bean-calls-out-congress

[bean-calls-out-congress]

[bean-calls-out-congress]

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[bean-calls-out-congress]

[bean-calls-out-congress]

Ren- Chapter 1

Ren Barcas’s world had never been quiet. Even though he was deaf to the sounds most people could hear- humans talking, bird songs, sirens—but his world thrummed with its own music: the rhythmic pulse of footsteps on forest paths, raindrops hitting the dirt like drumbeats, the infrasonic sound of thunder that only he can hear, and the alluring, constant tone of the syren song coiled inside him like a second heart. Every day that he has to keep it hidden is harder than the last. He swears the song has a mind of its own. Everyday it grows more like a caged animal-sad, desperate, and dangerous. He hopes it’s not like a muscle- which grows weak or completely stops working unless you use it. He’s not sure what he’ll do if that happens. Even though it’s not living or sentient, he feels it’s pain, and longs just to let loose. To sing and play music to his heart's content. But he can’t. That would bring unnecessary attention not just to himself, but to his twin sister Summi. To his parents, to his cousins, to his youngest sibling. And to Mateo. He won’t let anything happen to them. So he clenches his fists and vows to keep it concealed for as long as it takes, and hopes he’s strong enough to keep it up. As he walks down the street towards the bandshell for his bass rehearsal before the concert on Friday, he sees a flyer on the lamp post.

“E.C.E (Empowered Cooperation Enforcement) would like to remind YOU to be a stand up citizen and remind your empowered friends, family, and neighbors to enroll in the Empowered Persons Registry. Remember: If you see something, SAY something. Thank you for serving your country.”

It’s getting worse. Ren thinks with a scowl. Ever since Dylan Omp became president of the United States. Empty headed, over-compensating jerk. He starts to shove the fear mongering poster in his pocket when he feels the coin. It's been passed down in his family for many generations, from son to son. And now it's his. He traces his finger along the lightning bolt shaped engraving because that helps ground him when things get too much. And things are always too much. Especially when you're a 19 year old Black kid with something incredible and half the government hates you for it, and the other half is too scared to do anything about it due to fear of losing reelection. It reminds him of a quote he saw on some post once. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that the good do nothing."

He finally arrives at the park where the rounded bandshell stands, and he heads over to help Ann set up, and his heart flutters when he sees Mateo is already here.

"Hi, Ren. Good to see you," Ann signs with a smile. "Why don't you help Mateo and

I set up these chairs?"

"Sounds good." Ren signs back, and he walks over to Mateo and taps him on the

shoulder. Mateo turns around and his face breaks out in a giant grin.

"Ren!" he exclaims, and gives him a giant hug. Mateo switches to ASL and signs,

"You're going to do great on Friday! You've been practicing all month."

"I sure hope so"

"You will! You know how amazing you are, and I can't wait!"

"Thanks. I'm just happy we get to play together."

"Same! It's going to be great! We're like an ultimate musical power couple."

Ren laughs and signs, "You're such a dork."

"But I'm YOUR dork. You love me for it."

Ren grins, and they get to work setting up the chairs for the other musicians. Once they all arrive, Ann stands up front and starts speaking.

"As you all know, this is one of the many times of great uncertainty for the world. There is a great deal of unknowns that we're all learning to face together, but if you've ever taken a history class, you know that this is not one of humanity's strong suits. And that is why music is so important. We must inspire hope and unity if we ever wish to leave these dark times. So this performance will be about just that: protest, fighting back, hope, and unity. With that in mind, I believe Ren deserves first chair." With that, she stares right at Ren and smiles. "Now let's begin."

When Mateo translates, Ren's jaw drops in shock.

"Congratulations! I knew you were awesome!" and Mateo gives him another hug.

I can't wait to tell everyone. I guess it’s true that even in dark times, there’s a silver lining.

[bean-calls-out-congress]

Hi there 🌱 I hope you are doing well. My name is Naser, and I’m from Gaza. I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, but I wanted to share a piece of my story — because right now, it’s the only way I know to try and survive.

This war has changed everything. I lost my mother and my sister. Our home is gone. What used to be a normal life — school, family meals, laughter — has been replaced by fear, rubble, and silence.

Now, I’m displaced with my three younger brothers. I’ve become their protector, their parent, their hope. We sleep side by side and I try to make them feel safe, even when I’m scared too.

We are trying to raise funds to rebuild our lives — to find a safe place, to go back to school, to have something to believe in again. I dream of going to university. My brothers have their own dreams too — of being a doctor, an engineer, just being kids again.

If you’re able to support us by donating 💌 or even just sharing our campaign 🔁, it would truly mean the world. Every small act of kindness brings us a little closer to hope.

Visit my post

Thank you for taking the time to read this 🙏 And if you'd rather not receive messages like this, please just let me know and I won’t reach out again.

With love and resilience

I will share your campaign.

[bean-calls-out-congress]

Since we know all they care about is money, let’s show them that when it comes down to it, money is just a piece of paper and we hold the power. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, buy NOTHING today. We need to take our government back into our own hands, not Elon’s. The government is for US, NOT billionaires. Supporting genocide is not ok. Colonizing is not ok. Cancelling government assistance programs is not ok. A cultural (for lack of a better term) genocide of transgender people is not ok.

[bean-calls-out-congress]

The person deserving of celebration this President’s Day. Unfortunately, they don’t make U.S Presidents like they used to. Thank you for the good things you, First Lady Michelle Obama, and your administration did for your country. Those of us who are not closed minded appreciate it!

[bean-calls-out-congress]

ICE is just the gestapo. We’re back in 1930’s-40’s N*zi reign in Germany! All people deserve to be treated with respect based on their actions, not their documentation. Most of the people ICE is harassing just want what’s best for their family and/or themselves. Treat immigrants with dignity.

[bean-calls-out-congress]

Most deserving person yesterday, January 20th. Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr! For everyone who bashes Black Lives Matter for only caring about Black lives, that’s not what it’s about. If someone has a broken arm and someone is bleeding out, and you were to treat the one bleeding out first, would the person with a broken arm think you don’t care about them or think it’s unfair that they would not be treated at the same time? Hopefully they don’t think like that.

[bean-calls-out-congress]

The TikTok ban should radicalize us U.S Americans. We can no longer sit by and let this happen. We need to take action to stop our congresspeople from voting where the money is and start listening to us. We need to do a mass cleansing of our current government because a vast majority of them are way past retiring age. If you want to do something small but meaningful to save TikTok, make a post about what TikTok means to you and tag the Representatives in the last photo. #savetiktok #savetiktokintheus #savetiktok2025 #timeforthe2ndamericanrevolution #landofthenolongerfree #calloutyourcongress

[bean-calls-out-congress]

[bean-calls-out-congress]

Pack it up fellow gays, time to leave Idaho.

Clarence Thomas, Mike Simpson, Samuel Alito, and Heather Scott, who has her at turned off because she knows she’s a bigot and Samuel doesn’t even have an Insta, has decided it’s a good idea to try to bring Idaho back to the dark ages and ban same sex marriage. Guess what, Heather, Clarence, Samuel, and Mike Simpson? Nobody wants you to represent Idaho. You have failed Idaho and us Idahoans will do our best to legally remove you from office. It’s time for retirement anyways to make room for the new generation. #dontbesilent #dontletthemwin #beloud #takeupspace #youdeservetobeyourselfpeacefully #youarevalid #loveislove #samesexmarriageisstillmarriage #wearepeopletoo #human #calloutyoursenators #beangry #comeoneits2025whyarewestillhavingthisdiscussion #proud #pride #wewontbesilenced #wewilldefendourrighttolive #eventhoughweshouldnthavetoandaretiredoffighting #youwontbeabletousethelawforopression #goodluckgettingitpassed #idahoansagainstbigotry #queer #lesbian #gay #nonbinary #lgbtq+ #bi #omnisexualpansexual #trans #demigender