In light of recent events in our community, I felt impelled to write why I am upset with the Cook County Community.
As a student at Cook County Schools, I felt like I was outcasted by certain teachers, not because of my race or because of my religion, but because I voiced my political views and thoughts. During my time at ISD 166, I experienced a Social Studies teacher calling President Trump a racist, a Math Teacher with political cartoons depicting the President as Hitler, and an Ihan Omar poster in her room. That same teacher and another Math teacher had Love Trumps Hate stickers endorsing Hilary Clinton for President, but when I would express my opposing views in the classroom, I was often shot down or told I need to stop talking by some of my peers and teachers.
During the winter of last school year (2019-2020), I wrote an email to the school board concerning these matters and the school’s social justice conference, which had guest speakers from the community who were known to go off script and attack the president of the conservative movement. My email was blown off by the school board and passed onto the principal of ISD 166, and while the principal and I had a good conversation, there was never an apology given, an investigation launched, or a change of rhetoric from the staff. I graduated in the class of 2020, and while I am out of high school, I am told by students still attending ISD 166 that this behavior has not stopped. ISD 166 and Cook County as a whole, pride themselves on being accepting to new ideas and diversity… as long as it agrees with their liberalism.
Equality is more than just LGBTQ rights, feminism, and BLM; you also have to accept and treat people with opposing views with respect and dignity. We cannot have equality and unity until you can treat someone as your equal. Look into their character, look into how they grew up, look into both sides of the aisle so you can understand where they are coming from. And while you may disagree with me, that’s okay. I respect you for that because, in this great country, we have something called the First Amendment, and it applies to everyone, not just a certain group, so next time you try and censor someone, take a minute and realize how you would feel without your voice.
Thanks, Trent Spry, Grand
Marais
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