Every student, no matter their race, background, gender, sexuality or religion, should feel safe in school. While Heritage may be physically safe, anyone can attack you with words. I believe that since the shift in presidential office after the election of 2024, there have been major changes that influence discrimination that affects how students live their everyday lives, or even just walking in the hallways.
While this article is not meant to attack the president himself, his influence on society is what I think the real issue is. When a political leader is in office, we as a country look up to them not only with trust in their ability to lead our country, but also with trust in their ability to lead us as a society. I fully believe that our current role model is far from someone we should be imitating. The president has made many racist and sexist comments. For example, he said to CNN in 2023 that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country”. Additionally, he said in a previously unreleased recording made by Access Hollywood in 2005, “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the p—-y. You can do anything.” And now his loyal followers are saying similar things.
As I walk the walkways or sit in class, I hear comments about wishing that immigrant students be deported, or that gay students lose marital rights, or talking about how even though our president is a convicted felon, he’s still better than a woman. This sense of fearlessness is honestly surprising considering people literally die for advocating for these messages. Don’t get me wrong, either ideology comes with a certain amount of fear since personal threats are common no matter what side of the aisle you fall on. However, I believe that because there is a Republican in office, certain right-swinging students feel a sense of power and say whatever comes to their minds without fear of backlash. This causes some students with opposing beliefs to remain silent in fear of what could happen. I have seen girls sit in class uncomfortably as boys laugh and make jokes about raping women. I have been told to my face that it is shocking that women have the right to vote. I have seen kids threaten to call ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) on other students or their parents simply just to scare them. I have been in class as boys say anti-semitic comments (prejudice remarks against Jews) or preach white supremacy as they put down the black community.
“I think that having a leader who normalizes such rhetoric allows others to feel more comfortable with being racist. I believe that these people have always had these thoughts, but because of the leadership in this country they are getting increasingly confident in being more outspoken on their views,” said Marlee Brown (12).
Jordan Laswell (11) thinks that having these ideas shared so openly at school affects her ability to learn because of how distraught she feels. “Over time, people have gotten more comfortable with using slurs. They don’t care if it is offensive towards me or others, and they feel as though they can use those words in normal, everyday conversation. But instead of hearing their words, I hear the hate and racism, and it hurts,” said Laswell.
This behavior is not what we as humans should be doing. This is not what Heritage stands for and frankly, acting this way is only going to make our school look worse. This is not about politics, this is about basic human respect. At the end of the day, we are all human and we are all at school simply trying to make it through the day. No matter your political or religious beliefs, we need to learn to accept people for who they are rather than trying to mold them into what we believe is right. You never know what someone is going through or what fears they go home to. Saying racist, sexist or homophobic “jokes” cause nothing but harm and shouldn’t be tolerated. While actions do define who you are as a person, that does not mean that you cannot change who that person is. Even though we have our own unique personalities and characteristics, we all have one thing in common: we are all Heritage students. School should be a place where we can grow as individuals, not just academically, but also in maturity. Rather than using school as a place to hate one another, we need to use school as a resource for growth and a safe space for us to learn who we truly are without fear of judgement.
“When we choose our words with care, we strengthen our relationships, promote understanding and create a community where everyone can thrive,” said history teacher Hailey Mason.
