Anti-Bias Day at Bronx Community Charter School

Hours before Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45^th President of the United States, one of Broadway’s staunchest critics against Mr. Trump visited the Norwood section of the Bronx to hear lessons of tolerance.

Brandon Victor Dixon, an actor who plays Aaron Burr in the popular Broadway musical, “Hamilton,” and who garnered greater fame for delivering a measured, unprecedented message of tolerance to Vice President Michael Pence days after Election Day, came to Bronx Community Charter School on Webster Avenue to spread that message and to hear from students.

“I love [the students] taking today to really focus on the many aspects of standing against bias, and united communities,” Dixon told the Norwood News.

His visit happened on BCCS’s Anti-Bias Day, where students presented projects illustrating gender and racial inequality, taking aim at a perceived nationalistic tenor set by Mr. Trump, a Republican, who was sworn in on Jan. 20.

“The inauguration, him being elected, it’s a lot of symbolism,” Dixon told the Norwood News. “I see Donald Trump, in a lot of ways as a distraction.”

Ushered from classroom to classroom, Dixon heard one lesson from Demara Ntiamoah-Agyekum, a 5-year-old who prepared a letter ready to be sent national chains, claiming their toy aisles could do more to break gender stereotypes.

“Where you going to send this letter to?” Priscilla Otero, Demara’s kindergarten teacher, asked.“And what are we telling them? What’s our message?” she asked.
“That it’s not fair,” Demara replied.

While Dixon reserved more of a lighthearted tone to the school’s lower classes, his talk with a large group of fifth, six, and seventh graders took a more sobering route.

“How’s everyone feeling about this new year and all the changes that are happening?” Dixon asked the crowd.

“Terrorized,” one student volunteered to say.
“Terrorized. Why do you feel terrorized?” Dixon asked.
“Cause I’m scared,” the student said.
“There are more people who want to live in a united, open level of progressive society,” Dixon said, drawing applause. “Be excited about that.”

The sentiment of fear wasn’t as pronounced for Erick Diaz, a third grader, who drafted a letter to Daniel Snyder, part owner of the Washington Redskins, for its continued stereotypical portrayal of Native Americans through its official team mascot. When asked who his new president was, Erick knew it was Mr. Trump, though he was cautiously optimistic of his presidency.

“He says he’s going to make America great again, but on the Instagram and social media he’s just putting horrible comments about people,” Erick said. “When he’s at home he can be whatever he wants, but when he’s president he has to take some responsibility.”

Leahnell Ramirez, 13, a seventh grader who explored what she labeled gender inequalities in Walt Disney films, was also on the fence over her true conclusion of Mr. Trump.

“Maybe he was doing all that stuff for publicity, like all the crazy stuff, but maybe he’ll be good, maybe he’ll be bad, we just don’t know yet,” Leahnell said.

BCCS is home to a largely diverse K through 7th grade student body that’s home to black, Latino, and Muslim students, reflecting Norwood’s overall population. After Election Day, Sasha Wilson, school principal, remembered the school in a state of apprehension and wanted to ease those anxieties.

“We want our kids to know it’s not a time of hopelessness when they can really double down on what they really value,” Wilson said.

Indeed, in the Bronx, Mr. Trump’s ascension to the White House has stoked fears and anxiety in a borough that’s overwhelmingly and loyally Democratic. Tabitha Guzman, a mother whose fifth grade son is enrolled at BCCS, remembered when Mr. Trump mocked a disabled news reporter. “If he feels that way about that man, what would he feel about my son?” Guzman asked.

“[My son] knows that things can change with a president like Trump, but I just tell him keep hope alive and continue to pray for that man,” Guzman said. She initially said her other son had an asthma attack the day Mr. Trump was elected.

On Fordham Road and Grand Concourse, Democratic state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, who boycotted the inauguration, joined a coalition of healthcare and civic groups to demonstrate power in localities that can oppose Mr. Trump’s policies.

“I do not want him to be successful,” Rivera said of Mr. Trump, referring to him as the “Orange Madness.” “Because this president’s success is utter destruction for the communities I care about.”