controversies

It seems every time one racially-charged incident ends, a gender or religious controversy takes its place; Ruminate on the issues dividing our nation and world.

Caught in the Middle
In the wake of the events of Charlottesville, I have seen, as well as been, the target of an alarming amount of hate on social media, especially from a group of people that are “opposed to hate.” Due to this, I have decided to say the things that most do not want to hear.
By Lyss Borden8 years ago in The Swamp
What the Attacks on Our Monuments Truly Means
The attacks on our national monuments have less to do with history and social consciousness, and more to do with control over today's political climate. Allow me to explain. We hear of statues in the south pertaining to the Civil War being removed or defaced, particularly those depicting Generals Robert E. Lee and J.E.B Stuart. As a youngster growing up in the north, I was taught of the evils of slavery and the costly war to end it. However, as I grew up and moved around for my profession, I learned of the culture of the South and the pride of its citizens. They knew they lost the war and learned to live with it. For over a hundred years, they honored their dead for their spirit. Now, suddenly, such symbols are under attack. Even this misplaced Yankee, who now resides in the South, is alarmed by the determined push to deface our history.
By Tim Bryce8 years ago in The Swamp
The Silence of Patton
Many times we are taught there are absolutes. What we read and are taught there are certain facts that shouldn't be called into question. In mathematics, for instance, 1+1=2 is a fact that should not be questioned. Many times we are taught, especially in history, there are underlying circumstances where certain facts come into light years and even decades afterward that dispute what we originally thought was true and factual. Some believe in conspiracy theories backed up by unsubstantiated incidents and non-verifiable information. Then there are other times what we think are just conspiracy theories; later on, verifiable information comes to light that suggests that maybe it wasn't a conspiracy after all but certain events really did happen.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in The Swamp
Two Missouri Kids Feel Back in Closet After Quote Removal
Receiving the high school yearbook is perhaps one of the highlights of a student's scholastic career. The photos, both goofy and serious, the signatures from friends and teachers, and the memorable quotes all play a role in how everyone remembers their high school experiences.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
Kaepernick: The New Ali
If the vast majority of Black people in America (notice how I said not all) do not boycott the National Football League this upcoming season... we are lost as a people like for real for real. Colin Kaepernick, a professional athlete and multimillionaire, stood for something last season.
By Dre Joseph9 years ago in The Swamp
Allen Andrade's Horrific Hate Crime
Angie Zapata, an 18-year-old transgender woman, met Allen Andrade, a 31-year-old unemployed man, on an Internet dating site and invited him into her home in Greeley, Colorado on July 15, 2008. Angie borrowed her mother’s car to pick Andrade up and bring him to her home.
By Kathy Craig9 years ago in The Swamp
This is The Face of Trump's America
"Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." -George Santayana. Yesterday, I went to the Museum of Jewish Heritage Museum, and the similarities of what happened then and what is happening now was not lost on me. A frightened, insecure, child of immigrants somehow convinced a large portion of the voting public that all of their problems could be traced back to immigrants coming into the country. WHAT? Are you kidding me? Somehow the hypocrisy of these men was lost on their respective constituents. Yes, I am making a Trump/Hitler comparison and no I am not sorry for it. I am certain that this piece will lose me friends/fans/work but it needs to be said. The things that Trump has said in regards to Charlottesville and what is happening there is not just racist, it shows his true colors and I don't mean that orange, cheetah dust on his skin.
By Edward Anderson9 years ago in The Swamp
Neo-Nazi Site 'The Daily Stormer' Pulled from GoDaddy Following Vile Charlottesville Comments
Domain hosting site GoDaddy isn't putting up with The Daily Stormer. The Daily Stormer posted egregiously hateful comments on its website at some point following Heather Heyer being identified as one of the three victims in the Charlottesville tragedy this past weekend. The comments, which will not be posted here, led several Twitter users to call for the removal of The Daily Stormer from GoDaddy.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
Womanhood and Witchcraft
My town still bears the scars of its past. Tucked away in the form of plaques on walls and sculptures in parks, memorials record the names of those tried and executed here for the crime of witchcraft. Everyone who lives here knows the history of the area, but it’s not the only place with a bloodthirsty history.
By Anne Morley9 years ago in The Swamp
The True Face of American Terror
I don't know if it's the years and years of hard drinking and drugging... the mega-violent movies and video games consumed from early on... the wild and uncouth "bro" culture in our high schools and sporting events... the even wilder "frat boy" culture in our universities... the cantankerous labor and police unions, the brainwashing military... the fear of Blacks rising up and doing to them what their ancestors did to Black and indigenous American slaves... the fear of losing their privilege...
By Dre Joseph9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Mr. President, Condemn The Alt-Right
Watching the events in Charlottesville unfold, I've been trying to collect my thoughts. To try and say something worthwhile about the whole mess, even before someone decided to use their car to ram through a crowd of protesters. That it's come to this, in 2017 America, simply boggled my mind.
By Matthew Kresal9 years ago in The Swamp
Trump Says Nation Must Rise Above Hatred Following Charlottesville Tragedy
"We must remember this truth: No matter our color, creed, religion or political party, we are ALL AMERICANS FIRST." These words, from President Donald J. Trump, were tweeted in the wake of the tragedy that continues to unfold in Charlottesville, Virginia. What the president fails to recognize — and continues to fail to see — is that he is encouraging, on an ongoing basis, the hatred that's happening and continues to happen across the nation.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp