I was disappointed when the results of the election were announced. Along with the disappointment I also found myself shaking. It wasn’t from anger but fear. Fear of what this elected hate monger would mean for the daily life of women, Muslims, undocumented immigrants, and the LGBT community. Hours after the election results two Muslim women were attacked for wearing Hijab. So many disturbing events occurred before and after the election an elderly woman was assaulted, a teen girl was peppered sprayed, students of color were harassed and followed; seeing these incidents on the news made me feel hopeless. I didn’t know who to turn to. My mother, as strong as she is, was clearly in mourning after the results. I asked the women who always have wise words. I asked my teachers. Each of the wonderwomen, featured below, are teachers at Cross Keys high school in Brookhaven, GA.
Ms. Angela Tonn, a decorated teacher, and member of the NSTA, writes, “To all the young women who have just witnessed this past election, I would encourage them to reaffirm that the struggle to empower women is still very real. The fact that a woman lost this election is not as upsetting as the fact that Americans elected a man who treats women with such little respect. The things that Trump did promise' to do are the exact opposite of anything I want done. And are actually a threat to my rights. And the rights of people I care about. As a woman, I feel more strongly than ever that we need to make sure that our girls and young women realize the inequities that still face us and that they understand how to dismantle and overcome these systemic barriers.”
"To make America great again..For many black people, making America “great again” is especially threatening, as it signals a return to a more explicit and unapologetic racial dystopia. For us, dreaming of yesterday is not a privilege, not a desire, but a nightmare.”- George Yancy, Professor of philosophy at Emory University.
Rebekah Cohen Morris a community organizer and literature teacher at Cross Keys high school
Rebekah encourages her students to take charge of their community and actively pursue the change they want to see. Out of one of her classes the BuHi Project was born and has initiated the student-community led La Comunidad Buford Highway (The Buford Highway Community Association.)
Days after the election, Corey Saylor from CAIR reported to NBC news, “Unfortunately the election of Trump will embolden people who don't like minorities — and not just Muslims but minorities across the board." The words of Ms. Tracey Vax, a STAR teacher award recipient, with a history of helping students achieve success in writing, and the reason I knew about Oglethorpe University, appropriately echoed the fear felt by minority communities, when she said, "I'm upset because this country elected a man whose campaign has given racist bigots the forum to spout their poison. I'm upset because my daughter, who is 5, will grow up with a president who thinks it's alright to grab women 'by the pussy' because of his celebrity status! I'm upset because my students at Cross Keys should not have to live in fear for their future. I'm upset that once again, we have men wanting to regulate women's bodies. I'm upset that my LGTBQ friends and family must` recognize Pence as their VP, a man who supports conversion therapy.”
These have been words of encouragement from women in teaching. If you would like to be featured and encourage young women please email me or write a comment below. I hope you have found what you are looking for. To read more articles like this one please subscribe.
Organizations to reach out to if you feel unsafe as a woman in GA after the election:
