*If you’d like to see the charts and visuals from the video version of this episode, along with a book and film recommendation, check out the article version on Substack.

Today, we analyze the harrowing stories of Mercedes Wells, who was denied care while in labor, and Tierra Walker, whose life was jeopardized by restrictive state laws. These are not isolated incidents. They are devastating examples of a deep-seated problem in American healthcare that treats Black women’s pain and requests for care with chronic dismissal.I break down the undeniable statistics. Black women die in childbirth at rates three times higher than White women. I also discuss why superficial “cultural competency” training is insufficient. Genuine change demands accountability, transparency, and the centering of Black women’s experiences in medical reform.Join the Conversation:What has been your experience, or the experience of someone you know, navigating the healthcare system as a Black woman? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Tasha Pierce: Unwrapped is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Hey UnWrapped Fam! We're digging into a very serious issue today: The FBI has finally issued a bulletin warning the public about criminals posing as ICE agents. This isn't just about a few bad apples; it's a serious national law enforcement concern.

Drawing from reporting by Wired , I break down the FBI advisory citing incidents of fake immigration officers committing robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults across the country. The bulletin cites five 2025 incidents , including a robbery in a New York restaurant and a sexual assault attempt in Brooklyn. I discuss the bureau's new call for officers to clearly identify themselves and why this is the bare minimum of police procedure. The advisory even suggests the identification should include allowing calls to a local police precinct.

But is the focus only on impersonators distracting from the original problem? I share my perspective on how the behavior of armed, masked federal officers themselves erodes public trust and the stark contradictions in the administration's stance. The Trump administration frames the mask use as an "officer safety measure" , but to me, that sounds like plausible deniability to put distance between the leadership and the reckless acts in the field.

Y'all, the contradictions are stark. When you give carte blanche to racially profile people , and then your own official behavior, like shooting people with pepper balls at point blank range, doesn't "erode the trust in law enforcement," but the impersonators do, something is fundamentally broken. The actions of these federal agents, even without the sexual assault and burglaries, are still endangering public safety and eroding trust.

I'm leaving it there. It's an essential article , and if those five cited cases are the only ones, we'd be lucky; but we know they're not.

Here’s the link to the article from WIRED:https://www.wired.com/story/fbi-warns-of-criminals-posing-as-ice-urges-agents-to-id-themselves/

What’s really going on with Donald Trump’s health? 🤔 In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the social media buzz around recent pictures that show the former President looking “lumpy and bumpy” under his jacket. We’re talking about the ongoing conversation about the rectangular shape folks are spotting and what it could mean.

We’ll look at why some are speculating he might have an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) —and why I’m confident that’s not the case. Instead, I’ll share my speculation on a much more plausible possibility: a Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD), also known as a life vest defibrillator. This portable device monitors and protects against sudden cardiac death and, unlike an LVAD, does not require open-heart surgery.

We’re also looking at Donald Trump’s documented Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) , the resulting swelling of his extremities (his body retaining fluids) , and how that condition can be an “earmark of a serious heart condition”. Why is he reportedly having MRIs and cognitive assessments?. I think Donald Trump has a serious heart issue that requires a life vest, and the White House is not being upfront about it.

I’m making sure to differentiate between what I know (the social media chatter, the visible lump) and what I think (my speculation on the WCD and the seriousness of his heart health). This conversation goes beyond mere gossip; it’s about the health of a public figure who’s constantly in front of the camera , the implications for his administration, and the political actors trying to push legislation while they have him “propped up”.

Join the conversation: Do you see the imprint? What do you think is going on with Donald Trump’s health? Let me know in the comments!

#TashaPierceUnwrapped #TeamNoTea #PopCultureNews #PoliticalHealth #WCD #LifeVestDefibrillator

Tasha Pierce: Unwrapped is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.