Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Why Black Lives Matter?
What does Black Lives Matter mean? Black Lives Matter simply means that the lives of Black people are important. It does not mean that Black people are more important than others. It serves as a reminder that they are important. If you feel that Black Lives Matter is an unfair statement remove the invisible “only” from the beginning of the statement and add an invisible “also” to the end (Only Black Lives Matter versus Black Lives Matter Also). Here is a chart to help explain this further.
By Kesha Janaan5 years ago in The Swamp
The Internal Crisis
As hope diminishes for the already down trodden masses who have fallen victim to discriminatory policies have little recourse in escaping the deluge of misfortunes that always follow. There continues to be more hopeless souls falling into a realm of reality from removed from the hopes and dreams that were once fulfilled by generations of long ago. The powers that be have long since turned a blind eye to those millions who have fallen between the cracks in our society. Cracks that have long since become gapping holes where at any moment would send more unsuspecting individuals down into the abyss of poverty.
By Dr. Williams5 years ago in The Swamp
Gender-based violence and human trafficking amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
Out of sight of law enforcement, human trafficking is surging. For those being trafficked, the pandemic has rendered them more confined and exposed than ever, in close and constant proximity to their abusers. With COVID-19 destabilizing societies and enabling the perpetuation of human trafficking, we can no longer pretend that gender-based violence and trafficking are detached from the greater inequities and vulnerabilities of our societies.
By Viona Aminda5 years ago in The Swamp
Racial Segregation in Los Angeles
Los Angeles life underwent major changes after the Second World War, it was pretty much the same for most citizens, races mingled very seldom on equal footing. Still the method of separating race, and the geography changed in a prominent manner. Racist laws that allowed for legal segregation were phased out. So now economic segregation ruled supreme, with detrimental effects to communities as identities were shaped, and minorities began to seek better lives. While white Los Angeles residents sought to maintain their status, and profit from it.
By Gus Krider5 years ago in The Swamp
Somebody Has to Care
Recently, I watched Hamilton for the first time, after putting it off for years. There's a popular Native American proverb about having two wolves inside you, locked in constant fighting. The one who wins is the one you feed. Why are these two things related? Because I have decided that the two in me are best represented by the characters Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. For a while, I have been feeding Burr by staying quiet and just trying to get through life. That stops now (or soon, depending on whether I can keep my anxiety about speaking up in check). I'm fed up with a lot of things and it's time I did something about it. I will be applying for law school at Boston University, to hopefully start in 2022 in one of their dual degree programs. It’s time to be more like Hamilton and not play it safe, even if it costs me.
By Kenneth May5 years ago in The Swamp
Women's activism in Malaysia
Little African nations are widely known for their involvement in social activism. People in various countries on the continent try to protect human rights and raise the awareness of the society about lots of concerning matters that Africa faces today. There are many people in these countries whose rights are badly violated and that’s especially the case with women. The rights of African women are abused so much that it's unparalleled in any other place in the world. In spite of the fact that the continent is pretty diverse, in most regions female citizens are experiencing discrimination, sexual abuse, violence, economic issues, and political marginalization. This is why protecting human rights has become vital in Africa and fortunately, women’s activism rapidly raises.
By Giorgi Mikhelidze5 years ago in The Swamp
OpEd: Universities Provoking Racism?
In 2017, Michael Rubin, resident scholar of American Enterprise Institute, wrote an article titled "Are universities driving racism?". The entire tone of the article was condescending and the article lacked a poignant theme. I think Rubin misses a bigger point than he is trying to make about universities driving racism.
By Lyssa Wylde5 years ago in The Swamp
Pet Peeves About COVID-19
2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. The one headline that has been dominating news stations and the airwaves this year is the coronavirus pandemic. You can’t go one day or one minute without hearing about it. Honestly, there’s way too much coverage about COVID-19. I understand that it’s an important story and to keep people informed about it. However, it’s not necessary to report about it 24/7 and trying to scare us. That’s why many people have been panic buying and the media keeps instilling fear towards us. It can also make some feel anxious, especially to those who have mental illnesses. Are there even any positive stories in the news to report these days? Here are my least favorite terms and phrases that have been repeatedly said during the pandemic. Don’t get me wrong. This virus is real and has claimed the lives of thousands of people in the U.S. I’m in no way downplaying the severity of it. These are the terms that I dislike the most and not in any specific order.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 5 years ago in The Swamp
Leaderless
Social movements contradict the path-goal theory that was initially proposed by (Evans 1970) and developed by (House 1971). Path goal theory states that leaders change their leadership style or behavior to match the specific employee's needs and organizational environment to create a path for success and improve and motivate them to do better. The path-goal theory explains that people will have a specific behavior in any situation with a specific outcome, and it depends on the desire or wanted outcome. (House, R. J., & Mitchell, T. R. (1975).
By Katey Ryerson5 years ago in The Swamp
Your Suburb has a Racist History
Coming out of the Second World War and the Zoot Suit Riots, whites in Southern California decided they were not going to share space with minorities anymore. Mexicans, Latinos, and Los Angeles’ new black population were all excluded from the visions of suburbia planned in the postwar period. Still the minorities exist in Southern California, so whites sought to find the space for their homogeneity that had declined during the prewar period and defend it with laws, distance, physical barriers, and culture.
By Gus Krider5 years ago in The Swamp
American Taxes are built for cheating
The American tax system, or more specifically the United States Federal Income tax is not democratic enough. It doesn’t create an equal playing field for all Americans. By nature it is convoluted, and headed by a bureaucracy that does not hold people accountable for avoiding or cheating their taxes sufficiently. A system based in more direct democratic ideals would streamline the tax system and make it more egalitarian.
By Gus Krider5 years ago in The Swamp
