Dear Principal Douglass,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am a recent graduate of North Atlanta with the class of 2020. I'm extremely proud of having been a part of this school for 4 years but am saddened by events that have been brought to light over the past few days. A new Instagram page, @blackatNorthAtlanta, has allowed for current Black students and alumni to anonymously share their experiences with racism and racial bias for the rest of us to take in and act upon. I scrolled through their story recently and saw a response to one of the testimonials from a current North Atlanta High School student that was not only full of hate and morally unacceptable, but completely and utterly racist. In light of the recent progression in the movement to protect the lives of Black people and foster amazing learning environments in which the color of your skin defines nothing but how great you are for being different, I would like to request that this student who has been identified as Zach Russell from the class of 2021 be barred from any future endeavors as well as enrollment with, involving, or on North Atlanta's campus. If this is not a possibility, I would like to see at least a thorough investigation and following the results, severe disciplinary action be enacted. As a school, through the years the administration has made strides to urge the community of North Atlanta to be a "no place for hate" environment that allows all students to prosper without the fear of racial aggression negating that security. I urge you to act upon those principles and take a stand in solidarity with your Black students and staff not only in this moment but forevermore in the fight for equal rights. Without a doubt, I believe that the comments made by this student, as well was the dangerous and ignorant mindset he possesses would be a threat to the safety and security of the Black and minority communities at North Atlanta High School. I feel extremely blessed to have been a part of the NAHS Class of 2020 and always will be but it is unacceptable for such comments to be made and feelings to be voiced when there are so many resources available to be used to properly understand and support the cause for Black equality. Thank you very much for your time and I hope to come back and visit the school to see the same unified and unequivocally diverse supportive community in North Atlanta.

Sincerely, 

Jasai McKinney