We need to talk about Jakarta Jackson. What happened on January 5, 2025, in Rock Island cannot simply be brushed aside, ignored, or placed behind us. The video released by the Rock Island Police Department shows Officer Brett Taylor pursuing Jackson, then violently smashing open the window of a moving car. Some argue this was justified that the car was in motion; that Taylor had a duty to apprehend a suspect. But this framing oversimplifies a deeply complex situation. 

Abortion and reproductive rights are about more than medicine they are about freedom, equality, and dignity. When states restrict abortion, they are not protecting life; they are controlling it. They are denying women, trans men, and others the right to make decisions about their own bodies

Ending JROTC is a step toward reclaiming education as a space for critical thought, egalitarian values, and genuine community building. If we want a generation prepared to confront injustice, resist authoritarianism, and build a more humane society, we must stop grooming them to be soldiers and start empowering them to be citizens.

As QC Antifa, your protests and organizing are part of this broader tradition. You are not claiming to be a formal organization; you are embodying an idea. By standing for egalitarianism and against fascism, you are affirming that democracy, justice, and human dignity are worth defending. 

The struggle for trans rights is not a niche issue it is a universal struggle for human dignity, equality, and freedom. When we examine the rights demanded by trans communities, we see that they are the same rights that benefit everyone: the right to bodily autonomy, to family, to healthcare, to self‑expression, and to live free from discrimination. To argue for trans rights is to argue for a society that values all people equally. 

As we continue our path toward a more sustainable, healthier, and egalitarian future, nutrition must stand alongside exercise and discipline as a cornerstone of liberation. It is not enough to run, train, and strengthen our bodies we must also ensure that what we consume nourishes us and reflects our values. The most revolutionary act of all may be the simplest: growing our own food.

Yes, body positivity and acceptance of diverse family types are vital. Every family, whether traditional, blended, chosen, or unconventional deserves respect and recognition. But inclusivity does not mean abandoning discipline. It is possible to embrace diversity while also affirming the importance of training, self‑development, and the intentional building of families. Raising children, nurturing households, and participating in traditions are not outdated practices; they are acts of continuity that ensure our movement has roots as well as wings. 

Each perspective illuminates a different thread in the tapestry of human struggle and renewal. Psychology reminds us that identity begins with the inner self, shaped by resilience and agency. Sociology shows us that identity is always embedded in structures of race, class, gender, and institutions. History teaches that philosophies and movements emerge from specific contexts, yet continue to resonate across generations. 

Taken together, these insights form a cycle: resistance against oppression, affirmation of humanity, and renewal through joy, solidarity, and creativity. Holiday and King remind us of the urgency of justice. Baby K reminds us that liberation must include joy. Rand and Nietzsche remind us of autonomy and courage. Marx and Freire remind us of solidarity and collective struggle. Arendt, Beauvoir, Mill, and Foucault remind us that identity is political, relational, and shaped by power. 

The creative works of Holiday, King, Baby K, Rand, and Marx reveal that activism and identity are deeply intertwined. They show that identity is both imposed and chosen, both personal and political. They challenge us to resist oppression, affirm humanity, and embrace complexity.

For me, these works are not distant artifacts—they are mirrors and guides. They remind me that to live authentically is to resist oppression, to celebrate joy, and to build communities where liberation is possible.

As time goes on, being transgender in the Quad Cities and across Iowa is becoming less and less safe. The challenges extend far beyond the question of bathrooms, they include employment, housing, access to services, and the basic right to be accepted as full members of society. What we face is forced segregation and a lack of meaningful support. 

Randy Flowers is a candidate running against incumbent Eric Sorensen in Illinois. Randy is more than just a challenger; he is a fighter, a progressive, and a veteran. His life of service and commitment to justice led him to found Liberty and Justice, an organization based in the Quad Cities dedicated to resisting the rise of authoritarianism and corruption from all sides of the political spectrum. 

Too often, the narrative surrounding homelessness is reduced to harmful stereotypes: that people are unhoused because they are addicted to drugs or have made poor life choices. This framing not only dehumanizes those experiencing homelessness but also obscures the deeper truth. Homelessness is not simply the result of individual failings, it is the product of systemic poverty, lack of affordable housing, and economic inequality.