Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in The Swamp.

Art Analysis from an Art Student
When I reminisce about the years of 2008-2016, I realized that a lot of events happened. Movie stars, writers, artists came and went. I narrowed it down to events in my own life that happened. I graduated high school, I graduated my undergrad, and I became a graduate in that time. Romances for me were discovered and I lost many. I gained more strength in my artwork and my writing.
By Josh Odd8 years ago in The Swamp
Everyone Just Likes to Hate Us
It’s always the ones who are against everyone that think they know the most, at least that’s what they believe. Westerners are weirdly obsessed with the idea that Islam is a constant threat to their existence. Firstly, with the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York City, following with the horrific Boston bombings, as well as the fatal Quebec Mosque shooting, Muslims have always been at the forefront of the media, and not in a positive light.
By Lola Xaz8 years ago in The Swamp
Movie Review: 'Wag the Dog' (1997)
In Barry Levinson’s 1997 political satire Wag the Dog, actors Robert de Niro, Dustin Hoffman, and Anne Heche make covering presidential scandal with patriotic frenzy look like a walk in the park. The movie mixes Hollywood and politics into a satirical comedy with issues that hit close to home during the time it was produced and filmed.
By Breanna Sahr8 years ago in The Swamp
What We Know About Mass Shootings
It has been two days since the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida that has left 17 dead. While we mourn and share the stories of those who have died, it's also important to look forward and ask: what can we do next time? Because we're at a point in history where when it comes to mass shootings, the question is not if, but when.
By Kath Clarke8 years ago in The Swamp
My Thoughts About Prayers
The time has come again. The tweets and the retweets are circulating. People are attaching hashtags to Instagram posts and Facebook comments.
By Clarisse Guevarra8 years ago in The Swamp
Thoughts, Prayers, Guns
Travel anywhere in the world and you’ll find that people expect Americans to love three things – baseball, beer, and guns. And not necessarily in that order. In the wake of another brutal shooting in Florida where at least seventeen people were shot dead by suspect Nikolas Cruz, a former student at the school, teenager, and, most troubling of all, legal owner of an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Just so you have this straight in your head, please take a moment to picture not a handgun that some banger holds in the palm of his hand and sticks in his waistband while he sells nose candy on the streets of LA. It’s a bloody massive firearm not all that different from the size of your leg into which you can easily slot thirty-round magazines and empty them through the muzzle nearly as quickly. It is, in short, a very efficient way to kill.
By Avi Sato8 years ago in The Swamp
Mental Health and Guns in America
As I write this I am extremely conflicted. I’m conflicted as a human, a parent, and a responsible gun owner. I can’t even begin to imagine what those families in Florida are currently going through and went through today. I have seen news reports, cell phone videos, and watched them with tears in my eyes as a parent. It’s easy to say, “thank god it wasn’t my kid,” but some of these parents don’t have that option. At least 17 dead, and 50+ injured. While information is still coming out, it seems as if the 19-year-old shooter had been expelled for disciplinary reasons, been obsessed with a female classmate, and his social media was described as very disturbing. Some students claimed that his Instagram was very disturbing, as described killing animals for fun. They said if anybody did it, it would be him.
By James Howell8 years ago in The Swamp
A Trigger for Change
Another day, another high school massacre. They happen so frequently now, that the shock value just isn’t there anymore. How awful, that the senseless deaths of children no longer shock us. Predictably, pro-gun spokespeople including politicians and celebrities have been scratching around for as many excuses as they can to deny that lax gun regulation was the cause of yet another school shooting.
By Katy Preen8 years ago in The Swamp
Wake Up America
At 21 years old, all I know is being a student. All I know is going school, learning whatever curriculum I need to learn, and going home when my day at school is finished. I am very lucky that I have always made it back home.
By Paranneting/Anne Reboa8 years ago in The Swamp
International Aid Does More Harm Than Good
There is a book (Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo) that claims that international development aid has resulted in greater poverty.
By Peter Rose8 years ago in The Swamp
Is the Era of Heroes Dead?
What happened to our love of heroes? When I was a kid Luke Skywalker, James Bond, John Steed, and Indiana Jones were who I looked up to. Now, it's Darth Vader, Hans Gruber, Anton Chigurh, and Hannibal Lecter. Since when did villains become who we aspire to be?
By Christian Chapra8 years ago in The Swamp
White Privilege Does Not Exist
I acknowledge that there is still racism in today's world. Unfortunately, racism will never go away completely because there will always be people who have skewed views of their race and other races. Racism can only be prevented, but not destroyed due to it being an idea. It is an idea not a disease and just because it's an idea does not justify it being an acceptable one. Racial issues cause a great deal of division in America and other countries all over. However, you cannot put out a fire with fire and claim it's water yet activists, advocates, and social justice warriors do so with the idea of white privilege.
By Cameron Masucci8 years ago in The Swamp