“What’s Really Going On in America?

The Southern Truth

By Gloria Zuurveen, Editor-in-Chief

Lord, I feel like Marvin Gaye when he penned the words of one of the greatest revolutionary songs during the height of the Vietnam War. “What’s Going On?” he cried—and I find myself echoing that cry today.

Back then, America was sending our sons and daughters into a bloody conflict, and they were coming home in body bags. Today, we are fighting a different kind of war—one against decency, democracy, and dignity. The most recent travesty? The blatant disrespect and mistreatment of a sitting United States Senator, Alex Padilla.

Let that sink in. A duly elected senator—simply trying to ask a question—was met with force, aggression, and handcuffs. Thrown to the floor like a common criminal. This is not a scene from a dictatorship or a police state—it happened here in the so-called land of the free. In the United States of America.

If Senator Padilla can be treated like this, what does that mean for the rest of us? What does it mean for ordinary citizens without title, status, or fame? Lord knows, we are facing a whole new game—and the rules are being rewritten in real time, in the shadow of White Supremacy.

Let ICE do what they do—but what justification is there for humiliating and violating a man who represents the voice of millions? It’s a chilling reminder: if they’ll do it to him, they’ll surely do it to you. Or me. Or anyone who dares to speak, to question, or to resist.

This didn’t seem like just a breach of protocol. It was a message. And it was loud and clear.

We are witnessing a flame being fanned. The flame of indifference. The flame of retaliation disguised as restoration. The flame of systemic power masquerading as justice. And while many blame the chaos on “fixing up after the last administration,” from where I sit, it looks like more of the same—if not worse. It’s the blatant exaltation of White Supremacy at the highest level, and even Stevie Wonder—who’s supposed to be blind—can see it. Because it’s systemic and rooted in thievery.

So I ask again, echoing Marvin’s timeless words: What’s going on?

Because if we don’t stop and ask—and if we don’t fight back with truth, transparency, and accountability—the answer may be: we’re next.

And that, beloved, is the Southern Truth.