The air was buzzing with excitement and anticipation as I arrived at the MJN Convention Center in Poughkeepsie to cover the highly anticipated Cannastock 2023 festival for the Hudson Valley Style Magazine. As a photographer, human rights activist, and cannabis enthusiast, I was eager to immerse myself in the vibrant community and witness firsthand […]
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Cannabis culture has been around for centuries and has undergone many changes over time. The history of cannabis dates back thousands of years, with early evidence of its use found in ancient Chinese and Indian texts. Cannabis was used for medicinal purposes and as a spiritual aid, and it eventually made its way to […]
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Plastic is one of the most widely used materials in the world, but it is also one of the most harmful to the environment and human health. Not only does it take hundreds of years to decompose, but it also releases toxic chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air we breathe. In […]
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Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has a long and complicated history in the United States. While it is now legal in some form in many states, the history of cannabis prohibition is rooted in racism and discrimination, and the legalization of cannabis in recent years has been heavily influenced by the Black Lives Matter […]
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As a multidisciplinary professional and human rights activist, I have consistently endeavored to understand and challenge the status quo. In the course of my research and activism, I have identified the American suburban development model as a key area of concern. This essay offers an in-depth analysis of the environmental, economic, and intergenerational implications […]
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For decades, the wealthiest 1% and large corporations have maintained a seemingly impenetrable grip on global resources and power. This concentration of wealth and influence has had detrimental effects on the majority of the population, exacerbating economic disparities and stifling social mobility. However, the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) could soon (and given […]
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Legislation recently passed in Tennessee has raised concerns among members of the LGBTQ community and their allies. The bill, signed by the state’s governor, prohibits drag shows in public spaces, potentially pushing these events underground. Many fear this could also affect Pride festivals, which often feature outdoor drag performances. The bill’s language has been […]
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Land thrives in Indigenous hands, and there are real, tangible ways you can help return what was stolen by colonizers from tribes across North America. Indigenous scholar Lindsey Schneider addresses the ill-gotten legacy of settler colonialism with an introduction to the Land Back movement: the push to return stewardship of the Earth to its […]
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If you’re a part of the Hudson Valley Community, then you know that there are certain things we can all agree on; like how beautiful the Catskill Mountains are and how delicious our bagels are here in Poughkeepsie, NY. Unfortunately, there are also some things that unite us that we may not want to […]
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The United States’ first transgender non-binary individual to run for federal elected office, Osun Zotique, officially withdraws from the race for the 118th United States Congress. Effective June 30, 2022. Hudson, New York | 06/27/2022 In the words of female entrepreneur Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, don’t worry: you won’t break my soul. We […]
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O, or Osun (pronounced “ocean”) Zotique, as our nation’s first openly transgender non-binary congressional candidate, proudly announces the foundation of an exploratory committee for the United States Congressional seat of the 19th District of New York, launching May 18th, 2022. HUDSON, NY | May 17, 2022 With a desire to move forward and […]
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The Newburgh LGBTQIA+ Center, in coalition with other community-based organizations, operating and serving the Hudson Valley, and on behalf of community members, all former constituents, volunteers, and employees of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center, herein referred to as the Kingston Center, demand accountability from the Kingston Center for its racist, oppressive, and imperialistic behavior […]
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