Some good news from my local area here in Charlotte, NC (USA):
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has agreed to pay $95,000 to the family of an Ardrey Kell High School student who painted a tribute to slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk on her school’s spirit rock last year, according to representatives for the family.
The student’s family sued after school officials initially described the message as vandalism and had it painted over.
As part of the settlement announced Monday, CMS is acknowledging that the message the student painted — “Live Like Kirk” — did not violate school rules.
The school board recently approved a new student free speech policy intended to provide clearer guidance on student expression.
In a statement, the school board said it “regrets” the student’s experience.
https://www.wfae.org/education/2026-06-16/cms-to-pay-95-000-in-student-free-speech-settlement
I made this for my friend's daughter who is trying out pottery. I've been making her little instructional videos and this one is a timelapse of me trimming and putting a handle on a mug. Thought I would share in case you guys find this interesting.
Someone shared this with me who said it had been circulating in the Hasidic community. Will likely offend a lot of people these days.
Hi everyone, I haven't been active in Solid Ground for a while, but I am still alive and kicking! I now work as personal assistant to a mind-bendingly weird and diva-esque artist-lip-syncher-performer named Fiona Blueberry. She is blissfully clueless about politics and seems to be completely unaware of the culture wars. Working with her is a breath of fresh air. If you need a mood lift, I encourage you to watch this video we made together. Happy 4th, everyone! Wishing you fun/love/peace on this holiday. :) www.fionablueberry.com
I found this rant refreshing because she's not overthinking it, not making careful, evidence based argument- just speaking plainly in the way people used to speak before we all felt forced to constantly justify ourselves with elaborately constructed arguments. https://x.com/TerfSchool/status/2067011249607733284/video/1?s=46
I think I understand why being in a virtue-signaling space, or seeing virtue-signaling online, gets so under my skin. I think it's something like this:
People are very outspoken about their beliefs, but it's often framed as an insult to people who don't think like they do. A lot of it is projected outward, rather than just simply sharing their values. A lot of it is exclusive and even intimidating. It's meant to be this way. It's meant to say, "If you think this way, you're not wanted." or "if you think this way, there's something wrong with you." They frame what they AREN'T by way of highlighting how (they think) other people ARE. The focus isn't on their own values as much as it is on DEvaluing others.
And I'm thinking, if these communities are as threatened and unsafe as they claim to be, why use such intimidating and insulting and abrasive tactics? Wouldn't that just make things worse?
I've been seeing posts that combine "happy pride" messages with "if you think differently..." and ...
