Author: Anna Wilkes

When hardship strikes, the strength of a community often determines how well its members recover. It plays a vital role not only in the physical but also in the mental well-being of the members. A Psychology Today article states that a community can help you feel connected to others. It can also give a sense of being a part of something larger than yourself. This sense of belonging is essential for your mental well-being. In Gullah-Geechee communities, this support is evident in strong family bonds, neighbors stepping up to help, and elders offering valuable wisdom. Crisis, whether it stems from…

Talking openly about whatever is ailing you is essential to finding help. But what can you do if those who are supposed to help you ignore, trivialize, or dismiss your concerns? For many women with physical or mental health issues, seeking and receiving help remains a challenge. Having adequate funds to receive treatment does not solve the problems created by your health team’s cavalier or patronizing attitude. Most often, the problems that get the hushing treatment pertain to chronic pain, reproductive health, and mental illness. Sadly, these are also conditions that make daily life daunting and render everything less enjoyable.…

The United States is home to many vibrant cultures, and among the most unique is that of the Gullah-Geechee people. This remarkable American culture stretches back to the seventeenth century, deeply rooted in the experiences of captive Africans brought to the southern United States. Over time, however, these communities developed a distinctive new language and reshaped their African traditions by incorporating elements of the Southeastern environment. But like many cultural traditions, Gullah-Geechee heritage faces real challenges today. Development pressure, rising property costs, and the natural passing of elder generations threaten to weaken these deep-rooted customs. Amidst all this, the Gullah-Geechee…

Ten individuals have been arrested following a violent, coordinated ambush on the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas, on the night of July 4. Federal authorities describe the attack as a deliberate assault on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and property, resulting in serious federal charges, including multiple counts of attempted murder of federal officers and firearm-related offenses. According to Nancy Larson, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, the attack began around 10:37 p.m. when a group of suspects—clad in black, tactical military-style clothing—approached the facility. The group launched fireworks toward the building in an apparent effort…

Most people attend protests with peaceful intentions of standing up for a cause and adding their voice to a movement. However, even the best-organized demonstrations can unravel in moments. A tense encounter, a sudden push from the crowd, or an overreaction by authorities, and suddenly you’re in a situation that veers into the “mostly peaceful” territory. In the recent ICE protests in L.A., several individuals have suffered injuries in the chaos. According to some advocacy groups, there have been at least 31 attacks on journalists, 27 of which were due to actions from law enforcement. No one plans to be…

President Donald Trump announced plans to visit flood-stricken Central Texas on Friday, following last week’s catastrophic flash floods that have left at least 104 people dead, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent Texas history. The president confirmed the visit during a briefing with reporters on Monday evening, describing the floods as a “terrible event.” He previously stated on Sunday that while he wished to visit sooner, he had postponed his trip out of respect for rescue and recovery efforts, noting, “I didn’t want to be in their way.” What Happened: A Rapid and Deadly Deluge The…

In a post-pandemic world, it is easy to blame microbes for the worst illnesses that affect millions of people simultaneously. Undoubtedly, the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and more potent viruses is legitimate. However, community health also depends on other factors, like access to healthcare services, ethnicity, and cultural practices. The WHO explains that people of African descent and other ethnic minorities may routinely face racial discrimination. These behaviors can make them more vulnerable to health risks and also affect their access to treatment. Similarly, the prevalence of alternative healing in certain cultures may limit whether people seek pharmacological care. At…

A Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale made an emergency landing in Fort Myers on Monday morning after a passenger’s portable battery pack caught fire mid-flight, raising fresh concerns about lithium-ion safety on commercial aircraft. The incident has prompted an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and added to the growing number of battery-related emergencies in U.S. aviation. The flight, Delta 1334, was en route to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with 185 passengers and six crew members when smoke and flames erupted from what was believed to be a lithium-ion power bank. The flight attendants…

From Mechanical Marvels to Digital Powerhouses Remember when cars were just four wheels, an engine, and a prayer? Those days feel like ancient history now. European automotive engineering has transformed so dramatically that today’s vehicles would seem like alien spacecraft to drivers from just a few decades ago. The transformation hasn’t happened overnight, but recent years have accelerated this evolution at breakneck speed. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for nearly 15% of all new car sales in 2023, up from just 2% in 2019. That’s not just growth – that’s a revolution on wheels. But here’s where it gets interesting:…

The debate around Obama vs Trump drone strikes goes far beyond numbers—it’s a reflection of two presidential approaches to national security, warfare, and global diplomacy. Under President Barack Obama, drone strikes became a central part of U.S. counterterrorism policy, especially in countries like Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia. President Donald Trump inherited this legacy but shifted tactics, ramping up strikes in some regions while loosening transparency rules. Drone warfare is a complex, controversial, and constantly evolving phenomenon. While both administrations used drones to target terrorists, the frequency, legal frameworks, and collateral impacts varied significantly. Critics argue Obama’s strikes were cloaked in…