controversies

It seems every time one racially-charged incident ends, a gender or religious controversy takes its place; Ruminate on the issues dividing our nation and world.

As Silence Cries Out, Will the White Race Listen?
As a physician, I will never get used to the eerie absence of sound upon death in the human body. Placing a stethoscope atop the chest of one who has passed is haunting. Where there was once lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub from the heart echoing within the chest, there is now silence. Where there were once the breezy whispers of air filling and emptying the lungs, there is now stillness. While sound is confirmation of life, absence of it, is confirmation of death.
By Dr. Megan Babb6 years ago in The Swamp
Life In A Black Body
Life in a black body is filled with involuntary stress. In natural life, a being only encounters stress that its actions or results of its actions create. In a black body, you are constantly bombarded with information which belittles your worth, categorizes your character, or directly threatens your existence. Life in a black body forces you to go within. It forces you to find some internal light, some internal joy, some higher power that can't be extinguished by the bombardment you know is part of your everyday life. Black people have to find refuge in the silver lining of life. Constantly creating a more joyous perspective of life at large.
By Dios Mac6 years ago in The Swamp
Rioting and Looting Does Not Uphold Justice for George Floyd's Death
Ever since the video of Minneapolis police officers arresting and killing George Floyd in public went viral, the United States has turned upside down. It was clear that Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was maliciously pinned to the ground with a knee to his neck that eventually caused his death. Pedestrians nearby witnessed the death of a man who was detained for writing a fraudulent check, which it was not clear at the moment if Floyd actually did commit that crime. The officer, Derek Chauvin, who held his knee pressed down on Floyd’s neck, acted as if nothing happened. Chauvin was just acting like Floyd needed to be handled with the most extreme measures, as Floyd pleaded for his life.
By Bazooka Teaches6 years ago in The Swamp
Rage and Fear
Rage and fear. These are two very distinct emotions; one is fierce the other is timid but once put together can cause a monsoon.
By Isabella Theresa6 years ago in The Swamp
Violence and burning buildings is not enough for George Flloyd
We all want justice for George Flloyd. What happened to him is unspeakable. It's not fair. It's disgusting. The system is corrupt. There's been way too much of this. And something needs to be done to change it. Something drastic.
By Aceadia6 years ago in The Swamp
We are adding Fire to the Fire during these dark times.
May 29,2020 I’m half Filipino and I’m half American I want you to know that before you continue to read this. I have a voice and yet speaking that voice right now. During this time will only bring out backlash and hurtful words. I want to speak but I’m torn between good friends of all races. I was torn between giving them a reason to be angry at what I believe. I was raised to love and show respect and to understand there will always be good and evil. There will always be racism and there will always be violence.
By Jan Jas6 years ago in The Swamp
Breathe For Him
“I can’t breathe.” The words of distress, helplessness, fatigue and provoked. The words from a brother, a father, a son, a friend, a HUMAN. Those same words pleading out to America to hear us, to hear him. “I CAN’T BREATHE,” George Floyd said. “I can’t breathe,” “I can’t breathe,” “I can’t breathe”! As he takes his last breath. A senseless murder has just happened; and Black-America, is sick and tired of our men being targeted as if it were a sport to hunt and kill us. Now, watch us breathe for him, for us, for the world to change, and for our people to be treated equally once and for all. Join us as we breathe on behalf of senseless killings, racism, discrimination, prejudice, and police brutality. We are not animals ! we are human !
By Georgette Smith6 years ago in The Swamp
Reason First: Demonstrations
If there is to be a United States of America, let it be for the thought behind the videographer who captured the death of George Floyd. Let it be an America that captured the spectacular flight of the Spacex Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 rocket. This juxtaposition of viciousness and man’s grandeur and success paint a portrait of where Americans are in 2020.
By Skyler Saunders6 years ago in The Swamp
We are tired
Yet another black person killed by the police for no other reason than that the colour of his skin was seen as justification for him to be murdered. What can I say that has not already been said countless times over? Black people have been using our voices from the slavery abolitionist movement to the civil rights movement to modern day lynchings. Our voices seem to have fallen on deaf ears and my voice is hoarse from screaming. I have expended my energy and time having long conversations with people for them to understand just a miniscule fraction of what black people experience. I am exhausted from second-hand trauma. I come on social media and see several videos of people who look like me slain in the streets, in their homes, in a shop, with callous indifference. Imagine what does that to someone mentally. Relentless images of violence against black bodies, the same calls for justice and the same inaction. Nothing seems to change. And it leaves me with a feeling I know a lot of other black people can relate to – an indescribable mix of despair, helplessness, disgust, anger, frustration, but also numbness and confusion. It’s hard to muster the energy to have to explain why black people are people too and deserve to live. I wanted to refrain from posting anything because I am drained and have already privately discussed with those close to me. But to do my little part in this fight for change I decided to finally write something.
By Aj6 years ago in The Swamp
George Floyd
This is not a discussion about George Floyd. I've used the title in the same way it is being used everywhere: to draw attention to race relations.
By briony6 years ago in The Swamp
Why Black Lives Matter
If your mind isn't wrapped around the horrors we've seen over the past few weeks then you're clearly not paying attention.
By Jessi 6 years ago in The Swamp
I Am Amy Cooper
I’ve never called the police because I felt intimidated by a Black man while he was birdwatching. But I’ve had friends who told racist jokes, and instead of pointing out our privilege, I’ve forced smiles.
By Eliza Mae Winfree6 years ago in The Swamp