history
Past politicians, legislation and political movements have changed the course of history in ways both big and small. Welcome to our blast to the past.
Back To The Future
How to become an uneducated historian The saddest moment of my life was the day the last holocaust surviver agreed to what I tell for years now. Please, understand me right, because I absolutely love being right about something normally. Just in this case, I better had been wrong. But the signs are clear: history will repeat itself.
Christian BassPublished 3 months ago in The SwampWhy Are Black-Specific Colleges, Caucuses, and TV Channels Acceptable, but Not White-Specific Ones?
Previously, I wrote an article that sought to answer the following question: Why does it seem to be more acceptable for Black people to joke about or criticize White people than the other way around? It received a lot of attention, and some of the comments others posted under it were questions that I wanted to address in turn.
Martin VidalPublished 3 months ago in The Swamp- Content Warning
Bring Back the Maccabee Version
Max Romeo, the reggae artist, released a song in 1976 titled “Maccabee Version”. I remember hearing it as a boy in Jamaica. At some point, I became aware of something the Rastafarians called the “Maccabee version” of the Bible. They believed the Bible had been altered and the Maccabee was an older, more correct version. That's what Romeo's song was about. It implored people to "bring back Maccabee version".
Randy BakerPublished 3 months ago in The Swamp Why I Believe the Extreme Left & Extreme Right are Similar
This will be more of a rant and I may end up jumping around a lot so forgive me but in my opinion there really is not much difference between the extreme left and the extreme right in the way they vilify anyone that disagrees with them and their authoritarian nature. Sure they have separate agendas but they go about forcing their agendas in the same way as well as accuse the other side of doing what they do. Both sides think they are right and the other side is evil and as you read this and you think I am pointing to a particular ideology than I am actually talking about you. I may talk a bit about Republicans and Democrats though. Remember, Republicans have no heart and Democrats have no brain.
Ferrari KingPublished 3 months ago in The SwampLuther's Legacy
[Author's Note: this essay was written in late 2017, on the occasion of the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation]
Randy BakerPublished 3 months ago in The SwampPutin is A Walking Dead
The cover image for this story is one of my favorite cartoons by Alesha Stupin because of its symbolism and allusions to various images, incidents and facts in Putin's life. It is based on the famous photo of topless Putin riding a horse that is often used to illustrate his masculinity and strength.
Lana V LynxPublished 3 months ago in The SwampPermission to Know Our History:
In a recent exposé by The Guardian, "Florida school requires parental consent for pupils to listen to Black author’s book," the author outlines the confusion caused by Governor Ron DeSantis's enactment of the "Stop Woke Act" in 2022. ("Florida School Requires"). This legislation dictates the parameters around discussing race and related issues in educational settings, which some critics contend is an attempt to erase the historical memory of African Americans. As a result of the law, many schools in Dade County have resorted to mandating parental consent for student engagement in Black History Month activities.
Geoffrey PhilpPublished 3 months ago in The SwampBefore Colin Kaepernick took a knee, there was Tommie Smith and John Carlos
Before former quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem in 2016 garnering national media attention and receiving praise from the black community and hate from conservative Americans showing it as a sign of "disrespect", there were black sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos took the stand putting on their black leather glove during the national anthem at the Olympic Stadium during the 1960s. Their protest garnered national media attention and caused them to be banned from sports until years after their protest they had gained respect.
Gladys W. MuturiPublished 4 months ago in The SwampElderly Need Not Apply
Across all political affiliations, beliefs, dogmas, and voting patterns, "79% of Americans favor maximum age limits for elected officials". This is according to a Pew Research Center "survey conducted July 10-16, 2023, among 8,480 adults, [and]... June 5-11, 2023, among 5,115 adults". To put it simply:
It’s Black History Month
It’s Black History Month. “I don't even know what that means.” I took this previous sentence from a mostly white oriented film, Blades of Glory (2007) that made the phrase ever more popular in the culture. The phrase found its way on a hip hop song with the clean title, “In Paris” by Shawn “JAY Z” Carter and the artist formerly known as Kanye West, Ye.
Skyler SaundersPublished 4 months ago in The SwampSocialism needs the people to be downtrodden
Socialism needs people to be downtrodden. Socialism needs dis-satisfaction. If the general population is reasonably content with life, then socialists will not win elections, they know this and so they seek to cause discontent. If they cannot persuade the population that they are all poor and illtreated, then they encourage mass immigration to bring in people more likely to believe their message.
Peter RosePublished 4 months ago in The SwampPeru-Ecuador War Explained
October 7th (Lima, Peru) — In a joint press release, the United States Supervisors of Foreign Relations and Safety and Security announced a nearly $250 million sale of military-grade weapons and equipment to Peru to be used as part of the country's ongoing war effort with ModRE in Ecuador. This action takes place despite growing domestic and international criticism about how Peru has been conducting their retaliatory mission after ModRE paramilitary forces undertook a surprise storm attack across the border that resulted in the systematic slaughter, rape, and defilement of thousands of unprepared Peruvians and surrounding property. Hundreds of mostly civilians were also taken captive and are still being held within Ecuadorian territory.