Dear Editor:

Make it make sense. In a stressful time when school districts struggle to meet budgetary needs, while consistently losing funds from Ohio and federal government funding, Ohio lawmakers propose extending the academic school year without an increase in funding.

Lawmakers will say it is to catch up on student performance losses due to Covid. However, if there is true concern, why dismantle crucial services designed to meet the educational needs for students with disabilities? Do they really care? Make it make sense?

Once again, Southwest Ohio school districts face challenges in providing services, teachers, counselors and staff due to inadequate government funding. Administrators and school community stakeholders must make budget cuts as academic demands on students increase, despite shrinking budgets.

Lawmakers say dismantle the Department of Education along with crucial federal funding. This is not the solution. Certainly, all children in all states and territories should have access to [high]quality education. However, these efforts could result in differences in educational quality between states. Make it make sense.

State and federal tax dollars should be allocated to provide all children with quality educational experiences. It’s hard to believe that these same lawmakers care when they support requiring public school students to register for the armed services, but do not require the same for students attending private schools. Say it with me, “Make it make sense.”

Please engage with your local government representatives. Advocate for our youth by holding government officials accountable. It’s time for a local town hall meeting to address lawmakers on how they can better support our schools. We demand that our children be given priority. Let’s hold their feet to the fire.

Charlene Cleveland
A former teacher and principal

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Things are not aways what they appear to be.  This is a precautionary idiom to prevent us from over thinking ambiguous matters and assuming the worst.

But sometimes things are just what they appear to be. We are conditioned to take it in stride, brush it off, accept the narratives.   

There has been a quiet, but evolving, assault on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) since 2016. It metastasized to state legislatures. Bills were submitted and policies were crafted to limit DEI initiatives.

DEI programs are now prohibited by Executive Order from the President. It is bad for the country, it divides us. 

We have allowed the narrative on DEI policies, programs, and initiatives to be framed as racial preference. It was never about that. It was always about equity and inclusion; it is about the starting line, the level playing field for all qualified applicants.

The assaults have targeted colleges, universities, and the labor force. With executive order prohibiting any nod to DEI, the full throttle push has moved into the media, and network programming, for on camera personalities and support staff.

CNN and MSNBC cable news networks, recently shuffled program schedules and axed some primetime shows.  The programs canceled were primarily hosted by people of color (POC). 

Joy Reid, the voice behind ReidOut, and perhaps the most notable and outspoken, was canceled. Ayman Mohyeldin, Jonathan Capehart, Katie Phang, and Alex Wagner all were felled by the purging axe.

Leadership changes and declining ratings justify the changes. It’s plausible.

Changes at the top often signal a shift in network priorities. Rebecca Kutler is the new president of MSNBC. Some of the canceled programs had ratings challenges, however, some lower-performing shows with White hosts were retained.

The decline in viewership, i.e., ratings, is typical post-election disengagement. The progressive social and political left-leaning programs experienced a 46% decline in viewers compared to the first 10 months of 2024.

Ratings began to rebound after the inauguration. There was an 86% increase in primetime viewership.

Things are not always what they appear to be. Although the shakeup walks like a duck, let’s try to interpret what appears to be from multiple perspectives.

MSNBC leadership may have overreacted to temporary ratings declines. Their impulsive decision to cancel POC hosted programs failed to understand the cyclical nature of political news audiences.

Perhaps the network prioritized the refresh. It introduced a fresh lineup for the renewed audience engagement. Network leadership assessed that the underperforming shows were misaligned with their evolving brand. Restructuring was a calculated move to strengthen primetime programming.

But we cannot ignore that all the canceled programs were POC hosted. Is the network deliberately reducing its diversity footprint? News media is protected by the First Amendment.

We have entered a regressive milieu wherein the duck arrogantly walks. It’s acceptable to boast of being racist with peremptory disregard.

There is another social idiom that comes to mind and may be applicable to the audacity of our times. It was in the lyrics of a popular R&B song of the late 1960s. It was affirming as we mused about our times, and space, and the circumstances of our lives experienced within the social construct of America.

And we mused about it, whether on the dance floors of our favorite escapes, or in the pews of our places of worship. We wanted to believe that the rejection, the oppression, the devaluation of our contributions to the greatness of America, were waning.

Things are never as bad as they seem, it’s just thinking about it that makes it so mean, the song rhythmically chimed.

But we need to think about this!

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Recently, while waiting in my doctor’s office, I found myself scrolling through my Facebook feed. I stumbled upon a meme that read, “All this arguing over my invisible man is more important than your invisible man.” It struck me how social media has amplified our access to a wide range of opinions, judgments and conspiracy theories, which entangle us in trends, social causes and mass movements, sometimes at the expense of our spiritual well-being.

More often than not, social media lures us away from what truly matters—our inner peace and spiritual growth. The meme I encountered garnered over 3,000 likes, illustrating the allure of divisive content. When we immerse ourselves in the toxic “us vs. them” environment social media has become, we risk losing sight of our spiritual journeys, which thrive on acceptance, understanding and personal introspection.

Faiths and beliefs flourish best in an environment where they’re unquestioned. Exposure to differing viewpoints can cause us to question what we’ve been taught. When we see individuals projecting on social media that they are living fulfilling lives based on beliefs different from ours, we may wonder about the validity of our convictions. Despite the enlightening benefits of questioning our beliefs and values, it can also lead to confusion, particularly when we’re introduced to secular content packaged as “this is success.”

Engaging with content that contradicts our principles can erode our faith and lead to moral ambiguity. Our social media feeds can be flooded with negativity, including:

• Pornography that distorts intimacy
• Divisive political rhetoric that creates anxiety and fear
• Incessant comparisons with seemingly perfect lives
• Racial discrimination 
• Bullying by trolls 
• Content design to make us want to buy more
• Media outlets intentionally manufacturing fear

As I’m sure you likely have observed, possibly experienced firsthand, we’re experiencing unprecedented dissatisfaction and hopelessness, largely due to the comparison with others online; hence, one of the most profound ways social media interferes with our spirituality is by distancing us from our personal experiences.

Due to its addictive nature, social media frequently leads us to spend too much time scrolling through content that numbs our senses and overwhelms our minds, inhibiting the self-reflection essential for spiritual growth. The more we become consumed by social media and engage with curated content, the more we risk losing our personal narratives as we’re not exploring our respective history, confronting our emotions and trying to understand our story. 

Instead of turning inward, many, notably our youth, seek validation and inspiration from virtual strangers and neglect the quest everyone should be on, finding meaning and purpose in life, which isn’t to be found on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, et al.

Although many social media accounts promote the notion of positivity and self-love, the ideals promoted tend to be prescriptive rather than liberating. The pressure to conform to certain lifestyles or beliefs hinders spiritual exploration. Moreover, the “cancel culture” phenomenon, along with several other self-claiming “progressive movements,” suppresses open discussions about spirituality. Many people avoid spiritual conversations or expressing one’s beliefs due to a fear of backlash. The possibility of facing hostility and our inherent survival instinct to go along and get along prevent many from exploring their spirituality freely, resulting in a superficial understanding of spirituality.

Ask yourself the following pivotal questions:

• Am I prioritizing my spiritual health with my heart, time and energy?
• Does my identity and validation originate from my beliefs and values or online popularity?
• Do I allow social media to distract me from meaningful connections with the people around me?
• Keep in mind that social media is not inherently detrimental to our spiritual journeys. There are countless inspiring voices, without any self-serving motive, on social media platforms that encourage us to add more meaning, creativity and beauty to our lives. The key is to curate your online experiences to align with your spiritual aspirations.

Navigating the intersection of social media and spirituality requires mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness is how you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings and behaviors online and offline. This awareness helps you discern when social media is serving you and when it’s detracting you from your spiritual growth.

The benefits of regular self-reflection can’t be overstated. Connecting with our inner selves and clarifying our spiritual beliefs can be achieved through journaling, meditation or simply being present, which, when done with intention, can counterbalance social media’s distractions, fostering a deeper connection with your spirituality.

Ultimately, spirituality is about finding meaning, acceptance and connection in our lives. It’s a journey that can be nurtured online and offline if approached with intention and care. Consciously reducing the influence of social media on your spiritual life requires thoughtfully making ‘yes and no’ decisions, a decision-making exercise that’ll give you a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.

As you journey through the digital world, keep in mind spiritually aware individuals lead happier, more fulfilled lives. Engaging mindfully on social media is how you protect your spiritual journey, allowing it to flourish in a world where many benefit from creating distractions and divides. The path to a happier life is achieved by your choices offline and online—choose wisely.

Nick Kossovan, a self-described connoisseur of human psychology, writes about what’s on his mind from Toronto. You can follow Nick on X/Twitter and Instagram @NKossovan.

The post If you allow it, social media can interfere with your spirituality  appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Dear Editor:

I’m sure it has occurred to you that Forest Park has a doorstep — an interstate overpass — like Lincoln Heights. We also have a majority Black population.

I’m not sure it has occurred to the public (other than Cincinnati Herald subscribers, thanks to the editor-in-chief and Rep. Cecil Thomas ) that the expression of hate toward Lincoln Heights’ Council was criminal intimidation, a third-degree felony (ORC §2921.03).

Speaking for the Forest Park Historical Society, you should rest assured this organization will support publicly any steps you deem appropriate to take to discourage threats to our city’s quality of life arising from any such demonstrations.

Sincerely,
Brandon H. Wiers, Forest Park Historical Society

The post Hate on Lincoln Heights’ doorsteps appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Ill.) delivered a sharp and relentless rebuttal to former President Donald Trump’s chaotic address to Congress on Tuesday night, warning that his economic policies and erratic leadership will leave everyday Americans footing the bill for a billionaire-friendly agenda. Slotkin, the newly elected senator from Illinois—one of the key states Trump flipped in 2024—blasted the former president’s approach to governance, calling his economic promises “a reckless and chaotic gamble” that would “walk us into a recession.” “Trump is on the hunt to find trillions of dollars to pass on to the wealthiest of Americans, and to do that, he’s going to make you pay,” she said, tearing into his trade policies, rising prescription drug costs, and ballooning national debt.

Slotkin also aimed the Trump administration’s sweeping federal layoffs, which she called a “mindless” purge of critical workers. “The firing of people who protect our nuclear weapons, keep our planes from crashing, and conduct life-saving research—only to rehire them two days later? No CEO in America could do that without being summarily fired,” she said. Speaking from Wyandotte, Michigan, Slotkin positioned herself as a voice for working-class Americans frustrated by rising costs and political dysfunction. She called out Trump’s coziness with billionaires like Elon Musk, warning that their unchecked influence could jeopardize everything from Social Security to private financial data. “Is there anyone comfortable with Musk and his gang of 20-year-olds using their own servers to poke through your tax returns, your health information, and your bank accounts?” she asked.

Slotkin didn’t hold back on foreign policy either, skewering Trump for his embarrassing Oval Office clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “That wasn’t just a bad episode of reality TV,” she said. “It summed up Trump’s whole approach to the world. Cozy up to dictators like Vladimir Putin, kick our allies like the Canadians in the teeth, and call it strategy.” The Illinois senator, a former CIA analyst, framed the stakes as a choice between responsible leadership and reckless upheaval. “America wants change, but there’s a responsible way to make change and a reckless way,” she said. “We can make that change without forgetting who we are as a country and as a democracy.” Closing her remarks with a call to action, Slotkin urged Americans not to disengage. “Hold your elected officials, including me, accountable,” she said. “Go to town halls. Demand action. Doom scrolling doesn’t count—I’m putting that on a pillow.”

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Dear Editor:

I would like someone to investigate and do a story on why potholes are more abundant in certain neighborhoods. 

It has become extremely unsafe and almost impossible to navigate the streets of certain neighborhoods. The area on Paddock Road between Reading Road and Seymour Avenue looks like a slice of Swiss cheese. It is the main corridor to Interstate 75 in that part of town. The same is true of Gilbert Avenue between Victory Parkway and the entrance to Eden Park. It is impossible to safely navigate these roads.

While trying to navigate these roads, my car dropped down in a deep pothole, and the tire was slashed. As a senior citizen, it was not only scary, but unsafe to wait in a dark area for an automotive repair truck.

These are not side streets, but main arteries of travel on that side of town. Why are those streets always in such disrepair?

Thank you.

By Jeanne Strickland, Cincinnati

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By April Ryan

“You are playing cards” and “you’re gambling with World War III” scolded President Trump to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before he kicked Zelenskyy out of the White House. The Oval Office visit was meant to ease tensions in the Russian war against Ukraine. However, it ended in a shouting match. The verbal sparring pit President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D, Vance, in a tag team of sorts, against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Both Trump and Vance kept telling Zellenskyy he should be working towards a peace agreement and be grateful for the United States equipment to fight against Russia in this war that Trump believes Ukraine would have lost within two years without the United States’ help. A former Senior U.S. National Security official who wished to remain anonymous said, “Zelenskyy has acknowledged his gratitude.”

That same former NSC official also said, “This means the United States is aligning itself with Russia that we set him [Volodymyr Zelenskyy] up and this was a play to appeal to Trump’s base and Putin and to blame Zelenskyy which is to throw Ukraine and NATO under the bus.” Ranking Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Gregory Meeks says he is “incensed and ashamed over the actions of the president of the United States.” During the televised contentious public negotiations, President Trump told Zelenskyy, “Your people need to make a deal. If you don’t make a deal you will have to fight it out.”. Meanwhile, the February 2020 Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. Monday was the third anniversary of the war. Meeks says, “Trump has not asked anything of Russia and said nothing about it on the anniversary” as Ukraine saw one of the worst drone attacks that day.

After that public disagreement, Zelenskyy was told to leave the White House. He rushed into his waiting van outside of the West Wing where President Trump greeted him with a handshake when he arrived at the door. His departure was minus the presidential escort to the door. Zelenskyy and Trump were also expected today to sign a mineral deal and conduct a joint press conference. Those two events did not happen after that Oval Office conflict. Meeks adds that our European partners “want us to support Ukraine.” President Trump immediately went on social media with his thoughts. That tweet was followed by President Zelenskyy

 @realDonaldTrump

We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want an advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.

The post Trump and Zelenskyy clash in Oval Office over Ukraine peace appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Dear Editor:

I am writing to you because recently, the University of Cincinnati has decided to spend money and effort to replace residence hall bathroom signs to specify for “biological” men and women as a result of an Ohio bill being passed. This has caused a lot of uproar in students, especially because UC is home to so many LGBT+ students. I myself have friends in my major who are transgender and nonbinary, and this will be directly affecting them.

After emailing the president of the University, he sent out a mass email to the student body saying that the University will be getting rid of all traces of DEI in classes, social media, scholarships and more. This new statement is terrifying for the diverse student body who attend this institution. Although it is because of the current Trump Administration’s new regulations, but the University of Cincinnati was the FIRST in this region to begin this as soon as possible, marking themselves (sic) as the precedent in showing their students do not matter.

I think speaking on this issue would be important to help get the word out about how everything that is happening in our government right now is directly affecting places like our colleges, making our homes here feel unsafe and making the students that pay thousands of dollars every year feel like they do not matter to this institution at all. 

Hailey Smith
Interior Design
College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning
University of Cincinnati

The post Letter to the Editor: UC elimination of all D.E.I appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Rabiah Burks, National Legal Aid & Defender Association 

The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), founded in 1911, is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. Our membership is comprised of civil legal aid and public defense attorneys, community advocates, and clients. NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state and local levels. A leader in the development of national standards for civil legal aid and public defense, NLADA also provides advocacy, training, and technical assistance for equal justice advocates across the country.

The following guide is intended to help explain some of the nuances of the impact of stop-work orders on civil legal aid and public defense. Today’s explainer builds on more than 114 years of NLADA’s work in the public defense and civil legal aid space. 

The impact of the attempted Federal Funding freeze on Civil Legal Aid and Public Defense Institutions

NLADA’s community of advocates—including civil legal aid, public defense, and representatives of low-income and marginalized communities—work daily to uphold the government’s commitment to safety and stability. This community both receives federal funding to provide services and in turn provides services to help clients access vital federally-funded supports.

At the heart of NLADA’s mission are individuals directly impacted by government policies who can not afford legal services. Civil legal aid and public defense stand in the gap providing those critical legal services and have been historically underfunded. And this is despite a glaring need for their services. The Bureau of Justice Statistics in the U.S. Department of Justice states that approximately 66% of felony federal defendants and 82% of felony defendants in large state courts were represented by public defenders or assigned counsel. According to the Legal Services Corporation, which administers federal funding to nonprofit legal aid organizations across the country, around 92% of low-income Americans are forced to address civil issues without proper legal assistance. Federal funding cuts will decimate an already fragile system and impact people’s ability to access legal representation and secure essential resources.

Federal funding is essential to fulfilling the government’s obligation to ensure safety and stability for people across the country.  This funding serves three primary functions:

• Direct Federal Purchases: The government acquires services and products to meet its responsibilities to the public.
• Direct Assistance to Individuals: Programs like Medicaid and Veterans benefits directly benefit individuals and families. Civil legal aid and public defenders ensure that people are not wrongfully denied access to these entitlements.
• Support for External Service Providers: Funds enable organizations (like civil legal aid and public defenders) to support community development, veterans’ services, and other essential programs.

NLADA’s legal advocates receive funding through direct grants or as sub-grantees of state and local government agencies. Various federal agencies provide millions of dollars in funding to support life-saving legal services including:

• Department of Justice
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Health and Human Services
• Department of Education
• Social Security Administration
• And many more…

This funding helps ensure:

• Family stability through child welfare and family reunification services
• Holistic legal services that provide alternatives to incarceration
• Access to safe and affordable housing
• Education support, including special education plans and ending the school-to-prison pipeline
• Access to veterans’ benefits, food security, and employment assistance
• Critical healthcare, including opioid crisis intervention
• Protection against illegal debt collection

Impact of Other Recent Government Actions:

Recent executive orders and funding freezes have had a chilling effect on legal services nationwide. Without federal funding, offices nationwide would have to close, leaving millions of people without legal help.

These actions have:

• Disrupted Critical Services: We have heard from a veteran’s services program who had people coming in who were not able to access medication because healthcare access was frozen. The inability to access mental health services is critical, even one missed dose or consultation at its most devastating, can result in loss of life. But it also can set off a downward spiral that causes loss of employment, housing, and stability – you could view this also as a loss of life.”
• Impacted Legal Representation: Legal services providers, both civil and criminal, were unable to use funds that support time-sensitive and life-saving services. For example: acquiring protective orders in domestic violence cases, assisting with access to treatment services, and halting evictions and pursuing housing stability. They also were flooded with the need to help clients access direct support (SNAP, health care, housing), which reduced their ability to provide other life-saving services.
• Created Operational Uncertainty: Offices struggled to stay open, retain staff, and continue assisting clients amid funding freezes.
• Threatened Criminal Prosecution of Legal Professionals: Public defenders and legal aid attorneys face an environment of legal and ethical uncertainty in serving their clients. This country has decided that people are entitled to legal counsel in certain cases – in cases where someone is facing the full force of the state, in order to ensure fairness in the legal system.

Public defenders cannot refuse to represent people, regardless of immigration or any other defining characteristic that may be singled out. This is a constitutional right. This country also has decided that people facing immigration proceedings are entitled to legal representation, and for decades, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has provided funding for those services. Our legal advocates do not discriminate in choosing clients; they are bound by a code of ethics and commitment to serve millions of people in need of legal help in every part of this country.

The post Legal aid and public defense offices at risk due to federal funding freeze appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

It is with incredulous blankness that I have watched the rapid unraveling of democracy.

I am stunned, not just by the gullibility of the people, but by their acceptance of the distorted and the irrational, their unwillingness to take agency in recognizing, and acknowledging they’ve been misled.

I took a step back, I sought to identify the cause. I found the culprit-the “flood the zone” strategy.

Misinformation isn’t just noise, it’s a weapon. ‘Flood the zone’ is a deliberate strategy to drown the media in lies, misdirection, and attacks on American institutions. The result is a complicated morass of confusion and distrust, a psychological trap where facts lose meaning, institutions are discredited, and critical thinking collapses. 

The Trump administration is aggressively restructuring the government according to the Project 2025 blueprint. Central to this effort is the ‘flood the zone’ strategy, which has effectively pushed the false narrative that voters handed the president a sweeping mandate to overhaul government operations.

But the numbers tell a different story. Trump won just 49.8 percent of the popular vote – a mandate requires at least 51 percent. Winning the Electoral College is not the same as earning broad public support.

I wasn’t surprised by the outcome of the 2024 election. Without relying on speculation, I observed the significant role social media played. In the digital age, where news is consumed in fragments, the ‘flood the zone’ tactic thrives, leading many to accept narratives without critical analysis.

What’s most alarming is how deeply this psychological incarceration of critical thinking is woven into America’s institutions. Nowhere is this more evident than in the false narrative that voters handed Trump a mandate to strip the nation of its humanitarian dignity and compassion.

This manipulation thrives in the digital age, where media and social media flood the public with lies and misinformation, and shaping perceptions without scrutiny.

The USAID’s $40 billion budget accounts for less that one percent of government spending. Yet, a false narrative paints it as fraudulent and wasteful. USAID programs provide critical humanitarian relief to underdeveloped countries, with millions depending on them for daily survival.

American farmers will also feel the pinch. There will be loss of agricultural exports, disrupted supply chains, increased surplus and lower prices, weakened global influence, and the ripple effect on rural communities. Small town America will question, will double-think, “this is not what we voted for.”

It’s an impenetrable wall. Congressional Republicans, political strategist, and media stay relentlessly on script. “The American people gave President Trump a mandate to eliminate waste, fraud, and useless government programs,” they claim.

A consistent target is DEI – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion It divides the country. Its language, programs, and initiatives are prohibited for corporations and educational institutions receiving federal funds.

This repetition isn’t just messaging, it’s a strategic effort to cement a false narrative, drowning out dissent and reenforcing ideological control.

Republicans and the conservative right used the ‘flood the zone’ strategy to seize control of a disoriented nation. This strategy has been the playbook for at least a decade.

Floods are destructive. When the waters recede, they leave behind ruined foundations, washed-away structures, and an unrecognizable landscape. The discomfited must adapt to a new normal.

The greatest damage isn’t to the buildings, the foundations, or the altered landscape, it’s to the people. Their lives, their perspectives, and their expectations have been reshaped. What they believe, what they accept, what they question – it all shifts. And in the aftermath, there is only incredulous blankness, a stunned silence in the face of what has been lost.

We could wish that we had known then what we know now before we handed our nation over to those who would dismantle its core values.

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