Month: July 2022

Categories
Info Topic

Ways To Save On Gas

By now, most of us are feeling the pinch with the high gas prices. At least the people who do not have electric cars. Unfortunately for people with gas cars, they have to buy fuel in order to get where they need to go, to do what they need to do. Drivers of electric cars are the lucky ones right now. Even though gas prices are going down, there are things we can do to make the most of the gas we buy. The tips below are some ways to save on gas.

Lighten the load

Lighten the load in the car. When the car is weighed down with a lot of stuff in the trunk, back seat, etc this causes the gas to burn faster. The lighter the car the less gas you use. Take this time to empty out the trunk of things you don’t need. This might be a good time to give away that stuff to your local donation center.

Drive slower

Reducing your speed helps save gas. The faster you drive the more gas you use. Driving in an aggressive manner or driving too fast, is a sure way to drain the tank. Hard braking and switching lanes often can also waste gas.

Plan your trips

When you do get gas, try to fill up to avoid making multiple trips for gas. Run errands for things that are on your way to or from your usual places.  If something can wait and is not on your route, plan that for a day when you can do multiple things in that area.  If you can, walk to the store or anywhere you need to go. Leave the car parked. 

The earlier the better

Try to gas up your car early in the morning, before stations raise the price.  Also, you might want to get gas earlier in the week, like on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Some gas stations raise the prices starting on Thursday in anticipation for weekend travel.

Pay with cash

Consider paying for your gas with cash.  Some stations charge less when you pay with cash.  This helps them avoid fees when customers use credit/debit cards. I know the plastic is more convenient, and in some cases safer than carrying cash.

Use reward cards

You may want to use discount, loyalty/rewards cards at your local gas stations.  You can save anywhere between 3-25 cents or more per gallon of gas.  This does make a difference.

Hope you find these tips useful. I’m sure you have heard some of these suggestions before, and if you have pass them along to someone else. The link below helps you find the cheapest gas prices in your area.

www.gasbuddy.com

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Topic

Can You Answer This? If You Had to Leave the U.S., Where Would You Go?

You might be one of those people who are contemplating leaving the United States. Why? Because there is a lot going on right now. I know that the US is not the only place with its set of problems. Any place you choose to live will come with its own unique challenges.

Let’s say you are one of those people who had to leave the US, where would you go? Would you go to Canada, Mexico, Africa, Australia, India, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, or the United Kingdom? And why did you choose that place? Maybe it’s another location not on this list, tell us about it.

Categories
Diversity Topic

What Right Do You Have to Be A Woman?

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

Correct me if I’m wrong but, we are in the year 2022? And this is the United States? This is not a country that discourages women to educate themselves, right? Is anyone listening?!

So, why is there this controversy about a woman’s right to have an abortion? There should be no question about a woman having the right and freedom to choose what she does with her body. Abortion rights should not be in the hands of government. How did we get here as a country?

Past and Present

Well, let’s see… Women have not always had the same freedoms and privileges as their male counterparts. The 19th amendment gave women the right to vote. Playing sports for women came around the year 1920. Women were finally made a part of the military in the year 1948. Some countries still try to block women from getting an education. Also, women make less money than men and are just as, or more qualified for the same job. Why is that?

Why are women’s rights being rationed and then stripped away? It is not fair that we are regulated in this way. Where is the gender equality? We have brains just like men and are capable of thinking for ourselves. No, we don’t have the brute physical strength of men, but we have made a lot of strides and impactful progress in the world!

Inequality Today

Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

A woman should have the basic human right to decide what she does with her body. If she becomes pregnant, she should not have to resort to unsafe, unhealthy and dangerous solutions in an attempt to abort the pregnancy: if she so chooses. The choice to either carry a pregnancy to term or abort it, no matter the reason, should be that woman’s choice.

Not some government!

Everyone has their opinion as to whether abortion is right or wrong. Whether it is right or wrong as it relates to religion. Whether it is the right economical choice. Is it right morally? Whether it is right or wrong physically. Whether it is right or wrong mentally. Such a decision when it relates to abortion is a deeply personal one. It is between that woman and her maker.

Not some government!

No matter what the law is in your state, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) can override the local state law for emergency purposes. It is a protection for any provider who may perform an abortion. The original premise of the EMTALA was to provide treatment to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. This enabled people to receive care and not be turned away.

Why Now?

The Roe vs Wade decision has been overturned. Why now after so many years has this happened? It makes no sense. This decision is going to impact a lot of people all over the world. We are dealing with so many other issues and now this is another concern.

Women are valuable human beings but are being treated like we are incapable of making our own decisions.  The overturning of Roe vs Wade complicates so many things for so many people.  This world will face overpopulation and poverty levels are going to rise.  Sadly, some women will lose their lives because they are carrying a pregnancy that might be medically dangerous.  Other women will die trying to have a procedure done in unsafe ways.

Some women may not be able to seek emergency abortion care under the protection of EMTALA.  The decision to overturn Roe vs Wade was not made with the well-being or best interest of women in mind.  “The powers that be”, aka “the government”, sit around and make decisions for an entire group of people. Making decisions without any thought of how it will affect not only their family, but families all over the world. 

Think About This

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

Currently, families are struggling financially to put food on the table, and clothes on their backs. Struggling to gas up their cars.  Stressing about the cost of housing and wondering if they will make next month’s rent or mortgage.  Now, add to it the number of women who are stripped of a fundamental human right to choose what to do with their own bodies.  Now, you tell me what is wrong with this picture!!

We have a lot of work to do in this country.  Gender equality should not be up for debate.  Yes, we are women. No, we are not trying to assume the roles of men but just want to be treated fairly. We want our voice to be heard.  Not forced into something that “some government” told us we have to do under the law.  It just begs the question, what right do you have to be a woman?

Categories
Topic

Reggaeton; Love It or Hate It

Daddy Yankee
Image by Creative Hatti from Pixabay

What is Reggaeton?

What is reggaeton? You can call it Spanish rap, reggae en Español, dancehall or Caribbean music. No matter what you call it, this music gets your body moving. If you hear a reggaeton song and you are not out of your seat or nodding your head; something is wrong. Reggaeton combines different styles of music for songs with a unique sound. Lyrics to reggaeton are in rapping format or in singing format.

Daddy Yankee, “Gasolina”

Tego Calderon, “Pa Que Retozen”

Where Did Reggaeton Come From?

Debate about the true origin of reggaeton is still open. Some say reggaeton originated in Panama. Others will say Puerto Rico, Jamaica or Dominican Republic. The music genre called Reggaeton was born from a song by Shabba Ranks called, ‘Dem Bow”. This song helped mold what Reggaeton has evolved into today. No matter where it came from it definitely has a distinct sound. There is no denying the rhythm and how this music will make you move.

Tego Calderon
Image by micromundosdefelicidad from Pixabay

Acceptance of Reggaeton

Some people regard reggaeton with a negative connotation. Reggaeton has been banned in some countries. People feel that it contributes to delinquency, that it is too sexual and portrays violence. Many of the videos show women half-dressed and dancing provocatively. It is the same as other music videos of similar genres.

Ivy Queen, “Yo Quiero Bailar”

Try listening to some of the reggaeton artists. You may be surprised to learn that you like the music. All of the songs are not the same with the same message. Some reggaeton music has a little bit of a softer sound. Check it out and you may discover a new love for Reggaeton.

Wisin & Yandel, “Prende ft. Franco el Gorilo, O’Neill

Reggaeton artists that you might have heard of are Tego Calderon, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Pitbull and Wisin & Yandel. Let’s not forget the female reggaeton artists Karol G, Ivy Queen, Becky G, Farina, Anitta, Rauw Alejandro.

Reggaeton is the type of music that you either love or hate. You decide.

Categories
Info Topic

Radio Interview ft. O’Nika

Image by Luis David Garcia Valdez from Pixabay
Da Hip Hop Barbershop Presents ft. O’Nika McGill July 10, 2022
For anyone who missed the show, Da Hip Hop Barbershop Presents on iHeart Radio- WDRB Media- The Voice of the Community. You can check it out here. Thank you all for listening!


The host, Ock the Barber will be interviewing me to promote my blog, Inspire By O’Nika.  Topic discussion will include my posts on Hip Hop Music Culture of the 80s and 90s, Gun Violence- We Can Do Without It, Self Esteem and Why It’s Important and a host of other things.

A little about the show, Da Hip Hop Barbershop Presents.
The host is Ock the Barber and he is also the owner of a mobile barber shop.  As the name of the show indicates, the show is related to Hip Hop.  You will hear Ock along with Louis Hicks, Jr. tackle some subjects like stress, ghostwriting and a tribute to DJs. Even if you do not listen to Hip Hop, you will hear about other things happening in the community.  The show will not disappoint. If you want to hear some grown up, clean discussions and music which also includes other things going on take a listen to this radio station.

Da Hip Hop Barbershop Presents airs on Sundays at 12:00 am
on iHeart Radio-WDRB Media- The Voice of the Community. 

I want to give a big thank you to Ock the Barber and Louis Hicks, Jr for making this opportunity possible!