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.
Donald Trump: Despicable and Deplorable
I’m gonna blow. We have this thing called social media that let’s you sound off whenever something rubs you the wrong way. Hello, Donald Trump. But the election taught me how impulsive posts only elevates anger, alienates without resolving anything and makes Facebook fertile ground for unfriending. So my responses have been to encourage people to get involved rather than seething with each unsettling factoid. But after seven months, I just have to vent.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Cis Allies
I'd like to start by saying thank you. We see you, we appreciate you, and now more than ever we need you. However, there are some things that we need to discuss. Things that, to you, seem innocent. Things that, for us, are a painful reminder that society still places us in the category of "other."
By Stella Lane9 years ago in The Swamp
From My Front Porch
Poverty. We all know it's out there but how many people really know and understand what it is and what it's like? According to a 2015 Census report poverty affects approximately 43 million Americans that's about 1 in 7 people. An additional 19 million live in deep poverty, making less than 50% of poverty level income annually. So what exactly is poverty level income? Well according to that same 2015 report the federal poverty level for the continental US is as follows:
By Claudia Sanders9 years ago in The Swamp
Green Politics Must Evolve, Quickly
Green politics, associated not only with protecting our environment and our planet but also with peace and alternative lifestyles, is still not too popular among the general public. In modern history and in an increasingly competitive political arena, no Green Party has managed to finish first once in a nation's parliamentary election and lead the government at national level. This is in spite of the German state of Baden-Wurttenberg managing to elect Winifred Kretschmann in 2012 and again in 2016 as the first Green Party provincial Minister-President of a German province, and also despite increasing concern for environmental issues among the general population.
By Alan Borgars9 years ago in The Swamp
When Politicians Don't Really Understand!
I believe that politicians think that they are the only people in the world; they don't really care about anybody else, they just lie and tax the people more. What about taxing the rich more, not the poor? However, that's how they live. They live by taking it all but never giving what they promised; we should've known that they would be trouble, behind that glisten of what looked like a promise.
By Lizzy Arrow9 years ago in The Swamp
Misconceptions
America, land of the free home of the poor. The land of opportunity for the chosen lucky few. Poverty is crippling in America. I understand poverty-stricken families those living paycheck to day after paycheck. Those living and relying on food stamps I understand them because I am one of them.
By Claudia Sanders9 years ago in The Swamp
Why to Not Silence Your Voice as a Black Female
The event was going better than I thought. This was finally our time. A young black woman living in Middletown, Pennsylvania created an anti-hatred, racist, sexist (all the above) demonstration and no one was stopping it even with the school media attention and interview. Until... in the distance we see two white boys walking up to the demonstration site. A huge flag supporting the 45th president, boots, geared up and ready to fight and hold on to their rights against women, people of color, and the true America that I love. One which is full of every nationality, sexuality, and walk of life co-existing and gathering to find their life's purposes. This was 2016. You might have thought that this was a sit-in from the 1960s and these boys were coming to take down the "disruptors." This itself showed me how important that safe space for expression of more progressive folks actually is for black people and for black women in particular. Why can't black women have an outlet? This is why I resonate so much with the Black Lives Matter movement that has finally put all black people on a pedestal four years strong and still kicking. That is powerful.
By SAYHERNAME Morgan Sankofa9 years ago in The Swamp
Why I Won't be at Pride this Year
Content warning; this is a personal piece written from the author’s perspective of the issue. The word ‘Q*eer’ will be used in it’s uncensored form throughout the article, as the author identifies with the term and has reclaimed that slur for himself. If readers are uncomfortable with the word it is advised that you refrain from reading the piece.
By Jason Everitt9 years ago in The Swamp
Suppression of Black Creative Minds
Over the course of years, black culture has taken over dramatically. Everything about our music, art, movies, businesses, literature, pretty much anything we create becomes a masterpiece within the eyes of other African Americans. However, most people aren’t able to express their true talent due to multiple reasons. We’re living in an age where discrimination, poverty and racial tension is at an all time high, positive reinforcement for blacks in America are crucially important.
By Christian Sinclair9 years ago in The Swamp
