Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Post 9/11 Radicalization in Literature: Do Literary Works Show Modern Flaws?
Introduction The events of 9/11 triggered a change in both the world and in literature—a change that has frequently occurred within the history of war and terrorism. The genre of "9/11 literature" has led to issues of validity and accuracy for the writers of which have addressed the devastation head on, and those who use the weakening of a western society as a backdrop to the development of their characters. The conflicts that arise within culture result in the representation of prejudices from the "victims" and contrasting bitterness of the "enemy." Depending on the author and their own experiences and thoughts of such cases, leads to the creation of a protagonist—one that we respect, or one that we find unlikeable. Within the novel Saturday by Ian McEwan, the protagonist of Perowne follows the prior, as a neurosurgeon who is reflective of his faults and open to the errors of the wider world. On the other end The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid is formed around the monologue of an individual who feels personally victimized by the Western culture, making for an uncomfortable read and unlikeable personality. The Guardian review of Fundamentalist supports this as the article addresses this narration as "epically one-sided … his developing concern with issues of cultural identity, American power and the victimisation of Pakistan" (Anthony, 2012).
Caitlin AskewPublished 5 years ago in The SwampWhy Is There a Lack of Loving in American History?
I just saw the film Loving recently. My knowledge of the Loving v. Virginia US Supreme Court Decision is relatively new. Growing up, many facets of civil rights history are drilled into us, such as the Thirteenth Amendment, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Brown v. Board of Education, the civil rights legislation of the sixties, and so on. Most people, including maybe even your teenagers, can say at least the bare minimum of these topics.
The 9th Amendment
“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people,” this is the text of the 9th Amendment. On September 17, 1787 the Anti-Federalists demanded a Bill of Rights be added to the final draft of the Constitution. Federalists felt that a Bill of Rights would give the government too much power. The Anti-Federalists had to be contrarian and were against ratification of the Bill of Rights. Fascism means that the government has the right to do whatever they wanted, so the Anti-Federalists were paranoid that having too many rights would lead to this.
Iria Vasquez-PaezPublished 5 years ago in The SwampReview of 'Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists'
Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists, the new documentary on HBO, is lots of things. A paean to an age of journalism (Breslin would say "reporting," as this movie tells us) which is either gone or transmuted into another form, depending upon whom you listen to. A story of New York City, which, also, is either dead or transformed. But definitely a story of two uniquely gifted writers who indeed worked on a deadline, the deadline of timely reporting (i.e., at most, last hour's or yesterday's news, not last week's).
Paul LevinsonPublished 5 years ago in The Swamp- Top Story - February 2019
Your Slavery Footprint—How the Choices You Make Every Day Harms People and the Planet
As the new generation of young people, Millenials, Gen Z’s and the ones to follow, we are known for our fast fashion and trends that come and go quicker than night turns into day. Whilst some of us dwell on the fact that we may not have the money and/or resources that’s required to stay on top of these fast moving trends, we remain ignorant to the real-life, disastrous consequences of the industry that we continue to fuel and support.
Published 5 years ago in The Swamp What Has Changed? What Hasn’t?
The strive for social justice is the backbone of modern history. It defines a nation’s narrative: what it stands for and what it wants to achieve. History pushes one to ask: “What has changed? What hasn’t ?” This is the caption of TIME Magazine’s May 11, 2015 gripping cover, shot by David Allen. The cover not only garnered support for the Black Lives Matter Movement, a response to the vigilant persecution of African Americans, but it also conveyed the intensity of racism in the United States as a control mechanism through the most abhorrent form of political violence: police brutality. The cover crossed out the date 1968, and replaces it with 2015 which is the actual date during which the photo was taken. In bold red numbers, the placement of the year 2015 cemented the stark resemblance between the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM). Although these two movements are separated by decades of modernization, they both remain all too relevant in terms of their messages, tactics, and influence.
Elianor M.A.Published 5 years ago in The SwampReview of 'Brexit' (HBO 2019 Movie)
The new movie Brexit, released 13 days ago on HBO, provides some important lessons for America, in the parallels of what led to the Brexit win in the UK referendum and the election of Donald Trump President of the United States in the Electoral College. That difference—success in a straightforward plebiscite verses a complex and indirect electoral college, in addition to Trump's opponent winning the popular vote in the US—points to a crucial way in which the two exercises in democracy are not comparable. But let's look at the similarities, first.
Paul LevinsonPublished 5 years ago in The Swamp- Top Story - February 2019
No, We Don't Need White History Month
As February opens its door, it is once again the moment to celebrate Black History Month. Officially recognized as such since 1976, the second and literally shortest month of the year, if I might add, is the moment when we recognize the history and contribution of Black people in North America. Mostly celebrated in the United States, it, therefore, highlights the accomplishment of African Americans and their very unique culture. However, every year, I hear the same comment: "Why isn’t there a White History Month?’’ This article, as you can tell by the title, will explain just that. No, we don’t need White history month, and here’s why.
Lonely Allie .Published 5 years ago in The Swamp We've Been Trumped
The political aspect of the US took a turn after the 2016 presidential election when Donald Trump was announced the winner, and we are still talking about it. Whether that turn has, is, and will be good or bad continues to be debated. Instead of the views being split between the usual Republican and Democratic parties, it seems to have shifted into Trump supporters and anti-Trump supporters. The majority of Trump's supporters are Republican, but not necessarily all of them, as not all liberals have chosen to be anti-supporters. So what is it about President Trump that Americans do or don't approve of?
Ashley Beatty-PernettiPublished 5 years ago in The SwampMake America Hate Again
"I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBT citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology," Donald J. Trump said as he accepted the Republican nomination for President.
Edward AndersonPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe 8th Amendment
The 8th Amendment to the United States Constitution is about not having excessive bail to get you out of trouble. Excessive bail is not supposed to be a thing, especially heavy fines, or cruel punishments inflicted. Cruel and unusual punishments are not directly specified in this Amendment. It means to measure a punishment’s cruelty or unusualness. In 1689, England adopted their Bill of Rights that prohibited “cruel and unusual punishments,” well before the 8th Amendment cropped up 100 years later in 1791. The first version of the Constitution, however, when ratified didn’t have a prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments, which was not added until the Constitution was ratified.
Iria Vasquez-PaezPublished 5 years ago in The SwampCanadian Diplomats in Cuba Continue to Contract Mysterious Illness
This month marks the 14th Canadian diplomat to become ill while working in the Canadian embassy in Cuba. In total 27 diplomats and their families have reported contracting a type of mysterious illness in the same way their American counterparts in Cuba have also been experiencing. The symptoms include nausea, dizziness, headaches, nose bleeds, and trouble concentrating. The complaints began back in the spring of 2017; Canadian diplomats simultaneously began to experience the same symptoms and were complaining about a strange sonic boom like noise around the time the symptoms started. The victims realized that they could be suffering from the “Havana Syndrome” the term that explains the mysterious illness that had previously affected around 24 American diplomats and their families while in Cuba.
Shelby CheveldayoffPublished 5 years ago in The Swamp