activism
Grassroots campaigns have proven instrumental in bringing about political, social or environmental change; you've got to start somewhere-might as well start here.
Burning Tomorrow to Fund Today
The larger debate over the House-passed HB1 budget has moved to the Senate where another opposing front is complicating the already contentious discussion. While Democratic opposition has remained steady, new resistance is emerging from Republicans over proposed cuts impacting programs designed to assist lower income and seniors that will have a dramatic impact on the constituents of some red state legislators.
By Lanny Newville9 months ago in The Swamp
What I Learned About Youth, Power, and Solidarity at the World Expression Forum (WEXFO)
WORLD EXPRESSION FORUM – LILLEHAMMER, NORWAY What do young people need? After six days of listening, sharing, grieving, and laughing at the World Expression Forum, I think I’m beginning to understand. I recently participated in the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) from May 30 - June 4, 2025, held in both Utøya and Lillehammer, thanks to a nomination from Awareness 360 — a youth-led NGO committed to empowering young people to support and uplift their communities.
By Karina Thyra9 months ago in The Swamp
And the Apocalypse Arrived
Today, I attended CAIS2025, which was kindly offered virtually to those around the world. And the keynote speaker, Emily Drabinski, spoke in her talk "Libraries at the End of the World" about a very meaningful notice I wanted to bring to the public.
By Minte Stara9 months ago in The Swamp
How can anyone govern when opinion is so diverse
How can anyone govern when opinion is so diverse Are humans suitable for government. Population levels in nearly every nation are at their highest ever level. The colossal numbers involved and the diversity of opinion because we now have universal education and media saturation, has made the doctrine that numbers of apparent supporters is a valid reason for control, into a distortion of democracy.
By Peter Rose9 months ago in The Swamp
Send a Texas Ranger and Call It a Day
The above was posted to the official Face Book account of J. Kenneth Blackwell who is a longtime conservative political figure, former Ohio Secretary of State, and self-described Christian nationalist. He served as co-chair of George W. Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign and has remained an outspoken voice in right-wing media. A frequent critic of immigration policy and progressive social movements, Blackwell gained my attention for a post framing Los Angeles protesters as criminal "invaders." This article is a direct response.
By Lanny Newville9 months ago in The Swamp
Think of the Children
Growing up in a library space, I was taught one very important rule by my mother. If I read something that made me uncomfortable, I would come to her. And through my reading journey, I was given access to spaces within the library by her, first directed to the easy readers, then to larger books, and upwards into the teen section. It was an experience I had to engage with books which was very simple: there were just some books which I shouldn't read. Not because the books themselves were necessarily bad, but that I wasn't ready to read them. I had a relationship with my parents which meant they were constantly in the loop about what I was reading.
By Minte Stara9 months ago in The Swamp
Quirky Behaviors Caused By 'The System' and 10 Solutions
Please, allow me to go on some Andy Rooney-esque rants to explain some quirks to living under a rotten system (and if you wish to see the less rant-oriented "solutions" part of this text, just scroll down and you'll see the list).
By Wade Wainio9 months ago in The Swamp
Freedom Behind Bars: Reading and Book Banning in US Prisons. Content Warning.
Last year, I and a group of others started a Reader's Advisory for books banned within the prison system of the United States. Information on finding these books became the main purpose of our goals during that project.
By Minte Stara9 months ago in The Swamp
Gaza Bound Greta Intercepted.. Content Warning.
Greta Thunberg is someone you think is a genuine campaigner or a middle--class kid with nothing better to do. Whatever, Ms. Thunberg has focused attention on our planet, whether it be climate change, the extinction of species, etc. Now, the Swede's latest enterprise is solidarity with the suffering of Gaza.
By Nicholas Bishop9 months ago in The Swamp
Seeds of Hope: How a Vacant Lot Became a Lifeline
When Maya Thompson first moved to Oakridge, she never imagined a patch of dirt could change an entire neighborhood. It was 2020, and the world was in chaos. The pandemic had hit hard, and families across the city were struggling. Shelves in grocery stores stood half-empty. For the residents of Oakridge—a low-income neighborhood already battling years of systemic neglect—food insecurity wasn’t new. But now, it was getting worse.
By Fazal Hadi9 months ago in The Swamp
