Ola Betiku's Blog

Despite Donald Trump’s triumphant return to the White House in the 2024 election, signs are emerging that some Republicans are quietly distancing themselves from his most controversial policies. While Trump remains the dominant force in the GOP, key lawmakers and conservative figures have begun pushing back against his hardline immigration plans, militaristic displays, and aggressive use of executive power. Military Parade Plans Meet GOP Resistance One of Trump’s first post-inauguration proposals—a grand military parade to celebrate his victory—has been met with surprising indifference from his own party. According to The Daily Beast , even Republican lawmakers have shown little enthusiasm for the spectacle, with many privately dismissing it as a costly vanity project. Trump’s obsession with military parades dates back to his first term, when he sought to emulate France’s Bastille Day celebrations. The idea was scrapped in 2018 after backlash over its $92 million estimate...

 I’ve been seeing posts asking why celebrities, corporations, and allies aren’t rallying behind the current protests like they did for Black Lives Matter. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: that support was dismantled—by design, by politics, and by the votes of people who didn’t realize (or care) what they were enabling. Let’s rewind. 1. The Divide-and-Conquer Playbook (2020-2024) Remember the "Black jobs" rhetoric? During the 2024 campaign, Trump and MAGA operatives doubled down on framing immigration as an economic threat—claiming migrants were "stealing" jobs and resources. It was a transparent ploy, and the Black community overwhelmingly rejected it. According to NBC News’ 2024 exit polls , 92% of Black voters supported Harris , maintaining near-universal opposition to Trump’s racial scapegoating. But here’s the twist: Latino support for Trump expanded further in 2024. Despite his administration’s history of family separations and mass deportations...

I've been thinking about Hollywood's endless controversy over casting choices - the race-swapping, gender-swapping, and all the outrage that follows. And I've realized there's a way for real fans - the ones who truly understand these characters - to handle it with integrity. Here's the solution: When Hollywood makes a casting decision you don't like, don't just react. Ask yourself: What would the character do? If Superman were real, how would he feel about a Black actor taking on the role? If Luke Skywalker learned a woman was playing him, how would he respond? These icons represent hope, justice, and doing what's right - would they really reject someone based on appearance alone? Now, I get it. When a character gets reimagined as Black, female, queer, or some combination thereof, some immediately cry "pandering." And sure, sometimes it's clumsy corporate inclusivity. That frustration is valid. But let's be honest about wh...

Today, I want to talk to you about something fundamental to the human experience— love, understanding, and the power of living life on your own terms. Too often, we allow the world to dictate who we should love, who we should distrust, and even who we should hate. From childhood, we’re handed down prejudices, stereotypes, and judgments—secondhand opinions that shape our views before we ever have a chance to form our own. But here’s the truth: You were not born to live someone else’s life or carry someone else’s biases. You were born to experience this world for yourself—to meet, to learn, and to love with your own heart and mind. Don’t Let Others Tell You Who to Love or Hate Love is one of the most powerful forces in the world, yet so many people try to control it—who is "acceptable" to love, who is "worthy" of your affection, or even who is "different" enough to fear. But love is not meant to be confined by borders, cultures, or prejudices. Love...

  Some on the right have called for replacing June’s Pride Month with "Veteran’s Month." But let’s be honest—this isn’t about supporting veterans. It’s about attacking LGBTQ+ visibility. I say this with confidence because the U.S. already honors veterans and military families extensively : November is National Veterans and Military Families Month (since 1996). May is National Military Appreciation Month , including Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. April is Month of the Military Child , recognizing military families' sacrifices. We also have Veterans Day (November 11) and Memorial Day —two major federal holidays. If these critics actually cared about veterans, they’d know this. But their sudden concern for service members rings hollow—especially when LGBTQ+ veterans exist , and their service is often ignored or disrespected. LGBTQ+ Veterans Serve Too—Despite the Hate Over 1 million U.S. veterans identify as LGBTQ+, yet many face discrimination both in and out o...

  It’s become a tired pattern: a new actor is cast in a beloved role, and suddenly, the internet erupts in outrage. Usually, the backlash stems from fears that the character or story will be altered—as if people have nothing better to be upset about. The cycle is predictable: endless arguing until the film releases, followed by silence as everyone moves on to the next controversy. Now, it’s The Legend of Zelda ’s turn. Enter Hunter Schafer. Let’s be clear: Schafer is a near-perfect visual match for Princess Zelda. She looks like the character stepped straight out of the game. Unlike other casting debates, no one is suggesting Zelda’s lore will be changed—fans are championing Schafer precisely because she embodies Zelda as she is . But of course, there’s a catch: Hunter Schafer is transgender. And predictably, the usual crowd of bigots is up in arms. To reiterate: No one is proposing that Zelda herself would be transgender or that her character would be altered. Schafer ...