activism
Grassroots campaigns have proven instrumental in bringing about political, social or environmental change; you've got to start somewhere-might as well start here.
How Dangerous is it to be Black and LGBT+?
This month has been full of protests, activism and politics. I want to take this opportunity to gather some information and stats on what it's like to be black and part of the LGBT+ community. Being LGBT+ can already be extremely challenging for a lot of people, but statistics show it can be even harder if you're black. I'm not disregarding the fact that it can be challenging and dangerous for people from any race, but today I'm specifically focusing on the black community.
By Tone Breistrand6 years ago in The Swamp
Anti-Racism: How You Can Combat Systemic Racism, Educate Others and Support the BLM Movement
In light of the recent murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests that have happened since May 25th 2020, I wanted to put this post together for a number of reasons:
By Lea Bella Blogs 6 years ago in The Swamp
An Invitation to Write Unapologetically
What a time to be alive. What a fierce time of passion, death, and deceit. We have been here before. Generations of Deja Vu. Moments of ease like treasuring our family time and realizing that Capitalism has stripped us from being able to create a real family unit. This centering on money, as we live makes us swing from vines, jump through hoops, and dance around for a bottomless pit of merciless abusers. Who are those abusers? It is the very people that uphold and justify the way that the majority of the world has lived its life for centuries. NEWS FLASH... It is not working!!!!
By SAYHERNAME Morgan Sankofa6 years ago in The Swamp
Historical Approach To BLM
Here we are again. It’s 2020 and we have to convince the world (and ourselves) that Black Lives Matter as much as any other. I don’t care how we got here in June of 2020 or why people have suddenly jumped onto the cause, but I am glad that the floodgates have opened. Somehow, more people have made themselves aware of this serious issue and have taken the stand to put an end to systematic racism in America. For that, I am thankful.
By Darienne Lewis6 years ago in The Swamp
My Thoughts
Almost a month has passed since the death of George Floyd. Black Lives Matter protests have occurred in all of the fifty states and in additional countries. I have been trying to put into words how I feel. I am saddened. I am heartbroken. I am disappointed. I am hopeful. I have been fortunate enough to attend protests without the fear of my life being taken away from me. When my family members leave the house, I am not constantly worrying if they will make it home safely. I am a young white woman and, with that, comes privilege. I love seeing so many people in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. I believe that posting on social media is a great way to voice your opinion and educate others. I also believe that if posting or re-posting is the only way that you are showing your "support", that is most definitely not enough. We are in the midst of a global pandemic, so for many it is not safe to attend a protest; lucky for you, there are many other ways to actively support the movement and the black community!
By Ainsley Dallis6 years ago in The Swamp
A Perfect Storm is giving Black Lives Matter a Dramatic Lift
What a 2020 this has been, am I right? Who would have thought that the year would start out with a world-wide pandemic unlike one that has been seen since 1918, and that by late spring we would see so much of the Western world in complete revolt. And, really, there doesn't seem to be any other way to put it. There does seem to be a revolution going on in the streets. Can we call it the 'American Spring'? Whatever you want to call it, it's huge. Seismic, as some might say. And it's all because of Black Lives Matter.
By Chris Hearn6 years ago in The Swamp
The Black Come Up
Hey people! Hope everything is well out here for you in these Rona streets. As businesses and states are beginning to reopen social distancing measures are still in place so please be safe and I will do the same. My blog isn't for the weak hearted. It's for those who can wholeheartedly accept the honest truth if they agree with my perspective or not. What an awesome yet totally wicked world we are living in at the same damn time right? Black people had to deal with centuries of systematic oppression and discrimination as a whole. When I seen an article stating there are 615 billionaires in the USA and only 6 of them were black that was a wake up call of many for me. The playing field has never been fair. We weren't giving over 400 years of equal opportunities. I believe in my soul though there is no excuse for this behavior that Black people who commit acts of violence have been systematically brainwashed to hate due to centuries of blacks being hated on. History shows us patterns of black opportunities aren't given to us like white opportunities have been given to them. That time is changing rapidly before our eyes. Well for those who are paying attention to the law changes for the better and the opportunities that are coming our for black people at rapid pace one by one. Many corporations at this time continue to say black lives matter on their websites , in press releases and on their social media accounts. Doesn't even matter to me at this point if this statements they are saying is with real empathy or forced all that matters to me is the action behind the words. Left and right I'm seeing companies dedicate full blown initiatives putting up millions and billions of dollars toward the advancement of black people. As I continue to research and stay on top of this awesomeness to inform my people and also use some of these resources and knowledge for my self I can't help but smile and feel its a whole new era for my people. It took covid for the world to really sit still and see how black people have been treated in this country. To my white people reading this maybe you haven't been apart of the problem , maybe you aren't racist, but I am going to be honest with you. Majority of your black friends or colleagues don't give two shits about nothing you talking about unless it has to do with our people right now. Yes every social issue matters but right now we all about us and equality. It's our time, ya'll had yours since the beginning of time. Black people if you have a white business partner and they are not going hard as you to speak up of current issues, if they are not checking on you knowing this topic is so passionate to you. If they are in their own bubble and show no empathy as if they are so blinded to the fact of what's going on it's time to plan your exit strategy and leave them where they stand. The black come up is real. There is so much black love all around us. Create your own opportunities and get aligned with those who share the same values and mission as you with no barriers. Now back to it being our time. With the many possibilities opening up for our skinfolk right now I have a huge feeling within the next few years we will begin to see the beginning of the game being fair. We didn't have a over 400 years head start, but we about to catch up like people have never seen before. There are going to be more loans and grants going to blacks, more high level positions at companies for us, more college attendance and businesses starting. More opportunities for black men and black women in fields that were dominated by whites. This is going to not only be a global shift but an entire culture shift. Our people about to elevate and come up which is long deserved and overdue. There's so much more work to be done and equality will never happen over night, but hell to the yes its beginning! What an awesome time to be black in 2020. You are now witnessing the black come up!
By Tammy Reese6 years ago in The Swamp
A little Reminder in History
The dark past in a Chicago young person's lynching in 1955 (Emmett Till) lighted a social equality development that would span across decades. However, Historians are now seeing a pattern of occurrences with similar acts of violent and deadly behavior in a high re-occurrence rate throughout all of America. Now, why is this?
By Scientist Nyne6 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Joe Biden, Why?
First, some context. I am a 21-year-old white student. My life is as drenched in privilege as any other early twenties woman going to school online on a scholarship and living with her parents for the summer. I have been attending protests in my city, Austin, Texas, for the past week or so. I am (and have been, for a long time) outraged at the state of this country, and seeing that Biden pledged to add money to our police system sent me into a frenzied hour or so of typing, deleting, and retyping, until I was able to form my emotional turmoil into something intelligible and, I hope, compelling. As I am almost certain Biden will never see one pixel of this emotionally charged word-vomit, I am sharing it with you all, so that I might gain at least some sense of community from the effort it took to tame and present my thoughts and feeling in a consumable form.
By Kassandra Pulsifer6 years ago in The Swamp
Staying Safe During a Protest
With protests happening across the country and even around the world, it's important to stay informed and make sure you are prepared and staying safe. Most of the protests have remained peaceful, however, the police has used rubber bullets, tear gas, and taken other actions against protesters not involved in looting or violent incidents. Some protesters were seriously injured, one man in Buffalo, NY is now suffering from a TBI after being pushed to the ground by police officers. Other protesters who say were there in peace, have now filed lawsuits against cities like Dallas, and Portland, because they suffered serious injuries and say did not take part in aggressive behavior.
By Stephanie Murguia6 years ago in The Swamp
Falling Behind
That is especially when we live in a world as crazy as this one. Racist systems and corrupt politicians manage to continuously and successfully blind millions into going about their days being ignorant to the blatant racism that occurs every single day.
By Andrew Hartley6 years ago in The Swamp
