Educators Discuss How Trump’s Hate-Filled Words are Harming Our Children
WASHINGTON - October 03, 2016 -
Today the National Education Association announced the launch of a digital and direct mail campaign to raise awareness about the harmful effects of Donald Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric on America’s schoolchildren. Joined by Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Ohio educator Joy Bock, NEA President Lily Eskelsen García discussed the consequences of Trump’s divisive and derogatory comments in classrooms across the country during a tele-briefing this afternoon.
Educators, counselors and experts on bullying joined together on Monday to participate in events in the key battleground states of Iowa, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania sharing firsthand accounts of the “Trump Effect” in classrooms. Since Trump entered the race for president last year, educators have witnessed a steady increase in bullying and harassing behavior that mirrors his words and actions on the campaign trail.
“As educators, we teach our kids that kindness, collaboration and cooperation are important not just in school, but in in life,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García. “Donald Trump sets an example that teaches the wrong lesson. He calls women fat pigs, wants to ban Muslims from coming to the country, refers to Mexicans as criminals, and makes fun of people with disabilities. The rise in vitriolic speech in classrooms and the anxiety this causes for some of our most vulnerable students shows that Trump’s rhetoric is far more damaging than previously imagined.” Trump’s bullying was on prominent display just last week when he debated Hillary Clinton at Hofstra University. Clinton called him out for degrading remarks he consistently makes about women, including comedienne Rosie O’Donnell and former Miss Universe Alicia Machado.
