News + Politics
We the people, by the people.
"Don't Say a Word"
I am a philanthropist, a humanitarian, a lover of humanity who just hasn't done anything big yet. I believe that human kindness and understanding opens the door to a better world. Life is time that never stops moving until we cease to live, then someone else will live on after us who will take the place that we once took, maybe they will take the next stand following our example not just our words.
By Jordan Sophia Thomas7 years ago in The Swamp
A Journey Through Mexico City
Colonialism is the immovable stain on the fabric of humanity. A nation free from its grasp may strive to erase its dark past, yet its indelible marks remain on the land and its people. Survival of the fittest, they brand it, the strong devouring the weak has become the blueprint for mass murder, providing ample justification for military occupation, the raping and pillaging of lands, the dehumanization of a people ultimately stripping an entire nation of its identity. Those that opt to defend and protect their homeland face imprisonment and death. The skewed and twisted ideologies borne out of greed, racism and a flawed theology inspire men to lay waste to whole communities. Only when submission is seen as the only viable option is hegemony allowed to run its course, convincing a nation that their actions are morally justified, its people now contained inside the walls of their invisible prison, enjoying faux freedoms. Despite the efforts to take control of an occupied land and its indigenous people, resistance remains and victory is measured in terms of independence. And yet, as much as any oppressed nation feels a sense of liberation, the shackles of influence left behind are harder to remove.
By Jermaine Lebert7 years ago in The Swamp
Free Speech and the New Left
In 1964, the University of California Berkeley was engaging in what would come to be known as The Free Speech Movement. During this time subversive ideas were plentiful, though not all embraced, especially by federal and local law enforcement. At the same time, a mass of students at UC Berkeley were engaged in passively handing out civil rights literature in an attempt to challenge the status quo. While this would be seen as perfectly acceptable by most standards today, Hollander Savio spoke to NPR News about how contemptible these acts were at the time by law enforcement. According to NPR News, Savio recalls that she watched a former mathematics graduate student being arrested for distributing civil rights literature (Gonzales). Fast forward to circa 2016, so called “safe spaces” are being advocated, or more appropriately characterized as demanded, by the New Left. Safe spaces as defined by The Chicago Tribune are areas which serve to shelter students from speakers and/or topics that may be traumatizing, uncomfortable or offensive (Rhodes, Vivanco). One should be shocked that this censorship and disabling of free speech and open discourse comes from the “descendants” of the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. Not only has the New Left abandoned one of the Old Left’s defining historical moments, it’s abandoned the idea that free speech is in place to protect a citizen’s right to speak openly about unpopular ideas and that that same right should be granted to all citizens without prejudice.
By Kent Prion7 years ago in The Swamp
Guns, Little Word, Big Fear
Guns. To some, the word sends shivers and thoughts of bloody death and assault on little children. To others, the word sends nothing more than happy thoughts as they think of hunting and security. To me, the word sends my eyes rolling, and my head aching, as we continue to see such a loud debate in the media, both news and social.
By Jenna Logan7 years ago in The Swamp
What It Means to Be American
American. What does that mean? What does it mean to be "American"? Does it mean one should be proud for taking the land from the indigenous (who still do not have equal rights)? Does it mean to be proud of discrimination of minorities and those who do not share the "Christian" values? Does it mean that one should be proud of a man who is misogynistic and racist? Or does it mean to hold true to the pursuit of life, liberty, and freedom, regardless of gender, race, or religion?
By Yoshio Chandler7 years ago in The Swamp
The Wedding Cake Debacle
Let me start right off with this disclaimer: I am a Born Again Christian. It took me until I was 31 to find my life in Jesus, and though I am not currently in a church, I read my Bible every night, and talk to Him throughout the day. I am stone solid in my Bible-based beliefs.
By Jenna Logan7 years ago in The Swamp
Aslan's Deception
Clearly, as Reza Aslan so eloquently demonstrated, obscurantism is the new black. With an all but creepy smile, Aslan has been lionized, sniffing things like Islam does not need a reformation. Really? Then how does he answer to the experiences of Ayaan Hirsi Ali in Somalia, who against her own will, suffered female genital mutilation? Painfully, Hirsi Ali recounts the details of this event for all to witness:
By Roger Smith7 years ago in The Swamp
Trump's Pride—Or Lack Thereof
When you start in a new job, sometimes it's a very good thing to establish your own norms and traditions. It's important to stick with the terms of reference for your job, but sometimes—especially when you're in a leadership position—it's really important to put yourself out there and establish your own presence in the body of those traditions.
By Christina St-Jean7 years ago in The Swamp