Black filmmakers have never simply told stories. They have reclaimed history, challenged false narratives, and built culture that shapes generations. From Malcolm X to Boyz n the Hood, these films did more than entertain. They educated, empowered, and demanded recognition. Their creators did not wait for permission. They built their own lanes, ensuring that Black stories would not just be told but told correctly.
I have always been intentional about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), offering students multiple ways to engage with material. When I added emojis to a goal-setting worksheet, I thought they were just a fun visual. Five students interacted with them in different ways, revealing an unexpected way to make learning more accessible. That moment reshaped how I approach lesson design, proving that small changes can make a big impact.
The recent exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump was more than just a political discussion. It was a power play. Trump showed clear bias toward Russia while Zelensky struggled to navigate the negotiation effectively. Through the lens of The 48 Laws of Power, it becomes clear that Zelensky made key missteps, failing to adapt to Trump's transactional mindset. His rigid stance, predictable messaging, and failure to appeal to Trump's ego weakened his position. In power dynamics, being right is never enough. Strategy determines success.
Black capitalism is unique because it has had no choice but to be. It has been defined by its need to function in opposition, to build wealth that does not exploit but sustains, to find ways to exist in a system that has sought to erase it. This is not an argument for blind faith in capitalism. It is not a dismissal of the way capitalism has harmed Black people. It is a recognition that Black economic strategies have always been different. They have never been about conquest. They have been about survival. If the word capitalism carries too much weight, if it conjures images of greed and destruction, then call it something else. Call it what it has always been: resistance. Call it what it has always meant: survival. Call it what it has always sought to build: a future that cannot be stolen.
York’s contributions were essential to the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Without him, they might not have survived. He hunted for food when supplies ran low, traded with Indigenous tribes to secure safe passage, and endured the same grueling conditions as his white counterparts. Decades later, Buffalo Soldiers faced a similar contradiction, serving a nation that had freed them from slavery but used them to oppress others.
The potential defunding of the U.S. Department of Education threatens special education nationwide. Cuts to IDEA and Title I funding could reduce resources, undermining Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Culturally Responsive Teaching. States like Washington may rely on agencies like DSHS to fill gaps, but advocacy and alternative funding are crucial to protecting equitable education access.
The Slam Dunk Contest was never just about the types of dunks being performed. It was about who was dunking. The excitement, the energy, and the cultural significance of the contest have always been tied to the players participating. Legends like Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, and Kobe Bryant helped shape the contest into a spectacle. However, in recent years, superstar participation has declined. The NBA has struggled to uphold its traditions, and the dunk contest has lost its prestige. Restoring its status requires bringing back the league’s biggest names to honor the legacy of the event.
Elon Musk is not simply auditing government spending. He is profiting from it. With millions flowing daily into his corporate empire through government contracts, he is consolidating unprecedented power over federal oversight. The issue is not whether spending should be audited, but why an unelected billionaire is the one making those decisions. His influence challenges the foundations of a constitutional republic, raising urgent concerns about transparency, conflicts of interest, and the future of democracy itself.
Fannie Lou Hamer was dragged into a Mississippi jail and beaten until her body could barely function. White officers forced two Black prisoners to assault her while they stood by, ensuring the punishment was carried out. The blows left her with permanent kidney damage, a blood clot in her eye, and lifelong injuries that never healed. She was left bruised, broken, and in pain, yet she never stopped fighting. She stood before the nation and told the truth about what was done to her, refusing to let fear or violence silence her.
Jason Whitlock dismisses the significance of Black quarterbacks winning Super Bowls, claiming the struggle is over because they align with the Black population percentage. This ignores decades of exclusion, position-switching, and denied opportunities. Warren Moon had to prove himself in Canada before the NFL gave him a chance. Doug Williams broke barriers by winning a Super Bowl. Eldridge Dickey, the first Black quarterback drafted in the first round, was never allowed to play his natural position. History matters until Black quarterbacks are no longer asked to change positions or have their intelligence questioned differently. The league must acknowledge the past rather than erase it. Jaylen Hurts winning a Super Bowl is progress. If celebrating Black excellence makes Whitlock uncomfortable, that is his burden to bear.
Thoughts Processed 