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Truth, Theft, and the Courage to Remember: Reclaiming Our Stolen Histories
History, we are told, is about facts. Dates. Kings. Wars. Inventions. But the question I keep returning to is: Whose facts? Whose kings? Whose inventions? I didn’t grow up asking that question. I accepted the timeline I was taught — the one that began in Ancient Greece, skipped to Rome, fast-forwarded to the Enlightenment, then marched triumphantly into the Industrial Revolution. I was told this was progress. That this was civilization. But something always felt off.
By David Thusi8 months ago in Critique
“Why Did the Burqa Controversy Among Afghan Women Go Viral in 2025?”
Afghanistan 2025: A Nation's Women Behind the Veil and Bars In a haunting image that has gone viral on social media, an Afghan woman clad in a full blue burqa grips iron bars from behind a window, her face hidden behind the mesh of her veil. The caption reads simply: "2025." This single image, shared by user @loniee_07, has stirred international emotion and sparked a renewed wave of outrage over the ongoing oppression of women in Afghanistan. But this is more than a picture—it is a visual outcry, a symbol of a nation where being a woman is equated with being a prisoner in one’s own home and body.
By Farhan Rafid9 months ago in Critique
"The Hair Flip Heard Around the World: How a Viral Gesture Stunned Trump and Disrespected Arab and Islamic Values"
The Viral Hair Flip That Stunned Trump: A Cultural Misstep with Negative Implications for Arab Countries and Islam In the digital age, where a single gesture can ignite international debates and stir emotions across continents, a viral hair flip has become the latest example of how global perceptions can be shaped in moments. What seemed like a trivial flick of hair in a high-profile setting involving former U.S. President Donald Trump quickly spiraled into a symbolic controversy—one that exposed the fragility of cultural respect, highlighted Western ignorance toward Islamic and Arab values, and ultimately left many in the Arab world and Muslim communities feeling disrespected and misrepresented.
By Farhan Rafid9 months ago in Critique
Shush the noise.
Shush the noise. I sit here, quite happy, listening to next door powerwashing his garden. My husband upstairs steam cleaning the bathroom floor. In between, when the noise quietens, the bird singing proudly. It’s summer. The sun shines, my heart’s filled with gratitude and love. I am here and alive.
By Marie381Uk 9 months ago in Critique
I Contacted My Spirit Guide
I Contacted My Spirit Guide The mirror was so old, as soon as this shape showed itself, the glass shattered into a million and one pieces.Show me my guide, I asked. As soon as she appeared, it was like a gun had gone off, yet there was no glass in my lounge. No, the shattered bit all fell into the mirror. I could see each piece, yet the mirror wasn’t broken? Why? How?
By Marie381Uk 9 months ago in Critique
Other job
Just to let my Vocal friends know there will be times that I will be away from sharing insights on your works and only one or two short writings till I finish a transcription project of recipes. The reason is that I will be working at my transcription typing job. I will catch up on reading and leaving insights and hopefully I will find out shortly what I did and will be able to comment as well on your works. Still waiting for a reply to the message I sent to the higherups. Hope I find out soon what happened.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
"Echoes of the Forgotten"
A Journey Through Lost Memories and Hidden Truths The rain had just begun when Elira stepped into her grandmother’s attic for the first time in years. Dust swirled in the air, lit by the pale light seeping through the cracked windowpanes. She was here for closure. After her grandmother's funeral, Elira returned to the house she hadn't visited since childhood, hoping to find something—anything—that would explain the strange dreams that had haunted her for weeks.
By Kaleem Ullah9 months ago in Critique
Don't know?
I sent an email to Justin at Creatd and in that email I asked, 'What I did to do to be not allowed to comment.' I am not sure how long I will not be able to comment on stories, articles and poems. I am leaving 'Insights' on everything I read and likes. I know I mentioned only a few times the new site I work for, but that was just to share my good news with everyone. I really like writing and reading here on Vocal. I am still waiting to hear about this. I Will let you know.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Shakira
I am logged in and reading my notifications and when I went to read another story there was a notification by a SHAKIRA who seems to be just starting here signing in this current month and has 45 articles published already. I think Vocal should hire someone to review new 'applicants'. Here is an idea that just might work. The online writing site that I wrote for a long time ago had a short application to fill out and for the owners to check out before letting anyone write there. For right now I think Vocal only has writers sign in with a username and password. Please share what you think.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
When businesses read and subscribe
What do you do when you sign in and check how you did, and you notice in your notifications that there are businesses subscribed to you. I have a few and some even have been on since 2023 that even have a few articles posted. To be honest there were a few that did have some interesting articles, and I even left a comment sometimes. I no longer subscribe to them now though and skip right passed them on the list of notifications. Am I doing the right thing. I have deleted or reported when they left comments. Please comment.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
