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.

We are adding Fire to the Fire during these dark times.
May 29,2020 I’m half Filipino and I’m half American I want you to know that before you continue to read this. I have a voice and yet speaking that voice right now. During this time will only bring out backlash and hurtful words. I want to speak but I’m torn between good friends of all races. I was torn between giving them a reason to be angry at what I believe. I was raised to love and show respect and to understand there will always be good and evil. There will always be racism and there will always be violence.
By Jan Jas6 years ago in The Swamp
Breathe For Him
“I can’t breathe.” The words of distress, helplessness, fatigue and provoked. The words from a brother, a father, a son, a friend, a HUMAN. Those same words pleading out to America to hear us, to hear him. “I CAN’T BREATHE,” George Floyd said. “I can’t breathe,” “I can’t breathe,” “I can’t breathe”! As he takes his last breath. A senseless murder has just happened; and Black-America, is sick and tired of our men being targeted as if it were a sport to hunt and kill us. Now, watch us breathe for him, for us, for the world to change, and for our people to be treated equally once and for all. Join us as we breathe on behalf of senseless killings, racism, discrimination, prejudice, and police brutality. We are not animals ! we are human !
By Georgette Smith6 years ago in The Swamp
Reason First: Demonstrations
If there is to be a United States of America, let it be for the thought behind the videographer who captured the death of George Floyd. Let it be an America that captured the spectacular flight of the Spacex Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 rocket. This juxtaposition of viciousness and man’s grandeur and success paint a portrait of where Americans are in 2020.
By Skyler Saunders6 years ago in The Swamp
We are tired
Yet another black person killed by the police for no other reason than that the colour of his skin was seen as justification for him to be murdered. What can I say that has not already been said countless times over? Black people have been using our voices from the slavery abolitionist movement to the civil rights movement to modern day lynchings. Our voices seem to have fallen on deaf ears and my voice is hoarse from screaming. I have expended my energy and time having long conversations with people for them to understand just a miniscule fraction of what black people experience. I am exhausted from second-hand trauma. I come on social media and see several videos of people who look like me slain in the streets, in their homes, in a shop, with callous indifference. Imagine what does that to someone mentally. Relentless images of violence against black bodies, the same calls for justice and the same inaction. Nothing seems to change. And it leaves me with a feeling I know a lot of other black people can relate to – an indescribable mix of despair, helplessness, disgust, anger, frustration, but also numbness and confusion. It’s hard to muster the energy to have to explain why black people are people too and deserve to live. I wanted to refrain from posting anything because I am drained and have already privately discussed with those close to me. But to do my little part in this fight for change I decided to finally write something.
By Aj6 years ago in The Swamp
George Floyd
This is not a discussion about George Floyd. I've used the title in the same way it is being used everywhere: to draw attention to race relations.
By briony6 years ago in The Swamp
Why Black Lives Matter
If your mind isn't wrapped around the horrors we've seen over the past few weeks then you're clearly not paying attention.
By Jessi 6 years ago in The Swamp
I Am Amy Cooper
I’ve never called the police because I felt intimidated by a Black man while he was birdwatching. But I’ve had friends who told racist jokes, and instead of pointing out our privilege, I’ve forced smiles.
By Eliza Mae Winfree6 years ago in The Swamp
Racism Is Not Getting Worse
One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for some. The racial struggle continues as the media continues to shed light on ongoing racism in the United States.
By Leah C.6 years ago in The Swamp
Fellow Americans, We Need to Do Better
I’ve started writing this article a thousand times. Each time I’ve stopped because I’ve felt like it’s not my place or that there was someone more qualified who should speak to the issues. I’ve finally decided to put my thoughts in writing, because I want to use my words to encourage others who’ve felt like it’s not their place, they’re not qualified enough, or whatever else has prevented someone from speaking out, to use their voice.
By Autumn Rain6 years ago in The Swamp
I am Not a Nigger
For eight years (prior to the 2017 election of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the U.S.) the United States of America was led by its first black President of African descent. Obama is the product of a black Kenya-born father and white Kansas-born mother. This distinction is worth noting. President Obama is married to his (one and only) wife Michelle Obama, is the father of two daughters Malia and Sasha, and has spent eight years in the White House without scandal and controversy (real or imagined by the Republican Party).
By Donald Parker6 years ago in The Swamp
Watch This Mother Burn
George Floyd was tried, convicted and sentenced to death on a street in Minneapolis. Allegedly for an act of forgery. He was executed not by electric chair or rope, although you might argue his death at the hands of a homicidal cop was a modern day act of lynching; instead, he was put to death by literally being sat on by a fine, upstanding representative of the American Establishment; one sworn, ironically, to "serve and protect."
By Tom Baker6 years ago in The Swamp
America's Language Bigotry
Recently, I read an enlightening, but very disturbing piece of literature entitled Mother Tongue. The piece told a story of a woman and her daughter Amy and their struggle with verbalized communication in America. Amy Tan, author of Mother Tongue, told a story of her mother being treated differently by the hospital that conducted her CAT because of the “broken English” her mother spoke. This heart-wrenching scenario was compounded by Tan’s father and brother passing away previously from the same tumors her mother was being seen for. The discriminatory behavior of this hospital was heinous, and their conduct should have been analyzed on a legal level. This kind of treatment is rightfully reprimanded when it comes to nursing homes or daycare so the same level of scrutiny should be exacted in all other medical facilities. The livelihood of someone should not be jeopardized in the very space they are seeking healing, especially for something like speaking a different language natively.
By Sherman B. Mason6 years ago in The Swamp