Editorial: We need to do better
The Messenger’s Editorial Board reflects on recent events of police brutality and calls on the Northview community to reflect on instances of prejudice and discrimination and to take action.In late April, a graphic video of the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, GA. began spreading across social media, prompting mass criticism of the lack of action to punish the perpetrators. The following month, the death of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota led to outrage. These are only two of too many Black names that have become the center of nationwide protests against police brutality.
We recognize that Northview is home to a diverse student body, and therefore it is extremely important to practice allyship and actively support the fight against systemic racism that affects the Black community both at Northview and in the Johns Creek area on a daily basis, both implicitly and explicitly. We are right alongside the students taking action against these unjust institutions.
However, Northview, unfortunately, is NOT exempt from racism. We see certain acts as “jokes” without batting an eye at how demeaning our words and actions can be. Whether we would like to admit it or not, most of us - including students as well as staff - harbor implicit racial biases against the Black community, and this needs to end now. It can be uncomfortable to start conversations concerning race within our community, but now is not the time to be complacent. As a Northview community, now is the time to have these conversations.
The Messenger’s editorial board and staff recognize that we have not been completely innocent of these biases, but we hope to be a part of the change, both within the culture of Northview and in our own personal lives. We are committed to speaking out against the systems of oppression that have been perpetuated throughout history and continue to exist within this country. We condemn police brutality and actively support activist efforts advocating for change through transparency and education.
Most of us have likely experienced or seen racism in our own community, but we may not realize it due to how normalized it has become. It may even happen in our own homes. Before you sign petitions or email officials, make sure you understand the goal of this movement. Educate yourself about what is going on and what we are fighting for rather than just blindly following social media trends. Educate your family members and friends regardless of how difficult it may be for you. We are the future generation and as allies, we must be educated and stand united in order to foster a more equitable society.
We call on you to recognize your privilege. Reflect on your behavior and your position in this fight, and educate yourself with the resources available to all of us through social media, academia, and other reliable sources. Accompany your posts with actions, such as signing petitions, donating if fiscally possible, protesting, and voting in the upcoming election if you can. Hold yourself and others accountable, without co-opting or invalidating the voices of the Black community.
The Northview Messenger pledges to practice anti-racism and hold ourselves accountable as an organization, to use our platform to provide resources and information during these times, and to urge members of the community to take charge and be active in this fight against injustice.
This represents the majority opinion of the The Messenger Editorial Board. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members or Editorial Board members of The Messenger.
