In the days after the election, high school teacher Nagla Bedir saw an encouraging message ― one that addressed communities targeted by Trump’s hateful rhetoricduring his campaign, including people of color, people part of the LGBTQ community and Muslims ― making its way around the internet.
“Dear undocumented students, in this classroom, there are no walls. You belong here,” one line of the message reads.
“Dear black students, in this classroom, YOUR life matters,” reads another.
She goes on to address Muslim students, Mexican students, female students, LGBTQ students, and finally ends with telling ALL of her students that her classroom is place of love, acceptance, and respect for all.
Many of Bedir’s students said they loved the message, which may have originated from an English teacher and has been used in other schools. Bedir hopes the words remind her students that she is not only their teacher, but their “supporter, ally and advocate.”
