Rep. Turner urges rural marginalized citizens to enter politics

Sam Royka Managing Editor

On March 7, the state House of Representatives voted to censure State Rep. Mauree Turner, the first Black, nonbinary Muslim state legislator in U.S. history, after Turner offered a protester the use of her office during protests at the Capitol against anti-transgender legislation.

Turner, D-Oklahoma City, said it is important for everyone, especially marginalized communities in rural areas, to become politically engaged if they do not see themselves represented by their legislatures.

“Get involved, because there is a good chance that your rural representation isn’t even talking to your community about the things that matter to your community,” Turner said. “The best time to get started is yesterday, the second best time is today,” they said, emphasizing that the officials who make up the legislature are not a representation of the actual population.” Turner said that many officials are making it more difficult to access the same rights held by cisgender white men.

“That is inherently political, and so even if you don’t feel like you are being directly attacked, it doesn’t mean you don’t join the fight. It doesn’t mean that you wait until they bring it to your front door,” they said. Turner stresses that in the movement, “there is a place for everybody.”

“The sooner you get involved on that rural level, the more you get to provide that for other folks in your community, but also because the folks who work in the Oklahoma legislature specifically – because this is where I work – they are not indicative of the people who make up Oklahoma,” they said.

Turner said there are pockets of progressivism everywhere in Oklahoma.

“Some of the most progressive conversations I have had have been at doors, knocking doors in rural Oklahoma, because when you meet people where they are with language, and you will hear from a lot of the other elected officials in the legislature that don’t actually talk to their constituents,” they said.

It is not required of elected officials to have conversations with the people who live in their communities.

“A man gave a retirement speech in 2022 last session, and he was proud about the fact that he had only knocked seven doors and he termed out, so he worked all 12 years and only knocked seven doors,” they said.

In response to hearing numbers like this, Turner’s office “started doing a little research on everybody who voted for or authored anti-trans legislation, trying to see what their quality of life in the districts that they represented looked like,” they said.

Many of those districts had quality of life scores of “Cs and Ds at a national level,” Turner said. “There are resources that we could be providing to Oklahomans,

Oklahoma Supreme Court rules constitutional right to abortion in life-threatening situations

Sam Royka Managing Editor

On March 21, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in favor of a petition that would protect abortion under life-threatening circumstances.

The new ruling struck down SB612, which was previously known to news outlets as ‘the nation’s strictest abortion ban.’

While the new ruling also upheld an abortion ban from 1910, this old law still upheld the right to terminate a pregnancy in cases where it would threaten the life of the pregnant person. Under Article II, section 7 of the Oklahoma Constitution, it states that “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

Both historic abortion cases, Roe and Casey, were overturned by Dobbs in 2022. Here’s a brief history to recap the current situation. When Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, SCOTUS ruled that a right to privacy in the Fourteenth Amendment’s definition of personal liberty included the choice whether to end or keep a pregnancy.

It trimester were an “undue burden” on the legislature.

Throughout Roe and Casey’s effect on abortion rights, the right to terminate has always been protected “for the preservation of the life or health of the mother.” and instead, we are making sure that Oklahomans have less access to healthcare overall, right, because we ban trans healthcare, we ban healthcare for all Oklahomans,” Turner said.

House bans corporal punishment for students with cognitive disabilities

Georgina Jones

Contributing Writer

The Oklahoma House passed House Bill 1028 on March 20, a bill seeking to ban corporal punishment on students with intellectual disabilities. The measure failed the first round of voting, when verbiage only included students with “significant cognitive disabilities,” which would’ve been determined by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

The bill then passed when the language was revised, and now includes any student with any disability identified in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2015. The measure was authored by Rep. John Talley (R-Stillwater), who said physical punishment on students with special needs does not belong in the classroom. “I don’t think corporal punishment is beneficial in any way. It really shouldn’t be used on students with disabilities,” said Evan, a former student who asked The Vista not to use his full name. “While some of them might understand why they’ve been smacked, some of them would have no clue why they had been hit.”

Corporal punishment is physical punishment intended to cause pain to a person. When inflicted on minors, in home or school settings, its methods can include spanking or paddling. Oklahoma currently only prohibits corporal punishment when a child has “the most significant cognitive disabilities,” unless a parent or established guardian signs a waiver allowing the physical Continued on Pg. 4

The biggest shift this month was Pluto settling into your sign. We will get a taste of what this revolutionary placement will bring until the end of the year when it takes a pause to retrograde. Mars in Cancer could feel foreign, heightening emotions around your daily life, but rest assured that all the Taurus energy will balance it out. Next Monday has an interesting aspect between Mercury and Pluto that emphasizes deep thought of the future. Your song for the week is “Modern Love” by David Bowie.

Saturn continues to settle into your sign this week, bringing a more grounded, focused energy as dreams change form into concrete goals. The First Quarter Moon in fellow water sign Cancer presses fast forward on your intuition. Pay attention to what emotions start to build during this time: they could portend what happens next. Your song for the week is “Thirty” by The Weather Station.

Happy birthday, Aries! The sun in your sign matches up with the stirrings of spring. Don’t overdo it on the caffeine if you’re looking for an extra energy burst next week! Take it slow on Tuesday as the First Quarter Cancer Moon graces the sky. A lucky Venus-Uranus conjunction could bring out an unexpected connection on Thursday. Right after, the Moon slides over to Leo for a fun and exciting weekend. Your song for the week is “Sunday Funday” by TOLEDO.

With Venus now in your sensual sign, love affairs become more stable and plans become easier to create. A long night with your tea kettle could be overdue! More good news: as Mercury enters your sign next Monday, communication with others becomes more intuitive too. Watch what happens Thursday as Venus and Uranus meet in the sky – this aspect is lucky for matters of both love and business! Your song for the week is “Soulfight” by The Revivalists.

With Mars out of your sign you could be feeling a bit drained as we readjust. Realigning with what your heart wants may be a crucial part of finding motivation as we finish the semester. Good news: the Moon in fiery and royal Leo over the weekend could provide just the energetic boost you need. Next Monday’s Mercury-Pluto aspect could also affect you more heavily than other non-Mercurian signs as we wonder about the future.

Your song for the week is “Shinin” by Mackeson.

Vir Go

August 23- September 22

After Mars went into your sign last week, motivations became softer and more heart-driven. This week starts out with the Moon waxing to a First Quarter in your sign as well. This marks the first steps being taken towards any manifestations begun at the New Moon. Thursday’s auspicious Venus-Uranus conjunction could throw an unexpected boost of luck your way, likely in terms of friendships and networking. Your song for the week is “Laughter” by Astrocolor and Wendy Rene.

The Moon enters your fiery sign over Medieval Fair weekend, so even if you don’t plan to show any ankle at the turkey leg stand, rest assured you’re in your glow. Aquarius is your sister sign, so this Plutonian move could have stronger effects for you. Look to see where Aquarius lands in your birth chart to get a sense of what areas of your life it might affect! Mercury’s move into Taurus may have you deliberating a little more on your texts, but don’t worry! Whatever choices you make will be the right ones.

Your song for the week is “Master Hunter” by Laura Marling.

With Venus and Mercury both moving into earthy Taurus, this week brings a slow and nurturing energy. Especially with Mars in Cancer, you may find your attention focused more on the home for the time being. A weekend with the Moon in Leo brings a little fun, a little drama, and increases entertainer energy. This is perfect for working on creative projects like podcasts or radio shows. Your song for the week is “Togo” by Huntertones.

With Venus feeling right at home in Taurus, you may be feeling an enhanced sense of clarity and realignment.

A period of upcoming ease is also indicated by Pluto’s move into Aquarius. Thursday could bring some fun from unexpected places as Venus conjuncts Uranus. This is the perfect time for a little bit of spontaneity. Three days with the Moon in sociable Leo start on Friday, putting some exciting energy into your weekend. Your song for the week is “Quilted” By MonoNeon and George Clinton.

This week begins with a First Quarter Moon in watery Cancer, turning up the dial on your intuition, manifestations, and emotional side all at the same time. This could sound overwhelming, but rest assured you have the ability to sense your own needs very deeply. Make some time for yourself this week. Internal work done now as we shift into spring will bring far-reaching effects as the seasons turn. Your song for the week is “Hypotheticals” by Lake Street Dive.

After last week’s astrological hurricane, this week should be a breeze! New beginnings continue with Pluto in Aquarius and a waxing moon.

While the recent astrological shifts may have felt a little bumpy, a period of ease and rest could soon be on the way. With more planets moving into Taurus some aspects of life may begin to move a little more slowly than you’d like, but there is wisdom in slowing down too. This weekend puts the spotlight on fire signs when the Moon moves into luxurious Leo. Sing your heart out if you get the chance! Your song for the week is “Lady, You Shot Me” by Har Mar Superstar.

Earth energy ramps up this week as Venus luxuriates in Taurus. As Mercury finishes up its stay in Aries, communication begins to move to a slower pace. When it moves into Taurus as well, we reach a better time for drawing up contracts and agreements. For this reason, it may be wise to wait until next week to make any long term decisions. Thursday’s lucky aspect could boost your luck in terms of anything ruled by the fifth house! Your song for the week is “Smoking Section” by Stevedreez.