The morning after the recent presidential election, the atmosphere at school was tense. Students passing in the halls asked me ruefully, “Did you hear?” I nodded without comment. Even parents were huddled together, near tears.
Entering the classroom, the majority of my class was subdued. Some were visibly upset, and I was unsure how to channel their fear and anger. One student was exuberant, and I struggled to manage his glee in such a way that he would neither offend nor be offended by his classmates.
A news article we read together reminded us that Mr. Trump’s campaign slogan had been “Make America Great Again.”
Students have many ideas about what constitutes greatness. When asked what makes our classroom great, they answered enthusiastically. “We share. We help each other. We don’t bully others. We pick up trash on the playground. We read a lot. We celebrate each other’s successes.” I allowed myself a small smile, relieved that they listen to me at least some of the time, before returning to the topic at hand.
“Our president-elect wants to make America great. He’s right; of course we want to live in a great country.” As always when we are lost, I urge my students to put pencil to paper.
“Dear President-elect Trump,
When you ran for president, you said you wanted to make America great again. Here are some ways in which America can be great.”
Given that prompt and some silent time, students huddled over their pages. I listened to pencils scratching across paper, breaking the silence only to help spell difficult words.
A few students asked for better school lunches, more recess time, and video games. Two advocated for space travel.
Others worried about the environment. “Help nature to make the world a better place,” “Keep animals safe and don’t hit them,” and “We can make America better if everyone recycles” were common sentiments. A handful of students wanted to make sure homeless people were fed, clothed, and housed. Children wanted libraries, hospitals, and neighborhoods free of graffiti and drugs.
Not surprisingly, the issue of respect came up. “Be kind to everyone. People shouldn’t be racist,” wrote one boy. “We don’t have to care about people’s sizes. We do not have to be bullies.” A girl was more blunt, writing, “Don’t talk badly about women or Mexicans. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Everyone has kindness in their hearts.”
Another little girl was angry to the point of sarcasm, “Don’t talk about people’s faces. We don’t have a beautiful face like yours.” Two letter writers plaintively asked, “Why do you hate Mexicans?”
The president-elect received some policy advice as well. He was counseled to “Get rid of Obamacare – too many loopholes,” and to “Make EBT harder to acquire; people are abusing the program.” Several students asked for an increase in jobs, but one observant child was more specific in his recommendation. “Create more jobs that take little practical knowledge, because many jobless people I’ve seen have little education.”
The looming issue for my students, however, was the border. At least half the class begged the president-elect not to build another border wall, using their own families’ situations to drive the point home. “We need families together, not separated,” wrote one boy whose father has been deported. “I don’t want a wall because I want my mom to cross and get her ID,” another girl explained. A quiet student added, “We know we have to have a secure border, but think about the wall you want to build. Sometimes it hurts families or children. I say this because my dad lives in Mexico and he can’t cross, and it hurts if I can’t see him.”
It took some discussion for me to realize that students pictured Mr. Trump’s promised wall as impermeable, much like the Berlin Wall. Those with a deported parent or extended family in Mexico were terrified that they wouldn’t be able to cross to see their loved ones ever again. I pointed out that there are already several walls in place, virtually visible from the classroom window, and that anyone who could cross legally now will still be able to cross legally in the future. The sense of relief in the room was palpable.
Though students continue to wrestle with doubts and fears, perhaps reflecting the sentiments of their parents, at least one was able to end on an encouraging note. “You are the new president; you can change our lives. Wouldn’t you like for the people of the United States to feel happy and proud of you?”
There you have it, Mr. Trump. Recycle. Help the homeless. Care for nature. Respect others. Create jobs. Keep families together. That will make your young observers happy and proud, in an America they can call great.
