Removing yourself from anything that repeatedly triggers your mental health and hurts your heart is top-tier self respect.
Category: Personal
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Quantum Leap
I’m way late watching Quantum Leap, but seeing a nonbinary actor portraying a nonbinary character has been so joyful to see. Last night I made it to S01E12, “Let Them Play.” This episode surrounds a trans basketball player and her struggle with acceptance. It was beautiful. It was a little “teen angst” at times but the message was amazing. There was a scene where Ben (Sam Beckett 2.0) took his daughter to group, and he attended the parents group while his daughter attended the teen group.
It broke me.
Hearing those parents talk about how they just wanted their kids to be able to grow up and be kids had me sobbing. It’s all any parent wants.
I want to take a moment to send a little love to anyone who is trans. I see you. I hear you. Never forget that you are a beautiful expression of the universe learning and discovering itself. I hope you become the most authentic version of yourself you can and that you are always surrounded by people who love you.
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DEI at BSU
Just received Ball State University‘s latest “Cardinal Quarterly” email, and chose to unsubscribe. I also wrote an email back to them in the hopes that it reaches the right people.
To whom it may concern,
I wanted to take a moment to explain my recent decision to unsubscribe from the Ball State Foundation emails. It’s a choice I make with a heavy heart.
I am deeply saddened by the current climate in our country, where leadership pressures educational institutions to choose between maintaining their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and facing potential funding repercussions. I had been encouraged by stories of various universities standing firm in their DEI initiatives. However, when I received the recent communication from President Mearns detailing the removal of DEI requirements at Ball State, I was truly disheartened. I have always viewed Ball State as a welcoming and inclusive environment, and this shift has left me questioning that perception.
Until Ball State reaffirms its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, I will be withholding my support, which includes unsubscribing from emails and refraining from donations. I sincerely hope this decision is only temporary.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards,
Sharon (Perry) Murphy
Class of 1998 -
Disconnected
Our government banned TikTok before X, before Truth Social, before addressing child exploitation, before regulating assault rifles… It’s hard not to think about all the other pressing issues our leaders could have focused on instead.
If you used TikTok and weren’t aware, American accounts — videos, comments, and profiles — are still visible outside the US. All the ban has done is sever our connection to that content, which is odd considering the main concern of this app was the sharing of user information with a foreign country (it hasn’t gone anywhere).
For those considering moving to RedNote, it’s important to know that the app was originally created as a safe space for Chinese women, which is why I’ve personally chosen not to join. While many who’ve switched have been warmly welcomed, there’s still significant resistance to LGBTQ+ content, making it an uncomfortable choice for me.
TikTok’s ban feels like yet another fracture in an already divided community. I’ve seen theories suggesting this might blow over within a week—whether because of rumors that Meta may have purchased it (which has some compelling evidence) or speculation that #47 could restore it to win public favor. Regardless, it all feels like a harmful distraction rather than a meaningful solution.
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When I voted for Harris, I was choosing a path forward. That choice carried weight, values, and convictions. I voted against hatred, bigotry, homophobia and transphobia, sexism, and racism, because those have no place in a society striving to be better. I voted for a future where dignity and respect are extended to everyone, regardless of who they are or whom they love. I voted for leaders who believe in protecting those rights, who stand up for progress, not regression.
Too many people are at risk of being marginalized if even a fraction of this administration’s agenda comes to pass. I won’t stand by and “wait it out,” because our communities, our families, our friends, and our rights are worth defending.
So, telling me to “give it four years” or brushing off my anger and grief as overblown won’t sway me. If anything, it only strengthens my resolve to dig in deeper and fight for the vision of a better, more inclusive world.
