On a crisp morning in Dec. 2014, several African American students lay “dead” on the university seal. The ‘Die In’ protest sought to raise awareness of racial issues facing the community.

It was a strong statement, a plea for community-wide change. Yet nearly two years later, after talking with numerous students and administrators, it’s clear that not everything that can be done has been.

Sixteen pages in one issue will not solve anything, and it shouldn’t. My hope is the conversation is sparked. Over the past few years, there have been several shootings involving minorities (in particular African Americans) and police officers. Regardless of your opinion on these shootings, there is no denying that they have affected students at St. Edward’s.

In September, our entire staff came together and decided we wanted to bring attention to this subject. We wanted this to be our last issue before Election Day. While these past 18 months have been like no other in the political arena, we still face the same issues. And they will still be there after the election, regardless of who wins.

I’ve been an editor at Hilltop Views for almost three years. I’ve covered tough topics and sensitive issues. But this topic — race at St. Edward’s — is probably the toughest. There are charged emotions on both sides. Even as I write this, I know there will be many out there that won’t like this issue. But it has to be reported on, to the best of our ability.

The goal of this issue is to help bridge the discomfort with open conversations and to have people discuss the issues still being faced. As someone who is half white and half Hispanic, I don’t agree with everything said in this issue, but that’s the point. I’m open to being challenged and to different ways of thinking, and I hope you are too.

Thank you,

Jacob Rogers