humanity

Humanity topics include pieces on the real lives of politicians, legislators, activists, women in politics and the everyday voter.

Home
Home, a place that has never come easy for me, or has been easy to describe, even now. I never had a place that I felt was stable. When I was younger, I was more worried about what tomorrow would foresee than the worries that a normal kid would carry upon themselves. Money has always created stress in the family, and it was like we never had enough. When we were living in apartments, it was questionable some days if we would come home to an eviction note on the door, and a few times we did. I was one of the what you might say lucky ones in this case. We always had people to go to, relatives, and my mom's friends. Even when we weren’t considered homeless, the fear of becoming it was always there.
By Maybe Mae6 years ago in The Swamp
Chronicles of Migration (Part I): A Trapped Traveller
The first time I saw Ligaya (all names have been changed to protect individuals’ privacy) she had just come into the shelter’s common room and gave me a small smile. I remember thinking that she looked worn-out and weak. Another shelter guest told me she just arrived yesterday at midnight. I wondered if she had been fleeing and if so, from whom, at an hour so late.
By Yung Lo6 years ago in The Swamp
I.C.U.
I’ve always had a burden for the homeless population. Most of my life I just did what most of us do; when I saw a homeless person I diverted my eyes and felt awkward and guilt ridden. Maybe, I would give one or two people a little money if I had it, but I’d wonder what they’d use it for. Beyond that I didn’t know what to do. I felt sorry for the homeless, but I also felt completely helpless to do anything for them.
By Becca Willson6 years ago in The Swamp
I Lost My Shit in San Francisco
I found myself inexplicably crying while I read the verdict in the Ghost Ship fire. I didn’t know any of the victims but I’ve been to parties like that in San Francisco, held in illegal warehouses, not up to code, people living there illegally.
By KJ Thomas6 years ago in The Swamp
Invisible Population
I'm tired and cranky from my Labor Day catch up—reading my emails. Yet another post appeared in my feed complaining about the "Homeless" in terms that sounded very close to discussing an infestation of vermin. These are people. And sometimes their pets are with them.
By Natalia Corres6 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
You Can Speak Spanish with Pride in the USA
Yesterday I took my family to look at a used car. We’d found a rusted out “beater with a heater” on Craigslist which I thought could be used for picking up my children from school. After a quick test drive, I turned to consult my wife in Spanish. After a few words, I turned back to the man who was selling the car.
By Walter Rhein6 years ago in The Swamp
On the Philosophy of Power
Of all the quests humans have undertaken such as glory, fame, and fortune, power is the most detrimental. Throughout the ages, numerous individuals, kings, and emperors embarked on the perilous journey to acquire power. Many succeeded, and many gave up their lives trying to find this priceless jewelry. In a sense, power is the philosopher’s stone's sister. However, the most arduous part is not acquiring it, but maintaining it. Nonetheless, one ought not to think that acquiring power shall be an easy process; quite the contrary. Another difference that shall be mentioned is that power does not have a single formula to be applied to conceive it or acquire it. There are myriad approaches one can implement to obtain power, and each comes with its own pros, and cons. We will not discourse on those methods, for many others did, and shall one want to know them, one shall read the books written on such a subject. On the other hand, we will discourse on other aspects of power. As we hold forth on these aspects, we are not claiming to be the truth-bearers, instead we are merely exploring them. Some might be oblivious to these aspects by such rendering this discourse informative. Others might be familiar with them, thereby making this discourse a reminder, yet there is no better way to remember than a reminder. Our discourse will tackle three major aspects of power being; its definition, its nature and forms, and the reasons behind its irresistible charm. But before we commence, one ought to ask that if this discourse is nothing but a fascination by power’s seductive charms. Perhaps power attracts both the wise and the great alike? But, what exactly is power?
By Aziz Dhaouadi6 years ago in The Swamp
Immigrating to the US
Do you know how long it takes to get anything done within the government? Have you ever had to wait in the social security office or at the courthouse? The amount of filing and paperwork required for these types of changes is massive, and I believe that most of them do the best they can. I researched how to apply for a visa to the United States of America, and was shocked at how much waiting and red tape there is, even by government standards. This post outlines the necessary communication, documentation, and wait expectations for applying for a visa.
By Melissa Yinger6 years ago in The Swamp
Stop Ignoring These Connections
I assume he’s homeless. I assume he’s needy. I assume he’s broken. All these blades of assumption I use to carve the man crouching in the sun, a cardboard litre of Minute Maid Orange juice on the sidewalk at his feet. He leans his thin back against the bricks that house the liquor store and the neighbouring bank. The Canucks ball cap he holds out and open in hopes of receiving, shakes slightly in his pale fingers.
By Melanie Maure6 years ago in The Swamp
All Bandaids and No Solutions
(VLOG posted at the bottom for those who prefer to watch and listen rather than read.) Not a single soul should be forced to do anything in life that isn't fueled by their dreams and doesn't fill them with meaningful purpose at the deepest level.
By Eric Durland6 years ago in The Swamp
The True Leeches
(VLOG posted at the bottom for those who prefer to watch and listen rather than read.) Contrary to popular belief—to what the system propagates us to believe—the leeches aren't the individuals at the bottom of the pyramid seeking to take just a little in order to live their lives as comfortably as they can; the leeches aren't the people who have been forced to live passionless lives because the system that enslaves them steals from them any and all ability to pursue anything but slaving 60 to 80 hours a week at a job that means nothing to them, save providing them a sense of security and the ability to ensure food is on the table.
By Eric Durland6 years ago in The Swamp