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#5Thoughts Friday

The



Hurricane Sandy



Edition

11/01/2024

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5) Election and Voting

One of the most important rights of American citizens is the franchise—the right to vote. Originally under the Constitution, only white male citizens over the age of 21 were eligible to vote. This shameful injustice has been corrected and voting rights have been extended several times over the course of our history. Today, citizens over the age of 18 cannot be denied the right to vote on the basis of race, religion, sex, disability, or sexual orientation. In every state except North Dakota, citizens must register to vote, and laws regarding the registration process vary by State.

The path to full voting rights for all American citizens was long and often challenging. The franchise was first extended to African Americans under the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution, passed during the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. These amendments provided that all male citizens, regardless of their race, must receive equal treatment under the law and not be deprived of their rights without due process. The Fifteenth Amendment is specifically dedicated to protecting the right of all citizens to vote, regardless of race.

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4) Michigan QB Jack Tuttle retires from football, citing concussions – the second college QB to do so in less than a week

Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jack Tuttle announced his retirement from football Monday, citing concussions and other health concerns – the second college quarterback to make that decision in less than a week.

Tuttle, a seventh-year senior who played for four years with the Indiana Hoosiers before transferring to Michigan ahead of the Wolverines’ 2023 national championship season, explained his decision in a post on X. He wrote that the decision came after “deep reflection and heartfelt conversations with my family, doctors, and loved ones.”

“The past year has been challenging, marked by a UCL repair in my throwing arm that I didn’t fully recover from, which has caused ongoing issues,” Tuttle wrote.



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3) Scientists find brain network is doubled in size in depressed people

In a recent study published in Nature, researchers used advanced brain imaging techniques to explore how certain brain networks differ in people with depression. They discovered that a specific brain network, known as the “salience network,” was on average twice as large in individuals with depression compared to healthy individuals. The salience network plays a key role in processing rewards and deciding what deserves attention, and this expansion could help explain some unique mental and emotional features of depression.



Depression is a mental health disorder that affects millions worldwide, characterized by persistent sadness, lack of interest in activities, fatigue, and changes in appetite and sleep. These symptoms often come in episodes, meaning that individuals may experience periods of wellness before depression symptoms return. Depression’s effects go beyond mood, impacting a person’s ability to function in daily life, relationships, and work, making it one of the leading causes of disability.

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2) Books We are READING This Week

Election Wellness Toolkit

Election season can be empowering but also overwhelming. Engaging in politics—through calls, events, and advocacy—can take a toll on mental health. This guide is designed to help everyone, whether in recovery, managing stress, or simply looking for balance. From 24-hour news cycles to political rhetoric, stressors are constant, but disengagement isn’t the solution. Instead, this toolkit offers strategies to stay healthy and civically active, so we can continue pushing for the policies and leaders we deserve.

CLICK HERE to see more.

Looking for Something fun to do in Maryland this weekend? Click the picture below and discover a world of possibilities for things to do this weekend!

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HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND AND ELECTION DAY NEXT WEEK!

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