The Atlantic has a great story (“Why are third-graders afraid of Donald Trump?”) about two Newton elementary school children who co-founded Kids Against Trump. Micah St. George and Alexis Fridman, both soon-to-be fourth graders at Angier “appear to be at the fore of the elementary-age set” in organizing against either Trump or Hilary Clinton, wrote Emily Richmond.
From the article:
“The idea for the petition started in February after some of Trump’s speeches. The candidate’s words troubled Micah on two levels. First of all, there were Trump’s disparaging comments about women, Muslims, and immigrants. Micah was adopted from Guatemala as an infant, and he has two moms. So it felt to Micah like Trump was attacking his family and friends.”
Here’s my favorite quote (from Fridman):
“If I talked like Donald Trump, I’d get sent to the principal’s office immediately.”
The story goes on to talk about how public school teachers are handling this presidential campaign in their classrooms.
Here’s the change.org petition asking the Republican Party to Dump Trump.
Here’s Kids Against Trump’s Facebook page.
Bravo to these two kids for their civic engagement!
This is a well done story…and timely. But, for the record, Newton Patch and Village 14 first reported about these kids in March.
Glad this is an ongoing effort. Anyone watching the GOP convention right now should now that everyone should be doing what they can to stop Trump from ever reaching the White House. Truly scary.
@Greg Reibman,
Nice.
What a stupid thing. Obviously comes from their parents.
Hillary is the worst possible thing that could happen to the US, short of an Obama third term. She’s a liar and a phony.
Anyone should understand how dangerous it would be if Hillary were president.
But the knee-jerk liberals in Newton and elsewhere in Massachusetts would vote for her even if she were jailed for all the crimes that FBI Director Comey admitted that she is guilty of.
@Barry Cohen, This is a a good age to encourage kids to think about political discourse. I believe my father was never prouder of me when at a similar age I was able to hold my own discussing politics with his John Birch buddies. We have a society with low engagement and low voter turnout. You may not agree with the message but please recognize how this can positively mold the next generation.
Groot,
I’ve seen this personally and it’s really a form of early indoctrination, done by people who are fanatical in their support of far left hateful ideas. If they were to help their kids to think critically and understand the issues objectively from both sides, I’d agree with you.
@Barry Cohen,
Can you bring us up to speed on the “far left hateful ideas”? Are they vile things like marriage equality and equal rights for all? Enquiring minds want to know…
@Barry – if you read Greg’s comment, you’ll see that these kids formed the group this winter, before Trump had won the primaries. For all you know, one or both of them had parents who supported another Republican, such as Kasich. I have several very conservative Republican friends who detest Trump and his horrible behavior.
mgwa
You’re correct. It isn’t clear. Maybe someone can find out.
Barry. Some of the kids at Angier and Zervas were for Bernie and reached out to us before the New Hampshire primary. Unfortunately, Bernie was out of the race before we could fully mold their young minds to advance the Marxist Socialist agenda of the 21st century. I’m certain you are relieved to learn this.
One thing that struck me was mention of the Wall. My own ten year old was very concerned and is still concerned about a wall separating us from Mexico. And if you read the article, one of the students has a grandmother in Mexico. A wall is very visual, which kids really understand, and thinking about your grandma is on the other side is scary. I would not jump to a conclusion that parents are forcing this . . . . . .
Just back from a couple of weeks in Venice and London, where, despite their own political follies of the moment, a number of people–some old enough to remember fascism firsthand–went out of their way to tell us they’re sick with worry at the thought of Trump as U.S. president. As for the “Hillary should be in jail” hysteria, I suppose it’s a change from the “Hillary should be in the kitchen” hysteria of twenty-five years ago, but no more coherent or constructive as political discourse.
Given that Trump belongs in jail, for stiffing contractors and architects who did work for him, not to mention the travesty called Trump U…