Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in The Swamp.

Finesse Black History Month Remix
Black History Month is such a big deal, especially in our generation where we have a President who is racist, sexist and really does not care about anyone except himself. Hundreds of innocent black people are killed by police and rarely do police ever suffer the consequences for their actions. Martin Luther King is celebrated in January because of his birthday, but all of our African Americans should be celebrated for the sacrifices they made in order for minorities to have their own voice. Mississippi is still one of the most racist territories of our nation. Interracial marriage was illegal until 1990! That is 28 years ago! I was watching Chris Rock's new Netflix special and he was sharing his experience while visiting Mississippi, as a famous Black comedian, he was scared to be in the environment. We have young black men scared to drive, scared to wear a hoodie, scared to speak because of the pattern of chaos and lost black persons at the hands of police. I am not saying all police are bad. I understand how hard that career is, risking your life every day to protect the innocent and attempt to keep the bad people off the streets. In the day and age of our current terrorism, it has been white men, white men, white men, white men shooting up schools, churches, concerts, movie theaters. Black people ARE not doing this, and that is why I am so perplexed about how in 2018 people can still be so racist and judging of other cultures. Has anyone told Trump that all these terrorists are not Muslim? So many people are hurting from all the misery our country has seen, and those people who are going out and killing others—it is because they do not how to handle difficult situations. Art is healing and that is why so many artists choose to make awareness through it versus violence. Jennifer Lopez and Lin Manuel Miranda made an exceptional music video to support the residents of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria knocked out all the electricity of the island, leaving people dying of cholera, with no food or water, nothing to help, and our President goes on golf trip after golf trip. Yes it is black history month, but we need to be aware that racism is still here. Afro Latinos have had the same circumstances. In the Dominican Republic, President Trujillo wanted all the BLACK Dominicans killed. Hitler was the not the only one interested in genocide. Everyone knows what Hitler did, how many know about Trujillo? That is the whole purpose of writing and singing poems to share with the world what they should know; our past can predict our future. If I was raised in those times, I would not have been able to play with white girls. I would not be able to marry a white man. I am grateful to be living in the age where discrimination is illegal but it's still such a tender thing and so hard to talk about. So support our young black youth and let them know they are special and it's not their fault that some people will never accept them for who they are.
By Ananda Malave- Reyes8 years ago in The Swamp
Gentrification: My Take
Gentrification has affected almost all people of all ethnic backgrounds in the United States. The most popular to date has been in the hispanic communities located in Los Angeles, California. Gentrification is a very controversial topic in 2017-18 due to the recent changing of areas such as Echo Park, Highland Park, and now Boyle Heights. Although gentrification is an action with good intentions, it is also one being frowned upon. The uprising of gentrification has caused lots of tension between people in communities affected by gentrification. This action has forced many people to move out of their apartments or sell their homes because they cannot afford to pay for the now expensive rent. This has created lots of division and conflict in the communities of certain areas and the people around them.
By Alí González8 years ago in The Swamp
When Are Things Going to Change?!
Alyssa Alhadeff, 14 Scott Beigel, 35 Martin Duque Anguiano, 14 Nicholas Dworet, 17 Aaron Feis, 37 Jaime Guttenberg, 14
By Kate Bennett8 years ago in The Swamp
Why Trump Is the Best Thing to Happen to Me, a DACA Recipient
Before you label me a Tio Tomas (Spanish Uncle Tom), you must read my reasoning. My parents made the decision to immigrate to the United States after my father lost everything. He worked for el PRI as a civil engineer and we had a middle class life. He was able to get a visa and then sneak me and my siblings into this country. I was seven at the time. My mother was forced to walk through the desert for several days, but that is another story.
By Arnold G.8 years ago in The Swamp
Gun Control
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
By Mary Caitlyn8 years ago in The Swamp
Art Analysis from an Art Student
When I reminisce about the years of 2008-2016, I realized that a lot of events happened. Movie stars, writers, artists came and went. I narrowed it down to events in my own life that happened. I graduated high school, I graduated my undergrad, and I became a graduate in that time. Romances for me were discovered and I lost many. I gained more strength in my artwork and my writing.
By Josh Odd8 years ago in The Swamp
Everyone Just Likes to Hate Us
It’s always the ones who are against everyone that think they know the most, at least that’s what they believe. Westerners are weirdly obsessed with the idea that Islam is a constant threat to their existence. Firstly, with the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York City, following with the horrific Boston bombings, as well as the fatal Quebec Mosque shooting, Muslims have always been at the forefront of the media, and not in a positive light.
By Lola Xaz8 years ago in The Swamp
Movie Review: 'Wag the Dog' (1997)
In Barry Levinson’s 1997 political satire Wag the Dog, actors Robert de Niro, Dustin Hoffman, and Anne Heche make covering presidential scandal with patriotic frenzy look like a walk in the park. The movie mixes Hollywood and politics into a satirical comedy with issues that hit close to home during the time it was produced and filmed.
By Breanna Sahr8 years ago in The Swamp
What We Know About Mass Shootings
It has been two days since the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida that has left 17 dead. While we mourn and share the stories of those who have died, it's also important to look forward and ask: what can we do next time? Because we're at a point in history where when it comes to mass shootings, the question is not if, but when.
By Kath Clarke8 years ago in The Swamp
My Thoughts About Prayers
The time has come again. The tweets and the retweets are circulating. People are attaching hashtags to Instagram posts and Facebook comments.
By Clarisse Guevarra8 years ago in The Swamp
Thoughts, Prayers, Guns
Travel anywhere in the world and you’ll find that people expect Americans to love three things – baseball, beer, and guns. And not necessarily in that order. In the wake of another brutal shooting in Florida where at least seventeen people were shot dead by suspect Nikolas Cruz, a former student at the school, teenager, and, most troubling of all, legal owner of an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Just so you have this straight in your head, please take a moment to picture not a handgun that some banger holds in the palm of his hand and sticks in his waistband while he sells nose candy on the streets of LA. It’s a bloody massive firearm not all that different from the size of your leg into which you can easily slot thirty-round magazines and empty them through the muzzle nearly as quickly. It is, in short, a very efficient way to kill.
By Avi Sato8 years ago in The Swamp
Mental Health and Guns in America
As I write this I am extremely conflicted. I’m conflicted as a human, a parent, and a responsible gun owner. I can’t even begin to imagine what those families in Florida are currently going through and went through today. I have seen news reports, cell phone videos, and watched them with tears in my eyes as a parent. It’s easy to say, “thank god it wasn’t my kid,” but some of these parents don’t have that option. At least 17 dead, and 50+ injured. While information is still coming out, it seems as if the 19-year-old shooter had been expelled for disciplinary reasons, been obsessed with a female classmate, and his social media was described as very disturbing. Some students claimed that his Instagram was very disturbing, as described killing animals for fun. They said if anybody did it, it would be him.
By James Howell8 years ago in The Swamp