Religious diversity takes spotlight

Recently at Airport High School, some students have noticed that their peers of minority religions have been treated differently especially in light of radical Islamic terrorism and Trump’s executive order banning travel for certain people between the US and seven predominantly Muslim countries.

This is an important issue because all students should be treated equally; however, students are afraid to speak up on this issue, and those interviewed for this article wished to remain anonymous.

Rumors have been circulating, falsely of course, about what Muslim students might do in retaliation to feeling discriminated against, and there is an increasing potential for violence everywhere as a result of religious differences, before and after Trump's ban.

Specifically, one Muslim student has expressed frustration with being disrespected due to people making comments about her without being educated properly on the religion of Islam.

Although some students have to cope with the different situations, both non-Muslim students interviewed for this article had positive statements about their friendships with religiously diverse students. One student stated that his group of friends are “diverse” and “everyone gets along”

Another student at Airport has positive views on her group of friends’ also. One student mentioned that she has much value in her friends and wouldn't want to go through high school without them.

One teacher that has worked at Airport for 10 years says they have seen students improve over the years and becomes more tolerant of diversity as the school itself becomes increasingly diverse.

If you have any issues that you want to report regarding religious discrimination or bullying, contact ACLU.org or the school guidance counselor.