Category: Current Events
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Dear Parkland Teens: From One Survivor to Another
Because, no matter how smart, strategic, or passionate you may be, you have been sent out as sheep among wolves.
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So, You Want to Stop the Next School Shooter?
I stole his gun. I hid it, unloaded and wrapped in a towel, in a box of chintzy craft supplies, knitting, and fashion accessories I’d accrued as a teenager. It was the last place he’d look. I left the ammo in his dresser drawer. It was my way of mocking him, as if to say,…
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The Emotional Crucifixion of Parkland Teen Survivors
In a dramatic piece published by The New Yorker, author Rebecca Mead refers to, The Passion of Emma González, comparing the plucky teen girl to Joan of Arc, and by implication, Jesus Christ. While the writer no doubt intends the saintly veneration of González, she is contributing to the psychological crucifixion of these children.
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Sheriff Israel, Tide Pods, and The Religion of Irresponsibility
These days, I don’t expect people to care. I don’t expect people to pay attention or comprehend a problem unless you rub their noses in it. Nevertheless, the level of apathy and negligence demonstrated by Broward County Sheriff’s Office shocked me.
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Here’s What It’s Like Witnessing Sex Abuse Scandals As A Child Abuse Survivor
As a child, it was weird watching the news and seeing the media abuzz with Bill Clinton’s sex scandals. I was probably about seven years old. I remember how my parents, staunch Republicans and conservative Christians, were disgusted by the parade of lurid accusations and shameless lies. “He’s an embarrassment,” they said. “He’s a sick…
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Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross: A Tribute to Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church
A week has passed since the unthinkable occured at Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, just east of San Antonio, Texas. This morning, during worship at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, I played and sang Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross, which is a beautiful old Baptist hymn. The survivors of the massacre were lifted up in prayer. Here…
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Why Anthony Rapp’s Account of Sexual Assault is Extremely Important
In an article published Sunday night on BuzzFeed, Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp has revealed that back when he was a budding 14-year-old Broadway star, Kevin Spacey attempted statutory rape. It all happened after a party at Spacey’s apartment. As the only kid in attendance, Anthony was bored. Not knowing anyone else there, he…
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Harvey Weinstein: Why Did No One Speak Up?
Circling the rubble of Harvey Weinstein’s imploded reputation are an assortment of buzzardly lies and rumors. Some people don’t understand the motivations of an abuser. Others don’t understand why abuse victims would keep silent for years, even decades. Here are a few of the misunderstandings, and a bit of clarification, regarding the chemistry of an…
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When There’s No Room Left To Grieve
Late Sunday night, Stephen Paddock opened fire on a crowd of 22,000 country music festival attendees from the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Today, Tom Petty died. Tomorrow, some new horror will play out on the evening news. I think back to September 11, 2001. I think that day…