How to renew faith in democracy, amid the spectacle that is Donald Trump
Kelly Yang says the poor example set by America’s embrace of Trump in its presidential race points to the need for education that teaches respect, not hate
“What’s the point of democracy if they’re just going to elect people like Donald Trump?” one of my students asked me as we watched the Republican debates.
Normally, teenagers here have no trouble listing reasons to support democracy. Hong Kong has become polarised as a society, more in need of effective, representative government than ever. Yet, lately, when I ask Hong Kong children about the merits of democracy, they have been drawing a blank, reciting instead the many outrageous things that pop out of Trump’s mouth every day – everything from erecting walls to erecting…er…body parts.
If America has reached peak stupidity with Donald Trump, it’s time to invest in these
“OMG. The front runner for the Republican Party just talked about how good he is in bed!” one student exclaimed.
“That would never happen in Singapore!” the Singaporean kid at the back shot back. With that, he stood up and launched into a five-minute speech about the merits of one-party rule.
OK, that’s it, I thought. I got up, walked over to the TV, and switched Trump off.
Showing kids clips of the US presidential election was no longer useful in teaching them about democracy
