history
Past politicians, legislation and political movements have changed the course of history in ways both big and small. Welcome to our blast to the past.
The War on One Word
The "N" word. Oh yes we are going there. Why? Because it seems the lessons throughout the years need repeating. The "N" word was created to make black people feel bad about being black. The derogatory term created by slave masters to make blacks feel inferior. Most people on this earth have heard many derogatory words hurled at them and they elicit truly visceral reactions. 2017 introduced us to the word triggered wherein people react so violently to words being spoken that it has become almost a joke. Everyone seems to have their feelings hurt about something so now everyone is "triggered".
By Janine Addison9 years ago in The Swamp
White Women and Our Imprints
As we strive to bring balance to our history and present situation, it seems some people are having strong reactions. I have been noticing a huge backlash towards feminism, predominantly from men who identify as white, but also from white women.
By Krow Fischer9 years ago in The Swamp
This Fictional Memo to the President from 1989 Predicted Terrorism in the US. Top Story - June 2017.
Editor's Note from Omni, 1989: On my corner, the drug guys hang out cracking (which in this context means trading insults) until launched to the pay phone by their beeping pagers. Current fashion dictates that you clip these in the bottom crook of pants pockets.
By Natasha Sydor9 years ago in The Swamp
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Looks to Apologize to Vets Ousted For Being Gay
Once upon a time, it was believed that those who identified as homosexual were security risks. In fact, it was also believed that those people who were homosexual were criminals - a belief that wasn't put to rest until 1992 in Canada, when homosexuality was decriminalized. The DSM - widely considered a "bible" of sorts for psychologists and psychotherapists regarding mental disorders and conditions - even listed homosexuality in one form or another until 1987. Now, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau is hoping to extend an apology to Canadian military personnel who may have been affected by what CTV News has termed a "gay purge." The only problem is, there's no clear indication as to how many have been affected by it.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
Terrorism Is a Failure to Tackle Mental Health Issues Globally
We are avoiding confronting the root cause of modern terrorism. We are to blame. Every attack that has happened in the past 50 years, whether it be the IRA or Islamic fundamentalism, has been a direct result of unresolved mental health issues. We try to pin the blame on ideology, on the religion, or the cultural divisions in society, but that’s the easy way to ignore the real issue. Terrorism is the direct result of a global inability to tackle mental health issues. It is very easy to just call people evil, but when you actually dissect what evil actually means we discover a distorted reflection of ourselves. Evil is sadness and grief left to fester in an unloved heart. Evil is somebody ending a life, or even their own. Evil are kids who have not been shown any better?
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
On Our Political and Social Incoherence
I have always opposed US intervention in the Middle East, finding it not only immoral but counterproductive. It obviously makes it probable that United States citizens, both at home and abroad, will be targeted in retaliatory attacks. Remember 9/11 but remember it with introspection and logic rather than emotional reaction. Why did it occur? How? Who were the perpetrators? Where did they come from? Who are their friends in the United States? All not only interesting questions but all too relevant.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
Learn Your Gay History: Stonewall Riots – June 28, 1969
The Stonewall riots of 28 June 1969 weren’t the first protests or confrontations between police and the LGBT community, but they’ve become symbolic of the growing consciousness and confidence that paved the way for the fight for equality and freedom from discrimination.
By Gareth Johnson9 years ago in The Swamp
Theresa May's Father. Top Story - June 2017.
Theresa May's Father, Reverend Hubert Brasier, was born on 20th August 1917 at 61 Clonmore Street, Wandsworth, London. Like many people a century ago, his was a home birth. Hubert’s father, Tom Brasier, was a military man. He had served as a sergeant in the King's Royal Rifles, but was a clerk by the time Hubert was born. Hubert's mother's maiden name was Amy Margaret Patterson and they had married 8 years prior in Hampshire. Amy and Tom’s first son, James David Brasier, had died within a year of his birth in 1911 in Uttaranchal, India, where Tom Brasier had been deployed whilst in service. Two years later, in 1919, Hubert was joined by his younger sister and only other sibling Jean Robina Brasier.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
Epiphanies, Personal and Public
Epistemology and ontology are sciences concerned with truth, whether it exists and whether even if it does exist, it is ascertainable. They are fields of great interest to academics, especially philosophers, but provide scant confidence or comfort to the population at large which finds them ethereal, esoteric and of little quotidian use. The language of academia seems mystifying to most people. Take theories for example. Most people consider a theory an unproven hunch (e.g., the theory of evolution as perceived by creationists) but in the world of academia, theory is as close to truth as we ever get. What most people perceive as theories, academics and scientist refer to as thesis and hypothesis which evolve into the realm of theory only when successfully put to proof. The truth is that popular truths like gravity and basic mathematics are “mere” theories” while many concepts the public views as theories are mere thesis or hypothesis (e.g., intelligent design).
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
