Where Are The Anti-War Voices?

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 5: Student anti-war protesters and peace activists rally in front of City Hall, March 5, 2003, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Students nationwide rallied against the impending war in Iraq during a National Day of Student Action. (Photo by Don Murray/Getty Images)

Instead of using our taxpayer dollars to better society, like providing more resources in communities, improving health care, and reducing poverty. Our government has much more important things to fund. 

As I research war and the voices that vote against it. It gets harder for me to find the voices that fight to put an end to the violence America endures. Upon reading antiwar and America conservative, I began to form my opinion on why these voices may not be shown in mainstream media.

As an African American who has grown up in poverty. I have seen
firsthand the aftereffects of war in black communities, resources getting stripped from families, leaving generational poverty and higher death rates.

Illustration of the Civil War battle: September 1882

After the Civil War, the Union's victory ended legal slavery; however, freedom did not immediately bring equality, saftey or justice to black Americans.

Some Americans opposed the war because they wanted the fighting to stop, even if slavery remained. Others opposed slavery and believed that the country could not move forward without confronting it. These were fundamentally different positions. Wanting peace is not necessarily the same as wanting justice.

War challenges the way we think about anti-war voices. When people call for peace, whose peace are they defending? Is peace simply the absence of fighting, or does it also require addressing the conditions that allow people to be oppressed? For formerly enslaved Black Americans, a return to the way things were before the war, justice would not have served. It would have meant continued enslavement. This history reminds us that anti-war movements must consider not only the human cost of fighting, but also what happens to vulnerable people when a conflict ends. Ending a war and achieving justice are not the same.

The government spends approximately $1 trillion on war, and there are still over $35 million people suffering from poverty; 18.4 percent of those people are African American. My question is, why is there still a lack of resources affecting millions of American Citizens?  We can clearly see where the government's priorities are. My family and I have witnessed firsthand the effects of public housing, lack of wealth-building opportunities, and unequal access to resources that will cause a decline in our communities instead of allowing space for growth. Unequal resources have affected and will continue to affect many more generations to come if we don't take a stand.

The campaign started by Martin Luther King in 1968.
Mass poor people assembly June 20th, 2020.

The Civil War's effects still impact Americans today. Historical discrimination can still be seen in discussions about racial wealth inequality, housing, education, voting rights, and unequal treatment.

Legal freedom alone has never guaranteed equality.

So, my question still stands. Where are the anti- war voices? When protesting against war, consider the lives lost, the conflict, and the communities left to rebuild. We need to be willing to confront injustice that makes conflict possible. 

America, let's not repeat history. Let us learn from it. Let us invest in our communities, protect our people, and recognize that the strength of a nation is measured not only by its military power, but also by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.

Peace is not just the absence of war. It is the presence of justice.

The Evolution of Records

 

The Vinyl Record Revolution: How Music Brought the World Together

Music was more than sound in communities.

Music has always been a powerful way for people to express themselves, tell stories, and connect with others. However, before sound recording technology existed, music could only be heard live. The invention of recorded sound changed that reality forever. Among the many innovations that transformed the music industry, vinyl records stand out as one of the most influential. More than just a way to listen to music, vinyl records helped unite people across cultures, advanced communication, and inspired technological innovation that continues to shape our world today.

Thomas Edison's new 1877 phonograph.

The history of vinyl records begins with early sound-recording inventions. In 1877, Thomas Edison introduced the phonograph, the first machine capable of recording and playing back sound. A decade later, Emile Berliner developed the gramophone, which played flat disc records instead of cylinders. This innovation made music easier to reproduce and distribute to larger audiences. As recording technology improved, music became accessible to ordinary families rather than being limited to concert halls and live performances. 

A major breakthrough occurred in the industry.

The first vinyl record by Columbia Records.

 In 1948, Columbia Records introduced the vinyl LP, or long-playing record. Unlike the fragile shellac records that came before it, vinyl was more durable and could hold significantly more music. Entire albums could now fit on a single record, allowing artists to create complete musical experiences rather than releasing only individual songs. Vinyl records quickly became a household staple around the world and helped establish the modern music industry. 

The impact of vinyl records extended far beyond entertainment. One of the most significant ways records changed society was by bringing people together across racial and cultural boundaries. During the twentieth century, Black musicians played a central role in shaping American music. Genres such as blues, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, and soul were recorded and distributed on vinyl, allowing their influence to reach audiences far beyond their communities. People from different races, backgrounds, and regions could listen to the same artists and develop an appreciation for cultures different from their own.

Vinyl records became a bridge between communities. Music that originated in Black communities influenced listeners across the United States and around the world. As records crossed state lines and international borders, they introduced audiences to new rhythms, traditions, and ideas. A shared love of music created connections among people who otherwise may have had little interaction. In many ways, records helped create a common cultural experience that united people despite differences in race, language, or nationality.

Music began to influence society for the greater good.

Records also transformed communication. Before sound recording, musicians could only reach audiences who attended live performances. Vinyl records influenced artists to share emotions, stories, and social messages directly to listeners regardless of location. Music became a tool for spreading ideas and inspiring conversations about important social issues. Songs addressing equality, freedom, and justice reached millions of people through records, demonstrating how technology could amplify voices and create meaningful dialogue.

The success of vinyl records also encouraged further technological advancement. Improved recording studios, better speakers, and higher-quality playback equipment emerged to meet consumer demand. The vinyl era paved the way for cassette tapes, compact discs, MP3 players, digital downloads, and modern streaming services. Each new format built upon innovations first developed during the age of vinyl records.

Vinyl records have changed their look over time.

Today, vinyl records continue to hold a special place in music culture. While digital streaming dominates the industry, many people still appreciate the unique listening experience and physical connection that records provide. Their enduring popularity reminds us that music is not only about sound but also about community, culture, and shared experiences.

The story of vinyl records is ultimately a story about connection. They changed how people communicated, accelerated technological progress, and brought together individuals from different backgrounds through a common appreciation of music. By preserving and sharing the voices of countless artists, vinyl records helped shape a more connected and culturally aware world.

AI Disclosure: This content was developed with the assistance of Claude, an AI model created by Anthropic. The topic, direction, and final approval were provided by the author, who reviewed and edited the material prior to publication. AI-generated content may contain inaccuracies, and the author remains responsible for the final published work. This disclosure is included in the interest of transparency.

Privacy and Protection

 

We, the people, have the right to privacy according to the Fourth Amendment. As stated in the U.S. Constitution, it is supposed to protect people from unreasonable searches and seizures. Today, however, our privacy is easier than ever to violate with the use of technology.

Flock Cameras becoming more active in communities.

As of today, there is mass location tracking across many regions of the United States and other countries, including China. The government in America places flocks of cameras near public areas, tracking every move citizens make. These high-performance cameras offer a live feed into Americans' daily lives. There are also automatic license plate readers; these record license numbers and can track anyone who is in a car. The ultimate goal is to create a massive database to gather information about citizens.

Privacy violation is as easy as what we carry around with us daily: our cell phones. Every app on our devices requires a form of privacy agreement in the terms and conditions and when accepting cookies. For example, Facebook's invasion of privacy relies directly on its business model. This forms a contract of adhesion—a contract where one party holds all the bargaining power.

A study shows data usage of social media.

Many social media apps use a form of data mining that tracks everything we search and where we are located. Social media networks often create algorithms that make us want to continue using them, regardless of their tracking. Even when it comes to user-generated pictures and texts, our social media footprints are constantly being recorded.

AI Disclosure: Grammarly was used to correct grammar in this blog post.

Eight Values Of Free Expression

The 6888 (Six Triple Eight) Central Post Balliton

  Freedom of Speech

  Our 1st and 14th Amendments are the backbone of Freedom of Speech for the people

 While freedom of speech is designed to foster respect across differing political views, protecting hate speech under the First Amendment creates a double-edged sword: it can inadvertently promote a tolerance for unjust behavior. The original eight values of free expression can make hate speech seem more normalized. It is fundamentally not right to hate one another, but hate speech being protected in our 1st Amendment makes people feel empowered to encourage it. Transforming hate speech into a weapon rather than reinforcing it.

 A society built on mutual respect, even when we don't share the same beliefs, moral compass, or perspectives. It goes a long way toward resolving conflicts before they start. When people approach an issue with a hidden agenda, forming a middle ground becomes nearly impossible. The 688 (Six Triple Eight), the only all-African American Army Corps during WWII, shocked the nation with their first assignment: distributing over seventeen million pieces of mail. These women were under extreme conditions, working in freezing weather and being discriminated against, especially in the media. In this case, their 14th Amendment (ratified in 1868) was being heavily violated because the 6888 was not receiving equal protection. Today, this disconnect is reinforced by the way media is organized for audiences, where outlets frequently make negative biases against specific political parties or topics clear.

What if we don't tolerate each other's ideas?

If we don't at least try to understand people's points of view on certain topics, there's no point in trying to find a solution. When someone takes a firm stance without being open-minded, it is much harder to find middle ground. Understanding each other also includes taking our different upbringings and experiences into account; this is called compassion, which America heavily lacks. People also tend to judge others based on their experience with others they have encountered, projecting their experiences onto others. This is simply not fair. I tend to feel misunderstood in places where I'm supposed to feel the most welcome because people have their own ideas, experiences, representation in media, and overall agenda in mind no matter what I do. 

Hate speech doesn't have to be loud or obnoxious. A few examples include microaggressions: subliminal messages that assume something about someone, especially without knowing them. Another form of hate speech people don't realize is stereotyping; this is often hidden with humor in conversations. Next is algorithmic and institutional bias. This isn't speech from an individual, but a workplace system that runs the same media patterns and has policies that produce discriminatory outcomes while appearing neutral to some.

Next is the checks and balances of governmental power. 

Citizens have more power over government decisions than we think because the government often does not make the people feel this way. Citizens should be more aware of the government's actions and decisions that they choose to make for us. The government often abuses its power through censorship, war, and more.  An example of the government abusing its power is called labor arbitrage. This is when the government capitalizes on wages based on geographical location, often paying workers less in poor areas. We as people have the power of voting to elect someone who will serve our country according to the Constitution. 

The Press

Holding the government accountable over many platforms. With research and firsthand encounters, the press is able to identify when the government is not doing its duty for the people. The press is the main voice of citizens, often expressing issues that people face that the government may not see or may be too ignorant to look into conflicts especially specific areas of our country that are suffering- this is often ignored.

Supreme Court: Reflection

The U.S Supreme Court

Power, Trust, and the Constitution

 After watching this documentary on the history of the history of the U.S. Supreme Court, I came away with a stronger appreciation for how influential and complex the Court really is. What stood out most was that the Supreme Court is considered the most private branch of government, yet its decisions shape the lives of millions of Americans. 

 The documentary explained that presidents have often tried to make themselves more powerful than the Court. In contrast, being appointed to the Supreme Court was described as so rare that it is like “being struck by lightning.”

 The Court's history is deeply connected to the growth of the nation itself. When the federal government moved to Washington in 1801, John Marshall became Chief Justice, and the landmark case Marbury v. Madison helped establish the Supreme Court as a co-equal branch of government.

Not every chapter of the Court's history reflects America's highest ideals.

Civil Rights Movement 1950-1960s

First Amendment

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787, passed by the Confederation Congress, is often cited as an early landmark in American civil liberties: it guaranteed settlers in the new territories rights such as trial by jury, habeas corpus, and freedom of religion, and famously banned slavery north of the Ohio River in Article VI  though it also contained a fugitive-slave clause, a contradiction that foreshadowed the tensions the Fourteenth Amendment would later try to resolve. Nearly 240 years later, commentators across the political spectrum continue to argue that the promises embedded in the First Amendment (freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion) and the Fourteenth Amendment (equal protection and due process) are unevenly applied. Some point to disparities in how protest, speech, and assembly rights are policed depending on the group involved; others point to unequal treatment in the justice system, in access to legal representation, or in how "equal protection" is interpreted by courts today. These are genuinely disputed
claims  : reasonable people disagree sharply about which specific policies or incidents constitute a constitutional violation versus a policy disagreement — but the throughline connecting 1787 to today is the unfinished argument over whether foundational rights are actually extended equally to everyone they were written to protect. As is often noted, not every chapter of the Court's history reflects America's highest ideals — cases like Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) and Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) are widely regarded, including by later courts, as having failed to live up to the Constitution's own stated principles, which is part of why the Fourteenth Amendment and its later interpretations have been such contested, evolving ground.

The Ordinance of 1787

 The documentary discussed a time when Black Americans could not be considered citizens and highlighted the Dred Scott decision as one of the Court's most controversial rulings. It also explained how the Civil War and the 14th Amendment expanded rights and protections against state power, with the amendment being described as a "second Bill of Rights."

14th Amendment Protest 1917

 Another theme was how the public often misunderstands what happens inside the Supreme Court. While many people think of it as a place where judges simply issue rulings, the documentary portrayed it as an ongoing conversation among all nine justices, where difficult questions are debated and challenged.

 I was especially interested in the section on opinion writing, which was described as the "poetry of law." Law clerks assist with drafting opinions, and justices frequently disagree with one another's reasoning while attempting to persuade colleagues to join their position.

Compromise is inevitable.

 A majority can become a minority, and the Court must eventually reach a decision before the end of its term in late June. The documentary concluded by arguing that the Court's greatest strength is not force, but trust. Its authority depends on defending the Constitution and maintaining the confidence of the American people.

My Top 5 News Sources

1. BBC News
I like to watch and read BBC News it is definitely my top choice when I want to get more information about my environment and the world around me. This news outlet covers real-time news and gets its information directly from the source. Their information hardly ever fails to be accurate. I trust this news outlet to provide me with the most important and latest news out there.

2. Orlando Centennial
                                                      Since I am from Orlando, Florida, reading the

Orlando Centennial helps me stay connected to where my family is and where I grew up. I need to spread awareness in my hometown community, especially since I am away for college throughout the year.l

3. Wall Street Journal 

Next, this journal is a part of my top three news outlets due to the fact of its topics, like the latest technology and AI. The Wall Street Journal has many different headers that stand out to me and make me eager to learn more, keeping me informed in multiple genres of the latest news to date. The fascinating origin of this journal also interests me as the news outlet has grown incredibly over decades.

4. PBS News Hour 

I remember watching PBS growing up with my parents; it was always the main news station playing before school or in the background. I enjoy this news outlet showing real-time clips to impact the audience and help us better understand the story that is being told.l

5. TikTok 

While this platform is not an official news outlet, I like to hear the people opionion on what is going on in today's society and the adversity they may face. There have been cases where people's voices can be heard on TikTok, and one post can change the outcome of their story.