activism
Grassroots campaigns have proven instrumental in bringing about political, social or environmental change; you've got to start somewhere-might as well start here.
Rachel Dolezal, It's Ok to Be White
I am white. I was 16 when I became a member of the ANC Youth League. My friend Tanya and I joined, meeting in the basement of a church in Tamboerskloof, Cape Town. Of course the ANC was banned in those days, so we were told to say we were attending church youth group meetings. I became the president of a group called Pupils United For Peace And Awareness and managed to get Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica (now South African’s National Anthem) inserted into our school hymn books, which prompted a visit from the security police to our headmaster Mr Louw. When the ANC was unbanned I became a card-carrying member. I jostled outside City Hall with the celebratory masses when Mandela was released.
By iamfancypants6 years ago in The Swamp
Get Your Nature On!!
Red-Winged Black Bird Wilderness Peoples is my Dream 501c3. The mission statement is “Helping People by helping Nature.” The name Red Winged Black Bird Wilderness people has a deep meaning to us. In nature red-winged black birds have a reputation. They are known for a few things which is the reason why they represent this organization. They are known for their protective traits. They protect their young ones, mates and even other birds against much larger dangerous threats. They do not fear and unify for protection. It also represents courage and confidence when needed in large crowds. Red-Winged Black bird teaches us the value of unity and strength in numbers. Unified efforts can undoubtedly lead towards the achievement of a goal. Our goal here is to save Nature and the land and creatures we love. We are stepping forward for our beloved Nature. We call it Her because in our belief system she is our mother. We each have a biological mother right down to the smallest creature. Our collective mother is Nature. She sustains our lives as a mother sustains her children. I always say we because I think of what we can do to help. What can we do to give back and to change the course of this planet? We are the Red-Winged Black Bird Wilderness Peoples (RWBWP) a group of folks that work for Nature and work to save our natural places.
By Casey Curry6 years ago in The Swamp
About Extinction Rebellion: Change Has Always Come from Disobedience
Recently the Extinction Rebellion hasn’t been afraid to disrupt the established order of things, which can be disrupting for quite a few people as commuters in London discovered in mid-April, when the climate change protest group planted a big pink boat right into the middle of Oxford Circus, grinding the area to a halt. However, despite the reasonable aggravation of having their days disrupted, everyone should consider the bigger picture and blame the powers that be, rather than the protesters, for the disruption caused. After all, the protesters wouldn’t be there is the climate wasn’t in a state of freefall, a situation that the UK government is choosing to ignore in favour of Brexit. And to those people who ask why Extinction Rebellion aren’t protesting peacefully, the answer simply is this: Many have already, but nothing’s happened. And history shows that is that doesn’t work, then direct action is the way to go. So here’s a quick history lesson.
By Jaime Hunter 6 years ago in The Swamp
Trans Lives Matter
You run into an article about a transgender person either being killed or brutally attacked by a complete stranger or acquaintances. In most of these cases, they are often misgendered by the media, police statements, and other professions. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), 26 transgender people in 2018 have been killed. The majority of whom were black transgender women. This year, the lives of 23 transgender people were lost at the hand of violence. That’s a 1.1 percent decrease from last year, but more needs to be done to protect them from any further attacks.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 6 years ago in The Swamp
The View from the Dumpster
The View from the Dumpster—No players, no Game As a resident, you are familiar with the recycling program in your community, which for most folks means you know to put the paper in one bin, and plastic, glass, and metal in the other; that, and you know the pickup day. And every community in the country has different rules, different materials they accept, and if the vendor changes, the rules may change. So, you have to keep track of putting the tall glass jar with a lid in the purple bin on Tuesday, and if you don’t have the lid, it goes in the blue bin on Wednesday. Soda bottles are in the green bin, unless they are diet sodas which have to be handled separately via a special pickup, because nobody wants to touch that toxic residue. Then there’s the paper bin, I know that the pizza box is cardboard, and likely so was the pizza, but the bits of cheese that you missed are a problem. Oh, my bad; that was frozen pizza. That box you can put in with the paper. Do whatever you want with flavorless Frisbee that you just baked. Yes, I understand that paint can is steel, but there’s a different number you have to call for that. Really, that vacuum cleaner doesn’t fit in the bin. Take it down the street, and drop it in a clothing recycling bin.
By Heinz Weverink6 years ago in The Swamp
10 Things You Need to Know About the Global Climate Strike
As climate change continues to wreak havoc on our ecosystem, millions across the world are taking action and calling for change in order to preserve our environment. The Global Climate Strike, the massive climate change campaign that united millions across the world to amplify the voices of young activists seeking environmental reform, is a perfect example of this. Because of its historic importance as a massively successful initiative, here is everything you need to know about the Global Climate Strike.
By Daniel Rocha6 years ago in The Swamp
Bereft of Real Solutions, Climate Hysteria Becomes a Children's Crusade
Scenes from the Climate Emergency: One: I was teaching at a prep academy for immigrant kids, whose parents want to ensure they get into good schools. It was the day of the "Global Climate Strike," which, as it occurred on a sunny school day, was surprisingly well-attended. One of my students approached me before class and asked, clearly worried, if the world was going to end in twelve years.
By Grant Patterson6 years ago in The Swamp
The Homeless Need Our Help
I have a history with being homeless and let me tell you it is no walk in the park. Things are not easy as everyone may think. Most of the homeless are not out there because of drugs or alcohol, that happened after they became homeless and it is called a coping mechanism because being homeless knocks a person’s self-esteem into the ground and then society beats them down too, keeping them out there in the streets with no hand to help them up.
By Brandi Payne6 years ago in The Swamp
You Are Doing Your Best to Stop Climate Change. Businesses Are Not
There's a guilt narrative attached to any discussion of climate change. We drive too many cars. We eat too much beef. We, as in, the consumer, the person, the individual culprit sleepwalking over the climate cliff.
By Anna Gooding-Call6 years ago in The Swamp
