Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in The Swamp.

Florida's Gubernatorial Primary Colors
FLORIDA FLORIDA FLORIDA: it’s the ultimate swing state, crazy from the heat of the weather or its own legislative invention, a lawless free-fire zone with guns more abundant than in the wild wild West. And with roughly nine weeks left before the November elections, the Sunshine State’s gubernatorial race is shaping up as the one to watch, thanks to an upset no one thought possible, a racist dog-whistle everyone knew was probably inevitable, and the reliable intrinsic potential for surprise common to a region in the center of the American Venn diagram of race and ethnicity, politics, and the evolving national future.
By Michael Eric Ross7 years ago in The Swamp
100 Venezuelans Leave Peru to Go Back to Their Home
I must confess I stay in very little touch with my Venezuelan relatives and friends, so over the years I’ve lost touch with the so-called situation in the country. My best friend, one of the few I do speak to regularly, resides in Peru now. His chances of relocating his family to Lima are in jeopardy now thanks to actions taken by the Peruvian government—Venezuelans would no longer be allowed to come into the country with their laminated IDs, something that would normally suffice when crossing the borders between the countries of South America. Soon they will need a passport and visa to cross, and even that may not be enough if some get there way.
By Greg Sanchez7 years ago in The Swamp
Legalization of Drugs in Canada
Legalization of marijuana is upon us in Canada. The government has looked into this for years and are trying to safeguard Canadians the best they can of any potential issues like driving impairment and possible medical issues. Nothing is 100%, and I'm sure they're doing the best they can to implement the new laws smoothly.
By Brian Anonymous7 years ago in The Swamp
Privilege, Accessibility, and Living on the Outside
I live within power relationships every day: As I walk alone I see the heterosexual cis-white couples holding hands, aimlessly watching the rabbits go by.
By SAYHERNAME Morgan Sankofa7 years ago in The Swamp
Redefining Patriotism in America
Before I get into this, I would like to point out that this is not a post about taking sides, and it is meant as a way to reach out to everyone regardless of political stance. I was given the idea for this article by a great woman in my life, and she deserved a mention before I dove in.
By Alexis Lindberg7 years ago in The Swamp
America
I am a child of the 80s! Many can attest that the 80s was probably one of the best eras in American history. I remember being a child and not for one moment ever fearing for my life or feeling threatened in any fashion. Yes, I was a kid back then, but even so I still felt free as a bird and there was a calmness in people that is unrecognizable today.
By NaNa R.7 years ago in The Swamp
Help Should Start in the US
How many times have you heard, "We shouldn't be helping people in other countries when we have so many in need here, in the United States."
By Andrea Van Scoyoc7 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Donald
Dear Donald, Were you always like this? There must have been a time when you were like me, believed that most people are good at heart. That humans have a natural instinct to help other people. It seems you’ve gotten off track... or do I need to get on track? I know this world is harsh, but I really didn’t think people were all for themselves. Maybe you gotta be. I’ve questioned a lot the past few years and gone through things that made me rethink the very deep moral code that was instilled in me at a young age. I had to believe that good people are abundant and bad people are just good ones who probably got burned one too many times. Is it human nature to be resilient and roll with the punches? Or is it smarter to protect yourself no matter the cost and no matter how far down it pushes down as stranger? I wonder how far I’ll get on merely kindness and forgiveness. Sometimes I get angry at those who’ve oppressed me and want to oppress anyone who could be a threat to my happiness by simply caring only about what I need. Survival of the fittest has shaped our planet, has it not? But every time I show no mercy, I hear a voice in my head. It’s an instinct more powerful than the love of power itself. It’s subconscious sometimes and I feel the effects in ways I can’t describe, but I feel it take priority in every decision I make. Maybe it’s love, or grace, or altruism. It’s a knowing deep down the difference between the cheap easy and ultimately wrong way to act and the good and right thing to do.
By Annie h7 years ago in The Swamp
White People Need to Speak Up!
White people need to speak up. Racism is running rampant in our country and it has got to stop. I’ve heard the counterarguments, “My family didn’t own slaves,” and, “Slavery was a long time ago, get over it.” Well, you can’t forgive someone for stomping on your foot if they are still stomping on your foot. Racism clearly still exists, whether the whites want to recognize it or not. This is not a problem created by people of color, and it can’t be fixed by them. The more blacks and other people of color protest racism, the more it seems to rear its ugly head. I don’t mean to say that they shouldn’t protest, by all means they should. But since whites, our ancestors, created the problem, we, as whites, should do everything we can to fix the problem. It’s not their problem to fix. It’s ours. It’s our bad behavior. What we allow is what will continue. Racism is ugly, hateful, stupid, and mean. Racism exists still, because whites need a scapegoat for their own insecurities and shortcomings. If you are racist, you are weak. Furthermore, if you don’t speak up against the problem, you are part of the problem. We need to create a better future for our children, all of our countries children.
By LittleFish BigPond7 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Donald
My intuition told me that you are the best candidate the first time you showed on the public for the Presidential campaign. You are deemed to be different from other former U.S. presidents if you would be, as I thought then.
By Otis Colon7 years ago in The Swamp
The Songhai Empire: The Golden Medieval African Civilization
The Songhai Empire (1464-1591) was the largest empire to emerge in West Africa. The capital of the Songhai Empire was Gao, which was located on the Niger River. This location was perfect for trading gold, kola, nuts, cloth, salt, and slaves for cowries (cowries are marine mollusks that was formally used as money in parts of Africa).
By Darryl C. Richie7 years ago in The Swamp
What Do We Do When the Music Stops?
Keep things light. Don’t dance faster than the music. How could things get bad? How could we ever allow ourselves to get to that point? There may be a select few fleeting moments in which we feel such a strong connection and resonance with a work of art and what is happening with current events, or just our everyday lives. Personally, as an actor, I naturally live for those moments—that sort of rush of electricity of relevancy with what’s going on in the world.
By Anthony Cornatzer7 years ago in The Swamp