We are enabling our amoral, unboundaried, aspiring dictator of a President as we go about our daily lives, staying inside the lines, refraining from committing civil disobedience.
Category: Civil & Human Rights
It’s Deja Vu All Over Again
Anita Hill. Murphy Brown. The "Year of the Woman". Is it 1992? It feels like it. But there are some important differences.
Why We Kneel
We don't kneel because we hate the flag. We kneel because we believe in what it stands for.
Opioid Pain Medication: Scourge or Miracle? Yes. (It’s complicated.)
Pain patients are among the most vulnerable Americans. Our pre-existing conditions leave us totally disabled, without nuanced policy that takes us into account.
Chronicles of an Outsider: Volume 3
The month of August presented so many topics to discuss. I provide this series as a way to look at these topics from a different set of eyes. My aim is to create an open and insightful dialogue, and remind everyone that in some way or another, we have all been on the outside. CHICAGO … Continue reading Chronicles of an Outsider: Volume 3
PODCAST: Spread the Vote with Kat Calvin (Two Broads Talking Politics, Ep. 121)
Download | iTunes | Spotify Sophy and Kelly speak with Kat Calvin, the founder of a 501c3 nonprofit called Spread the Vote, that helps eligible voters obtain government-issued photo IDs. They discuss the difficulties and expenses that people can face in obtaining photo IDs to vote, how Spread the Vote connects with people who need IDs in five states, … Continue reading PODCAST: Spread the Vote with Kat Calvin (Two Broads Talking Politics, Ep. 121)
Black and White
With high-profile victories by African Americans in the Florida and Georgia Democratic gubernatorial primaries, and as the campaign season heats up – we grit our teeth with the knowledge that this could get ugly. Ron DeSantis and Brian Kemp are Republicans primed to run race-baiting campaigns against Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams. Hopefully the elections … Continue reading Black and White
The Intersection of Racism, Climate Change & Environmental Deregulation
Back in April, I had the fortunate opportunity to speak at the 2018 Democratic Gala of DuPage County. The keynote speaker at this event was the mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz. I was blown away by her poise and ability to captivate the entire room. As she recalled the events of Hurricane Maria, … Continue reading The Intersection of Racism, Climate Change & Environmental Deregulation
Massachusetts: Vote Yes on 3 to Answer the Call of Equality and History
After the 2016 election, my wife and I did a lot of soul-searching, as did many Americans. The election results reminded us of the unpredictability of life and warned us not to take the future for granted. We acted on that and decided to finally move our family to Massachusetts. We wanted our sons to … Continue reading Massachusetts: Vote Yes on 3 to Answer the Call of Equality and History
The Trauma of Parental Separation Can Last a Lifetime
700 children are still separated from their families. The long-term impacts will devastate them. I know, because it happened to me. When I was a baby I was separated from my parents. The details of the story are lost, but I do know that when I was days or weeks old I was left in … Continue reading The Trauma of Parental Separation Can Last a Lifetime
Chronicles of an Outsider, Volume 2
DemWritePress Contributor Ken Mejia-Beal continues his series describing Trump's America from his unique perspective. In this volume of “Chronicles of an Outsider”, I want to touch on some of the issues that came up in July that, left unchecked, will greatly alter our democracy. I write in an attempt to give a voice to the … Continue reading Chronicles of an Outsider, Volume 2
Protect Our Access to Health Insurance: PA State Legislature Needs to Do the Right Thing
Daryl Boling, candidate for PA House District 152, on why his state needs to act to protect its residents with pre-existing conditions, before it's too late. Before now, health insurance access regardless of pre-existing conditions had seemingly bipartisan support. However, in the latest of a long line of disturbing actions, the Trump Administration has unilaterally … Continue reading Protect Our Access to Health Insurance: PA State Legislature Needs to Do the Right Thing
We Haven’t Forgotten: #MeToo #TimesUp
In October 2017 the hashtag #MeToo spread virally on social media, with hundreds of thousands of users all around the world sharing stories of sexual harassment and assault. The movement was quickly followed by a sister hashtag of #TimesUp, which sought to address sexual harassment and assault, more specifically in industries and the workplace. Studies … Continue reading We Haven’t Forgotten: #MeToo #TimesUp
Chronicles of an Outsider
I am Ken Mejia-Beal, a proud member of the LGBT community, a black man, and an American citizen. Although I am a citizen, America has not shown me the kind of love that others might expect. My life, and the life of my people, has been one of constant struggle. I read article after article … Continue reading Chronicles of an Outsider