Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Meghan Markle Free to Vote in the Presidential Election
Months ago Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, wouldn't have been able to speak publicly about anything relating to voting. That's because she and her husband Prince Harry were living in England as senior members of the royal family. Royals do not vote, and they are not allowed to share their opinions about politics in public.
Margaret MinnicksPublished 4 years ago in The SwampThe Running Faucet vs. The Leaky Faucet (The Slow Drip)
Being Black, at any given time, in any given country, on any given day, is usually in and of itself a trying experience for most (but not all) Black people. Whether it’s the constant microaggressions we face on a daily and continuous basis, the sometimes blatant racist attacks and remarks that are levied at us with complete disregard for our humanity or feelings, or the total lack of regard for our lives when encountering law enforcement and medical professionals, we live our lives knowing that in most cases we will be treated differently. We see it in the ways we are treated in other non-black POC’s grocery stores, taxi cabs and restaurants. We see it in our education systems and the ways Black children and communities in particular are not or poorly invested in. These disparities are not new or unique to the Black experience, no matter what country you live in. But there IS a difference in how they are displayed and the corresponding effects they have on our community as a whole.
Whitney SmartPublished 4 years ago in The SwampYou Can't Stop the Beat
PICTURE IT… THANKSGIVING 2015… My then-boyfriend and I were celebrating with my family at my mother’s new home. My two brothers and their respective spouses/families joined us, as well as my baby brother’s in-laws. We ate, we laughed, we watched television, we ate some more, and of course, with any family gathering, we had conversation. Being that it was Thanksgiving, we played that classic game of saying what we were thankful for (I know, being thankful on Thanksgiving… GROUNDBREAKING).
Sebastian KernPublished 4 years ago in The SwampKellie's Castle
William Kellie Smith 1837 – 1901 During the Victorian Era (period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 1837 – 1901) was the Era of Industrial Revolution, political reform, social change and new inventions.
Explore The BasicPublished 4 years ago in The SwampThe Freedom's Ring of A Gentrified House
My house doesn't need "things" to make it a dream home, nor does it need a remodel or a makeover or a staging crew. It needs to be moved into a different neighborhood. That’s it.
THE CRUCIBLEPublished 4 years ago in The SwampQuestions Require Answers Before Schools Reopen
Educators, parents, students, legislatures, anybody concerned about the health of children desire to know if it is safe for schools to reopen. The answers vary according to location, size of school, grade level, and who is asked. There exist no absolute answers.
Brenda MahlerPublished 4 years ago in The SwampWhat is homelessness?
The cause and treatment of homelessness within the United Kingdom is often under debate. The definition and consequential categories are constructed around who is and is not included in the category and this is a cause of ongoing homeless problems.
Janine S WhitePublished 4 years ago in The SwampSearching For Truth, Part III
You never know. Things are a little bit different this year. They are not so good. Comparing the past hundred years or so with now was necessary. It forced me to look within myself. I realized this used to be a wonderful time of year for sports fans, for it was the time of year when there was a grand intersection of sports. On television one could see several different sports being played every day, all the time, everywhere, by high school, college and professional athletes in baseball, basketball, football and soccer. And by kids in the neighborhood. The ancient sports, those that pitted one player against another—sports like golf, tennis, wrestling and boxing became easier to deal with because they did not rely necessarily on fan support. You could still safely wander around the golf course looking for your ball.
Barry BlakePublished 4 years ago in The SwampReport on 2020 Democratic National Convention, Day 3
What a speech by Barack Obama on the third night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, the first virtual National Democratic or Republican Convention in history! I thought the speech was so pertinent and powerful it was even better than his speeches as President, and in his campaigns for that office. Unafraid to call out the monster, the would-be destroyer of our democracy, now in the White House. Sobering, inspiring, chilling, and so very necessary.
Paul LevinsonPublished 4 years ago in The SwampTrump backs candidate who is openly against Muslims and Islam
America is a melting pot and we all should respect those who are different and with whose views we do not agree. Those who hold public office should be fair to all American citizens they have sworn to represent. Unfortunately, a lot of hate and vitriol has been coming down from the president since he first ran for office and it has negatively affected those in his party. A growing number of Republicans have been openly expressing racist views. The latest is far right candidate Laura Loomer who has said publicly that she is a proud "Islamophobe." Loomer, 27 who says Islam is a cancer recently won the GOP primary for Florida's 21st precinct.
Cheryl E PrestonPublished 4 years ago in The SwampHomes on the Right Tracks
The British housing crisis has been brewing for several decades. It is a crisis of unaffordability that has complex ‘knock on’ effects for social mobility and inequality in our society. The solution is remarkably straightforward. We need to build more homes.
Shaun EnnisPublished 4 years ago in The SwampReport on 2020 Democratic National Convention, Day 2
I thought the second day of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, totally virtual, on television last night, hit an emotional tone which was at once as deep as it gets, and hopeful. The casting of the nominating ballots, state by state, in alphabetical order, was especially moving and satisfying, a much better multi-faceted picture of America than could ever be offered in an in-person physical convention, because we actually got to see the states and cities across this country from which the delegates, multicultural, colorfully dressed and spoken, were casting their votes.
Paul LevinsonPublished 4 years ago in The Swamp