Shawnee Mission district bans safety pins for staff members

In response to hate crimes that have erupted in correlation to the election of Donald Trump, the safety pin movement was born. Those in the movement wears safety pins on their clothing to signify support for groups who have been targeted in the aftermath of the election. Recently, the Shawnee Mission School District banned their employees from wearing safety pins. The district said they are a political statement that could disrupt classrooms and incite political debates. The parents of the students in the district took to the school board to display their support for the movement and anger at its suppression.

Why is this a big deal? The safety pin movement was created not to represent a political party, but to offer support to marginalized groups in the United States. This action can make students a part of these minority groups feel unsafe and unrepresented in school.

Flint water crisis continues

In 2014, Flint, Michigan, issued a boil water advisory after the city switched its water supply source to the Flint River. In 2015, lead had been found contaminating the tap water of residential homes. Now, the people of Flint are still living with unclean water. In early October of this year, Flint experienced another disease outbreak. The disease at hand, Shigellosis, is an infectious bacterial disease. Last year, due to lead contamination, the city also experienced an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.

Why is this a big deal? After two years, the city has not been able to receive clean, safe water. Part of the reason can be traced back to neglectful political leaders, who insisted the water was safe or that it would cost too much to switch to another source. Because of the mainstream media, the water crisis has faded to the background, escaping the minds of people who have the power to change the situation.

Ex-Cuban president Fidel Castro dies

Former Cuban president and political influence Fidel Castro died Nov. 25 at the age of 90. The cause of death was not immediately revealed, although there was speculation that it was the result of his long-term poor health conditions. Cuba witnessed 9 days of mourning and held a public Mass in Havana on Nov. 29.

Why is this a big deal? The reactions to this event were very divided amongst the world. The streets of Cuba were quiet and mournful while the streets of Miami, Fl  orida — filled with Cuban-Americans — sang in celebration at the dawn of possible government reforms in their home country. Because of his prominence in history and politics, some speculate Castro’s death could spark a change in US-Cuban relation