Da Urban Conservative Podcast: The Storm Ahead From Helene to Haters

Welcome to Da Urban Conservative, where we cut through the noise and speak truth to power. Today’s episode isn’t just about weathering storms—it’s about the systems, the people, and the fight for survival when the storm never really ends.

Hurricane Helene ripped through multiple states, leaving devastation in its wake. Homes are gone, families displaced, and communities are reeling. FEMA? Yeah, they’ve got some money, but they don’t have enough to make it through the rest of this hurricane season. Now, some lawmakers are talking about coming back to pass additional funding—because, you know, disaster relief should be a no-brainer. But there’s always somebody who wants to play games with people’s lives.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said more funding “ain’t necessary.” Let that sink in. We’ve got folks underwater, without power, and he’s saying we don’t need more help. So what does that mean for the next hurricane? For the next family left with nothing but the clothes on their backs? We’ve been here before—told to tighten our belts, wait for help that’s slow to come, or that never comes at all. This could turn into another fight on the Hill in the coming weeks, but while they fight, people are suffering. Once again, the question becomes: who’s really being protected? Who’s looking out for the people?

Meanwhile, closer to home, we’ve got folks trying to tear down the very people stepping up to protect us. Last week, two officers made history in Minneapolis—Officer Ikran Mohamed and Officer Lesly Vera. These women broke barriers, becoming some of the first in their communities to wear the badge and step into service. But instead of being celebrated, they’re being attacked online. Hate pouring in from all corners, as if these two aren’t human beings, as if their dedication to serve doesn’t matter.

Let’s get this straight: these women aren’t just numbers on a diversity sheet. They’ve worked hard to be here, and they represent a shift in what law enforcement could be—a force that actually reflects the communities it’s supposed to serve. But for some people, that’s a problem. These critics don’t want to see officers who understand the struggles of immigrant families or who can connect with Black and Brown communities. They’d rather maintain the status quo, even if it means keeping systemic inequities in place.

And speaking of service—let’s shout out the folks in Olmsted County. The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office held its fall awards ceremony, honoring those who go above and beyond for our community. It’s easy to criticize and point fingers, but real talk—there are people out here in law enforcement who are doing the work, trying to bridge gaps, and bring about some real change. These people don’t just wear the badge—they wear the weight of responsibility.

But at the same time, we need to be clear: awards are great, but systemic change is greater. And when we talk about honoring service, we can’t just honor individuals—we’ve got to look at the bigger picture. Who are we protecting? Who’s being left behind?

So, as we brace for the next hurricane, as we watch funding fights unfold in Washington, as we see our communities divided—both by natural disasters and the man-made ones—we need to stay focused on what matters. Because whether it’s a hurricane or hate, the struggle continues. But we’ve been here before. We know how to weather the storm.

We’ve survived worse, and we’ll survive this, too. But the question remains—when will those in power do more than survive? When will they act? Because this time, survival isn’t enough.

That’s all for today on Da Urban Conservative. Stay informed, stay active, and remember—change isn’t something we wait for, it’s something we demand.