The racist culture that exists in the Marvin community is toxic! As a school that prides itself in providing a diverse education, having a sister school in china, and being “a passport to the world”, Marvin Ridge High School has failed too many times to appropriately respond to and address the most basic forms of oppression. Whether it's mocking accents, racial stereotyping, racist jokes, or the casual use of the n-word, these acts have gone unnoticed more often than not. It's because we’ve normalized such behavior in our school’s culture. As students, we’ve resorted to brushing off racist comments as no big deal. The administration and faculty would rather ignore it than discuss it in their classes. It’s time we start holding ourselves accountable for our flaws rather than focusing on our achievements.

We may be the top school in North Carolina and have a 100% graduation rate but that doesn’t erase or override the fact that our school has created a hostile environment. We are barely taught about African American History and skim over the civil war period. We are taught that the racism and oppression that occurred back then no longer does when it happens in our very hallways every single day. Rather than being scrutinized by students, parents, and administration, teachers should be encouraged to call out such offensive behavior in their classes. As a community, we fear that standing up for what we believe in is controversial and violent. We believe that we are better than that when in reality we are the problem!

Through this petition, we are demanding change! Students should face the appropriate consequences for oppressive and racist behavior. It’s important that our students are willing to unlearn the generational racism that has been instilled within them. We should not make it such a taboo to have open conversations about race in a class setting, especially Social Studies and English. As a school, we should encourage more inclusive cultural events. Problems regarding race should be addressed in faculty meetings more. We hope that Marvin Ridge High School can take these solutions and apply them in order to evolve our social culture.

The actions of the past are still affecting and continuing the cycle of systemic racism, even within the very walls of our school! So, we ask you, if we can't stop racism at the most fundamental levels, how are we supposed to foster an education that encourages our future doctors, lawyers, politicians, educators, and leaders to be open-minded, accepting, and culturally appreciative?