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.
Yulin Dog Meat Festival Outrages Animal Rights Activists
All around the world, animal rights activists, including comedian Ricky Gervais, have been outraged by China's annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival. This 10-day dog meat festival sees hundreds of dogs slaughtered and butchered before being prepared for cooking and eating by locals and visitors to the event.
By Paul Conneally8 years ago in The Swamp
Troubled Waters
The ocean is in great danger. The ocean needs our help along with the thousands upon thousands of species that cannot speak for themselves. Ocean pollution is a problem that is mainly caused by human influence. How does ocean pollution affect you? Well, if you wanted to go to the beach instead of those beautiful Tumblr pictures you thought you would see, you would see the opposite. Trash along the beaches due to people not wanting to pick it up themselves. You might see beer cans or cigarettes in the sand. Or, you could encounter strange things like popped balloons or the rest of a candy wrapper. Despite your religion, philosophy, or dietary restrictions, the ocean is vital to all of us.
By Isabella S8 years ago in The Swamp
Internet, a Broken Tool
It connects everyone, it starts revolutions, provides access to places across the world in seconds, it entertains and informs you, and it gives you a voice. The internet is something that has taken the world by storm in the last couple decades, and it has revolutionized us at a speed and in a fashion that has forced us to adopt in an agile way. According to The Office of Statistics, 90 percent of British households accessed the internet in 2017, that is about 59,916,154 people in England alone. The internet is a tool with limitless purpose; a tool that has become a large part of our daily lives and the activities we carry out. Personally, I use it in order to find directions, for entertainment, communication, research, and countless other tasks that allow me to be a productive and changing person.
By Victoria Gawlik8 years ago in The Swamp
You Are Becoming the Oppressor
History provides countless examples of genocide rising while citizens allowed it to do so by their silence and inaction. Germany, Rwanda, and the Native Americans come to mind. I, for one, will not be counted in the history books as an American who sat idly by while watching my own country commit egregious human rights violations within our own borders. Now is the time for all decent, patriotic Americans who believe in the values espoused by our founders to speak out against the migrant detention policy decisions of the Trump administration.
By Stephen Walden8 years ago in The Swamp
White Silence on Juneteenth
Today is Juneteenth, a celebration of the day on which the last remaining slaves were made aware of their freedom in 1865. However, it must be noted that not long after this was accomplished, an entirely new condition akin to slavery was implemented throughout the states.
By Stephen Walden8 years ago in The Swamp
First Amendment Rights
Some people do not respect First Amendment rights such as the right to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of protest (assembly), and petition the government for a negotiation of grievances. The first amendment is classy. Thomas Jefferson believed in a separation of church and state but in modern times, extremists do not want this reasonable act to continue. They would rather turn the United States into a theocracy, this is something some religious people want, be aware. You see, the government cannot change the law just like that without a reason. In the early days of colonizing the United States, many immigrants had fled religious persecution in their own countries, sometimes to find more in the United States.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
What Pride Month Means in the Age of Trump
We're halfway through Pride Month in America, and it's time to take our temperature or run the risk of burning out. The current administration has recognized June as National Ocean Month, National Carribean-American Heritage Month, National African-American Music Appreciation Music Month, and a number of other 30-day recognition, but has failed to use their stature to officially recognize Pride Month.
By Stephen Walden8 years ago in The Swamp
The United States Has a Long History of Racism
Nothing shocks me more than what I saw in the newspapers following the Charlottesville protest, pictures of white men with torches marching in a long line, a few inches deep, thick and foreboding. The United States has a long history of resisting equal rights for all since we have a history of slavery in our remote past. Slaves were branded on their physical body if they were owned or ran away. There may not be such thing as equality in the United States if we are still marginalizing people who aren’t white. If we are mistreating people for being gay and refusing them service, in particular, this is what is contributing to the breakdown of our society.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
Covert Racism vs. Overt Prejudice
Covert racism or bullying is underhanded while overt prejudice is obvious such as name-calling. Prejudicial behavior never helped anybody. It means I hate you because “of the way you look” or outward racial appearances. Hating somebody for their race is unproductive. I hate ignorance. I can’t stand sexism. I cannot deal with people who engage in either. I avoid racists in general, and at San Francisco State I was dealing with one racist in particular who yelled at me and another student who were speaking in Spanish. Granted I also dislike people who speak in their native language rather than English since I do not understand what they are saying.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
Health Care Rights
Currently, patients have limited rights. Our healthcare system in the United States is barbaric and one huge monster besides. We willingly pay huge bills every time something goes wrong. Why are we so brainwashed? Do you normal folk realize that people are brainwashed? Why do you not care more about the heavy bills you will get? Hospital bills have massive errors often enough. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and that was my first introduction to the health care system in the United States. I haven’t tried health care elsewhere like in Spain or Chile since I’m half Spanish, half-Chilean. I consider myself American though, and I’m appalled at the way our health care system is seriously broken.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
To Racists
Racism is silly, and it revolves around hating somebody for their skin color? It used to be a very popular sentiment before the Civil War. But these days, we are more enlightened and there are many people who are mixed race. Don’t stare at mixed people because you make them feel awkward. Racism is stupid. Some people cannot see this at all. They have no idea just how silly they sound. Racism is wrong because it is demeaning. You have all these racial slurs to throw at people who didn’t really do anything to you.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
Love Wins Together Manchester
It’s one year since the Manchester Arena bombing, and like last year, I attended a vigil in Albert Square. The first vigil was hurriedly arranged, with speakers and volunteers phoned up with a few hours notice to attend. I can’t imagine how many favours must have been called in on that night. Still, everyone pitched in to provide a necessary outlet for our collective loss and disbelief. This time, there was more room to prepare.
By Katy Preen8 years ago in The Swamp
