Controversy over the “Ragtime” choir musical recently surged when administration censored the use of the N-word.

This word, although offensive, is part of our history, and censoring it is denying the past of our country.

The administration knew about the play in November, and made the decision to censor the word the day of opening night. Descrepancies exist between the students and the administration regarding the timeline.

Administration also said discussions about race, equality and the use of this word would need to happen before they would allow the use of the word in a school play. This is unfair to the cast because it impacts the performance.

The cast of the play discussed racial issues throughout the process of the production.

Students of many races came to the unanimous decision to keep the word. Students in the play confronted interim principal Scott Meyers the day before the opening night and turned in a petition to keep the word with 540 student signatures. However, the decision remained to censor it. Meyers claims they were not aware other words meriting censorship were in the play. This is not an excuse for poor decisions. They should have been informed before making the decision.

The “Ragtime” cast wrote a PSA to read to the audience, in order to voice their opinion about the censorship. The administration requested a line be taken out because it portrayed them poorly. The administration censored the N-word, but it is completely within the rights of the cast to speak out against this decision they feelwhich propagates racism.

The administration said discussions about racism need to be formed.

These conversations already exist, with the equity coaches, equity circles and SOAR. Joining these discussions and actively participating will benefit our community as a whole.