Carina Cole ’22 and John Xu ’22
Dear Mercersburg Community,
The world is in a turbulent state. Since December 2019, there has been unprecedented interruption in the lives of people across the globe. This disruption, however, has highlighted the injustice and inequality that existed of which too many people were unaware when they were living in the comfortable bubbles of their everyday lives.
Of course, when we turn on our TVs or check the newsfeed on our phones, we see jaw-dropping statistics regarding coronavirus cases and deaths. But by digging only slightly deeper, we find reports of inequities that plague the world. Hate crimes. Police shootings. Aggressions – both micro and macro. Amid the chaos, important stories remain untold. It is deeply troubling that instances of hate and ignorance still occur today. That is why everyone, regardless of who they are, must speak up and fight for what is right. Protests, school walkouts, petitions. A call to action serves as the fire that fuels the demand for justice. This is why the Mercersburg News is calling on the student body to use the paper as a way to spread awareness and continue the fight for equality
As newly appointed co-Editors in Chief, we have decided that the Mercersburg News should operate as a school newspaper not just in the traditional sense, but in a way that advocates for change. While we will continue to report on the latest SAC activities, arts performances, athletic contests, and guest speakers, we hope to amplify the unheard voices of the Mercersburg community in regard to current events. We hope to expand upon the efforts the school has made, such as DEIJ initiatives and affinity spaces, by advancing change directly through the words of students. The change must come from all of us as a collective voice. Mercersburg takes pride in its diverse student body, so it should be expected of everyone to strive for inclusivity and build a more equitable community.
Everyone deserves to share their unique stories and voice the issues they care about. This is why we are inviting everyone to take advantage of this platform, to directly use your voices to alert the community of current issues from global movements as paramount as Black Lives Matter to local events happening in the borough of Mercersburg. The Mercersburg News invites you to share what is most important to you.
Your co-Editors in Chief,
Carina Cole and John Xu