pop culture
The headline rundown: Modern popular culture topics in the realm of politics, legislation and activism.
COVID-19, Racism, Xenophobia, and anti-Asian violence in America
As I wrote yesterday, “The Enlightenment” influenced the freedom narratives, literature, and philosophy of the western world.
Vinyasa BlissPublished 16 days ago in The SwampThis is as simple as it gets
The only cure for your anxious mind is solidarity. This is a summary/review of a new podcast I came across, The Entry Level Left Podcast. I’ll link it at the bottom. After only hearing the first episode, I am hooked. *note: the first episode was re-recorded. I listened to the newer version, not the original.
Lauren ZimmermanPublished 23 days ago in The SwampCOVID-19 and Its Effects on European Countries
All over the globe, nobody would have predicted that the year 2020 would be affected by a global pandemic. Over the years, some parts of the world have been recorded to be bedeviled with deadly diseases. For instance, the Ebola Virus did not affect all the countries of the world during its reign. However, virtually all countries of the world were hit and are still hit with the deadly coronavirus. It has caused an abrupt end to every activity that cut across all phases of life as churches, mosques, markets, stadia, music and entertainment industry, public and private companies, schools, etc were all put on hold forcefully. In a nutshell, a global lockdown was enforced in order to find a lasting solution to the deadly virus.
SNROCINUTAFPublished 25 days ago in The SwampMake The Climate Emergency Headline News EVERY Day
Look at the menu bar on any media website. You’ll see various categories of news, with the recent addition of ‘Covid-19’ or ‘Coronavirus.’ These are the subjects we are being told are the most important.
Mark CampbellPublished 25 days ago in The SwampThe Evening News at 666
At 6 o'clock EST, my family and I gather to pay homage to our mortality. It is human nature to cling to familiarity, and in these turbulent times we have committed to upholding as many family traditions and maintaining as many daily routines as possible, just to preserve the illusion that we have any semblance of control. TV together at dinner is one of these routines. Dinner at the same time every evening, and the same channel with the same program while we eat.
MFGA: Make Fashion Great Again
MAGA hats, thought of by some as symbols of patriotism and nationalistic pride, representing an unspecified time in American history when everything was great, have swept across the USA over the last four or so years like a great fever, driven by the passion of the last President's supporters. But now with a new President in town, isn't it time these caps, which have come to represent so much that is wrong in the world, also find their place in the history books, or better yet, the bin?
Jared GreenwoodPublished about a month ago in The SwampBernie Sanders: Loses the Nomination, Wins the Internet
God bless America, land that I love. Land of the free, home of the brave, unhinged social media users that take a traditionally monumental occasion and add a little... spice.
Sadie KaminskyPublished about a month ago in The SwampJoe Biden Entering the White House Gives Me Big 'Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners' Energy
I'll preface this one by saying - America, I'm sorry. And also, disclaimer, I don't assume that everything will be sunshine and fairy shit under the Biden/Harris presidency. Politicians will be crap, always. However, the last four years has not been easy on you. In fact, the present is not easy on you. Our boy Joe feat. Queen Kamala have got a long road ahead, and a big ol' mess to clean up.
Lisa MareePublished about a month ago in The SwampThe Obligatory Post about News Break
Breaking News Whenever I try to write something just for the money I feel like the double-crossing drug dealer in Grand Theft Auto Vice City.
James GarsidePublished 2 months ago in The SwampThat Pro-Confederate Statue of “The Simpsons.”
. In the season 7 of The Simpsons, episode Lisa the Iconoclast, Lisa goes to the Springfield Historical Society--advertised as “Where the Dead Come Alive. (metaphorically)”-- to do research on town founder Jebediah Springfield. There she accidentally discovers that Hans had a secret double life. Before founding the town of Springfield he was a pirate known as Hans Sprungfeld who once tried to murder George Washington. The museum curator initially tries to cover up Lisa’s findings (this seems like a bad career move--a discovery like this would presumably thrill most historians) but eventually realizes people must know the truth. He and Lisa rush to Springfield’s bicentennial’s celebration to tell everyone, but at the last second Lisa decides to keep Jebediah/Hans’ secret. The reason why is simply because Jebediah’s slogan “A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.” is just so darn inspirational.
Buck HardcastlePublished 2 months ago in The SwampWhat A Surprise - Christmas Has Been Cancelled
The British Prime Minister has announced that many areas of England, including London, are now in Tier 4. Moving into the higher tier means the closure of non-essential shops, gyms and leisure centres, hairdressers and beauty salons.
Reija SillanpaaPublished 2 months ago in The SwampThe Penguin is Electable
When Batman Returns came out, I was too young for politics. Without giving away my age, let's say the first president I remember is President Bill Clinton. Nonetheless, looking at The Penguin's mannerisms and demeanor in the film, I could not help but think to myself - this guy is not electable! He bites a man's nose, looks like an egg, eating raw fish, and makes awful sexual remarks. In my older years, I realized, The Penguin is sadly quite electable. Case in point - look at Donald Trump.
Skyler SneathenPublished 3 months ago in The Swamp