Following Donald Trump’s presidential election, racially charged incidents are being reported at schools across the country — and now also in Arizona.
Leaders at Brophy College Preparatory, an all-male Catholic high school in central Phoenix, are encouraging students to be accepting of one another.
On Wednesday, Principal Bob Ryan sent a letter to the Brophy community in hopes of bringing an end to racial tensions on campus.
According to Ryan, Trump's campaign and election has “exposed divisions in our country that are deeper than any of us recognized.”
The principal went on to describe multiple incidents that have occurred at the Valley high school, including a teacher overhearing a conversation between two Latino students who asked one another if they had started packing yet. These references alluded to Trump’s plans to crack down on illegal immigration and ramp up deportations.
The letter also said that other Latino students were asked how they felt about their last day at school being Jan. 19; Muslim and African American students have been also experienced “comments that are not repeatable,” Ryan said.
However, racially charged comments aren’t the only issue at Brophy.
The principal said students seen wearing "Make America Great Again" hats have been called racists, and other Trump supporters have felt uncomfortable voicing their beliefs out of fear of being judged.
Ryan stated that the objectification and dehumanization of women “is not how real men behave.” During Trump’s campaign, a video from 2005 leaked showing Trump boasting about grabbing a woman inappropriately.
The letter wraps up asking students to make the school an emotionally and physically safe environment for everyone. Ryan also wished President-elect Trump success in office and said he hopes all elected officials will work together to promote good.
