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Strange Fruit

—A pivotal moment in music history.

"Strange Fruit" is a haunting protest against the racial injustices in America, specifically targeting the horrific practice of lynching. Written by Abel Meeropol and performed by Billie Holiday, this song became a powerful statement in the civil rights movement.

Strange Fruit originally written as a poem by teacher Abel Meeropol in 1937

Southern trees bear strange fruit

Blood on the leaves and blood at the root

Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze

Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant south

The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth

Scent of magnolia, sweet and fresh

Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck

For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck

For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop

Here is a strange and bitter crop

Its stark imagery and emotional delivery hit hard, leaving an indelible mark on those who heard it. Despite being released in 1939, its relevance continues today, reminding us of the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

The song's impact was recognized by its induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and it is often revisited in discussions about race and justice. Cover versions by various artists have kept its message alive, ensuring that "Strange Fruit" remains a crucial part of music history.

Listen to the song Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday.

Rising Prices, Stagnant Wages

—A Crisis for Working Families

Trump’s tariffs and stagnant wages create a perfect storm, making it harder than ever for working families to get by.

Buying American has long been a financial burden for the working class, with products priced higher than those made overseas due to labor and manufacturing costs.

Under Trump's tariffs, this burden has only intensified, making it even more difficult for many families to afford basic necessities, including food.

The increase in prices has compounded the already existing economic strain, pushing even the most essential goods out of reach for those struggling to make ends meet.

Meanwhile, stagnant wages have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living, further eroding workers' purchasing power.

While the intention behind these tariffs may have been presented as a way to protect American jobs and industries, the reality is that there may be more jobs, but they will likely only pay enough to survive in Trump's America, leaving many stuck in a cycle of barely making ends meet.

Whoever said freedom was a given clearly missed the memo about modern-day chains poverty.

No Empathy for the Enablers

—No Sympathy for Trump’s Supporters

As Trump’s supporters turn away, the responsibility they bear for his rise remains undeniable, leaving little room for sympathy.

As many of Trump’s MAGA supporters begin to distance themselves from his influence, the question arises whether empathy should be extended to those who played a significant role in elevating him to power.

The answer, for many, is a resounding no. These individuals, having supported and fueled his rise, bear responsibility for the chaos and division he has caused. Rather than offering sympathy or forgiveness, there’s a sense of bitterness and resentment, especially considering the damage they’ve contributed to.

The feeling isn’t just one of anger—it’s a belief that those who enabled his destructive path should face the consequences of their actions, and perhaps experience the repercussions more deeply than those who were hurt by the fallout of their decisions.

Religion in Oklahoma Schools

—The First Amendment Under Fire

As religion enters the classroom, the fundamental rights protected by the First Amendment are at risk.

The battle over religion in Oklahoma schools, spearheaded by Ryan Walters, Oklahoma's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, presents a significant threat to the First Amendment by challenging the foundational principle of the separation of church and state.

The approval of a Catholic virtual charter school and the push to incorporate religious teachings into public school curricula blur the lines between governmental institutions and religious practices, which the First Amendment was designed to prevent.

By allowing religious beliefs to be promoted in public schools, the state risks infringing on the rights of students from diverse religious backgrounds, effectively establishing religion within a government-funded educational system.

This could set a dangerous precedent, allowing future policies to undermine the protections that ensure freedom of religion and belief for all citizens, making the public sphere vulnerable to religious influence.

Is this really impossible? Remember, the Supreme Court now holds a 6-3 conservative majority that strongly supports religious rights, a shift that could have dire consequences.

Challenging Sacred Texts

The dangers of viewing the Bible, and other religious test, as an infallible source of moral and societal guidance in the modern world.

Books like The Bible should not be considered sacred because treating it as an infallible, divine authority limits critical thinking and societal progress.

While it may seem to offer valuable moral teachings, its content reflects the historical, cultural, and social context of ancient times, which includes outdated beliefs and practices that no longer align with modern understanding of ethics, science, and human rights.

By considering the Bible sacred, societies risk perpetuating harmful ideologies, such as sexism, homophobia, and racial inequality, that have been historically justified through selective interpretation of scripture.

A Call for Rational Thought Over Religious Dogma

Instead of holding any religious text as inherently sacred, we should embrace a more open-minded and rational approach to moral and ethical issues—one that prioritizes human rights, critical thought, and evidence-based understanding over ancient dogmas.

Unfit to Lead

The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg wrote an article on Monday entitled: 

"The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans,"

Trump Administration’s Stunning Security Lapse Raises Grave Questions

Several high-profile officials in President Donald Trump's administration were recently involved in a scandal where text messages discussing classified war plans were inadvertently sent to a journalist. ​

This incident raises serious concerns about the Trump administration's capacity to effectively manage national security matters. 

The accidental inclusion of a journalist in a group chat discussing top-secret military operations not only exposes a lack of operational security but also suggests a troubling level of carelessness among senior officials. 

Such lapses undermine the administration's credibility and highlight potential vulnerabilities in handling sensitive information, calling into question their overall competence in safeguarding national interests.

The biggest question is whether those in charge possess the intelligence and competence required for their positions, or if they are merely there to sow chaos, with their IQ being irrelevant to their true purpose.

The officials involved in the accidental disclosure of classified U.S. military plans for airstrikes in Yemen include:

• ◉ Vice President JD Vance: Expressed concerns about the timing and potential repercussions of the planned strikes.

• ◉ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: Advocated for proceeding with the attacks to restore freedom of navigation and reestablish deterrence.

• ◉ National Security Adviser Mike Waltz: Created the Signal group chat and inadvertently added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg.

• ◉ Secretary of State Marco Rubio: Participated in the discussions regarding the military operations.

• ◉ Other senior officials: The group chat also included individuals such as former Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, and Senior Advisor Stephen Miller.

Lightning Bolts and Laws

—A Reality Ruled by the Gods

Imagine the world today where Zeus dictated policy and sacrifices replaced science.

Imagine a world where people still believed Zeus hurled lightning bolts in rage or that Poseidon caused hurricanes out of spite.

Government officials would seek Apollo’s blessing for policy decisions, and businesses might sacrifice goats to Hermes for better profits. Laws wouldn’t be based on reason but on whether Athena or Ares had the stronger political lobby.

Sports teams would claim divine intervention for their wins, and celebrities would thank Dionysus for their wild parties. Science would be a mess—why study meteorology when we could just appease the storm gods?

Hospitals might hold rituals to Asclepius instead of practicing medicine, and instead of climate change policies, we’d be debating which god we offended.

It sounds ridiculous, yet people still cling to ancient texts today with the same blind faith, shaping laws and morality around beliefs that should have gone extinct along with worshipping Zeus.

GOP’s War on Trans Lives

—History Speaks, But Are We Listening?

Until recently, this concern was somewhat theoretical. However, it is no exaggeration to say that President Trump is actively implementing strategies reminiscent of Hitler’s playbook.

The staggering $222 million spent by GOP operatives on anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ advertising in the 2024 election cycle—more than on housing, immigration, and the economy combined—reveals a terrifying truth: we are the target of a deliberate, well-funded campaign to erase us.

Since Inauguration Day, the relentless flood of discriminatory actions and executive orders has only escalated, pushing trans Americans further into the shadows. This is not just rhetoric; this is the groundwork for something far worse.

History warns us of what happens when a government moves to erase a people from public life—before Hitler enacted the Final Solution, he first ensured Jews were stripped from history itself.

Now, we see the same tactics being used against us. The attempt to scrub government websites of any mention of queer existence is not just symbolic—it is a chilling step toward dehumanization, a precursor to something unthinkable. As a trans person, this terrifies me. This is not just politics; this is survival.

From Zeus to Christ

—The Political Power Behind Religious Survival

The strategic adoption of Christianity and its role in maintaining imperial control.

Christianity’s survival over the Greco-Roman pantheon can largely be attributed to its usefulness as a tool for centralized control. Unlike polytheistic religions, which allowed for diverse interpretations and localized practices, Christianity presented a unified belief system centered around a single, all-powerful God.

This structure made it easier for rulers to consolidate authority, particularly when the Roman Empire sought stability amid internal decline. Once Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity and Theodosius I made it the state religion, the old gods were systematically erased through legal bans, destruction of temples, and the absorption of pagan traditions.

Christianity’s organized hierarchy, textual tradition, and promise of divine authority further cemented its dominance, making it not a religion but a means of governance and control.

Hiding Love

—The Dangers of Suppressing LGBTQ+ Visibility

A society that demands silence from some groups while celebrating others perpetuates inequality.

The attitude of rejecting the visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in media, especially in TV commercials, reveals a deep-seated discomfort with progress and diversity.

It suggests that certain aspects of human identity and love should be hidden away, as though they are unworthy of acknowledgment in public spaces.

This mindset is rooted in outdated notions of what is "normal" or acceptable, and it undermines the notion of equality by treating one group of people as lesser or less deserving of representation.

It reflects a lack of empathy and understanding, as if the mere existence of LGBTQ+ individuals in the media somehow threatens the viewer’s sense of comfort or stability.

True acceptance requires not only tolerance but also a willingness to embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms, recognizing that the world is made richer by the inclusion of all voices and experiences.