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.
What Would George Washington Think?
I had a dream. There I was on the set of my my own talk show, and in the guest chair was the original president. George Washington hit his peak when you could send a first-class letter using a three-cent stamp with his face on it. The polls show that Washington hasn't stood the test of time. Gone from the charts and from our hearts, in his time he was number one at everything. Real groundbreaking stuff. Washington, whose sales are slumping, is still one of only four Americans to make it onto the side of Mount Rushmore.
By Frank White9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Black People
Before slavery, the inferiority of Africans did not exist and definitely not in the way it is perpetrated now. People from different parts of the world were not reduced down to the basic epithets of ‘black’ and ‘white’ but were referred to by their nation name. Slavery changed all that, making it necessary to label African people in a particular way to fuel the trade and stem any early counter arguments against it. The problem is, people across the world have taken these lies as gospel and that is the basis for much of modern racism against African peoples.
By Dre Joseph9 years ago in The Swamp
The End of the US Constitution
Reading that title what first comes to mind? Do you think I am anti-American? Do you immediately assume I am a rebelling millennial? Do you assume I don't know any better? Or perhaps you are intrigued? You have come across something you have thought about, but never dreamed of speaking aloud?
By Brian Paredes9 years ago in The Swamp
Most Racist American Laws
The law exists to protect people, to keep Americans safe – but the politicians who passed the most racist American laws must not have gotten that memo. These laws were not passed in order to better America or its people. Lawmakers had only one thing on their minds when these went through: keep black people down in the mud.
By Miranda O'Conner9 years ago in The Swamp
Election Night 2017: Corbyn and the Robin of Hope
National voting has become a yearly endeavour in the United Kingdom. The election day rain filled the puddles that the democratic minded sploshed through on their way to the polling booths. The local church is being used to cast the votes for my part of Cardiff North. As you approach the building you can see the University Hospital of Wales just across the Motorway. I hope for every person who loves the NHS to be casting their ballot today, but I have as many doubts about this democratic process yielding a good outcome for the people. My polling station had an old gentleman greeting people in the doorway, making small talk with those locking up their bikes, which will soon help whisk them to a day of work. As always they can’t find my address straight away. The kind lady checks for me on the polling list repeating the name Vedmore verbally until her pen stops next to my details. As always I receive my ballot and I take it to the partitioned booth to stare at it intently. I know my choice like most folks, but I always take my time to read the ballot. I triple check where my pencil mark should go just incase I fuck it all up and vote for the Liberal Democrats. A mistake I had made two general election ago which led to the dreaded LibCon coalition less than a decade before.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
#Brexit for Beginners
On the 29th March 2017, Theresa May delivered the UK’s official notice of departure from the European Union, triggering article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. This was in the same week we saw protests in London & Rome against the referendum result.
By Jordan Catto9 years ago in The Swamp
The Conservatives Who Are Rewriting History on Wikipedia
The rule of thumb tends to be that the victorious rewrite history. At least that’s what we are told by those who we suppose to have been the winners. However, nowadays our history is written through collaboration and each example of this is an independent skirmish which makes up the wider global war. Wikipedia is on the front line of these daily battles. The modern encyclopedia is a one stop shop for knowledge on most subjects. Wikipedian's are well aware that they are strange creatures, who often revel in their own obsessive compulsive natures. They argue with each other over details that would bore the majority of normal folk. But hidden amongst the millions of pages of Wikipedian's conversations are many arguments over neutrality.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
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
