NC Early Voting Ruling. Black Unemployment Trends. Menopause Care Gaps

A federal judge rejected a plea to open early voting sites at three North Carolina universities, including North Carolina A&T State University, the nation's largest historically Black university. This decision forces students to travel off-campus to vote, potentially creating barriers to participation.

US District Judge William Ostein rejected a lawsuit from the College Democrats of North Carolina and four voters. The ruling impacts Western Carolina University, UNCC Greensboro, and North Carolina A&T State University. Students will be required to travel off campus to vote.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis banned public universities from using state or federal funds for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This directly affects student organizations at Florida's HBCUs, such as Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), where words like 'Black,' 'affirmative action,' and 'women' were flagged for Black History Month events, hindering their ability to promote their core mission.

A senior law student at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Aaliyah Stewart, reported that restrictions are directly affecting student organizations, including the Black Law Students Association, as they promote Black History Month events. Words like 'Black,' 'affirmative action,' and 'women' were flagged by the university.

Economist Dr. Smith Finny's analysis of 2025 unemployment data reveals persistent disparities, with the Black unemployment rate reaching over 8% in November 2025, the highest in four years. This contrasts sharply with the overall US unemployment rate, which remained consistent in the 4% range. Black men experienced an 8.4% rate, Black women 8%, and young Black workers (16-24) faced a 20.8% unemployment rate.

The black unemployment rate reached over 8% in 2025, the highest in four years. Comparatively, the unemployment rate for all workers in 2025 stayed consistent in the 4% range. The highest unemployment rate for black women was 8%, for black men 8.4%, and for young black workers aged 16 to 24, it was 20.8%. These were all figures from November 2025.

Federal hiring freezes, workforce reductions, and the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and affirmative action policies are directly contributing to the rising Black unemployment rate. These policy shifts limit opportunities for Black workers, particularly in federal employment where nearly 20% of workers are Black, and hinder upskilling in a technology-driven job market.

Federal hiring freezes and eliminations impacted the labor market, as nearly 20% of all federal workers are Black. Rollbacks of diversity, equity, inclusion policies and affirmative action policies have a grave impact on Black workers' opportunities and outcomes. Without DEI and targeted outreach, upskilling opportunities are limited in a workforce changing due to technology and automation.

Dr. Maisha Taylor explains that Black women, particularly American Black women, experience menopause earlier and with more profound symptoms due to higher 'allostatic loads' – the cumulative physiological impact of chronic stress from racism, trauma, and societal pressures. This stress manifests in higher inflammatory burden, sleep disruption, and cardio-metabolic risk, which are exacerbated during menopause as the body's 'margin of reserve' shrinks.

Black women have higher allostatic loads, carrying pressures, racism, injury, and trauma from generations past, reflected in their physiology. They navigate systems filled with implicit bias and structures of racism, leading to more sleep disruption, higher inflammatory burden, and cardio-metabolic risk. Menopause acts as a 'physiologic stress test,' unraveling compensatory mechanisms.

Black women often face dismissal and inadequate care when seeking help for perimenopausal symptoms, which can start as early as age 35. Doctors frequently tell them they are 'too young' or that their hormone labs 'look normal,' despite erratic hormone fluctuations and worsening health. This lack of comprehensive, holistic care delays intervention for critical health markers beyond just hormones.

Perimenopause can start normally 7 to 10 years prior to the final menstrual period, meaning at age 35 it could be normal. Often, women are dismissed, told they are too young or labs look normal. Hormones can change fourfold, fivefold, 100% in one day, making a single lab check insufficient. Comprehensive care should include checking lipids, inflammatory markers, and insulin levels.

Dr. Maisha Taylor highlights the critical role of media representation, like 'Doc McStuffins,' in normalizing Black physicians. This cultural exposure helps diverse patient populations, not just Black patients, recognize and trust Black doctors as leaders in emergency settings, reducing the time spent establishing authority and potentially improving patient outcomes.

Shows like 'Doc McStuffins' allow kids to grow up seeing Black physicians, which helps in real-world scenarios. As an ER doctor, Dr. Taylor notes that this representation reduces the time she has to spend convincing patients and staff that she is the doctor, stating, 'patients are dying' when that trust isn't immediate.

Former President Donald Trump posted a video on Truth Social featuring Barack and Michelle Obama with dehumanizing imagery, which was widely condemned as racist. While the White House initially defended it as an 'internet meme,' it was later removed, with blame placed on a staffer. The incident prompted varied reactions from Republicans, with some condemning it outright (e.g., Senator Roger Wicker, Mike Turner, Tim Scott, Mary Milliban, Burgess Owens) and others, particularly Black MAGA supporters and Christian leaders, remaining silent or dismissing it.

The video featured former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama using dehumanizing imagery. Carolyn Levit, White House chief liar, defended it as an 'internet meme video.' Maryland Governor Wes Moore called it 'blatant racism.' Republican Senator Roger Wicker said it was 'totally unacceptable.' Black MAGA supporter Mary Milliban called it 'the most racist and offensive post I have ever seen.' Tim Scott initially hoped it was fake, then called Trump, after which it was taken down and blamed on a staffer. Black Republican Congressmen Byron Donalds and Wesley Hunt remained silent for a long time, while Burgess Owens eventually condemned it. Franklin Graham and Paula White Kane remained silent.