By Guest Columnists: Sophie Droke and Jennifer Ruffin A Note from the Editors: Tatler, a student-run news publication, connects the St. Mary’s community to local and global issues through thoughtful reporting and shared stories. This is Tatler’s mission statement. It is the one sentence explanation of who we are and why we do what we do. It calls us to be thoughtful, connect our community and take on the hard issues. We could not live up to this mission without tackling the impending presidential election which will conclude when polls close tomorrow night. Real-world newspapers’ editorial boards often endorse one candidate or another. Some news outlets will be conducting exit polls and projecting electoral victories tomorrow. But none of those are roles for Tatler. Instead, we’re honored to connect the St. Mary’s community to the preeminent global issue today, the presidential race, by sharing the stories of students. In true St. Mary’s girl fashion, these guest columnists present well-reasoned arguments for their points of view, though they disagree, and Tatler is honored to give students on both sides the platform to use their voices and model civil discourse. It is our hope that you all come to see Tatler as a platform for you to share your point of view and for us all to grapple with the local and global issues of our time, a place where civic engagement is encouraged and disagreeing with civility is the standard practice. We want to hear from you, whether about the election or otherwise. Send a letter-to-the-editor(s) to tatlereditor@stmarysmemphis.net. — Ansley Skipper, Evie Fowler & Chloé Webster Editors-in-Chief Jennifer Ruffin (12): I support Joe Biden for President. As Election Day quickly approaches, we all wonder which of our classmates support who and why they do. Well, if you were wondering my stance, here it is: I support Joe Biden for President. Joe Biden has a plan. From healthcare and the economy to the environment, Biden has a strong, consistent plan to help America get back on her feet. In a world where people are losing their homes, income, and family members, Biden gives me a sense of hope and relief that I have been longing for since 2016. Through Biden’s plans, you can see how much he truly cares about the American people. Not just about the top 1% of income earners, but about the farmer in Pennsylvania, the suburban housewife in Dallas and the struggling single mom in Detroit. I support Biden because he is a step in the right direction. He believes in kindness, empathy, morality, equality and inclusiveness — all traits crucial to who we are as Americans. Over the past four years, America has taken too many steps backwards when it comes to racism, misogyny and homophobia. At this point, one could argue that we are unrecognizable as the country where all men are created equal. However, in Joe Biden’s vision for his presidency, I see the America we can and should be. The beautiful, diverse, and powerful America that I want to call my home. I wholeheartedly believe that Joe Biden will place us back into the shining light that American once resided in, and I can’t wait. Sophie Droke (12): President Trump deserves four more years.When asked why I support President Trump, three main things come to my mind: the unemployment rate, economy and abortion. Up until the pandemic struck in April of this year, American employers broke the record holding hiring streak with employers adding jobs for 76 months straight. The unemployment rate was at 4.7%, a 10 year low. Of the unemployed, the African American unemployment rate was 5.5%, the lowest recorded since the 1970s. Stocks were high, and gross-domestic product was growing by about 2.5% a year. Once the pandemic hit, many small businesses went out of business, and many were laid off from their jobs. However, President Trump ensured the unemployed received weekly unemployment checks, and now the stock market is almost back to where it was previous to the pandemic. I don’t think any other president could have as quick of a turnaround after a pandemic as President Trump has. Like many people, abortion is a major factor in which candidate I support. I have grown up believing that that life begins at conception and to have an abortion is to take that human life. Because there are so many ways to prevent pregnancy, I believe that abortion is in direct conflict with Jefferson’s right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Biden believes that abortion is a woman’s right and her choice to make; however, this is a huge moral conflict for me. Not only do I support President Trump because he improved our economy and unemployment rates prior to the pandemic, but I believe that he is the best fit for the job to continue this process during and after the pandemic. Because of President Trump’s improvements to our economy and his stance on abortion, I believe he deserves four more years. Note: Both columns have been edited for style and clarity only.
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