Juneteenth, both in its foundation and in its process of becoming a national holiday, illuminates much of the U.S.’s enduring legacy today. The delay in declaring the end of slavery, the concerted effort in squashing the truth from the history books, and performative justice in “celebrating” Juneteenth is all indicative of white supremacy.
White supremacy is like the bugs that feed on trees during the spring and summer. It is seen by most only when it is sought out, it is silent until exposed in all of its sinister sway, and yet it permeates everything in its path, wreaking destruction for the betterment of itself and nothing more.
What Juneteenth reveals about white supremacy is that not getting to the root of the issue, and rather providing performative “justice” is its bread and butter. And since the U.S. has yet to feel major ramifications from doing so, it will not stop anytime soon.
They painted BLM instead of defunding the police, clapped for essential workers instead of raising the wage, and made Juneteeth a holiday instead of making sure Black folks can vote. Always a symbolic victory instead of a material change.
— Read Jackson Rising by @CooperationJXN (@JoshuaPHilll) June 16, 2021
White supremacy dictated Juneteenth, so it’s no surprise it decided when it became a holiday
We know about the history of June 19. We know that with coordinated efforts in many parts of the U.S., white slaveowners made it impossible for their slaves to understand they were free. As such is the case with much of U.S. history: make people oblivious and ignorant to the truth, and the status quo will prevail.
Secrecy, silence, and sinister efforts. It would be hard to find a decade in the U.S. short history where these were not found. But it is all in preserving white supremacy that efforts can be understood. Preserving the preexisting power structure requires a lack of understanding and coalition.
Texas is suppressing voting rights and teaching truths about racism and history while Juneteenth becomes a holiday.
It's the whiplash for me.
To be black in Texas = stuck between federal bread + circuses on one side – and the suppression of black political power on the other.
— Karen Attiah IS ON INSTAGRAM @karenattiah (@KarenAttiah) June 16, 2021
So if the truth is muddied about the history of Juneteenth, and political pundits and commonfolk alike can say “well, we made Juneteenth a national holiday, so…” white supremacy can rage on. And it is here that we realize that infringing upon the masses ability to understand and act, is the greatest weapon white supremacy has at its disposal.
And it will continue to use that weapon until its dying days.
Juneteenth is a national holiday. But should we care?
For white supremacy to reign supreme in the West as it has for centuries, it must be not declared explicitly. The U.S. specifically must work under the guise of being a meritocracy.
White supremacy convinced many white people of the benefits of slavery. And to those who were unconvinced but still participated, their crime is perhaps even more heinous.
But what is more startling is the faction of lawmakers in DC making Juneteenth a holiday right now. No one is crying out for it. What we are crying out for is laws to be put in place to make sure everyone, not just suburban and rural whites, have an equal opportunity to vote.
Can’t get an anti-lynching bill passed, the For the People Act to protect our voting rights or the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act.
What we are crying out for is justice against the police officers who get away with police brutality far too often. Finally, what we are crying out for is the opportunity to teach the youth the truth. Whether that is about just Juneteenth or the U.S.’s history in its entirety makes no difference. It all relates, and it all comes back to white supremacy.
Where do we go from here?
If we don’t have the ability to educate the next generations, what do we have? Well first, we have the opportunity to call out plain b.s. when we see it. Making Juneteenth a national holiday is nothing more than a distraction. Acknowledgment is the first step to moving forward.
What we can do is tell our youth at home the truth, even while formal education in America is further desecrated. And we can continue to push back against performative efforts like DC is taking part in now. If they don’t hear us now, they’ll hear us when we’re louder, when more of us are informed and upset.
Exploring Juneteenth in the 19th-century tells us a lot about the way the world was. Juneteenth being made a national holiday today tells us a lot about the way the world is. Merging these connections will illuminate our guiding light moving forward, we just have to do it together.
Is the Co-op Ride app the savior to the gig economy and its plethora of problems?
What may have initially attracted drivers to work for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft was a sense of freedom. They could make their own hours and, in theory, the money they’d make would be a direct result of how much they chose to work.
In other words, they would be in control of the fruits of their labor. However, this is not the case. Working in the gig economy is not always as profitable as it may seem.
This is so sick, we need more of this in every part of our lives, shit gets a little better for everybody when we cut out singular ownership and let the workers control their own shit and distribute the profit https://t.co/LHLtK5WxUt
Companies like Uber and Lyft tend to exploit their drivers. According to The New York Times, drivers “[struggle] with the costs of vehicle maintenance, loans and insurance, and they [question] whether Uber and Lyft paid a fair wage.”
Moreover, The Drivers Cooperative reveals that 91 percent of Uber and Lyft employees are immigrants, and they are pressing these drivers into poverty by taking 40 percent commission. These rideshare companies are greedily exploiting people who our society already tries to take advantage of.
With these facts in mind, it makes sense why drivers disillusioned with Uber and Lyft would want more control over their labor and payment. A former Uber employee started The Drivers Cooperative for this very reason.
The Drivers Cooperative is a “driver-owned ridehailing cooperative in New York City.” With drivers having ownership shares, they get more profit and agency over their labor.
“Members of The Drivers Cooperative make 8-10% more on each trip than on Uber and Lyft, and all profits go back to drivers as dividends,” according to their website. They will also charge less for rides.
“While Uber and Lyft make their money for Wall Street and Silicon Valley investors, we will be a co-operative. So any profits will go back to the drivers.”
So far, The Drivers Cooperative has recruited over 2000 drivers, so it looks like it might truly give Uber and Lyft in New York City a run for their money.
Many beneficial consequences result from worker cooperatives like The Drivers Cooperative. Here are a few:
They support individuals, creating empowering jobs for workers
These businesses are more likely to use sustainable practices, as the owners are community members.
Helps reduce the wage gap
They have the same profit motivation as other companies
If you’d like to support more equitable business, ride with The Drivers Cooperative and download the Co-op ride app. Co-ops are changing the ways businesses are run, and you should encourage that change.
It’s been quite a year… And in spite of its few silver linings, plowing through Zoom calls and online examinations only exacerbated the desire of students to get this academic year over with. With the uncertainty dictating our lives, envisioning “graduation” during COVID revealed itself to be even more of a challenge and a roller coaster of emotions.
Still, this important transition was celebrated in a variety of ways across the nation. We asked graduates who were recently granted their freedom about the bittersweet feelings behind such an experience.
Among other colleges like Duke University and New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, Cornell University was one to make an in-person graduation possible for its students. Amanda, who recently graduated from the institution, shared her feelings with us following the event.
“I was relieved and grateful we were able to have some sort of in-person ceremony,” she said.
“However, it felt a bit impersonal that we didn’t get to walk across a stage or hear our name announced. I was so glad to be allowed 2 guests, though I wish my whole family was able to watch in person. In classic Ithaca fashion, the weather was gloomy and cold, but it almost felt like the perfect way to culminate my experience at Cornell.”
Unfortunately, an in-person commencement was not the choice of every college. Padma, a graduate student of NYU, explained she was grateful for one thing. This was in fact her master’s graduation and not her bachelor’s.
I would be really devastated if it was my undergraduate graduation ceremony this year, because one can get as many masters as they want, but a bachelor only happens once in a lifetime.
Padma, New York University
NYU’s mention of an in-person commencement fell through relatively quickly. This was to the understandable sorrow and frustration of many, especially as restrictions seemed to loosen.
The university’s ceremony was held on Zoom. And in spite of efforts, it could not equate to what graduation is truly supposed to be like. The students’ disappointment, made worse by the year that led up to it between unchanged tuition fees and lack of human contact, was rather unanimous.
The disconnected feeling of celebration and the lack of opportunity to take graduation photos as one traditionally does in front of the arch at Washington Square Park, all contributed to the particularly bittersweet taste of this year’s transition to freedom.
I don’t know what a master’s graduation was like before Covid-19, but I’m sure the atmosphere was definitely more formal, celebratory, and real.
For students this academic year, finding silver linings in the unexpected
Despite the ache of not having graduation take place in person, the circumstances let some students get creative. Trinity, another graduate student at New York University, shared her own adventure with us, starting with this:
NYU ditched me on graduation, so I ditched NYU for Hawaii!
Trinity, New York University
Granted, that may not be the traditional take on the event. But taking the good with the bad, the group of recent graduates sought to create their own unforgettable experience on the special day.
“A couple of friends and I planned our graduation trip to Hawaii after we heard that we wouldn’t have an in-person graduation,” said Trinity from NYU.
“I mean, what could be cooler than wearing your bikini under your graduation gown and having a graduation ceremony at the beach? We zoomed in to the virtual commencement at 4 am local time. Just to catch the moment when our names were called. Then we fell back asleep, ready for a day full of activities in the nature.
It was THE BEST GRADUATION experience I’ve ever had! Yes, not having an in-person graduation basically means not having a graduation at all. But we found a better (and hotter) way to celebrate this significant journey and transition of ours, together!”
A COVID graduation isn’t ideal, but it means just as much, if not more, as any other year
Graduation isn’t quite replaceable. It’s a transition that happens once, maybe twice, or a handful of times. But each one signifying a new chapter in life.
It is with heartache that for another season yet, we had to watch these accomplished students throw their caps in the air at a distance or through a screen. But in no way does the peculiar unfolding of events take away the value and importance of what graduation represents.
We wish every one of the students from the recent academic year the greatest of successes in the future; one that is hopefully brighter and more real than the past year proved to be.
It is quite a flooring fact that humans have only discovered about 20 percent of the entire ocean. 80 percent of the ocean is uncharted, unmapped, and undiscovered territory. One person out to change that trend in the oceans is well-known director and oceanographer, James Cameron.
A man who could have easily racked up the box office funds after early critical acclaim, Cameron chose to fulfill his lifelong dream of cavernous exploration via submersibles and continuous exploration.
James Cameron and Bill Paxton dive beneath the surface to explore Titanic remains (via Documentary.org)
“I look for things that haven’t been done. I like finding that gap between everything that hasn’t been done and what I think can be done.”
How has James Cameron explored the darkest parts of the ocean?
The ocean itself is an enigmatic behemoth. It is quite a marvelous task to try and map out the entirety of the ocean.
Therefore, Cameron and his crewmates have picked apart significant portions of the undercurrent. Cameron and crew are fascinated by the accessible “alien worlds” available for the cost of scuba equipment.
Here are some ways by which James Cameron delves deep into the ocean:
Cameron travels via small, sophisticated submersible vehicles that allow for definitive archaeological determinations. He also uses cutting-edge human exploration to provide frontiers of knowledge.
Additionally, Cameron unleashes the sheer unpredictability of nature to unfold stories that leave viewers awestruck. And he opens a specific window in history to create stories that live on in underwater lore.
In 2014, Cameron completed and documented one of the most daunting underwater tasks (via Deepseachallenge.com)
James Cameron knew that he had a dream he wanted to fulfill since a young boy. At age 16, he begged his father to enroll him in a scuba class until he finally landed a dive.
In Buffalo, NY, as an adolescent amongst a group full of adults, Jimmy Cameron got his opportunity to learn how to scuba dive and then never relinquished it.
“My idea of a vacation is to take the whole family to Tahiti and spend the week doing underwater photography with underwater vehicles.”
The most impressive feat accomplished by Cameron gives him ultimate explorative credibility. He was the first solo visitor to reach the bottom of Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench.
Challenger Deep is 7 miles below the surface and represents our planet’s lowest point. This is just one of many remarkable descents into the ocean made by the likes of James Cameron.
James Cameron is respected within the oceanography realm because he is a true leader. By utterly immersing himself in maritime efforts, Cameron attacks the behemoth, cavernous underdwelling that is the ocean.
He excels at displaying humanity, intimacy, emotions, and also technical complexity. His unwillingness to settle has thus provided major wavelengths via fresh content that provides intellectual purpose.
James Cameron submerged into his desired habitat (Earthship Productions)
It is all of our jobs to learn more about the oceans
Director James Cameron still does not just conduct his love for oceans and his love for films separately. Rather, he combines the two so the rest of the world can explore. With Titanic, Deepsea Challenge 3D, and the mesmerizing The Abyss, Cameron has given fans of his films for years also the reason to be fans of the wonders of the ocean.
Cameron does not pursue anything that he is not willing to try his hand at as well. That fact alone, also coupled with his proper storytelling and courageous content shows how Cameron wishes to contextualize our future – through exploration and frontiers of knowledge.
This week we celebrate World Ocean Day, so now is the perfect time to turn our focus toward promoting a healthy ocean and climate. Unfortunately, we have a lot of damage to undo.
So many great issues raised for 🌊#WorldOceanDay tomorrow. Fairness and sustainability in fisheries, tackling plastic pollution, reducing bycatch.
And crucially this year, we will revise the Fisheries Control system for well-regulated fishing! 🐟https://t.co/JdX8ekRlp7
— Grace O'Sullivan MEP (@GraceOSllvn) June 7, 2021
According to Scientific American, “eight million metric tons of plastic waste enter the oceans every year.”
As you may have guessed, land-based sources are the main reason for marine plastic pollution. These sources include the fishing industry, deficient waste disposal, construction, vehicle pollution, and more. The choices we are making on land are making drastic differences in our ocean.
Why should we care about ocean plastics?
We put marine species at risk with plastic waste and pollution. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC) specifies that “marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe injuries and deaths.”
Wildlife including turtles, fishes, whales, and birds fall victim to plastic waste. They may suffer starvation, cuts, infections, as well as other injuries. When we threaten these animals with our carelessness, we threaten our biodiverse system, including ourselves.
IUNC says that “plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change.” Our plastic production and waste leads to carcinogenic chemicals infiltrating our foods and beverages, which can cause “developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders.”
Not to mention, we also tend to consume the marine animals we endanger through exposure to plastic. If you’re not troubled by human effects on marine life, at the very least be conscious of the ways human waste effects our health and safety.
We should concern ourselves with protecting our environment especially now as we emerge from the pandemic. COVID has exacerbated preexisting issues relating to plastic in the ocean, and we need to prioritize our physical and intellectual resources back toward solving the environmental issues we’ve caused.
When the pandemic first began, we sat in quarantine wondering how the virus would affect our bodies, our economy, and our environment. Some assumed that the lack of travel due to social distancing would reduce carbon emissions. Carbon Briefprojected that carbon emissions would drop 4% in 2020.
Additionally, countries in Asia such as China and Vietnam have increased efforts for wildlife conservation. In all, it seemed that one silver lining of the pandemic would be its beneficial effects on our environment. But we thought wrong.
Our oceans can be counted as yet another COVID casualty. Scientific Americanreports that “COVID-19 triggered an estimated global use of 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves every month.”
These billions of facemasks and gloves have found their way to our rivers and oceans to threaten marine life. Apparently, sea turtles often mistake masks for jellyfish—one of their preferred foods.
These products are harming more than just turtles. Fish, birds, and other marine animals ingest and become entangled in these waste products. As we worked to prevent illness on land, we effectively made our oceans sicker.
What can we do about it?
7 simple steps to help rid our oceans of plastics
Conserve Water
The less water you waste, the less excess runoff and wastewater goes into the ocean. There are countless steps you can take to conserve water. Try taking a shorter shower. Or, take a bath with minimal water.
Do not let the faucet run while you brush your teeth, shave, or wash produce. Use a watering can rather than a hose for your plants. And, if none of these options seem sufficient, here is a list of 100 ways to conserve water.
2. Reduce waste
Oceanic Society lists plastic pollution as “one of the greatest threats to ocean health worldwide.” Maybe think twice before buying plastic water bottles or throwing out food containers.
Instead, try to invest in reusable water bottles, cloth napkins, washable paper towels, reusable sandwich bags, and reusable shopping bags. Not only are these products environmentally conscious and aid in the effort to rid the oceans of plastics, but they are also likely to save you money in the long run.
3. Reduce vehicle pollution
According to National Ocean Service, “millions of motor vehicle engines drop small amounts of oil each day onto roads and parking lots,” and this “makes its way to the sea.” I’ll admit that I tend to over rely on the convenience of a car. But as I’ve learned more about our environment and what pollutes it, I realize we don’t have the privilege of ignoring our effects on the earth.
Next time it’s a nice day, maybe walk or bike to your destination if it is in reach. If you don’t own a bike, check if your town has a bike-share program. Make sure to carpool if you can. And, plan your errands in advance, so you can be most efficient with your car-usage.
4. Volunteer for cleanups in your community
This one is simple. Ask around or check online for any volunteer cleanups near you. Your time can be your most valuable resource. Even if you do not live near the ocean, picking up waste can have a positive impact on our environment and our oceans.
5. Vote, Vote, Vote, and contact your representative
Do some research on a candidate’s environment and ocean policies so you can be an informed voter. You can keep up your activism after elections, too. Contact your representative if you have any concerns and be an advocate for change. You never know what will make a difference.
6. Reduce energy use
The less energy you use, the smaller your carbon footprint. Some ways to accomplish this include air drying your laundry, using energy efficient light bulbs, and unplugging appliances when they are not in use. If you are looking to take a slightly bigger step, look for an alternative energy program near you. You can support the use of clean energy from the sun and wind.
7. Be an ocean-friendly shopper
Next time you are shopping, avoid unsustainable products. Check to see if your cosmetics, clothing, are jewelry are made with marine materials, and avoid them if you can. Also, if you are going to purchase seafood, buy from sustainable fishers. Oceanasuggests you “look for special terms like ‘line caught’, ‘diver caught’, ‘sustainably caught’ or ‘sustainably harvested.’”
World Ocean Day may only last 24 hours, but our efforts should be year-long to rid our oceans of plastics. Environmental issues need to be taken seriously. If we take action now, we can make a healthier, sustainable ocean.
When you’re feeling restless, sat around bored and waiting, or wanting to while away some much-needed downtime, most of us choose to find some mindless entertainment that can be easily dipped in and out of to stay occupied.
Those with a bit of a gambling mindset might find that, during these moments, their fingers itch to play some fun slot games for an adrenaline-pumping activity that doesn’t take up too much brain space.
Old slot games have outlived their welcome
Rather than returning again and again to the same old boring slot games that have outlived their welcome, now is the time for all those part-time gambling bods to check out the new online slots available for their perusal in May 2021.
This month will see the release of several themed slots that suit all budgets and offer excellent jackpots and payouts. Each game plays with the slot layout and formula somewhat, but they are nevertheless a fun alternative to stalwarts of the genre.
Read on to see our round-up of the best releases coming this month!
Sahara Riches Cash Collect
If you take a look at the new online slots that have been reviewed at OnlineCasinos.co.uk, you’ll be sure to find something to suit your tastes and wager level.
Tested by fellow casino lovers and slot gamers alike on the UK’s most respected casino review site, you’ll find comprehensive reviews for new online slots, taking into account the games available, the game types, and whether they can be played across multiple devices.
Containing immersive features that lead to uncovering hidden treasures throughout the game, Sahara Riches Cash Collect is an Ancient Egyptian-themed slot – as is suggested by the name.
The game is accessible to all players, regardless of bet allowance, due to the vast range between the minimum and maximum bets allowed, meaning that, for those high rollers, there’s the potential to accumulate a rather substantial jackpot!
With a traditional 5×3 slot layout, the game contains 30 paylines, 5 rows, and is a 5-reel slot. While the graphics and gameplay are slightly sub-par compared to other new online slots being introduced this month, it is nevertheless a fun game to play that occupies your time well and has the potential to earn you a hefty jackpot!
Blue Fortune
A pirate-themed game, this new online slots game is based on exploring the deep blue sea to find your fortune. Overall, Blue Fortune is a high-quality game for players, offering solid graphics and gameplay features that all players will enjoy.
The high-volatility nature of this game means that it is sure to get your adrenaline pumping and build up your big win ratios over time! So, while you aren’t guaranteed to win frequently, the times you do win are likely to earn you a worthwhile payout.
This slot game also utilises the traditional 5×3 layout to great effect, although there are just 9 paylines for players to look out for. There is no jackpot for players to win, but multiple in-game elements make it a worthwhile play, allowing you to use different features to win different bonuses.
Gator Gold Gigablox
Set in the African wilderness, Gator Gold Gigablox is a wild and colourful slot game that is a joy to play.
While the graphics and gameplay are not quite as high-quality as those seen in Blue Fortune, it has an unusual slot layout of 4×6 and a whopping 4,096 paylines for players to look out for! The game is high volatility so, although you are less likely to win, when you do, you’ll earn bigger and better.
The margin between the minimum and maximum isn’t quite as favourable as other slot games, but maximum win vastly outweighs those of other, more well-known slots – and certainly more than its other contemporaries. The game contains tons of features that allow you extra in-game opportunities to win bonuses or spins, which makes up for the lack of jackpot.
This game is due to arrive across all devices on May 27, so keep your eyes peeled!
King of Cats
Another new online slots game set in Africa, this game relies on wild animals and a safari-based adventure rather than the Ancient Egyptians, and so it is worth a look from animal lovers and explorers alike! Its graphics and gameplay are below the standard of this month’s other releases, but it has a number of additional features to make up for that.
It boasts a medium-to-high volatility, so for those players who require more frequent wins to maintain interest, this game might just be better suited to you. However, with a progressive slot jackpot aided by numerous in-game features to help you accrue more points and bonuses, it might just be worth your while to win less frequently, if you want to win the bigger bucks!
Again, this slot utilises a more unconventional slot layout, with a 6×3 layout. The minimum and maximum bets sit at the lower end of the scale – making this game much more accessible for casual slot gamers or those without masses of money to spend – yet this slot still offers a decent maximum win, considering the low-level bets.
Lava Gold
Travel back in time to the Jurassic-era and roam with the dinosaurs in this jungle-themed slot game. With decent graphics and gameplay included, the visual aspects on their own make this game a worthwhile endeavour for more casual slot gamers.
A low-volatility game – meaning more frequent wins but at a lower value – this slot game relies on a 5×5 layout, incorporating the often-used average of 30 paylines for gamers to spot. It also contains a free spins feature, an autoplay feature, and a multiplier feature, making it fun to play with lots of exciting elements to maintain your interest.
Despite this, the maximum win is (as suggested by the low volatility) fairly low compared to other games, but actually much easier to obtain – which might just make this game more worth your time!
TikTok has been home to many games, challenges and trends, themselves subject to various levels of honesty from users. There are certain trends, however, that do more harm than good. One TikTok trend that isn’t nearly as helpful as it should be is the “put a finger down” trend, where users start comparing themselves to others instead of embracing differences.
Pushing or encouraging individuals to open up has been received mainly as a way to connect and de-stigmatize some difficult topics in the media. However, while some exchanges remain surface-level conversations that may put a smile on your face, others are taking deeper turns that may reveal themselves to be harmful and toxic.
“Put a finger down if…” & self-diagnosis
You may have scrolled past various versions of the audio game on TikTok that has had millions of users filming themselves “putting a finger down” for each statement they relate to.
Many fairly trivial, and most likely harmless, editions of the trend that tiktokers have come up with, between food-related opinions to guess the song quizzes, are probably bound to make you feel a little less alone and put a smile on your face.
However, other recordings have surfaced following the same premise, though using subjects that are much more sensitive. In particular a “complex PTSD self-diagnosis edition” was “played” and posted by millions of users who didn’t particularly know what they were “testing” themselves until the end of the audio in question.
In this viral audio, the statements that follow the “put your finger down if” prompt range from things like “being an introvert,” “holding yourself to too high of a moral standard” to struggling with an “anxiety disorder or eating disorder” and “feeling guilt for being mad.”
At the end, the voice states that if the player has so many fingers down, they suffer from complex PTSD.
Whether to be taken with a grain of salt or not, there is a lot in that audio that isn’t easy to talk about. Although there can be something admirable in admitting to hurt and pain, and growing the courage to speak about those is important in paving the way to de-stigmatize a taboo subject, it presents us with a fine line between that and generalizing what these things mean.
Wondering if they’ve dealt with those, we see users such as those above bobbing their head back and forth, reflecting, hesitating, seemingly thinking “have I felt that enough to put a finger down?”
But how does a finger measure the pain you might have experienced? By playing along to those specific “put your finger down” sounds on the app, we inherently compare how many we’ve each experienced and, thus how “messed up” our life might be in comparison to others.
It cheapens the depths of our experiences
Despite the good intention that lies behind trying to make each other feel a little less alone by having the courage to admit to having gone through similar things, a few seconds in a Tiktok recording seems too short to encapsulate the actual issues at hand. This leads to a somewhat shallow game playing that ultimately seeks to have us keep score based on personal experiences that aren’t measurable to begin with.
Some tiktokers, specifically @courtlynlouise, have taken to the app to respond on that note as well, specifically in reference to the idea of “self-diagnosis.” And how quick these TikTok trends might be in making us judge ourselves, often with lack of knowledge on the matter.
Again, assuming and “telling” someone they have complex PTSD because they put more than seven out of ten fingers down in response to a series of profound questions they had less than a few seconds to think about, seems unhealthy and more mentally compromising than helpful.
That said, if, even on this deeper level, the trend has given you something to relate to or someone to look up to, then brilliant. Perhaps it has even given some users or viewers the confidence to speak up about certain struggles , when they wouldn’t have before. The one thing to keep in mind, is that although pain is relatable, it is hardly comparable.
Answering questions and telling stories…
This trend recently started an entire network of storytelling and experience sharing that reaches unparalleled levels of honesty. Users will film themselves with their fingers stretched out, ready to answer a series of questions but just to begin with “put a finger down if…” and then proceed to tell a personal story that lasts the entirety of the 60 second clip.
In a way, by telling one of a kind stories in such detail, this serves to highlight precisely the idea that we all do live through different things and that it is difficult, if not impossible, to fit into those general statements featured in the original “put a finger down” trend.
Perhaps initially not seeking to compare, many of these have turned from simple stories, to a “who has the most to tell” contest.
Between those and the trending “i win” hashtags, where, by answering questions posed by other users (using Tiktok’s “stitch” feature) tiktokers try to share the most outrageous stories. Or they try to show that they have the greatest number of certain items and therefore are more susceptible to this or that. The competitive nature of such social media continuously reveals itself with time.
Though often successful, the many attempts to make the platform one for relating and sharing, don’t always remain that way.
In the midst of it, the important thing to remember is that: you are not weird if you like pickles. And it’s a human thing to sometimes get angry kind of quickly.
The masses can manipulate trends, words, and stories. Allow these trends to help you find a community, consume it while it makes you happy or serves as support, but don’t let it have the power to be your truth.
My stay-at-home game is strong. This might be what many of you are also thinking. While the pandemic was Earth-shattering, it also provided many lessons for us during quarantine. Now how can we utilize these lessons once the world opens back up?
While the introverts maintain introspection, some of you are rowdy and ready to emerge upon the scene. I heard a lot of chants recently of: “We Outside!”
No matter how you navigate it is imperative to always evaluate your past, assess your present and stay six steps ahead toward the future.
Quarantine lessons will shape our near-future
Therefore, the way that life evolves can build upon foundation brick by brick instead of starting from square one during each bout. COVID-19 is a doozie – unfortunately, we are still in COVID SZN as it appears it might be slow for flushing out the virus altogether.
A Quarantine Notice from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
Our chances at reaching herd immunity might be shot… but enough about all that – what have we learned?
Keep your distance, be hygienic, and for now, keep wearing a mask
Maintain space in public settings – for many of us this has been an unwritten rule. Give people their personal space and respect the boundary of the “bubble.” For others, the common courtesy that gives me a little room to breathe seems to be rather difficult.
There is no excuse! Don’t be dirty/filthy/nasty – scrub away and touch objects less. Washing your hands is preferential to sanitizer as the chemical components in hand sanitizer will do damage to your skin.
This one is rather simple – a mask covers your mouth and nose except in most outdoor settings.
Clearly, those three rules have been spoonfed and indoctrinated into our lives. But what have we learned about ourselves?
Looking inward for some COVID takeaways
Prioritize all health – if you worked a data entry position and sprained your wrist you would probably seek ergonomic treatment for that injury, correct?
Then why neglect the emotional well-being and potential lack of durability within your mental?
We must always treat our bodies as temples so that we are able to uplift our loved ones and surrounding casts on a daily basis.
To each their own – but loosen up a bit! Don’t become honorary Lieutenant in the mask enforcement agency or shoot dirty looks when you hear a mean cough. We are all on this planet to coexist and we all have to overcome this nasty virus together. Therefore, kindness makes the world go ’round.
We outlasted a year that felt like a decade – Keep pushing
For many, this pandemic has driven them absolutely bonkers with cabin fever running rampant. For a few, quarantine has given them the exact transformation they were looking for – whether it be self, occupation or home amenities.
For others, the virus has not affected their lives much at all and they continue their operations as usual.
Stay familiar with your wiring
The key component throughout any situation – whether it brings adverse or jubilant results – always revolves back to the cranium. How are you going to attack the situation with your quarantine lessons? Refuse the urge to displace yourself based upon preconceived notions or poor mental habits.
A well-balanced and harmonious mind
Build your mind like a gymnastics meet – if one thing doesn’t work try a different event.
The most pivotal part is to build the strength so that you can complete each course. Once you start doing backflips on your own inner demons – there is no turning back. Your circuits become plentiful and you are ready to fire on all cylinders.
A woman acrobatically pushes herself to the limits upon a rooftop
Regardless, always take the time to exercise, meditate, eat plant-based and communicate properly. If you follow these four core principles you will be able to achieve peace of mind in any scenario. Namaste.
Have you heard about gadolinium toxicity? If you are lucky, probably not. Because gadolinium toxicity is something that has been hidden away from the general public. Why? Because like many faults in other systems, this is a very lucrative problem for a very big industry — big pharma.
And, perhaps this realization could not have come at a worse time. Now, more than ever, people need to trust medicine, doctors, and that with which we are being injected. But, we are not going to be complicit with its silence.
Gadolinium toxicity is a very serious condition affecting thousands of people in the US and all over the world. It is the main metal used for the contrast, a chemical that is injected on people for MRIs’ “visibility.”
“But, gadolinium is one of the most pernicious rare earth metal, it should never be injected into the body.”
Dan Root, Occupational Medicine Specialist 2021
After learning about this condition, Kulture Hub interviewed several people suffering from it, as well as experts, to learn exactly what is going on.
What is gadolinium toxicity?
Gadolinium is a silvery-white metal. Naturally, like mercury or any other metal, these have fatal effects on the body if not administered correctly. However, for years, gadolinium has been used in contrast to MRIs.
Although it is not 100 percent necessary, gadolinium contrast medium jets injected into the patient’s body to improve the quality of the MRI images.
And, even if physicians claim it is “generally very safe,” more than 8,000 people have been affected by it. The symptoms of intoxication include, but are not limited to, brain fogginess, muscle pain, dizziness, balance/coordination issues, and more.
“In fact, I want to use the correct term for this, we’re talking about xenobiotics. And these are heavy metals and synthetic chemicals that are foreign to the body; they should not be in the body.”
Daniel Root, 2021
Daniel Root, an occupational medicine expert, explained that these are chemicals that are not naturally produced nor expected to be in a person’s body. “These toxins are lipophilic,” he said.
And what that means is that livers and kidneys can’t run their normal detoxification process. Thus, these heavy metals wind up becoming sequestered in your fat. “That is when the problem starts.”
When the gadolinium contrast is injected into your body, your blood carries it all over. So, your brain, your muscles, and even your bones are affected by it.
“Oh, gadolinium. Totally medical malpractice. You hear of people dying. They can get something called NSF. It stands for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. This means that your organs turn into wood, basically, you die from the inside out. So that’s, that’s a common side effect of gadolinium.”
Erin Shackelfrod, Gad patient 2021
A huge ship to turn
The problem is that despite the vast amount of evidence that gadolinium contrast is affecting many people. Doctors, nurses, and, to no one’s surprise, big pharma industries have not only ignored the issue but invalidated its facts claiming that “the benefits outweigh the loss.”
Taking into consideration that an MRI with contrast costs significantly more than an MRI without contrast, it is not impossible to understand where such claims come from.
Hundreds of people joined Root’s Facebook group; Sauna Detoxication using Niacin, on a weekly basis. A group that largely focuses on providing detoxification programs for gad patients.
Thus, as the cases of gadolinium Toxicity significantly keep increasing, there is more information from outside sources floating around.
“There’s enough literature out there that they should know. The problem is, the medical industry is like a huge ship, that in order to get it to turn, it can take a long time. So, I don’t think most of the radiologists or technicians and nurses have not yet fully realized the damage they’re causing.”
Daniel Root, 2021
People suffering from gadolinium toxicity
In 2017, Gena O’Kelley (Norris), Chuck Norris’ wife, filed a lawsuit against Bracco Imaging, an Italian company that specializes in the Diagnostic Imaging Business. “Norris described a burning sensation, tissue thickening and a foggy mind persisting for years after a series of MRIs.”
After testing her for cancer, the doctors were unable to reach any explanations. She transferred to alternative medicine clinics in China and Reno, Nevada. For 5 months she laid in a bed at the clinic with IV’S. Her treatment revealed high levels of gadolinium remained in her body years after her last MRI.
The lawsuit was later “voluntarily dismissed” and neither party received any type of compensation.
So, you know shit gets real when it even affects Chuck Norris’ wife.
And, unfortunately, she is not the only one suffering the life-lasting effects of gadolinium toxicity. Catherine Laurent, was a member of the Kulture Hub team when all of a sudden she could not even move.
Catherine Laurent
“3 days before the MRI I took a physical and everything came [back] perfect. I was at my best, I used to be anemic and the physical even showed I was cured of that and in one minute, my whole life change”
Catherine Laurent, 2021.
Just hours after her first MRI she knew something was not right. It started with a simple headache that then quickly escalated into brain fogginess, dizziness, and muscle pain.
As the symptoms persisted, and her blood and MRI work showed nothing uncommon, she contacted the medical facility again. After a dance of referrals, from neurologists to physicians, Cat did some research herself.
Finding out about gad poisoning, she contacted the doctor that referred her to the MRI with contrast inquiring about the possibility of having it. To no one’s surprise, “she denied the possibility of being gadolinium toxicity and wanted it to be everything else,” Cat said.
“I feel like my body is rotting. You feel toxic. It starts feeling like the normal flu. But then, your body literally feels like it’s rotting inside.”
Cat Laurent, 2021
And, although she could not help us with video editing due to her condition, she was a substantial lead for this story.
Awareness of the issue
“I would say what has happened is that we’ve had several of our gadolinium group members, the Galilean poisoned group members say that they requested not to get injected and they were talked into it. Most of them have said that they were never shown any of the, you know, the inserts that would have all of the warnings and occlusions. And for the most part, a large group of them had no idea gadolinium was a problem. And so they were never told it was a problem. Which, you know, again, I think it goes to a lack of training on the newest information that’s available.”
Daniel Root, 2021
Like plenty of our issues, this one starts with a lack of awareness. We are not suggesting that doctors and nurses should stop using contrast (although maybe they should), but at least validate the problem by advising their patients about the severity of the possible side effects.
“Nobody ever told me about what side effects could be associated with the MRI. I’ve got all the paperwork that I’ve ever signed anywhere. And nobody ever said, you know, hey, this could happen to you. The neurologist never told me. The imaging place didn’t tell me.”
Erin Shackelfrod, Gad patient 2021
Like many others, Erin went to the ER with an entirely different condition. One that, without a contrasted MRI would have gone unnoticed or without many complications. “I have learned that I have a connective tissue disorder that was pretty much activated because of the MRI,” Erin told us later on.
Coverage of gadolinium toxicity
In the efforts to cover the severity of the problem, many doctors argue that the gadolinium contrast medium only affects those with pre-existing conditions. But, that is not exactly the case.
Like Cat, many healthy patients are affected by the poisoning. One of Daniel’s patients had an MRI with contrast 32 times. Before having them, she enjoyed a healthy life. But now, she has several brain surgeries to recover from.
“Her health went downhill after the first one. And then the gadolinium. A lot of people will get lesions on their brains because the gadolinium will actually settle in their brains. And she had two or three brain surgeries because they told her she had cancer of the brain. And it was Gad the whole time.”
Erin Shackelfrod, Gad patient 2021
Niacin detoxication
O’Kelley’s case leaves a huge precedent and a strong impediment for the issue to be solved. Thus, Root confessed that without a change in standards of care, the issue would probably get worse. Nonetheless, he has hope.
“Because I’m seeing too many people suffering from these injections. They’re finding out about our protocol and contacting me, and I give them hope, you know, and the thing is, is that the program is helping, but I don’t think anybody’s ever going to fully get the gadolinium out of their system.”
Daniel Root, 2021
The program, Get Detoxinated, originally started as a technique used in the clinical environment for 30 years. It was meant to help patients with any heavy metal exposure. In fact, the program treated over 200 responders of 9/11, who inhaled all the smoke and dust during the cleanup of ground zero. Not to mention radiation and Drug Addiction Rehab.
The light at the end of the tunnel
Thus, since gadolinium is a heavy metal, it is something the program helps to pull out. However, since gadolinium toxic material is in the body, you’re never going to be able to get it out 100 percent. Yet, Root promises that the quality of life and health does improve when doing the program more than once.
“The thing about gadolinium is is that and with any toxic material in the body is you’re never going to be able to get it out 100% and any amount of gadolinium in the body is not safe. So it has the ability to cause further problems”
Daniel Root, 2021
Detoxication is a 30-day program, where your body basically sweats all the toxins out. It uses Niacin, a B3 vitamin that induces two actions in the body. First, it opens capillaries, allowing more blood to flow.
But, most importantly, it rebounds lipolysis. Thus, it results in very large liberations of fat-stored toxins to be mobilized and put back into the blood, so that then you can then take that out through the sweat.
“I would say that we’ve got studies that show 30% to 65% of the body burden of certain chemicals and heavy metals can be reduced in a 30-day program. But with gadolinium, my best guess is that we’re only seeing 12% to 15% coming out 30-day program. So, I would recommend doing it more than once.”
Daniel Root, 2021
So how do we trust our institutions but still have good judgement on our own?
What else have we learned this year besides not trusting many, if not most, of our institutions?
The truth is, as revealing as Covid was about the social and racial injustices in most systems, we are far from disintegrating all that big institutions hold away from us, and the medical world is no exception. Turns out that for years, intoxicating people with a metal called gadolinium, something that is injected into your body when you get MRIs.
“I can’t tell you that there’s a large population of patients that have been injected with gadolinium, who are greatly suffering from it. And that is a travesty of science. And I think they need to actually reconsider whether or not it’s actually worth injecting a heavy metal into the body in order for them to be able to read the information. Whereas in most cases, it’s my understanding that the gadolinium is not needed. But it’s usually requested to make the job easier for them to read. I think that no, the gain is not worth the end result.”
Dr. Christopher Hart is a true innovator. Thanks to his inventive O2Vent Optima device, sleep apnea treatment has been given a whole new perspective.
Chris has been an adventurous researcher and practitioner in the search for better alternative therapy to cure sleeping disorder disease. Hailing from a dentist background, Chris possesses impressive expertise in the mechanism of nasal obstruction and mouth breathing.
PHOTO CRED: Pulmonary Practice Associate.
As a victim of sleep apnea himself, Chris has been devoting to finding better sleep apnea treatment that would bring users greater benefits and convenience. The result is the O2Vent Optima oral device. The O2Vent Optima offers users comfort as it customizes user needs to provide a perfect fit.
The O2Vent Optima is impressively lightweight in comparison to the bulky CPAP machine. With no uncomfortable mask or complicated machines attached, the O2Vent Optima guarantees flexibility and mobility in user experiences.
It functions as a second nose that allows air to be directly delivered to the back of the throat and avoids dry mouth or sore throat.
The necessity for the O2Vent Optima invention
Christopher Hart, founder of GoPAPfree. Image via Oventus.
Kulture Hub: What inspired you to create the O2Vent Optima? where does the name come from?
Christopher Hart: Necessity is the mother of invention. I’m a dentist by trade, but I was also a severe sleep apnea patient.
Because of my nasal obstruction, I couldn’t tolerate CPAP and the standard mouthguard that just deals with the tongue flopping back wasn’t effective enough. Out of desperation, I made a mouthguard with some other ways that allows the air to get to the back of my throat, and to my lungs.
I had a network of dental clinics, so I started using it in patients. Over time, those planned expenses started to increase. I was going to forget the idea altogether until the previous CEO of the company of Anderson got involved. He took my prototype for the CSR, which is the Australian version of the NIH. Within 11 months, he developed the software design with a CSR on the 3d printing technology. That was the first O2Vent.
The vent was invented at that point in time. Optima is our 28th generation. And we think we have it right, the beautiful device.
“Mouth breathing is not favorable physiologically and nasal breathing is ideal. What we do is we offer to the extent the patient can breathe through their nose, they still do. But instead of switching to mouth breathing, we manage that mouth breathing by putting what we call a second nose in the mouth guard. So the lips are still sealed around our extended airway and the jaw position remains in place.”
Christopher Hart for Kulture Hub
The O2Vent Optima oral device vs the traditional CPAP Machine
KH: How does the mouthpiece work? How is it different from the traditional CPAP machine?
CH: A CPAP machine stands for continuous positive air pressure. It’ll use a pump, and a hose and a mask to splint the airway to inflate it basically, with positive air pressure. Unfortunately, many patients can’t tolerate its quite uncomfortable feeling and being tethered and claustrophobic and noises and leaks and abrasions on the face.
With our technology, instead of pumping the air in, we have an air channel within the mouth guard and the jaw position remains where it should be. With a mouth guard maintaining that stable jaw position, the patient breathes through the nose as they normally would but receive her pain with standard mouth guards.
Now instead of banning therapy, treatment actually improves if the patient’s nose congests to the point where they’d normally switch to mouth breathing.
How the O2Vent Optima works. Image via Oventus.
KH: What are the reasons that you’ve seen CPAP machine as not effective in treating sleep apnea?
CH: I think CPAP is very effective, there’s no question that it splits the airway by pumping air and keeps it open.
But it’s the problems with adherence. It’s the feeling of being waterboarded with something strapped to the face and being tethered to a machine feeling of claustrophobia. It’s the lack of portability and abrasions on the face that leaks noises, waking up the bed partner and not being able to shift your sleeping position.
Potential risks of sleep apnea if not properly treated
KH: If sleep apnea is not properly treated, what kind of risks might patient encounter in the future?
CH: There are some very significant long term health effects as well as the socioeconomic effects. Health wise, you know, hypertension, diabetes, depression, obesity, increased cardiovascular risk, and then obviously increased risk of workplace accidents.
There is a shortening of life expectancy with untreated sleep apnea, particularly given that it leads to hypoxia, or our oxygen levels in the body.
A design based off of personal dental experiences
KH: How much did the devices designing and prototyping process actually benefit from your background as a dentist?
CH: All the device wouldn’t exist if I wasn’t a dentist. It wouldn’t exist if I was in a severe sleep apnea with narrow obstruction either. I was shown that 82% of patients that have sleep apnea, also suffer from nasal obstruction the way I do and we switch to mouth breathing.
But had I not been in that situation myself and being a dentist, there wouldn’t have been the opportunity to develop the technology. As I said before, necessity is the mother of invention. And I think it was quite fortuitous that I was working in the field and was desperate to fix my own problem. So that is absolutely critical to the development of technology.
Usage of the O2Vent Optima in the age of Covid-19
KH: How has COVID-19 affected users’ experiences with the device?
CH: We have had patients who actually have worn the device during the day. One physician in particular, who believes that the event actually helped him tremendously during COVID. It helped him to breathe even while he’s away.
The other thing that has arisen out of COVID is that, you know, a lot of respiratory clinics, obviously, this is a respiratory pandemic, so many of them shut down, and some of them haven’t reopened.We were then forced to develop our own virtual clinical models. So we can now actually treat patients anywhere, anytime, with a totally remote patient workflow.
Obviously, it’s been terribly difficult for us and many other people working in the respiratory space. But there certainly is a silver lining to that cloud. I think it’s presented a remarkable opportunity for us to help many more patients.
The future for Hart and treating sleep apnea
KH: What do you hope the future of your company and curing sleep apnea looks like?
CH: In terms of the company and the future, we have arguably the most effective treatment on the market and and now that we have access, or we can give access to patients globally and affordably, I think that we would like to help as many people as we possibly can with this disorder.
And now we talk about freedom, freedom to sleep anywhere, anytime, anywhere, and having that safe app in your pocket, allows patients to get their freedom and their lifestyle back while managing the medical risk of very serious health conditions.
Christopher Hart for Kulture Hub
What can the O2Vent Optima and solving sleep apnea mean to society?
PHOTO CRED: Christopher Hart, Founder of GoPAPfree and inventor of the O2Vent Optima. Image via YFS Magazine.
It was a learning experience talking to Chris. Thanks to his generous sharing of his professional knowledge and insights, we are introduced to such beneficial technology that can bring profound changes to patients who have been suffering from sleep apnea.
Besides Chris, we also reached out to Todd Goodstein, a sales engineer from Philly, whose life has greatly benefited from the O2Vent Optima. This small mouthguard has helped treat his UARS and largely improved his sleeping quality.
Todd now happily reunites with his wife after years of sleeping in separate bedrooms; he wakes up with more energy throughout the day. Since the device is fairly portable, Todd travels with it everywhere.
The O2Vent Optima is a significant innovation of the time. It is truly out-of-the-box thinking, free from the traditional machine form and size, and offers its users a convenient, simple, and portable option.
The invention of the groundbreaking O2Vent Optima enables patients to reclaim normal lives and reunite with their families. The advanced technology of the device indeed promises a significant and creative breakthrough in the industry as well.
