Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
How to Be an Introverted Activist
Many people believe that they cannot make a difference due to being an introvert, not realizing how much activism needs introverts to get involved. It can be so much easier to listen to an opinion of a loved one rather than a stranger on the street. Activism can be portrayed in our wardrobes, on our dinner plates, in our conversations among friends, it can be as simple as bringing a reusable shopping bag! Here are some different ways you can be an introverted activist and some tips to make your message as effective as possible.
By Vala Rogers7 years ago in The Swamp
The Second Amendment
The Second Amendment is a tough one to wrap our modern brains around, only because it means that the actual law doe not allow people to own guns, despite this being a self-defense situation for those who do own guns. I don’t know much about guns, given that I live in California, but I would like to learn about them for the sake of knowing something about a gun and how it works. The Second Amendment reads “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in The Swamp
Get Out! (...Of Our Doubletree Hotel)
If there is one "most unfortunate trend of 2018," other than some things we could point to in fashion, music and movies (I'm talking to you, Will Ferrell!), there is one serious trend that seriously needs to stop—now— before we head into 2019! And that is the "Blank (Simply insert the appropriate verb here) While Black!" trend—where people—typically white people - call 9-1-1 on individuals doing, well, absolutely nothing wrong!
By David Wyld7 years ago in The Swamp
Dear United Nations
Good day to the world and the members of the United Nations. My name is Johann Hollar and I am pleased to be addressing you from the United States of America. I am also writing this article to you to express my contempt and disgust towards the Trump Administration (note: I am using the term Administration loosely).
By Johann Hollar7 years ago in The Swamp
Rights of the First Amendment
There are a number of countries where freedom of assembly is not allowed, like China. In the United States, we are lucky we get to live in a country that doesn’t have a national religion established, although some Christians seem to feel the national religion is supposed to be whatever version of Christianity they believe in. This Amendment was adopted into the Bill of Rights in 1791. Freedom of religion is the very foundation the United States established by the Founding Fathers, although in some cases like cults, the government has to intervene if people are put in awkward or dangerous positions.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in The Swamp
Dear ESPN, Keep Your Politics Out of My Sports Broadcast!
As a kid, I loved playing sports. I still do as an adult. Posters of Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain covered my walls and I wanted to be just like them when I was a little girl. My sister Julia played basketball and my brother Steven played football, so athletics were quite commonplace in my household. Julia was the only girl on her team, so she was somewhat of a celebrity in our neighborhood. Everyone knew who she was by her pink Air Jordan sneakers and brightly-colored Scrunchies. Steven was a star quarterback. As a kid, I played forward when I played soccer. Once the final school bell had rung on a Friday, I couldn't wait for it to be a Saturday morning so I could release all my pent-up energy on the field. My father was a basketball and football coach, so involvement in sports was definitely a rite of passage. That was nearly 20 years ago. Nowadays, ESPN looks more like CNN or Fox News. In a video for PragerU, Outkick the Show host Clay Travis puts it this way:
By Devin Nassar-Reis7 years ago in The Swamp
Even Short Time Nationalists Have a Story to Tell
It bothers me when I hear people talk about short-time former members of far-right extremism like they have no authenticity. That they are not aware of what the movement was about. That they don’t know what they are talking about. That they could be of no help. I don’t understand this mentality. You don’t go to a military veteran that was only in for a short time and say they don’t know what they’re talking about. Or someone that was in a cult that they don’t know what they’re talking about. So why do it to former extremists, especially when they come out of something brutal and want to tell the world what they know? Why do it to people who just want to be useful to bring about peace?
By Mardoll Gatsby7 years ago in The Swamp
Emil Cohen. Top Story - December 2018.
On Friday, November 23rd, I drove from my house in West Windsor, New Jersey, to the suburban retirement community, the Village Grande, seven minutes away. My brother, Ari, accompanied me, bringing along two sets of challah and grape juice. One of the two pairs was for our regular synagogue attendee, Norman, who had offered to introduce me to his neighbor of sixteen years, Emil. The other was for the subject of our interview that day: Emil Cohen.
By Toba Leverton7 years ago in The Swamp
Extremism Thrives on Rejection and the Fear of Being Forgotten. Top Story - December 2018.
When I think about what anchored me down to my former beliefs, I realized that it wasn't only because I was a broken, vulnerable person running on learned behavior, it was because I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I thought I found home in the Alt-Right. A place where I can make history for my people to finally flourish and take back what I thought was ours. At the time, I didn’t really value myself and I knew that the world wasn’t going to remember me as an individual. So in order to be what I thought was important, I wanted to do anything in my power for my people and the movement in order for us to be back on top. I wanted to be a part of something "great" and familiar because I felt like the rest of society was constantly shitting on me for being white, for coming from a conservative background, for being different. I was constantly without fail treated like the enemy.
By Mardoll Gatsby7 years ago in The Swamp
Why Jeremy Corbyn Will Not Be PM
Great Britain is at present, and for the last few years, essentially been a two-party country. At this point in time the Labour Party, Britain’s opposition party, should be able to either challenge the Conservative Party for power or to maintain a clear agenda on Brexit. However, the Labour leader is making it look less likely he will ever become Prime Minister.
By Patrick Hollis7 years ago in The Swamp
The Bell Tolls at Midnight
For all that is good in the world, there continues to be so much sorrow, anguish, and misery. All across the land, millions anxiously await when their fortunes will turn around. It is always this time of year when one expects to find goodness, virtue, and joy, only to realize that all their hopes and dreams will never materialize. Now, as we close out another tumultuous year, a year that could show promise of better days ahead, yet the roadblocks continue to detour progress already made.
By Dr. Williams7 years ago in The Swamp
