As best as I could I tried to make this less like a rant about the election results, but the aftermath because that has really, sadly blown my mind in the most absolute negative way. Looking at Facebook, TV, Twitter, and Instagram it has gone way past the point of "expressing your political views". It's the most uncomfortable feeling to see my entire social media feeds since Tuesday have been filled with complete hatred, bullying, and straight up harassment that has been responsible for offending hundreds of every race, gender, and our political parties who are online. These posts are shared, going viral then turning into videos, and vines, that are spreading like wildfire, and it's gotten too overwhelming the complete divide in the country.
I am not stating we should stop. I completely encourage our American right to free speech. To post online, PEACEFULLY protest, and have discussions with others, but now that it our right is now being I believe taken advantage of in a sort. Because as I believe it's beneficial for you to speak your truth, however, it's also important to be aware of how you put your words because there are people are around you that's listening. And those "people" are our children. Children who are online more than anyone, who watch, and make more videos on twitter and Instagram, it's hard to deny that some we're basically raised on it, and what they read, they will believe, and bring it with them to school. And this election, and these hatred posts are become reality and influenced them to spread this hate, basically what this whole election has unfortunately been about.
I debated not writing an article about this topic, because I thought it might add more fuel to the fire, but it would be wrong of me to not make my point, and feel obligated to stand up for these extraordinary group of individuals I have been wanting to help since I have been in high school. I've never wanted to be a teacher for a couple of personal reasons, I have a lot of family members who are teachers, and very proud of their work, but I just always thought in the back of my mind "it wasn't for me."
But this election has changed that, now there are multiple reports and video evidence online that this campaign is producing an alarming level of fear and anxiety among children of color. Teachers have noted an increase in bullying, harassment, and intimation of students whose race, religions, or nationalities have been the verbal targets of candidates on the campaign trial. They're chatting posting and joking on social medias
Videos of children using this hate language and calling Muslim-American children "terrorists" or "ISIS bombers", and telling Latino children they are going to get deported, and "put over the wall.". So how is it fair that regardless of these children's ethnic background or even their immigration or citizenship status, targeted students are taunted with talk of a wall or threats of removal.
Despite your political beliefs, for the sake of children and their education, presidential candidates should begi modeling the kind of civil behavior, and civic values that we all want children to learn in school, on top of students who experience this type of stress can have a harder time learning. And I fear that the results of the election, the bullying and harassment will increase, that is why I want to make a change.
If I were to teach, I want to not abandon the teaching of this election, and future elections, but to always keep things respectful. I want to teach children that we are ALL equal on the inside, but each look unique on the outside, and that's something to celebrate, and love. To not hate against others who are different than you. I want to teach children that being American does not just classify to white skinned students. I want to teach children to express their right to free speech and that it is okay to peacefully protest. It's not being sore losers, it's taking advantage of what being an American is ALL about. I want to teach children that it is okay to lose, nothing is permanent, but winners should not throw it in other's faces.
Overall, If i do decide if the career path is right for me to teach children to not always listen to what is posted online, and to not feel threatened for who they are. Everyone is different, we have different ethnicities, families, sexual preferences, so why can't we embrace that? We need to children that it's EXTREMELY important make an effort in life to not be selfish, to being kind, thoughtful, willing to trust, and helping others.
Love, and acceptance has been the LAST thing this entire Presidental Election has been out, and with the potential fear of things getting worse, it's important we come together, not only for the benefit for ourselves but for the children.
They are the future, they learn, grow, and evolve from us. They are the future leaders of America and so far in their young lives they have learned about the real world is that it is corrupt, mean, and scary.
Let's change that America, they deserve it.