The number of guns exceeds the population in the U.S., and so it comes as no surprise that the country has the highest number of school shootings in the world or that guns are the leading cause of death among our children and adolescents.

The country is bracing for the newly named Department of War’s attack on the American city of Chicago. Whether it is the administration’s latest tactic to distract the public from the Epstein files or not, it is setting up a dangerous precedent. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker have drawn their lines in the urban sand. Now it’s a waiting game to see what the bully-in-chief will do.

Every now and then, Black people of African descent must dip into the historic and ancient waters of our experiences in this country. This affirmation helps to clear our minds and to fortify the resolve needed to defy the relentless, negative assaults on our existence.

Ensuring every vote counts should be the shared goal in a democracy. The Democratic Party needs to tighten up its message to better connect with its constituents. It must groom viable candidates to run and win. It must make room in the party for younger and more radical elected officials. It must be the party that truly fights for democracy, or think about changing its name.

The constitution is being shredded, the public coffers are being raided, and the rule of law is being trampled. There can be no fair fight under these circumstances.

It has been over 90 days since the tornado hit us with a vengeance. There is still no convening of political, civic, social and medical minds to develop a comprehensive plan. There remains no unified office to provide tornado victims with information and resources. Instead, responses are reactive and fragmented, undermining effective support.

Disinformation for the purpose of divide-and-conquer is a tried-and-true tactic of the ruling class to manipulate and maintain control of the masses. In 2025, there are numerous ways to effectively confuse the American electorate to divert and sabotage any potential unity.

The E3 tornado that ripped through St. Louis on May 16 resulted in an unplanned topography for the city. It also exposed the ever-present racial history of the planned neglect and abandonment of certain predominantly Black neighborhoods. Two of those Northside neighborhoods were hit particularly hard during the storm.

This year’s Pride Month was a testament that things are changing. While the enthusiasm was greater than ever, the diminished corporate financial support was evident. In most places, activities were scaled back. In other places, organizers were forced to charge fees to offset the deficit. This may be a good time for the LGBTQA+ folk to assess its priorities and values as homophobic attacks intensify. The gay community is facing the biggest challenges ever.