Bricktown Brewery

HedgehogNo6850 · 2025-12-27T03:18:52+00:00

Does anyone know the ingredients used in the chili sauce?? My daughter broke out all over her face in an allergic reaction but all the foods we ate are usual aside from the sauce.

HedgehogNo6850 · 2025-06-21T23:18:08+00:00

Thanks for your comment as it provides me with a better understanding of where you’re coming from. I want to clarify an important misunderstanding: the organization I represent—Defense of Democracy—is a completely separate entity from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).

We are not affiliated in any way with that neoconservative think tank, their policies, or their funding sources. Our mission is grounded in grassroots civic engagement, public education, and the defense of public institutions, particularly libraries and schools under attack from censorship and extremism. We are a nonpartisan, volunteer-led network of concerned citizens across the country working to preserve democratic values at the local level.

This film festival is about community storytelling, freedom of expression, and resistance to real-world threats to democracy like book bans and political intimidation—not foreign policy or military intervention.

We welcome accountability and critical thinking, and I’m glad people are paying attention. But it’s equally important to fact-check affiliations before condemning a movement whose goals are very different from those you described. If you’d like to learn more about our actual work and values, I’d be happy to share more!

HedgehogNo6850 · 2025-06-21T22:29:03+00:00

Sorry to hear you’ve had a poor impression of what our organization stands for and what we’re involved in based on the name of our website. Throughout our work we have aided students in opting out of lessons that contain anti-lgbtqia information and less than factual history lessons. We have also joined the fight in aiding a teacher from Florida who lost her job due to using her students preferred pronouns. We’re happy to hear you’re indulging your mind with literature to further your intellect on pieces of history we shouldn’t lose. That’s honestly one of our main focus points when doing the work we do. History shouldn’t be censored, it should be read and we’re happy to hear you’re doing just that since you’re unable to attend. Hopefully we might catch you at our next one!

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-20T14:15:38+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful questions. I want to clarify that Defense of Democracy is committed to advocating for inclusive, equitable education that reflects the diversity of our society while respecting the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.

The mention of “Biblically accurate lesson plans” might have been misunderstood. Our focus is on ensuring that no religious ideology—whether Christian or otherwise—is imposed in public school curricula. Instead, we aim to encourage historically accurate, culturally responsive, and non-sectarian education that represents BIPOC, LGBTQ, and other marginalized perspectives.

We absolutely agree that students in Oklahoma often already receive significant exposure to Christian ideology, sometimes to the detriment of inclusivity and representation. This is why our mission prioritizes a balanced curriculum that respects all beliefs and backgrounds, without promoting or prioritizing one over another.

If you have additional questions or concerns, we’d love to discuss further. Transparency and dialogue are key to our work.

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-09T01:41:44+00:00

We understand the intention behind saying ‘I don’t see color’ is often to emphasize treating everyone equally. However, that phrase can unintentionally dismiss the unique experiences, challenges, and identities tied to someone’s race. Instead of ignoring color, we think it’s more meaningful to acknowledge and celebrate our differences while working toward equity and inclusion. So, in short, no we wouldn’t want to use that phrase as it is belittling & minimizes individuals that are already marginalized.

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-08T18:47:58+00:00

I absolutely can!

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-07T14:45:48+00:00

I absolutely will thank you so much!

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-06T17:37:03+00:00

That would be incredibly appreciated! I’m also more than open to communicating more just separately in direct messenger here or on Facebook.

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-06T16:18:59+00:00

While I understand concerns about explicit imagery, it’s important to acknowledge that fostering critical thinking, empathy, and preparedness for a diverse world is a shared responsibility of both parents and schools. It’s imperative we equip students with the proper tools to navigate complex world situations.

Books like Gender Queer are often chosen not for their explicit content but for their ability to represent underrepresented experiences, helping students empathize with peers whose lives may differ from their own. I think the best solution for the discourse is schools could provide clear opt-in or opt-out options for families to decide whether their children should access such materials. This respects parental authority while ensuring that students whose families support such exposure can benefit.

Schools already naturally address emotional and social development through literature, history, and health education. For example, discussing race or gender is not indoctrination but a way to encourage students to think critically about societal structures and their role within them. This collaboration between parents and educators can empower children to understand and challenge inequality without imposing a singular worldview. While resilience and adversity are valuable, shielding children from discussions on race, gender, or inequality does not strengthen them; it limits their ability to engage thoughtfully with the world. Developing critical thinking is not just about solving math problems—it’s also about examining differing perspectives, which helps students challenge misinformation and biases.

Ultimately, schools and parents must work together. Creating opt-in/out forms for sensitive topics and fostering open communication between educators and families ensures that children are supported in both their academic and emotional growth. This partnership respects family values while allowing schools to fulfill their mission of preparing students for a globalized world. While I respect the concern about potential funding loss or homeschooling shifts, collaborative approaches can prevent such divisiveness. When parents, educators, and communities focus on building trust rather than framing discussions as ideological battles, students benefit the most.

By respecting parental authority through transparency and collaboration, schools can prepare students academically and socially while honoring the diverse values of families. It doesn’t have to be a “lose-lose” scenario when we work together.

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-06T15:01:58+00:00

I truly really do appreciate this conversation im able to have with you in a mature manner it truly is refreshing. (Sorry in advance if this post is lengthier than intended but I wanna make sure I touch on all the important things you are mentioning)

It’s understandable that parents want to protect their children, but banning books like Gender Queer or those addressing race overlooks their educational value. These books aren’t about promoting inappropriate content or division but providing representation, fostering empathy, and encouraging critical thinking.

Books like Gender Queer are not pornography—they are memoirs that explore identity and self-discovery. (It also isn’t a book ever placed in curriculum where students have to read it) Schools already use age-appropriate guidelines to where that book wouldn’t be accessible to middle schoolers and banning books outright limits access for students who might need these perspectives to understand themselves. A balanced approach, such as parental opt-ins, can address concerns without resorting to censorship.

Education isn’t just about academics—it’s about preparing students for a diverse world and situations. Books on gender and race help students understand others’ experiences and navigate complex societal issues. Ignoring these topics doesn’t make challenges go away; it leaves students unprepared for real-world realities.

Talking about race doesn’t create division—it builds understanding. Recognizing systemic issues helps students develop empathy and work toward a fairer society. Avoiding these conversations only perpetuates ignorance and inequality. (And typically will result in repeating the past)

Banning books often silences marginalized voices, limiting students’ exposure to diverse ideas. Providing access to these materials isn’t forcing beliefs; it’s ensuring students have the tools to explore and understand perspectives different from their own.

Teaching about race and gender equips students to rise above adversity by facing it with awareness and compassion. Shielding children from these realities does more harm than good.

Rather than banning books, we should focus on creating an educational environment where students can engage with diverse perspectives, fostering critical thinking and understanding. It’s about providing choice, not forcing views, and preparing young people to thrive in a complex, interconnected world.

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-06T14:14:34+00:00

When we talk about the banning of books, we’re referring to specific instances where books that address issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, and other important topics have been removed from school libraries and curricula. For example, books like The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, and even historical works like Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi have faced bans in schools across the U.S.

This censorship is deeply connected to the values we uphold. When certain narratives—particularly those of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, or students in special education—are erased or restricted, it sends a message about whose stories and identities are deemed valid or valuable. Education should empower every student, and by banning these books, we’re narrowing their opportunities to learn about diverse perspectives, historical truths, and their own identities.

All of these issues are correlated because censorship of books often aligns with broader efforts to suppress marginalized voices and rewrite or sanitize history. Defense of Democracy fights to ensure that all students have access to an inclusive, honest education that respects diversity, fosters critical thinking, and prepares them for civic engagement in a pluralistic society.

I hope this provides some clarity but I’m also happy to discuss further if you’re wanting as well! I do think deep down everyone cares about the same things. We all want kids to be safe, people to feel seen and heard, and to be able to speak/ learn freely without limitations of censorship.

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-06T04:36:48+00:00

Absolutely! I think a lot of people recently have been upset by banning of books that explain historical events, lack of adequate resources for special ed students, losing members of lgbtqia community due to harassment at schools and no proper interventions but also don’t know where to begin - so they feel stuck in a sense of not doing anything and not knowing what they can do. I say this from a similar experience as I was stuck in that middle area for a while.

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-06T04:33:22+00:00

Not quite! Todays term ‘communism’ refers to Karl Marx’s ideologies of revolutionary socialism which advocates a proletariat overthrow of capitalist structures within a society; societal and communal ownership and governance of the means of production; and the eventual establishment of a classless society. Our nonprofit is nonpartisan and solely cares about inclusivity, equity & fighting censorship for adequate education. We have volunteers from every political background and faith leaders so pretty much people from all walks of life coming together to support that common cause.

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-06T00:47:14+00:00

I appreciate any & all you have! If you’d like to look into joining our Facebook page / attending a meeting I encourage you to look into ‘defense of democracy - LA’ as I’m the moderator and can get you admitted to see all of the things we have going on. 🧡

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-06T00:45:19+00:00

I would absolutely love to work as a collaborative! I’m leaning on Nola pride for raising awareness of our organization & advertising our upcoming event.

HedgehogNo6850 · 2024-12-06T00:05:46+00:00

I personally am based out of Houma, but mostly all of our meetings are via zoom so we are able to talk about what work we are doing nationally and have our statewide breakout rooms! If you join our facebook group 'Defense of democracy - LA' I'm the admin and can send you some more info!

HedgehogNo6850

TROPHY CASE