A Muslim girl was reportedly assaulted by classmates at a middle school in New York City who allegedly called her a terrorist and tried to rip off her clothes.
This is what GOP rhetoric has sown.
The sixth grade girl, whose identity [Inside Edition] is withholding, was playing during recess when three boys allegedly went after her on November 19 at P.S. 89 in the Bronx, a school source who spoke on the condition of anonymity told IE.
The boys, who are in the same grade as the girl, allegedly put her in a headlock and punched her as they tried to take off her hijab, the source said.
The boys reportedly called the girl "ISIS" and I think it's safe assume they didn't come up with that on their own. This is not normal behavior for children. These children have clearly been influenced by the so-called adults in their life.
There's no reason a sixth-grade boy would know that removing a Muslim girl's hijab would be very offensive unless wearing one has been demonized by the adults in their lives. There's no reason sixth-graders would associate wearing a hijab with terrorism unless adults told them it was associated.
These boys are responsible for their actions but I would also place a significant amount of responsibility with their parents or guardians who themselves have clearly watched a little too much Fox News.
Public School (PS) 89 is otherwise known as the Williamsbridge School (pictured above).