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Opinion

Charles Thomas: Why sleep is so Important for our health

Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, "Why is lack of sleep such a big problem? Because sleep is critical to our health and wellbeing! While we don’t know exactly what the purpose of sleep is, there are many theories around why we humans spend a third of our lives sleeping. "Sleep allows our bodies to heal and our tissues to be restored during a period of rest. It also helps us consolidate our memories of the day, and regulate our moods. There is research that suggests sleep helps us tolerate pain better, and it can help remove cellular garbage in the brain called amyloids, which are linked to Alzheimer’s disease."

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Celebrating our sixth birthday and Local News Day

Watershed Voice officially launched six years ago on this day in 2020, providing a combined 3,400 stories, columns, podcasts, poems and the like to residents of St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and Cass Counties over the last 2,191 days. Help us celebrate our birthday with a donation, and sign up for our free newsletter in observance of Local News Day on April 9.

Sayrie: Sounding the alarm 

Watershed Voice’s Aundrea Sayrie writes, “Black History Month is celebratory of Black achievement and existence, yes, but it is equally meant to continually sound the alarm on discrimination, and a means of advocating for justice. Applied pressure on the neck of oppression and erasure, a vehicle to ensure the truth isn't lost in the footnotes of history.” You can listen to Aundrea perform this piece via the SoundCloud player at the top of the article.

Letter to the Editor: Not Left, Not Right. Together.

Layne Deuel of Lockport Township writes, "I humbly ask that all of us stand up to ICE and demand immediate, tangible change to this armed force. By speaking out, it does not make you less conservative or more liberal, it makes you truly American. The rebellious spirit to stand up to the wolf at the door is something that has been instilled in all of us. We cannot let that fire burn out now. We must stand together and push for change immediately. As Americans, we cannot fail the spirit of Americans before us or those who come after us."

Doug Sears, Jr.: Shining a Light on Audience Behavior

Watershed Voice's Doug Sears, Jr. writes about a recent experience at the movie theater that induced anger, reflection, and ultimately empathy. "My rage was palpable, as movie theater misbehavior is high on my list of modern pet peeves. But I'm trying really hard to stay in the 'live and let live' mentality, and I don't want to compound her distraction by calling it out. I’d hate to initiate a prolonged argument with a stubbornly rude individual and draw everyone in the theater, even those who don't notice the Beacon of Gondor from their seat, into my distraction."

Charles Thomas: Maybe it’s not too late

Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, "Most of us have at least a few dreams that have been deferred. For you, it might not be a degree you dream of but starting a business or having another romantic relationship. You could have a dream about becoming a non-smoker or to find more meaningful work. Whatever your dream is, you may be thinking that it’s too late to achieve it. But consider this: what if you’re wrong?"

Maxwell Knauer: A staff writer’s plea to support local, independent news

Staff Writer Maxwell Knauer writes, "Watershed Voice is a not for profit, independent news outlet, and that means a lot to me. The fact that we exist as a free to act, independent entity working to provide rural Michiganders with the facts of what is going on in their community is not something I take lightly. In fact, it's why I work here in the first place. We are in charge of our reporting, not a giant media conglomerate. And by we, I mean you all because we are funded by our readers which is why we work for our readers."

Haak-Frost: Remembering the radical kindness of my heroes

Executive Editor Alek Haak-Frost reflects on the lives and legacies of three childhood heroes who, each in their own way, practiced radical kindness.

Letter to the Editor: Ranked Choice Voting

Naomi Ludman, chair of the Cass County Democratic Party, writes, "Our representative democracy only works when we all believe it works based on our lived experiences. This is one reason that many disillusioned voters are turning to Ranked Choice Voting."

‘One Battle After Another’ review: There will be bud

Watershed Voice’s Matt Erspamer says Paul Thomas Anderson's new film is both a propulsive stoner action comedy and a moving father/daughter tale.

A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR

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