Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Democracy in Action
My dad grew up in Spain under the Franco dictatorship. To this day, Spaniards of that era still remember the day, Feb 23rd, 1981, when armed Guardia Civil officers stormed the Congress of Deputies in an attempt to overthrow Spain’s first democratically elected government.
Nathalia RamosPublished 3 years ago in The SwampAn Open Letter to an Imposter
I'll never forget when I found out you won the election. That day, I waited in line to get through customs in Beijing. As I sat through security, someone in the line said, "Shit! Trump's president!"
Alfie JanePublished 3 years ago in The SwampDear Mr. Trump
Dear Mr. Trump, Right now I am in awe, I just got finished reading goodbye letters that other writers have left you and I am shocked. I really had mixed feelings as to rather or not, I should share how you being a President actually affected me in the last four years. Well, for starters I have never been interested in politics or elections. I to this day have never voted for anyone. I always hated when my favorite television program would be interrupted, because a President needed to give a speech. I also did not feel comfortable voting for someone I did not even know as a person.
Greer CollinsPublished 3 years ago in The SwampWhat is the Biggest Problem With the World Today?
There is no doubt that the world is in full-on crazy mode. I can only speak from the perspective of an American but it seems as if it’s all crazy, not just here in the states.
Christopher HarveyPublished 3 years ago in The SwampIs Orange A Good Color For You?
Dear Mr. Trump: I can only imagine the embarrassment you must be feeling after not only losing the election, but for being impeached for your part in the insurgence at the Capital last weekend. But then, you do not feel the same emotions as most people feel, and that is obvious from your behavior over the past four years.
Denise WillisPublished 3 years ago in The SwampAn open letter to MR. Trump; not president
To Mr. Trump, It has been a remarkably interesting and difficult last four years. I am addressing you as Mr., rather than President, for the simple fact I cannot in good conscience recognize you as our or my president. As someone who is also Caucasian you may feel I should understand you and your views better than anyone else. This reasoning, based solely on color of skin, is part of why I cannot recognize you as my president. The color of our skin does not define us and neither does our race. I was raised to believe we are all equal and to never allow any kind of difference, race, gender, sexuality, disability etc. to ever stand in my way of engaging with another person. You may have been raised to believe differently; however, in my understanding of your upbringing this is not exactly how you became to be who you are.
Lisa JacovskyPublished 3 years ago in The SwampDear Donald
Dear Donald I understand that I am just a Canadian single mother and that you might not care about my opinion. Though I'm sure you don't care about anyone else's opinion but your own. Given that you were the leader of what is to be one of the greatest countries of the world, your actions affect not just yourself, your family or your country but the world.
Talara NolanPublished 3 years ago in The SwampDear. Mr. Trump
Dear Mr. Trump, My Name is Madison Busch. I am a young woman living in this glorious country. In this letter, I would like to address my views on the impacts you have had by the bills and acts you have passed.
Madison BuschPublished 3 years ago in The SwampDear Donald: It not you, it's me.
Donald John Trump: billion dollar mogul, celebrity game show host, and now: disgraced former president of the divided states of America. Ever since I saw you in 2015 go up on that debate stage and run your mouth like an extra from the film, Mean Girls, I was initially amused by your juvenile behavior. I thought that it would’ve been anyone.. Literally, anyone that would have beaten you in the primary. However, as time went on, my laughter turned into sorrow. It came down to you and Hillary in 2016 and to be quite honest, I didn’t want her either. She exhumed an air of entitlement that heavily fed into a system that thrived on political dynasties.
Chris SalazarPublished 3 years ago in The SwampAmerica Is On Mute
America has long celebrated being synonymous with the word Freedom. Freedom has given the American people a bold and sometimes arrogant swagger. Freedom is loud. America is the global television that other countries dial into to watch intently as our compelling story unfolds.
Musing AroundPublished 3 years ago in The SwampSo long, Don
Dear Donald, Before the 2016 US elections, I didn't know who you were. Sure, I'd heard your name, and knew there was a Trump Tower. But aside from this, I was blissfully unaware of you. I'm a Brit, you see. Even your cameo in Home Alone2 passed me by until recently. I first realised that something was amiss when I attended a family funeral. A cousin of mine, visiting from the States, said to me of her American husband, "Sorry, Jon, he's a Trump supporter!" and I wondered why she felt the need to apologise. Then I began to hear snippets of news regarding your opinions and proposals as you announced your intention to run for the presidency.
Jon ClynchPublished 3 years ago in The SwampDear Donald,
When you took office four years ago, I watched my students struggle as they listened to people chanting ‘build the wall’. The children I teach are primarily Hispanic/Latinx and they went from being worried about what kinds of anger had arisen during the campaign to watching people they didn’t know screaming invectives at them and degrading every part of who they are simply because they weren’t born in this country. I watched the shock, dismay, and actual fear that my 13-year-olds were feeling show on their faces.
Jennifer RyanPublished 3 years ago in The Swamp