The Fieldston community awoke on Wednesday, November 6, to the results of a historic election: Donald J. Trump won the United States presidency for the second time.
Many students and faculty expressed disillusionment and unease with Trump’s victory, such as History teacher Karen Drohan, who shared, “I’m sad for everyone, including the people who voted for him believing he would make things better.”
Echoing Drohan, Stella Brothers (Form V), pinpointed her primary emotions as, “depressed, and scared for our world.”
Zeke Tesler (Form VI), Editor-in-Chief of the Fieldston Political Journal, said, “I’m not necessarily shocked that Trump won, but the fact that margins in blue states and New York City in particular narrowed so much, and the fact that Trump seems on track to win the popular vote, are both realities that are hard to come to terms with.” Tesler voted for the first time in this election, casting his ballot for Kamala Harris.
For many, the political is personal. Trump’s views on reproductive freedoms, LGBTQ+ rights and violent rhetoric have caused fear and disquiet among students and faculty, many of whom personally identify with targeted demographics.
“I think [there is worry from] people who feel that they or people they love are directly impacted by the policies they presume are coming down the pike,” said Form V psychologist Dr. Ben Harris, who spent election week listening to students’s anxieties.
John Keithline (Form IV) shared, “I’m transgender. Even though I live in New York, I’m really afraid for people like me and what Donald Trump being elected could mean for my access to healthcare and my access to schooling around the country when I go to college.” Keithline is one of the many students who have expressed concerns about how the election could impact their college choices.
History teacher Jennifer Tammi said reproductive health was one of her primary concerns going into the election, especially considering Trump’s record on abortion rights. “I do think that the overturning of Roe v. Wade was incredibly detrimental to women’s health. […] a woman died in Texas a few days ago because she had sepsis, even after going to three emergency rooms,” she said.
Sarah Joe (Form IV) is disappointed with “the outcome of this election, especially since he’s literally a convicted criminal…he’s sexually assaulted women, he has very strong stances against women and against choice. I just don’t think these are qualifications that should allow him to be president.”
While the Fieldston community is pluralistic, no conservative or Republican-leaning student or faculty member has commented on the record to The Fieldston News.
Many students and faculty emphasized the need for respectful discourse and unbiased education. “As a citizen in this country, I have strong feelings about [the election]. I try not to let that impact how I engage with students because I absolutely believe we all have the right to have different political positions,” said Tammi.
Upper School Principal Dr. Stacey Bobo emphasized the importance of open, respectful discourse. She said, “It’s not our job to tell you what to think, it’s to give you the critical skills to teach you how to think.”
Students, such as Natalie Evans (Form V), are learning to navigate the country’s tension. She said, “Although I am disappointed and upset about the election results, I recognize that more than half of America holds a different opinion than me, and I have to accept the majority’s decision.”
Source: Lily Saal
