CORES

In a startling revelation, beloved burger joint Wendy’s was revealed as the crown-jewel of toxic dining. Consumer Reports detailed their chicken nuggets contained a whopping 10 times more phthalates, a hazardous ‘forever chemical’, than their competitors’. This terrifying claim uncovers a grim reality – our fast food favs could very well be stealthy health destroyers. It begs the question: Are we consuming fast food, or is it consuming us? It’s high time we demand both accountability and safety from the industries that feed us.

Harry Perez Cerezo, an indomitable World War II and Korean War veteran, and Purple Heart medalist, recently celebrated his 101st birthday in true style at his beloved Texas Hooters. A testament to his heroic past and unyielding spirit, Harry’s celebration was filled with laughter, reminiscence, and congenial company, a reflection of his vibrant life. With tales of wartime heroics, dedicated service in the U.S. Postal Service, and a commitment to aging dynamically, the centenarian’s unconventional festivities illustrate a remarkable intersection of survival and celebration.

Concerns over a significant drop in white recruits plaguing the U.S. Army have jolted the conservative populace with the latest report from Military.com highlighting a striking 6% decrease between 2022 and 2023. This exacerbates an already tumultuous situation, with the total drop in the past five years hitting the double digits. Many critics argue that this is due to the increasingly partisan attacks on the military for its pursuit of a more diverse force. The U.S. Army’s attempts to navigate an ever-diversifying society could, in fact, be causing this precipitous fall, throwing the effectiveness of its diversity initiatives into question. The military’s response to this unfolding societal change will undeniably reverberate throughout the country, shedding light on underlying cultural trends.

King Arthur Baking Company sparked rampant controversy with their 2024 Baking Pitchfest that excludes white contestants. While advertised as an opportunity to “foster greater inclusivity,” this accelerated program is critically blasted for its arguably discriminatory practices. In a bitterly ironic twist, an industry renowned for fostering unity comes under fire for seemingly promoting the very division it traditionally counteracts. Will King Arthur Baking’s silence offer a resolution? Or have they simply baked a batch of misguided good intentions into gross exclusivity?

Actor Clifton Duncan is stirring the pot in Hollywood. In a fiery social media salvo, he’s denounced “diversity hiring” as an affront to minority achievements. Duncan decodes: are we celebrated for our skills or skin color? Labelled a product of “diversity” rather than diligence, Duncan’s candid take highlights our need to reevaluate these practices. When even celebrity entrepreneur Elon Musk is singing from Duncan’s hymn sheet, it’s clear there’s a debate we can’t ignore. Are attempts to diversify damaging the dignity of those we’re trying to elevate?