the upheaval of the Civil Rights Era - it was rough, had its horrors; but tolerance and understanding grew in its aftermath. I choose to believe there will be a positive result when this dies down.
3
School must be a safe space.
School administrators must enforce a zero tolerance for bullying or bigotry by holding both students and parents accountable and must consistently reinforce demands for tolerance and inclusivity.
While stories of hate speech and intimidation are heartbreaking, it is inspiring to read about students fighting back. There are many examples in our nation's history of positive change through civil disobedience.
Brave young people demanding their civil rights must be supported by the rest of us - including those in positions of authority and media who cover the news.
School administrators must enforce a zero tolerance for bullying or bigotry by holding both students and parents accountable and must consistently reinforce demands for tolerance and inclusivity.
While stories of hate speech and intimidation are heartbreaking, it is inspiring to read about students fighting back. There are many examples in our nation's history of positive change through civil disobedience.
Brave young people demanding their civil rights must be supported by the rest of us - including those in positions of authority and media who cover the news.
5
I have never been ashamed of my country until now with the election of a person whose sense of entitlement and complete lack of understanding of what democracy is all about has unleashed the forces of fear and hatred and given them legitimacy.
7
Might be a good time for you to leave.
10
"Ashamed "? How about low self-esteem to begin with.
4
It seems to me the culmination of years of entitlement of special interest groups is a major part of the backlash that pushed Trump to the presidency.
4
I spent my early years growing up in the states and later my mother moved to Canada. When eithrr country boasts of inclusiveness they are ignoring certain facts. Both countries have been prejudiced and exclusionary for decades. Here's a short list of people who have taken turns being rejected: Irish, Italians, Poles, Catholics, the divorced, the handicapped, the unemployed. Families who became poor had their children forcebly taken from them, split up and sent to foster families. Only those who haven't experienced this want to return to the past.
I can't help but think that this all begins at home.
I grew up in NJ in the 70s. My dad was, and still is, a chemical engineer and worked with people from all parts of the world. My parents frequently had these folks over to our house for dinner and holidays, and vice versa. As kids, we never thought there was anything odd about someone practicing a different religion, eating unusual food, or speaking another language - we just accepted it. I used to love sending out holiday cards, and my mom would sit me down with a list of recipients, divided into three groups: those who celebrated Christmas (they got a Christmas card); those who celebrated Hanukkah (a Happy Hanukkah card); and, finally, "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" cards for those who didn't observe either. It was very important to my parents that nobody was offended. And again, my sisters and I never questioned it.
It's disheartening to read that even young children are repeating the vitriol spewed by our politicians and, quite possibly, their parents, at school. I applaud these students for sticking up for one another and rejecting the hatred and bigotry exposed by this election.
I grew up in NJ in the 70s. My dad was, and still is, a chemical engineer and worked with people from all parts of the world. My parents frequently had these folks over to our house for dinner and holidays, and vice versa. As kids, we never thought there was anything odd about someone practicing a different religion, eating unusual food, or speaking another language - we just accepted it. I used to love sending out holiday cards, and my mom would sit me down with a list of recipients, divided into three groups: those who celebrated Christmas (they got a Christmas card); those who celebrated Hanukkah (a Happy Hanukkah card); and, finally, "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" cards for those who didn't observe either. It was very important to my parents that nobody was offended. And again, my sisters and I never questioned it.
It's disheartening to read that even young children are repeating the vitriol spewed by our politicians and, quite possibly, their parents, at school. I applaud these students for sticking up for one another and rejecting the hatred and bigotry exposed by this election.
10
I think what surprises me the most, is that people who voted for Trump is surprised by this result. This was completely expected. It is just an accurate replay of what happened after Brexit. People only imagine voting against politicians in Washington DC, forgetting that they share a country with a lot of people who will be very upset about such a leader getting elected.
Nobody is forced to select and extreme candidate. One could have gone for a moderate. But people want their anger to be taken seriously. They selfishly think only of their own anger and hurt and disregard the anger and hurt they will inflict on other people, through such a choice.
They want a cake and eat it too. They think throwing the human molotov cocktail into Washington DC, will not cause any collateral damage. Or perhaps they know but selfishly don't care.
Nobody is forced to select and extreme candidate. One could have gone for a moderate. But people want their anger to be taken seriously. They selfishly think only of their own anger and hurt and disregard the anger and hurt they will inflict on other people, through such a choice.
They want a cake and eat it too. They think throwing the human molotov cocktail into Washington DC, will not cause any collateral damage. Or perhaps they know but selfishly don't care.
6
Good article and proud that students are not afraid to stand up for their constitutional rights. As a regular reader of this paper I'd like to hear more about what the trump supporter in the article, the school authorities, and similar trump supporting individuals are doing in their communities to help the cause against the unintentional consequences of hate and heckling that have ensued recently. Clearly it is not something they support or condone so I'm wondering how they are coming out and supporting their peers who are being heckled and standing up for constitutional rights for all - not just some. If we can shift the conversation from Democrat vs Republican to Love vs. Hate perhaps we can move away from and extinguish some of the decisiveness that is occurring.
5
Misogyny has also gone underground since the women's liberation movement emerged in the 1970s, but it's sinister force is still very much alive in America.
Donald Trump was elected despite his appalling words and actions that demonstrated clearly his total lack of respect --even repulsion--for women.
I fear for our mothers, wives, daughters and sisters in the years to come as we enter what is already looking like a dark age in the United States.
People forget history shows that gains in civil and human rights can be fragile and even lost under the right circumstances.
Women and people of color will need to be strong in the land of Trump. Please remember that all decent, true Americans have your back.
Donald Trump was elected despite his appalling words and actions that demonstrated clearly his total lack of respect --even repulsion--for women.
I fear for our mothers, wives, daughters and sisters in the years to come as we enter what is already looking like a dark age in the United States.
People forget history shows that gains in civil and human rights can be fragile and even lost under the right circumstances.
Women and people of color will need to be strong in the land of Trump. Please remember that all decent, true Americans have your back.
5
Well, I believe we can start calling things for what they are and quit candy-coating them ike we have been doing for the past couple of weeks and did for the previous ten months. What children, kids, families of swarthy complexion are being called: This is the 'Trump Effect.' And it's racism and Trump needs to be held accountable for making bullies out of white kids, making them feel superior, "exceptional." This is not what Hillary Clinton proposed. Inclusiveness has been pushed to the wayside because Trump's going to "get our jobs back. How ridiculously stupid that this foul, xenophobe has been let in the door and put at the head of our 'dinner table' because he said he's going to make America great again when all he did was lie and exaggerate. But no one from the Press was calling him out for these absurd exaggerations and lies. I just hope The Press will finally hold this hate monger's feet to the fire and not fear that if they do press him to comment truthfully that they won't get a chance to get into Trump Tower, eyeball the gold surroundings and eat his caviar as they sit at the feet of this racist boor.
6
This is happening in a town (my town) that voted about 75 percent for Clinton and is known as the most blue (by far) city in Iowa. If this happens here, I have to wonder what is going on elsewhere.
17
Trump needs to stand up and make a statement to his supporters. Some of the ones I know, and are educated, don't have one positive thing to say about Obama or Clinton or just about anything that is status quo. Yet Trump can do no wrong. They "love" each cabinet selection while the Times has something negative to report on each of those same nominations. I really fear we are in a terrible spiral of intolerance in our country and this is not limited to one side. Trump did not run on a position nor a reputation of intolerance. And Pence attending a Broadway show with his family doesn't need a lecture from the cast at the end of the show. But Trump needs to set the record straight and when he does the people on the left, including the Times, might want to refrain from accusing him of things he has no history of.
4
I wonder why there's such divisiveness in this school? The head of the Young Republicans is clearly a responsible and unifying young man, especially when he sported his "Hillary for Prison" T-shirt. I mean, that doesn't set a tone or anything, does it? Not at all! I'm mystified by the response of those minority and lefty children. They need to get out of their liberal bubbles and start empathizing with Mr. Hanson. I mean poor kid. America has been ignoring his needs for too, too long. Come on you sore loser lefties -- time to rally around the president who has threatened to deport you and/or your parents or put you on a register for your religion! Show a little patriotism!
4
After the respectful remarks made to Pence at the end of the Hamilton show, Trump said the theater should be a safe place. Pence had no reason to fear anyone. School, even more so, should be a safe place, and in many of the instances the children are made to feel fear.
7
Not that it could ever cross his clearly troubled, befuddled mind but when Trump's toxins find their way into any cultures' most impressionable hearts, you find yourself wishing it even possible that such things actually could matter to him. Matter enough to actually visit schools in order to apologize in person and to implore the young people to join him in efforts to be better, to be more loving, more compassionate, matter enough to awaken him to the mortifying price being paid by others as a direct result of his reckless manner.
As such an epiphany will of course remain but a wish, after he is inaugurated (assuming he gets that far without self-destruction), I urge American schools to refrain from replacing President Obama's photograph with that of his entirely unworthy successor. At the same time, perhaps this appallingly-unenlightened-threat-to-public-sensibilities-elect could be effectively worked into the curriculum. Invitations to inspire critical thought would abound.
As such an epiphany will of course remain but a wish, after he is inaugurated (assuming he gets that far without self-destruction), I urge American schools to refrain from replacing President Obama's photograph with that of his entirely unworthy successor. At the same time, perhaps this appallingly-unenlightened-threat-to-public-sensibilities-elect could be effectively worked into the curriculum. Invitations to inspire critical thought would abound.
3
I am a retired high school teacher and can absolutely believe the effect that the election of Donald Trump is having on young people, just forming their ideals. I taught in a diverse school and when Barack Obama was elected I witnessed a general feeling of optimism and hope among most of my students. It was most evident, however, in my male African American students. Having been a veteran teacher and witnessing many elections I never saw such a direct result on one group of students. These boys started to think I can do it, I don't have to be fighting with everyone all the time, I am respected. As president, Mr. Trump doesn't realize the messages he is sending to our young people: It's ok to bully, speak rudely, to step on others to get ahead, it's all about me, it's ok to speak out against people of color, LGBT students and girls are not important. I wish to say to Mr. Trump, young people are impressionable and they do listen, step up to the plate and become a president, be the kind of role model our children need. I fear it would fall on deaf ears.
198
Well said!!
"...Mr. Trump doesn't realize..." . Of course he realizes. And his bet that the majority in this country agreed with him was correct -- he WON. Now we can watch the last hundred years of progress rolled back, and the end of the U.S. experiment.
1
Trump was a bully as a kid, reflecting the attitudes and behavior of his father who enabled him - as he did later by loaning or guaranteeing multi millions to replicate and continue his business on the Manhattan side of the river, and decades later bailing him out by buying 3.5 million dollars of chips at Donald's failing casino which went unused. It was an illegal loan.
Donald Trump continued throughout his life to be a person who bullys, speaks rudely, steps on others to get ahead - everything is about him. There is no way he is self aware enough to change his ways and become a different person so as to model worthy behavior to young people. He already thinks he is a great role model as he is.
Donald Trump continued throughout his life to be a person who bullys, speaks rudely, steps on others to get ahead - everything is about him. There is no way he is self aware enough to change his ways and become a different person so as to model worthy behavior to young people. He already thinks he is a great role model as he is.
5
99.9% of the kids who walked out of school in Los Angeles last week, did so to simply skip school. These aren't politically engaged kids trying to convey a message- these are lazy kids trying to game the system.
24
It's both. They know, some understand more than others, that something big is happening and they are excited to get out of school. They're young and still forming and this is part of their experience. They are entering a new protest movement.
My Vietnam protest experience also had kids with their various sense of awareness or just along with the group. Ironically a lot of voting was done just along with a group.
Let's hope peaceful demonstration can be the parallel path the democrats resisting this ugly faced government led so far my extremist bigot, racist people along with heir disrespect for humanity and the environment. They are all about mad power and secondly money
My Vietnam protest experience also had kids with their various sense of awareness or just along with the group. Ironically a lot of voting was done just along with a group.
Let's hope peaceful demonstration can be the parallel path the democrats resisting this ugly faced government led so far my extremist bigot, racist people along with heir disrespect for humanity and the environment. They are all about mad power and secondly money
1
I'm not sure laziness is the only factor, although it probably played an important part in the decision. I think the major factor was peer pressure. As is evidenced in many comments here, and the common Liberal discourse, the anti-Trump rhetoric hails largely from ignorance, and a knee-jerk reaction to the unanticipated failure of the Left to win the presidency. Having no knowledge of what's to come, Liberals are making sure that the message that "Trump = everything bad" dominates the public discourse, thus public opinion.
Kids overhear everything that's being said (when they're not directly indoctrinated by their parents) without having the skills to understand or process the information, and separate conjecture from fact. It then becomes important, when an agitator suggests walking out of school or protesting, to side with the people you were told were the good people, and follow them in their endeavors.
I was in quite a few protests in my teenage years, and I can assure you that 75% of the people protesting around me had no idea what the protests were about. Most of us feared being exposed as uneducated about the struggle du jour, so we avoided discussing specifics, and just repeated the slogans we'd been taught. I see the same clueless looks in the current protests. At an age where tribalism defines who you are and how you're perceived by society, it mostly boils down to this: if you don't protest, you're a narc; if you do, you're with the 'in" crowd.
Kids overhear everything that's being said (when they're not directly indoctrinated by their parents) without having the skills to understand or process the information, and separate conjecture from fact. It then becomes important, when an agitator suggests walking out of school or protesting, to side with the people you were told were the good people, and follow them in their endeavors.
I was in quite a few protests in my teenage years, and I can assure you that 75% of the people protesting around me had no idea what the protests were about. Most of us feared being exposed as uneducated about the struggle du jour, so we avoided discussing specifics, and just repeated the slogans we'd been taught. I see the same clueless looks in the current protests. At an age where tribalism defines who you are and how you're perceived by society, it mostly boils down to this: if you don't protest, you're a narc; if you do, you're with the 'in" crowd.
2
Trump and the neo-Fascists around him have unleashed a firestorm of hate in all of its ugly forms to do its dirty business whenever and wherever possible. Of course racism, homophia, sexism, resentment of immigrants and fear of "the other" have always been with us. However, we are now seeing the shadow side of this nation's soul surface in all its poisonous forms, compliments of a sociopath who lost the popular vote, while winning the Electoral College. How it will all evolve is anyone's guess, but it is vital that the press, the Democrats, and all of us who oppose Trump, do not normalize their despicable actions. Racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, building walls, registering Muslims, deporting millions, demeaning and assaulting women, conversion therapy etc., etc., are unacceptable and must never be tolerated !
10
Any racism or negative comments are unacceptable. On the other hand, why are American girls wearing hijab, the symbol of male domination of females in arab countries?
Let's hope tolerance prevails to muslims, from muslim, to Trump supporters and from Trump supporters.
Let's hope tolerance prevails to muslims, from muslim, to Trump supporters and from Trump supporters.
21
The hijab is NOT a symbol of male domination of females. It is a symbol of modesty that some women choose to wear. Using your line of reasoning, why do some American Jewish men wear yarmulkes? Interesting too that you chose to capitalize "Trump" and "American" but not "Arab" or "Muslim." Not too hard to read between the lines of your message.
3
The last time I checked, our constitution did not dictate dress code. Why is it such a problem now? Why should these children be subjected to dominant American attitudes of social control?
Would you apply these notions to:
1. Jewish students wearing yarmulkes?
2. Orthodox Jewish female students wearing long sleeves and skirts?
3. Older Irish, Italian and Albanian women wearing hair scarves and conservative clothing?
4. African descent Americans wearing different and beautiful hair wraps?
5. Indian female students wearing dupattas?
You'd have to strip all the people listed above of their clothing. Is this "American" democracy at work?
Then, because you really don't want to force these people to lived naked...right?...you'd need to *force* them into the clothes you'd rather they wear. Is that a value of our 'American" civil liberties?
Look down right now. Do we really need to force everyone into wearing coffee and syrup stained t-shirts and sweats? It's cute, but really, better than the gorgeous clothing of theses students sartorial cultures of origin, worn by choice? Be real.
More seriously, why are republicans so invested in the control of female and male of color bodies?
Would you apply these notions to:
1. Jewish students wearing yarmulkes?
2. Orthodox Jewish female students wearing long sleeves and skirts?
3. Older Irish, Italian and Albanian women wearing hair scarves and conservative clothing?
4. African descent Americans wearing different and beautiful hair wraps?
5. Indian female students wearing dupattas?
You'd have to strip all the people listed above of their clothing. Is this "American" democracy at work?
Then, because you really don't want to force these people to lived naked...right?...you'd need to *force* them into the clothes you'd rather they wear. Is that a value of our 'American" civil liberties?
Look down right now. Do we really need to force everyone into wearing coffee and syrup stained t-shirts and sweats? It's cute, but really, better than the gorgeous clothing of theses students sartorial cultures of origin, worn by choice? Be real.
More seriously, why are republicans so invested in the control of female and male of color bodies?
5
Some of the commenters apparently do not know enough about Islam to make judgements about someone's religious dress. Why should Moslems be required to dress like a different group in order to blend in? (Do you even know what a hijab looks like? It covers the hair and neck but does not conceal the entire body.) Besides, Moslems are not the only women who dress modestly. There are others who show their faith by wearing clothes that are not revealing or who cover their hair. Would you tell an Amish woman to change her mode of dress? An orthodox Jewish woman who wears a wig to show her natural hair? By extension, your comments could cover other physical expressions of faith. My conservative Christian female cousins were not allowed to cut their hair or wear makeup. Would you have told them to use eye shadow?
4
If there is one thing election showed it's that the media has become utterly unreliable, focusing on hyperbole and "gotcha" journalism like this. It seems the Times runs a story about whiny Ivy League Schools everyday. There is no doubt that there are racist people in this country, as there are in every corner of the world, but media outlet on the Times and the Washington Post write stories like this that make it seem that racist are running around every corner. It's hard to truly believe the veracity of this story and I'm sure the Times worked very hard to fight just the right scenario to feed their news desires. Isn't there something else to write about in these schools.
11
The Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization which, among other things, tracks hate crimes, has seen a sharp uptick in the reporting of incidents like the ones described at this school. That's NEWS. (Just as reporting on violence at Trump protests is news, too.)
I'm sure there are other things happening at these schools. But I definitely want to read news stories on whether or not kids are safe from harassment and intimidation at school.
I'm sure there are other things happening at these schools. But I definitely want to read news stories on whether or not kids are safe from harassment and intimidation at school.
4
The school is a changed place because our country is a changed place. Trump's campaign and now the morally (if not legally) illegitimate and fundamentally undemocratic results of the election do not represent a mere difference in political world view. Trump has unleashed something vile in the United States. For the majority of voting Americans who supported the candidate who "lost," it is impossible to feel a sense of oneness as fellow countrymen with the millions of other Americans who have consciously chosen to endorse sexual assault, mocking the disabled, xenophobia, financial fraud, religious intolerance and hatred, ethnic stereotyping, bigotry, and racism. That goes way beyond politics. This election has been shocking and transcendent because, up until this point, there always have been certain basic things that just about everyone, no matter where she or he fell on the political spectrum, from left to right, agreed on. Common decency was one of these. A basic respect for the rights of all people was another. Trump has consistently demonstrated a gleeful and arrogant contempt for these things. And what is worse and so disturbing is that his open contempt for civility and for basic decency has only made his supporters embrace him even more enthusiastically. In short, Trump has fostered mob mentality. He has torn the social fabric of this country probably beyond repair. Or, if reparable, it will likely take generations to repair it.
6
Two points, I understand that high school is tough and has always been tough for teenagers no matter what time it is. Teenage years are difficult and full of drama. The election is over, both sides must move on, that means not treating others who differ from you with respect and stopping the constant he said she said public drama and protest. We live in two different Americas because of politicians neglect and pandering to certain groups while demonizing others. This too will pass, things will work out and America will find it's footing, so let's learn to talk to each other, respect each others differences and views, and go back to our normal lives.
30
Problem is Ron that many people have legitimate fears that they will not be able to go back to their normal lives given the possibility of new domestic policies, judicial decisions and a normalization of intolerance and bigotry. And for many people their "normal" lives weren't great even before the election, so now there is the fear things will only get worse
So we should really respect the views of David Duke, Steve Bannon, and other white supremacists, or nationalists, or whatever the hell these bigots are calling themselves?
What I am learning from reading these many comments is how poorly informed and uneducated a vast majority of the citizenry is regarding immigration. People see Hispanics and automatically assume they are here illegally??! Doesn't that perspective smack of racism? This concept that America was created to be white, created for white people, and created to be a system of white supremacy is deeply troubling and frighteningly indicative of how devolved our society is.
12
I am so proud that our teachers are more caring, open hearted, and empathetic than our buffoon state legislator, Bobby Kaufman.
3
My son, who was raised in Brooklyn, now lives in Iowa City. We often talk about how difficult it is to be in that blue city in the middle of a horribly red state. He and his friends all stand for what's right, and I am so proud of all of them. Keep the faith, IC!! We have a long struggle ahead of us.
6
Iowa isn't so bad, nor is Brooklyn all that good unless one likes high rents and gentrification. So lets get real.
4
The mainstream press is essentially failing in its duty to highlight the fears and anxieties of people of color and immigrants in the post-election era.
Trump is not going to reassure them and the media will not hold him accountable either.
Instead,the NYT and others are more interested in reporting on his business dealings and son-in-law`s role.
Trump is not going to reassure them and the media will not hold him accountable either.
Instead,the NYT and others are more interested in reporting on his business dealings and son-in-law`s role.
5
Most Muslim Americans are white. Most immigrants are white. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States was 77.1 percent white in 2015, up from 72.4 percent in 2010, due primarily to immigration from Latin America. The Census Bureau projects the United States will continue to grow whiter as long as current immigration trends continue.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/00
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/00
6
1. African-Americans, brought here as enslaved individuals and communities included Muslims. So they are our first Muslims.
2. The first wave of Middle Eastern merchants (1930s?) appealed to the judicial system to be categorized as "white". This has been argued as an exigency of protection against anti-immigrant and religious bias.
3. Some outliers: Bangladeshi immigrants settling after in NYC and intermarrying with Af Am and Latina Am residents.
The census constructs race depending on factors we might explore. There is a contemporary movement to include "MENA" categories on the census going forward.
2. The first wave of Middle Eastern merchants (1930s?) appealed to the judicial system to be categorized as "white". This has been argued as an exigency of protection against anti-immigrant and religious bias.
3. Some outliers: Bangladeshi immigrants settling after in NYC and intermarrying with Af Am and Latina Am residents.
The census constructs race depending on factors we might explore. There is a contemporary movement to include "MENA" categories on the census going forward.
1
If All Americans were permitted to list their ethnicity on Census forms, Hispanic Americans would be the largest ethnic group while Germanic Americans would be the second largest and Celtic Americans would be the Third Largest. Middle Eastern Americans now number at least 10 million and will soon outnumber Nordic Americas who make up 3 percent of the population.
1
One of my granddaughter is a junior at West High and known for her sharp and critical columns (as well as reporting) the school newspaper. Get ready to read her stuff when it comes out.
2
Separation of church and state is a cornerstone of our system, one which is often ignored to the detriment of all of us. The French are spot on by banning religious attire and other forms of expression in schools and other government workplaces.
18
Should not administrators and teachers be playing more guiding roles around acceptable and unacceptable student behavior? Additionally, it would make sense to have committees of students and parents involved for the next four years. Good for the students who protested; this is so important for them and their bullies need to understand the peer consequences of what they are doing. This could be a productive collaboration in that the school could develop spaces of studying, debating, and working through conflicts in constructive ways- build some modules, invite parents, faith groups, immigrant grassroots leaders, artists on a regular basis. Support the students being attacked in leadership development skills. Have similar events for parents. Build on this moment Iowa High!
4
Let's hope that tensions calm in all directions and that racism continues its multigenerational decline. The direction continues to be positive despite this flare up.
According to Pew intensive research most Muslim Americans think that Americans are generally friendly toward Muslims here. Shockingly, while most immigrants come here (including our grandparents and great grandparents) to become Americans and all that entails, only 56% of Muslim Americans "want to adopt the American way of life". A significant minority (21%) of Muslim Americans say there is a great deal (6%) or a fair amount (15%) of support for extremism in the Muslim American community. Kinda scary.
Let's hope that cool heads prevail all around, that tolerance abides in all, more and more.
http://www.people-press.org/2011/08/30/muslim-americans-no-signs-of-grow...
According to Pew intensive research most Muslim Americans think that Americans are generally friendly toward Muslims here. Shockingly, while most immigrants come here (including our grandparents and great grandparents) to become Americans and all that entails, only 56% of Muslim Americans "want to adopt the American way of life". A significant minority (21%) of Muslim Americans say there is a great deal (6%) or a fair amount (15%) of support for extremism in the Muslim American community. Kinda scary.
Let's hope that cool heads prevail all around, that tolerance abides in all, more and more.
http://www.people-press.org/2011/08/30/muslim-americans-no-signs-of-grow...
10
The alt-left, has proclaimed that Trump voters 'hate'. Yet it is the anger and hostility that is being expressed toward our new President that is the epitome of hate. If it continues, Trump will turn his back on these people and push his agenda through. If they learn what they preach, love and acceptance, there may be room for negotiation and compromise.
13
Louis--There are certain ultimate truths. One of them is that hate and bigotry are immoral and wrong; NEVER acceptable. And, we must speak against them, at every opportunity. EVERY OPPORTUNITY.
3
I imagine you offered the same words of wisdom for those expressing hate towards our current president?
5
Of course. Anger and the hate it produces only engenders more anger and hate. Some quiet and careful thought is required to understand this election, not accusations of racism and misogyny. Consider the real reasons we will now have President Trump. First, most Americans want a strong border and Illegal immigrants who commit crimes cannot be released back into our communities. Americans want a fair trade policy that does not destroy our manufacturing base and with it a large portion of hte middle class. And finally, Americans want to end the cycle of continual war that we have been in since Vietnam, wars that waste our blood and treasure to no end.
2
I guess if Hillary had won none of this would have happened. One has to believe in "fake news" to believe that suddenly there is massive discrimination and racism in the US. I've read numerous pieces in the NYT saying just that.
17
Don't be obtuse. America has always had a strong undercurrent of racism. Trump has just empowered attitude that were once scorned and shameful.
4
Racism, misogyny and prejudice and disability hate is abhorrent. But does Islam allow the same? Only all you democrats seem to defend these hate issues when Islam says they are OK. Double standards.
1
Ridiculous.
The point being repeatedly made is quite different: Trump's campaign and election have given license for the open expression of the racist and discriminatory attitudes that were always lurking.
The point being repeatedly made is quite different: Trump's campaign and election have given license for the open expression of the racist and discriminatory attitudes that were always lurking.
1
It is certainly disheartening to read and hear that discrimination is increasing. In my experience, it appeared that my chidrens' generation (who are now young men)was turning out to be better than my generation. From my perspective, they didn't act differently to others based on race or gender or sexual orientation or special needs. They all hung out together and accepted each other as is. they are kind and considerate. Now, There is a material amount of discriminatory instances that is changing the dynamic. Old Debunked theories are rising from their justified graves. 1950's style discrimination is resurrected. Hate is back. What happened?
I continue to have optimism that our Children will be better than my baby boomer generation. But its not a slam dunk.
I continue to have optimism that our Children will be better than my baby boomer generation. But its not a slam dunk.
3
There is an implied moral superiority in your statement. Hate is always with us. It has never gone out of style. But the same can be said for love. Each of us has the potential for both, but neither resides exclusively with one group or on one side of the political spectrum. I can show you many a liberal filled with hatred as much as many a conservative filled with love. So lets stop politicizing the issue and realize that we are all human beings together trying to work out our differences while refraining from judgement.
3
We are the same people we were prior to the election. Those people who make hateful, racist comments now were racists before as well. (So much for the idea that Trump voters "took him seriously, not literally.")
Students, parents, teachers, and citizens should absolutely protest, lest anyone believe that the election of Donald Trump means the election of bigotry.
Students, parents, teachers, and citizens should absolutely protest, lest anyone believe that the election of Donald Trump means the election of bigotry.
4
This is what happens when you take the low road to the Presidency, Mr. Trump has taken the low road.
He has embolden hate in the worst way, Americas kids.
He has embolden hate in the worst way, Americas kids.
15
When our nation's children are targets for racism by Trump supporters, and principals take their good time to stand up in their defense, leaving it up to teachers, we are normalizing Trump's fascist ideology.
When our nation's children are targeted by Trump supporters, and people choose to go online to call liberals the "real bigots", we are normalizing Trump's fascist ideology.
When our nation's children are targets for Trump supporters, and people choose to go online and tell children to "toughen up", we are normalizing Trump's fascist ideology.
When our nation's children are targets, and we choose to say and do nothing in the face of adults who behave worse and worse towards our children, we have chosen to become Trump's fascist dream for America.
When our nation's children are targeted by Trump supporters, and people choose to go online to call liberals the "real bigots", we are normalizing Trump's fascist ideology.
When our nation's children are targets for Trump supporters, and people choose to go online and tell children to "toughen up", we are normalizing Trump's fascist ideology.
When our nation's children are targets, and we choose to say and do nothing in the face of adults who behave worse and worse towards our children, we have chosen to become Trump's fascist dream for America.
10
This bigotry and bullying of minorities by children and teenagers at school is not surprising--given the way adults/parents are acting.
History, literature, and our daily contacts with other human beings demonstrate it is not easy for people to hold their worst impulses in check at a personal or social level. It's called civility and requires maturity, consideration of others, and respect for human differences and decency.
This has long been one of the main missions of education. I say this as a retired college professor who started out as an elementary school teacher. My heart and support are with all the teachers from preschool through college who must deal with the fact that cultural permission has been given by President-Elect Donald J. Trump to not be "politically correct" by picking on and bullying adults and children who do not happen to be born white and Christian.
Lest there be any doubt how it is done, Mr. Trump role models the behavior and chooses hardliner, intolerant bullies for some of the most important appointments in his administration. Hail to the Chief, who as a leader campaigned on bringing out the worst in the white citizenry. And now the bullies found each other and have a sense of belonging and acceptance. Mission accomplished!
But I firmly believe there are more of us than these emboldened bullies. So it will be crucial that the majority of us not remain silent, and at every incident provide support to anyone being bullied. Boston strong!
History, literature, and our daily contacts with other human beings demonstrate it is not easy for people to hold their worst impulses in check at a personal or social level. It's called civility and requires maturity, consideration of others, and respect for human differences and decency.
This has long been one of the main missions of education. I say this as a retired college professor who started out as an elementary school teacher. My heart and support are with all the teachers from preschool through college who must deal with the fact that cultural permission has been given by President-Elect Donald J. Trump to not be "politically correct" by picking on and bullying adults and children who do not happen to be born white and Christian.
Lest there be any doubt how it is done, Mr. Trump role models the behavior and chooses hardliner, intolerant bullies for some of the most important appointments in his administration. Hail to the Chief, who as a leader campaigned on bringing out the worst in the white citizenry. And now the bullies found each other and have a sense of belonging and acceptance. Mission accomplished!
But I firmly believe there are more of us than these emboldened bullies. So it will be crucial that the majority of us not remain silent, and at every incident provide support to anyone being bullied. Boston strong!
8
"“Lujayn came to my room, crying and sobbing, questioning if she should take off her hijab,” said Ms. Gwenigale..."
Well, yes, she should - that is the point of the melting pot. Just look to the 200 years of immigrants who embraced and enhanced American culture before the PC identity politicians took over.
Well, yes, she should - that is the point of the melting pot. Just look to the 200 years of immigrants who embraced and enhanced American culture before the PC identity politicians took over.
20
So, if you bully and frighten someone enough they will just conform to some agreed upon cultural norm. Reducing a child to tears is a good thing evidently, for a swath of this country. That's just special. Likelty the same swath that blew up a church full of black children for being uppity - or at the very least assented to it. So no more amish dress, no more nun's habits. No more freedom, no more civility. Check your numbers, immigrants have been coming for 10s and thousands of years, not just since 1816 (200 years ago).
2
You must never have been to areas in the USA where Jewish people wear the clothing of their religion or where Catholics wear crosses. So far, at least, we are a country that tolerates religious expression, so long as it does not trample the rights of others.
But that will be another topic, won't it, as mostly politically conservative Christians claim that their rights of religious expression do, in fact, allow them the right to impose their beliefs on others.
I certainly hope that the USA can remember that freedom from religion is essential if we are to have freedom of religion.
But that will be another topic, won't it, as mostly politically conservative Christians claim that their rights of religious expression do, in fact, allow them the right to impose their beliefs on others.
I certainly hope that the USA can remember that freedom from religion is essential if we are to have freedom of religion.
3
Wrong!
2
When 24 hour hate speech goes on everyday for two years expect the worst.
6
I guess you are referring to the comment by Hillary Clinton that 50% of Trump supporters are homophobic, Islamaphobic, misogynistic, and racist. And they are deplorable. Now that's hate speech, in spades.
7
Tape over their mouths? Revolution has come.
6
They take the tape off after school. They know when they get home their religion requires they be silent, there they are not allowed to speak up.
5
Just keep showing your ignorance. Your comments about Moslems reveal just how little you know. Moslem women are found in all walks of life and speaking up for themselves is not rare. I hope you have more respect for the women in your own life. But probably not if you take more than one page from Trump's playbook. I find your comments about Moslem women reflective of many ignorant people's views about women in general. Hope they never find themselves in need of a physician or attorney. Women have those jobs now too. And some even wear the hijab.
Could you prove this claim with any factual data? Thanks!
Your claim can be applied to Catholicism, supposedly another authoritarian religion.
And yet, Catholics are an important, vocal force for social justice and equality in this country.
Go figure.
Your claim can be applied to Catholicism, supposedly another authoritarian religion.
And yet, Catholics are an important, vocal force for social justice and equality in this country.
Go figure.
These students are probably learning more in school than they had before. They are our future, and more millennials are liberals than not. They grew up under the progressivism of Obama that was open and welcoming and coaxed people of diverse backgrounds to come out into the light. Unfortunately, we are seeing the opposite now, as the dark bigoted underbelly that's been lying under the surface are now seeing their chance to bring their views out in the open. I live in rural Indiana, and I've seen people who for years were subtle about their racism, bigotry, etc, saying things under their breath or as an afterthought. Now they see they aren't alone in their views, and they are the ones who feel empowered. I fear it will get worse before it will get better.
112
Young people of every generation tend to be more liberal. As we age, most of us, through lived experience, become more conservative. The old saying is if you are young and not a liberal, you have no heart; and if you are over 40 and not a conservative, you have no brain.
1
Let me use a charged word. "Genocide".
The progressives have been waging, for a decade, a very successful, public campaign against the values and symbols of rural cultures. They have successfully demonized 30% of the US population that lives in rural areas, and with the pending coronation of Hilary, looked like they would win the war.
Trump won because he spoke out against the genocide. And when people finally have a voice, they use it. The only difference between the 60's and now is that the oppressed minority is white instead of black.
The progressives have been waging, for a decade, a very successful, public campaign against the values and symbols of rural cultures. They have successfully demonized 30% of the US population that lives in rural areas, and with the pending coronation of Hilary, looked like they would win the war.
Trump won because he spoke out against the genocide. And when people finally have a voice, they use it. The only difference between the 60's and now is that the oppressed minority is white instead of black.
14
The war was not only against rural Americans but against all working-class and middle-class Americans.
3
Oh please. Just stop. The rural folks have been *leaving* the "countryside (new alt right term)* since the industrial revolution. And beside that, the whole family farm nonsense is that...its a corportae owned megafarm.
1
And exactly how are these whites repressed?
1
Bismark famously said in the 1800's that, the key to peace in Europe was to sort out the races. Self determination was based on the same idea. The US model is not working out at all. The multi ethnic strw we have brewed may have been misguided. Perhaps this place should be divided into several smaller less diverse countries, where many points of view can bloom.
5
The US model is not working out? As measured by a bit of post-election angst? Some perspective is in order.
We have the largest, most dynamic and innovative economy ever created. Culturally, we are without peer. There is scarcely a nation anywhere that hasn't adopted large parts of our cultural offerings.
The problem facing us has nothing to do with being multicultural. It has to do with a wrenching economic transformation, mainly driven by technological innovation. In reaction to that transformation, some Americans fear that they or their kids won't be able to compete in a society increasingly ordered by ever-higher skills and achievement as opposed to racial rank, so they want to withdraw into what they believe will be safe ethnic enclaves of like-minded people. It is fantasy to think that greater ethnic uniformity would slow the pace of innovation or summon back millions of manufacturing jobs.
We've had previous periods of reactive nativism. They passed and this period will pass, probably fairly quickly.
A united America will endure.
We have the largest, most dynamic and innovative economy ever created. Culturally, we are without peer. There is scarcely a nation anywhere that hasn't adopted large parts of our cultural offerings.
The problem facing us has nothing to do with being multicultural. It has to do with a wrenching economic transformation, mainly driven by technological innovation. In reaction to that transformation, some Americans fear that they or their kids won't be able to compete in a society increasingly ordered by ever-higher skills and achievement as opposed to racial rank, so they want to withdraw into what they believe will be safe ethnic enclaves of like-minded people. It is fantasy to think that greater ethnic uniformity would slow the pace of innovation or summon back millions of manufacturing jobs.
We've had previous periods of reactive nativism. They passed and this period will pass, probably fairly quickly.
A united America will endure.
2
This is dreadful. Anybody saying, "Maybe Trump won't be so bad," or "He's not a racist" is perhaps reading this and thinking, "They are only kids."
Every instance of taunting in school needs to be pounced on immediately by administrators, with parents called in. Because if there are no repercussions, then this becomes acceptable. The taunters grow up to become adults. If they are not shown now that society does no tolerate the behavior, this grow worse, not better. It is not a blip.
Every instance of taunting in school needs to be pounced on immediately by administrators, with parents called in. Because if there are no repercussions, then this becomes acceptable. The taunters grow up to become adults. If they are not shown now that society does no tolerate the behavior, this grow worse, not better. It is not a blip.
11
Taunting without a specific violent threat directed against individual is protected free speech.
6
President Elect Trump in August said President Obama has been "weak an ineffective." On 60 minutes he looked in the camera and said, "Stop it"when discussing the inappropriate behavior that has taken place since the election, yet he tweets about the cast of Hamilton's fair statements to Vice President Elect Pence when Mr. Trump tweeted bullying statements throughout his entire campaign. Actions speak louder than words. President Elect Trump needs to show his strength and effectiveness by aggressively tweeting at 3 am against the negative rhetoric and hatred that is taking place at some of our schools and cities as a result of his win. Saying "stop it", yet failing to back it up with tweets is unhelpful, but he is upset over a casts statements? There is no comparison.
I'm trying to be open minded about his presidency and give him a chance to show he is a president of all people, but his current actions aren't revealing that. Our children are watching and if our President Elect is allowed to bully, some kids who are not being taught properly at home feel the same way. Children learn what they live and many of them are living with parents who are celebrating President Elect Trump's win for all the wrong reasons. Shameful! Thank the Good Lord for effective administrators and passionate teachers that are helping with damage control. I continue to pray that the Christian base that voted for Mr. Trump will remember Ro 12:21, "be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good."
I'm trying to be open minded about his presidency and give him a chance to show he is a president of all people, but his current actions aren't revealing that. Our children are watching and if our President Elect is allowed to bully, some kids who are not being taught properly at home feel the same way. Children learn what they live and many of them are living with parents who are celebrating President Elect Trump's win for all the wrong reasons. Shameful! Thank the Good Lord for effective administrators and passionate teachers that are helping with damage control. I continue to pray that the Christian base that voted for Mr. Trump will remember Ro 12:21, "be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good."
8
It appears you have a different standard for the sitting President. Where is your cry for President Obama to show his strength and effectiveness against the negative rhetoric and hatred such as when a student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette fabricated a story that she was attacked and had her hijab ripped off.
7
Has Obama or Hillary come out and said "Stop it" to their misguided supporters who seem unable to accept the election results and to support our president-elect?
6
I respectfully disagree with the assumption that I have a different stance for the sitting president. Whenever there are acts of violence that occur, all leaders have a responsibility to speak out. I do believe your interpretation of my post is slightly myopic because our President-Elect is perpetuating a culture of this hateful rhetoric due to his actions during the primary and general election seasons. People are celebrating his victory based on their interpretations that he is not for all Americans. That perhaps his presidency indicates a division of races. This is far from true. I'm especially appalled at Christians that are acting this way. While we all sin and fall short of the glory of God, God is no respect of persons...neither should we be. The true identification of a Christian is the love we have one for another. There is not much love going around on either sides. I am neither democrat or republican, but President Elect Trump must work to unify this country and take a bold stance against the intolerance. If this were occurring during President Obama's transition, I would expect the same thing. Blessings always.
So, what else is new?
Looks like the staff of this High School is missing a great teaching moment, which would probably reassure and calm the offended students.
The great Irish immigration of the 1840's, caused by famine in Ireland resulted in not only insults and bullying, but official conduct fostered by the Know Nothing Party resulting in state constitutional amendments banning use of public funds for any religious purpose whatever. In New York it's the Blaine Amendment. (No less a noble person than Lincoln sought the Know Nothings' endorsement when running for President)
It's happened since, to Italians, Jews, and any other non-northern European influx.
Despite this behavior, and possibly because of it, these groups not only survived but thrived, fulfilling their dreams when they started their voyages. For some it took a generation or two, but the immigrants learned how to overcome the difficulties, including becoming active in politics.
Flip the bullies the mental bird and get on with life. You'll win in the end.
Looks like the staff of this High School is missing a great teaching moment, which would probably reassure and calm the offended students.
The great Irish immigration of the 1840's, caused by famine in Ireland resulted in not only insults and bullying, but official conduct fostered by the Know Nothing Party resulting in state constitutional amendments banning use of public funds for any religious purpose whatever. In New York it's the Blaine Amendment. (No less a noble person than Lincoln sought the Know Nothings' endorsement when running for President)
It's happened since, to Italians, Jews, and any other non-northern European influx.
Despite this behavior, and possibly because of it, these groups not only survived but thrived, fulfilling their dreams when they started their voyages. For some it took a generation or two, but the immigrants learned how to overcome the difficulties, including becoming active in politics.
Flip the bullies the mental bird and get on with life. You'll win in the end.
2
Instead of cowering , crying like today's young sissies, once hated ethnic groups fought back against Nativists with their fists, brains, successful political acumen.
2
Resist! Petition! Protest peacefully! Make your intolerance for bigotry collectively known. But don't miss the bigger point: VOTE! Do it the first moment you can, and thereafter for the rest of your lives. Pressure your friends to vote with you. Make sure that love trumps hate the only effective way you can.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
7
The country did VOTE...we have trump... make the best of it and quit whinning
6
Never, John. Never. You're going to have to arrest me and thereby prove what you are.
Trump has destroyed the fabric of harmony in our country before he has even been sworn into office. He has the charm of a cobra: hehypnotized his faithful and then he keeps striking fatal blows at our national spirit. The most destructive influence in the history of our country. Way to go Donald. And your little Ivanka gets to sell her bracelets while we eat cake!
6
No, the fabric was destroyed decades earlier. You just weren't paying attention.
3
Most kids don't understand that immigration laws are not hate.The adults that teach them that are being foolish and destructive. This was a lousy election, and a great learning opportunity. Do we trust schools to foster learning, or distrust? Looking at college campuses, I am not optimistic.
10
When I was young, kids picked on other kids. Back then, at least in my neighborhood, it was zits and lack of athletic ability that really got them going.
My mother told me that when she was a child, nobody played with kids who had bedbugs in their home because their parents were afraid of an infestation. Unpopular kids automatically had bedbugs. Or cooties. She was popular and didn't care at the time, but it bothered her years later. My father was picked on as a boy because he was an immigrant and didn't speak English. He learned fast and his sense of humor carried him through high school, but he remembered. He spoke five languages but taught his children only English.
My grandmother was picked on because she was part Native American, sort of the Canadian equivalent to black. She survived, but never spoke of her heritage. To anyone.
The point is that kids aren't very nice and never have been. They are mean to those they feel superior to and those who look or sound different, and they notice every little thing. It's up to adults to try to guide them along the right path, but this tendency to form prejudices is inborn. Teachers in today's world have a huge job ahead of them, what with our society becoming more integrated, and they need the help of every adult that's part of a child's life.
My mother told me that when she was a child, nobody played with kids who had bedbugs in their home because their parents were afraid of an infestation. Unpopular kids automatically had bedbugs. Or cooties. She was popular and didn't care at the time, but it bothered her years later. My father was picked on as a boy because he was an immigrant and didn't speak English. He learned fast and his sense of humor carried him through high school, but he remembered. He spoke five languages but taught his children only English.
My grandmother was picked on because she was part Native American, sort of the Canadian equivalent to black. She survived, but never spoke of her heritage. To anyone.
The point is that kids aren't very nice and never have been. They are mean to those they feel superior to and those who look or sound different, and they notice every little thing. It's up to adults to try to guide them along the right path, but this tendency to form prejudices is inborn. Teachers in today's world have a huge job ahead of them, what with our society becoming more integrated, and they need the help of every adult that's part of a child's life.
9
I am appalled at some of the things that have been set loose by the election of Donald Trump. Of which these stories are illustrations.
I don't blame Donald Trump himself for this. I don't think he understood or understands how deep this ugly stuff runs in our people. I honestly don't think he knew it was there in such quantities. I know I didn't. He's lived in New York City all his life, a tolerant place by and large. He takes a certain level of civility for granted. At this time, overwhelmed by the demands of his new job, he still isn't paying enough attention. I believe that he lit the fuse unawares.
I'm not sure he could stop this stuff now, even if he tried. No Presidential Proclamation could do much. We have to confront this kind of thing ourselves as we encounter it, in our schools and communities, as this high school in Iowa is trying to do.
I don't blame Donald Trump himself for this. I don't think he understood or understands how deep this ugly stuff runs in our people. I honestly don't think he knew it was there in such quantities. I know I didn't. He's lived in New York City all his life, a tolerant place by and large. He takes a certain level of civility for granted. At this time, overwhelmed by the demands of his new job, he still isn't paying enough attention. I believe that he lit the fuse unawares.
I'm not sure he could stop this stuff now, even if he tried. No Presidential Proclamation could do much. We have to confront this kind of thing ourselves as we encounter it, in our schools and communities, as this high school in Iowa is trying to do.
1
This was not set loose by Trump. It was set loose decades earlier. It was set loose by open borders by both parties. Republicans want cheap labor and Democrats want votes. That is all it is about. Period. If you dont see that you are not seeing the real picture. Neither party cares about any immigrant group. Both parties only care about holding power and rewarding their rich friends. Democrats know full well that new immigrants are on their side but the longer such immigrants stay in AMerica and the more prosperous they become...they beocme Republicans so they need new votes through new immigrants. Democrats could care less about how such new immigrants effect the fabric of American culture long term.
5
Where are the parents in all this? Don't they get (and remember) how teens are so hormonal and emotional? How could they not have a clue that their children might act out their own politics to a post-election extreme?
Did they sit their kids down after hearing of the first incidents by either side and read them the riot act? Apparently not and shame on them if that is the case.
Did they sit their kids down after hearing of the first incidents by either side and read them the riot act? Apparently not and shame on them if that is the case.
3
Bigotry at school! Parent's reflection? Or just listening to a racist demagogue spewing fear and hate against 'the other' (read, non-white)? This may become a crisis if the instigator-in-chief, adamant in claiming innocence, won't speak out against it. Why did people elect a know-nothing and highly arrogant rabble-rouser, giving up the freedom to think for themselves in exchange for some dubious security? Or really thinking that the white color of their skin, as stupid as it sounds, made them special, entitled to "Cadillac" treatment? Too bad that crooked lying Trump, in his thirst for power and applause, is dividing the country, and destroying the most precious bind of society, the trust in each other. This, we call "institutionalized violence", an injustice in plain daylight demanding redress.
5
This was not set loose by Trump... It was set loose decades earlier. It was set loose by open borders by both parties. Republicans want cheap labor and Democrats want votes. That is all it is about. Period. If you dont see that you are not seeing the real picture. Neither party cares about any immigrant group. Both parties only care about holding power and rewarding their rich friends. Democrats know full well that new immigrants are on their side but the longer such immigrants stay in America and the more prosperous they become...they become Republicans so they need new votes through new immigrants. Democrats could care less about how such new immigrants effect the fabric of American culture long term.
4
These brave, humane, anti-racist young people have the clearest perspective. So proud of you.
6
Perhaps if adults had acted more grown up during the long election process these students would do so also. What else could be expected after months of name calling? The Democrats smeared all Republicans as racist or sexist and belonging to a "basket of deplorables". Had the adults in the room actually focused on issues instead of hurling out prefab smear labels maybe the public at large would have learned to debate real issues such as the economy, Obamacare premium hikes, trade pacts, federal regulations, immigration and problems of the Middle East.
6
A note to all the heartbroken and terrified young Americans at West High School and their friends and family
1) Remember that a majority of American voters rejected Trump, and voted for the candidate who shouted to the world that in America we are Stronger Together
2) while a majority of American voters rejected Trump, it is true that 150,000 more of your fellow Iowans voted for Trump than for Clinton.
But remember that you too are Iowans and that in a few years you will be eligible to vote. Register to vote as soon as you can, and don't forget to vote in local elections.
3) remember that when she was 16, Hillary Clinton, growing up with a father who supported Goldwater, supported Goldwater too. But as she grew, read, and learned more about what each party achieves and proposes (rather than simply what the Republican Party claims) she became a Democrat, with a strong progressive platform that would have helped the lives of most of those who voted against her hillaryclinton.com/issues
Devote yourselves to bringing the message of common purpose and America's historic values to a growing circle of your fellow Iowans.
4) Never doubt that you are welcomed and treasured here. America is built on the dreams and hard work of immigrants from around the world. You and your family are a part of our strength. The majority of us are so very glad that you are here, and look forward to all that you will contribute as you grow and thrive in this country we love.
1) Remember that a majority of American voters rejected Trump, and voted for the candidate who shouted to the world that in America we are Stronger Together
2) while a majority of American voters rejected Trump, it is true that 150,000 more of your fellow Iowans voted for Trump than for Clinton.
But remember that you too are Iowans and that in a few years you will be eligible to vote. Register to vote as soon as you can, and don't forget to vote in local elections.
3) remember that when she was 16, Hillary Clinton, growing up with a father who supported Goldwater, supported Goldwater too. But as she grew, read, and learned more about what each party achieves and proposes (rather than simply what the Republican Party claims) she became a Democrat, with a strong progressive platform that would have helped the lives of most of those who voted against her hillaryclinton.com/issues
Devote yourselves to bringing the message of common purpose and America's historic values to a growing circle of your fellow Iowans.
4) Never doubt that you are welcomed and treasured here. America is built on the dreams and hard work of immigrants from around the world. You and your family are a part of our strength. The majority of us are so very glad that you are here, and look forward to all that you will contribute as you grow and thrive in this country we love.
70
Please also add to your list that without the involvement of the FBI the values and the man of Trump would have been thoroughly repudiated had they not intervened and sullied Clinton 11 days before the election.
3
Yes, you are welcomed and treasured here.
But let's kindly remember and not gloss over difficulties we have had on USA soil in the last 15 years with american-born muslims who have self-radicalized- not because of poverty, but because of ideology. And it is with that ideology that we have difficulties with.
And that is the unique challenge of the American Muslim community that is being glossed over in this conversation. How to maintain their own charachteristics while partially assimilating into American society.
Ignoring this very real question is the root of american mistrust of this community. And there has been no organizational answer to this question.
But let's kindly remember and not gloss over difficulties we have had on USA soil in the last 15 years with american-born muslims who have self-radicalized- not because of poverty, but because of ideology. And it is with that ideology that we have difficulties with.
And that is the unique challenge of the American Muslim community that is being glossed over in this conversation. How to maintain their own charachteristics while partially assimilating into American society.
Ignoring this very real question is the root of american mistrust of this community. And there has been no organizational answer to this question.
4
Drivel.
This was not set loose by Trump. It was set loose decades earlier. It was set loose by open borders by both parties. Republicans want cheap labor and Democrats want votes. That is all it is about. Period. If you dont see that you are not seeing the real picture. Neither party cares about any immigrant group. Both parties only care about holding power and rewarding their rich friends. Democrats know full well that new immigrants are on their side but the longer such immigrants stay in America and the more prosperous they become...they become Republicans so they need new votes through new immigrants. Democrats could care less about how such new immigrants effect the fabric of American culture long term.
This was not set loose by Trump. It was set loose decades earlier. It was set loose by open borders by both parties. Republicans want cheap labor and Democrats want votes. That is all it is about. Period. If you dont see that you are not seeing the real picture. Neither party cares about any immigrant group. Both parties only care about holding power and rewarding their rich friends. Democrats know full well that new immigrants are on their side but the longer such immigrants stay in America and the more prosperous they become...they become Republicans so they need new votes through new immigrants. Democrats could care less about how such new immigrants effect the fabric of American culture long term.
4
This 68-year-old atheist has found herself considering wearing a hijab. However, where I live in Queens it would not be much of a statement. But what if we set aside one day for all the like-minded, anti-bigotry women in the US to cover themselves?
23
In theory I would applaud you. Except, do you not know what the hijab stands for? Why has our left abandoned all our hard fought values of female equality. the hijab install is discriminatory.
6
Perfect. Embrass the tenants of a religion founded on intolerance, misogyny and no history of democracy. PC insanity.
10
Thumbs up! I read a suggestion online the other day regarding the proposed Muslim registration. If Trump institutes one, we should all convert to Islam. That would confound the system.
1
People are tribal creatures. The elites have imposed multiculturalism and diversity on America. "Tension, divisions, and mistrust" are the predictable result. If the elites weren't so focused on social engineering experiments, perhaps the students could actually focus on academic work.
30
You can't derive an ought from an is.
How would one "impose" diversity? Diversity exists. These social engineering experiments consist of people being allowed to be who they are without harassment. It's not a tremendously high bar in 2016. I reject the notion that people are hard-wired to be tribal. Kids are taught this stuff, and they can learn to be better if they're held to a better standard.
Welcome to Modernity. Perfect it is not. The alternative is worse. And what you are insinuating is misinformed. Living to our fullest takes hard work, not making excuses.
My daughter in law is Latina. She will visit us over Thanksgiving because her husband is a U.S. Marine serving somewhere in the Middle East. If and when he returns, they will be thinking of moving to a new hometown, and they and we would like them to be closer to us.
But she has had to face a hard reality, even here in Maine. Her skin tone and her accent set here apart. Even here she feels a mild undercurrent of non-acceptance. My spouse and I feel ashamed for that. I'm with those teens who will sit beside, hold the hands of, and listen to those they are conditioned to fear and mistreat.
But she has had to face a hard reality, even here in Maine. Her skin tone and her accent set here apart. Even here she feels a mild undercurrent of non-acceptance. My spouse and I feel ashamed for that. I'm with those teens who will sit beside, hold the hands of, and listen to those they are conditioned to fear and mistreat.
57
Just wondering, but might there be some over-sensitivity to the natural and often impersonal hurly burly of life that is being construed as non-acceptance and then attributed to darker skin?
We find what we look for, even when it's not there.
We find what we look for, even when it's not there.
5
gary - Please stop it! The United States brings in over one million legal foreign nationals as permanent residents year after year, most of which are NOT lilly white. American have been accepting legal immigrants for many years. The only "immigrants" that Americans will not accept are the ones who will not accept our laws.
There is NO need to feel ashamed because you live in a country that accepts more foreign nationals per year than any other country on earth. The only fear and mistrust here is for those who steal our identities and our jobs by entering in or remaining here in violation of law.
There is NO need to feel ashamed because you live in a country that accepts more foreign nationals per year than any other country on earth. The only fear and mistrust here is for those who steal our identities and our jobs by entering in or remaining here in violation of law.
6
Maine is a lily white state that has experienced lots of racial conflict thanks to Gov. Paul Lepage. He is a disgrace, as a descendent of Acadians who themselves were evicted by the colonial Brits from the Maritime provinces to Louisiana. And who formed the bottom worker class of Lewiston with child and young woman indentured servitude in the mills. Trumpism has turned reason on its head, but Gary as a 7 year former Maine resident I do not thing Belfast area would be very great for your son and his wife, both lack of economic opportunity and outside of Portland lack of forward thinkers.
2
High school students: welcome to the real world and learn to deal with it. Don't hide.
Political correctness, laws and regulations can suppress some individual's natural instincts for a while, but when released, they explode. You should understand that the United States has done more than any country in the world to develop relatively harmonious (and even excellent) relations between people of different ethnicities, races, cultures and religions. That's because, as a nation of immigrants and having endured the horrors of slavery and reconstruction, we've been working on it many generations longer than any other modern nation. But we still have hyphenated-Americans of various backgrounds and races and many of us actually celebrate the hyphenation. So, it will probably take many more generations more to evolve from hyphenated-Americans to simply being "Americans."
Political correctness, laws and regulations can suppress some individual's natural instincts for a while, but when released, they explode. You should understand that the United States has done more than any country in the world to develop relatively harmonious (and even excellent) relations between people of different ethnicities, races, cultures and religions. That's because, as a nation of immigrants and having endured the horrors of slavery and reconstruction, we've been working on it many generations longer than any other modern nation. But we still have hyphenated-Americans of various backgrounds and races and many of us actually celebrate the hyphenation. So, it will probably take many more generations more to evolve from hyphenated-Americans to simply being "Americans."
14
I think the American propensity to believe they are best in everything hinders America from improving itself. This is a repeat of China during the opium war, not realizing they have fallen behind before it is too late. To claim America is best in relations between different ethnicities is rather arrogant. I can think of countless examples of the contrary. Black-white relationship is rather toxic in the US, I'd claim relationships between black and whites is a lot better in Canada or the UK. Intermarriage between blacks and whites is still very rare in the US, and it might still be a taboo. At least it used to be. In much of Europe this is much easier. I don't think any country is BEST at relations between different ethnicities. Different countries are certainly better than other at different aspects of the challenge. The US definitely has its strengths, but I think it still can learn many things from other countries.
1
Assuming by "evolution", you mean progress to a better/higher/more positive state, why is "being American" better than being "hyphenated-Americans? In most of our past, "being American" was aspiring to or being part of the dominant white/Caucasian culture. Lots of people were left out and relegated to second-class status. Why isn't being a hyphenated-American the best thing a person can be? Or, maybe the question should be, what will "being American" mean 30, 40 70 years from now? Will it have gravitated away from its historic white hegemonous definition to something else? As for me, I am proud of being a hyphenated American. That is what "being American" is! It's celebrating all that I am.
These students are our future. I am proud that they don't just curl up and wilt away. The future democracy depends on their willingness to speak up. Mr. Trump is supposed to be president of all of America. He needs to show how he is going to do that, and soon.
53
If they refuse to melt in the pot, they will NEVER find peace in America.
4
Growing up in a small town in New England in the seventies, and being Jewish and very much a minority, I was surrounded by similar incidents as described in this article on a daily basis. There were pennies thrown at me, I was called "Jew boy" and swatiskas and broken windows at the small Temple my family attended on a weekly basis. What did I do? This activity made me stronger. I had to take matters into my own hands on a few occasions when cornered, and I learned that bullies need to be confronted, head on. Unfortunately this is the world we live in and it is normal activity. You will come upon bullies in your life, at one point or another, and understanding how to deal with them is a successful life lesson.
36
If this is America before Donald Trump is President, I can't wait for the next four years. But it's good that he surfaced all the undercover racists and bigots in this country. Now, there is no plausible deniability and one must declare his/her allegiance to a vision of America (and continue to fight for it). This is a fight that is as old as the first Europeans who stepped onto her shores and met the natives here. The very moment America branded itself a heterogeneous society of diverse races, religions, cultures, etc., the fight against the forces of division began. It was not started and will not end with the presidency of Donald Trump.
46
This is the epitome of racism: "Go back to Boston! Go back to Plymouth Rock, Pilgrims! Get out! We are the future. You are old and tired. Go on. We have beaten you. Leave like beaten rats. You old white people. It is your duty to die ... Through love of having children, we are going to take over." This an excerpt from a statement by Augustin Cebada
Professor Jose Angel Gutierrez, University of Texas; "We have an aging white America. They are not making babies. They are dying. The explosion is in our population ... I love it. They are $hitting in their pants with fear. I love it."
“Allah’s Messenger said: it is a severe warning to the Christians who claim to be the followers of Isa (Jesus) and he will break the Cross and kill the pigs, and all mankind will be required to embrace Islam with NO ALTERNATIVE.” (Bukhari 3:2222)"
Quran (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
This belief system doesn't belong here. We should not have to annihilate ourselves to accommodate them!
Professor Jose Angel Gutierrez, University of Texas; "We have an aging white America. They are not making babies. They are dying. The explosion is in our population ... I love it. They are $hitting in their pants with fear. I love it."
“Allah’s Messenger said: it is a severe warning to the Christians who claim to be the followers of Isa (Jesus) and he will break the Cross and kill the pigs, and all mankind will be required to embrace Islam with NO ALTERNATIVE.” (Bukhari 3:2222)"
Quran (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
This belief system doesn't belong here. We should not have to annihilate ourselves to accommodate them!
6
One is somehow heartened to hear of Political Correctness's demise, in the form of these atavistic fascist expressions, because it means a less doctrinaire climate for us to live in. So if I want to blast some obnoxious farmer's boy or girl I can continue to call them an ignorant little hick and ask questions about their grandparents' affiliation with the German Bund of the 1930s. Seriously, I see disaster looming in a country where everyone has access to lethal force. Just a matter of time before the name-calling gets out hand and we hear of yet another mass killing like Columbine, with a racial basis.
10
1861-1865 was a very long 4 years.
2
An unavoidable digression into darkness. Astutely prescient. Thank you.
1
Be prepared for more of the same as a result of Trump winning the electoral count (thankfully, he didn't win a majority of the votes). You cannot expect children or haters and bullies to not act out like this when your foolish citizenry has just elected the biggest bully of them all. Trump's behavior throughout his campaign was ignored by everyone, especially the media. After almost 2 years of hate speech, constant lies, threats and bullying, how can we expect anything else? Trump will definitely have a place in history as the baffoon who stumbled into the presidency,solidified America's white nationalists, and eliminated all civility from the US. Quite the place in history. If he doesn't get us all killed and there is a history to follow us that is.
34
"thankfully, he didn't win a majority of the votes". That matters? 47% of the country feels a certain way, or 51% of the country feels a certain way? No difference.
1
Trump is a national disgrace!
54
"Trump is a national disgrace!" you say.
Trump is also an international disgrace.
Trump is also an international disgrace.
1
Something seems missing here. Where are the teachers, various administrators, the principal? Are the not in the hallways as they change rooms between classes, in the dining room eating with the students? Do the lives of student and faculty not mix informally during the day?
11
Agreed. Should administrators and teachers be playing more guiding roles around acceptable and unacceptable student behavior? Additionally, it would make sense to have committees of students and parents involved for the next four years. Good for the students who protested; this is so important for them and their bullies need to understand the peer consequences of what they are doing. This could be a productive collaboration in that the school could develop spaces of studying, debating, and working through conflicts in constructive ways- build some modules, invite parents, faith groups, immigrant grassroots leaders, artists on a regular basis. Have similar events for parents. Build on this moment Iowa High!
Trump gave his supporters permission to say hateful things to their fellow citizens. Maybe the teachers fear repercussions from the parents if they admonish their children. Another possibility is that the teachers may agree with the comments made by these students. Sad, sad days in our country and unfortunately I fear there will be many more going forward.
West High School is a superb school. Yes, there are administrators, teachers, and even counselors in the hallways when students change classes; yes, there are all of the aforementioned in the lunch room, at athletic events, at music programs, etc. In fact, West has a superb group of professionals leading the way not just in academic excellence but also in tolerance of diversity.
Remember: Governor Branstad and his son, Senator Joni Ernst and Senator Chuck Grassley all supported Trump. Remember: one of the most bigoted member of Congress, Steve King, is from IA. While Iowa City is a small island of tolerance, it is a state of widespread bigotry. This is not your Iowa of the days when Senator Harkin and Rep. Jim Leach were elected members of the US Congress.
Remember: Governor Branstad and his son, Senator Joni Ernst and Senator Chuck Grassley all supported Trump. Remember: one of the most bigoted member of Congress, Steve King, is from IA. While Iowa City is a small island of tolerance, it is a state of widespread bigotry. This is not your Iowa of the days when Senator Harkin and Rep. Jim Leach were elected members of the US Congress.
We are bearing the fruits of liberal policies. Repetitions of mindless and senseless babble about "we are a nation of immigrants", "diversity is our strength", delegitimized America as a nation. We are a nation of Americans, not a nation of immigrants. Immigrants used to come here and assimilate and adapt our culture, not to try to change America to their culture. They can keep their culture and heritage privately as long as they want but that is not American culture. A single language to tie people together has been eliminated thanks to the liberal elite. The only thing left is the self righteous bigotry and racism of elite liberals, where their candidate declares half the nation as undersirables and all liberals above criticism, and that is not enough to hold a nation together.
39
Good thing you don't know your own history. most who shun their history shun their own grand panarents great grand parents etc. Shame on you.
I think you point a finger at your group not ours. Your candidate was voted in even as he defies many rules No tax returns, sexist misogynistic remarks toward women, inflammatory remarks towards varied religious and cultural groups. And that's enough to hold a nation together? I think not.
Oh and don't forget that during transition last week when his team was in chaos and can't figure out what they were doing, he had time to meet with businessmen from India to secure a deal for the Trump Organization, When will you learn it's all about him and not about you?
Oh and don't forget that during transition last week when his team was in chaos and can't figure out what they were doing, he had time to meet with businessmen from India to secure a deal for the Trump Organization, When will you learn it's all about him and not about you?
I know! Tolerance of others is a terrible thing. I don't know how you stand it. And now you've got a these self-righteous and anti-white liberals to deal with. Poor guy.
Perhaps kids should toughen up? I was bullied like heck in grade school. Often given the R-word (I'm sure nytimes would be happy not publishing this comment if I wrote it out). If anything bullying taught me to adapt and to dislike trends and crowds. I'm relatively well off now, can't say there is a connection but eh..I certainly don't hold a negative either. Let these kids adapt, fight if they have too. It'll train them for future adulthood. We have soften them too much as of late.
19
Because you were bullied you think all should be bullied to make them "stronger". Aesop's tale of the fox with no tail comes to mind.
1
Too many racist white parents have enabled their children to be cruel and small minded. After they voted for Trump to enable them to bring the Dark Times back to America. Make America Hate is what Trump is really all about.
43
The same ones that voted for Obama twice? e. g. Iowa
4
Of course the "Hillary for Prison" T-shirt was just for fun and not intended as a blatant, rude as statement.
29
No, he believes that Clinton is a criminal. Blatant and maybe rude, but I'm not sure of your point. Don't you understand that a huge fraction of Americans, a majority according to most polls, believe that she committed crimes?
The rule of law applies to all. Even Hillary Clinton. Or would you give her a pass?
How can someone who regularly wore a "Hillary for Prison" tee shirt claim, "Usually we’re all polite to each other,"?
2
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me". Well. names do hurt and I am bewildered by the verbal attack surge that is going on across the nation.
Why is this occurring? Trumpism; maybe -- pent up frustration -- perhaps but most likely it's due to what these kids/adults learned at home.
Trump's victory, apparently opened the door for the slurs and verbal attacks on minorities. LGBT's, and others. Maybe the next target will be senior citizens. Wh knows?
Why is this occurring? Trumpism; maybe -- pent up frustration -- perhaps but most likely it's due to what these kids/adults learned at home.
Trump's victory, apparently opened the door for the slurs and verbal attacks on minorities. LGBT's, and others. Maybe the next target will be senior citizens. Wh knows?
13
This has been in our country all along - just buried slightly below the surface. All Trump did was let it bubble to the surface. As a liberal 66 year old, I've been completely surprised. I didn't appreciate how mean our nation was.
I was part of the demonstrations of the 1960s. People have compared this to that era. I disagree. A lot of (though not all) of the disagreements were about the war - were you for it or against it. Yes, it go vicious at times especially against the soldiers. This is vicious on a much more personal level. I fear for the next four years.
I was part of the demonstrations of the 1960s. People have compared this to that era. I disagree. A lot of (though not all) of the disagreements were about the war - were you for it or against it. Yes, it go vicious at times especially against the soldiers. This is vicious on a much more personal level. I fear for the next four years.
1
Apparently, seniors could be next. Most recent reports are that Trump is discarding his commitments to Social Security and Medicare and will seek privatization of them both.
Why?! Because it will be good for the price-gouging, profits over people, financial and health care industries-- and, that is what his Republican, conservative cronies want (this is the Paul Ryan approach!).
Why?! Because it will be good for the price-gouging, profits over people, financial and health care industries-- and, that is what his Republican, conservative cronies want (this is the Paul Ryan approach!).
1
At age 7 in the winter of 1954 we moved to Glens Falls NY. I am Jewish. I played on the streets of the Bronx, New York with kids my age who were Catholic, spoke Spanish as well as other kids, who were Irish, Protestant, Italian, and Jewish too. We were a mix of kids that played on the street. We knew we were all different and we all lived in the same buildings and played on the same streets and playgrounds and we all got along. A neighbor once asked my mother and father if it was alright for them to ask me to their home to see a Christmas tree. The family was from Puerto Rico and I played with their son Carlos. I was allowed to visit. I remember that my parents thought it was very nice that I was invited to visit. I never knew that some people hated Puerto Ricans or Jews or Catholics. We moved to Glens Falls.
By the time I was 8 I understood Jews were different and not well liked. I only had 3 or 4 friends if you can even call them that. I also learned that the Jews killed Christ and I was personally responsible for killing god. I got beat up on the play ground more often than I can remember. Some teachers treated us very differently (there were about 5 other Jewish kids that attended Big Cross Elementary) and openly advised us to participate in singing Christmas carols. When we went to temple for the High Holy Days of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah our absence was noted as unexcused. Once I was bashed in the head with baseball bat at Christmas by a student.
Hate lives on.
By the time I was 8 I understood Jews were different and not well liked. I only had 3 or 4 friends if you can even call them that. I also learned that the Jews killed Christ and I was personally responsible for killing god. I got beat up on the play ground more often than I can remember. Some teachers treated us very differently (there were about 5 other Jewish kids that attended Big Cross Elementary) and openly advised us to participate in singing Christmas carols. When we went to temple for the High Holy Days of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah our absence was noted as unexcused. Once I was bashed in the head with baseball bat at Christmas by a student.
Hate lives on.
57
@ Jay from Florida re: Glens Falls NY. Heh. My home town and current residence. I will say so far that the town seems more diverse and less hate filled than in the 50's, but can commiserate it was hard to be "popular" in school and while in the waiting area for my clarinet lesson, I was similarly informed by another third grader wearing St. Mary's Academy's blue pleated shirt that I was also suspected in the horrific murder of Our Lord.
Times are changing here, I think. There were few Trump or Hillary lawn signs during the election, and, so far, no racist graffiti or swastikas have been spray painted on anything. We also have a fair amount of progressive people here now, particularly centered around artists who have repurposed old factory buildings, and there are well attended marches in support of civil rights on MLK day.
Times are changing here, I think. There were few Trump or Hillary lawn signs during the election, and, so far, no racist graffiti or swastikas have been spray painted on anything. We also have a fair amount of progressive people here now, particularly centered around artists who have repurposed old factory buildings, and there are well attended marches in support of civil rights on MLK day.
1
I played the clarinet also! Still have it! The instructor hated me but never said why. He was just nasty. Eventually he dropped me and refused to teach me any longer. I lived across the street from Big Cross Elementary at 37 3rd Street. Life in the 1950s was very different up there. I truly didn't know that Jewish was different until I lived there. I had no idea what Christianity was or who Jesus was either. There were four Jewish girls in Big Cross at the same time I was there. One was my sister. She was 5 when she entered kindergarten. To my knowledge the girls were not bothered with except they were all exceptionally bright and got special attention. I got punished regularly. In desperation to call attention to my plight I set off firecracker and brought a Playboy magazine to class. I got the wrong attention! I went to Penn State later in life and have 2 master's degree, so somehow I survived. I saw less anti-Semitism in the Army in 1966. Glad to hear that times are changing in Glens Falls. I miss the deep snow in winter. Xmas was pretty up there. I enjoy Christmas carols. Go figure. I'm retired now. Still play my clarinet.
2
Thanks Julie for your reporting. What is rarely mentioned is that 43% of all eligible voters stayed home. Many of these may have lived in places where voting was made very difficult for them. Of course, there are also millions of people who may have committed a non-violent felony who are also ineligible to vote. One of the few developing countries that has this law.
That leaves Trump and Hillary who received 53% and Third Parties 4% of all eligible voters. Hillary received approximately 25.5% of all eligible voters and we elected a sexist, misogynist, xenophobic, narcissistic buffoon who barely received 25% of all eligible voters. We must resist, protest, boo him on sight. Maybe, he will get tired and go back to The Apprentice because we don`t need an Apprentice President. I vote FIRED!
That leaves Trump and Hillary who received 53% and Third Parties 4% of all eligible voters. Hillary received approximately 25.5% of all eligible voters and we elected a sexist, misogynist, xenophobic, narcissistic buffoon who barely received 25% of all eligible voters. We must resist, protest, boo him on sight. Maybe, he will get tired and go back to The Apprentice because we don`t need an Apprentice President. I vote FIRED!
29
Thank you, West High Students, for defending the Constitution with more courage and conviction than maybe the son of the Vice President-elect. May you greatness spread out among us all.
34
Regrettably, teenagers aren't the most thoughtful people in the world.
Some of those kids saying or doing these things now may look back in a few years and be embarrassed by what they did.
There's reasons why politicians usually avoid saying certain things and we're seeing why.
Most people, if you give them half a chance, turn out to be relatively reasonable people once you get to know them.
Some of those kids saying or doing these things now may look back in a few years and be embarrassed by what they did.
There's reasons why politicians usually avoid saying certain things and we're seeing why.
Most people, if you give them half a chance, turn out to be relatively reasonable people once you get to know them.
1
I lay this discrimination and hatred squarely at the feed of Donald J. Trump.
However, someone should also inform recent immigrants that a head scarf is widely seen across the western world as a symbol of female oppression. The expectation when moving to the US is to try to integrate. Continuing to wear it in the US implies (rightly or wrongly) a rejection of western values.
Again, wearing any particular type of clothing does not justify any of the hateful behavior we've been seeing.
However, someone should also inform recent immigrants that a head scarf is widely seen across the western world as a symbol of female oppression. The expectation when moving to the US is to try to integrate. Continuing to wear it in the US implies (rightly or wrongly) a rejection of western values.
Again, wearing any particular type of clothing does not justify any of the hateful behavior we've been seeing.
12
Peter Piper, I'm afraid you completely misunderstand. We do not have a dress code in this country. If people choose to wear a hijab, they are welcome to do so. Many people make this choice as a statement of their religious principles, not because they are subject to "female oppression." And many people who were born, bred and have long ancestry in this country choose to wear the hijab for this reason.
I don't think it's at all helpful to "inform" recent immigrants that they should try to integrate to some ill-defined social norms; I certainly feel no such need.
I don't think it's at all helpful to "inform" recent immigrants that they should try to integrate to some ill-defined social norms; I certainly feel no such need.
2
The headscarf is not a symbol of oppression but oppression itself.
2
I've got news for you. In this great country no one had to dress a particular way just because some of their fellow citizens are too ignorant to understand how a free society works.
3
First of all what a beautiful photo! Do you see those two girls holding hands? Do you see this example of non-violent protest? I hear the story told here and it makes me sad to know that there is such hate in MY state in MY town. I also hear a story of teachers who are dedicated to their students, a principle who is listening, and students who have some people and spaces to express their sadness, anger, and frustration.
Again, I have hope for IOWA because of these same people. As an educator, I even have hope for the young people saying hateful things. Perhaps this is a moment of cognitive dissidence for them.
Again, I have hope for IOWA because of these same people. As an educator, I even have hope for the young people saying hateful things. Perhaps this is a moment of cognitive dissidence for them.
11
During the next four years, schools across the country ought to plan field trips to visit the Statue of Liberty.
8
Massive immigration in a period of depressed wages and salaries has created distrust and disunity. Multi-generation Americans see newcomers pulling government benefits and receiving official protection and celebration. It is crucial that immigration be brought under control so that everyone can have confidence that people are here legally and not part of a plot by one Party to secure electoral dominance while the plutocrats secure low wage labor.
23
In the wake of all these hate crimes being carried out in Trump's name what is it that really angers Donald Trump? Mike Pence being booed at Hamilton. If that doesn't say everything about the man I don't know what does.
21
Tuesday, one week after the election, I was in Iowa, along with my younger sisters and two of our spouses, and we walked the halls of West High. Not Iowa City West but Waterloo West High, where the three of us siblings graduated. It had been over 51 years since I set foot in that building. There were some physical changes --the cafeteria was unrecognizable; the student commons where Friday night dances were held was gone, replaced with a hallway and doors leading to offices-- but overall it still felt like West High.
We entered the doors and headed first to the main offices to seek permission to walk around, calling out "Hello! Anyone here." No one was. We went on a self-guided tour of our old alma mater. The building was far from empty of life. In our day a black face was rare to non-existent. Not a single one in my senior class of over 600 students. On this day, the gym and at least a half dozen classrooms were occupied by students and coaches or faculty leading various student clubs and organizations. The students we saw involved in extra-curricular activities were majority black. The Cedar River, once the dividing line between black and white, no longer walled the blacks to East High where, in 1965, they were still a minority.
We finished our tour and, on walking out the foyer doors, one sister said, "I don't feel anything." No wistful nostalgia, no desire to return to those days. But I have to say I wished I had had at least one black friend in 1965.
We entered the doors and headed first to the main offices to seek permission to walk around, calling out "Hello! Anyone here." No one was. We went on a self-guided tour of our old alma mater. The building was far from empty of life. In our day a black face was rare to non-existent. Not a single one in my senior class of over 600 students. On this day, the gym and at least a half dozen classrooms were occupied by students and coaches or faculty leading various student clubs and organizations. The students we saw involved in extra-curricular activities were majority black. The Cedar River, once the dividing line between black and white, no longer walled the blacks to East High where, in 1965, they were still a minority.
We finished our tour and, on walking out the foyer doors, one sister said, "I don't feel anything." No wistful nostalgia, no desire to return to those days. But I have to say I wished I had had at least one black friend in 1965.
4
I'm left with the feeling that this particular high school needs to invest in a better security system before the unthinkable happens. You should not have been allowed to saunter into the building unchecked and roam the halls.
2
Many schools, primary through college, which are reported on have failed their students. They've helped increase feelings of victimization, taught them that partisanship and disruption rather than cooperation works, that acting out gets attention, that DNA and gender are what count most. There are, of course, many people who reject this. We know because they say so and voted, and there are teachers and administrators among them. They often fear speaking out lest they lose their jobs and perhaps even face violence under the pseudo-guise of free speech perpetuated by the media.
I didn't support Trump, perhaps the most unprepared person ever to be president and he did pander to racists, but he is a reaction by many innocent people I know tired of being called racist and the substitution of identity politics for judging people by the quality of their character. Of course, there are racists/misogynists among Trump supporters, but, as Bernie Sanders said recently - few. There seem to be more racism on the left.
The above does not deny the long history of oppression from which western civilization has largely grown away from nor suggests some racism does not still exist. Such protest would be entirely appropriate in the past, but is not the way to go forward. This is not the 1960s. Sadly, some seem to want it to be.
I hope there are enough parents and teachers in the country who raise children not as victims but with confidence and a belief in the country.
I didn't support Trump, perhaps the most unprepared person ever to be president and he did pander to racists, but he is a reaction by many innocent people I know tired of being called racist and the substitution of identity politics for judging people by the quality of their character. Of course, there are racists/misogynists among Trump supporters, but, as Bernie Sanders said recently - few. There seem to be more racism on the left.
The above does not deny the long history of oppression from which western civilization has largely grown away from nor suggests some racism does not still exist. Such protest would be entirely appropriate in the past, but is not the way to go forward. This is not the 1960s. Sadly, some seem to want it to be.
I hope there are enough parents and teachers in the country who raise children not as victims but with confidence and a belief in the country.
16
Protest against injustice is always appropriate. If our President-elect and his supporters wish to be judged on the "quality of their character" perhaps they should work on improving that character instead of judging others from a position of ignorance.
Respectfully, Brad, that is not what judging people by their character and not their skin color (or sex) means. Ar you suggesting because you dislike Trump's character (as do I) that you should judge him by superficial means, like his ethnicity or skin color? I doubt you really mean that. We can, of course, judge him or anyone on their character and find it lacking. You also were not characterizing what I wrote. What I was criticizing is people judging themselves and others they see as part of their group by superficial characteristics like skin color or sex and not on character. There are, of course, many people, including minorities and women, who do believe in judging people on their character, but, the mainstream and social media, as well as the policies of the left now tries to intimidate or shame them.
Last, I don't see how any supporter of Clinton (if you are) can be critical of Trump's character. Both candidates were wildly dishonest and pandering. Both parties deserve criticism for their choices. The Democrats deserve Trump. They could have chosen Webb to run against him. Those Republicans would have deserved Clinton if she had won. They could have nominated Kasich. Both chose badly. In my view, if you voted for either of these two candidates, you shouldn't complain if you lost.
Last, I don't see how any supporter of Clinton (if you are) can be critical of Trump's character. Both candidates were wildly dishonest and pandering. Both parties deserve criticism for their choices. The Democrats deserve Trump. They could have chosen Webb to run against him. Those Republicans would have deserved Clinton if she had won. They could have nominated Kasich. Both chose badly. In my view, if you voted for either of these two candidates, you shouldn't complain if you lost.
In this election, first the country was projected as being weak and so we intimidate our neighbors, taunt China and threaten Nato and cuddle dictators to show that civility is a sign of weakness and not strength. Peaceful protests against injustices in society are characterized as lack of law and order. Debate is switched to bullying. Discussions have denigrated to primitive regressive levels. Leaders spread fear rather than assure. So we hope, much as in our history, that this country has endured pangs of extreme pain and suffering but each time found strength to redeem itself and remain as a beacon of hope and an example to follow for the rest of world.
3
Trump is direct response of 40years of mass immigration, job losses and turning the demographics of the u.s. on its head, all done with little to input from the average citizen. People have seen themselves drop out of the middle class and wave after wave of immigrants show up in their communities unasked for and often unwelcome or needed. This was followed by cynical politicians pandering to ethnic votes as though the average citizen was irrelevant. When a country and communities are forced thru these kinds of changes with no input from the people who live there (when did we discuss, vote or ask for this?) you cannot be surprised that much of it hasn't gone well. Perhaps a slow down in the massive numbers of people coming here would give the country a chance to truly get to know the new comers and asymilate them without these communities feeling as though they are under attack. It would also allow the country to have a real discussion of how many immigrants we want/need to take in and what we want the country to look like in a hundred years. This would cause the left to howl "xenophobic racists" but what we are doing now and have been since the poorly thought thru 1965 immigration act is the slow rolling disaster that has given rise to trump.
15
Perhaps instead of embracing fear and ridiculous conspiracy theories you could educate yourself about the reality of immigration and the many benefits it brings to this country.
So Al, I wonder: did any of those citizens you mention who felt immigrants were "forced"on them have serious and thoughtful discussions in their communities about immigration? Did they research the candidates who were up for election in their town or city councils, or state assemblies, state senate, and then those who were up for election as governor and federal senators and congressmen/women? Did they mobilize in large numbers and ask those elected officials to be their voice in a serious, thoughtful discussion about immigration? Or did they remain completely unengaged and uninformed, politically, and then after years of stewing in their juices and blaming outsiders for taking things away from them, suddenly decide to rise up in anger and stand behind a presidential candidate who told them what they wanted to hear, without he himself even understanding how the government works?
1
I'll be happy to review the votes and discussions that occurred before all this was literally thrust on us. Oh wait?! There weren't any. We were told it was happening and anybody who disagreed is an evil racist. Ask the Germans how it has gone since their government just threw the doors open and said "come one, come all". This is essentially what happened here and it has worked no better, despite your PC convictions. After 40 years of being told this is the greatest thing that every happened to America (with no proof I might add, except "immigration is good" shouted down at us) some people remain unconvinced.
3
Immigrants have won the battle. They are not going to sit quietly as America becomes what it was created to be. These immigrants want the welfare state Obama gave them and they will protest until they get it back. We allowed illegal immigration for so long that now it is the norm and totally assumed by the immigrants that they have come and they have conquered. Our country, sadly, has been taken away and we sit by and gave them rights and more rights and now we have no rights.
The right hand of politics is polite and intellectual and patient. The left is aggressive and prone to any kind of disturbance to display their agenda, wants and demands. The United States is here to serve immigrants.
Trump and Pence have a strong agenda and it's a great time to be alive if you are a citizen of the United States but the job ahead of them looks too difficult to achieve because the left will fight endlessly until them regain all of the gifts they require from the government.
The right hand of politics is polite and intellectual and patient. The left is aggressive and prone to any kind of disturbance to display their agenda, wants and demands. The United States is here to serve immigrants.
Trump and Pence have a strong agenda and it's a great time to be alive if you are a citizen of the United States but the job ahead of them looks too difficult to achieve because the left will fight endlessly until them regain all of the gifts they require from the government.
10
S. Cavelli:
1. Please provide factual data for your claim that immigrants benefitted from President Obama's "welfare state". Prevailing data, per Katha Pollit's study on welfare recipients in the Reagan era, pointed to the majority of recipients as single- parent, white women. Can you cite a single governmental or scholarly source that supports your claim?
2. What rights have been given to immigrants to the US? Evidence please.
3. How have these purported rights affected the rights of 2nd-10th generation Americans? Evidence please.
Thanking you in advance.
1. Please provide factual data for your claim that immigrants benefitted from President Obama's "welfare state". Prevailing data, per Katha Pollit's study on welfare recipients in the Reagan era, pointed to the majority of recipients as single- parent, white women. Can you cite a single governmental or scholarly source that supports your claim?
2. What rights have been given to immigrants to the US? Evidence please.
3. How have these purported rights affected the rights of 2nd-10th generation Americans? Evidence please.
Thanking you in advance.
2
"The right hand of politics is polite and intellectual and patient."
Are you for real? Were you in a coma throughout this campaign. Our President-elect is the biggest disgrace to the real values this country represents. Values which you sadly have no understanding of.
Are you for real? Were you in a coma throughout this campaign. Our President-elect is the biggest disgrace to the real values this country represents. Values which you sadly have no understanding of.
Sad thing is, wealthy white men, many voted into office by whites, moved jobs overseas with hundreds of codicils and deregulatory pork larded in hundreds of unrelated bills. Blaming Mexicans for taking hard labor jobs many wouldn't do themselves is misdirectiion.
12
"Make America Great Again" has transformed into Germany of the 1930's. Instead of Jewish scapegoats, we have Syrian refugees.
Get ready for war, folks. Let's see who has the courage to fight back against the same hate the Nazis spread. Just remember your new President-elect supports a regime that's currently dropping bombs on hospitals in Aleppo.
Get ready for war, folks. Let's see who has the courage to fight back against the same hate the Nazis spread. Just remember your new President-elect supports a regime that's currently dropping bombs on hospitals in Aleppo.
8
Please - 15,000 Syrian refugees compared to 1.2m now in Germany (half of them who turned out not to be Syrian or refugees - but the administrators there would not be able to discern the difference). It's not the Syrian refugees that are the problem.
2
It seems our country is completely inadequate and unprepared for how to handle the current mess we are in. Racist nominees are currently being labeled hardliners by the media instead of the racists they are according to their own words. We need to accept this fact so we can truly grapple with tough questions like just how will a DOJ or our national security apparatus headed by men who have openly denigrated racial and religious minorities respond during terrorist attacks or a police shooting or protests? How will these same institutions run by these same men treat the very organizations set up to defend those groups' constitutional rights and protect their security? How will an irresponsible and childish man in the White House lauded by White nationalists respond, whom many in the media are so eager to see as moderating despite enormous evidence to the contrary, and how will this impact Americans living in our communities whose real fears everyday seem to be confirmed by a new administration that continues to do nothing to reach out to more than half of the country who didn't vote for him and are terrified and traumatized by the changes happening in our country. We need to have these difficult conversations now and press the President elect on these questions before he takes office and before nomination hearings take place. We are not in a normal transition at all. Americans are already being hurt and he isn't even in power yet.
9
I doubt that your president-elect Trump can single-handedly start kicking people out of the country. There are rules, regulations that even he has to follow lest be has become above the law like the Sultan of Brunei - to whom none of the laws, even Shariah, Allah's Laws, apply... I find this amusing.
So, Muslims in USA need not worry about any of this and if any Muslim is pushed or shoved or insulted using hateful slurs then there are hate crimes for which the perpetrators become culpable. I find it odd that the Muslims feel so threatened. Furthermore, if they do feel threatened, I am quite certain that the majority of Muslim immigrants run small businesses, are educated, or are doing well for themselves and these Muslims should wind up their affairs and move to Canada, or even to Australia. We do not have such issue about Muslims here. All Muslims live, work, worship in a very peaceful manner here and by the way the largest number of illegals in Australia are your AMERICANS... Perhaps we ought to try to kick them back to USA!!!
So, Muslims in USA need not worry about any of this and if any Muslim is pushed or shoved or insulted using hateful slurs then there are hate crimes for which the perpetrators become culpable. I find it odd that the Muslims feel so threatened. Furthermore, if they do feel threatened, I am quite certain that the majority of Muslim immigrants run small businesses, are educated, or are doing well for themselves and these Muslims should wind up their affairs and move to Canada, or even to Australia. We do not have such issue about Muslims here. All Muslims live, work, worship in a very peaceful manner here and by the way the largest number of illegals in Australia are your AMERICANS... Perhaps we ought to try to kick them back to USA!!!
4
ANM - the Muslims have more to worry about from their own people, rather than from the alleged Trump supporters. When Shariah Law is imposed, they'll really have something to worry about.
2
We are all called upon to join The Resistance in whatever way we can. Don't despair - organize. Safety comes in numbers.
8
I grew up in Worthington, Ohio, a Columbus suburb. We were one of a handful of Jewish families. I graduated in 1974. Every Halloween, we got swastikas soaped on our windows. Friends routinely made anti-Catholic statements (we had substantial numbers of Catholics at the school). And it was completely commonplace to say that inter-racial marriages were unacceptable in classroom discussion. The teachers themselves had no compunctions about openly agreeing, because "it would be so hard for the children" of inter-racial marriages. American bigotry is not new.
13
R. Kreiser: I'm sorry that you had these terrible experiences. I can relate. Some readers have commented that children and teenagers should just "toughen up" when faced with these attacks. What are your thoughts on this? What should happen now?
1
I found your comment interesting and thought I would relate my own experience as a resident of Ohio since 1998. I live in Upper Arlington, a neighboring suburb of Worthington. In my youngest child's second grade class, I noticed more than half of the children had one or more parents who were non-white. I am sure the numbers have grown. My children are now 23 to 31 years old. Their father is Japanese. Not many Trump-Pence signs were visible in my neighborhood, but some were out for the first time on Election Day. Our county (Franklin) mainly voted for Hillary, as did I. I am worried about the future of this country. There are those who tell me to "get over" the election. I am glad some people aren't taking that ill-conceived advice to heart. By the way, one of my children now lives in California and the other is a University of Washington graduate student spending a year in Berlin. Neither is planning on living in Ohio in the future.
1
Our esteemed Trump, who is right now planning to tweet directives on how to handle foreign trouble makers in our midst, is a man of fate. He alone knows the pain Americans feel collectively as our nation is swamped by illegals and terrorists. Our Trump will tell us how to drain the swamp and we will obey. Hail to the Chief!
5
Good leadership and good teachers serve this school and its students. Heartening to read about Ms Gwenigale and Messrs Henderson and Schultz. As for the duct tape that students put over their mouths, an extremely obscure (and perhaps silly) gesture, no?
2
As a boy, in the fifties and sixties, our teachers taught. The subjects were pretty much the standard reading, writing, arithmetic and social studies.
Our teachers did not actively encourage civil disobedience. Ever.
Our teachers did not coddle us if there was an event that was socially controversial.
There was one exception, President Kennedy's assassination, that was the only time I remember my teacher crying, hugging students, we were sent home early.
The teachers of today have a completely different agenda. Their agenda seems to be a socialistic agenda of strife and discourse. To generate hate of our newly elected leader.
This is an example of that new agenda. The thought that every student shoud walk out and protest after a lawful election is dismaying. These same teachers are averse to teaching reality, instead we hear of a utopia that does not exist.
Shame on you teachers.
Our children are falling so far behind the rest of the world, our economy will suffer due to the lack of education our children experience and the entitled philosophy the AFT is pushing.
YOUR JOB IS TO TEACH, NOT INCITE HATRED. The teachers Unions should be disbanded, children should attend school for more hours a day, summer breaks should be reduced, and teachers of elementary and junior high should stick to the basics.
Act for education not socialization.
Our teachers did not actively encourage civil disobedience. Ever.
Our teachers did not coddle us if there was an event that was socially controversial.
There was one exception, President Kennedy's assassination, that was the only time I remember my teacher crying, hugging students, we were sent home early.
The teachers of today have a completely different agenda. Their agenda seems to be a socialistic agenda of strife and discourse. To generate hate of our newly elected leader.
This is an example of that new agenda. The thought that every student shoud walk out and protest after a lawful election is dismaying. These same teachers are averse to teaching reality, instead we hear of a utopia that does not exist.
Shame on you teachers.
Our children are falling so far behind the rest of the world, our economy will suffer due to the lack of education our children experience and the entitled philosophy the AFT is pushing.
YOUR JOB IS TO TEACH, NOT INCITE HATRED. The teachers Unions should be disbanded, children should attend school for more hours a day, summer breaks should be reduced, and teachers of elementary and junior high should stick to the basics.
Act for education not socialization.
18
Sir, rather than finding fault with teachers, re-read the article. No one is inciting hatred. The hatred is – quite unfortunately – is stirred up right now. Schools are microcosms. The teachers in this article are doing precisely their job: to teach content while also acknowledging the students in the room. Students who are harassed (on either side of the aisle) for their beliefs are feeling pain right now. Teachers respond to that with kindness and support. Meanwhile, students giving voice to their feelings after an election (and teachers giving space for that) is not inciting hatred; they are responding to the hatred they feel directed to them. Protests such as these are the definition of freedom of speech -- it is this speech that is most protected by the First Amendment. (And there is Constitutional precedent that says students do not leave their Constitutionally protected right to free speech at the schoolhouse gate.)
Make no mistake. Teachers taught in the fifties and sixties, and they are teaching now. Speak with a teacher in a school right now before you slam them and the job they do every day from afar.
Make no mistake. Teachers taught in the fifties and sixties, and they are teaching now. Speak with a teacher in a school right now before you slam them and the job they do every day from afar.
5
Trump has been extremely capable of creating his own hate. These students and teachers are simply responding to an extremist who lost the popular vote by over a million nonetheless hijacking their (and our) country and bringing it kicking and screaming into an idealized but fictional dark age, as exemplified by your screed. The new agenda you claim exists is actually life as it is now. It has left behind those who can't acknowledge that the world is constantly changing - apparently like yourself. Trump's radical right-wing turn is terrifying to most of us who live in the here and now as well as to students who have only known an inclusive world where this kind of bigotry was sub rosa and not normalized.
2
This is to Tom, from Florida. Apparently, you didn't read the article. The student left the school because of a student bumping, cursing and telling another student to "go back home." There was no "walkout" because of the election. The teachers investigated, and made an announcement. Nowhere does the article say the teachers thought a walk-out to protest the election was okay. Nowhere does the article say anything about the teachers instructing students about utopia. Your letter betrays your prejudice -- you literally prejudge the teachers and invent flaws -- you see socialism in traditional American protest. Remember the Boston Tea Party?
5
Nothing new: even now, I can remember the unkind sneer on the boy's face whose daily taunt to me was to go back to where I came from. We were nine. I think that was a pretty sophisticated concept for a child to display, that angry hate, complete with a contorted face. Another article in NYT pointed to overkill by so-called liberals toward diversity and inclusion; as if to the point of "making" many White Americans feel ignored, belittled, ashamed, and self-loathing. Resentful of the perceived arrogance and audacity of The Other. That's what was to be retrieved via this election: things back in proper order. Yesterday's tweetstorm over Hamilton had Gingrich note "The arrogance and hostility...is a reminder the left still fights." As if that who-does-he-think-he-is Other is not quite yet dead; is still challenging Master.
4
The minority students have every right to be afraid. The right-wingnuts are going to make their lives and the lives of many white Americans miserable over the next couple of years as they dismantle Medicare and privatize Social Security while praising police for cracking down on dissenters. It is call tyranny and yes it is happening in the land of the free.
Take note of the young man who felt uncomfortable with the way his fellow GOP supporters where treating minorities. There are a few on the right who have ethics but it is a pathetic few.
Expose and educate. Expose and educate in order to rid ourselves of these right wing parasites on society.
Take note of the young man who felt uncomfortable with the way his fellow GOP supporters where treating minorities. There are a few on the right who have ethics but it is a pathetic few.
Expose and educate. Expose and educate in order to rid ourselves of these right wing parasites on society.
6
Hatred and bigotry from a child against a child. To me that's the real danger. A child 's hatred coupled with anger is impossible to rationally address.
To me that shows that Trump did not just happen, he is the natural result of who we have become. With anger so deeply ingrained in such young folks, It will take a long time to breed it out. Children of the corn
President Elect should probably spend his Twitter time on denouncing this rather than dressing down the terrified cast of Hamilton. His silence appears like a stamp of approval and our nation stays more divided than ever.
Winter is truly coming.
To me that shows that Trump did not just happen, he is the natural result of who we have become. With anger so deeply ingrained in such young folks, It will take a long time to breed it out. Children of the corn
President Elect should probably spend his Twitter time on denouncing this rather than dressing down the terrified cast of Hamilton. His silence appears like a stamp of approval and our nation stays more divided than ever.
Winter is truly coming.
3
I am a lawful immigrant of color. I was taunted mercilessly in school by white kids. I was admitted to Advanced Degree programs at MIT and Stanford, and work to develop Advanced RPA (robotic process automation). The white kids mostly work as Uber drivers, UPS loaders and other unskilled jobs. Our vision is to eliminate all manual unskilled jobs in 15 years. Welcome to the future.
7
Good for you!
Let the students protest, miss school and get their way. People have jumped to conclusions about President elect Trump and both Obama and Clinton enjoy the fiasco. Let these students miss their classes and see how they act when they do not obtain a job they seek or any other disaster in life. A lot of people refuse to assimilate to the U.S. The entire situation is a huge cumbaya and it is totally ridiculous. Of course, the NYC protesting certainly does not encourage tourism and many people are losing their incomes due to loss of business. But that is fine for the hateful socialistic democrats.
5
"People have jumped to conclusions about President elect Trump..."
On the contrary, our President-elect put his vile character and complete clack of ethics and morals on display for all to see during the campaign. You may have chosen to remain ignorant of this fact, Janis, but the rest of us are wide awake to the threat he represents to this already great country.
On the contrary, our President-elect put his vile character and complete clack of ethics and morals on display for all to see during the campaign. You may have chosen to remain ignorant of this fact, Janis, but the rest of us are wide awake to the threat he represents to this already great country.
1
Our Trump, a statesman of stature and a man of fate will know what to do with these terrorists. He will tell us what our civic duty is and we will obey, because Trump is the leader of the Red State Revolution. Hail to the Chief!
Imagine the tensions during this Trumpian context in dealing with the instruction and learning about the looming climate catastrophe. I am thinking of this challenge as part of the process of preparing a module of climate learning plans for a Climate Discovery Center with a focus an 7-10 graders.
Presently one in three public school teachers deal with climate instruction and many of them take natural causation of climate change to be equivalent to its human causation. It would be an enormous challenge to have these youngsters living among many adult climate deniers and skeptics think about alternatives beyond the obvious ones of renewable energy and energy conservation.
One of the alternatives I believe we should discuss is basing the unjust, unsustainable and, therefore, unstable international monetary system on a monetary standard of specific tonnage of CO2e per person. The conceptual, institutional, ethical and strategic dimensions of such carbon-based international monetary system are presented in Verhagen 2012 "The Tierra Solution: Resolving the climate crisis through monetary transformation" and updated at www.timun.ne Bill McKibben wrote on May 17, 2011the following about this very ambitious and bold proposal: The further into the global warming area we go, the more physics and politics narrows our possible paths of action. Here’s a very cogent and well-argued account of one of the remaining possibilities.”
Presently one in three public school teachers deal with climate instruction and many of them take natural causation of climate change to be equivalent to its human causation. It would be an enormous challenge to have these youngsters living among many adult climate deniers and skeptics think about alternatives beyond the obvious ones of renewable energy and energy conservation.
One of the alternatives I believe we should discuss is basing the unjust, unsustainable and, therefore, unstable international monetary system on a monetary standard of specific tonnage of CO2e per person. The conceptual, institutional, ethical and strategic dimensions of such carbon-based international monetary system are presented in Verhagen 2012 "The Tierra Solution: Resolving the climate crisis through monetary transformation" and updated at www.timun.ne Bill McKibben wrote on May 17, 2011the following about this very ambitious and bold proposal: The further into the global warming area we go, the more physics and politics narrows our possible paths of action. Here’s a very cogent and well-argued account of one of the remaining possibilities.”
2
In a strange, surreal way, Trump's election may (I say may) help this country finally confront racism. It is a razor thin edge. Since the 1970s, racism has gone underground, quietly and viciously practiced under the polite southern exterior, homey mid-western attitude and cowboy west. Now we are finally seeing what lies there and who practices it. Will our country finally see that this tribalism does nothing but create waste and poverty. Do we choose to become the next Iraq or Syria. One belief is not better than another, one color or place of origin or sex, is not better than the other. Remember, those who are divided are conquered.
160
Don't leave the East Coast out of your list of places where "racism has gone underground." NYC has the most segregated school system in the nation. I grew up in NJ, and if you think there is no "quiet vicious racism" practiced there, you've got another think coming.
8
Ever lived in the mid West? Great Americans there: hard working, tolerant, polite, patriotic, honest, resilient. Your politically correct intolerance is still what it is: intolerant. Don't kid yourself about not being judgemental. The hypocrisy is bare.
4
"Now we are finally seeing what lies there and who practices it." - but at what cost? I know people who are trully fearful of physical violence when they see someone with a Trump/Pence bumpersticker. We have always had a nasty underbelly of hate in our country, and now it seems to be rising to the forefront.
Finally if the daily newstories of African-Americans getting shot by police for a broken tail light can't address racism (and just look at all the pushback against BLM), I can't imagine a Trump presidency will.
Finally if the daily newstories of African-Americans getting shot by police for a broken tail light can't address racism (and just look at all the pushback against BLM), I can't imagine a Trump presidency will.
2
Donald Trump and his cohort of loathsome toadies are bad, but nothing like as bad as Margaret Thatcher and her wretched lickspittles were. The UK survived the so-called handbag swinging Iron Lady — sort of. The USA will likewise survive the mendacious braggart.
Americans need to stop wailing and wringing their hands, and instead look to the mid terms in two years.
Perhaps get off your butts next time and ensure that this election's stay at homes get out there and vote. In the meantime, stop crying and grow a spine.
Americans need to stop wailing and wringing their hands, and instead look to the mid terms in two years.
Perhaps get off your butts next time and ensure that this election's stay at homes get out there and vote. In the meantime, stop crying and grow a spine.
6
This article is about children who cannot vote. Taking care of our children should always be a societal concern. Go direct your anger somewhere useful.
1
Thatcher reinvigorated England and pulled it out of a horrible economic malaise caused by militant unionism and stifling regulation. Remember the endless strikes? Trash piles in the streets? 15% unemployment? The Dole? Condemned drug ghettos? Thatcher made a lot of enemies taking on the entrenched left. Change isn't easy.
5
In no time at all, these "students" will be "voters."
Impressions last a lifetime.
Impressions last a lifetime.
2
Well, this is a school and they are there to learn. Let this be a lesson to them and the rest of us.
2
To say that President Elect Trump endorses or encourages the things in this piece is nonsense or garbage. His most trusted advisors and some family members are Jewish. He has Muslim Middle Eastern investors and buyers of his many properties all over the world. To make simpleton statements that the President encourages hatred is simply false. Like it or not, native New Yorkers residing here live and work among and in the most diverse population in the world. Trump is certainly no exception.
14
What Trump actually thinks is unknown. What IS known is that he used racist speech and imagery to inspire people to vote for him. And he continues to promote rigid, ideological, racist thought by placing despicable people like Sessions in positions of power. He needs those votes. So let there be no doubt; Trump is personally responsible.
6
Donald Trump is a bigot.
1
And your excuse for his choice of Michael T. Flynn (board member of the anti-Muslim group ACT for America, who said "Fear of Muslims is rational") for the national security advisor post is?
2
Each of these students needs to run for class president and let all the other students protest before they take office and accomplish anything. That way the student who runs for president will be motivated to achieve. Sad.
1
If the hatred and bitterness and cruelty evident at this school does really represent a microcosm of America then you had all better be careful or you will have another Civil War on your hands.
As far as I am concerned, the real cause of this political and economic maelstrom is the failure of free-market capitalism in (inter alia) your country. The rich and powerful need a scapegoat in order to direct the blame away from themselves, and there are plenty of minority groups in America to point an accusatory finger at.
As far as I am concerned, the real cause of this political and economic maelstrom is the failure of free-market capitalism in (inter alia) your country. The rich and powerful need a scapegoat in order to direct the blame away from themselves, and there are plenty of minority groups in America to point an accusatory finger at.
13
The students and teachers talking about hate and claiming they are being persecuted and oppressed are the ones really fomenting prejudice. Most Americans are sick of these garbage libels.
7
You are the among a surprising number of uninformed people making comments. How many of these people actually read the article before commenting? The article is about high school students who are afraid of their peers. The protests came after the students were subjected to hateful words and actions.
2
To see where and how education system has failed us all one needs only to remember the view of one educated student, who opined that "Hillary should sue the US Government".
6
Diversity is not a strength. It is a weakness that is tearing this country apart.
8
Racist much?
Or was this an attempt to be ironic?
Or was this an attempt to be ironic?
3
These are kids. Uneducated bigots are tearing this country apart.
3
The country has always been diverse. It is one of the strengths of the country. Re-read the Federalist Papers. It was assumed the wide, sprawling country would have diverse interests, and this would lead to the republic's success. Diversity is not tearing this country apart – pretending people of diverse backgrounds have not *long* contributed to the success of the country is.
5
If people - young or old - react to this disastrous election with outpourings of feelings instead of a political fight, democracy will be lost. No need to dwell on Trump's inflammatory rhetoric, as enough has been said about it, but what about the faults of identity politics that strives to "validate" every point of view, no matter how wrong, and to "respect" every emotional response, no matter how exaggerated. The teachers in this Iowa school are setting themselves up for an endless stream of mutual recriminations, increasing polarization and educational deadlock. When the Muslim student who says she was attacked wants to huddle up with "her family and her God" instead of making a public case for herself, the very idea of rational dialogue as the foundation for democracy is lost. Why didn't the teacher invite her to speak before her non-Muslim classmates to explain and defend her faith? Conversely, the boy who supports Trump should be invited to speak before the Muslim students and they should be told to listen to him and then mount a respectful and rational counter-argument instead of trying to shout him down. What happened to the very idea of education as being exposed to ideas you disagree with?
6
Trump and talk radio made such behavior publicly acceptable, no matter how uncivil or how repugnant. One also has to wonder how much parent's attitudes and behaviors have affected their children.
11
These hateful words are coming through the students' mouths but it's their hateful Trumpster parents that are doing the talking.
2
It is sad to see people - particularly children - treated the way described in this article. Leaders at all levels need to stop the bullying and harassment.
Unfortunately many leaders do not have the moral authority to speak out. Elites don't send their children to public high schools in small towns. Some of the people voting for Trump clearly saw that hypocrisy.
Unfortunately many leaders do not have the moral authority to speak out. Elites don't send their children to public high schools in small towns. Some of the people voting for Trump clearly saw that hypocrisy.
48
There's that word again, "elites." Undefined, said with a sneer. I do believe Mr. Trump was sent to private school. Does that make him elite?
4
Actually the elites of cities like Iowa City (which is not a small town) and, yes, the elites of small towns do send their children to public schools.
3
"Elites don't send their children to public high schools in small towns."
You talkin' about liberal elites like Obama's buds, or conservative elites like the folks that Trump is annointing? Or both?
You talkin' about liberal elites like Obama's buds, or conservative elites like the folks that Trump is annointing? Or both?
2
These actions are rightfully covered by this paper and the discrimination and hatred condemned. Let us also equally condemn the students who in California beat up Jade Armenio, a girl who supported Trump; the students who in Texas did a skit to portray the assassination of Trump; and the Chicagoans who pulled a man out of his car and began beating him up, supposedly for his Trump support.
We have also learned that Democrat operative Bob Creamer from Chicago hired and paid protesters to create fighting incidents and disorder at Trump campaign events and that Mr. Creamer went to the Obama White House several hundred times. Probably should not have been so naive but this really shocked me (voted Democrat from 1992 to 2012, including for Obama twice). I thought he was above this kind of outrageous behavior but I guess it is par for the course no matter who is President.
There is unfortunately plenty of hatred and discrimination to go around. Neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump seem fit for the moment but we will hope the responsibilities of the Presidency help Mr. Trump rise to the occasion.
We have also learned that Democrat operative Bob Creamer from Chicago hired and paid protesters to create fighting incidents and disorder at Trump campaign events and that Mr. Creamer went to the Obama White House several hundred times. Probably should not have been so naive but this really shocked me (voted Democrat from 1992 to 2012, including for Obama twice). I thought he was above this kind of outrageous behavior but I guess it is par for the course no matter who is President.
There is unfortunately plenty of hatred and discrimination to go around. Neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump seem fit for the moment but we will hope the responsibilities of the Presidency help Mr. Trump rise to the occasion.
13
Hear! Hear! And the people spouting this hate are like the little jerk who accosted Ms. Hamad -- cowards who will not even admit what they have done or said. Unamerican to the core!
2
Good God, this litany of reported anti-Trump sounds EXACTLY like the reports of the Trump people themselves as they held violent rallies around the country then reported that it was paid Hillary supporters that were there too get beat-up and cause image problems for Trump. Come on! Does anyone actually buy this nonsense? Well, on second thought, if you believe all of Trump's garbage I suppose you're naive enough to believe that Trump supporters are the victims in this.
2
What's missing from this article is that the students who are acting out and bullying other students are reflecting the attitudes they are seeing at home from their parents. It strikes me that the administration of West High School in Iowa City is being improperly passive in the face of the reported behavior. I would have expected grade-level assemblies about required student conduct at school. I would have expected extra counselors to have been brought in to deal with both the behaviors and the resultant fears from them.
The kids are going to act like kids. I'm not sure the grown-ups are acting enough like the grown-ups.
Full disclosure - I am a public school 7th-grade History teacher in Los Angeles.
The kids are going to act like kids. I'm not sure the grown-ups are acting enough like the grown-ups.
Full disclosure - I am a public school 7th-grade History teacher in Los Angeles.
38
The article did state that the children are acting out what is heard at home.
2
Hi, hla3452 -
Yes it does. Thank you. I stand corrected. Cheers.
Yes it does. Thank you. I stand corrected. Cheers.
Donald Trump angrily tweeted a condemnation of the cast of Hamilton for their respectful plea to Mike Pence, but has been silent in the face of hundreds of reported hateful attacks since his election (other than the grudging "stop it" forced by Lesley Stahl, like he was a schoolboy)
This is Trump's America, the story so far:
https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/11/18/update-incidents-hateful-...
This is Trump's America, the story so far:
https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/11/18/update-incidents-hateful-...
106
Like the audience at Hamilton we must resist, protest, boo him on sight. Maybe, he will get tired and go back to The Apprentice because we don`t need an Apprentice President. I vote FIRED!
4
What the cast of Hamilton did was deplorable and outright childish. People attended to be entertained not lectured to. Crybabies. That's what the cast is. Hypocrites too. For what socially conscious actor would work for a producer whose first castin call was for non-whites only? Isn't that discrimination? Yes it is!
7
Donald Trump did not tweet to condemn Hamilton. He merely asked them to apologize to Pence. When someone pays upwards of $1,000 per ticket to see a Broadway Show, they did not buy into political discourse but to be entertained. The actors written speech was craftily written to embarrass, disrupt and cause chaos in the audience. This was totally rude and wrong. Hamilton's tickets maybe sold out but there will be empty seats. Go see the musical Waitress instead. I hope Broadway learns a lesson.
4
I integrated my high school in the 1950s, becoming the first African-American male to graduate from the formerly whites-only high school in a small South Carolina town, when Strom Thurmond was senator of the same state whose white citizens had burned black homes to oppose school integrated (a SC case, Briggs v. Elliott, was a part of the historic 1954 Brown decision) and people who opposed equality had beaten John Lewis and other Freedom Riders (who refused to recognize segregated seating on inter-state buses).
But on my worse day at school, on the edge of the end of segregation in a small town in a mean Southern state, I never heard the epithets, slurs, and bigotry reported in this Iowa school.
More than exuberance or fear, mixed in with the willingness to divide peers by race and leap to conclusions that are old stereotypes casts as new put downs, is an rancorous excess, a bitter, smug excess of invincible privilege implied in being white--and therefore safe from deportation/being unwelcome/intimidated/threatened/dehumanized in a way that denies and demands dreams be deferred (Langston Hughes!) to Americans of other races, religions, and differences of skin and heritage.
The irony in the excess is it is making us contract: the outpouring of ignorance, hate and stupidity is making us small and increasingly divided without good reason, and without an effort to build strong bridges of common ground rather separating walls. Freedom cannot be partitioned! But it can be lost!
But on my worse day at school, on the edge of the end of segregation in a small town in a mean Southern state, I never heard the epithets, slurs, and bigotry reported in this Iowa school.
More than exuberance or fear, mixed in with the willingness to divide peers by race and leap to conclusions that are old stereotypes casts as new put downs, is an rancorous excess, a bitter, smug excess of invincible privilege implied in being white--and therefore safe from deportation/being unwelcome/intimidated/threatened/dehumanized in a way that denies and demands dreams be deferred (Langston Hughes!) to Americans of other races, religions, and differences of skin and heritage.
The irony in the excess is it is making us contract: the outpouring of ignorance, hate and stupidity is making us small and increasingly divided without good reason, and without an effort to build strong bridges of common ground rather separating walls. Freedom cannot be partitioned! But it can be lost!
478
It's not clear that the slurs and epithets actually took place, or that they weren't in response to Trump supporters being bullied. It seems extraordinarily unlikely that bad behavior is one sided, and the majority of the students are under the thrall of the unionized public school teachers.
There is a false Democrat narrative that Trump supporters are deplorables. One cannot count on the NYT to accurately report, since they have their own agenda.
There is a false Democrat narrative that Trump supporters are deplorables. One cannot count on the NYT to accurately report, since they have their own agenda.
6
Ahh, the ever-present tool of denial, racism's greatest and most effective tactic! A classic tool, denial advances racism's exploitation through injustice and intimidation by casting seeds of deflection: it puts forth an alternative explanation from an alternative universe that "denies" the actions under scrutiny are based on race and are intended to intimidate or oppress one group for the advantage of another!
Dreyfus said, "j'accuse!" America says: "I deny!" The purpose of the plausible alternative (ex: maybe Trump supporters were attacked, it's an isolated incident, we can't control our followers, others do it) denies truth, experience, history--common sense!
The problem denial encounters here, in the Iowa school, is the "insults" are racist--they fall clearly into established categories of dehumanization and bullying tied to race! The variations of "Leave America!" are not aimed at whites (except anti-war protesters), but at people of color--as are threats of deportation and judgments that rush past many of these insults and smears to target American citizens!
I defy (not deny!) anyone to find one post-election Trump insult aimed at Trump supporters based on race or ethnicity--despite the Nazi symbols, confederate flags, epithets and denigration aimed at Negroes--find the cars and houses and buildings and wall painted with anti-Trump slogans tied to race/ethnicity!
It's an old ruse! Racism's success depends upon denying it is built on race at all!
Thanks for reading!
Dreyfus said, "j'accuse!" America says: "I deny!" The purpose of the plausible alternative (ex: maybe Trump supporters were attacked, it's an isolated incident, we can't control our followers, others do it) denies truth, experience, history--common sense!
The problem denial encounters here, in the Iowa school, is the "insults" are racist--they fall clearly into established categories of dehumanization and bullying tied to race! The variations of "Leave America!" are not aimed at whites (except anti-war protesters), but at people of color--as are threats of deportation and judgments that rush past many of these insults and smears to target American citizens!
I defy (not deny!) anyone to find one post-election Trump insult aimed at Trump supporters based on race or ethnicity--despite the Nazi symbols, confederate flags, epithets and denigration aimed at Negroes--find the cars and houses and buildings and wall painted with anti-Trump slogans tied to race/ethnicity!
It's an old ruse! Racism's success depends upon denying it is built on race at all!
Thanks for reading!
9
Lastly, denial moves the conversation off the main topic to drift to side issues, getting discussions bogged down in debates over "was/wasn't" that stalls progress as it justifies racism's purpose and takes valuable resources away from the evil thrust of oppression!
I integrated a school. None of what they said about me, my experience, before or after was true. It all, however, was racist! And it was all denied as such! Then--and now.
I integrated a school. None of what they said about me, my experience, before or after was true. It all, however, was racist! And it was all denied as such! Then--and now.
6
The behavior of kids is often a reflection of their parents. Much of this teenage bigotry was learned from their parents. They were taught to hate. In fact, the amount and degree of teenage bigotry may be a more accurate indicator of how much hate there is in the adult world. Their parents may temper their hate in public, while the kids just let it out.
Children learn by example. When a billionaire TV star runs for president and constantly spouts bigotry and hatred, don't you think it might rub off on kids? It did and we are now seeing results of Trump's bad behavior. His horrible statements and actions have given a green light to young people to do the same. The president is the ultimate role model. Some model.
Once the hate genie has been let out of the bottle, it is next to impossible to put him back inside. Once Trump starts implementing his deportations and discriminations, the hate crowd will now have legal reinforcement for their bigotry. All of us, and especially these kids, are really in for it. These kids will be the collateral damage of the shift to the alt-right.
Children learn by example. When a billionaire TV star runs for president and constantly spouts bigotry and hatred, don't you think it might rub off on kids? It did and we are now seeing results of Trump's bad behavior. His horrible statements and actions have given a green light to young people to do the same. The president is the ultimate role model. Some model.
Once the hate genie has been let out of the bottle, it is next to impossible to put him back inside. Once Trump starts implementing his deportations and discriminations, the hate crowd will now have legal reinforcement for their bigotry. All of us, and especially these kids, are really in for it. These kids will be the collateral damage of the shift to the alt-right.
339
Fine, but how do you propose that schools discipline the parents, while at the same time be held accountable by GOP state legislatures via faulty and frequent exams, massive funding cuts, forcing teachers to be everything to cure all of society's ills including the one you cite, and to do it all without being able to discipline the students and if they do, avoid lawsuits? Oh, and keep some nut with a gun from killing everyone in the building?
2
When the Democrat candidate for president declares that Trump supporters are deplorables, children believe it.
5
You are right about what parents teach their kids. I am brown and an immigrant in this country for 31 years. I live in a nice neighborhood. Recently, an innocent 8 year old looked at me while standing in front of my house and told his parents who were riding a bike that I looked like a bad guy.
I do not blame the kid but their parents for not guiding. I can brush this off as an one off incident but hopefully Mr. Trump does not unleash more hatred when he takes office.
I do not blame the kid but their parents for not guiding. I can brush this off as an one off incident but hopefully Mr. Trump does not unleash more hatred when he takes office.
1
None of this should surprise anyone. There is much that is potentially damaging in the Trump win, but the campaign, even if he hadn't 'won,' gave permission to openly express hatred and bigotry, to mistreat those who are different than we are, and to assume that white Christians are the American norm and everyone else is an outsider. Even if HRC had won the Electoral College, the society would have a very hard time moving beyond what Trump has wrought.
327
Anne-Marie
I feel your pain. I have read your comments and so coincide with what you feel and say. Helpless. If I'm not mistaken, I think I read last year you have worked as a pastor, right? I believe there must be a lot of us who are looking for heavenly consolation and it is sad and frustrating. To think that Trump was able to round up many, many Christian votes is beyond me. When I heard a Trump supporter pastor ask for church members last Sunday to pray for Trump, my daughter scolded me for rolling my eyes. It is pathetic. I hope we are able some day to find a true sense of peace. How we find it is the question. So many undeserving feeling the Trump wrath. Scary.
MIMA
I feel your pain. I have read your comments and so coincide with what you feel and say. Helpless. If I'm not mistaken, I think I read last year you have worked as a pastor, right? I believe there must be a lot of us who are looking for heavenly consolation and it is sad and frustrating. To think that Trump was able to round up many, many Christian votes is beyond me. When I heard a Trump supporter pastor ask for church members last Sunday to pray for Trump, my daughter scolded me for rolling my eyes. It is pathetic. I hope we are able some day to find a true sense of peace. How we find it is the question. So many undeserving feeling the Trump wrath. Scary.
MIMA
4
Good!
When Hillary was asked at the beginning of her campaign who her greatest enemies were, she said it was the Republicans. When a candidate bases her campaign on hatred rather than policy, she loses.
4
In Iowa and Missouri (or Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania) did all these people now worried about a Trump Administration vote? If not, I don't want to hear about. Hopefully, the lesson we have all learned is to VOTE.
32
@Joe in Hawthorn Woods - of course, most high school students are not eligible to vote. That said, whether someone voted or not, they still have a right not to be harassed or treated with bigotry or hatred.
52
Almost all high school students are too young to vote.
10
You do know that West High is in Johnson county that is almost always democratic and by fat voted for Hillary over Trump.
9
We teachers have spent the last decade telling students that we will protect them from bullies. Then they saw Trump perform the same bullying behaviors we claimed we would protect our students from.
Of course they're afraid. They saw that in real life, bullying gets even worse, and that millions of people find it acceptable in a leader.
Of course they're afraid. They saw that in real life, bullying gets even worse, and that millions of people find it acceptable in a leader.
950
Oh come on. Bullying is sanctioned nationwide, it's called sports.
4
Are you protecting Trump supporters or are you bullying them yourself?
2
It's even worse than that. They saw that in real life bullying gets you elected president. At least it isn't an impediment to getting elected. Every message they've been receiving about bullying has been wrong. Bullying is actually a good quality to have, not a bad one. In real life you're rewarded because bullying shows how strong you are.
5
Young people cannot be expected to foresee these results of anti-PC rhetoric but older people should know better. The anti-PC movement has become simply a code word to allow people to be impolite to one another.
Of course, those young people are surprised that their fellow students now believe it’s okay to insult and attack minorities. Most have never seen or experienced such behavior, only read about it in books, if they have even done that.
The truly sad part is not that students find it surprising, but that President-Elect Trump indicated during his interview that he was unaware of these attacks taking place. He is going to be President. He should want to know what is happening in this country, not just the part that aligns with what he wants. He said he was saddened, and, yes, said “Stop it” into the camera. Every day this behavior continues, the President-Elect has the option to say “Stop it” again or not.
A lot more is going to be needed to stop the wave of hateful behavior we are seeing. One start would be for the young people at that school and others to begin to educate themselves on history of discrimination in this country. They will need to take a hard look at what is happening, why it is happening, what they might have contributed to it, and what they can do about it.
Of course, those young people are surprised that their fellow students now believe it’s okay to insult and attack minorities. Most have never seen or experienced such behavior, only read about it in books, if they have even done that.
The truly sad part is not that students find it surprising, but that President-Elect Trump indicated during his interview that he was unaware of these attacks taking place. He is going to be President. He should want to know what is happening in this country, not just the part that aligns with what he wants. He said he was saddened, and, yes, said “Stop it” into the camera. Every day this behavior continues, the President-Elect has the option to say “Stop it” again or not.
A lot more is going to be needed to stop the wave of hateful behavior we are seeing. One start would be for the young people at that school and others to begin to educate themselves on history of discrimination in this country. They will need to take a hard look at what is happening, why it is happening, what they might have contributed to it, and what they can do about it.
63
It's important for Trump to speak out but what are the local politicians and administrators saying? This is a chance for them to speak publically but it seems nothing is being said. Saying nothing is in effect supporting what these bullying students are doing. This goes far beyond the school and should be a matter for a large-scale response by the Iowan so-called leaders.
5
Why is Hillary not criticizing the anti Trump rioters who are looting? That is hateful activity.
Why do you believe that the NYT is accurately describing the activity? Do you truly believe that teachers and students are not bullying children who support Trump?
Why do you believe that the NYT is accurately describing the activity? Do you truly believe that teachers and students are not bullying children who support Trump?
6
"Why is Hillary not criticizing the anti Trump rioters who are looting?"
Because they only exist on alt right hate sites and in your fevered imagination.
Because they only exist on alt right hate sites and in your fevered imagination.
2
I believe we all know that children dramatize and exaggerate their feelings. As a parent or grandparent (or teacher) we are there to provide assurances that things will work out. We should not confuse that with coddling or accommodation of abusive or illegal behavior. School is school where the teachers are. Home is home where the parents are. If either place encourages or allows bad behavior there will, eventually, be consequences. We don’t want a gun brought to school to avenge a breakup with a boy or girlfriend nor a half-baked teens’ political stance. Raging hormones or inflammatory rhetoric at home can cause real and lasting damage.
23
"inflammatory rhetoric" The leader-elect has used just such language for the last 18 months. He has unleashed the bully.
6
"I believe we all know that children dramatize and exaggerate their feelings."
Donald Trump is 70; what's his excuse?
Donald Trump is 70; what's his excuse?
2
Some of these comments worry me. Not so much about Trump, but the people, the younger citizens, who seem so frightened. To them: Read your history books. The people of this country stood down England, the greatest power in the world, to win its independence. Stood them down again 35 years later in the War of 1812. Fought an horrific civil war, which left 600,000 dead, but came back to defeat the Kaiser in WWI and Hitler and Tojo in WWII.
To the young: don't be afraid to embrace the greatest democratic-republic since the Greeks and Romans. Make it better, for sure. But don't turn your back on it.
To the young: don't be afraid to embrace the greatest democratic-republic since the Greeks and Romans. Make it better, for sure. But don't turn your back on it.
46
They do read the history books, and that's precisely why they're frightened.
Try reading more broadly and avoiding the fairy tales.
Try reading more broadly and avoiding the fairy tales.
4
That we know history is precisely the reason we are frightened. We are seeing a possible repeat of what happened in Germany. Having defeated evil in WWII doesn't immunize us from having our own homegrown evil. We are aware also that the population of several countries agreed with Germany's vision of the future, and we are now seeing the joyful arising of such a vision by a segment of the American population. We cannot take that lightly.
5
I agree. It is so awful what is happening but I keep telling my teens that this country always moves in the right direction. It is not easy and there are setbacks but it continuously gets better, always struggling for a more "perfect union." Be kind, be just and keep fighting for America.
It’s difficult to find a topic anywhere that doesn’t remind me of an institution that will be hurt by the incoming president-elect. I’m afraid we overlooked not only education as a policy area (hello, presidential debate moderators) but schools as an environment leading up to this election.
How educators treat this situation is crucial, and it stings to hear the principal of a school as diverse as this one demand “objectivity” when discussing the election. So much of the dirty laundry aired by presidential candidates over the past year has been objectively terrible. I can’t be the only one reading a subtext in this warning that reeks of false equivalence between those same candidates. There has to be a better approach to this dilemma than just overlooking the vitriol of the election under the guise of “objectivity.”
On a positive note, the students and teachers in this piece are handling the situation much better than I had hoped. It will be challenging to understand how U.S. democracy functions when the results are personal to many of these students.
How educators treat this situation is crucial, and it stings to hear the principal of a school as diverse as this one demand “objectivity” when discussing the election. So much of the dirty laundry aired by presidential candidates over the past year has been objectively terrible. I can’t be the only one reading a subtext in this warning that reeks of false equivalence between those same candidates. There has to be a better approach to this dilemma than just overlooking the vitriol of the election under the guise of “objectivity.”
On a positive note, the students and teachers in this piece are handling the situation much better than I had hoped. It will be challenging to understand how U.S. democracy functions when the results are personal to many of these students.
231
Doug,
I suppose "Objectively" means you do your best to clarify between apparent
facts and opinions. That you allow the person to, civilly, state their point.
[ By the way what is with the sudden increase in the use of the term:
"False Equivalency"
Did I miss the Memo ? ]
As for being Objective about Hillary and Trump - well you don't have to favour
either candidate, just present the views they "Officially Approved" and fair
context and let the students present their views. Not your place as a Teacher
to tell the students what they must believe - is it ?
I suppose "Objectively" means you do your best to clarify between apparent
facts and opinions. That you allow the person to, civilly, state their point.
[ By the way what is with the sudden increase in the use of the term:
"False Equivalency"
Did I miss the Memo ? ]
As for being Objective about Hillary and Trump - well you don't have to favour
either candidate, just present the views they "Officially Approved" and fair
context and let the students present their views. Not your place as a Teacher
to tell the students what they must believe - is it ?
2
Doug, although in a perfect world it would be nice to be able to use the election to teach the kids a real civics lesson without worrying about "objectivity." However, as a parent of children in public school in the neighboring state of Nebraska, I understand this principal. First and foremost he's worried about his job. If the kids in his school are behaving this way, you can bet their parents are the type that would be on the phone forthwith if they thought a teacher was politically "indoctrinating" their kids. While I don't like it, I understand it.
2
Teachers do have to be objective but that means giving all students a chance to express their views and not to impose their views on the students. Good teachers have a way of asking questions to clarify views and see that discussions don't get out of hand. One of our English teachers gave a terrific assignment during the primary elections. Students had to pick and research a candidate. Then they had to write an opinion paper that had to be based completely on factual research. I can't imagine a better assignment to make students think about what they believe and why. Too much of the electorate relied on emotions rather than fact.
6
Why are children being allowed to walk out of class without
facing any consequences. I could not walk off my job because I did
not like how elections turned out.
Over-exaggerations of what will happen when Trump becomes President that
lead these children, and that is what they are children, to greatly fear for their
future is not helpful - but is only harmful.
As for Bigotry - can someone please define that for me ?
For I see as much bigotry, if not more, against Trump supporters, as I have
seen by some Trump supporters.
facing any consequences. I could not walk off my job because I did
not like how elections turned out.
Over-exaggerations of what will happen when Trump becomes President that
lead these children, and that is what they are children, to greatly fear for their
future is not helpful - but is only harmful.
As for Bigotry - can someone please define that for me ?
For I see as much bigotry, if not more, against Trump supporters, as I have
seen by some Trump supporters.
54
Really?!
83
At a local elementary school, someone painted "Kill, kill, kill blacks" on a wall. Our republican governor has said not one word about this or the many other attacks that have occurred in our state since the election. But please, tell me more about my over-exaggerated fears and how people are bigoted against Trump supporters.
408
What you call bigotry against Trump supporters is simply reactions to Trump supporters' bigotry.
223
When I was a kid, JFK was president, he was assassinated, LBJ became president, as a teenager I watched the entire Watergate (Nixon) trial, you get where I am going with this president thing etc... Not once in all my years have I ever seen our country in such a state of fear because of one man. I've seen a lot of presidents but none of them have ever caused me fear. I didn't agree with some of their policies and ideas but that didn't cause me fear. Kids are a lot more perceptive than you may think. Yes, they learn some things from home, but if your home is a center for hate, then your kids are a reflection of you. Kids have enough to deal with in their teenage years, to have a sense of fear from a man elected to the highest office of the land is abnormal to say the lease. This is the United States, we've never had a history of fearing our president. This isn't Russia, China, Cuba and a lot of other countries where depots rule. We are all different but that is what has made this country greater than any other on the planet. This one man will not quash the freedom and liberty of America, the American people will not allow it. The next march on Washington will be a sound the entire world hears. No despots allowed. Not this country, not this land. 246 years this country has been lead by elected officials, we don't do Putin's and if Trump thinks he is of that ilk, wait until he see how many people are at his front door.
263
You've never seen kids in such a state of fear because previous generations were not raised to be "snowflakes". College students demanding safe places and the right to not read certain books or engage in discussion they don't like are the norm today. The idea that what they believe is the correct way to believe has made them unwilling or unable to tolerate opposing views. When challenged they break into tears. Was nothing more sad than to see grown men and women sobbing out loud with their arms enveloping their faces because of a political loss? Or lashing out at the winners because as one man said, "Elections have consequences. I won." I see a lifetime of mind altering prescription drugs in their future as they become adults unable to cope with the disappointments that come with real life which is harder than what they live with now as sheltered students. The strong are going to eat them up.
8
Nyhuguenot--it goes both ways. Someone up thread is claiming that liberals have commited genocide against rural people. How? By criticizing them, by not agreeing with them. how can you not see that the right is doing exactly what you accuse the left of--calling for silence because they don't want to hear what we have to say? As a free speech absolutist, I call upon you to stop being partisan on this issue and call out both sides.
4
So far Hillary has about 2 million more votes then Trump. He is not our President and will never be accepted by more millions of voters then he acquired. He should recognize this he has no standing, he has earned no respect he is dangerous.
I hope these young people realize that the haters are in the minority.
I hope these young people realize that the haters are in the minority.
113
Actually Richard, you just made an argument that they are the majority.
10
Huh?
No, Magpie, he actually made the argument that there are about 2 million more non-hating Hillary voters than fans of the Hater.
2
I keep hearing about children as young as five, and teenagers of all ages being so distraught. Schools are offering counseling, but that won't calm the uncertainties these children face now. We don't know how far Trump will take things, although we are getting a good indication by his appointments.
There is something really rotten in this country when children are frightened and crying because of one man, and what he could possibly do to their families and friends. I doubt that this man cares about their feelings.
In college, a friend bawled all day after Reagan was elected. She wasn't exactly a flaming liberal, but she was sure that his election would make it harder to afford and finance her college education. I was pretty naive then, and didn't understand why she was so upset. Well, I certainly understand now. As an adult, I am frightened, I can't imagine what it's like for children. Any news about this new presidency seems to get more and more frightening. I hope we have the courage to do what is necessary to stop him if/when this man takes the authoritarian turn many of us see coming.
There is something really rotten in this country when children are frightened and crying because of one man, and what he could possibly do to their families and friends. I doubt that this man cares about their feelings.
In college, a friend bawled all day after Reagan was elected. She wasn't exactly a flaming liberal, but she was sure that his election would make it harder to afford and finance her college education. I was pretty naive then, and didn't understand why she was so upset. Well, I certainly understand now. As an adult, I am frightened, I can't imagine what it's like for children. Any news about this new presidency seems to get more and more frightening. I hope we have the courage to do what is necessary to stop him if/when this man takes the authoritarian turn many of us see coming.
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The only real problem is you people scaring your own children with visions straight out of your imagination. Little kids do not have any understanding of what is going on and if a single child is crying over this election they were probably scared by their parents.
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I have read back through all the comments on this article and I only see one person who seems to feel the need to accuse and attack. Why is that, I wonder? Everyone else is commenting on the article. Only one person is commenting angrily on the comments.
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Not so. I teach elementary English language learners in Iowa City. They first expressed fear to me about Donald Trump last spring. My students saw and heard Trump's hateful words and rallies on the TV, and they heard him on the radio. They also have older siblings who use social media. Trump's hateful, angry, unhinged behavior was inescapable, as I recall. Kids do not live in a bubble, nor should they.
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It's interesting that Trump doesn't denounce harassment like that described in this article, and others, but is concerned, according to a tweet, that Mike Pence did not find the theater where he saw "Hamilton" to be a "safe space" for him. Being told that I must be concerned about whether Mike Pence feels "safe" on such an occasion reminds me of being told to have sympathy for the kid who killed his parents--because, after all, he's an orphan.
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Actually if you saw at of the films of his rallies he goes out of his way to encourage violence against anyone who disagrees with him. Expect more of the same.
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You clearly didn't watch the 60 Minutes interview where he tells people doing it repeatedly to stop.
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Belatedly and, actually, not better late than never. Trump trying to clean up his act in public inspires less than confidence.
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A transgender woman in Denver woke up to find swastikas on her car and anti-trans hate speech, including "die heshe" and other horrible stuff.
I guess the election gave voice to all those people who do hate people that are different. Now it is the time to fight. We need to fight back. I wont allow anyone to deface my property or my life. I will fight back, and I will not give up.
Just so you know, the idiots who drew the swastika did it in the wrong direction. They are so ignorant, they couldnt even get their own hate symbol right. Pathetic.
I guess the election gave voice to all those people who do hate people that are different. Now it is the time to fight. We need to fight back. I wont allow anyone to deface my property or my life. I will fight back, and I will not give up.
Just so you know, the idiots who drew the swastika did it in the wrong direction. They are so ignorant, they couldnt even get their own hate symbol right. Pathetic.
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Jacqueline, you and I disagree profoundly about the science and narratives of transgenderism. But I want you to know I'll be part of keeping any targeted trans people safe wherever and whenever I see it happening. This explosion of assaults, verbal and physical, on anyone perceived as "other" cannot stand.
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Trump world translation. A man who thinks he's a woman woke up with a swastika on his car. It was backwards, so the perpetrator was probably a Native American. It may of been one of the one's protesting the North Dakota pipeline.
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Maybe its time for "Liberals" to arm themselves. Give something for the haters to be frightened of.
And with one election our social progress has been dialed back several decades. The Twitterer-In-Chief should be so proud with what he has wrought.
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When I was in high school, we didn't have civics classes until our senior years. Civics classes should start in the freshman year of high school. It's one of the most important classes they will ever take in their lives. Maybe it could help some students become more responsible voters once they come of age if they are better informed and prepared before the day comes.
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I had Civics class in 7th grade. It was well-taught by a school-favorite teacher, Mr. Carr, in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. It seems beneficial to teach some aspects even earlier given we're currently seeing hate actions in primary schools.
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My first full civics class started in the 7th grade also. This exposure to the constitution and Robert's Rules have served me well and still doin my 90th year. Were I King for a day I would mandate and hour a day in a students 6th year in school.
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I wonder how many of today's civics textbooks are written to conform to the standards of the Texas Department of Education.
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How can a kid who wears a "Hillary for Prison" shirt claim that he's "usually polite"? He sounds like a member of the Hitler Youth.
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It is acceptable and even desirable to criticize, ridicule or assault people who support Trump or are Republicans, even if they do not support Trump. We saw evidence of that during the primary and pre-election periods, when the DNC funded thugs to disrupt Trump rallies.
Anything other than the official Democrat doctrine must be stamped out. There is only one correct way of thinking.
Anything other than the official Democrat doctrine must be stamped out. There is only one correct way of thinking.
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Hmm. Not so sure where you get your info. But according to Comey, she did not lie to the FBI.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/james-comey-testimony/2016/07/james-comey-...
We do know that Trump has broken the law with his political payoff/contribution from his self-serving Trump Foundation to the FL Attorney General. He broke it again when he did not report that donation. Perhaps because it was illegal?? The majority of voters do not want as president a person who spreads hate and fear, and who has cozied up to the alt-right (formerly known as white supremacists), and who has sexually harassed and assaulted women, and defrauded students at his fake college, and who has a history of crushing the little guy by not paying for services rendered, and who threatens to change laws so that journalists can be more easily sued. This is frightening.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/james-comey-testimony/2016/07/james-comey-...
We do know that Trump has broken the law with his political payoff/contribution from his self-serving Trump Foundation to the FL Attorney General. He broke it again when he did not report that donation. Perhaps because it was illegal?? The majority of voters do not want as president a person who spreads hate and fear, and who has cozied up to the alt-right (formerly known as white supremacists), and who has sexually harassed and assaulted women, and defrauded students at his fake college, and who has a history of crushing the little guy by not paying for services rendered, and who threatens to change laws so that journalists can be more easily sued. This is frightening.
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You are in for a rough ride with the President that is headed to the Oval Office. He has no plan to be ordered to follow any rules/regulations/Congressional Orders. I will think of you every time he breaks or ignores federal laws.
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As a retired secondary school teacher, I am proud of these students who are standing up against the tide of racism and anti-immigrant venom that has come out of this campaign and still seems to be threatening all of us. If everyone is not free, no one is free.
Young people, congratulations on your courage! As Secretary Clinton said, "Don't give up. Keep fighting for what you believe in!"
Young people, congratulations on your courage! As Secretary Clinton said, "Don't give up. Keep fighting for what you believe in!"
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It is not about being anti-immigrant it is about believing in the Rule of Law. ILLEGAL immigrants sneak into this country in the dark knowing full well that they are breaking the laws of this country. Do you think all criminals should just be given a Get Out of Jail Free Card?
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This story is about bigots making uncalled for remarks to others who may well be American citizens.
There is NOTHING appropriate about that.
Telling somebody to leave the country when he or she was born here and is a citizen is pure bigotry.
Ron, why don't YOU go back to wherever some forebearers came from, since you think those kinds of comments are appropriate?
There is NOTHING appropriate about that.
Telling somebody to leave the country when he or she was born here and is a citizen is pure bigotry.
Ron, why don't YOU go back to wherever some forebearers came from, since you think those kinds of comments are appropriate?
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Oh, I think it really is about being anti-immigrant, anti-gay, anti-semitic, anti-Muslim, anti-women, and racist. It does seem, from all the evidence, to be exactly about that. Sorry to disagree. At the heart of every religion on this planet is the central value of compassion.
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Donald Trump's election, and campaign has done more to polarize and cause divisiveness in this nation , than any other "politician" in the history of this country , indeed perhaps , in the history of the world. And he started this , by saying he was going to be a "unifier". How's that going for you Mr. President Elect? A very humane and respectful text was read to Mr. Pence , at last nights production of "Hamilton". You responded viciously; in case you were not aware, there is something called the first ammendment, but perhaps you are preparing to dissolve this freedom. Your appointments would seem to suggest that you are. Already, you are the biggest disgrace to this country in human form that we have ever seen. What's next?
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So the comments directed at Pence were an expression of the first amendment but anybody responding to those comments are a vicious attack and apparently not suppose to be allowed under your interpretation of freedom of speech? Maybe you should reconsider that all of us can express ourselves within legal limits and if you or the Hamilton performers want to make comments then you should expect comments in return.
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Trump's response was not vicious. But it was humorous and hypocritical, and it betrayed his ignorance of the First Amendment.
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Mr Hanson, the words directed at Pence were incredibly mild and presented with concern in a friendly manner, so I'm not even sure where you're coming from. I'm not sure how they can be compared to racist hate speech.....
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