Nonfiction
The Copper Switch — When Lincoln Wasn’t on the Penny
For most of us, the penny is so ordinary it hardly draws a second glance. A flicker of copper glinting in a tip jar, jingling in a pocket, lying forgotten on a sidewalk. Yet the story behind this tiny coin isn’t ordinary at all. It’s a time capsule of national identity, artistic debate, and one bold decision that forever changed how Americans see their money—and their heroes.
By Karl Jackson3 months ago in Critique
The Monster Under Your Bed Wants to Talk
As children, we're afraid of monsters under the bed; fear of the unknown. But we're told to face our fears because doing so usually means discovering that our fears are far worse in our minds than they turn out to be in reality.
By Xena Warrior3 months ago in Critique
Truth Demands Proof
I saw a post on Facebook where a man shared a letter he had sent to his elected officials calling for the impeachment of the sitting president. He claimed that the offenses were “so obvious” and “so well documented” that he did not even need to include them. That single assumption captured everything wrong with modern political thinking. When someone says “the reasons are obvious,” what they often mean is that they cannot defend them. Emotional conviction replaces evidence. The appearance of certainty replaces truth itself.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast4 months ago in Critique
Thunderbolts Movie Review
Let’s be honest... When I first heard about Thunderbolts, I didn’t think much of it. The marketing was practically nonexistent, the trailer didn’t shake the internet, and the cast didn’t seem to scream blockbuster. In fact, the characters themselves didn’t fit the usual Marvel mold, no overly polished, Hollywood handsome superheroes. Just gritty, damaged people. It felt… average.
By Louise Noel 4 months ago in Critique
Church of Nigeria Vs Bishop Sarah Mullally: The deep rooted misogyny the church refuses to name
When the Church of Nigeria announced it was cutting ties with the church of England following the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the headlines focused on "doctrinal disagreement." But let's be honest, what we are witnessing is not is not just theology in dispute. It is the old spirit of patriarchy and misogyny, still deeply entrenched within the Anglican Communion, wearing the robe of righteousness.
By Gift Adene4 months ago in Critique
A Holistic Approach to Restorative Justice
Restorative justice conferencing preceded by rehabilitative programming within an indeterminate sentencing model will reduce recidivism and victim satisfaction more than punitive measures alone, rehabilitation alone, or the combination of the two. Restorative justice is a rehabilitative approach that involves “conferencing” – a process that comprises stakeholders involved in a crime focusing on repairing the damage done in a manner that promotes empathy in the offender and trauma-healing in the victim. The proposed paradigm shift from retributive/punitive approaches to restorative justice can reduce recidivism rates while fostering social cohesion within a framework that emphasizes rehabilitative and goal-oriented sentencing and the healing of victim trauma. Prevailing criminal justice philosophy must dismiss dogmatic retributive justice approaches in favor of a multidisciplinary system that prioritizes reintegration and recidivism reduction as the primary goal of sentencing. Traditional justice philosophy tends to reject restorative justice as implicitly lenient on crime; however, the method enables proactive criminological insight, provides a mechanism to address the root cause of crime, and equips reintegration efforts with tools to prevent relapse. The limited research of the efficacy of restorative justice is promising, particularly in the case of Shem-Tov’s 2024 study of 143 youthful offenders convicted of medium impact felonies such as burglary and assault . The results showed a 44% decrease in recidivism probability within the first six months of release when compared to a control group who were exposed to standard sentencing models.
By Dustin Owens4 months ago in Critique
Justice for Palestine: A Struggle the World Cannot Ignor
By Mahir Aiman, writing for Bluelotusteamworks International Desk For more than seventy years, the Palestinian people have lived through displacement, military occupation, and systemic injustice. What began with the Nakba in 1948 — when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to flee their homes — continues today in the form of blockades, settlement expansions, and daily restrictions on basic freedoms.
By [email protected]4 months ago in Critique
The AI Mirage:
Dhaka-In recent years, Bangladesh has made significant efforts to position itself as a leader in digital innovation among developing nations. From biometric registration systems to AI-driven governance, the country’s leadership under interim Prime Minister Mohammad Yunus has projected a bold vision of a high-tech future. But behind this veneer of progress lies a troubling reality: a pattern of misuse, overreach, and failed implementation that now threatens the rights and trust of millions.
By [email protected]4 months ago in Critique
Returning to Vocal and Writing
Wow. It's been a wild ride the past five years. From telemarketing in 2021, to a failed craft business in 2022, to Vanlifing in 2023, to wasting tons of money in 2024, to hiding in my four walls in 2025. Bizarre, absolutely bizarre. I have horror stories and comical stories. I have romantic stories and tragic stories. But most of all, I have my own emotional journey story and that begins with coming back to the world wide web to continue my writing career. And that begins with the two websites that have prompted me to call myself a professional writer: Vocal.media and allpoetry.com.
By Shanon Angermeyer Norman4 months ago in Critique
