As the new school year begins, schools must be prepared to deal with this tumultuous time in American history. The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life was a wakeup call. When Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer became the target of a domestic terrorist plot in 2020, we all should have dialed down the rhetoric. Perhaps it’s time for grownups to take responsibility for the political acrimony in our country, the extreme partisanship, the divide in our great nation that is so deep that having a political discussion with a friend can cause the relationship to end.
Often, educators must provide answers to youths who are trying desperately to understand certain issues and egregious acts that take place at the hands of adults. The fact that Trump’s shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was only 20 years old, a few years removed from high school, should signal to all of us that our youths need us to do better. How does someone that young develop hate so deeply? What would make him so angry that he would attempt to assassinate a former president of the United States? Where did we all go wrong? Have we forgotten that youths are impressionable? And where do we go from here?
When school resumes, students will have difficult questions that we must be prepared to answer. No matter what our political affiliation is and how we feel about either presidential candidate, we owe it to our youths to rise above the fray and not use divisive rhetoric when asked a question. Former Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson is credited with saying, “In a democracy, the well-being, individuality and happiness of every citizen is important for the overall prosperity of the nation.” The well-being of our youths must be our No. 1 priority. After all, the health of our democracy depends a lot on how our youths perceive it and what they are witnessing.
And as the presidential election draws near, unfortunately more acrimony, mudslinging and deplorable language will be used. Educators must be the voice of reason. Voter turnout in the United States has long been lower compared with other developed countries, according to data from the Council on Foreign Relations. In fact, turnout for presidential elections generally falls to around 60%. In other countries such as Turkey, Sweden and Belgium, turnout is near 80% or higher.
If we ever want to change that data, we need not only to teach our youths the importance of voting but also model the correct behavior when discussing politics. Educators are role models for students and some of the most consistent and reliable adults in their lives. Youths depend on us to be fair and thoughtful, even during the most difficult of times.
Even in the most difficult of circumstances, such as during active shooter drills, educators are asked to stay poised, be levelheaded and do what is best for our youths. Parents depend on us each day. Educators embrace that responsibility.
Unfortunately, our politics have become way too negative, and that often puts educators in a difficult situation. They can be asked to take sides by stakeholders.
There are stark differences along party lines over taxes, immigration and crime fighting. As adults, we must comport ourselves in a manner demonstrating our civility.
So, teachers, when the new school year begins and the election draws near, please remember that our youths are watching what we say and how we say it. Give them a good reason to protect our democracy and understand the virtues that it has. That begins with being neutral, even when it is hard. When we aren’t, we promote the very division that can hurt our democracy.
Jerald McNair, who has a doctorate in education and a graduate degree in public policy, is a school administrator for South Holland School District 151.
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