Because Liberty Isn't Just a Long Weekend

The 4th of July is more than a celebration of independence, it is a reminder of what it takes to stay free. While fireworks and parades can be joyful markers of the day, the true spirit of this holiday lives in civic action, compassion, and accountability. In a time of political uncertainty, social division, and environmental urgency, perhaps the best way to honor our freedom is to take responsibility for protecting it. What does freedom mean today, and how do we keep it alive for everyone, not just a privileged few? Independence Day should be a time not just of national pride, but of national reckoning. Are we living up to the ideal son which this country was founded? Are we ensuring liberty and justice for all, as the Constitution promises?

Articles, zIssue 57Angelina DeSalvoJuly 3, 2025history, activists, #activism, Awareness, LearningComment

Paul "Barbs" Barbato - Traversing All the Countries on Earth

What inspires someone to launch a YouTube channel that explores every country on the planet? For Paul Barbato, aka Barbs, the creator of Geography Now, it all started with a love for learning and a bit of frustration. Through Geography Now, he seeks to create a bridge between cultures, inviting viewers to see the world through a new lens — one that is shaped by the people and places. From balancing personal loss with creating content to managing the technical demands of video production, every step has been a learning experience for Barbs. Read on to learn more about Barbs as he prepares to wrap up his decade-long mission of uncovering every country.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 54, zissue 54.3Chelsea ChanOctober 11, 2024YouTube, Learning, world, Country, travel, videoComment

Editorial - Learning From Isabella Gomez

Isabella Gomez is the star of the new HBO Max comedy series “Head of the Class,” where she plays a young high school teacher looking to shake up the classroom. Gomez is not new to sitcoms, you may also recognize her as Elena Álvarez in the award winning comedy series “One Day at a Time.” At the heart of each show you can find an underlying theme of community and family support, which Gomez believes in wholeheartedly. She is also really attracted to what representation in the media can do for both individuals and whole communities, which can be seen in her two roles. On the charity front, Gomez is involved with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Wild Elements Foundation. Through her partnership with Wild Elements, she was matched with innovator, Rosamira Guillen, who is the executive director at Proyecto Tití in Colombia. Under her leadership, Gomez is fully fully educated on her work in order to bring that information and opportunities to her followers. Read on to learn more about Isabella Gomez, her roles in “Head of the Class” and “One Day at a Time,” upcoming projects, and her charity work.