An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
Marcus Johnson

Marcus Johnson, Comment Managing Editor

Marcus Johnson is a senior in his third year on the Southerner. When he’s not hard at work writing, he runs cross country and track for Midtown and plays basketball in his free time.

All content by Marcus Johnson
Parents angry at return-to-school policies and controversial decisions made by public schools have embraced school choice as a way to hold districts accountable, co-opting the idea of school choice for their own ends.

School choice expansion proposal pushes too far

Marcus Johnson
April 14, 2022
Young voters have historically low levels of voter participation, and it remains to be seen whether the increase in youth voter turnout in 2020 is indicative of things to come. As many states, including Georgia, push voter suppression laws, it is increasingly important that Atlanta Public Schools and other school districts use their platforms to remove barriers and prepare students to vote.

APS should institutionalize voter registration as part of graduation

Marcus Johnson
March 11, 2022
Atlanta Public Schools implemented a mask-optional policy for all students and staff, beginning on March 1, 2022. The decision comes on the same day that the Georgia Senate voted in favor of the “Unmask Georgia Students Act,” which would prohibit mask mandates in public schools without an option for parents to opt their children out.

“Unmask Georgia Students Act” threatens to undermine local school safety measures

Marcus Johnson
March 8, 2022

Requiring school-issued computers creates level academic playing field

Marcus Johnson
February 7, 2022
Security measures such as the recently installed gates send the wrong message to students and fail to actually make students safer at school.

[Photo] Atlanta Public Schools’ security system does not benefit students

Francesca Ruhe
November 19, 2021
Cash Bluestone, sophomore

Cash Bluestone, sophomore

Marcus Johnson
November 3, 2021

Social media platforms promote irresponsible behavior with challenges

Marcus Johnson
October 20, 2021
Social media challenges are being blamed for the recent rise in damage and graffiti, both at Midtown and nationwide. This damage has prompted a debate over the effects of social media challenges.

Are social media challenges a force for good or evil?

Marcus Johnson and Aran Sonnad-Joshi
October 20, 2021
Pres. Biden delivers his debut speech to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 21. In his address, Biden stressed the importance of international cooperation to address issues such as the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and reiterated commitments to restoring the U.S.'s position as a trusted ally on the world stage. However, these ideals serve as a marked contrast to his foreign policy in his first eight months as president.

Biden’s foreign policy contradicts unconvincing UN speech

Marcus Johnson
September 27, 2021
Students line up for optional Covid-19 testing. As the virus continues to spread, APS is now requiring teachers and staff to undergo surveillance testing twice a week. While the move is a step in the right direction, more must be done to ensure public safety in schools.

Covid-19 vaccinations should be mandatory for teachers and staff

Marcus Johnson
September 15, 2021
Drew Gossett, senior

Drew Gossett, senior

Marcus Johnson
August 30, 2021
Midtown's decision to use a new online learning platform, Schoology, has been met by a host of technical problems and frustration from students and teachers.

Schoology causes unnecessary difficulties for students, teachers

Marcus Johnson
August 26, 2021
Intown Bicycles, located in Midtown on Monroe Drive, has seen consumer demand for bikes increase since the pandemic while supply has run out. Other bike stores, and the bike industry as a whole, has faced a similar situation.

Ethan Johnson, junior

Ethan Johnson, junior

Marcus Johnson
December 7, 2020
As a poll worker, my main job was to show people who needed assistance where to cast their ballot.

My experience as a poll worker

Marcus Johnson
November 4, 2020
Writer and director Christopher Nolan's newest film "Tenet" features John David Washington as a secret agent attempting to prevent the end of the world.

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ fails to meet expectations

Marcus Johnson
October 16, 2020
A masked employee makes a coffee behind a plexiglass barrier at Little Tart Bakeshop in Krog Street Market. These changes have been put into place to minimize contact between employees and customers.

Local restaurants respond to COVID-19 concerns

Marcus Johnson
October 15, 2020
Kai Anderson, senior

Kai Anderson, senior

Marcus Johnson
October 12, 2020
Incumbent Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris, Democratic vice presidential nominee, present their ticket's policies on a number of important issues at the vice presidential debate on Oct. 7.

Vice presidential debate emphasizes division in return to policy-driven debate

Marcus Johnson
October 10, 2020
Juul pods are sold in flavors like mint, mango, tobacco and menthol. Each colorful pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.

Illnesses and deaths spark efforts to curb vaping

Lindsay Ruhl and Marcus Johnson
October 10, 2019
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Marcus Johnson