“What do you want to do after graduation?” is the response I get after telling someone I am currently studying psychology. For many years now, I have had my mind set on becoming a school psychologist to help kids in public schools with academic and behavioral differences where they need some aid. I will help them get the accommodations they need to succeed in school and make life easier for them. My little sister is currently on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) which gives her the confidence and tools she needs to thrive in school like she is now. She is my inspiration for my goals and ambitions. Seeing her get the help she needs with the work she puts into her schooling is nothing short of inspirational. There are millions of children just like her that need this extra boost just to get through schooling. Now because of the results of this election, these children may be at a disadvantage more than ever.
On November 6, I woke up to my alarm after having a nightmare of seeing the Electoral College painted red. When I checked my phone after turning off my alarm, I had the realization that my nightmare became our reality. My notifications were flooded with texts alluding to our next presidential elect, so I opened Google just to see the number “277” in a bold red text. My heart sank as my eyes started to fill with tears as I mourned the women, children, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and other Americans about to be negatively impacted for the next four years. I was filled with insurmountable grief as I realized how this country was going to look like. Fittingly, it happened to be a cloudy, gloomy day here in Bowling Green as I dragged my feet to class.
Part of the Republican agenda for this election is to dismantle the Department of Education as our 47th president wants to hand the power and funding to the states. Public schools thrive from federal funding for many programs and services. Special education is funded by the federal Department of Education as the states then distribute the funding as needed. With the proposed plan, millions of IEPs or 504 plans are at risk from the lack of funding. All of the Americans that voted red in this election sacrificed the education for millions of children for the possibility of cheaper gas and groceries. America once again has failed our youth with ableism and ignorance to what could happen to our future. How can we have a future if millions of children will struggle graduating?
This is only a small portion of what is to come from what the right has in store, not just for education, but for our nation. How can I be friends with someone who voted to take away something vital to someone I love dearly and millions of other children. My dream is to help these children, but that may not be an option if this plan is enacted. I will unapologetically keep fighting for everyone impacted by the results of this election. I will get political, because it is very personal.