Melissa Tomecz

I attended a panel discussion today at JAC which had guest speakers from the queer community of the college. It was important to hear how their oppression is a result of a patriarchal, white, and cis-gendered society. The main goal of hierarchical societies is how to get farther up the ladder by pushing others down. Money hungry societies cause an imbalance to the environment, and the only ones benefiting are the rich. If there was more balance and equality between everyone under the gender umbrella, the ecosystem would function better. Historically, many cultures used to embrace gender fluidity, which enabled harmony and upheld traditions focusing on relationship to the land and being more respectful of Mother Earth. We need to go back to those ways.

I watched LA 92 ... How sad. What's even worse is that nothing has changed, and we are in 2026. Even Rodney King (who people were fighting for) said that the rioters were creating more smog from all the fires set in the city. All the damage led to unrest, waste, and air pollution. Racial injustice will create inequalities and unsustainable circumstances. But peace needs to start with the government and fair trials, because as one person in the film said: "Politicians need to follow the people, not lead them."

Reflection of myself and who I want to be in other people's lives. How to feel fulfilled and at peace.