As the rhetoric in the 2016 presidential elections reaches new heights, a certain demographic is beginning to feel a number of ill effects. According to a survey of about 2,000 teachers across the nation, the ongoing presidential campaign, especially that of Republican front-runner Donald Trump, has caused a spike in fear and anxiety among children of color.
The survey, titled "The Trump Effect: The Impact of the Presidential Campaign on Our Nation's Schools" by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) concluded that Trump's strong statements on other races and immigration have encouraged a more hostile environment in America's schools.
The results of the survey, which were released on Wednesday, described the current plight of colored students in the country.
"Children of color, in particular, are being deeply traumatized. Many fear that they or their parents will be deported, or worse, after the election," the results of the survey read.
"Other students have been emboldened by the divisive, often juvenile rhetoric in the campaign. Teachers have noted an increase in bullying, harassment and intimidation of students whose races, religions or nationalities have been the verbal targets of candidates on the campaign trail."
A kindergarten teacher in Tennessee, who was part of the study's sample, referred to an incident involving a Latino child. After being repeatedly told by classmates that "kids with brown skin" would be deported, the child has fallen into the habit of asking "Is the wall here yet?" every day.
Another teacher related a more direct attack, this time on a Muslim student. A fifth-grader menacingly told the child "that he was supporting Donald Trump because he was going to kill all of the Muslims if he became president."
A high school teacher from North Carolina described how Latino students in the school have begun carrying their birth certificates and Social Security cards to school out of fear of being suddenly deported.
Trump has made his strong stance on undocumented immigrants and foreigners a cornerstone of his presidential campaign. Though perceived as extreme by many, his rhetoric has nonetheless enamored a massive number of supporters. Indeed, as the presidential race progresses, Trump's campaigns have gotten more and more passionate, at times becoming quite physical.
Trump's campaign has not released a statement about the results of the survey as of writing.
