Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
A True Story of "White Male Privilege"
White privilege is a funny thing. Growing up and attending high schools all over the U.S., I really only learned about white privilege while attending college and afterwards. Upon learning that I was supposed to be handed life's rewards on a silver platter for no other reason that my skin pigmentation, I was honestly a little excited. Selfish, I know, but a normal reaction for anyone.
By Brandon Garcia9 years ago in The Swamp
Should the Government Fund Planned Parenthood?
Part I: Background Information In 1921, a non-profit organization called the American Birth Control League opened its doors in New York with the intention of helping promote the negative impacts of reckless breeding, get rid of the state and federal laws that stand in the way of using birth control, and figure out how to alleviate the looming international epidemic of overpopulation. The founder of the organization, Margaret Sanger, states in her book, The Pivot of Civilization, that she believes a child should be: Conceived in love, born of the mother's conscious desire, and only begotten under conditions which render possible the heritage of health (Sanger, Appendix). "A woman's right to control her body is central to her human rights," she says, that "every woman should have the right to choose when or whether to have children, that every child should be wanted and loved, and that women are entitled to sexual pleasure and fulfillment."
By Elizabeth Gelinas9 years ago in The Swamp
Appreciate Not Appropriate!. Top Story - July 2017.
EXTRA! EXTRA!! DO NOT APPROPRIATE MINORITY CULTURE!!! Ladies and gentlemen, Boys and girls, White people. I have heard a lot of bullshit in my life on why culture vultures (people who steal from other cultures) always appropriate the cultures of minority groups (like black, Latina, Native American cultures etc.) and believe me, it's a lot of bullshit (my next article will talk about one of them). On the other hand, I've had a lot of people (who happen to be white) ask me how they can appreciate rather than appropriate culture. My white colleagues often tell me that they listen to rap music and enjoy it very much (I don't know why they feel the need to tell me but...okay). The follow up is often a question asking me if they are appropriating black culture just by listening to rap music. First, the answer is no. Second, my humble self would like to give you some tips on how to appreciate rather than appropriate minority cultures.
By PHILLY THE AFRICANA9 years ago in The Swamp
Speaking in Hypotheticals
There is a political tidal wave just on the horizon. Most people have seen its effects already, as the waves preceding have begun to change the landscape. This wave is made up of the faces and voices of the newest generation of American, the Millenials. These kids, age ranging from forty to eighteen, have recently come of age in the political scene and already their voice is being heard.
By James Hildebrand9 years ago in The Swamp
We Need a New Black Education System Nationwide
This is why Black people need our own school system. State-funded, that is to say, White-owned and managed, public or private schools in Black neighborhoods have been a COLOSSAL failure for so long it's not even funny.
By Dre Joseph9 years ago in The Swamp
A Class In Anxiety
The dry mouth, sweaty palms and a sense of impending doom, are symptoms we can all relate to. Anxiety and stress are natural parts of protecting ourselves from danger, but they can also be debilitating. The individual may be overwhelmed and their reality perverted, sapping them of confidence and making it difficult to go on.
By Phillip Woodford9 years ago in The Swamp
Taxes
Okay, so I will be the guy who asks the common-sense question about wealth and taxes: If they “hurt the rich” the way that the Occupy Movement says they would, why are all of these wealthy people supporting the party hiking taxes the most? The thing that no one tells you about taxes is that the super-wealthy “one-percenters” love them. They protect their investment by making it that much harder for us, the average person, to cut into their slice of the pie. The best part is that they get the assistance of the Federal Government, who will send armed men to your door and haul you off to jail. Just as King George III viewed taxes as a way to keep his wealth ahead of that of his subjects, the wealthiest political party in the world, the Democrats, protect the wealthy with taxes and overly complex tax codes.
By Mickey Finn9 years ago in The Swamp
Blacks Can't Be Racist
Allow me, if you will, to set the fucking record straight. Black people cannot be racist—I repeat—cannot be racist when it comes to white people. We're bigoted and prejudiced as SHIT!!!!!!! But nah, we're not racist. Black people are disadvantaged in a world ruled by a white power structure. We do not control or own any of the economic, legislative, judicial, military, academic, or legal institutions in Western civilization. We're literally guests in a house we, more or less built, but do not own.
By Dre Joseph9 years ago in The Swamp
AmeriAid
Recently, while reading George W. Bush's memoir Decision Points, I began to wonder about my own contributions to my community and society as a whole. I realized I helped to better my community in minute ways: reorganizing and writing the bylaws of a non-profit community store that helped people with clothes, food, utility payments, and even rent while supporting their growth through faith based initiative; organizing and speaking at an event to bring together a city falling apart to drugs and crime in Ohio; starting temporary programs of my own that helped families with winter clothing, paying their bills, paying their rent or getting an apartment, or having a meal to prepare for the holidays. Overall though, I was missing a greater contribution to help the nation I love to regain a lost independence. I contemplated what the hot topic of debate was that was serious enough to attract my attention. Then, I had it come to me. Healthcare! Therefore, in the following, I will expound upon my epiphany.
By Dr. Brian Smithberger9 years ago in The Swamp
