THE FOUNDER February 2022
Staff Working Conditions = Student Learning Conditions
ABRA HERITAGE | EDITOR IN CHIEF
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n Monday 14th February, University and College Union industrial action began at Royal Holloway, University of London. Staff strikes from the 14th February to 23rd February and then from Monday 28th February to Wednesday 2nd March will witness a withdrawal of labour including cancelled lecturers and classes, non-attendance at meetings, absence from core duties such as work on IT projects and HR processes, and with striking staff unavailable to email or meet with students. These strikes follow continuous Action Short of a Strike that has been in place since Wednesday 1st December. RHUL staff strikes are part of a national effort with 68 universities joining the action and over 50,000 staff expected to walk out. This industrial action is in response to multiple pay and working conditions. The first week of the strike was
Index
motivated by the Universities Superannuation Scheme pension dispute. With employers refusing to withdraw cuts to the USS or accept UCU’s compromised proposals, university teaching staff across the nation are set to see a 35% cut from the guaranteed retirement income. The second week of the strike is in response to both the pension dispute and the poor pay and working conditions dispute. The latter dispute is in pursuit of the Four Fights claim, which ‘calls for solutions to the persistent sector-wide issues of workload, casualisation, inequality and falling pay’ (RHUL UCU). The third week of the strike is in regard to the pay and working conditions dispute only. The final day of industrial action will coincide with the student strike (Wednesday 2nd March) organised by the National Union of Students. NUS are supporting UCU’s strike, calling for both better working conditions and
News....................................................................................2 Features................................................................................5 Opinion And Debate............................................................7 Lifestyle.............................................................................10 Arts: Arts and Culture........................................................12 Arts: Literary Reviews.......................................................14 Arts: Film...........................................................................17 Arts: Music.........................................................................19 Sports..................................................................................21
Source: Oli Mould
and improved pay and pension From this, the SU have protection for staff. pledged to support UCU in A preferendum through RHUL their communication directly Students’ Union revealed that to students, and to ask the 78% of voting students would university to develop an action like the SU to support UCU’s plan to address concerns current industrial action and and reach an agreement with its stance in its entirety, up to the UCU. The SU have also and including any further strike pledged to offer support to students running activities in action.
A Challenge for Journalism p.5
Why Does Britain Hate Its Teachers? P.9
support of the UCU. It is imperative that students stand in solidarity with striking staff if real, positive change is to be achieved through this industrial action. Missed classes, delayed email replies, and staff non-attendance is
Continued on p.7 LGBT+ History Month at Men’s Football P.24
2 NEWS
THE FOUNDER February 2022
Sue Gray Report Released ANANYA KRISHNA | CONTENT WRITER
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n 31st January, Sue Gray released her report on the inquiry into the infamous Downing Street ‘party’ during lockdown. The report focusses on 12 separate events which took place between 15th May 2020 and 16th April 2021, which will also be investigated by the Met Police. News of these gatherings have been met with national disdain. Despite lacking some details due to the ongoing police investigation, Gray’s report has still furthered distrust in the Tory government, best encapsulated in her belief that the Partygate scandal shows both ‘failures of leadership and judgement’. The backlash in wake of this report was inevitable: a nation told of rule after rule broken whilst many were following government guidance in remaining at home, separated from family and loved ones. The government and their ministers are meant to be role models for the country and this behaviour is more akin to rebellious teenagers disobeying their parents. The immaturity of the government in holding parties and gatherings is both irresponsible and greedy, which Gray illustrated in her report and conclusion that the reasoning for these actions is ‘difficult to justify’. The disrespect for the nation also echoed in the House of Commons when Johnson apologised for these actions.
Additionally, Gray outlines the problems with the government’s drinking culture and criticises their ‘excessive consumption of alcohol’ and how it is not appropriate for a work environment. Her solution is to create a clear policy which outlines the place of alcohol in such an environment. The Prime Minister is holding out until the police investigation is finalised, which he made apparent in his appearance in the House of Commons. His behaviour, and that of his ministers, is coloured by their apparent lack of concern over the rules and belief that they are somehow above it. This entire scandal puts Johnson in a vulnerable position which could lead to him being pushed out of the PM role or even to his resignation. No matter the outcome of the police investigation, the country’s trust in the government has faltered and could severely impact the outcome of the next general election. If nothing else, Sue Gray’s report is a shining example of how no one is above the law, especially if it’s one that they instated themselves.
The Founder Board 2021 - 2022 Editor in Chief Abra Heritage editor@thefounder.co.uk
Managing Editor Robert Matthews managingeditor@thefounder.co.uk
Publishing & Creative Designer Ali Krausova designer@thefounder.co.uk
News Editor Harriet Whitaker
Illustrator Tabitha Turner
news@thefounder.co.uk
illustrator@thefounder.co.uk
Features Editor Sela Musa
Arts Editor Isabel West
features@thefounder.co.uk
arts@thefounder.co.uk
Opinon and Debate Editor George Woods
Literary Review Editor Liam Anthony Elvish
opinion@thefounder.co.uk
literaryreview@thefounder.co.uk
Lifestyle Editor Cyann Fielding
Music Editor Finn Murphy
lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk
music@thefounder.co.uk
Sports Editor Oli Gent
Film Editor Tilley Bennett
sportseditor@thefounder.co.uk
film@thefounder.co.uk
The Founder is the independent student newspaper of Royal Holloway, University of London. This means we are not affiliated to the student union or the college. We pride ourselves on our investigative journalism and aim to keep our readers up to date with news on and off campus. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Editor, particularly of opinion and debate pieces. Every effort has been made to contact the holders of copyright for any material used in this issue, and to ensure the accuracy of its stories. Source: Alamy
To book ad space in The Founder, contact our managing editor at managingeditor@thefounder.co.uk. THE FOUNDER is printed in Cambridge by Iliffe Print
NEWS 3
THE FOUNDER February 2022
White House Warns of the ‘Enormous Human Cost’ of Potential Russian Invasion on Ukraine ROBYN SPINK | CONTENT WRITER
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hite House officials have suggested that it is possible Russia could launch an invasion on Ukraine ‘anyday’, describing the situation as ‘pretty dire’, and potentially resulting in ‘enormous human cost’ with 50,000 casualties estimated. This comes after revealing that Russia has enough troops to seize Kyiv, with the White House suggesting Moscow has assembled 70% of the firepower needed for a major military operation in February. However, the White House has clarified that there are not yet the 200,000 troops which would be needed for complete occupation of Ukraine. Moscow claims it does not intend to invade Ukraine, yet 100,000 troops have been deployed near the border. Leaders such as Joe Biden and Boris Johnson have pursued diplomatic efforts with Putin, as Johnson warned Putin that an incursion of troops in Ukraine would be ‘a tragic miscalculation’. NATO has an opendoor policy to any European state, however Mr Putin has highlighted security concerns regarding NATO military activity in eastern Europe. Tensions between Ukraine and Russia come as Russia staunchly opposes Ukraine joining the NATO military alliance of 30 countries, which is led by the U.S. Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire which then became a Soviet republic, winning independence in 1991 when the USSR collapsed. Kremlinleaning Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was removed as leader in 2014 after he controversially rejected an agreement with the European Union in order to gain closer ties with Moscow.
Current tensions between Russia and Ukraine are not a first, with Russia illegally invading and annexing the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, following the ousting of Yanukovych. This led to Vladimir Putin focusing on ‘retuning Crimea to Russia’, along with an internationally rejected referendum held in March 2014, in which Moscow claims 96.77% of those in Crimea voted to become part of Russia. Regardless of international opposition, Russia formally incorporated Crimea into the Republic of Source: GettyImages Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol, both switching to Moscow Time. The UK, along with the US, has threatened economic sanctions against Russia if an invasion were to occur, with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss confirming that legislation was being prepared to expand UK sanctions. This means that whilst currently sanctions can only be imposed against those directly linked to Russian actions involved in conflict against Ukraine, new legislation will mean sanctions can be imposed more widely, impacting a wider scope of businesses and individuals. Russia has suggested that the threat of these sanctions would impact British companies and shareholders.
Tesla
Exceeds Record Annual Profits
KASHMYN HOOGHAN | CONTENT WRITER
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ast month, Tesla announced a record of annual profits as 936,172 Tesla cars were sold in 2021 alone, with the Model 3 being one of its more highly purchased vehicles in the UK. Now currently valued at more than $1 trillion, the motoring company continues to take the tech world by a storm. Tesla sold a total of 367,500 vehicles in 2019 and around 519,000 cars in 2020, demonstrating a significant increase of nearly 40%, largely due to Model 3 and its unique autopilot feature.
In 2020 Tesla reported an annual profit of $721m (approx. £532m), a staggering contrast to the loss of $862m (approx. £636m) they suffered in 2019. Statistics illustrate that the thriving company generated a total of $5.5bn (approx. £4bn) in 2021 compared to its previous year which received a revenue of $3.47bn (£2.5bn), an impressive 87% increase in global sales. Tesla’s delivery records were smashed in the last quarter, totaling 308,600 deliveries and thrashing the 241,300 electric vehicles it delivered in the third quarter of 2021, thus making it the best quarter ever according to the motoring company. It remains evident enough that it is highly unlikely for Tesla to develop an electric vehicle which isn’t a colossal success, but what is it about Tesla that makes the company so distinctive?
4 NEWS Founded in 2003, Tesla’s fundamental aim has and always will be to propel the world’s transition to renewable energy by producing eco-friendly vehicles with reliable and high performance. Renowned for its innovative technology and modern designs, Tesla confirms that their self-driving program will remain its primary focal point in regard to future developments. Ultimately, Tesla has thus proved in the last decade that electric cars are extremely viable and has played a significant role in the conversion from petrol to electric powered motors. Increasing market demand for electric cars see Tesla’s net worth increase to extortionary numbers and presently, are worth $915 (£676) in share prices.
THE FOUNDER February 2022
Former investor but now CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk currently stands as the world’s richest man with a net worth of $282.4bn (£211.4bn), surpassing Amazon founder Jeff Bezos who has a net worth of $183.5bn (£135.7bn). Should Tesla continue to smash target profits, Musk has the potential to receive roughly $35bn (£25bn) in share options.
Source: Statista
Is it Fair that GCSE and A-Level Exams Will be Marked More Generously than Before? HARRIET WHITAKER | NEWS EDITOR
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t has been announced that this year’s GCSE and A-Level exams are to be graded, according to the BBC, ‘more generously’ than previous years. These exams, however, will be going ahead in person in exam halls for the first time since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. Grade boundaries are to be lowered and made more lenient. The Ofqual chief regulator, Dr Jo Saxton, describes this as providing a ‘safety net’ for students, as there will be a ‘midpoint’ between the grade boundaries of 2019 and 2021 set for students this year.
Source: Wordpress
As well as this, the examination content of subjects such as Maths, Biology, Chemistry, and Language Studies has been made available ahead of exam season, whereas the exams of other subjects such as History, Geography and English Literature will include a much wider, fuller range of questions for pupils to answer.
In the years of 2020 and 2021, pupils were awarded their grades based on assessments marked by their teachers, with thousands of students around the country expressing concern for their grades as they felt that their capabilities were hindered and not truly represented. Yet 2021 saw a record high of top grades for A-Level students, many of which would have applied for university. According to the BBC, 44.8% of those who sat their ‘A-Level’ teacher-graded assessments achieved A and A* grades. This topped 2020’s result of 38.5% of students achieving top grades in the same conditions.
The responses and reactions to this were very mixed, with some celebrating and congratulating the students for these ‘well deserved’ grades ‘after a year of pretty much teaching themselves’ (@bh_99_ on Twitter). Yet others were less enthusiastic and more critical, expressing that almost over half of students achieving over an A grade ‘makes a mockery of the exam system’, (@ noraa642 on Twitter). This brings grade inflation into the discussion, as the proportion of pupils achieving A and A* grades has risen by 75% (BBC) since 2019, the last time since traditional exams took place.
We are yet to see whether GCSE and A-Level students achieve outstanding grades, or if results will drop again due to returning to actual e x a m conditions.
FEATURES 5
THE FOUNDER February 2022
A Challenge for Journalism SELA MUSA | FEATURES EDITOR
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have been staring at my blank Word document for a while now, switching tabs to read the latest stories from online newspapers, trying to find one that I would like to write about. I find myself completely unfulfilled by the top news stories that have potential to be explored, finding excuses to disregard them like ‘that’s been written about enough already’, ‘I don’t really get what’s happening there’ or maybe just ‘that’s dry’. Then there are other stories that I catch myself looking over, topics that maybe I want to explore further but my subconscious kind of rules them out for me in a way. So here I am, still trying to find a story to discuss only to settle on the discussion that I rule them out because I am terrified of saying something ‘wrong’. The story that did it for me just now is that seventy of Joe Rogan’s podcasts have been taken down from Spotify. This story appealed to me, and it has the opportunity for insightful discussion, but I have realised that I am worried about discussing it in the wrong way. As a left-leaning woman, I feel that there is an opinion waiting for me to claim, a position that is waiting for me to take, and it feels like something remotely similar to an act of (self) betrayal to even consider the other side of the argument. Maybe it is because of the volume of hot news stories lately or maybe it is because of my own personal strive to progress in journalism but, whatever the reason, it has become more and more clear to me that with the inner glowy feeling that comes with reporting and writing also comes a deep sense of anxiety and unease. I have had this unease with anything I have ever written. We see journalists getting ridiculed all the time. They trend on social media, and readers label them as evil, and the twitter mobs try to cancel them. I have been one of those readers on many occasions in the past, assuming that obviously this journalist does not just hold this view but is actually just a horrible person. When on the receiving end, though, I cannot hold an opinion so bold.
Source: Save The Student
This has been something on my mind for the last few months now, after I interviewed the Associate Editor of The Telegraph as part of an application process for a Master’s programme. Camilla Tominey gave me insight into the true courage it takes to perform the duty of journalistic enquiry, and the resilience that one needs to not fall under the hate that they can receive in the interest of getting to the truth. Her words stick with me now, and I hope that they will stick with other aspiring journalists who fear being disliked, even if just by one person: ‘if you’re not being spoken about, you’re probably doing something wrong’.
France and The Hijab AELIYA RAZVI | CONTENT WRITER
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he headscarf has long been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate. Whether the discussions surrounding it are positive or negative is usually dependent on who is wearing it and why, as evidenced by a recent Instagram caption from Vogue France that praised Julia Fox’s decision to cover her hair for Paris Fashion Week. The caption emboldened Fox’s decision to wear the headscarf stating, ‘Yes to the headscarf’, clearly forgetting the reality of the French government’s position on this piece of clothing.
The long history of France’s problematic relationship with the religious piece of clothing has often been disguised as a push towards secularism and a move that is intended to empower the women in France by allowing them to be able to live in a society which is not dictated by religion. This logic has come under much criticism from many Muslim women in France and activists who have pointed out that often the so-called ‘secular’ policies unfairly target Muslim women and their hijabs, due to it being a very visible part of their religious identity. Whether it be the amendment passed last year that meant girls under the age of eighteen were not allowed to wear a hijab in public or the 2011 ban on full face coverings (known as niqabs) in public gatherings, the first country to do so in Europe.
6 FEATURES All these damaging policies, that were often shown to strip away Muslim women’s rights to express themselves and their dedication to their religion, resulted in an increasingly dangerous and hostile environment for anyone who wore the hijab. The infamous scene of a woman being asked to take off her Burkini, an Islamic type of swimwear that covers the body, by French police on a public beach comes to mind. While many of the recent policies may, on the surface, seem like a reaction to the terrorist attacks that occurred in France and the alleged growing threat of radical Islam, a deeper look at France’s colonial history can lead to some interesting observations.
One of the many countries that was occupied by France in the 1800s was Algeria, which had a significant Muslim population. The French method of controlling the Muslim population of the country was to force them to assimilate into French culture and completely revoke any other identity they previously held. As well as this, there was a particular fascination, even then, to have Algerian women take off their veils during the Algerian War of Independence as unveiling ceremonies were held in 1958, which would see women from poorer backgrounds or from high schools pressured to participate after threats were made to their families and their own safety.
THE FOUNDER February 2022 After looking back on its history, it is not difficult to see why France has been unable to accept the hijab as a symbol of empowerment and have made so many moves to try and abolish it and remove it from the public sphere. It seems that it is too visible of a reminder of France’s inability to control Muslim women and their allegiances as it, in their eyes, represents a lack of full commitment to the French identity. The more fundamental question that seems needed is, with Frances’s history, why Source: Flickr should they?
Trying to Save Yourself MOLLY AINLEY | CONTENT WRITER
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think winter blues is one of the most contradictory things in the world, not because of the idea itself but because of the response you receive when using the phrase. The New Year, Christmas, the opportunity to wear cute jumpers and snuggle into bed whilst watching films, seems to deny you such sadness. Yet why wouldn’t the weather, the acknowledgement of the year ending, and the loneliness of having nowhere to go in the cold be entrapping? Leaving you lost in your head. I always aim to be honest with myself and I have decided to only ever be honest with The Founder. Though, like many trying to engage an audience, I am afraid of being too honest. There are some lessons I have learnt, however, that I care to share. 1 in 5 students suffers from a mental health issue (Mind 2018), and when that is the statistic we are competing with, we need to share these lessons as a gentle reminder that we are never alone with these feelings of loneliness.
1. Asking for help is okay, and you do not actually have to save yourself As we are in our brain constantly, we feel like we have to be responsible for making it all better. Sometimes we pollute our perception so heavily that we fail to realise that asking for help is okay, and exactly what we need. I am not just talking about professional help, but also asking our friends to do things that scare us together so it is not as bad, or asking someone to listen to how you feel. Help can come in tiny forms. 2. Let go of who you were We are constantly evolving. If we stayed as we were when we were thirteen, or fifteen, or even last year, we would never be able to function. The hardest part of emotions is letting go of how you once felt. Like grieving for someone lost, you must grieve for all you used to be and love your past self; embrace them and be proud that you have managed to grow. I hate that I am not who I was a year ago, but how could I still be her? It is time for us to forgive ourselves for the way we reacted and changed according to situations we may have never experienced before.
3. You have to prioritise yourself over your studies sometimes Having a priority check can be super scary and confusing but you should always come first. You are the only person in your world that will last forever, so you must take care of your health. Sometimes, this means you need to accept your studies are going to be impacted. Remember, you can seek help via your tutor and the wellbeing team to overcome the academic panic. Sometimes all the energy you have can only be dispensed on yourself. Let yourself make boundaries in act of protection. Winter is nearly over, and the sun is on its way. So, use the last of winter to appreciate how low the sun seats itself in the sky, and how the leaves have fallen into patterns on the floor, and how gorgeous the cold can be. Winter is only temporary, and the worst is over.
Source: Cate Finnie
THE FOUNDER February 2022
OPINION AND DEBATE 7
Continued from front page difficult for students, but we must redirect our anger to university management, not our lecturers. Fighting against pension cuts, casualisation, increased workload and decreased pay, our teaching staff are suffering the most in university settings. Industrial action is no longer unusual in higher education. Since 2018, every academic year has witnessed strikes. This is a reflection of management failures to protect and better the working environments of teaching staff. Lecturers do not want to strike and must declare their strike days for docked pay. But, the greater the disruption, the higher the chance of resolution. Students must help by putting pressure on higher management and the SU to listen to UCU demands.
University management wins if students turn against staff. Divide and rule tactics in management enable a redirection of anger away from the root of the problem (upper management) and place it onto the suffering (striking staff). We cannot let this happen. Students and lecturers are part of the same battle: staff working conditions are student learning conditions. It is completely in the interests of students to stand in solidarity with striking staff. This article was written on the first day of UCU strikes, 14.2.21.
Source: GettyImages
Evaluating Our Society after Sarah Everard’s Murder ANANYA KRISHNA | CONTENT WRITER
CW: Rape, police quotes that contain racism and mention of the holocaust
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This isn’t the end’. It’s a common response to people who talk about any experiences with sexual assault, harassment, or personal experiences in an abusive relationship. It’s meant to tell the person that they matter – their story matters – and that something will happen to make sure what has happened to them, won’t happen ever again, to anyone. When this article is published, it will only be a few days before the anniversary of Sarah Everard’s murder. Despite the hard work of women around the country in wake of this horrific event who drew upon the 1980s Reclaim the Night protests, the news sees no decline in rape and sexual assault cases reported.
Just look up sexual assault on any news search bar and you’ll be met with articles of undercover cops harassing and catcalling women, sexual assault in the workplace, and the suspension of police officers over sexual misconduct claims. There’s no denying that it is gaining more publicity than before, however that doesn’t make the content of these articles any less disturbing. In Northern Ireland, 15 suspensions have occurred over the last year because of sexual assault claims, treble the amount of last year according to the BBC. The Guardian reported on Met Police officers in the Charing Cross station joking about raping and hitting women, as well as jokes about ‘the deaths of black babies and the Holocaust’.
Last September the ONS reported a record high number of rape cases in the last year of 63,136, a 13% increase from the previous year with 37% of these perpetrators being police officers. Even outside the police, headlines about the trial of Prince Andrew and the allegations against actor Chris North are circulating.
Of course, at the end of the day, we are all individuals with our own perspectives on how we should live life and there are some things about people that will never change. That train of thought shouldn’t stop there though because how in the world are you going to know if a person won’t change if you don’t try?
Treat it in the same way we tell people it’s wrong to kill, it’s wrong to steal. The most important thing is to keep talking about it – people will never see what’s at risk for such grotesque behaviour if it is treated like a trend, entering and exiting our brains depending on how ‘bad’ it gets.
Referring to the nation-wide revival of the Reclaim the Night campaigns which happened in the wake of Everard’s murder, it’s almost like a dream – something that was so hope-infused yet never truly happened. Perhaps it is and everything that it represented is a fruitless dream that exists in the same capacity that people believe a world without racism, sexism, homophobia, or ableism.
‘This isn’t the end’. No, it’s not, because sexual assault is an epidemic that has plagued society long enough. Treat it with education: teach young people what consent means. Let them know it’s not restricted to just men and that anyone is capable of it sure but let them also know that men make up the majority of offenders.
Keep talking about it, keep reading about it, keep educating yourself about it because it is definitely not the end.
8 OPINION AND DEBATE
THE FOUNDER February 2022
The Problem with Labels DAN PEPIN | CONTENT WRITER
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odern society’s frankness and openness to the fluidity of sexuality is nothing short of celebratory. This everincreasing sense of welcoming has been monumental in shaping and promoting LGBT+ rights and allowing members of the community to feel vastly more comfortable with who they are as people. One only has to take a stroll around campus to see the incredible diversity and pride that many students demonstrate in how they present themselves through displays of expression. This, in turn, has simply led to a new burst of expression and freedom to act without fear of judgement. However, this growth of expression has also given rise to the oversaturation of labelling, specifically involuntary labelling. Involuntary labelling is when person A presents themselves in a certain way which induces person B to label person A as something without having asked prior. This is often done under the basis of stereotyping what or how a certain label would act. Stereotyping is something that should remain firmly in the past and has no place today, regardless of which community is doing it. In this era of liberated fashion, more male-presenting people have taking to wearing traditionally female clothing such as skirts and dresses, or using makeup. This progressive attitude towards fashion and moving away from the archaic belief that clothes have a gender is, of course, a positive thing.
Despite this, it paves the way for misinterpretation of said person’s sexuality because if one sees a malepresenting person dressing in a (typically) feminine way then they would have the inclination to assume that person must be a part of the LGBT+ community purely because of the way they are dressed. Similarly, if somebody acts in a way that is considered counter to their own sex – such as a man being feminine or a woman acting masculine – people are often quick to assume they must be queer. This is a product of expressive people willing their happy freedom onto others, but the issue is that it is done without consent or knowledge. Labelling in itself is an outdated practice that causes anxiety of impressionable people who understandably panic when confronted by endless labels and told that they must pick one. This problem is only magnified when the choice is not your own to make but rather decided for you by others based on how you present yourself. It is galling and reduces the hard, introspective work to a quick glance and appraisal, you are being spoken for and it takes away the importance of labelling. Labelling helps validate oneself and should be assigned with pride rather than assigned based on a stereotype. Equally, if someone is mislabelled and it’s a label they are not comfortable with being seen as then it can cause a reversal of expression. One might supress the way they enjoy presenting themselves out of fear that they might be known as something the are not. Your sexuality is your business and yours alone. It cannot be determined by outside influences who diminish an incredibly complex experience to mere stereotyping. This is a greatly ironic guise of promoting power and freedom whilst limiting what they think people should actually be.
Source: GQ Magazine
THE FOUNDER February 2022
OPINION AND DEBATE 9
Why Does Britain Hate Its Teachers? GEORGE WOODS | OPINION AND DEBATE EDITOR
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atching national television would leave even the most right-wing teachers feeling a little sorry for themselves. With the announcement of the BBC Waterloo Road return, teaching unions can expect the most inaccurate representation of themselves to return. Finishing school at 3pm on the dot. Boozy lunches. No marking. Endless holidays. Rather than present a hardworking and accurate vision of the school world, British television shows us a strange, distorted reality. And it begs the question: why does Britain hate its teachers? Our Conservative government is to blame. The Gove reforms of the David Cameron government have put an intensity like never before on the teaching profession. School workdays have got longer while the pay has seen low growth. Academisation has made schools increasingly business like and in many cases removed local communities from decision making. All this has led to teaching becoming a profession which is losing as many as it is gaining. Skilled, hardworking graduates are attracted much more by the success of the private sector as opposed to public duty. Our government must take a significant portion of the blame. Indeed, modern television is also to blame. Waterloo Road presented an unsympathetic view of the teaching profession. Yes, some characters like Kim Campbell and Rachel
Source: Tabitha Turner
Mason showed teaching as an essentially pastoral role which only the most gentle of people could thrive in. Opposing this were a battalion of grumpy, irritable, lazy professionals who moaned endlessly. Against this backdrop the show omits any mention of marking, OFSTED, or even any teaching. Instead, we get a littering of drama and scandal. As a show, it obviously cannot be criticised for failing to show an accurate school. But it does tell us something about why our teachers are not loved. We distort representations of them.
Are we right to view our teachers with a mixture of envy and disrespect? Absolutely not. Teaching is the most integral profession of any modern society. The intellectual and social transfer that occurs in any society is rooted within the teaching profession. The chances of children can depend on the quality of their teachers, particularly if they, like the majority of the country, attend state schools. To be a teacher is the most important job in the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a particularly good case point. Many assume that teachers had much time off, and had their holiday extended. Instead, teachers actually worked longer hours in order to teach online and had to plan a whole year digitally in very few weeks. The mental and physical toll is underrated. A redemption of societies view is very much needed. Schools must have better representation of TV. Unions are essential to this and must be recognised as genuine vehicles of change. It is only through this that we can start seeing teachers get the respect they deserve.
10 LIFESTYLE
THE FOUNDER February 2022
Are Digital Detoxes the Way Forward? REBECCA DE SÁ | CONTENT WRITER
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Social media damages teenagers’ mental health, report says’, ‘Social media and the law: could your next tweet get you in trouble?’, ‘Is social media killing intellectual humility?’. These are just a handful of recent headlines centered around the influence of social media and technology in society. Technology has become such an integral part of our lives. In today’s day and age there is really no need to leave the house. At the click of a button, groceries, entertainment, education, and social interaction can all be delivered without a person ever having to leave their sofa. There is no denying that the growing dependence on technology has severely distorted our perception of the world. And in this multi-media age a deep sense of isolation and claustrophobia is inevitable. Technology is great. There are no two ways about it. But a constant reliance on it is what leads a lot of people into a social media addiction, and this can have a detrimental effect on mental health, interactions in real-life, and perceptions of self.
So, it is no wonder that more and more people are now choosing to live their lives a little less in the limelight through deleting all their social media accounts. In fact, many are even opting to trade in their flashy smartphones for more prehistoric, less adaptive, models.
Technology has a major influence on quality sleep. Avoiding screens, especially before bed, will significantly improve a person's sleep cycle which will generally lead to better mood and health.
Taking frequent scheduled breaks away Digital detoxing has from social media has immensely grown in been shown to reduce a popularity over the last person's stress levels. By year, with many influencers living life in the here and accrediting their positive now, people can begin outlook on life to regular to appreciate the little breaks from social things around them that media. But what exactly are often glossed over. constitutes a digital detox Technology and the and what are the other world of social media benefits of it? are extremely powerful As the name suggests, a digital detox refers to a period of time when a person will abstain from using technology, or if this is not possible, at least all social media. ‘Detoxing’ in this way is said to help a person focus better on real life priorities.
tools, if harnessed correctly. Practicing mindfulness when it comes to engaging with the virtual world will ensure that damaging habits have a better chance of getting curbed. Digital detoxing offers a simple way to remind a person of the distinction between online and real. If frequent productivity Having this time away slumps sound familiar, from technology is vital then a digital detox could for a balanced outlook significantly improve levels on life. of concentration. The distractions of the virtual world can be highly time consuming. Taking time away from technology will help a person to reassess their priorities and focus more on the things that they need to get done.
Source: OpenClipArt
The Benefits of Owning a Rice Cooker ANNA MORENO | CONTENT WRITER
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eing a student often means you may not always have time to cook a proper, nutritious meal. You may find that as your schedule gets busier throughout the year, you are ordering a lot of takeaways, or putting pizza in the oven twice a week. Microwave meals can also be quite expensive. To save some money in the long term, consider investing in a rice cooker. You may find that cooking nutritious meals is a lot easier and you do not have to stress about your dinner so often. While rice cookers can be quite expensive, they are useful item to have in the kitchen. Here are five benefits of owning a rice cooker. 1. It can save a lot of time As previously mentioned, one of the main benefits of owning a rice cooker is that it cooks automatically. Unlike pasta, which you may have to supervise, the rice cooker will cook by itself and turn off automatically when the food is done. This means you can wash your rice, put it in the rice cooker, and leave the kitchen to complete any tasks in the meantime while your dinner cooks by itself. Rice cookers are perfect for students and busy working individuals. 2. You can save some money If you are a fan of rice, you can invest in a big bag of Japanese or Taiwanese rice and store it away to use all year round. This may save you some money if you find yourself needing to restock your pasta or smaller rice packets. There is no need to buy a big expensive rice cooker either. There are many different sizes, and you can get an affordable mini rice cooker which is perfect for one person.
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THE FOUNDER February 2022 3. You can cook everything at once
2. Make sure you give yourself some YOU time.
Sometimes it can be tedious to prepare all your dinner ingredients separately. With a rice cooker, you can put all your ingredients in at once. A lot of rice dishes may also include a boiled egg, for instance. You can boil your egg inside the rice cooker simply by rinsing the outer shell and placing it in your cooker. You can also cook raw vegetables and thin pieces of meat such as fish and chicken. Be careful to make sure it is all cooked at a safe temperature to prevent food poisoning. It can help to slice some of the chicken to ensure it is cooked thoroughly. Also, be careful not to cross-contaminate with foods that will not be cooked. If you are unsure, you can always leave the meat out and cook it separately but keep the vegetables in the cooker for easy dinner preparation.
Socialising is important, and so is work too, however, looking after personal well-being is just as important. Everyone must recharge their batteries at some point. So, make sure to set aside some time in the week to just relax, watch some Netflix, and take good care of yourself.
4. You can use it for other dishes too Rice cookers do not just need to be used for rice. It is possible to bake cakes or cook pancakes using a rice cooker. On a cold day, you can also use it to make congee. You can also cook pasta in it by adding the correct amount of water. This way, you can cook pasta without needing to supervise it on the hob, as well as bake delicious, sweet treats for you and your housemates. 5. The food is kept warm and tends to be healthier There is no need to add oil when using a rice cooker, as it works by steaming the ingredients with the water you add. As the rice cooker acts as a slow cooker, your food will be cooked evenly throughout too. Once it is done cooking, you do not need to eat it straight away. The rice cooker will keep your food warm until you are ready to eat, if you make sure not to leave it overnight.
3. Make future plans
Source: Wikipedia
FOMO: Eradicating the Fear of Missing Out This Spring CYANN FIELDING | LIFESTYLE EDITOR
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he Fear of Missing Out is not an irrational fear. Everyone gets it from time to time. It is perfectly normal to feel it, but the great answer is that it can be addressed. Quite easily. The Fear of Missing Out is quite a real fear for third years; splitting time between university deadlines and socialising can be tricky. But it does not have to be. 1. Forget Planning You might be thinking, ‘this is crazy’, but planning sometimes is counterproductive. When following a long list of things to do in a day, undoubtedly the day closes with it left unfinished, resulting in a real mood dampener. Lists can be useful sometimes, for example, to add structure to a day to ensure productivity.
But when it comes to several deadlines emerging, and socialising battling against each other all you need to worry about is trying your best to make the most of your days. This may be ‘planning’ to go to library at 10am, but not specifying what to do when there. This allows freedom to do what you feel like doing when in the library, and ensures no guilt about not doing the thing you said you would do. If there is something you particularly do not want to do, then do it first – but do not plan to spend a set amount of time on it. Just work on it until you are confident with the amount of work completed, or until you find yourself becoming burnout, distracted, or bored (these states of mind may lead to a poorer quality work). By the time the evening comes, enough work will have been completed to allow you to go on that night out that is supposed to be ‘really busy’.
This might seem contradictory to the first point, but this refers to the distant future, not nearby. This means booking a concert for the summer to look forward to, planning a holiday with friends, booking into watch a new film at the cinema next month and so on. By doing this, there is something to always look forward to and remind you that you will be socialising in the future, and therefore not missing out on spending time with friends/family. 4. Just go to the SU/Medicine Realistically, will you be doing any work after 9pm anyway? And what have you got on tomorrow? If your answer to these questions is ‘no’, and then ‘a lot’. Simply practice selfrestraint, go out and enjoy yourself, but maybe come home earlier, drink less, or stop drinking at a certain time. Not only is this great for money saving, but offers a break from university work, whilst fulfilling time spent with friends and having fun. Ultimately, there will be things you will not be able to do/attend, but when this does happen it is how you respond to it that prevents you from feeling like you are missing out. If you wanted to go to Toast, but had an important 9am the next day, plan to go out on the Wednesday or the Friday. Or possibly two for Tuesday at the Packhorse. Or perhaps you wanted to go into London at the weekend but cannot now because university deadlines are fast approaching. Instead, plan a date the following month when you are free to go into London. Missing out is not just about being with other people, but also about doing things you have wanted to do on your own. So, remember: spend time alone, with friends and on work, but do not stress the finer details of how much time, or whether that time socialising was supposed to be used doing university. After all, you can just rearrange schedules.
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THE FOUNDER February 2022
Review: The Normal Heart, Larry Kramer EMILY RODRIGUES | CONTENT WRITER
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ramer’s heart-wrenching and poignant play was recently put on by the National Theatre in the Olivier Theatre in October. Reviving it for theatrical production for the first time since 1986, Dominic Cooke pinpoints the struggle and persistence of the activists during the 1980s AIDS crisis. The play documents the characters’ personal losses and responses to the prejudice which is targeted at the gay community. The agonisingly distressing play records the uncertainty of the 1980s AIDS crisis, specifically focusing on activist Ned Weeks, portrayed by Ben Daniels, as he searches for recognition for the severity of the issue. With a struggle for funding and as their friends, partners and family die around them, the advocacy group appeals to those in positions of power in New York but to no avail. The conflict between the characters primarily in the advocacy group over their approach for the best course of action alongside the devastating rate at which the crisis develops facilitates moments of heart-wrenching anguish. Distinctively, the monologue from Mickey Marcus (Daniel Monks) after he feels that the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) sustaining an unjust opinion that gay men should stop having sex is particularly pivotal. There are pinnacles of high tension created through heated discussions about the disregarded political and prejudicial impact on homosexual love and sex.
And the determination is not halted by Doctor Emma Brookner. Liz Carr’s portrayal of Emma is one of tenacity. Her willpower is undeniable, and her position is unmovable. This leads to her infuriated exasperation to the male doctors on the health board, inevitably leaving the audience holding their breath in awe of her monologue. The play’s success continues as an autobiographical piece pays homage to the activists that inspire the characters onstage. Identifiably, Ned Weeks, the play’s protagonist, is based upon Larry Kramer himself and many of the events such as the founding of the Gay Men's Health Crisis involved Kramer. Brookner is also based on the historical activist and HIV/AIDS researcher Linda Laubenstein. After watching the performance, many audience members drew similarities to the public response to Source: Flickr the ensuing coronavirus pandemic where a lack of immediate knowledge led to an underwhelming plan of action. The governmental response in both cases has been seen to neglect ISABEL WEST | the severity of the issue, resulting in ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR a disproportionate response at a time where leadership is of significant he Design Museum’s The first room exhibits photos importance. tribute to Amy Winehouse taken early in her career shot Ned Weeks does not only become the is an intimate exhibition in locations of her choice, protagonist of the piece but a symbol charting her career; from a laundrette and a vintage of care, drive and dependence. handwritten lyrics from her clothes shop. In the centre While not inadvertently intending teenage years to outfits she of the room lies the street to, Kramer’s autobiographical story wore in what would be her last sign from Camden Square encourages the audience to truly where fans graffitied tributes tour. 10 years after her death, appreciate the activists of today and after her death. This room the exhibition opened on 26th most especially, those whose selfless perfectly encapsulates the November, and until 10th April actions aid a greater cause. fearless legacy she left behind, 2022 you can descend the steps What an incredibly apt time to into the museum’s lower floor, along with the air of sadness reinvigorate a plot that combines a stepping into a heart-warming that follows it. In the main room, Amy’s unique vocals political, public and private epidemic. dedication to Amy. accompany you around, as The message of The Normal Heart is her live performances are one of persistence and resilience that projected into a wall. persists in audiences of today.
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Pages from her notebooks containing lyrics and doodles of hearts, from her Frank era are displayed in cabinets throughout the exhibition, enabling you glimpses of Amy as she was never seen before. At points in exhibition the curators invite you to put on headphones and listen to interviews and performances. You even get the chance to listen to her audition for her label, where she sung with only her acoustic guitars but still gaining a round of applause.
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THE FOUNDER February 2022 The most emotional, heartwrenching part of the exhibition was the cabinet, ‘In the limelight’, full of newspaper cuttings, showing the tabloid headlines which sensationalised and trivialised the troubles Amy faced. As the exhibition says, she was ‘romanticised as being a ‘tortured soul’. Her press coverage peppered with casual references to what were serious issues, implying that Amy was dysfunctional rather than in need of empathy or support’. The ruthless coverage of Amy in the media was sadly not unique, as other women such as Britney Spears shows. However, her death did bring greater awareness of the treatment of women in the public eye. Seeing the callous newspaper headlines surrounded by such a vivid representation of Amy with her guitars and musical inspirations all around, makes them all the more heart-breaking to read. MAJA KRISTIANSEN | CONTENT WRITER
After looking through all the iconic outfits she wore and how she made up her iconic image, you can queue up and see the finale. The finale of the exhibition is an artistic, abstract projection of Amy’s performance of Tears Dry On Their Own from the Shepard’s bush empire performance in 2007. Amy’s silhouette, along with other images, is ‘distorted into an impressionistic, painterly dreamscape, simultaneously beautiful, euphoric and disturbingly ghostly’, according to The Guardian. The video is a fitting end to the exhibition, one that would surely bring a tear to any Amy winehouse fan.
The exhibition was designed in collaboration with The Estate of Amy Winehouse, with words and contributions from those who worked with her in a personal and professional capacity. It also devotes a portion of the exhibition to give credit to her musical inspirations such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and her ‘muse’, as she describes him, Frank Sinatra. The Saturday crowds in February, months after it’s opening, are a testament to her everlasting impact on the music industry and her many fans.
A Fight for the Self
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ATE modern is the home of one of the vastest and diverse art collections there is to find in London. Blindly stepping into the 22-year-old building situated on the bankside, you are met with distinct materials alongside paintings and objects in wide white rooms, ranging from burgundy cotton ropes hanging from the ceiling alongside metals and cemented sculptures. The museum offers plenty of opportunities to not only get curious and be inspired, but also tells intricate stories of people’s emotional experiences and the multifaceted sides to them. Source: TATE
Source: Design Museum
A painting that stood out to me on my last visit to the TATE, was a small painting found in the corner of the first floor when entering the exhibitions, called ‘Fighting one’s self’ by Virginia Chihota. There exist two kinds of this painting; one of which is in Tate modern and one that can be found in TATE St. Ives. The one I saw in Tate modern may at first glance look like shapes formed in earthy colours of green, blue, red and brown, but upon further inspection shows a woman within the middle of the circle at the centre of the painting, covering their face with their fingers, looking distressed. The painting depicts a feeling that may have been far too common since the spring of 2020. It depicts the feeling of isolation, both mental and physical. The circle, described by Tate modern as close to a ‘womb-like’ encapsulation, highlights the narrowing and nearly suffocating feeling brought on by isolation in whichever form it takes, whether it is mandatory or not.
The painting also reflects on ideas surrounding change and eroding circumstances. Virginia Chihota said of this aspect of her work as reflected in ‘Fighting one’s self’: ‘My work is a reflection on the search for one’s self (and the perenniality of the self) in changing circumstances. Displacement creates uncertainty but the imperative to survive and the continuity one manages to maintain despite changing conditions inspires me.’ (Quoted in Kinsmann 2015, accessed September 2016.) The painting shows the dichotomy of both the discomfort and the potential for the unknown. Chihota’s own experience of change such as the Libyan crisis and the individual experiences of becoming a mother for the first time and the seclusion that may spring out from this experience are thus present in the piece. The idea of the womb and the comfortability, as well as the entrapment of it, become highlighted within the painting. This may suggest that the monotony and the comfortability that people may sometimes seek by isolating themselves is an emotion that has been present since before birth. Perhaps isolation is not as limiting as its definition has it seem.
14 LITERARY REVIEW
THE FOUNDER February 2022
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
LIAM ANTHONY ELVISH | LITERARY REVIEW EDITOR
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hen the Liberal politician Jeremy Thorpe infamously invited his male lover Norman Scott back to his mother’s house for a night of passion back in the early 1960s (a time when homosexuality was still an illegal offence in Britain), it was Giovanni’s Room he suggestively placed as reading-matter on the bedside cabinet for his meek companion. The novel had seemingly, in the space of a few short years of its publication in 1956, become something of a surreptitious sensation across both sides of the Atlantic, particularly among gay and bisexual circles, already gaining some prominence prior to the swinging sexual revolution of the ensuing decade. James Baldwin’s work details the exploits of David, a young American man residing in Paris and seemingly undertaking a period of soul-searching as he discovers a side of himself hitherto suppressed by his conventional upbringing. Baldwin details the seedy underground of the Parisian homosexual circuit, with all its nighthawks, drifters and decadents, prone to activity that is best left behind closed doors in the early hours. Amongst such a miscellaneous cohort, David meets Giovanni, an attractive Italian bartender whose sultry looks beguile the protagonist. The two become intimately acquainted, resulting in David escorting Giovanni back to his small, cheaply rented room; something the latter notes as beyond any question ‘when it is perfectly obvious to both of us what is going to happen’.
The complexities of David’s life become clear with the distant presence of his girlfriend Hella, who has gone to visit Spain to consider marriage with David and with whom he is in constant contact via letters. That such a relationship is official and consummated does not deter David from frequenting the bar regularly and continuing his liaisons with the youthfully exciting Giovanni. Increasing frustrations is the presence of the salacious Jacques, an older man who favours the company of handsome younger men, and who mockingly foresees much of the emotional turmoil David shall endure upon meeting Giovanni. The correspondence between bisexuality and an underlying indecisiveness is powerfully conveyed in Baldwin’s prose, as David stands perpetually conflicted between his dual affection for both Giovanni and Hella. The author masterfully exhibits his grasping of the tenderness of the individual human being, a passion he articulated in person as well as in print (if anyone be in any doubt then do go online and watch his superb speeches given at the Oxford Union or interviews on The Dick Cavett Show for further clarity). Significantly, all the characters are Caucasian; if Baldwin’s ethnicity as an African-American writer in the 1950s provoking reaction from hostile quarters was something of an inevitability, then his own homosexuality being added to the mix and garnering opposition was an unquestionable certainty. For this novel, he thus bravely concentrated on the latter, and left the former aside for separate projects, later confessing that he ‘could not handle both propositions in the same book. There was not room for it.’
Giovanni’s Room is the prototype for the modern gay romance; fervent, engrossing, and tender. It is a novel that combines the sensuality of D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover, with many of the closeted insecurities presented in E.M. Forster’s Maurice, showcasing a passionate relationship between two male beings, circumstantially caught up in a covert environment that sets up for a heart-wrenching denouement as the reader approaches its final tragic chapter.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a firm favourite amongst romance readers because of its comforting storyline, but we have often found ourselves asking what might have become of Mary Bennet, the overlooked, awkward sister. Hadlow takes a deeper, sympathetic glimpse into Mary’s temperament, drawing on elements of the original novel. As her mother criticises her looks, her father makes a favourite of Lizzie and her sisters pair off, Mary is left alone. When the sisters marry and the Bennet’s experience a family death, Mary must begin her own journey. After leaving for London, Mary drastically grows as a person, learning a balance between knowledge and emotions and opening herself up to love. Hadlow keeps us turning the pages, desperate to find out if Mary chooses her own path to happiness. If You Were Me by Sheila O’Flanagan
Source: Pinterest
Three Romance Books to Read This February XANTHE MCCRACKEN | CONTENT WRITER
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ith February being the month of love, it seems only right to immerse ourselves in a romance novel. Here are my top three favourite romances for the perfect February.
The urge to take a trip to a warm climate among these cold days in England has all crossed our minds; by reading If You Were Me, you can do exactly that. Carlotta O’Keefe has a wedding to plan with her fiancée Chris, but when she is called to Seville on a work matter, her life begins to turn upside down. In Seville she encounters her first love, Luke Evans, who broke her heart a long time before, but now has grown into a mature and intriguing man. Carlotta must decide on her own romantic path to happiness. O’Flanagan’s flawed and relatable characters make this novel an enjoyable, easy read. If you’re looking for a romance that will leave you in a reverie of love, this is it.
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THE FOUNDER February 2022
The Switch by Beth O’Leary Leena Cotton hasn’t been herself since the death of her sister and after a panic attack during a work presentation, her boss insists she takes a two-month sabbatical. Leena and her grandmother, Eileen, are particularly close. Eileen, who is soon to be 80 and is on the lookout for a new romance after her husband left her, is tired of rural Hamleigh where there are very few suitors. The two women concoct a plan to switch houses: Leena will move to rural Yorkshire and take care of Eileen’s duties in the town, while Eileen stays in London. In London, Eileen realises how much she had missed out on her marriage, she begins the dating game and adapts to the city. Leena begins to reconnect with herself and her past, while also being a little distracted by the frustrating and handsome school teacher. The Switch is as much about communication and reconnecting with oneself as it is about romance. O’Leary’s witty and relatable writing is sure to provide a cosy and comforting read this February.
Aciman’s artistic masterpiece maintains a strong sense of humanity and depicts the continuous infatuating nature of desire. Through each sentence of Call Me by Your Name, one can feel the magnitude of the poetic craft and how it intends to simultaneously encapsulate and embrace our beings. Aciman almost honours the reader by allowing them to spectate, concurrently both preserving and exposing the privacy of Elio’s and Oliver’s relationship. The unexpected blossoming affection between Elio and Oliver creates a touching image of the pair, also demonstrating the 1980s contemporary struggles of bisexuality. However, whilst it is somewhat evident that their interest will eventually transform into love, their connection initiates from a friendship. Aciman effectively highlights the gentility of human nature and uses sensuality to convey the emotions of physical yearning and sentimental longing. By doing this, he discusses the idea of the intertwining fate of two separate individuals as well as the unifying quality of religion.
Despite Aciman’s focus on Elio’s and Oliver’s developing physical relationship and poetic thoughts of colliding bodies, he also uses the Italian scenery to enhance their romance. His detailed descriptions of the Italian landscape are not only factually accurate but can psychologically transport the reader on an immersive artistic journey. Call Me by Your Name is the embodiment of the widely craved fantasy of a secret summer love that many wish to experience. Aciman manages to capture that initial excitement of the encounter and prolongs it through the six-week plot, causing the readers themselves to fall in love with the characters and the sense of the never-ending artistic vision. Aciman’s novel is the book that fills you with endless amounts of joy and voyages you to a faraway land regardless of the season or circumstance that you are reading it in. It is also one of the essential ornaments of one’s bookshelf and an almost immediate go-to choice when in need of a birthday gift for a fellow reader or a close friend. Call Me by Your Name is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming, but also a story with a sense of perfection and a strong feeling of love that will remain with you.
Call Me by Your Name by André TikTok Sensation: The Love Aciman Hypothesis ‘ A Source: Unsplash
VIKTORIA PRACZKO | CONTENT WRITER
Fear not. It will come. At least I hope it does. And when you least expect it. Nature has cunning ways of finding our weakest spot.’ André Aciman’s 2007 coming-of-age novel, Call Me by Your Name, follows the tender, blooming romance between 17-year-old intellectually gifted and inquisitive Elio and the older visiting American scholar, Oliver, in the 1983 Italian Riviera.
REBECCA WEIGLER | CONTENT WRITER
nyone familiar with the ‘Booktok’ world, or the presence of books on social media in general, has undoubtedly come across Ali Hazelwood’s infamous The Love Hypothesis. It seems to have reached the top of reading lists all over the world, bursting to fame after being merely a Wattpad story based on fanfiction. With increasing popularity, comes increasing interest to give this little rom-com a try.
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THE FOUNDER February 2022
The Love Hypothesis follows Olive, a wistful and chaotic Biology graduate student at Stanford University. Desperate to set up her best friend Anh with her exboyfriend Jeremy, as unusual as that premise may seem, Olive initiates a ‘fake dating’ relationship with the most hated faculty member at her university: the unlovable and unforgiving Adam Carlsen. Presented as grumpy and disrespectful to almost every graduate student that crosses his path, this partnering is the epitome of an unlikely match. The novel sees the personal growth of both Olive and Adam, as they learn to navigate an awkward relationship neither of them want but can’t seem to escape. It is overflowing with cringe-worthy moments, emotional dialogue, and of course, complicated drama. What more could you possibly want in a bestselling romance? Olive seems to encounter obstacle after obstacle in what seems like an impossible pursuit of a pictureperfect (hypothetical) relationship, yet it is the awkwardness of such events which supplies the comedy needed to capture young adult readers. While it is undeniably predictable in places, as most ‘romcoms’ are, The Love Hypothesis succeeds at filtering in surprises for the reader along the way. It makes it both stereotypical of romance novels and unique for its combination of eccentric characters and plots. The reader may find themselves surprised not by the journey of Olive and Adam’s relationship, but by the little moments which happen in-between. Hazelwood weaves together comedy and relatability to construct a quick read of both likeable and very unlikeable characters in unfortunate circumstances. It is easily classifiable as a pageturner, hitting the mark on the popular tropes of ‘fake dating’ and ‘grumpy sunshine’, both of which are currently soaring through the book market. The Love Hypothesis will make you laugh, and cry, and although there are some moments of almost complete stupidity, it is certainly a fitting companion for February reading lists, or hypothetical ones.
Source: The Storied Blog
CREATIVE WRITING SUBMISSIONS Blossom
LIAM ANTHONY ELVISH | LITERARY REVIEW EDITOR
Note to a Stranger
Sonnet (on CW)
XANTHE MCCRACKEN | CONTENT WRITER
LIAM ANTHONY ELVISH | LITERARY REVIEW EDITOR
Stranger, lover, heart’s desire, Wherever you may be, Waiting for the train or watching the wild sea, Know that my heart waits for you in dire need. Reader, giver, kindredspirit, Lost among the busy crowds, Waiting for the unexpected moment to think out loud, Know that I shall cherish every minute.
The vision of your face, too sweet to seem So real, gave cause for me to warrant praise; Six months I dreamt, and yet You were no dream But true as flesh upon my eager gaze. Within one moment came a thousand sighs Born from the frame beneath that sand-kissed hairA human entity with angel eyes, A walking, blinking Somnia so fair. Could soil restrain the truth of tears as I Beheld oneric gift in your design? – The meadows and the skyline passed me by, Such was the power of your form Divine. Shall lulling patience reap ethereal prize? Not so – I wake; too stunned to hypnotize.
Our liabilities are also our advantages – to hear what is not being said – to notice what another does not notice – All that we know is that we know nothing [and everything that there is to know ] *** I feel myself yearn for it; the spring time. Aching for the good, the air. breaths of cool lavender and which are a portal back to You – that blossom which enraptured me those years ago when I had Awakened from that first becoming – just around the corner.
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THE FOUNDER February 2022
Belfast: A Beautiful Coming of Age Story ANANYA KRISHNA | CONTENT WRITER
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enneth Branagh’s Belfast offers a fitting, though unconventional, childlike take on the troubles in Northern Ireland. Following a young boy named Buddy and set in 1969 Belfast, the film follows a Protestant family navigating the unrest in Northern Ireland while Buddy’s father (Jamie Dornan) is away in England working. Unlike a usual historical film which captures the pain and despair of such a tumultuous part of history, Branagh’s Belfast takes a similar route to Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit where he explores the horrors through the lens of a younger character. While Buddy from Belfast is more of a modelling on Branagh’s own childhood, it still captures how civil unrest and religious disparity shapes a young person’s life. The movie also acts as an ode to life before 1969 in Belfast and the entire movie is coloured by this nostalgia. From the first scene to the credits, this movie serves as a brilliant ode to Belfast and to Branagh’s own childhood.
We are at a point in cinematic technology where black and white film is a plot device rather than any necessity. Poorly used, it is more annoying that moving, especially if there are technicoloured scenes also present in the film. Yet in Belfast this is never poorly used and in fact is the perfect medium for a film of such heavy subject matter that, considering the age of the protagonist, doesn’t always focus on it. No matter whether you are watching a lighthearted scene of Buddy pining after a girl in his class or spending time with his grandparents, the black and white film makes sure you never forget what is happening in the background. The few scenes of colour are done beautifully with one scene of Buddy and his grandmother (played by Dame Judi Dench) watching a movie in colour while their world is in black and white, the small detail of having the movie’s reflection in Dench’s glasses alone shows the incredible attention to detail present throughout the film. Despite any criticisms of Branagh’s handling of the civil war, the beauty of the film cannot be disputed by anyone.
Maid: A Discourse on Domestic Violence ZAHRAA AHMAR | CONTENT WRITER
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buse is not linear, ‘It grows like mold’. Maid is a true story based on Stephanie Land’s memoir. The series follows a 23-year-old Alex (Margaret Qualey) as she navigates her way out of an abusive relationship, the troubles of shared custody with her ex-partner, providing for her daughter as a single mother, as well as attempting to look after her unmedicated mother who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Anyone who has little to no knowledge of Ireland between 1969 and 1998 should read up a bit on it before watching the film. While it’s not heavily centred on the actual events of 1969 Belfast, it will still make the whole experience less confusing. Speeches may seem a bit long and repetitive at times and this translates to the movie sometimes, yet it does make the story seem more realistic and less beautified. The movie doesn’t ever try to pander to the audience and therefore doesn’t make you feel like you’re lost in another world. It was made with a purpose and is uncompromised in its aim which makes it feel that bit more authentic. It doesn’t exclude audience members though, the exact opposite, for while you may not understand everything going on, you know your place as an observer. You feel every bit of pain, joy, sadness, and despair, and so if for no other reason, watch this movie to celebrate
Even though Maid revolves around Alex, the only time the viewer is directly and explicitly exposed to her thoughts are through a voiceover of her writing, perhaps mirroring her lack of voice in the abusive relationship. Metaphorical symbols like this are present throughout this breathtaking series. It showcases how abuse causes destruction in other areas of an individual's life such as self-esteem which is evident in Alex’s characterization. The series operates on a ‘show instead of telling’ basis. It offers the viewer a direct insight into the character's point of view creating a sometimes unnerving and somewhat chaotic viewing experience.
Source: IMDb
The dark imagery and faded voices placed when Alex is being abused shifting into clearer sounds and a lighter atmosphere when she finds peace elevates the viewing experience. Instead of having scenes where there is a verbal explanation of a character's feelings the director opted for a more creative decision. This can be seen applied to other characters too such as Alex’s mother, Paula, played by Andie MacDowell. Paula’s debilitating bipolar disorder is unveiled through camera movements like close-ups into her distressed face or master shots when the breaking point of her mental illness occurred.
18 ARTS: FILM The soundtrack is a sealing layer to this impactful series. Every song was chosen to perfectly encompass the emotion in a scene. One of the most heart-breaking scenes in this series is complemented with one of the most beautifully tragic songs: Dawn Chorus by Thom Yorke. This stomach-stirring song with its thought-provoking lyrics matches the intensity and devastation of the scene. There is some relief throughout the series. It portrays innocence through the lens of a difficult childhood and home life. What remains above all is the naivety and sometimes light ease that we all possessed when we were children. The world is cruel and often, unfair too, yet what this series offers is a new perspective. The most powerful tool anyone has is choice. This of course does not mean that systemic issues like racism or sexism are at the fault of the victim as the show also highlights. Instead, we can finish this series with bittersweet hope by understanding that there will always be chances and choices. It may take time untill we get the pattern just right for our individual needs but to some capacity, they will be met. TILLEY BENNETT | FILM EDITOR
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am Levinson and his team have returned to HBO max with the internet’s favourite, hormone charged, psychedelic teen drama, Euphoria. Perhaps teen drama feels too frivolous of a genre to assign Levinson’s incredibly stylised, aesthetically driven cinematography. Having now reached the half-way point, it is clear than season two of Euphoria has become grittier, more emotional, and ironically, humorous. Euphoria, the first time around, was something of a cultural phenomenon with its haunting soundtrack and innovative styling and make-up decisions embraced entirely by the internet, particularly TikTok. As viewers are reacquainted with the shambolic group of teenagers it is blatantly obvious that Levinson is taking season two in a different direction. Shot entirely on film, it is not only the plot that has changed but also the entire stylistic vision of Levinson.
THE FOUNDER February 2022
Review: The Big Sick DEVESH SOOD | CONTENT WRITER
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ith Valentine’s this month, the urge to gush about The Big Sick is real. The film seemed to be one that just came-and-went, almost completely ignored at the Oscars, and is not one many seem to talk about anymore. Originally watching it on a plane journey (the worst possible way to do so), the film was euphoric, immediately worthy of a recommendation. Revisiting it 5 years later, it can be labelled as one of the best rom-coms ever. An autobiographical tale written by Emily V Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani and directed by Michael Showalter, the film follows Kumail, a stand-up comedian becoming entangled with a woman named Emily. Expected to wed a woman from Pakistan, he fearfully keeps this a secret from his family, as put so elegantly in the film: ‘You know what we call arranged marriage in Pakistan? Marriage’. However, getting news that Emily has been hospitalised and needing to be placed under a medically induced coma, the rest of the film follows him as he has to figure out where he belongs in the world. Source: Netflix Clearly the story is loosely based on their experiences, with elements dramatised for the sake of the story. But this does not matter. On top of being a rare Western love story with an Asian lead, there is an active effort to discuss the culture clash, not just with marriage, but through the familial bond and the obligations of a child, something that seems to have been surprisingly untouched in most forms of media. This cultural questioning haunted many for years, and is a battle yet to be won, if ever. Living in an area with very few people of my background and learning the differing ways people approached these relationships left me dazed, forcing me to carefully navigate my life in a way that wouldn’t hurt the faith my family believed in, but not one necessarily shared. And yet, it is almost impossible to watch this film without a huge smile across your face, whilst often extremely heart-warming, Known for its hard-hitting portrayal of what it is to Zendaya’s commitment to her especially at the start with the be the modern teenager, Euphoria has never been character is something to marvel blooming of their relationships, an easy watch. However, there was something at, she brings a likeable streak to the film is just extremely funny. endearing about the chaotic, and frankly an otherwise nihilistic character. Outside of the stand-up routines, problematic, group of teenagers’ viewers grew Angus Cloud, whose charm has Kumail has several scenes with to know and love. Whether it be Rue Bennett’s positioned him as the internet’s other comedians, including (Zendaya) innocence despite her very real drug new boyfriend, has finally been Bo Burnham, all with similar issue and demons, or the unspoken loyalty amongst given chance to explore Fezco aspirations, forming a rivalry. Maddy (Alexa Demie), Kat (Barbie Ferreira) and with more depth. Whereas Fezco
Euphoria Season 2: Is the Difference Overbearing?
Cassie’s (Sydney Sweeney) friendship, there was a warmth to the show that allowed viewers to emphasise with these characters in situations that otherwise feel unforgivable. Where heart may have been the forefront of the show before, it certainly is not now. Comfort is removed for viewers; the hard-hitting nature of the show is omnipresent and unavoidable. Season two opens with Trying to Get to Heaven Before They Close the Door, the title alone should have been warning enough that this season was not going to be easy. Opening with Zendaya narrating, Fezco’s (Angus Cloud) back story, viewers may find themselves questioning if they are watching Tarantino or The Sopranos. Viewers are then bought back into a morphed reality witnessing Rue’s relapse during a New Year’s Eve party.
is almost impossible to dislike, Cassie has been given a shocking, yet entertaining character arch. Euphoria does divide opinion with people finding the idea of this school setting over-indulgent and ridiculous whilst others feel it is an accurate, albeit artistic, representation of youth culture today. Season two of Euphoria is just as captivating as the first. As a viewer, it is important to remove yourself from the pace of the first season and accept that these characters change as their life circumstances do.
Originating from two people wanting to share this wild experience with the rest of the world, Gordon and Nanjiani helped to create one of the smartest, most touching romantic odysseys in years. Despite the somewhat flat cinematography of the film which unfortunately gives it more of a televisual look, the strength of the writing allows the characters to ooze off the screen, helping to tell a unique angle of young love, one you owe yourself to give a watch this Valentines.
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THE FOUNDER February 2022
The Founder Recommends A
s part of a new feature, each issue of The Founder will feature some of our editor’s recommendations for their favourite songs, albums, and artists. So, have a read if you want to find something new to listen to or even be reminded of one of your own favourites.
Editor in Chief, Abra’s picks:
Favourite Artist: Jack Garratt
Favourite Song: Buttercup – Hippo Campus
Abra has chosen the British singer-songwriter and composer, Jack Garratt, as her favourite artist and loves his extensive discography, finding that ‘you can listen to one of his song’s no matter what mood you are in’. She says that she cries to some of his songs and then dances around the room to others. Situating Jack in a genre is hard, but he flicks between indie-pop, trip-hop, and alternative R&B, so there is something for everyone in his music. In 2016, he received the Critics’ Choice Award at the BRIT Awards and was BBC’s Sound of 2016. Abra saw him live in that year when he toured his debut studio album, Phase, and still listens to him daily.
The final song on their 2017 album Landmark, Abra recommends Hippo Campus’ track, Buttercup. She describes it as ‘one of the most feel-good tracks of all time, despite its break-up focused lyrics’ and finds particular happiness in the chorus of the song when the American indie rock band sing, ‘I’ll be fine on my own, she said, I don’t need you inside my head’. The band were formed in 2013 in Minnesota and have even performed at Reading and Leeds festival. Abra loves how the song builds with one big rise in power, and she draws attention to how cool the interaction of instrumentation and vocals is. Favourite Album: Recomposed: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons – Max Ritcher (The Deutsche Grammophon Recording) Recomposed is a modern adaptation of Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons. The album takes you through Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Using only 25% of Vivaldi’s original material, Richter loops and phases parts to create a minimalistic, postmodern soundscape. Abra has been playing violin for 15 years, so has been forced into her fair share of Four Seasons rehearsals and performances with high school and college orchestras, but she thinks it is very refreshing to hear a new take on the piece. The opening to Spring featured at the very top of her Spotify Wrapped playlist for 2021.
Source: Flickr, WFUV Public Radio
Review: Turnstile Live at O2 Forum, Kentish Town ARIEL TANDIARAK | CONTENT WRITER
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lectric doesn’t do justice to what Baltimore’s finest sound like live. Turnstile returns to the U.K with their debut live performances of their latest album GLOW ON which received critical acclaim in the latter half of 2021, reaching number 30 in the Billboard Charts. The hardcore prodigy capitalised on the UK’s recent dropping of COVID restrictions to give new and long-time fans a chance to experience a taste of this new wave of hardcore punk rock that America has to offer, with support from West London’s own, Chubby and the Gang.
Their powerhouse performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town channels aspects of punk shows of yesteryear and twists them with their own unique blend of a multitude of genres all packed into a pink and cloudy hardcore package. A shirtless Brendan Yates (vocalist) and hooded Franz Lyons (bassist) lead the rowdy crowd in enticing mosh pits and crowd surfing all to the sound of teeth grinding guitars riffs and groovy drum lines supported by Brady Ebert (lead guitar), Pat McCrory (rhythm guitar), and Daniel Fang (drums). In his performance, Yate’s fuels his inner Fugazi and Black Flag attitude by letting himself be taken by the rhythm of music. He mixes in karate kicks with the swaying of his hips as well as the occasional flip to further his stage presence. His movement is complemented by Franz’s frantic ballet twirls as he tries not to let the g-forces take hold of his bass. Fang, clothed this time, has the sitting crowd above bumping in unison to his atmospheric playing as he provides the backbone to the tempo of their headbanging in the echoey halls of the O2, while guitarists Ebert and McCrory both in power stances pluck out the jarring melodies that drive the whole concert.
20 ARTS: MUSIC Under the constant barrage of feedback, the crowd were greeted by MYSTERY from the recent album and REAL THING & BIG SMILE from previous albums to rile up the inner animal within them as the energy builds up through Fang’s fast drumming and McCrory’s quick and precise guitar strumming. BLACKOUT has the crowd belting out the heavy-strung choruses all while gracefully swaying side to side to the subsequently wistful indie-inspired UNDERWATER BOI. Without hesitation they carry on the momentum with classics like DON’T PLAY, GENERATOR, and GRAVITY that keeps the rowdy bunch in constant arm-swinging movement. But the real fan favourites were HOLIDAY and T.L.C. that had the fistpumping crowd screaming their lungs out to the lyrics. At one point near the end of the show, a few people managed to sneak on the stage next to Yates and Ebert and dive out into the crowd, strengthening the bond and energy between artist and enthusiast, even though it angered security. This tour is one for the books and is definitely worth more than the £24.25 you pay for it. If you have the chance to experience any punk rock show like this, no matter your music preference, I’d recommend it. KATHERINE MCGLADDER | CONTENT WRITER
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0th January 2022 saw the passing of Marvin Lee Aday, better known as rock and roll icon Meat Loaf, aged 72. Though he lived a turbulent and sometimes controversial life, he is most remembered for his powerhouse voice and electrifying stage presence which saw him successfully transfer his talents from music to film, most notably appearing as Eddie in 1975’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Robert Paulsen in 1999’s Fight Club.
THE FOUNDER February 2022
Source: Instagram (@turnstileluvconnection)
Review: The Legacy of Bat Out of Hell Meat Loaf’s debut 1977 album, Bat Out of Hell, was developed by Jim Steinman from Neverland, a futuristic musical he’d composed as part of a 1974 workshop. This eventually went on to become Bat Out of Hell: The Musical, which loosely resembles a Peter Pan narrative in postapocalyptic Manhattan and has been nominated for numerous awards. It is unsurprising that the album translated well to musical theatre, as there is an undoubtedly theatrical theme running throughout, making it unique and instantly recognisable. This is complimented by Meat Loaf’s operatic vocal style and the heightened, melodramatic narrative worthy of The Phantom of the Opera.
You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth is perhaps the most musical theatre-inspired of the album, complete Bat Out of Hell is arguably with an anthemic chorus, one of the most dynamic pounding bass, and swooning album openers ever. Complete backing vocals. The lyrics with timeless guitar solos stand out here in a similarly and frenetic drumming, Meat compelling theatrical style. Loaf’s distinctive tenor range Particularly notable is the soars over the cacophony verse: ‘When I listen to your like the eponymous bat. heart, I hear the whole world The production still sounds turning/ I see the shooting clean and crisp to modernstars falling through your day listeners, and the song trembling hands’, which never lets up even with its seems destined to have ended impressive 9 minutes and 52 up on Broadway. second duration, spanning In contrast with its several musical sections in melancholic piano a style reminiscent of its introduction and slow tempo, contemporary 1970s epic, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad Bohemian Rhapsody. The is the perfect rock ballad. passionate delivery vividly Paradise by the Dashboard illustrates the catastrophic Light could be a B side to the motorcycle crash told through Grease soundtrack with its the lyrics, successfully back and forth between Meat granting Jim Steinman’s wish Loaf and powerful vocals to write ‘the most extreme from Ellen Foley.
It has been cited as the ‘greatest rock duet of all time’, and memorably interjects a baseball broadcast, mirroring the narrative of the song. A notable album closer, For Crying Out Loud, builds majestically over the course of 8 minutes and 45 seconds with a suitably stratospheric and belting melody accompanied by swelling strings. Bat Out of Hell has sold over 43 million copies worldwide and was in the UK charts for over 500 weeks: the second longest chart run by a studio album in the UK. In the wake of Meat Loaf’s death, it currently sits at number 18, and looks set to climb higher in the coming weeks. Fortyfive years on, Bat Out of Hell still retains its immense influence, distinctive sound, and an everlasting legacy as one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
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THE FOUNDER February 2022
OLI GENT | SPORTS EDITOR
The Flying Eagles and the Soaring Seagulls
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t may be one of the strangest derbies this country has seen in its footballing history, but there is always a keen sense of intrigue every time Crystal Palace play Brighton and Hove Albion. This season was no different, but there were perhaps more neutral eyes glancing over than there has been in a long while. In their two encounters this term, both have ended in highly competitive draws filled with flowing football, with quality players on either side, showcasing the astounding calibre of footballer that even those in the lower echelons of the Premier League are starting to attract. This piece is not a match report nor a tactical analysis of both teams’ formational styles, but a homage to their development as football clubs, solidifying themselves as top flight mainstays with potential aplenty within their prospective projects. In his debut term as a Premier League manager, former Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has put the disappointment of a previous past at Nice behind him, arriving at Selhurst Park with a huge reputation, but a point to prove. Veteran Roy Hodgson was finally eased out of the hotseat after four loyal years of service, and Steve Parish decided to abandon his traditional appointment approach of the old-school, been-there-done-it gaffer, instead putting his faith in Vieira: a legend on the field, but unproven as a head coach.
To abandon such tradition was a risky endeavour from Parish: he had tried it in 2017 with Frank de Boer, a student of the game at Ajax and Barcelona, but the Dutchman was not suitably backed to put his ideas into practice on the pitch, attempting to teach a Sam Allardyce squad, with route one engrained in their minds, the gorgeous ways of tiki taka and total football.
Edouard has added goals, pace, power, and positioning: everything one could want in a striker. The epitome of a ‘complete forward’, the Frenchman announced his arrival with a fanfare brace off the bench on his winning debut against Tottenham Hotspur, and he has contributed to nine goals in his 19 league games. Standing at 6’1” and merely 24 years old, Parish realised his mistake, Palace and Parish pulled off a but not until after a four-year masterstroke in bringing him to Hodgson stopgap that soured Selhurst Park. towards the end. The Eagles Michael Olise could well be chairman looked to the future the unsung buy. The teenager once more, hiring Vieira. The joined from Reading with South Londoners would back the many aware of his potential Frenchman in his first transfer and his capabilities, but sure window, giving him the tools he that he would be too raw for the craved as he sought to implement physicality and professionalism a more positive style of play that of the Premier League. He has would excite die hard Eagles silenced his critics, with many supporters, who had been starved calling for him to be loaned back of entertainment after the recent to the Championship, and the regimes of Messrs Hodgson, young French starlet has shone Pardew and Allardyce, with off the right flank, showing a calamitous four-game, 77- his trickery in the dribble and day, no-goals-scored de Boer directness and decisiveness interlude a fleeting memory. when it comes to his final ball. Marc Guehi and Joachim Will Hughes also arrived from Andersen were brought in to returners Watford in a cut-price solidify the heart of an ageing deal, adding creativity to a defence, whilst Odsonne midfield that had a lack thereof. Edouard was caught from Celtic for £15 million: an impressive acquisition considering the calibre of club after his signature. Guehi offers the recovery pace when sweeping up behind the backline, whilst Andersen, having impressed at city rivals Fulham the previous campaign, has led by example, organising a youthful defence in addition to putting his body on the line for the cause.
But the standout signing was that of Conor Gallagher. Whilst only loaned from Chelsea’s extensive catalogue of young talent, the box-to-box midfielder has been a revelation in the red and blue of Palace, with ten goal contributions to his name in 19 Premier League appearances, including a brace in a mesmerising man-of-thematch display as Palace stole a win over Manchester City at the Etihad.
Often lining up in a 4-3-3 shape, Vieira is flexible in his approach play and mentality, adapting his strategy in line with the opponent. He sets pressing traps with numerical overloads in wide areas in the defensive transition, looking for the quick turnover and countering opportunity provided by the pace of the front three running in behind. When matched with a supposed ‘inferior’ opponent, he will deploy more of a patient possession game, although still allowing for positional and creative freedom from his talented attacking players when they get into dangerous areas.
Tyrick Mitchell has risen seamlessly out of Patrick van Aanholt’s shadow to make the left-back berth his own, and Nathan Ferguson must rid himself of his persistent injury problems if he is to prove his worth as Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s long-term replacement. The full-back areas are the position of weakness for Vieira: that’s not to say that Mitchell, Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne don’t do competent jobs, but the Eagles will see these as places of priority in the coming transfer window.
Talismanic winger Wilfried Zaha has had his duties stripped back and his shoulders unburdened after the arrivals of Olise and Edouard, and the return to full fitness of Ebere Eze has meant that the Eagles have a plethora of young and hungry talent at their disposal in the final third, proving that competition for places is not a potent problem.
Brighton, meanwhile, continue to astound and amaze under Graham Potter, who, at times, gets them playing like prime 2009 Barcelona. The issue for the Seagulls? Goals. Or a serious lack thereof. The joke last season has continued into this: Brighton will dominate opponents on the stats board but will struggle to eke out results as they lack that cutting-edge ruthlessness in front of goal. Neal Maupay and Danny Welbeck have striven to put an end to their misfortunes, and whilst ten goals between them in 23 games might not seem the worst tally, for the chances that Potter’s side create, they could well be even higher in the league table had they hit the net more.
In midfield, a more workhorse trio is often selected. Club captain Luka Milivojevic is the sitter as the six, with Gallagher the more advanced of the two eights to his right, and either Jeff Schlupp, James McArthur or Hughes to the left, adding thrust and energy in addition to greater defensive solidity when Gallagher ventures forward.
The game against Palace at the AMEX in January told a similar story: the Seagulls with 63% ball possession, nine corners to Palace’s zero, 19 shots to three, and
22 SPORTS four attempts on target to one. The match ended 1-1, and the Seagulls could only snatch a share of the spoils late on, thanks to a Joachim Andersen own goal in the 87th minute. Their summer transfer business was familiar viewing: sizeable sums spent on names no-one had heard of, turning into masterful pieces of business, but mostly in the wrong positions. Marc Cucurella was the top target according to Potter, and his debut campaign in English football has seen the left-back touted as one of, if not the signing of the season, as his all-round game, his overlapping guile, quality of delivery and pass as well as defensive solidity, has seen him cement himself in Potter’s plans for the foreseeable future. Enock Mwepu also arrived to supplement midfield options: a similar mould to that of Yves Bissouma, the Zambian is an all-action battler who can run, tackle and carry the ball forward powerfully, penetrating defensive lines with a dribble or a pass. But there was still no striker. It remains curious that Brighton were not in for Edouard, supposedly happy to see him join their fierce rivals, who had become disappointed with the meagre numbers put up by JeanPhilippe Mateta and Chrisitian Benteke. The Frenchman’s numbers were unrivalled in the Scottish Premiership, and he seemed the ideal fit for a Brighton side that were crying out for a complete penalty box predator for a fair price. More generally, we see Potter adopt a fluid back three system, that’s focussed on controlling the tempo of games and suffocating opponents in the midfield areas. Often a 3-4-1-2, the shape can indeed transition seamlessly into a 3-5-2, 5-3-2 or 3-4-2-1, allowing little magician Leandro Trossard the licence to pick up pockets of space and carve out goalscoring opportunities for his strikers not to put away.
THE FOUNDER February 2022
A key cog of the defensive trio has been lost: Dan Burn was wheeled away by Newcastle’s newfound riches, and we could well see Potter revert to a back four, as seen in recent weeks in more of a diamond. Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster are tough Championship central defenders turned graceful, Premier League gazelles, their comfort on the ball and surprising turn of pace pertinent examples of this. Tariq Lamptey speaks for himself as the complete right-back: no fear in the challenge, filthy on the ball and with lightning speed, Chelsea will be wondering how they let Brighton rob them of such a starlet. In the engine room, we can see Potter doing his best work. Players like Steven Alzate and Jakub Moder, ‘auxiliary players’ as many would label them, are staple squad options, versatile enough to play in a variety of positions and roles whilst maintaining a high level of performance. Alexis Mac Allister has demonstrated his qualities as the number 10, taking the reins of the ageing Adam Lallana. With delicious delivery and delicacy in his possessional play, he has proved the legitimacy of his Argentinian passport. Tony Bloom’s Potter experiment (or spell, if you’d rather a JK Rowling reference) has worked a charm for him and his football club. He has seen his investment and trust repaid by a man who claimed he ‘wasn’t sexy enough’ for one of the country’s top managerial jobs, and with the former Ostersunds manager at the helm, the Seagulls can only expect bigger and better things in the coming seasons. They just need that godforsaken striker. It is no use pitting these two headto-head on paper. Both projects are piped with potential, and the foundations have solidified and set to really begin building squads that should seek to challenge in the upper reaches of the table. For the moment, we should just sit back and enjoy the development of these two magnificent clubs, not forgetting the managerial masterstrokes played by both owners.
Source: AFP
Could George Russell be the New Nico Rosberg and Destabilise Mercedes? CYANN FIELDING | LIFESTYLE EDITOR
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s far as feuds go in Formula One, the Nico Rosberg/Lewis Hamilton dispute is by far one of the most well-known, destructive, and entertaining within the sport. Teammates Hamilton and Rosberg competed together from 2013 to 2016. However, whilst starting initially as friends the two teammates quickly started to cause issues for Mercedes as a team. There were several crashes between the two, often disputed as to whether they were caused by heated moments or dangerous driving. A particular example was the crash at the 2016 Grand Prix in Spain. The rivalry became so volatile that at the peak of the pair’s feud, they were both threatened with possible suspension. During the period, Hamilton secured the championship title twice, Rosberg only once. Arguably, both teammates during their time together at Mercedes were at the top of their game, and many have speculated whether it is a good decision to have seemingly two number one drivers, rather than a distinctive talent difference between the first and second – which is the format many other teams opt to take, often investing more in their number one driver.
The question then looming for this season is: will George Russell bring about a similar rivalry with Hamilton, to that seen of Rosberg and Hamilton between 2013 and 2016? Nico Rosberg himself seems to think so. In an interview, the German expressed how he believes Mercedes are taking a huge risk in selecting Russell for the second seat. That doesn’t mean to say that Rosberg thinks that Russel isn’t talented, rather that he is and therefore may not be willing to play second fiddle to Hamilton. First Sportz comments how Nico asserted: ‘It was a difficult decision for Toto, because the risk is quite high. If George is really on the same page as Lewis, it could become really intense in the team. There are of a lot of unknowns there, is George always going to back out, or is he going to get his elbows out? That’s just going to be so great to watch.’ It certainly will be.
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THE FOUNDER February 2022
With the 2022 season fast approaching, F1 fans are excited to see a new driver at Mercedes, and whether Rosberg will be right in saying a rivalry will develop. With a brilliant deputy appearance in the Sakhir 2020 Grand Prix stepping in for Hamilton, the sport has already witnessed the potential of Russell from one race. The excitement and surprise established from Sakhir is still being talked about to date and is speculated to have played a huge part in Mercedes taking him on. Mercedes always had Russell as a prospective driver for their future, and now it is reality for the young Briton. Rosberg is not the only one to think that Russell may potentially get his elbows out. Former driver Mark Webber also believes that the Brit is ready to fight, noting how he has almost fifty races under his belt, making him more than ready for top grid position battles.
There was much talk in the build up about how this was a disrupted England team: one with a long list of injuries, debutant aplenty; a work in progress. Much of that chatter was vindicated and added caveats that will keep Scotland honest in their pursuit of glory especially given the manner of their victory. However, what was also made clear by the weekend's events was that England have a deep pool of talent and a forward contingent with real potency. Scotland were put under all sorts of pressure throughout most of the first half, and well into the second. Ill-discipline undid much of the good defensive work being done as well as that of the exemplary kicking game orchestrated by Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell. England, however, could not capitalise on the go-forward produced by their pack, with inaccuracy and lack of inventiveness from their
Scotland Make Dream Six Nations Start with Narrow Win Over England PETER GEDDES | CONTENT WRITER
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The dynamic between the new Mercedes recruit and multiple time world champion will undoubtedly be a focus of the season and establish a fascinating dynamic for viewers and Mercedes alike. Toto Wolf can only hope the relationship will be as harmonious as the one Hamilton experienced with Valtteri Bottas since 2017, as opposed to the rather tumultuous relationship he had with Rosberg. The answer, then, to the question of whether Russell is to do battle, can merely be speculated for a little longer. With the 2022 Championship starting on 18th March, the answer to this much-asked question will quickly be unveiled.
backs costing them. Despite gaining an early three-point lead, Scotland hit back with their first real attack of the game, scoring a sublime try through Darcy Graham and temporary scrum half Ben White. The half ended 10-6, with the home side sitting on 35% possession. All too often have Scotland sides been on the other end of stats like that. In rugby, as in many similar sports, it’s the team that uses possession more efficiently that wins the day, and so it was this time. The energy and agility of Graham alongside the pace and power of Duhan Van der Merwe contrasted starkly with the generic and lacklustre showing from all but one of the English backs, Marcus Smith, and an exception he is, as his Six Nations debut lacked only a win. Composed with the ball in his hands and organising his team well, he persisted to
Scotland 20-17 England Try: SCO: White (penalty) Pens: Russell (2) Con: Russell // ENG: Try: Smith Pens: Smith (4) Murrayfield, Edinburgh (67,144)
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n my preview of the Guinness Six Nations*, I discussed Scotland’s building of a team that can compete in every game: a team with experience, continuity of selection and some genuine world class talent. I believed then that they could win this tournament, but I did not expect it. Hope is a dangerous emotion, especially in sport. Indeed, by the time you are reading this, the hope may already be dashed, but at the time of writing, it's at a record high. Scotland have beaten England two years in a row for the first time since 1984, as the Scots went on to win the Grand Slam. Equally, only last year Scotland beat England in the first week and lost to Wales in the second, so I'll try and not get too hasty.
effectively probe the Scottish backline. He tried low kicks in behind a few too many times but that reflected the quality of the Scottish defence more than anything else. His try was very well taken, switching to the blindside late and displaying what he brings to this England team: a running threat and pace that his competition lacks. He set up his team for victory but was taken off with twenty minutes to go – at which point Eddie Jones’ side collapsed. Not long after Smith’s departure, England's defence set too narrow from a scrum, Russell cross-kicked for Van der Merwe to make easy metres, exposing a disorganised and again too-narrow defence. Kicking to the opposite wing where the English hooker, Luke Cowan-Dickie, was against Graham in the aerial challenge, the forward deliberately knocked the ball on, denying
Source: Craig Watson
the probable try. Scotland were awarded all seven points and the number two was sent to the bin. From there, England failed to retain control of the game, making one mistake after another. With the score at 20-17, they won a kickable penalty but instead went for the corner.
24 SPORTS The control and stability of Scotland in the dying embers contrasted bleakly with the lack of leadership and composure of the English, especially disappointing considering the late introductions of experienced heads like George Ford and Joe Marler. The upshot is that Scotland go to Cardiff knowing that they have not played their best but have still won, and as such, there is both a great positive and a subtle warning. They need to be better, but they know that they can trust in each other and the system. England on the other hand, get some respite with a trip to Rome. They are by no means out of this tournament, but one gets the impression that those words spoken before the first weekend will continue to have resonance. This is a team in transition, missing some key pieces. What is clearer now, more than ever, is that Marcus Smith is the future for English rugby and trusting him might well keep them in contention. *You can read Peter’s detailed preview and analysis of the Guinness Six Nations for free on The Founder’s website. BEN ROWE | WELFARE AND DIVERSITY SECRETARY, MEN’S FOOTBALL
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GBT+ history month is for everyone. It is a fantastic cause to support, and one we are keen to champion at Men’s Football. We are proud of the high degree of diversity and inclusivity within the club, and as such will be addressing several factors throughout the month of February and beyond: - Further our commitment to inclusion within football - Building links with other clubs, societies, and wider LGBT+ charities and support mechanisms - Ensuring the continued zero-tolerance policy towards
THE FOUNDER February 2022
LGBT+ History Month at Men’s Football negative/homophobic behaviours - Raising awareness - Showcasing progress - Raising money for fantastic charities Ultimately taking responsibility for making a difference While great progress has been made in recent years, there is still work to be done. There are no openly gay footballers in the Premier League, and studies have found that the environment created by fans influences the decision of players to come out. Seven out of ten football fans who have attended a football match in the last five years have heard homophobic language. Football needs to progress in its attitudes towards homosexuality, and that is exactly what Men’s Football are trying to advocate for this month through awareness campaigns and charity efforts. Throughout the month, our captains have been wearing rainbow armbands, while we have supplied club members with rainbow laces. Not only do these demonstrate our support, but profits raised from the purchase of these have all gone to charity. Furthermore, our volunteering secretary, Ben Haselden, has organised an LGBT+ Quiz Night, with all proceeds going towards Stonewall to support the excellent work that they do. Finally, throughout LGBT+ History Month, we have been celebrating and documenting some of the most influential LGBT+ figures in the world of sport on our Instagram, of which two are listed below. Everyone deserves the right to
Source: VOI
be themselves. Tom Daley With four Olympic medals and 12 golds in the world championships, the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships, Tom Daley is one of Britain’s best and most decorated divers. Daley has been open and confident about his sexuality, happy to speak out on many issues regarding his personal experiences and the wider issues surrounding attitudes towards the LGBT community. Like many other athletes (there were a record of nearly 200 openly gay athletes at the Tokyo olympics last year), Daley has had a huge impact simply by coming out and being his true self for all the world to see. ‘I feel incredibly proud to say that I am a gay man and also an Olympic champion. I hope that any young LGBT person out there can see that no matter how alone you feel right now, you are not alone. You can achieve anything.’
‘While it is incredible to see so many athletes being visibly LGBTQ+, there’s still more to do to ensure that sport is truly inclusive to everyone.’ Josh Cavallo: Currently playing for Adelaide United, the full-back is now in his third season of Australian top-flight football aged just 22. Josh is known and celebrated globally as the first openly gay top-flight male footballer, having come out in October last year. ‘Being a gay closeted footballer, I’ve had to learn to mask my feelings in order to fit the mould of a professional footballer. Growing up being gay and playing football were just two worlds that hadn’t crossed paths before. I’ve lived my life assuming that this was a topic never to be spoken about.’ ‘I know there are other players living in silence. I want to help change this, to show that everyone is welcome in the game of football and deserves the right to be their authentic self.’
Thanks to Josh’s strength and bravery, the footballing world is a better place. He is an inspiration to millions.
