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These Letters From 1st Graders To President-Elect Donald Trump Are Scarily Wise

by Alexandra Svokos
Woodland School / New York Magazine

Donald Trump won the presidential election on Tuesday night, and many children around the country are not happy about it.

In a variety of national mock elections, students too young to vote for real overwhelmingly voted for Hillary Clinton.

It wasn't just that they liked Clinton more. It was also that they saw Trump as a bully whose behavior would not be tolerated in the classroom and thus should not be tolerated in the White House.

American adults apparently did not agree.

Children, like non-white, adult males, are also quite scared of Trump. Schools have reported a phenomenon known as the "Trump effect."

The "Trump effect" is twofold.

On the one hand, teachers are reporting more bullying, especially on the basis of religious and racial identity.

On the other hand, teachers are seeing non-white-male students are frightened.

Immigrants and children of immigrants, especially, are scared their families will be split up and kicked out of the country, among other worries like being beaten up by the empowered bullies.

A group of first grade students from Woodland School in Portola Valley, California were tasked with writing letters to Trump on Wednesday, New York Magazine reported.

Teacher Marie Keating gave the prompt, "What would you ask of our new president?"

The children's responses, which were published on Facebook, reveal their concerns, which align pretty well with adults' concerns.

Students are worried about Trump starting a war.

Woodland School / New York magazine

At least one first grader had the very adult thought to ask for higher taxes on the rich.

Woodland School / New York magazine

Mexican students are scared Trump will kick them out of the country.

Woodland School / New York magazine

I'm not sure exactly what this kid was thinking, but it sounds menacing.

Woodland School / New York magazine

Students are having fears of being separated from their friends by race.

Woodland School / New York magazine

One student just wants Trump to not call non-whites robbers, as he did with Mexicans when he started his campaign.

Woodland School / New York magazine

Nicole had a set of rules for Trump which includes not causing any fights.

Woodland School / New York magazine

So there you go, America. That's what you've given our children.

Citations: SPLC, New York magazine