In a scary political climate, students need their controversial voices heard

University Prep needs to take an unambiguous stand for what is right when it’s under attack. In the first few weeks of his presidency, Trump has issued several executive orders that have changed the shape of our government and country. Among many startling decrees, the order that has U.S. citizens protesting across the country is a travel ban of legal visa holders and the suspension of the refugee program from the predominantly Muslim countries of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia.

After the election in November, Upper School Director Ken Jaffe gave a tearful address to the student body declaring that part of UPrep’s mission was to ensure that “no one feels frightened as a result of the outcome of a presidential election.” Jaffe insisted that as a community we would not accept bigotry. He said that we would stand with all the groups in our community who had borne the brunt of the offensive words throughout the election. That was a proud moment as a community.

But three months later, how are we being successful at reducing fear? Many people in our community are afraid and only getting more so. Many of us have immigrant family and friends who fear they may be forced to leave their homes in the U.S.

In the past few weeks, there have been conflicting messages from the school. The administration reminded us to be inclusive of both people of immigrant families and of those who identify with the Republican party.

Don’t take this wrong; I value all Republican members of our community as I value all of humanity. However, when The Washington Post publishes an article referencing the suspension of refugees from these countries titled, “Anne Frank and her family were also denied entry as refugees to the U.S.” it is clear to me that some people need more attention and support than others right now. Republicans are valuable people, but they are not the ones at risk.

UPrep needs to support and help those of us who need it most: friends and families of the immigrants, as well as women and racial minorities. Jaffe started in that direction when he reminded the student body at weekly announcements on January 31 that as a school we support and stand with our Muslim and undocumented students. It was reassuring to hear that UPrep continues its support of people at risk.

Jaffe said in that same address, “Finding solutions to complex problems is not easy work. Finding solutions to complex problems requires a diverse group of thoughtful people willing to listen to and consider views and perspectives that are different from their own.”

People fear for their immigration status and immigrants are threatene. How can UPrep work towards solutions to protect humanity across the world?

Eighth grade student Mary Donner created a poster in her art class comparing frighteningly similar quotes between Trump and Hitler. She was unsure about whether she could hang it up or not and in a conversation with teachers and administrators, she opted to hang it in an art room away from the eyes of the whole community. The poster came down quickly to avoid offending visitors with its controversial message.

The school should have helped Donner to feel supported enough to display her poster in the main hall for all to see. We need a forum for our voices to be heard and to make a difference. The administration’s words speak loud, but where is the action? If not us, then who? And if not now, when?

By Yoela Zimberoff