Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
War On Drugs: Why We Need a Better Solution
When you think of someone who takes drugs—a drug addict—what springs to mind? From my experience, people will offer a variety of replies. Usually, they describe how they perceive how people look, often saying things like dirty, homeless, rude, violent, problems. Then the description will move on to the crime and violence associated with drugs. The effects of the drug world impact all the communities we live in, but what most people don't realise is that it doesn't have to be this way.
By Nic Castle6 years ago in The Swamp
Jefferson and Hamilton
American historian Claude Gernade Bowers, born Wednesday, November 20, 1878, in Westfield, was the ambassador to Spain (1933-1939) during the FDR administration. As an ambassador, Bowers successfully kept the United States out of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). Immediately following his ambassadorship to Spain, he was assigned to fill the ambassadorship to Chile (1939-1953).
By Shain Thomas6 years ago in The Swamp
What It's Like Living as a Slaughtered, Lied to, and Persecuted People
Living as a Native American or First Nations person, depending on which side of the border you are on, is not really that amazing. You hear people talk about casinos, money the government supposedly gives you, and lots of other silly things, but never really anything good. With each shift in the government, there are some truths that remain and a feeling that never goes away. In this article I'm going to explore how I, coming from a Rez, feel and think.
By Jessica Riffle6 years ago in The Swamp
Why I Want to Run for Mayor of Los Angeles
Okay, so I’m getting the following degrees when I get stable enough to go back to school: an AA in film and television from De Anza, because I can also take online classes within the quarter system. I need to get my Foothill College transcript still because this is something I’ve been really lazy about. I also want an MFA in creative writing from UCLA, and then a law degree. After I get my law degree, I’d take the time to work for a few years. After that, I’d get my MBA from UCLA, while trying to run for mayor of Los Angeles.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez6 years ago in The Swamp
Double Standards - Are They Now Politically Acceptable?
Not so very long ago, being able to prove a charge of double standards, against anyone, was to subject that person to public ridicule and humiliation, but now it is so commonplace, especially on social media, that it seems to be ignored. Has it become acceptable for a political group to complain bitterly about other groups behaving just as they have previously? In the ongoing attempts to frustrate the British referendum result, to leave the EU, the remainers used a raft of measures that were undemocratic and outside the usual norms of political behaviour. Then when a leave Prime Minister took a step that was actually within his constitutional powers, the remainers made a huge fuss and noise claiming all sorts of terrible crimes were being committed against the British constitution.
By Peter Rose6 years ago in The Swamp
'American Factory' Review
When I heard that American Factory would be the first project released by the Obamas' Higher Ground Productions partnership with Netflix, I knew this would have to be good. But film makers Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert's documentary about the Chinese takeover of an abandoned GM plant in Dayton, Ohio eclipsed any expectations I had going in. Enveloped within this exploration of labor, trade, and the challenges of globalization is a stunning narrative of humanity. As is life, the story is hopeful, tragic, messy, and yet remarkably simple all at the same time.
By Nathalia Ramos6 years ago in The Swamp
Political Debates and How to Be a Better Opponent
If you ever end up in a political debate, whether it's with friends or at a professional event, chances are you want to boost how credible you are beforehand. No matter how factual the statements you are using are, you're always going to be judged based on your character before the debate. Look into all of these ways you can boost your credibility.
By Craig Middleton6 years ago in The Swamp
In America, the Black Man Is the Most Targeted and Sought After
Black men are the most sought after men in the world and yet also the most targeted. In 2019, black men have been targeted on several levels. There have been videos where black men were being followed or approached by police with either false information or no information. One video that went viral on YouTube and Facebook showed a black man from East Texas gets approached by the police when he was playing basketball with his kids. The officer called him by a name that was not his name and then, made a try to cuff the man then, the officer called for back up and officer that showed up as back up brought a device to try to find the man they approached as the suspect they were trying to apprehend. Then, picture of the suspect they were after did not match the identity of the man that they approached. The man frustrated and angry did tell the officers that he would report them for what they had done to him. This kind of incident has become almost normal and common place between black men and the police when rhetoric of racism and White Supremacy is being shouted from the White House Lawn.
By A.J. Jones6 years ago in The Swamp
Our National Nightmare Decimating Dreams
We can’t seem to wake from this current national nightmare. Nearly 60 years ago this week, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. invited us to dream at the Lincoln Memorial’s steps. It’s a dream which some of us had been deluded into thinking would come true soon.
By Rev. Jason Carson Wilson6 years ago in The Swamp
Gentrification: A Viewpoint
Philadelphia is all that it was known for, from the LOVE sign down to the infamous cheesesteaks. Though all of those things were well and good; the bad was just as equal in the amount that happens in the city of Brotherly Love. With every success that came with the city, the failures and realities were much greater. Even as a young child, I knew that the city that birthed me had a strong duality to it. I would run up the infamous Rocky stairs only to walk down the old, piss-smelled subway tunnel to head home to the "hood." Neighborhood Murals done by non-profit organizations that have beautiful concepts is only to be mirrored by street artists paying tribute to a fallen homie. Artists tags their calligraphy, etching their existences in high places throughout the city. No one wants to be forgotten, erased out of history yet as I ride through the city; I see otherwise. History and beauty illuminate throughout every corner of Philadelphia.
By Jay Williams6 years ago in The Swamp
Republican vs Democrat Indictments
As news emerges that two indicted Democrats are being allowed back into congress this January, the integrity of American politics is once again called into question. Duncan Hunter, a Democrat rep, was accused of illegally using campaign funds for his own personal expenses, whilst Chris Collins provided confidential information on a pharmaceutical company to his son before a stock exchange. However, despite these indictments, the party did not consider the offenses serious enough to make them leave congress. So what does this say about the state of US politics? Is corruption becoming an accepted norm in The White House? To fight against this, it is more important than ever to promote transparency around the 2020 election.
By Sara Robards6 years ago in The Swamp
