By Rachel Applegate
Focus
Midland HS
1st Place
Division 2, News Writing
Over the past year, the environment at MHS has become increasingly poisonous, enough that many students do not feel safe or welcomed. Although The Focus believes that there is not one specific reason for the growing intolerance, it’s hard to dismiss the impact of society-wide tension and violence that has emerged throughout the nation. In order to create a more inclusive learning environment, there needs to
be a significant decrease of insensitive comments made by students in the classroom, on campus, and in general. Hate has been put on public display. We believe that students deserve to be reaching their fullest potential at school, but with so many barriers such as the blatant use of hate speech and crimes, they end up having to be more concerned for their safety than their education. This ultimately becomes destructive to their mental state.
The Focus has noted an acceptance for intolerance and hate. It appears to be a new normal, and we aren’t surprised when new incidents emerge. The Focus finds it heartbreaking that staff and students have become acclimated to hate and expect it on a regular basis. People should not have to fear the destruction of their social, physical, or mental well-being while at school.
There have been far too many displays of racially provocative words, slogans, and signals for them to be considered not a big deal. In order to grow as a school
and a community, it is necessary not to overlook microaggressions or purposeful hate. The Focus believes that taking the easy way out is no longer acceptable; using homophobic and racist jokes is appalling and should not be overlooked. Laughing or ignoring these injustices adds to the problem at hand. People shouldn’t have to compromise who they are to feel safe and welcomed.
Although we believe that there is not a single solution to this issue, we think that the most realistic one is to hold everyone accountable for their actions, no matter who they are. By saying and doing nothing, ignorance is inadvertently being promoted. It needs to be made clear every day that hate does not belong at MHS, in any form. Lesson plans need to continue to promote inclusivity and belonging but most importantly, excuses need to stop being made.
The Focus does not believe that it is right to point fingers towards staff members because we understand that they don’t witness every hateful act or harassing. Students have just as much, if not more
of a responsibility to support their peers. We, The Focus, call on everyone to put a stop to the spread of hate in the school and the Midland community by cutting it off at its source. By saying nothing, the problem turns into a constant circle of hate that is near impossible to get out of. It needs to be made loud and clear that prejudice will not be tolerated in any form. Although we believe that open
discussions are essential to learning, it is important for them not to get out of hand. People need to be corrected or called out if the statement is factually incorrect, misleading, or hurtful. The First Amendment is not an excuse to say hurtful and damaging statements. We’re not saying that students can’t have differing opinions, but they shouldn’t be used as a weapon of hate. We understand that none of this is easy, but it will just continue to get harder if nothing is done.
Working towards unity is essential at this point. Sacrifices must be made in order to accomplish this. Calling someone out for wrong behavior is uncomfortable, but it is also selfless. Hate is a lot easier to shut down and control when it’s not encouraged. If people understand the serious consequences of their actions, change may occur. We hope that the environment at MHS will become productive and a place for all. It is impossible to expect that everyone will change their ways, but we should expect and encourage kindness out of everyone.
In the 2021 Presidential Inauguration poem “The Hill We Climb,” Amanda Gorman stated, “We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace and the norms and notions of what just is isn’t always justice.”
Compliance has been shown to be violence. Humanity, love, human decency, and understanding are at risk- if we do not act now. Once broken, these things are irreplaceable.
NW-06. Staff Editorial
Staff editorials should represent the opinion of the staff, editors or editorial board on a timely news matter of concern to the school, community, state, nation or world. They may express appreciation, offer interpretation or attempt to deal with problems. Editorials are not to be bylined, signed or initialed, or in any way identified as being the opinion of the writer(s). Submit a PDF of the print page(s) on which the story was published or the URL to the story on an online news site.
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Represents the opinion of the staff or editorial board
- Topic relevant to interests and/or welfare of school or students
- Wins reader interest with a compelling lead
- Presents evidence/interpretation in logical sequence
- States issue; uses effective examples, facts, and comparisons to clarify
- Deals with specific issue: avoids preaching, rhetoric, and cliches
- Shows sufficient thought and research
- Sentences, paragraphs of varied length; written clearly, concisely and vividly
- Proper diction/grammar