"A gentle breeze can be ignored, but a hurricane demands a response."

 There’s only so far someone can get pushed around before they decide to fight back. 

The silent majority is a term that refers to “the majority of people, regarded as holding moderate opinions but rarely expressing them.”  

For me and many other conservatives, this term applied to us during the year 2020. When the pandemic hit, I felt as if I was forced into a corner and the beliefs and morals I held so dearly became something I needed to hide away from the world. For instance, I can recall one occasion when I was pulled into my former boss's office. She told me that the company was imposing a vaccine mandate for all the employees. She said I had three choices: to get the Covid vaccine, get a religious or medical exemption, or get let go. Since my primary doctor was encouraging the vaccine, I did not feel comfortable going to her. Luckily, a pastor had offered his services to write religious exemptions for those that needed it, no matter if they were a part of his congregation or not. It was at that moment I felt like I was an outcast, simply for standing up for my beliefs. 

Things only got worse as the year went on. When the Black Lives Matter riots made its way to my hometown, it became all too clear that we were in the midst of a modern day civil war. I can very clearly remember hearing the gunshots and rioters from my neighborhood and feeling an utter sense of fear and dread, thinking that they would come to us. 

When the Covid pandemic came, I will admit that I listened to the media like gospel and I became someone I wouldn’t recognize today.  Since the school I worked at was closed for a few months, I stayed in my room and refused to leave my house. If I did go to the store, I wore a mask, sanitized my groceries, and would wash my clothes frequently so as not to gather germs.  

It wasn’t until I started watching the conservative news outlet Fox News that I began to listen to the truth. It was like a veil had been lifted and the rose colored glasses were off. I began to learn about the corrupt government of Illinois and how the Democratic party was not the same as it was back in the Kennedy  days.   

Sean Hannity, Laura Ingram, Jesse Waters, Ben Shapiro, and Brett Cooper are the main people who I really looked up to and who I continue to follow  among the misinformation that has run rampant here in this world. They use logic, reason, and easy to understand jargon and explanations that make it easy to comprehend otherwise hard and advanced discussions. 

I hope one day to have a career in government. In my home state of Illinois, I know that this will realistically not happen anytime soon. My values do not align with the politics of this state. I will not back down on my beliefs simply to fit in with Illinois politics. I want to create my own path and hopefully make history. 

Return to Innocence

 “Return to innocence”

It is not simply the title of a song by the band Enigma. It is a desperate plea I am making. 

As an early childhood educator, I am seeing the innocence of children gone. Imagination and dramatic play is almost non-existent. The once comforting visuals of my childhood are replaced by over stimulation and the overuse of technology. A simple trip to the grocery store and I have witnessed the disappointment of parents and caregivers not having conversations with their children or acknowledging their existence, the children have their eyes fixed on devices, whether that be the caregivers smartphone or a tablet. There is no respect for authoritative figures. Bad language, hurtful words, and even violence is something that children as young as 3 years old are exhibiting. 

I know I can speak from my childhood and tell you that the difference between what I experienced in the 90’s and early 2000’s and today is startling, shocking and very sad. The television was reserved for Saturday morning cartoons and after school shows. They were very comforting and soothing, with morals and values taught, as well as lots of educational content. Going to my Aunt’s house in Hickory Hills was the highlight of my childhood. My cousin had a Sega Genesis console, and it was such a treat to be able to play Sonic the Hedgehog with him. My Aunt also had an extensive collection of Disney movies, from Pete’s Dragon to The Jungle Book, from Fantasia to The Parent Trap. These were seen as a reward and a once in a while thing, and were not expected to constantly be on.  Technology was not seen as something we absolutely had to watch to be occupied. 

Imagination and pretend play was something I thrived on with my siblings. It is something I believe sparked and encouraged my writing and love for storytelling. I was able to create worlds, characters and places that allowed me to fully immerse myself into whatever and wherever my imagination took me. The movies and books I read also helped. The ones I can remember fully having an impact on me were the  “Chronicles of Narnia” and the “Lord of the Rings” series. These timeless classics are something that I believe have the power to inspire generations to come. 

In the present day, it is very rare that I will have a conversation with a child who has heard of these series, much less read a book filled with morals, values and lessons to be learned that will help them in everyday life. Today I’ve noticed that children's books, movies and television series are more so focused on bright colors, voices that sound more like gentle parenting than a calming presence, and the same thing over and over to simply keep their attention. There are more cases of children with learning disabilities and behavioral problems now more than ever.  They have no manners or respect for authority and they have no contempt for their elders. The pandemic made matters worse. By isolating these children and forcing them to be apart from family members and peers, they turned to social media, which ultimately became their downfall. Social media has had a very negative affect on behavior in children. They are constantly told that their parental figures are the enemy and they have every right to cut them out of their life for good, using buzzwords like “toxic” “narcissistic” “abuse” and “gaslighting behavior.” These terms have been twisted and overused in such a way that they are not used in a serious manner.  Parents have no choice but to bend to the will of their young children. They are made to be their friend and to walk on eggshells in case the children accuse them of being “bad parents”. The parents are constantly having to resort to gentle parenting and to remain positive and give their child options, even (as I have witnessed more than once)  as their child becomes physically violent and accuses them of abuse.  Gentle parenting is defined as a “parenting style that focuses on empathy, respect, and connection with children.” In theory, this isn't a bad thing at all. In fact, it is something that should be a no-brainer when it comes to raising children. I feel as if parents of this generation have taken gentle parenting to the extreme and instead have allowed their children to rule their lives and they themselves have taken a major step back when it comes to discipline. 

 How have we come so far in our society? How did we let this happen to our children? I love teaching kids and helping them reach their full potential, but every day I am losing my motivation. I am no longer finding the joy in teaching. I have become their babysitter, not their teacher. I am corrected if I use any sort of discipline or even a firm tone in my voice.  I firmly believe that children should have the utmost respect for authority. In early childhood, that is a crucial learning time for them. It helps build the foundation and learning styles for their future career as students. 

I am burnt out from working in early childhood and by constantly feeling like I have to bend to the rules of giving students options instead of instructions, by allowing the students to use the classroom materials for their own devices instead of utilizing the skills necessary to help them learn. 

It is time for the people of the teaching administration to see that gentle parenting is not an option in the classroom and that teachers need to be respected. Parents need to be parents and to properly discipline their children and teach them respect, instead of paying other people to do the job and expect different results when they themselves don’t implement the hard work the teachers do on a daily basis.

The case for better leaders in Illinois

 The difference between fear-mongering and leading with hypervigilance: 

How Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker has turned the state of Illinois into a state of civil war.

The year 2020 is something that is ingrained in everyone's mind. A pandemic that changed the very course of our lives. 

The people of Illinois looked desperately to their leaders for some sort of comfort and direction in a world that had been turned upside down. Instead, we were led by a tyrant. 

Governor J.B. Pritzker told them that we had to adhere to his stay-at-home order, while he quite literally flew all over the world in his private jet. He told us that if we didn’t isolate ourselves, we were putting everyone in danger. The fear- mongering was out of control. He forced local businesses to shut their doors if they did not comply with his orders. 

Now, five years later, he has fully assumed the role of a tyrannical leader. He addresses the people of Illinois as his “people”. His executive orders are borderline illegal and unethical.  He is unfit to do his job as Governor as he is seemingly not concerned with the citizens of Illinois and more so focused on things that are harming the people he claims to care for. For example, he  protects the people who are here illegally, while the residents of Illinois suffer from violent crime. The crime rate in the city of Chicago is up to 50%, with the total number of crimes being over 100,000 as of 2024. The veterans who so proudly fought for our freedoms are often left in unstable and unsafe living conditions, resulting in over 700 of them being homeless. Instead of focusing on Illinois’s almost $70 billion dollar debt, he is funding unnecessary programs, economic challenges, as well as poor budgeting. 

J.B. Pritzker has a net worth of 3.7 billion dollars and is the perfect example of a “nepo-baby”, considering his family owns the Hyatt hotel chain. He used his wealth to promote his campaign, leading many to believe he bought his way into power. For example, in the debates with him and Republican opponent Darren Bailey, he resorted to  name calling and misinformation, convincing the people he was 

He won the majority of his votes in Democratic Cook County, while the rest of the state voted for Republican opponents. It  is difficult to believe in fair voting when one county has the majority vote over the entire state. 

 It is very difficult to see any positive changes with him in office. 

He has repeatedly verbally attacked the President as well as the members of his cabinet. He encourages rioting and the destruction of property. How long must the people of Illinois stand for this? We deserve a strong leader who wants to unite its citizens in the common cause of financial responsibility, safer living conditions and most importantly, one who respects everyone.

The irony of women's rights

 “Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?” 

These are lyrics from one of the most iconic songs of the 90’s, “Ironic” by Alanis Morrisette. In the verses, the ironic situations take a somewhat dark turn, from a death row pardon too late, winning the lottery then dying, and a death in a plane crash after being afraid of flying your whole life, while the chorus have a humorous and relatable tone, like rain on your wedding day, an offer for a free ride after you’ve already spent your money, or a pesky fly in your glass of white wine. 

In the present day, I find myself seeing irony in more serious situations. The irony of our culture and society has taken such an extreme turn. A certain political party who claims to be all about loving and accepting everyone, will shut you down if your opinion is different from theirs. There are many women who claim to be all about women’s rights, but they use different terms and wording to fit their cause. Abortion is now called “reproductive freedom.” These modern day feminists point and laugh at women who value traditional values. Getting married is seen as weak. Having children and taking care of the home is seen as a scam, some are even calling it a “cult” or a “trap”. You feel as if you are forced to change your morals and beliefs to fit the mold that is modern day feminism.  In the music industry, being a woman 9 times out of 10 means promiscuous, overtly sexual, and not giving a damn about the long term consequences.  Back when women were first breaking the mold in the music industry, they were outspoken, breaking barriers and opening up the doors to many other young and aspiring artists. It was not just about being a pretty face or dressing to attract unwanted male attention, it was proving to the world that there was more to women than their appearance. Why can’t we, as women, have both? We can thrive in our careers, be responsible, have children, and be wives. We can keep our beliefs true and close to our hearts. We should be allowed to speak our minds and not become a part of the “silent majority”. 

Another ironic part of our culture is the way the elites are somehow now financial experts. For example, AOC famously wore a dress to the Met Gala in 2021 that had the words “Tax the Rich” embroidered on it. Her salary, however, leaves much to be desired, with a whopping  $200,000 net worth and a $174,000 yearly salary. They have bent to the rules and expectations of the liberal media for the fear of being canceled and their seat at the table being taken away. A presidential candidate's qualifications are simply based on the color of her skin, not her qualifications or transparency of her policies. People are so blinded by the unjustified hatred of conservatives and the assumptions of their morals and policies. 

I fully believe that life begins at conception. Abortion is not “reproductive rights” It is the murder of a baby who had no say in the matter. I believe women should have full access to contraception and sex education classes to fully know and understand the consequences of their actions, should they choose to partake. 

The same women who march in the streets for women’s rights, seem to only be doing it for their own selfish reasons. They do not seem to care about all women. There are women in third world countries who suffer from harassment, poor health, and discrimination and limiting jobs in the workforce. Where are the feminists speaking out for them? Why do we, as women, become so close minded when it comes to matters of the heart? We should be advocating for all women, not just pick and choose the causes in which to show our support. All women deserve to be treated equally. This means equal opportunities for education, work, and support throughout every stage of their life. If a woman chooses to have kids but wants to be successful in her job, she should have full support from her place of work, not have to pay an obscene amount of money to have a stranger raise her children. If a woman chooses to be a housewife, she should be praised and respected, not shunned or accused of being “held against her will” or a “slave to her overbearing husband”. If a woman is unable to have children, or if she chooses not to, she deserves love and support as well. 

In conclusion to this article I have written, I am calling on the women and girls reading this to take my words to heart. Don’t give into the lies you are being fed. If you don’t see the right path on your journey, start walking and make your own.