Letter from the Voices Editor

As I join the seemingly unending rotation of staff members to reflect on their time at The Wake, I’d like to say a few things about my time here. While at the magazine, I’ve reviewed the Bollywood Dance competition that takes place at Northrop every year and a talk given on traveler’s guilt, and I’ve written an article from the perspective of a second grader (don’t ask.) These stories, along with others, have called on me to think beyond myself and write from the perspective of another. However, in respect to what Helen Mirren says is the hardest thing to do in acting—that is, to walk into a room as yourself—I will be attempting to do the hardest thing as a frequent Cities and Voices writer today: writing a section purely as myself—or at least one that’s strictly about myself.  

Not following tradition at the magazine, I was hired as an intern before I had written any articles. A few articles later and I am the editor of one of our sections: Voices, to be exact. But you already know that. Looking back, I can remember the flood of emotions when my first article was published. I can also remember the terror of realizing that I only had two hours left to write my article. I definitely don’t do that anymore. Perhaps an important detail: just before my time as an intern, I took a semester off. I suffered a dip in my mental health and spiraled quite suddenly. Reflecting on that time, it represents a turning point in my life, a time in which things changed slightly, if not completely. Although I first wrote an article as an intern, I did attend Wake meetings before this time off. In a way, the magazine has remained a home for me, a place that has remained steady while everything else is shaky. 

During the time that I have changed, so has the world. There’s of course the pandemic, that thing. The stuff with the presidents and the Capital, as well as the Olympics. There has also been a racial reckoning, not only in the United States but around the world. As the Voices editor, I have been able to see students’ responses to many of these events. I am always impressed by their ability to find the courage to question as well as to respond. I feel blessed to be able to participate in this process, once as an intern and now as an editor. For as long as The Wake has been special to me, I hope it’s been special to you, the reader, as well. 

Best wishes, 

Mitchell, Voices Editor