As someone who has had personal experience with the Mormon Church, I am deeply troubled by their new restrictions on transgender members. It is disheartening to see a church that claims to preach kindness and compassion imposing such discriminatory rules on a marginalized community. The fact that these restrictions bar transgender individuals from roles like teaching and baptism is not only hurtful but also goes against the very principles of inclusivity and acceptance that a religious institution should embody.
The history of the Mormon Church is riddled with controversies and problematic beliefs, from Joseph Smith’s questionable background to their exclusion of African Americans until 1978.… Continue reading
As I read the news about the recent ruling concerning UCLA and the blocking of Jewish students from campus, my initial reaction was a combination of disbelief and frustration. The fact that it took a judge to remind us that all students, regardless of their religion, have the right to access the public facilities they pay for is both concerning and disheartening. It should be common sense that no one should be prevented from attending class based on their religion or any other characteristic.
The statement from UCLA claiming to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus environment feels hollow in the face of the recent events.… Continue reading
I can’t believe the ordeal that Carleen Acevedo, a 72-year-old Home Depot employee in San Ramon, California, had to go through. That fact that she was fired for failing to stop $5,000 in fraudulent transactions is truly disheartening. I can’t help but feel immense sympathy for her situation. The stress and financial strain she must have endured after losing her job at that age is unimaginable.
What strikes me the most about this situation is the disparity in treatment between Acevedo and the teenage new hire who was earning more than her. It’s appalling that after seven years of dedicated service, she was earning less than a new employee.… Continue reading
As a woman who has made the conscious decision to not have children, I found myself feeling a range of emotions after the recent comments made by JD Vance, and subsequently defended by his wife, Usha Vance. The sentiment that people who choose not to have children should have less rights is not only insulting but also deeply troubling. It’s disheartening to see individuals in positions of power advocating for such regressive and discriminatory views.
The idea that someone’s worth or rights as a citizen should be tied to their decision to have children is not just absurd; it’s dangerous. As a society, we should be moving towards greater inclusivity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their choices regarding parenthood.… Continue reading
The recent news about the Florida school board suspending an employee who allowed her transgender daughter to play girls volleyball has sparked a heated debate. It’s disheartening to see how, once again, the marginalized are being punished for simply wanting to live authentically. The fact that the mother is facing consequences for supporting her daughter’s participation in a high school sport is a clear indication of the systemic transphobia and discrimination that still exists in our society.
The school board’s decision to suspend the employee and restrict her job responsibilities is not only discriminatory but also sends a dangerous message. The fact that the board is more concerned about enforcing outdated laws and punishing a mother and her daughter, rather than supporting and protecting them, is truly distressing.… Continue reading
As an Arab-Christian traveling with relatives in Greece, the last thing Fahad Qubati expected was to be attacked based on a mistaken assumption about his nationality. The incident where three individuals targeted him, assuming he was a Jewish Israeli, is not only alarming but also deeply concerning. Qubati’s ordeal sheds light on the unfortunate reality of prejudice and discrimination that still exists in our society.
It is distressing to think that in today’s world, someone could be subjected to physical violence simply because of their perceived nationality or religious beliefs. The fact that Qubati had to defend himself and prove his identity as an Arab-Christian by showing the cross on his body is both shocking and disheartening.… Continue reading
As a Jew living in the 13 EU countries included in the recent poll on experiencing antisemitism, the findings didn’t come as a surprise. The staggering statistics, where 96% of Jewish respondents reported encountering antisemitism, resonate deeply with my own experiences and those of others within the community. What struck me the most from the poll results was the consistency across countries, all averaging above 90% in the prevalence of antisemitism. This universal issue highlights the systemic nature of hate and discrimination faced by Jews in Europe.
The survey results shed light on the different forms of antisemitism encountered by respondents.… Continue reading
“Ungrateful people”: GOP candidate marks Juneteenth by telling Black people to leave U.S.
The recent comments made by GOP candidate, Ms. Gomez, regarding Juneteenth and Black people in America are not only shocking but also deeply concerning. To suggest that Black people, who have endured centuries of slavery, discrimination, and systemic racism, should leave the country if they do not like it is not only absurd but also incredibly ignorant. The insensitivity and lack of understanding displayed in her statement are emblematic of a larger issue within the Republican Party and American society as a whole.
The irony of Ms. Gomez, a Colombian immigrant herself, telling Black people to leave the U.S.… Continue reading
As I delve into the recent news regarding the Maldives entry ban on Israeli visitors, a wave of conflicting emotions and thoughts crash over me. The Maldives, known for its stunning beauty and luxury resorts, has inadvertently found itself in a tangled web of controversy over its decision to ban Israeli visitors, targeting specifically Jewish Israeli citizens. While the constitution of the Maldives declares Islam as the state religion and requires all citizens to be Sunni Muslims, the blanket ban on Israeli tourists seems to stem from a deeper issue – anti-Semitism.
It is perplexing to me how this ban specifically targets Israeli Jews, seemingly disregarding the fact that over 20% of Israeli citizens are Arab Palestinian Muslims.… Continue reading
Turkey’s Erdoğan recently made headlines with his controversial statement about the LGBTQ+ community, claiming that the ‘imposition of LGBT’ turns into ‘tyranny,’ surpassing ‘even fascism’. As I reflect on this, I can’t help but feel a range of emotions, from disbelief to frustration. It’s disheartening to see a world leader equate the simple request for recognition and respect with such extreme terms.
Instead of embracing diversity and accepting consenting adult relationships, Erdoğan seems to be fixated on turning the LGBTQ+ community into a scapegoat for broader issues. Blaming declining birth rates on the existence of LGBT people is not only illogical but also incredibly harmful.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood