Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Critique.
The Criousity of The Finch App
An intro When I needed something to help me count and credit the days during the worst depression episodes of my life (so roughly my late twenties early thirties); Finch App was that daily boost of care. I found real succeess monitoring my Mental Health.
By Parsley Rose 5 months ago in Critique
From Liberation Heroes to Economic Failures: Africa’s Leadership Pandemic. AI-Generated.
The story of Africa in the second half of the twentieth century is often told as a story of triumph. It was the age of liberation, when nations long subjugated under colonial rule stood up to reclaim their sovereignty. Flags were raised, anthems were composed, and borders once marked by foreign empires now belonged, at least in theory, to the people of Africa. Leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Jomo Kenyatta, Patrice Lumumba, and later Nelson Mandela embodied the spirit of that age. They were not mere politicians; they were symbols of freedom, carriers of the collective dream that Africans could govern themselves with dignity and purpose.
By Knowledge & truth5 months ago in Critique
The Quiet Revolution of Abbott Elementary
In an era where television comedy often relies on cynicism and cringe humor, ABC's "Abbott Elementary" stands as a refreshing anomaly—a workplace mockumentary that chooses hope over despair, community over competition, and genuine heart over manufactured sentiment. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, the series has quietly revolutionized how we think about both educational television and the mockumentary format itself.
By Parsley Rose 5 months ago in Critique
The Candy Dish
How do we keep our candy dishes full at Halloween time or really anytime? My favorite candy to keep it full is usually gum drops or fruit slices and maybe even at times those fun size candy bars or some say miniatures. I know that is not too popular with the trick or treaters who look for the houses that offer those full-size bars, but I think it is better than offering a sack full of coupons and boxes of raisins that I used to receive the last few years that I went trick or treating while growing back then.
By Mark Graham5 months ago in Critique
12/12
What if noon was midnight and midnight was noon? Would we be eating lunch in the dark and sleeping during the day? Will the birds still sing at night as they do during the day? Day into night or will be night into day. One must think what if? Actually, some do this out of choice or necessity. So, what is time really all about. Is it really about keeping a schedule or just a way to keep us somewhat organized about our lives? A plan as such to keep us steady as we go about living our daily lives.
By Mark Graham5 months ago in Critique
A Foster child's room
When entering an empty room one pictures who will fill it up with all of what belongs to them. If one pictures a foster child who has come to stay for however long that may be needed. What do you suppose will be needed? Now picture a bed, dresser, desk and maybe a bookcase with a few books. The foster child walks in and says maybe "This room all for me?" They put down their backpack and unpack their belongings just wondering what to do with so much space for so little and pulls out a teddy bear and hugs.
By Mark Graham5 months ago in Critique
Saints. Content Warning.
Baptized into the Catholic Church & named after Paul the Apostle, my parents were hellbent on naming my brother and I after the Apostles, yet my sisters seemed to get the sloppy seconds as far as the grab bag of biblical names go. Eve, Mary, and Delilah didn’t seem like a good fit for them. Maybe they were the lucky ones. Maybe that paved the way for them to be heathens, non-believers, or maybe they were just typical Catholic school girls who cut up before, during, and after school.
By Paul R. Pace5 months ago in Critique
Commenting
I know I have mentioned this before in various formats, but I liked it when there was a most supportive commentor on the leaderboard. I know and agree with why it is no longer around, but for me that was a way of really thinking out an appropriate comment for all the stories, articles and poems that I read, and getting paid for them in a way was great for it gave me a way to use my teaching skills in a way. At times now I wish Vocal could bring back that category, and they could stipulate new rules.
By Mark Graham5 months ago in Critique
Religion and Immorality. Content Warning.
Warning: This piece is a personal reflection, not an attack on anyone’s faith. I write not as someone outside of faith, but as someone within it. I believe that while religion gives meaning to life, it also leaves room for doubt.
By Yasmine Lagras5 months ago in Critique
6000
I was noticing on my Stats page that I am approaching 6000 reads. To me that is an incredible feat for I really did not expect really anybody to read by work let alone comment on them. Since I have been writing here on Vocal for the last four years, I have received TS a few times, but not in the last few months though. Vocal has had its ups and down and yes, I am human and do not use AI to do my work for me. To me writing is a way to make me feel good myself.
By Mark Graham5 months ago in Critique
