humanity

Humanity topics include pieces on the real lives of politicians, legislators, activists, women in politics and the everyday voter.

Having No Fear in an America That's Trying to Make Us Powerless
When I think about movements of progress and innovation, I picture courageous leaders. These women, men, and even young folks that are passionate, or inspired by their communities, the wrongdoings that overarching systems of power have weighted on them, decided that enough is enough. They may have been fearful, but they took up their arms of power, their voices, their bodies, their writing, their minds and showed up for their brothers and sisters. We all make a choice every day. Do we want to stay silent during this pivotal time, where our rights are being stripped? As a Black queer woman, I feel like it is my time to stand up (as we always have). I may not have that much money, but my words are rich. When we get up to serve, with conviction, dignity, selflessness, and intellect individually, we make a decision to use our power and talents to see progress. We do this to elevate ourselves out of poverty, out of degradation of our image by our families and culture or by media perpetuations, from flawed institutions such as religious spaces. For example: How can you be a part of a religious institution that is supposed to be your home and comfort when you cannot bring all of yourself to it? Checking your struggles at the door for a spiritual session that forces hurt people, scarred people, broken people, to join you, only if they have to dress up their problems with a smile and a suit, or force themselves to feel a spirit that is just simply not there. Why would a person want to contribute to that divide that patriarchy brings, when we are just a fraction of the way for progress for all women in America, and globally? Religion should be rooted in peace and healing; we really come to religion because we are afraid, or broken, or damaged, to cry out and seek comfort. But what we end up with is shame and short-lived bursts of hope. Without social action we will continue to give into the failed system that is leaving us so disconnected, forgotten, angry, and without abundant good.
By SAYHERNAME Morgan Sankofa8 years ago in The Swamp
What's The Story, Working Class Tory?
There have been a number of commentators recently that have ridiculed people who vote for things that are bad for them, e.g. working-class Tory or Republican voters. The focus is sometimes on politicians and the media misinforming the uneducated masses. Of course, this is part of the problem, not just in terms of informing voting decisions, but in all areas of politics that affect the everyday citizen.
By Katy Preen8 years ago in The Swamp
Conditioned to Cocoon
When I was six, I told my sister I wanted to buy a castle in Europe and have a summer home on the beach. She told me that I needed to get a high paying job. “I’ll just become a singer, an actor, and a model!” She told me that should cover it. That was in the late 1990s, a time when people didn’t carry an unlimited supply of media in their pocket.
By Josh Contreras8 years ago in The Swamp
Syrian Santa
It wasn't long before Christmas in Amman, the capital of Jordan. I'd overheard a stranger talking about a Muslim Syrian refugee who was working as a Santa Claus actor in one of Amman's many malls. Using a little internet sleuthing, I managed to find the mall and get in touch.
By Alex Sinclair8 years ago in The Swamp
“UNICEF Report: Almost 50 Million Children Displaced”
Imagine being all alone, detached from your home and possibly your family. Fleeing from inevitable issues, wondering when you can ever return home. In present time, that is how life is for nearly fifty-million children around the world, according to a recent UNICEF—United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund—report. Notably, the reasoning for there being so many suffering children refugees is the impact of certain areas fraught of great political and economic disruption. With continually increasing rates of children refugees, it is fundamental to understand how this refugee crisis will not only impact the children.
By Chloe Larson8 years ago in The Swamp
Being the "Model Minority"
I'm Chinese American and I grew up in Seattle, Washington, a city with a relatively large Asian American population. I lived in an affluent neighborhood and went to a good high school where most children were from upper middle class families. As such, I've lived a pretty sheltered life, so much so that I didn't realize there was inherent racism even in my liberal, privileged community. This racism wasn't the typical racism focused on by media. I never faced any outright malice. That's why it took me so long to realize that there is more to racism than vicious insults.
By Jenny Y8 years ago in The Swamp
The Apple Tree
My Dear Mahnaz, There are two types of fire in this world, azizam. The first is a calm, tender fire, one whose gentle heat warms the bones and comforts the soul. This is the kind your father was. Atash means fire, but he was more of a candle. The second kind of fire, and I don’t mean to scare you Mahnaz jan, is a furious, vicious fire. One that rampages through villages, destroys entire cities and families in just one turn of the earth, leaving behind nothing but death and ashes. This kind, my daughter, my doxtar, is the Taliban.
By Georgie Cox8 years ago in The Swamp
Terror Changes a City in a Day
Terrorism has changed London in so many ways. Often, we don't even notice it. It's usual to be stuck at the train station, with no bin to put your gum in, because the IRA hid bombs in public litter bins. We hear the announcements every time we travel on the train — Please take all your personal belongings with you when leaving the train, and keep them with you at all times whilst on the platform. Terrorism is everywhere, but it is nowhere. London has changed, but is it for the better?
By Alex Gould8 years ago in The Swamp
Israeli Survivor of Munich Olympics Shares Story
Recently at Chabad of Bedford Hills, Dan Alon recounted his ordeal as an Israeli athlete at the 1972 Olympic Games, and the pain he kept silent for the next 35 years. But the tragedy that took the lives of 11 fellow Olympians had a simple message that endures for all Jews, and anyone who values humanity.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in The Swamp
Does America Have a Mental Health Problem?
On Sunday, November 5, a man shot up a church located in Sutherland Springs, Texas, killing up to 26 people, making this the United State's 307th mass shooting this year. Donald Trump's response left a few baffled as he spoke about mental health but did not talk about any policy in the question. Earlier in the year, he revoked Obama's gun regulations for the mentally ill, giving them access to own a gun. Is his response just a scapegoat to stop the process of vetting gun ownership, or did he just raise awareness to an issue that's been ignored for a very long time?
By Maria Luisa8 years ago in The Swamp
The Strange Career of Jill Crow — Part 2
As more twisted tales of sexual harassment by Kevin Spacey come out, it is clear that the workplace abuser counts on three things: their leverage, your silence as well as the "Aunt Tom"— that is, the abuse enabler.
By Tanya Young8 years ago in The Swamp
Why Is It Like This?
Today, death seems to be a normalcy. We turn on the news and hear about another 30 people killed and it sucks; But we move on cause you know... What else can we do? We go to work and we hear about a president who seems to spew more hate than he actually speaks about politics. We hear theories that the earth is flat and, "THEY'RE LYING TO US!" Distrust comes out more often than truth and worst of all, hate always outshines love.
By Jonathan Norton8 years ago in The Swamp