As I read about the recent incident involving a Massachusetts teacher who was placed on leave after holding a mock slave auction and using a racial slur in the classroom, I can’t help but feel a sense of frustration and disbelief. How is it possible that in this day and age, we still have educators who think it’s appropriate to engage in such inappropriate and offensive behavior?
The fact that this teacher also used a racial slur while reading aloud from a book is even more disturbing. It’s clear that dehumanizing words such as slurs should never be spoken by employees or students, as mentioned by the district officials.… Continue reading
After reading about the recent incident involving the tech company in Virginia that posted a ‘whites only’ job posting and subsequently faced fines from the Justice Department, I was both shocked and disappointed. It is disheartening to see such blatant racism still present in our society in 2024. The fact that the job posting explicitly stated “Only Born US Citizens [White]” is not only appalling but also a clear violation of anti-discrimination laws.
The use of the phrase “[Don’t share with candidates]” in the job posting highlights not only the racist intent behind the posting but also the sheer ignorance and incompetence of the individuals involved in this hiring process.… Continue reading
As a high school graduate myself, the thought of missing out on the opportunity to walk the stage and receive my diploma with my classmates is unfathomable. Graduation is a momentous occasion, a culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and it is a time for celebration and recognition. So, when I came across the news of three Tennessee high school graduates with disabilities who were required to sit in the audience at their commencement ceremony, my heart sank.
These students, who had worked just as hard as their peers to reach this milestone, were denied the chance to fully participate in their graduation.… Continue reading
As a young Iranian Jewish man facing imminent execution, my heart is heavy with the weight of injustice and discrimination that has been cast upon me. Living as a religious minority in Iran has proven to be a daunting challenge, with limited legal rights and opportunities available to individuals like myself. The harsh realities of being a Jewish person in Iran have been glaringly evident in the blatant discrimination that permeates every aspect of our lives.
In a society where becoming a teacher, lawyer, police officer, or even holding a political or governmental position is nearly impossible for a Jewish individual, the systemic barriers to success are overwhelming.… Continue reading
As I read about the Florida teen who was denied entry to prom for wearing a suit, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of frustration and disbelief wash over me. The fact that in this day and age, a young woman was prohibited from attending a formal event simply because she chose to wear a suit is not only archaic but downright discriminatory. It is mind-boggling to me that in a country that prides itself on freedom and equality, we still have individuals who are so fixated on policing what others wear.
Women wearing suits is not a new phenomenon.… Continue reading
As a Lakota graduate, the recent incident where a Lakota graduate’s plume was cut from her cap by the Farmington district is deeply disturbing. Graduation ceremonies are supposed to be joyful celebrations of one’s hard work and achievements, yet this act of disrespect and cruelty marred what should have been a moment of pride and honor for this young woman.
The school administrators’ actions in cutting off the culturally significant plume from the Lakota graduate’s cap signify a lack of respect for diversity and individuality. The excuse given of wanting students to look uniform is not only flimsy but also reeks of a power trip from those in authority.… Continue reading
It is truly disheartening and infuriating to see that one of Trump’s Day 1 priorities, if he were to win back the White House, would be to reverse transgender student protections. The fact that protecting the rights and dignity of transgender individuals is not only disregarded, but actively targeted, speaks volumes about the deeply ingrained hatred and discrimination that exist within his base and the Republican Party.
The idea that on the very first day in office, Trump would strip away protections for transgender individuals, who have done nothing to warrant such cruel treatment, is not only morally bankrupt, but also showcases the blatant disregard for basic human rights and decency.… Continue reading
Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I cannot help but feel a certain sense of frustration and disappointment when I read about the recent events in Utah. The tip line that was set up to report violations of the bathroom law has been flooded with hoax reports by transgender activists in an attempt to block enforcement. As much as I understand the need to stand up against discriminatory laws and regulations, I cannot wholeheartedly agree with the method being used.
It is disheartening to think that individuals who identify as transgender have to resort to such measures to make their voices heard and their rights respected.… Continue reading
As I sit down to process the recent news coming out of my beloved state of Texas, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of disappointment and frustration. It’s disheartening to see Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton leading the charge in a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s new Title IX guidelines that protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination in education.
The fact that Governor Abbott has ordered schools in Texas to ignore these new rules is not just unacceptable, it’s downright cruel. How can we, as a society, allow our leaders to actively promote discrimination against a marginalized community?… Continue reading
Iraq has recently made same-sex relations punishable by up to 15 years in jail, a move that has sparked outrage and disbelief among many. The fact that this is considered an upgrade from Iran’s hanging or Saudi Arabia’s beheading for the same offense is truly shocking. The West’s intervention in Iraq, allegedly to remove Saddam Hussein’s oppressive dictatorship and establish a democratic government, seems to have missed the mark entirely. Instead, Iraq has elected a government that is sympathetic to Iran, leading to the codification of discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community into law.
Homosexuality has always been taboo in Iraq’s conservative society, but there had not been a law explicitly punishing same-sex relations until now.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker