Recently, a photo on the front page of the Monitor showed angry adults gathered at a children’s sporting event. Apparently, the threat they feel is from transgender children. Children. Let that sink in. These children should be supported, not feared. They don’t fit society’s proclaimed mold, but they have the right to be who they are. These children are being used and targeted by the Republican propaganda machine just as the Nazis used Jewish people to distract from the bread-and-butter issues that impact everyone. Think about it. Listen to the lyrics, “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.”

But who is defending an innocent child against this potentially violent threat? Will school bullying be sanctioned and affirmed by adults? Do these adults know and care about the high suicide rate in vulnerable transgender children? Will we need police in our schools to protect them against this violence as well as gun violence? How can this level of malevolence be seen as a peaceful protest? It’s time to stop the bullying of these innocent children.

Betsey Neville

Concord