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.
Off with Their Heads
On the July 14, 1789, the peasants of France rioted, culminating into first the public death of their Governor Marquis, followed shortly by that of a local Mayor. Over the next month, the riots and attacks continued in what would later be called The Great Fear. Concessions were made, slowing the violence, but the continued failure of the French government in addressing the wants and needs of their populous meant that the next decade of their history would be shaped by this revolution.
By Haybitch Abersnatchy7 years ago in The Swamp
Walk for Freedom
Thousands of people are set to step out this weekend across the globe, to Walk for Freedom. Supporting international anti-human trafficking charity, the A21 Campaign, silent protesters will take to the streets in cities across the world marching in single file through areas filled with shoppers.
By Lindsay Bruce7 years ago in The Swamp
Matthew Shepard: A Young Man, a Tragic Reminder
I vividly remember the first time I watched The Laramie Project. I'd been invited to a conference in support of the LGBTQ+ community at the University of Saskatchewan by a friend of mine, and knowing little about it at the time, I jumped at the chance. That evening, there was a play—The Laramie Project—and it took my breath away. Images of the young man who had been pistol whipped and tied to a Texas gate to die broke my heart, as it did so many others.
By Christina St-Jean7 years ago in The Swamp
Why Voting Is Still Important Even If You're Black and Fed Up
There is a very popular yet understandable misconception in this country regarding the effects of citizen voting. Because of the misunderstanding of how the Electoral College works, voting fraud, as well as an abundance of political corruption within our government, many people are inclined to believe that their vote doesn't count when it comes to official governmental elections. In fact, there are very many people who make strong arguments to support that claim. But when we practice a little bit of critical thinking and objectivity while using an investigative thought process, then there are some things about our election processes that we notice that are just a little bit to undeniable.
By Monsoor Ali7 years ago in The Swamp
Democratic-Socialist Is the New Green
It is an exciting time in Progressive politics. It may not seem like it with the contentious atmosphere that emanates from the Trump administration, but with all of the bad, there has also been an awaking of sorts. Ideas that were once scoffed at or considered “radical” are being looked at as viable alternatives to a broken system. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez winning as a Democratic-Socialist is proof of this, along with Beto O’Rourke in Texas refusing to take corporate money, and Kennth Meija running a full-on progressive campaign in California. Although these seem like fresh ideas, there is a party in the United States that has held these ideas for over 30 years. I’m talking about the Green Party.
By Peter Carriveau7 years ago in The Swamp
The Time Is Now
The ground is stained red with gallons of blood spilled daily. There is a stench of death lurking in the air. With giant blades men tear flesh from bone in an animalistic manner, slicing each piece into long strips of hide and blubber. This is the world of the whaling factory. The carcass of a sperm whale lies on its side as men tear away the blubber to use for oil. The mouth hangs open as if in a last heartfelt scream of agony before death consumed it. On this cold morning, the men are warmed by the heat rising from the carcass as they slice into it. When the cutting is over, the remains are hauled away to be used for such things as dog food.
By Traci E. Langston7 years ago in The Swamp
The Problem with Plastic
The problem with plastic, if you haven’t already begun to notice in the past few decades, or since you’ve been alive, is that it is everywhere. The problem that lies with that is that it will be everywhere for a very, very, very long time. Centuries. Upwards of 500 years, everywhere. In fact, the first pieces of plastic ever created are still, in some form, on the Earth, either still floating along the oceans, at the bottom of the sea, or ingested by a fish some decades back, and was more than likely that fish's demise. Plastic kills—that’s the other problem with it. It is everywhere. You probably couldn’t move a couple few feet without becoming aware of a plastic in some form or another. Your garbage can sitting outside is made of it, your water bottle, even the one you’ve been using now that you take along to the gym every morning, is likely plastic. While it is reusable, it still is plastic, and it’ll be here long after you’ve gone from this Earth, and long after your kids and your kids' kids' kids have gone.
By Kira Zimney7 years ago in The Swamp
Medicare and the Millennial
As we age, we can expect a few things to happen. Hearing and eyesight tend to fade, we move a little slower, and we wear sweaters more often because we'll get cold a little easier. But what about the things you don't account for? Like when you lose your teeth and you can't afford dentures. How are you going to eat? Or that scab on your foot that just isn't healing, but you can't afford to buy the antibiotic the doctor prescribed. Will you not pay your electric bill to buy the medication? Or when your spouse's memory is going and they can no longer take care of themselves, but you're recovering from a recent surgery yourself and can't walk for the next six weeks. Who's going to take care of the both of you when your family lives a thousand miles away?
By Hali Moore7 years ago in The Swamp
What Happens When Students Go to School?
“If I don’t make it, I love you, and I appreciated everything you did for me.” In the moments that she thought would be her last, high school freshman Sarah Crescitelli texted these words to her parents. Given the severity of her tone, not to mention the dangerous implications behind the words she sent, you’re probably wondering where Sarah was, and how a young high schooler found themselves in a situation so grave. On February 14, 2018, Sarah Crescitelli woke up, and went to school. She went to school, and instead of learning, she spent the day hiding and crying in a storage closet. She spent the day listening to gunshots in the halls, haunted by the thought that any number of those bullets could have hit her best friends. She spent the day praying that she would have the chance to see another, all because a deranged man had access to a gun. She spent the day in pure terror, all because our politicians give more value to guns as opposed to the young, bright minds of America. Gun control has plagued America for far too long, and it is time that change is no longer just discussed among our politicians, but we bring to the world the change that we want to see.
By Mobin Khan7 years ago in The Swamp
