Newspapers and video feeds are teeming with examples of Americans’ reactions to the presidential election. The negative tenor and threatening statements made by the new President Elect sunk so low at times that educators sought guidance on how to process the candidates’ behavior when their students were frightened or inspired to mimic it. And even now with the election in the history books, those who work with young people are asking for help processing the aftermath of one of the most divisive elections in American history. The stories that jar me most are of children chanting “Build the Wall!” into the brown faces of their classmates.
One common response to this bullying or threatening behavior has been suspension. Under the zero-tolerance paradigm for school discipline, administrators felt pressured to “kick the kids out” if they acted up in any variety of ways. But numerous studies and countless life-stories reveal that exclusionary discipline does more harm than good. It leaves children behind academically, isolates them socially and separates them from the positive aspects of their learning communities. Think about it.
- A child at home instead of school has countless more opportunities for mischief than s/he has at school.
- The child might not understand why s/he has been punished for simply mimicking the actions political leaders, leaving the student feeling victimized by a school system rigged against them.
- The child’s home environment might endorse and reinforce the attitudes that spawned the hateful and targeting behavior.
There is a better way. Restorative Justice is a peaceful conflict resolution process that offers a way for schools to shift the culture from bullying and division to inclusion and healing. Collaborative and inclusive, restorative justice brings together those who cause harm with those negatively affected. Together they explore what happened, who was affected and how; and what must be done to heal the harm. And together they hold the wrong-doer accountable by requiring him/her to make things right as much as possible. The wrong-doer’s voice is part of the story, along with everyone else who had been affected, and his/her presence is essential to achieve the necessary healing.
Clearly, this election has shown a spotlight on our stark and deep divisions. Many analysts have credited our country’s polarization to the loss of interaction and civil discourse between people of different backgrounds and differing perspectives. We don’t listen to each other anymore to understand others’ viewpoints and the conditions that foster their beliefs. Our zero-tolerance discipline system stifles the voices of those hurting and those causing the harm. We can do better, and we owe it to the future electorate to make the necessary changes now.
Schertzing Communications can help your school transform its discipline paradigm and culture into collaborative, inclusive, restorative community. From consultations to trainings and on-going coaching, Nancy Schertzing, MS can get you started today! Contact her at 517.505.1828 or by e-mail at schertzingcommunications@gmail.com to learn more.