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Showing posts from May, 2022

May Misconceptions: The Commercialization of Juneteenth

 Last year Juneteenth was recognized as a National holiday to celebrate the date that slavery was officially over. It’s been a big deal in some states while others haven’t been as educated on the origins of the special day. This year, has come with many commercial products pushing the newly celebrated holiday. However, this commercialization didn’t come without b[l]acklash. Some people felt highly offended to see money being made off a day that reminds some people of the terrible time slavery was tolerated in the country. Others were upset that black companies weren’t offered opportunities to sell products rather than white owned brands capitalizing off this opportunity. I just want to start by saying the concerns are valid about wanting more opportunities for those in the black community that are more directly affected by Juneteenth and also the concern about white companies gaining trademarks on black traumatizing historical events. I do feel disappointed however, that a holiday that

May Misconceptions: Lives Matter Movement

 No recent movements have been as controversial as the Black Lives Matter one in the last few years. From people taking to the streets to protest deaths like George Floyd to people figuring out the movement is led by Marxists. It’s caused people to question the authenticity of the movement and what they allegedly represent. Suspicions over misappropriation of funds have been in the headlines and more division within the black community has erupted from this, as well as division between the black community and other communities. The hashtag has been banned on certain platforms and the lives of blacks are still being threatened based on deep prejudices. There’s a misconception that the messiness surrounding the group Black Lives Matter equates to blacks not facing real threats to their lives from racial issues. Some people go as far as justifying blacks dying from racial issues due to black on black crime within urban America. What they fail to realize is that black on black crime isn’t

May Misconceptions: Creating Division or Keeping it Real?

We are in the day of utilizing the internet for about 98%  of our entertainment needs. Many viewers flock to YouTube anticipating what their favorite influencers will share. And sure, I’ll admit it, some of these influencers are pure entertainment at its finest. However, some of them spew hateful propaganda and they have such strong followings. These minions then take these irrational ideas into society and spread them. This isn’t about one particular influencer, it’s about the general use of society’s influencers and the pedestal they have to use their platform’s irresponsibly. And how do we recognize if they’re using it irresponsibly? For one, if you’re creating division between other races of people or within races this could continue to fuel race crimes. A racially motivated shooting just took place yesterday in Buffalo, NY. I’m not saying influencers are responsible every time something happens in the world but some of them do help feed the minds of feeble followers when they’re c

May Misconceptions: the “EVIL” Stepmother

 This post is personal and surely hits home for me. If you’re familiar with my other blogs, then you know that I’m a  step parent and I also have my own biological children. Blending my family has been pleasurable but it hasn’t come without bumps in the road. As much as I wish these bumps may come from actual issues my family are dealing with, they instead come from mainstream media’s influence over what people assume step parenting must be like. It’s assumed you’re a jealous, hateful person that wants to wreck havoc on the child’s relationship with their biological parent or you’re trying to steal the biological parent away from the child. I’m having to reset my thoughts and go back to the drawing board for ways to beat out propaganda. It’s important to me that I have a close knit family so it’s difficult when my role is pre-determined as a villain. The media doesn’t portray the step parent that’s supportive of the biological parents or the step parent that encourages the children to

May Misconceptions: Freedom of...

 Happy May Everyone! I hope Spring has been kind to you thus far and your allergies haven’t been too harsh. For the month of May, I’ve decided to write about misconceptions of various topics that I feel are current. Today, I'm going to discuss Americans exercising their 1st amendment right and when that can become problematic. The 1st amendment is a part of the US constitution's Bill of Rights (Personal rights that citizens have): Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or  prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. What does this mean? This means that in the US, people are free to protest peacefully, practice their own religion, and have a right to not agree with the government. This is really different compared to some other countries, but in the US, citizens take these rights very serious. Th