Tag Archives: revolution

Forget the Table—What Do You Bring to the Revolution?

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By A.L. Childers

In an era where artificial intelligence is replacing jobs, corporations are monopolizing basic human needs, and the cost of living has spiraled beyond reason, the question many men are still asking women is, “What do you bring to the table?”

But let’s be real—what table?

In a world where homeownership is unattainable, wages stagnate while inflation skyrockets and even our food is poisoned for profit, the idea of a “table” is laughable. We don’t have a table anymore. None of us do. And if we did, where exactly would we put it?

A World Where The Table No Longer Exists

The traditional markers of stability—homeownership, fair wages, access to real food, and reliable healthcare—are slipping further out of reach. The average home price in 2000 was around $119,600. Today, the median home price in the U.S. exceeds $400,000, with houses in major cities reaching $750,000+—a 525% increase in just two decades. Interest rates are at their highest in years, making homeownership a pipe dream for most.

And renting? Hedge funds and private equity firms like BlackRock and Invitation Homes have purchased entire neighborhoods, turning potential homeownership into a renter’s prison, jacking up prices by as much as 60% in some cities. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment, once $1,000, is now $3,000 or more, pricing out working-class Americans.

So, tell me again: what table?

A Livable Wage? Not in This Economy.

The federal minimum wage in America remains a staggering $7.25 an hour, unchanged since 2009. Meanwhile, the cost of living has risen nearly 40% in the last decade, with wages failing to keep pace. Over 61% of Americans now live paycheck to paycheck, with many working two or three jobs just to afford basic necessities.

Even in fields with “livable” wages, the squeeze is real. Nurses, teachers, and service workers—once considered middle-class careers—are now struggling to afford homes in the cities they work in. In San Francisco, you need a salary of at least $104,000 just to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment. In New York City, that number jumps to $130,000.

Again, where is this table going?

Poison for Profit: The Food We Can’t Afford is Killing Us

Let’s talk about what actually goes on this imaginary table.

The American food supply is so toxic that many ingredients legally sold in the U.S. are banned in over 30 countries. Red dye No. 3, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate—these are carcinogens illegal in the EU, China, and Japan but are still FDA-approved in the U.S. because food corporations lobby Congress to keep them in circulation.

Fast food, ultra-processed junk, and chemical-laden groceries aren’t just making us overweight—they’re making us sick. Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer rates have skyrocketed, largely due to the food industry prioritizing profit over public health. The U.S. now leads the world in diet-related illnesses, and even when people want to eat healthy, organic options remain financially out of reach for most.

Healthcare: Pay or Die

Let’s say we make it to the table despite the poisoned food, the unaffordable housing, and the soul-crushing work conditions. What happens when we get sick?

America’s healthcare system is the most expensive in the world, yet ranks dead last among high-income nations in accessibility and outcomes. The U.S. spends over $12,500 per person on healthcare annually, yet 66% of all bankruptcies are due to medical debt. A simple ambulance ride can cost $1,200—more than a mortgage payment.

And if we’re really lucky, we can sit at the table and reminisce about the family members we lost too soon because they couldn’t afford treatment. We can raise a glass to the 53-year-old mothers who died of heart disease, not because of genetics, but because they were fed toxic food, overworked, and denied proper medical care.

The Education System: Preparing Kids for a Broken Future

While we’re at this nonexistent table, maybe we can talk to our kids about their education—if they survive school.

With mass shootings now a regular occurrence, students aren’t just learning math; they’re learning how to barricade doors and hide under desks. Speaking of math, let’s talk about Common Core—an education model so convoluted that parents can’t even help their kids with homework. Instead of fostering critical thinking, American schools are training kids to memorize and regurgitate, leaving them ill-prepared for the future in an economy where AI and automation are rapidly replacing jobs.

But sure, let’s discuss gender roles. Let’s focus on whether women should cook and clean while we all collectively drown in a system that requires two incomes just to survive.

The Real Question: What Do You Bring to the Revolution?

So, let’s stop asking what women bring to the table.

Let’s start asking: What do you bring to the revolution?

Because this isn’t about gender roles anymore. This is survival. The world we inherited is no longer the world we were promised. The American Dream has been turned into a rigged casino, where the house always wins and the players—us—are left empty-handed.

The real question isn’t about what we contribute individually—it’s about what we are going to do collectively to reclaim our future.

Because the table is gone.

And if we want one, we’ll have to build it ourselves.

Sources & Statistics:

  • Housing Crisis: National Association of Realtors, Federal Reserve, Zillow Reports
  • Minimum Wage & Inflation: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pew Research Center
  • Food Safety & Toxic Ingredients: U.S. FDA, European Food Safety Authority, Center for Science in the Public Interest
  • Healthcare Crisis: The Commonwealth Fund, Kaiser Family Foundation, American Journal of Public Health
  • Education & School Safety: National Center for Education Statistics, FBI Crime Report

The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381: England’s Uprising Against Feudal Oppression

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n 1381, England witnessed one of the most significant uprisings in its medieval history: The Peasants’ Revolt. This was not merely a rebellion sparked by high taxes or localized grievances, but a powerful, widespread insurrection against a deeply entrenched system of feudalism that had oppressed the lower classes for centuries. What began as a protest over unfair taxation quickly grew into a full-scale revolt, shaking the foundations of medieval society.

Through extensive research into historical documents, court records, and academic studies, I aim to provide a deeper understanding of the Peasants’ Revolt, its causes, its impact, and the long-term consequences that reverberated through English society.

The Seeds of Discontent: Economic Hardships and Unfair Taxes

The roots of the revolt can be traced to a series of economic pressures that weighed heavily on the lower classes, particularly the peasants. The Black Death (1347–1351) had drastically reduced England’s population, leading to labor shortages and giving peasants more bargaining power for wages. However, in the decades following the plague, England’s ruling class passed laws to suppress these gains, such as the Statute of Labourers (1351), which capped wages and restricted the movement of workers.

On top of this, the government imposed an increasingly heavy tax burden on the population. The most infamous of these was the poll tax—a flat tax levied on every individual, regardless of income. By 1381, this tax had been raised to an unprecedented level to fund military campaigns, including the costly war against France. For many, this was the final straw.

Peasants, already suffering under the weight of an oppressive feudal system that bound them to the land and their lords, found themselves facing an impossible situation: low wages, high taxes, and little hope for change. The poll tax, in particular, became a lightning rod for unrest, leading to an outcry that would soon turn into a revolt.

The Spark: The Killing of a Tax Collector

In the town of Brentwood, Essex, tensions finally boiled over. When a royal tax collector attempted to enforce the poll tax, a group of peasants, infuriated by the injustice, attacked him. This act of defiance quickly spread throughout the county and beyond, as news of the revolt reached neighboring Kent, where the uprising gained even more traction.

One of the leaders who emerged from the Kentish rebellion was Wat Tyler, a charismatic figure who, along with John Ball, a radical preacher, galvanized the peasants to rise up against their feudal masters. Ball, in particular, gave voice to the frustrations of the lower classes, preaching equality and challenging the notion that nobles had the divine right to rule. His famous question, “When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?” resonated deeply with the rebels.

The March to London: Demands for Justice

As the revolt gained momentum, peasants from all over southern England began marching toward London, intent on confronting the young King Richard II and demanding redress for their grievances. Their demands were radical for the time: they wanted the abolition of serfdom, the end of feudal obligations, fair wages, and the removal of corrupt royal officials.

By mid-June 1381, the rebels had reached London, where they were joined by sympathizers, including some members of the city’s working class. What followed was a chaotic few days in the capital. The rebels stormed the Tower of London, executed the Archbishop of Canterbury, and burned the palace of John of Gaunt, the king’s uncle, who was seen as a symbol of royal corruption and oppression.

King Richard II, then only 14 years old, appeared to negotiate with the rebels at Mile End and later at Smithfield. At first, he made promises to address their demands, but these promises were merely a tactic to buy time and calm the situation.

The Fall of Wat Tyler and the Collapse of the Revolt

The defining moment of the revolt came at Smithfield on June 15, 1381. During a meeting with King Richard, Wat Tyler was struck down and killed by the mayor of London, William Walworth. Tyler’s death demoralized the rebels, and with their leader gone, the uprising quickly unraveled.

King Richard, who had appeared conciliatory just days before, now turned to brutal repression. The king’s forces hunted down and executed the leaders of the revolt, including John Ball. The promises made to the peasants were rescinded, and the uprising was crushed with a ruthlessness that sent a clear message to any who might consider rising up again.

The Aftermath and Legacy of the Revolt

Though the Peasants’ Revolt failed to achieve its immediate aims, its long-term impact was profound. The revolt exposed the deep discontent among the lower classes and the weaknesses in the feudal system. In the years following the revolt, many of the harsh feudal obligations were gradually relaxed. Serfdom, while not immediately abolished, began to decline as a result of both economic pressures and the awareness that continued oppression could lead to further unrest.

The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 also had significant political and cultural ramifications. It was one of the first mass movements in England’s history where common people, driven by a sense of injustice, rose up to challenge the authority of the ruling elite. Although they were ultimately defeated, the rebellion forced the ruling class to reconsider their methods of governance and to acknowledge the growing power of the people they ruled.

Historical Documentation and References

The Peasants’ Revolt is well-documented in both contemporary and later historical accounts. One of the most important sources is the Chronicles of Froissart, which provides a detailed narrative of the events. Froissart’s account, though written from the perspective of the nobility, offers valuable insights into the causes and course of the revolt.

The Westminster Chronicle and the Anonimalle Chronicle also offer contemporary accounts of the revolt, giving us glimpses into the fears and concerns of both the rebels and the authorities. These chronicles highlight the widespread nature of the rebellion and the shock it caused among the ruling classes.

In addition to primary sources, numerous modern scholars have explored the revolt in detail. R.B. Dobson’s book, The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, is one of the most comprehensive modern studies of the uprising, providing an in-depth look at both the social and political factors that led to the revolt and its lasting impact on English society.

Conclusion

The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 was a pivotal moment in English history, a time when ordinary men and women stood up against a system that had oppressed them for generations. Though their efforts were met with brutal force, their courage planted the seeds of change that would eventually contribute to the dismantling of the feudal system.

As we reflect on the events of 1381, we see echoes of these struggles in modern movements that challenge entrenched systems of power. The Peasants’ Revolt reminds us that history is not just shaped by kings and nobles, but by the actions of ordinary people who dare to demand justice.

References:

  1. Dobson, R.B. The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. Macmillan, 1983.
  2. Froissart, Jean. Chronicles. Penguin Classics, 1968.
  3. Saul, Nigel. Richard II: A Troubled Reign. Yale University Press, 1997.
  4. Oman, Charles. The Great Revolt of 1381. Clarendon Press, 1906.
  5. Hilton, Rodney. Bond Men Made Free: Medieval Peasant Movements and the English Rising of 1381. Routledge, 2003.

By A.L. Childers
Author and Historian

About the author

Audrey Childers is an accomplished author, blogger, freelance journalist, and entrepreneur who has been writing and researching for over a decade. She is the creator and founder of Thehypothyroidismchick.com, a website that provides helpful tips for those living with hypothyroidism. Audrey loves spending time with her children and promoting optimal health and wellness for everyone. She has written over 200 books, including A survivors cookbook guide to kicking hypothyroidism booty, Reset Your Thyroid,, The Ultimate Guide to healing hypothyroidism, and A survivors cookbook guide to kicking hypothyroidism booty: the slow cooker way All of Audrey’s books can be found on Amazon. This blog can be freely re-posted with proper attribution, author bio, and copyright statement.

Thehypothyroidismchick.com is a reliable source of health and science news relevant to our generation. They cover a wide range of stories but focus on contributing to their readers’ understanding of a complex and constantly changing field of information. They are driven by two core values: to provide accurate and informative content and to keep in mind the ultimate “smell test” – stories worth discussing with friends at a bar. At Thehypothyroidismchick.com, coverage is determined based on relevance, clinical significance, and editorial integrity. They do not prioritize commercial considerations and always clearly distinguish between factual content, commentary, and opinions to avoid misleading readers with institutional propaganda and speculation. This ensures that readers can trust the information they receive and make informed decisions about their health.

Please follow along with me on this journey of discovery as I share my brush of madness with exquisite clarity. Luckily, I was never a quick fix-it junkie where I said no to many suggestions from board-certified or certifiable doctors because I felt it in my soul that it was merely a bonafide being placed on my issues. The names of sure doctors have been changed because, frankly, I don’t want to be sued for proven the lack in their field. 

Hippocrates was right when he said: Let the food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.

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This piece was inspired by timeless wisdom and the understanding that true success lies not in the small battles, but in the pursuit of one’s purpose.

Welcome to our exploration of sanity and madness—an exploration that invites you to not only read, but to reflect, to engage, and to carry forward the torch of understanding into a world that yearns for compassion and acceptance.”

— A.L. Childers