By Zoe Rea

Jul. 7 2025

News Reporting

Despite progress toward equity and equality, social injustice continues to silence voices and divide communities. Everyone has the right to speak up about their passions. Popular topics include ICE deportations, the bombing of Iran, and unequal pay for women.

“It’s the big ugly bill,” said Bo Henry.

Bo Henry and his wife, Sheila Henry, believe the Big and Beautiful Bill will have a significant impact on Indiana University and the Bloomington community. The Henrys believe voters can change the world if they are determined to act. They spoke about how voting has evolved over the course of their lives—and how it has become more difficult in some cases.

Katie, a local nurse practitioner and mother of four, spoke about maternity leave and its effect on working families in the United States. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave; without it, many workers would have no job protection at all. Katie said her experience as a mother has opened her eyes to how difficult it is to provide for and raise children with just three months of leave and no guaranteed income.

“As a future educator, I’m seeing a lot of education going downhill,” said Cassie Smith.

Smith, a student at IU, said she’s witnessed many changes in the education system—most of them negative. She believes low teacher pay is partly the result of local funding decisions, since most school budgets are determined at the community level.

Change begins with awareness and grows through activism and amplification. The question is no longer why injustice exists—but what we can do to reduce it.