Leilany Sosa

Dec 18, 2024 | theoakleafnews.com | Leilany Sosa

Faced with Trump’s second presidency, marginalized groups once again fear for their rights. Trump’s first term separated immigrant families and enacted a a travel ban directed at Muslim Countries. Trump opposed the Equality Act, a bill that would have not only expanded civil liberties,but also opposed discrimination while adding protections for LGBTQ+ people.

Nov 15, 2024 | theoakleafnews.com | Bryan Fructuoso |Leilany Sosa

Bryan Fructuoso-Zurita (He/Him/√Čl) is in his third semester at The Oak Leaf. He enjoys meeting new people and listening to their stories because everyone has one to tell. His passion lies in covering individuals and amplifying their stories, particularly on underrepresented groups on campus and Latinx stories. To pursue his passion further, he is working towards obtaining an associate of science degree in both digital journalism and digital filmmaking.

May 22, 2024 | theoakleafnews.com | Rosemary Cromwell |Leilany Sosa

As many of you know by now, Harrison Butker, placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, was the commencement speaker for the class of 2024 at Benedictine College, a Catholic university in Kansas. He said a lot, and honestly, I wish he hadn’t. Where does one even begin with a misogynistic, homophobic rant disguised as a college commencement speech that’s supposed to inspire and help transition students to their next phase in life?

May 18, 2024 | theoakleafnews.com | Bryan Fructuoso |Leilany Sosa

Home is far from a safe haven. According to a press release in November 2023 from UN Women, roughly 55% of all female homicides have been committed by someone they knew. This depicts the reality that home may not be the safe place we’ve always believed. That statistic just became a reality for my friend Melanie, and I am so fucking angry. If Melanie was known for anything it was her hair. Her curls were her own personal crown, and they were almost as big as her personality.

Nov 28, 2023 | theoakleafnews.com | Bryan Fructuoso |Leilany Sosa

I learned the term “ambiguous loss” from an NPR article by Alicia Vera. She described her own experience with her mom’s battle with Alzheimer’s, and it was the first time I could connect what I felt to my own situation — actively grieving someone while they are still alive. What a strange space to be in, physically and emotionally. With Alzheimer’s you lose a person twice. My mother is only 64. She and my dad live across the country in Florida, and I live in California.