Welcome to Raw Reflections
This is where the commentary gets sharp, the writing gets bold, and nothing is off-limits. Raw Reflections is more than a blog—it’s an ongoing conversation about law, identity, culture, power, and the personal truths we’re told to keep quiet.
Here, I unpack courtroom drama, critique pop culture, analyze the systems meant to protect us (but often don’t), and write through the chaos of being alive in a world that demands silence from the loudest hearts. From legal education to emotional storytelling, every post is crafted with clarity, depth, and purpose.
If you’re here for truth, for context, for the unfiltered version of what really matters—then you’re in the right place.
Money Is My Survival Instinct
Money isn’t just currency to me—it’s safety, identity, and emotional control. I grew up fearing instability, and now I chase security like my life depends on it… because once, it did. This isn’t about greed. It’s about survival.
Operation Mockingbird: The CIA’s War on Journalism (and Why It Still Matters)
The CIA once wiretapped journalists and planted stories to control public opinion. Today, they don’t need to. Propaganda is algorithmic, censorship is invisible, and the truth is buried under noise. Operation Mockingbird didn’t end—it just evolved.
Hyper-Independence as a Trauma Response: Why I Struggle to Let Anyone Help Me
Hyper-independence isn’t strength—it’s survival. It’s the trauma-born belief that needing anyone makes you weak, so you do everything yourself until it breaks you. In this post, I unpack what hyper-independence really is, where it comes from, and what it’s been quietly stealing from me.
What It Feels Like to Drown in Your Own Life
Last night I had a dream that I drowned. I wasn’t afraid. I just looked around, realized how far I was from shore, and let go. That’s what depression feels like. It’s not always about wanting to die—it’s about not seeing any other way to survive.
A Double Tragedy: The Rise and Fall of Kyren Lacy
Kyren Lacy’s story is more than a headline. It’s a tragedy layered in guilt, potential, grief, and silence. In this blog, I explore the double loss—of the man who died in the crash and of Kyren himself. I reflect on the mental health crisis among young men, the crushing pressure placed on athletes, and the pain that lingers when a life ends before accountability can begin. This isn’t about justifying. It’s about understanding. And remembering that Kyren, like all of us, was human.
The White Lotus: A Vacation for the Rich, A Nightmare for the Soul
The White Lotus isn’t just about rich people on vacation—it’s a psychological horror disguised as luxury. Every season, someone dies. Every season, the wealthy escape consequence. But beneath the surface, the show is exposing something deeper: the lies we tell ourselves to feel safe.
Things I Wish I Knew Sooner
There are so many things I had to learn the hard way—through silence, pain, and the lessons no one ever warned me about. This isn’t just a list. It’s a reflection. It’s a letter to my younger self, and maybe to yours too.
Breaking the Cycle: A Personal Look at Substance Abuse, Survival, and the Power to Change
I didn’t learn about addiction from a textbook. I learned it by living it—by watching my mom struggle, survive, and slowly reclaim her life. This isn’t just a story about drugs. It’s a story about pain, healing, and the love that survived in between.
You Don’t Have to Be Healed to Be Powerful
We glorify healing, but we don’t talk about what it means to be powerful in the middle of it. This piece is for the ones still unraveling, still figuring it out, still showing up anyway. You don’t need to be healed to be heard. You don’t have to be whole to matter. There is strength in your survival right now—even in the parts that still hurt.
My Journey: How Trauma Made Me See Myself Clearly
I didn’t become self-aware by choice—I became self-aware because I had to. I’ve been through the kind of trauma that rewires your brain and forces you to question everything. But instead of letting it destroy me, I studied it. I studied myself. This is the story of how I survived, how I evolved, and how I became someone I can finally be proud of.
Stop Asking Why She Didn’t Say No—Ask Why He Killed Her
They always ask why she didn’t say no. Why she didn’t leave. Why she didn’t tell someone. But what they never ask is: why did he think he could kill her? This post is a wake-up call. It’s not just about rejection—it’s about survival. About growing up watching violence. About the women who said no and died anyway. About the system that keeps failing us. If you’ve ever blamed a victim, read this. If you’ve ever been one, this is for you.
— Trinity Barnette
The Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and The Expansion of Technology
Artificial Intelligence isn’t new—it’s just louder now. From its 1950s origin to the generative boom of today, AI has always been a reflection of us: our potential, our flaws, and our future. In this post, I break down the real history of AI, celebrate the pioneers behind it, address ethical concerns, and explain how we can use it safely, mindfully, and powerfully. I also spotlight the urgent need for legal protections against AI-fueled exploitation, including the Take It Down Act and RAINN’s Day of Action. This isn’t just tech talk—it’s a conversation about justice, power, and the world we’re building next.
— Trinity Barnette
Remembering Michelle: The Three Days That Changed Everything
On May 23rd, 2023, my aunt Michelle shot herself. Three days later, we pulled the plug. This post is a tribute to her life, a reflection on the trauma she carried, and a raw exploration of the silence that surrounds stories like hers. She was so much more than how she left us—and I need you to know the full truth.
5 Shows I Wish I Could Watch for the First Time Again
Some shows don’t just entertain—they imprint. These five series didn’t just pass time, they changed me. From redefining justice to teaching me the cost of revenge, these comfort shows have been on repeat for years. And if I could experience them for the first time all over again… I would, in a heartbeat.
Why Didn’t She Leave? Ask Why He Hit Her.
The question isn’t “Why didn’t she leave?” The real question is: “Why did he feel entitled to hurt her in the first place?” Survivors don’t owe us perfect exits. Abusers owe us accountability. Here are the real numbers—and the real conversation.
She Said No, So He Killed Her: What Adolescence Reveals About Male Fragility and Misogyny in Boys
He wasn’t confused. He wasn’t “just a kid.” Jamie Miller killed Katie because she said no—and Adolescence makes one thing painfully clear: boys are being taught that rejection is a reason to destroy. In this post, I don’t hold back. This is about misogyny, male entitlement, and the girls who die because society keeps protecting fragile men.
Roe v. Wade, Bodily Autonomy, and the War on Women’s Rights
Roe v. Wade was never just about abortion—it was about freedom. The right to choose what happens to your body. And now, we’re watching that right disappear. I’m not asking nicely. I’m not apologizing. If it’s in my body, it’s my choice. Period.
Forgiveness Isn’t a Requirement. Especially Not for Survivors
Forgiveness is not proof of healing—it’s a choice, and not one survivors owe to anyone. Trauma doesn’t disappear just because society is more comfortable when victims are quiet, forgiving, and palatable. Sometimes survivors are angry. Sometimes they don’t forgive. And that’s okay. Healing looks different for everyone. This piece is for the ones who are still carrying it, and still choosing themselves.
It’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month—And We Have Work to Do
April isn’t just another month—it’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time to confront the pervasive issue of sexual violence head-on. This year, under the theme “Together We Act, United We Change”, we’re reminded of the power of collective action in preventing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. In this post, I delve into the significance of SAAM, spotlight the critical TAKE IT DOWN Act, and share personal reflections on why this fight is deeply personal. Join me as we navigate the path from awareness to action, because together, our voices can drive the change we desperately need.
The Incel Epidemic: How Hatred of Women Became a Movement
Misogyny isn’t new—but the internet has weaponized it. In this raw, confrontational post, I explore how incel culture has evolved from bitterness to full-blown extremism, fueled by men like Andrew Tate and followed by cowards who hate women for saying no. This isn’t just a trend. It’s a movement built on violence, entitlement, and ego. And I’m here to burn it all down.