Skip to main content

Mary Retta

Mary Retta is the education columnist for Teen Vogue. She writes about Black feminism, youth movements, and internet culture. Her work has been featured in VICE, The Nation, Bitch Media, the Columbia Journalism Review, and more.
Justice

Teachers Say They’ve Been Sidelined for Discussing Race In Class

“Exposing students to ideas is not indoctrination.”
Justice

Students Are Facing Harsh Punishments During Remote Learning

From Zoom detention to suspension.
Justice

In 2020, Young People Embarked on Their Own Political Education

"The way that the U.S. teaches history and civics completely chops up the truth.”
Politics

Students at the Country’s Most Expensive University Promise a Tuition Strike

As students struggled, Columbia University’s president did not take a pay cut. 
Health

How Much Weed Is Too Much?

Find out what experts say about teen marijuana use, and whether it's safe at all.
Politics

Campuses Are Increasing Student Surveillance During the Pandemic

The use of facial recognition technology is on the rise.
Government

With DeVos Out, Students Want a Say in the Department of Education

"Betsy DeVos has done an immeasurable amount of damage.”
Government

COVID-19 Has Transformed Teens’ Perception of College

“School is not the end-all be-all of a successful career and life.”
Politics

Exam Surveillance Tools Record Students' Every Move

"When I finished the exam I was literally sobbing.”
Government

College RAs Are Organizing After Losing Jobs, Housing During COVID

This is affecting some of the most marginalized students on campus.
Politics

Socializing on Campus During COVID-19 Comes With Huge Risks

“It isn’t fair to place all of the responsibility on the students who were told by their school to return.”
Politics

Students Are Getting in Trouble for Sharing Photos of Crowded Schools

Several students in Georgia were even briefly suspended.
Politics

Schools Are Enforcing Zoom Dress Codes

Nope.
Mental Health

What Nightmares Mean for Your Mental Health

From drowning in an ocean of snakes to PTSD flashbacks.
Culture

Black Lives Matter-Related Videos Are Being Taken Off YouTube

YouTubers realized they had broken a policy after their videos were removed.
Mental Health

The Unplug Collective Won't Let Black Women Be Censored

Founder Amanda Taylor opened up about celebrating Black and Brown women and nonbinary people at their most real. 
Justice

Meet the Groups Who've Been Fighting to Abolish Minneapolis Police

“Our work now is about ensuring that this conversation goes past reform."
Voices

Don't Forget About Breonna Taylor

The woman who organized Breonna's birthday memorial wants everyone to show up for Black women.
Politics

Meet the Students Who Are Also Healthcare Workers

“It's been really emotionally and physically taxing.”
Politics

These Student Organizers Want Election Day to Be a Campus Holiday

"We really saw how the democratic sausage is made, and it isn’t always pretty."
Politics

A Lot of Students May Not Return to College In the Fall

“I don’t think [remote] education is worth the cost of tuition.”
Relationships

Why Meeting Your Internet Crush in Real Life Might Not Turn Out How You Hoped

You think you know a lot from your crush’s Instagram, but are you seeing the whole picture?
History

The Controversy Over Dorms for Minority College Students, Explained

Many students say these spaces foster community. Critics call them a form of segregation.