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“Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you’re passionate about something, then you’re more willing to take risks.”

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Money & Politics: The Companies You’re Supporting Without Realizing

After hours of sifting through political donations, PAC records, lawsuits, ingredient lists, and examining harmful lobbying practices, I’ve compiled a list of brands you should consider boycotting or limiting. I’ve also given alternatives that prioritize ethical standards and high-quality ingredients. These are just a few, you can always do your own research, support local & family-owned businesses, or just make things homemade. Be intentional with what you wear, eat, and consume. When you vote, you should always make an educated and informed choice. Similarly, every purchase you make is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in, so choose wisely.

The list is below:

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The greatest rebellion is becoming self-sufficient, no longer relying on corporations or the government, while building community through bartering, mutual aid, and support.

brands/companies to boycott

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Please take advantage of local resources—this is the time to build community, educate yourself, stay informed, and get involved. Use this NGO database to find hundreds of nonprofits and resources in your city, with options to refine your search by topics like health, education, environment, housing, rights, and more.

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Censorship: What It Is, Why It’s Used, and Its Growing Presence in America

Let me preface this by saying, regardless of your beliefs, one thing we can all agree on is that we value freedom in this country—freedom to speak, act, and think as we choose, to an extent. We cherish our freedom of speech.

America was founded in 1776 to escape the oppressive rule of a monarch and create a system of self-governance built on liberty and democracy. The Founders didn’t want a king, so they established three branches of government to balance power and serve the people.

For years, Americans prided themselves on their aversion to authoritarian regimes like North Korea or Russia, where censorship is used to control information and restrict freedom. But the reality we must face today is that our freedom of speech is being restricted, and censorship is on the rise. This isn’t misinformation; it’s the truth we need to acknowledge. Hear me out.

First, what is censorship?

Censorship is when the government or an authority controls, restricts, or suppresses information, speech, or media to limit what people can see, hear, or share. This can look like blocking news-outlets, or restricting/filtering social media posts. This tactic is often used by authoritarian or dictatorial governments to silence opposition, control public opinion, and maintain power.

Now how are we being censored?

Actions done by Trump’s administration:

• Restrictions on Press Freedom: The Associated Press, a highly regarded and reliable news organization, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after being barred from White House events for not using the term “Gulf of America.” AP claims this ban violates the First Amendment, arguing it infringes on press freedom.

• Censorship of Medical and Scientific Information: The administration has removed terminology and data related to diversity from federal health websites, and has extended this censorship to prospective publications in academic journals. Federal health agencies, including the CDC, have been directed to pause all external communications (reports, online posts, website updates, and other forms of communication), and political appointees now oversee scientific publications and messaging, potentially delaying or altering the release of health information. Also, the CDC has been ordered to cease all collaborative activities with the WHO, including the sharing of data and research, which could impact public health as there is currently a rise in influenza, RSV, and bird flu in america.

• Meta’s Content Moderation Changes: Since Trump’s re-election in 2024, Meta (Insta & Facebook) has ended its third-party fact-checking program, removed flags for misinformation, relaxed content moderation policies, and reduced hate speech guidelines. These changes have raised concerns about censorship and the company’s influence on political discourse, since Mark donated a million to Trump’a campaign.

• Suppression of Federal Employees’ Speech: Federal workers report a climate of fear and self-censorship due to new policies from the Department of Government Efficiency, leading to altered language in reports and avoidance of topics like climate change.

• TikTok Censorship: After tiktok returned from its brief ban, censorship measures were implemented. Thousands of people reported not seeing anymore videos on politics, protests, natural disasters, war, and anything negative about Trump or Elon Musk. When people post informative political videos, their videos have been muted, including Ben & Jerry’s, who have openly opposed Trump’s campaign. When people in the US search negative content related to the president, like “election rigged.” a blank screen comes up with zero videos, but when people use VPNs or are in a different country searching the same thing, thousands of videos appear.

These actions clearly demonstrate an effort to control information and suppress certain perspectives and truths from the public. The erosion of free speech is concerning, as it sets a dangerous precedent for future governance. We must stay vigilant and recognize the signs of censorship, a tactic often used by authoritarian regimes. Again, Regardless of your political affiliation or beliefs, remember this when voting in the future: don’t let habit or apathy cloud your judgment. Your choice could have lasting consequences for years to come.

My Sources:

https://apnews.com/article/ap-lawsuit-trump-administration-officials-0352075501b779b8b187667f3427e0e8

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/13/nx-s1-5297177/cdc-scientists-publications-trump-administration

https://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/features/trump-censorship-federal-websites-academic-journals

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/02/trump-federal-workers-self-censorship/681781

https://nypost.com/2025/02/20/business/ftc-seeks-publics-input-on-un-american-and-potentially-illegal-big-tech-censorship-including-shadow-banning

https://www.politico.eu/article/fact-checkers-under-fire-meta-big-tech-censorship-mark-zuckerberg-donald-trump

https://www.dailydot.com/debug/tiktok-trump-rigged-election-conspiracies-meta-censorship

Other Resources to Broaden Your Perspective and Knowledge:

https://youtu.be/cQXl5JZG-C8?si=LUZue1ObPz8gMtGF

https://youtu.be/CpCKkWMbmXU?si=iRjkKNjnraXdJpjr

https://youtu.be/03UiFgYz51g?si=vwMiSha2Rf5h1kCn

“The Origins of Totalitarianism” by Hannah Arendt

“The Death of Expertise” by Thomas M. Nichols

“On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century” by Timothy Snyder

“The Authoritarian Personality” by Theodor W. Adorno et al.

“They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933-45” by Milton Mayer

“The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” by William L. Shirer

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How Are Women Treated Differently?

Let me start by saying this post is not about blaming or hating men—it’s just something to think about and be aware of. I encourage you as the reader to be open-minded and engage in critical thinking.

It is a common belief that “women are treated equally,” especially in response to discussions about women’s rights. This is a nuanced topic, and it’s not your fault for thinking that way. After all, schools don’t exactly teach us about systemic disparities (they didn’t even teach us how to do taxes, yet P.E. was a required credit). But here’s an opportunity to learn something new about the inequalities women face, specifically in healthcare, though this is just one of many areas where disparities exist.

Key Findings Regarding Gender Disparities in Medical Research & Healthcare:

•Postoperative Outcomes & Surgeon Gender: A Canadian study analyzing 1.3 million patients over 12 years found that women operated on by male surgeons were 32% more likely to die, 15% more likely to experience complications, and 11% more likely to require readmission compared to those treated by female surgeons.

•Gender Representation in Clinical Trials: Despite comprising over half the population, women have been historically underrepresented in clinical research, as research has predominantly used male participants. A 2021 study analyzing 20,020 U.S. clinical trials from 2000-2020 found that women are underrepresented in fields like cardiology, oncology, neurology, immunology, and hematology. The underrepresentation of women in clinical trials has led to a lack of understanding of how diseases and treatments affect women specifically which can result in misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatment plans, and adverse drug reactions among women.

•Tampon Safety Testing: The first study to detect toxic metals like arsenic and lead in tampons was published in July 2024, highlighting the need for better regulations for these products. This research revealed that, despite tampons/pads being sold since 1931, they had not been tested for these harmful substances until last year. The long-term exposure to arsenic and lead can lead to serious health issues like cancer and organ damage.

Think about these overlooked details before getting annoyed when others advocate for women’s rights. Most women that bring up topics like this aren’t doing so to complain or make men look bad, they just want to be heard and respected.

With that being said, it’s essential to be aware of your rights within the healthcare system to ensure you receive the best possible care.

Here’s a reminder of the rights you are entitled to:

♡ You have the right to select the healthcare professional who provides your care, which includes requesting a female doctor if that’s your preference.

♡ You have the right to informed consent. Before any medical procedure/treatment, you should receive clear information about the risks, benefits, and alternatives.

♡ You have the right to access, review, and obtain copies of your medical records to stay informed about your health status.

♡ You have the right to a second opinion if you’re uncertain about a diagnosis or treatment plan.

♡ You have the right to respectful and considerate care, free from discrimination.

♡ You have the right to make decisions about your care. You have the autonomy to accept or refuse medical treatment.

♡ You have the right to voice complaints if you experience inadequate care. You can file complaints without fear of retribution.

♡ You have the right to privacy during exams. You can request that you don’t want medical students or shadowing staff, to be present during your exam. This applies to OB/GYN appointments and other medical settings. You can ask for a private consultation with just the attending physician or necessary medical staff.

Being informed and asserting these rights can help you navigate the healthcare system more confidently and comfortably. Remember you are paying them to serve you.

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Their greatest threat is a population that is educated, informed, mentally strong & physically healthy, self-sufficient, and resistant to trends/conformity/consumerism. People who budget/save their money, repair or make items or buy secondhand instead of buying brand new everything, prioritize financial literacy, invest strategically, and choose not to have children is their nightmare.

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This is your reminder to replace despair and apathy with resilience and action.

I understand things look a little bleak right now, but there are checks and balances. Please be sure to check the upcoming elections for your state, as each state has different election dates for selecting members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. There are three branches of government: the Legislative Branch, which includes Congress and is responsible for making laws; the Executive Branch, led by the president, which enforces laws; and the Judicial Branch, which includes the Supreme Court and interprets laws. Members of Congress are elected by citizens; the president is elected by citizens through the Electoral College; and Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president. These branches control policies, rights, and laws that impact our daily lives.

Go to ballotpedia, find the elections calendar, scroll down to the part that says “Click on your state below for relevant elections information:”, select your state, then it will take you to a different page that says “View elections by state and year:”, select your state again and click on 2025 then the next year and the year after that. Mark on your calendar and put it in your reminders to vote for LOCAL elections, not just the presidential election. https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_elections,_2025

Your governor runs the state’s executive branch and enforces state laws, the senators you elect for your state represent your state’s interests in the U.S. Senate by making national laws, and you vote for members of Congress based on the district you live in. All of this is just as meaningful and important as voting for the president. If Congress leans Republican, Tr*mp will be able to push through his agenda with fewer checks, even moving forward with a plan called a convention of states where state legislatures convene to propose amendments to the Constitution—which could lead to a complete rewrite. It’s extremely important that you vote in every election, ensure you’re registered (even if voter suppression policies are attempted), and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Post about it, spread the word, make flyers with QR codes, and stay informed so others can be as well.

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