The Politics of Despair Enabled by Dysconscious Xenophobiaism: A Call to Action on Behalf of Immigrants and Their Children

Abstract

This article underscores the urgency of protecting the most vulnerable citizens in the United States during the time of political distress brought forth by the Trump administration. More specifically, in this piece we draw attention to social factors affecting the nation’s immigrants and their children. We ask readers to consider immigrants’ struggles and think about our society, its citizens, and the meaning of citizenry, broadly, while at the same time acknowledging immigrants’ numerous contributions. We point to schools, which often carry core values of our communities, and stress the need for support and assistance for those who often find themselves on the front lines in this climate of distress and anxiety: the nation’s educators. Further, as we discuss the struggles enabled by the political discourse of hatred and intolerance, we attempt to unpack the current xenophobic climate as well as highlight the devastating impact of xenophobia, particularly on the nation’s schools and its children, who habitually find themselves under siege due to their heritage and/or citizenship status.