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The Locked Door with No Key: Why Ohio’s SB 153 Threatens Our Voting Rights

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The Locked Door with No Key: Why Ohio’s SB 153 Threatens Our Voting Rights Imagine being told you must enter a building to access your rights—to speak, to be counted, to shape the laws that govern your life. The door is locked, and you're told you need a key. But no one will tell you what kind of key you need. Some folks bring house keys. Others arrive with driver’s licenses, birth certificates, even passports. They jiggle them in the lock—nothing works. They aren’t denied because they’re unqualified. They’re denied because the rules changed without explanation. This is the danger behind Ohio’s Senate Bill 153 (SB 153)—a bill that hasn’t passed yet , but is already knocking on our community’s door. What Is SB 153? SB 153 is a proposed law—not yet passed —currently being considered by Ohio’s state legislature. It would require all voters to prove their citizenship before casting a ballot. That may sound fair on the surface—but the bill doesn’t define what “proof of citizenship” ac...

Drop the Qualifier: Reclaiming Our Narrative Without Apology

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Drop the Qualifier: Reclaiming Our Narrative Without Apology We are at a pivotal moment in history—a moment of transformation, of collapse, and of rebirth. Like the mythical phoenix, we are being pushed to redefine ourselves, to rise from the ashes of outdated frameworks. A conversation I had recently made me realize something profound: we have been conditioned to qualify ourselves in ways that no other group does. We say Black man , Black woman , Black history , as if our identity needs an extra descriptor to be understood, acknowledged, or validated. But why? When white people talk about their history, they don’t call it white history . They simply call it history. Napoleon is just Napoleon. The Renaissance is just the Renaissance. Yet, when we speak of our existence, our achievements, and our legacies, we feel the need to prefix them with "Black." But this qualifier does more than just distinguish—it subtly suggests that our reality is secondary to some greater, more dom...

Respecting Your Journey: The Essence of Self-Mastery

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Respecting Your Journey: The Essence of Self-Mastery Haiku by ha2tim No one will respect/ What is yours, more than you do/ What do you respect?/ Greetings, family! Brother ha2tim here, weaving the tapestry of our journey towards Self-Mastery. Today's Ha2ku reflects a profound truth: the level of respect we command for what's ours begins with how much we respect it ourselves. Let's delve into understanding and nurturing this self-respect, a cornerstone in our quest for personal growth and empowerment. Embracing Self-Respect in the Path of Self-Mastery: Recognizing Your Value : The journey starts with acknowledging your worth. Understand that the unique blend of your talents, experiences, and aspirations is invaluable. Respect for self is the first step in commanding respect from the world. Honoring Your Efforts and Achievements : Every step you take in your journey of growth deserves recognition. Celebrate your victories, no matter how small, and learn from your setbacks....