In the midst of a devastating COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged thousands of lives, we all witnessed this summer the surge of another pandemic — one fueled by a different virus that has mutated frequently throughout history, yet remains embedded in this country’s foundations: racism.
The police brutality documented over the summer and the resulting Black Lives Matter protests across the globe inspired many Princeton students to take action. Books such as ‘How to Be an Antiracist’ had wait times at the University’s eBook website stretching up to 10 weeks, and University administrators distributed an anti-racist reading list compiled by two students. Others, including the previous Editorial Board, began to interrogate and demand a reimagining of policing and public safety on our campus.
While there are certainly students and student groups still doing necessary work to address systemic racism on campus, the concerted energy and desire for change we witnessed over the summer have undoubtedly diminished. Nevertheless, the work to create a more racially just society both nationally and here at Princeton remains urgent and unfinished. Thus, as Black History Month comes to an end, this Board has a message for all University community members: let’s start at home.
Read the complete article at: The Daily Princetonian
