G-You Autumn 17

JUSTY

NOVEMBER 2013

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CONTENTS Asst Hon Sec updates us on the next month

A Note on Parliamentary Debating

Lexit?

Development, Diversity & Hope

FROM THE BOARD

DEBATING

CURRENT AFFAIRS

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Bleeding Colour: The LBGTQ+ Struggle in Chechnya POLITICS PAGE 6

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Scotland: Ya Beauty

The Hollywood Whitewash

The NHS: A Post Code Lottery?

Hurrucane Season

Spilling the 'T' on Tolerance

CULTURE

HEALTH

NATURE

CULTURE

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Halloween Cultural Appropriation or Appreciation?

The Other Gay Scene

Melodise and Politicise

A Year Abroad in Strasbourg

OPINION

LIFESTYLE

OPINON

TRAVEL

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2017

The Women of GUWC

Changing the Status Quo of Modern Diversity

Maryam Mirzakhani

Interview with Graham Macrae Burnet

OPINION

MATHS

INTERVIEW

SPORTS/REVEIW

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Love and Death Theatre Review

ARTWORK FEATURE:

Caustic Love Painting by cotton buds (Page 19)

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CONTRIBUTORS Annabel White Taggy Elliot Andrew Muir Rhys Harper Michael Finlayson Isla Cunningham Doug Jack Noemie Gauthier Peter Keys Bethany Howard Matei Botez Suzanne Elliot Michaek Cartledge Sian Oo Tresca Mallon

EDITORIAL TEAM Cover/Graphic Design - Rachel McCarney Politics & Current Affairs - Owain Campton Views & Column - Amy McShane Lifestyle & Culture - Anya Brzeski Sports, Health & Science - Ciaran Doherty Nature & Environment - Izzi Thornton Website/Features Editor - Caitlin Young Artwork & Photography - David Nkhansah Social Media & Socials Editor - Tom Smits

Cover Design: Annabel White

' I used watercolours and papercutting to design this months cover. I taught myself papercutting around 5 years ago and have used it for many pieces of artwork since. For this design, I had in mind falling leaves and layered the colours behind it to further enhance the piece and to give it more depth and dimension.'

WELCOME

Hello everyone!

The leaves around Glasgow are falling as quickly as deadlines are piling up and it's getting to that time of year where the bitterly cold winds are breaking through every wee crack of your student tenement flat, and wearing hats at all times (even in the library) is entirely acceptable. But winter isn't here yet, and autumn is (in my opinion) the prettiest time of the year, filled with colour and life and excitement.

This issue is jam-packed with articles from our editorial team, fabulous contributors and features artwork from Sian Oo (p19), Annabel White (cover). Our central theme for this issue was about diversity and celebrating difference. We hope you enjoy taking a break from your busy studying and enjoy reading G-You Magazine.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved contact us via Facebook (@GYouMagazine), by emailing libraries@guu.co.uk or come along to our weekly open meeting which is on Monday's @ 6pm in G12.

Happy Autumn!

Lottie van Grieken Editor-In-Chief MULTIPURPOSEMGZ | 3

FROM THE BOARD

AUTUMN: FROM THE BOARD Douglas Jack Assistant Honorary Secretary

Hi! Welcome to the Glasgow University Union and our magazine: G-You. As we’ve all started to settle in to University the fun hasn’t stopped here and there is a lot to look forward to at GUU if you’re needing a chance to get away from the academics.

The bread and butter of campus social life, HIVE, will be on every Thursday and Saturday. Complimenting HIVE our four wonderful committees will still be running our pub quiz, magazine contributors meeting (if you want to end up published in here!), speaker training, and open mic, as well as the new Wednesday night language cafe.

Whilst that is all standard it is October and therefore there is one event that the Board will be looking forward to in particular and that is, Halloween! Whether you love putting in the effort and creating the most elaborate of costumes, or you’re a last-minute type of guy who decides to come as something edgy or ironic, we’ll be putting on a party for you, so save your scariest masks for Halloween HIVE on the 28th October.

After October a couple more deadlines are going to start creeping up (sorry) but not that just gives us a chance to show you how versatile our Union is. The main library at the University is notorious for packed to the rafters, so finding a space to study might be quite hard. However, if you need a place to study the GUU has both the Bridie and the Elliot library to service those needs. Being so close to

A note on Parlimentary debating Noemie Gauthier, Head Clerk

The Right Honourably Happy Endings Glasgow University Union is not only one of the best competitive debating unions in the world, but is home to the unique Parliamentary Debates. Glagsow’s own twist on the House of Commons, including passionate speeches, heckling and lots of other traditions, but with a few unique twists on the Westminster format. The parties range from the beige and boring, to the extreme reaches of political ideology. The consumption of alcohol is not only allowed but very much welcomed and Prime Ministers questions is an opportunity to embarrass the Prime Minister, or, if they’re so inclined, let them brag about their exploits. Within the session you can 4 | MULTIPURPOSEMGZ

witness maiden giving their first ever speech, European Debating Champions showing off their skills, or speakers breaking into songs as they take the performance aspect of debating to the extreme.

Parliamentary debating is not only a debate it is a show for “distinguished guests in the gallery”, that everyone can be a part of!

The Whig Club: Headed by Honourable “From Guilford with Love” (Isla Cunningham), will defend the extremely progressive (or bland) liberalism. If you want to care about social justice, and think wishy-washy nandy pandy liberalism is the best way to guarantee it, the very amicable Whig Club should be your choice.

Her Majesty’s Loyal Tory Club: Lead by the Assistant Honorary Secretary of the GUU, Douglas Jack, or as he is known to the chamber – The Honourable “Flashman”. The Tories of our chamber aren’t your typical

our café’s and the Union kitchen you can be sure we’ll look after you well here. As a bonus during the exam time, which you don’t need to worry about just yet, the board and libraries committee will provide you with free tea and coffee to get through the slog. Our brand new kitchen has loads of options of snacks and meals to keep you going, as well as exciting weekly offers to keep you eye out for.

So as part of this article I’ve been asked not only to give you a brief overview of what is happening in the next couple of weeks but to also tell you a bit about my role and what I do. My role as the Assistant Honorary Secretary can be split in to two different areas: internal and external. My internal job involves organising the Board of Management, which means taking all the minutes of our meetings, putting present student members into their operational committees, deal with both pastoral and disciplinary issues, as well as paying their carries – which are reimbursement for being on duty. Externally I’m the point of contact with our 100 or so affiliated societies and help deal with any issues they may have. So if you’re interested in your society getting the benefits from of being affiliated feel free to contact me!

Remember, when the deadlines start coming thick and fast, its important to take some time out to enjoy yourself too. So enjoy the rest of the issue, and enjoy your autumn!

Thatcherites or lovers of David Cameron, they speak with a love for traditions, tweed, the social order, and a strong and stable society (but mostly traditions and tweed).

The World Almighty Distributist League: Amicably described as “giving everyone a bit of land and a cow and letting them do whatever they want”.

Do you hate the oppressive state, and long for the sweet embrace of the Invisible Hand? Do you like believing things with no way of following them through? Then Join The Honourable “Mcshlongland” (David Macdonald)!

The Independent Socialists: Leading, but as an “equal”, is President of the Dialectic Society, Harry Coloe, A.K.A. the Honourable “Sprinkles are Extra”.

If you’re a champagne socialist, a cava Communist or Lambrini Leftist, Ind Soc are the club for you. You’ll be seizing the means of production, and maybe throw some

of the bourgeoisie into the Clyde.

The Scottish Nationalist Association: WARNING! Not actually Scottish Nationalists. Lead by the Honourable “Millennium Falcon”(Tomáš Kessl) they are very cynical about the human race, believing no one is smart enough to be allowed to make their own decision (except the other humans in charge – who are different, somehow?). If you wish to join the SNA leave your moral compass at home but don’t forget to bring your utile calculator.

The Parliamentary Calendar

The Secretary's Debate :20th October 2017, 3pm (Pre-debate 16th October, 6pm) The President's Debate: 24th November 2017, 3pm (Pre-debate 20th November, 6pm) The Dialectic Debate: 26th January 2018, 3pm (Pre-debate 22nd January, 6pm) The Old Hacks' Debate: 23rd February 2018, 3pm (Pre-debate 19th February, 6pm) The Guest Debate: 23rd March 2018, 3pm (Pre-debate 19th March, 6pm)

POLITICS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS

Lexit?

Development, Diversity and Hope Isla Cunningham adpated by Owain Campton

W

hen thinking about writing on diversity in a post Brexit age, I was filled with dread. Brexit and diversity are not often seen as synonymous. However, I decide to not be disheartened, throw caution to the wind, and not necessarily report what is going on currently, but what could happen with a “Lexit” (Left wing Brexit) approach to the EU divorce.

The EU strengthened our bonds with other EU countries, but may have strained our relations with non-EU countries. Before the EU, the UK would trade with developing countries whose economies rely on exports of, for example, agriculture. As a member of the EU, the UK became tied in to buying agriculture from European farmers instead. Instead of European countries importing freely from various countries, they now had strong incentives to trade with other countries inside the EU. Obviously, the EU still imports a huge amount of food from developing countries, but this doesn’t mean that considering their size and relative prosperity, they shouldn’t be importing more.

the EU concentrates wealth in certain areas, areas that, for historical reasons (*cough* colonialism *cough*), simply do not need the amount of wealth they cling on to. Leaving the EU creates an opportunity for the UK to increase trade with developing countries, speeding up the reversal of global inequality.

The EU also demonstrates a preference for European immigrants and students, over other, equally qualified workers and students from the wider international community. If you are pro-immigration, you are presumably pro the exchange of ideas, customs, practices and opinions that are different from your own. Arbitrarily preferencing immigration from countries that are the more similar to the UK surely goes against the grain of immigration for those purposes. Moving from these protectionist immigration rules we have in place under EU law, we can move to a fairer system, where we can allow access of people of all abilities, from all backgrounds. Of course the Brexit vote was off the back of the “more jobs for British citizens background,” however this doesn’t really come into play when talking about intellectual professionals.

laws, the underrepresentation of women in EU parliament) represents more than its inefficiency as an organistion. The EU is and always has been an elitist and highly autocratic organisation. Usually, this has little effect on the legislation of the UK, but sometimes “EU regulation” is blamed as the reason the UK is unable to pass progressive legislation. For example, there has been controversy as to whether the tampon tax is actually the fault of the EU, but even if it isn’t, membership to the EU provides a convenient scapegoat for politicians in the UK to blame as to why they are not pushing harder for progressive legislation.

Predictably, the plans being drawn up for Brexit do not seek to set up trade with developing countries, instead drawing up agreements with Canada, Australia, the US and (surprise surprise) the EU. They don’t seek to secure the equality of farmer’s wages with fairer subsidies, nor do they seek to ensure that Westminster is held truly accountable. They do not seek to secure greater generosity in asylum, or access for immigrants. Though Brexit has definitely been fought on an antiimmigrant, and a “Lets Make Britain It also means we can easier define our Great Again” platform, the fact is refugee policy, we won’t have to take without having the EU as an excuse into consideration the fact Germany for poor positive legislation being or France are calling for a reduction passed in Westminster, we now have a in refugees being brought in by the chance to lobby our MPs to produce a EU, we can actually fight to create a change that we want for our country. fairer entry system for those who have lost so much, be it in the conflicts (that As the militantly optimists that we have had a part in causing), or students in the Age of Brexit must be, through famine and drought, that in we must remain hopeful and active. the next few years will likely increase As those who feel a responsibility exponentially due to climate change for advancing global equality, we (that, again, arguably we have had must view Brexit as an opportunity, a part in causing). Now the UK and fight for development which is government can’t scapegoat the lack truly global, not simply European.

Farmers in France have the support of positive policy change, to Brussles, to retrain when they lose out to but the weight will lie purely on the The core of this article is from a piece by Isla competition in the agricultural market, shoulders of the MPs at Westminster Cunningham, “A Silver Linings Brexit” which moving into other industries, like service.

I initially intended to publish at the start of Farmers in Bangladesh by comparison Finally, the EU’s sluggishness to pick September, but felt it didn’t go with the “Freshers” do not have the alternative industries fights with it’s socially conservative theme we were aiming for. Now however available to do the same. In this sense, governments (think Poland’s abortion when looking at diversity, it seems rather fitting.

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POLITICS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS

Bleeding colour: the lbqtq+ struggle in chechnya

Peter Keys

In early April 2017 horrific reports began emerging of LGBT males being abducted, tortured and killed in the Russian Republic of Chechnya.

Reports showed that police had rounded up and detained LGBT men, kept them in ‘prison camps’ and subjected them to a horrific range of abuses and humiliations. Those who were released mostly fled Chechnya in the aftermath, seeking refuge in other parts of Russia or in the West. Even those who were not detained felt the need to flee as they feared that the police may have learned their identities by torturing their friends.

Canada has granted asylum to 31 gay and bisexual Chechen men and women. They are being helped to arrive through a collaborative effort between the NGO Rainbow Railroad and the Canadian government.

Canada was chosen because many Chechen immigrants already live in Europe and so Rainbow Railroad is concerned that it is not the safest place for Chechen refugees. The British Government has stated that its diplomats are actively working with NGOs to help people from Chechnya.

So what next? We are still waiting for the results of the investigation which Putin ordered. It could be that there is some justice since the Kremlin has In April there was a global outcry; a petition in the UK calling on the Home been showing signs of tiring with Kadyrov – but perhaps that is wishful Office to explicitly commit to accepting Chechens fleeing the purge reached thinking.

20,000 signatures (it was closed because of the general election), and many EU officials, including the UK Foreign Secretary, co-signed a letter to For the time being, life continues to look grim for LGBT communities in Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov calling for an investigation. After a direct the Caucasus. On the 28th of September the Guardian reported that a plea from Angela Merkel, Putin finally agreed however, three French gay crackdown has been launched against the LGBT community in Azerbaijan rights groups have rejected the now ongoing Russian inquiry and called and more than 80 people have been detained. Human Rights Watch for a separate investigation by the International Criminal Court. The likely confirmed these stories on the 3rd of October, adding that some people reason for the scepticism of rights groups is that Putin, apart from having a are being electrocuted and tortured in an attempt to extract the names of poor record on LGBT rights himself, relies heavily on the Chechen President their friends. In 2016 Azerbaijan was listed as the worst country for LGBT Ramzan Kadyrov to maintain peace and stability in the republic. Chechnya rights in Europe, with Russia second. The Guardian reports how, like is a region dominated by tribalism, Islamism and separatism; since the days Chechnya, Azerbaijan has arrangements to protect it from the outcries of Stalin it has been a troubling region for the empire. Putin has allowed of human rights activists. A 2014 leak showed that its oil wealth and Kadyrov a free hand to crush descent and form his own cult of personality money-laundering schemes allow it to funnel wealth out of the country – with no regard for human rights – as long as he is loyal to the Kremlin. to European politicians and Azerbaijani elites. Two of the four UK shell Six months after this horror there is not much in the news about Chechnya companies involved in this scheme were registered here in Glasgow. Hilux anymore. So what has happened? and Polux, the shell companies, were dissolved in 2016. Scotland has since closed the loophole which allowed these companies to operate, but Many LGBT Chechens have sought refuge abroad. Within Russia, they questions remain as to why it took so long. Since the Summer of 2016 its are targets for people from their communities and even their own families fair to say Brexit has taken centre stage in the Houses of Parliament. Issues who seek them out and kill them out of a desire to maintain ‘family honour’. for LGBTQ+, and minority groups have taken a back seat. The number of According to Human Rights Watch, families who fail to force their gay loved debates over the past year targeting issues that effect these groups has ones to return to Chechnya may also be in danger. Even abroad, Chechens fallen drastically compared to the years prior. So what can we do? Write! fear that the perpetrators of such hate crimes will find them, and some Write to your MP, remind them that a successful brexit is meaningless if report being messaged by old contacts on their phones and asked to meet – we loose sight of what really is important on the way. Diversity, equality, most likely a ploy by the authorities. Meanwhile, as of the 7th of September, and inclusion.

CULTURE

The Hollywood Whitewash

Caitlin Young Website and Features Editor

Since 2015 the big name award shows have been under scrutiny for “whitewashing”, the Oscars have had the most publicised backlash in the past few years regarding the race and the lack of diversity of their nominees. Was their selection pure coincidence or is there something going? In modern times, race is the last thing that you would think to be a factor in such a thing but just how racially skewed are these award shows and exactly how did Hollywood get into this predicament? In 2013 Steve McQueen took home the big award of the night at the Oscars, Best Picture for his critically acclaimed film 12 Years A 6 | MULTIPURPOSEMGZ

Slave. His film was beautifully done, boasted a diverse cast and in the opinion of many was a worthy winner of the gong. Two years later in 2015, however, the Academy came under fire for its supposed whitewash of nominees. Many had a lot to say about who was nominated and most importantly who wasn’t nominated. In Hollywood getting snubbed is quite the career blow, especially if the film was deemed to be a firm contender. In both 2015 and 2016 all 20 of the nominees for Best Actor and Actress were white.

This “trend” was heavily criticised and prompted the twitter hashtag #OscarsSoWhite to trend. Not only did it receive attention on social media, it also caused a lot of big name stars to speak out and boycott the show - Will and Jada Smith were strong voices against the whitewash. However, it is not just award shows that have come under fire; whitewashing is a universal issue that has plagued the entertainment industry for years. In 2008, L’Oreal suffered major

backlash as a result of photo shopping Beyonce to look more Caucasian. We can also look to film and TV castings to see that the issue also lies there.

Marvel’s blockbuster Dr Strange suffered criticism when it cast Tilda Swinton in the role of the Ancient One, a character portrayed as Asian in the comics.

Rightly so, many were confused about why Swinton was cast over someone who would have fitted the character description. Another example of this is Scarlet Johansson in Ghost in the Shell, again she did not fit the character’s physical description. It is understandable that big film studios would want the biggest names attached to their production but should this be achieved at the consequence of their integrity? 2017 saw a change in the tide and has been dubbed the most diverse awards season in the past few years. After two years of a lack of diverse representation in the four main acting categories, the 2017 Academy Awards saw its most diverse line up.

Denzel Washington, Viola David, Ruth Negga, Naomi Harris, Octavia Spencer and Mahershala Ali were all recognised in their respective categories.

The diversity was not limited to actors, the film of the awards season Moonlight was nominated 8 times as well as Fences and Hidden Figures receiving 4 and 3 nominations, respectively.

An important thing to note however is that while we seem to be making progress in terms of breaking down the exclusivity at the Oscars, and other award shows alike, with regards to race. There is still a mountain to climb when it comes to LGBTQ

representation. Moonlight was a special film in terms of showing diversity in race and also shining a light on the LGBTQ community. The last LGBTQ film that gathered a lot of praise and did well was the Harvey Milk biopic Milk starring Sean Penn. Penn took home the coveted Best Actor for his portrayal of the first openly gay person to be elected to public office. In total it received 8 nominations.

The difficult thing about this problem is that it suggests that those nominated don’t deserve their nomination. Which undermines their hard work. But when you have had such a trend continue it would be

silly to think that people wouldn’t stand up and speak about it – and rightly so. We live in a time where race should not hold you back from the jobs you want or the life you want to live. And in regular day-to-day life it doesn’t. But what makes Hollywood so different?

Why is this still such an issue? Despite the “most diverse” Oscars yet in 2017, whitewashing is still a term that is thrown about. This year’s Emmy Awards came under fire for the exact same reason the Oscars did two years previous. The problem is very real and despite people coming forward to lament big time film studios, it sadly seems that change isn’t coming quick enough.

HEALTH

THE NHS: A POST CODE LOTTERY? Ciaran Doherty Sports, Health and Science Editor

F

ounded in 1948 the NHS is the biggest and oldest publicly funded health system in the world. Designed to provide equal healthcare to all citizens in the country, the NHS hoped to replace the bias in healthcare availability between the rich and the poor. For many years the NHS led the way in healthcare, providing the best treatments available to all people regardless of their background.

However, since 1948 the requirements of a healthcare system have changed and perhaps more importantly so has the public it serves. In 1948 the average life expectancy in the UK for a man was only 66 years and 71 for women. Today, however, it is 77 for men and 81 for women. This is due mainly to the ways in which the NHS has revolutionised healthcare and influenced people’s lifestyles. Although this has been one of its greatest achievements in many ways the NHS is becoming a victim of its own success.

The population of the UK has swelled greatly and with ever improving healthcare people are living longer. Unfortunately for the NHS older people are much more likely to need their help, which has put a lot of strain on the NHS’ resources, which has led to differences in services available on the NHS across the country as its resources are stretched thin (although there are many other reason sfor why the NHS is struggling,that's a discussion which I’ll leave for our politics editor).

Currently the UK has a population of over 65 million so you’d think organising healthcare for each and every one of those people would be a headache, and you’d be correct. Unbeknownst to most people, the NHS isn’t actually one big organisation, instead each region (e.g England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales) organises its own version of the NHS and then these are further splits into health boards.

This is where the differences in treatment begin to show as each health board has its own budget, hires its own staff, purchases its own equipment and essentially runs itself independent of the health board beside it. This highlights one of the negatives of the NHS, since the healthcare is free you in a way have less choice, since you must receive this treatment from your local health board (based on your address). Ideally everyone would access to the same services but in practice certain health boards will have more resources than other, based on their expenditure and income. So this can lead to your neighbour being a patient of one health board, and you another meaning you may have access to different services and widely varying waiting times for these services.

Despite this, the majority of services are available equally to all people, with larger hospitals encompassing many health boards to provide some of the more specialised and unusual services but others not having the same opportunity.

Perhaps the service that coined the phrase post code lottery is IVF. In Vitro Fertilisation is used to help couples conceive a child but is often on the news for its widely varying availability from the NHS. An incredibly expensive and specialised procedure, it has divided opinion as to whether or not it should be routinely available on the NHS. People argue in this time of financial stress the money could be better spent, as IVF is not necessary for someone to survive and is often unsuccessful. Guidelines suggest people should have access to 3 rounds of IVF treatment on the NHS, after this they would have to go private for further rounds. In many health boards this is available to people, but now certain boards in England are being forced to reduce the number of round they can offer and some have even removed it altogether. The cost for a round of IVF privately is usually around £5000 minimum, with certain types of therapy costing much more, which means in this aspect health care is reverting to the pre-NHS days where only the rich could afford treatment, all based on where you live.

Another headline topic for the NHS is mental health. One of the most pressing issues facing the NHS with the number of cases it faces increasing year on year placing stress on its already stretched services. As with IVF, Scotland leads the way here again with it having the best access to mental health services out of the 4 main regions. One statistic that puts this in perspective is the number of Psychiatric consultants per person. Consultant psychiatrists are doctors that are fully trained to deal with patients, a process which takes a least 8 years after medical school. In Scotland, there are 10 consultants per 100,000 people, compared to Wales which only averages 6 per 100,000, and certain health boards in England only having 4 or 5. Here again your access to health services can be greatly affected by where you choose to live.

Unfortunately the variation in health care doesn’t stop here, many other services are struggling across the NHS. Things such as dementia care and end of life care can be greatly different from one board to the next.

One report in England suggested 92% of health boards need to improve their services for people with learning disabilities. The NHS faces a difficult future, with the average age of the population rising and staff numbers falling, resources are set to be stretched even further. Despite this the NHS is still setting standards in world health care and doing its best to provide free and quality health care to all those who need it and hopefully will continue to for a long time!

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NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Ya Bloody beauty!

Scotland voted the most beautiful country in the world Izzi Thornton Nature and Environments Editor

Rough Guide readers have crowned Scotland as the most beautiful country in the world, beating Canada and New Zealand to the top spot.

This is a marvellous victory for such a tiny country, a mere speck on the face of the world, yet still able to inspire feelings of awe and beauty into those who visit it.

Scotland boasts a diverse range of landscapes in such a small space, making it all the more accessible to road trippers and adventure seekers.

From the rolling hills of the Borders to the vast lochs of the Highlands, Scotland’s natural beauty is unique and wholly untouched. Arguably what makes Scotland stand out from the rest of the world, is the guarantee that wherever you go, at whatever time of year, you will almost never be bombarded by bus loads of tourists getting in the way of the stillness of nature.

Photography: Andrew Muir Scotland is a land of epic proportions meaning there is always somewhere new to explore.

Glencoe The road through the valley in Glencoe is quite possibly the best in the country, cutting through mountains and running alongside rivers, Glencoe is breath-taking even in the formidable Scottish drizzle.Although, Glencoe is at its best during the winter season when snow covers the mountains and the ski resort opens, meaning this part of the country is not just fun to look at but also fun to ride!

Skye Skye boasts an out of this world quality, quite unlike anywhere else in Scotland. Climbers flock to The Old Man of Storr to conquer the impressive rock formation,which makes up the iconic skyline.

The magical qualitythat surrounds the Isle can be found most clearly at the Fairy Pools, with clear blue waterfalls perfect for a refreshing dip.

Stirling Not the obvious choice for a Scottish city but a beautiful one nonetheless. After climbing up to the top of the Wallace Monument, you will be treated to a panoramic view of Ben Lomond, Ben Ledi and Ben Vorlich. At sunset in the winter, with the mountains snow-capped, this view will have you thinking you’re in the remote Highlands, not a populated university city.

The fascinating geography of Scotland makes it wholly unbeatable; home to 7 eclectic cities, 790 rugged islands and a whopping 31,460 lochs, 8 | MULTIPURPOSEMGZ

Aberfeldy A location so awe-inspiring, Robert Burns wrote a song about it, “Bonnie lassie, will ye go To the birks of Aberfeldy!” And rightly so, as this extraordinary walk through the woodland of Aberfeldy will have you crossing streams and walking under waterfalls before you reach the peak and look down onto what could be a tropical rainforest. No doubt you’ll be singing the song by the end of your visit.

Harris Far flung in the Outer Hebrides, Harris is aesthetically a tropical paradise. With turquoise waters and white sand beaches, this idyllic island offers the best kept secret in Scotland. Drive, cycle or walk, Harris’ vistas and landscapes are the perfect backdrop for an adventure. At its best with the sun high in the sky, the beauty of Harris, caught on the right day is absolutely unforgettable.

NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Hurricane season Izzi Thornton Nature and Environments Editor

This year the Atlantic has seen a quartet of terribly destructive hurricanes, hitting land and affecting populations in a relentlessly consecutive manner, resulting in devastation far worse than of those seen in recent years.

Beginning in mid-August, the category 4 Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on Texas and the US-Mexican border with torrential rain and winds of up to 130mph, displacing more than 30,000 and resulting in 70 fatalities. Then came Hurricane Irma, ranked a category 5 hurricane, it was the strongest and most powerful storm with wind speeds of 185mph. In early September Irma left 6 million residents of Florida without power for up 5 days. It wasn’t only the USA that was affected by the extreme weather, the Caribbean and Central America were also catastrophically hit by Hurricane Jose and most devastatingly, Hurricane Maria which ground Puerto Rico to a halt.

With most of the hurricanes overlapping one another at consistently catastrophic levels (above category 3) this season has seen the unpredictable nature of extreme weather events. It is perhaps quite ironic that this bizarre hurricane season should hit whilst the Trump administration is in office, a collective of climate change ‘deniers’. There is a strong correlation between warmer global temperatures and a higher frequency of powerfully destructive hurricanes. More ironic still, Governor Rick Scott, a prominent Republican, banned the use of the words ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’ in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which is the state agency for planning and protecting the environment (!) The people of Florida, after experiencing first-hand the horror of Hurricane Irma, deserve to be able to freely discuss the impacts and causes of global warming without social pressures or punishments. Donald Trump is leading a country, with a huge 323 million

in a Trump era

population, into a culture of climate change denial with no responsibility for harmful actions against our planet.

In addition to the American government’s disrespect for the environment, there has been an inadequate level of respect for smaller surrounding countries, such as Puerto Rico, who did not receive rapid emotional, financial or political aid from the US in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The USA has a responsibility to take care of Puerto Ricans, arguably more so than other Caribbean islands, as it is US Territory making the people of Puerto Rico American citizens. Trump blatantly ignored the desperate needs of the people of his own country, making his incompetence in his role as President clear.

The Mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulía Cruz, stated in a press conference that the Trump administration, “are killing us with the inefficiency.” What began as a joke to laugh off, having an entrepreneur/reality TV star as the leader of the most powerful country in the world, has become a darker and more sinister matter as lives are being lost, directly at the hands of this man.

It took two weeks for Trump to finally go to Puerto Rico and kick-start the government’s relief efforts, but unsurprisingly even with the devastation directly in front of him, this president could show no solemnity or concern for Puerto Ricans. He told local people who had lost their homes to, “have a good time” and “look at a real catastrophe, like Katrina.”

A person’s true colours are shown most clearly in a time of crisis and with Donald Trump in power, compassion and sympathy are non-existent and there is an encouraged, emerging culture of disgusting selfishness and ignorance. The hurricane season brought disaster and chaos to central America but the most destructive thing to happen to the USA is in fact, their president.

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CULTURE

Spilling the 'T' on tolerance Tresca Mallon Glasgow has a thriving Queer Scene. Vogue for your life a AXM or sashay and shante at Polo. Del’s drag scene is second to none and you can’t throw a stick without hitting one of Ru Paul’s queens.

However, once the queer bubble is popped how tolerant is Glasgow?

And how does it compare to other places famed for their ‘tolerance’?

Having experienced the reaction to queer culture in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long Island, Copenhagen, London and Ireland, I will say that Glasgow is unique. When I lived in America I would explain Glasgow’s attitude to queerness as “quietly accepting.” It’s still not the norm. Realistically, you’re not going to see Angus, Deirdre and their 2.5 kids from next door rocking up to Pride any time soon. However, it is now a social norm in Glasgow to tolerate the gay community. You are much more likely to be outnumbered in a social setting if your prejudice is showing. This does not mean, by any stretch, that intolerance does not exist is Glasgow. Even in the student community ignorance exists surrounding queerness. I overheard on campus this interaction between two first years: FY1 – Did you see someone posted on the psych chat ‘what does LGBTQ stand for?’

FY2 – Yeah! And that guy said “Lets Go Beat The Queers”

I lived for a year in California for a year, in a Student Housing Cooperative. In the Coop the acceptance was far from quiet, queerness was not just tolerated but encouraged and nourished.

Being in this progressive bubble, it was easy for me to believe that this was a true representation of America. That my friends could walk come to parties in drag without harassment. That America really was the ‘land of the free’ for everyone. Except for a few key events which burst that bubble irrevocably. The first was the election of Donald Trump and Mike Pence. One a colossal ignoramus who has definitely made a joke like the one above when asked about LGBTQ issues and the other a pious, self-righteous, bigot who advocates for conversion therapy. The fact that such a large portion of America could vote for people, whose hate outnumbers their tolerance in every instance, revealed to me the true character of ‘free’ and ‘equal’ America. This was further confirmed by the experience of one of my best friend being called a ‘faggot’ in his own home and the general disregard in which white straight cis Irish Catholic Americans in Long Island held anyone who was not a white straight cis Irish Catholic American.

I conducted interviews with friends from America, Copenhagen and London studying in Santa Barbara in the wake of the election. Tammy*, a bisexual, queer, American woman expressed her fears for the queer community, not just regarding marriage but for 10 | MULTIPURPOSEMGZ

getting jobs, housing and equal pay. She exclaimed “he is definitely not going to be on my side, that’s for sure, he is definitely not on gay people’s sides whatsoever.” Andy, a gay man, from London said “I think what he symbolises is that, where people may have held non-PC beliefs before and had gone unchallenged, they are now emboldened by their own beliefs and I that will certainly result in a lot more homophobia.” Tom voiced his concerns for the UK and the relationship it has with the USA, that it may result in a resurgence of intolerance in the UK. Jonas, a bisexual exchange student from Copenhagen voiced his concern that America’s values are “against my very nature.” He continued “I am lucky I get to move back to a country where I am just acceptable.” However, when speaking about the reaction to the gay community in Denmark he noted that there is still ambivalence; “we are not sure if gays are what we want right now because gays and queer people challenge the values of what it means to be Danish.”

I visited Copenhagen to see friends during Pride. While there we went to two Pride events, a Party in the Park and a Rave. The queer scene was virtually indistinguishable from the young, hip scene.

Sexuality and gender was fluid and secondary to fashion and music and movement. I can see Glasgow heading this direction, although it will be a while until we reach that destination. London is seen as the epicentre for queerness in the UK and its queer scene is thriving and beginning to touch the mainstream. However, my male friends’ insistence on taking off their makeup for our journey through the city on the night bus, shows that intolerance is still alive and well, even in a queer hub like London. I grew up in Northern Ireland, currently the only province in the UK and one of the only places in western Europe still not to have legalised gay marriage. The tolerance towards queerness varies depending on where you live. In my provincial town in Tyrone it is still a taboo subject. The word ‘gay’ a hurried and embarrassed whisper in corner shops and the chapel carpark. However, the DUP’s refusal to grant equal rights to gay people has forced the issue out of the shadows and has allowed the voices and faces of the queer community in the north to finally be recognised.

Glasgow’s “quietly accepting” attitude to the queer community is something that many other places could learn from.

However, it is far from enough. I have hope for the future of the queer community’s relationship with the mainstream in Glasgow in the future. We are taking steps towards a culture of tolerance and acceptance and this makes me hopeful and proud to live in this city. *All names replaced with pseudonyms for anonymity

OPINION

HALLOWEEN

CULTURAL​ ​APPROPRIATION​ ​OR​ ​CULTURAL​ ​APPRECIATION? Taggy Elliott October means that it’s that time of year again: deciding what to wear for Halloween. It’s always a tricky decision, especially when considering the negative implications that some costumes may have. Many are now seen as cultural appropriation, and quite rightly so in many cases, but where do we draw the line between appropriating and appreciating a culture?

as the parts of cultures that don’t look good, are seemingly discarded. Professor Scafidi, of Fordham University, says that “Halloween as a holiday has a history of being focused on inversion of power.” Hence, there is no meaning behind what people adorn on 31st October; cultures are reduced to a costume. People dress in parts of another culture without considering the ramifications, because they don’t have to. For example, when people dress as inmates from Orange is the New Black, including changing their Cultural appropriation is defined as a “sociological skin colour, it is not appreciation. That’s you justifying your concept which views the adoption or use of elements of actions through a TV show. Ironically, OITNB addresses one culture by members of a different culture as a largely the everyday oppression of these people owing to their negative phenomenon.” In simple terms: are you choosing background. Halloween is a holiday where some people a different culture to make a fashion statement, or have feel they can justify being ignorant to have fun, which is you fully embraced everything that that group faces when dismissive of other cultures. they wear the same attire? For example, you may think that getting henna done would look pretty, but you may not consider the fact that in its original cultures. Used mostly in Asia and the Middle East, henna represents milestones in a woman’s life so that she may embrace her femininity. It is not a decoration.

It has become so common to talk about cultural appropriation, and the implications it appears to have in society, as ‘white’ cultures seemingly take aspects of minorities to look ‘cool’. Music, fashion labels, and countless celebrities have been accused of it, as it is a negative way of engaging with a culture that’s not your own. Halloween, it seems, has become a holiday where the line blurs between appreciating a culture, and appropriating it. This isn’t an article that’s accusing you of purposefully appropriating a culture in your Halloween costume, but rather encouraging people to consider the history of costumes, and try to understand why they would offend anyone whose culture it’s from.

Context is a really important factor in this. There are many events and holidays where wearing the traditional dress of another culture could be considered appreciation, such as wearing a sari to an Indian wedding, or dressing in lederhosen at Oktoberfest. These are situations where you are celebrating this culture, and interacting with its history.

Similarly, with St Patrick’s Day, most people acknowledge that it is the Irish Saint’s Day, and they aren’t just simply partying. If traditional dress is worn outside of that context, it’s moving away from appreciation; it loses meaning. Even Beyoncé, who isn’t white, has been criticized for wearing traditional Indian dress, which highlights that anyone can be guilty of commercialising minorities, even inadvertently.

I believe that society has gained an awareness of the repercussions of adopting aspects of other cultures. In everyday life, some are called out on social media for wearing African hairstyles, such as cornrows, to look ‘fashionable’; undermining the practicality of such hairstyles to others, based on their natural hair. Consequently, many companies view these hairstyles as ‘unprofessional’.

People have begun to notice that it appears 'okay' for some members of society to make them a fashion statement, while African descendants still face so much scrutiny. This is the same for other ‘fashion accessories’, such as bindis, as people are researching more and trying to understand their cultural meaning.

This empathy seems to disappear on Halloween, with some not considering why dressing as oppressed members of society- such as Native Americans- or wearing the Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) face paint could be offensive. However, you cannot assume that people adopt these cultural traditions spitefully; they may appreciate its history and want to engage with it, albeit misguidedly.

There are obvious instances of cultural appropriation, which are rightly condemned, but it’s difficult to know where one has crossed the line. However, I think more needs to be done to acknowledge the origins of costumes, and why some are simply unacceptable during Halloween.

Whether you are appropriating or appreciating another Unfortunately, Halloween is not a holiday that tends to culture depends on heavily on context, which is what I think acknowledge the past of the cultures that have ‘inspired’ people need to bear in mind when choosing what to dress your choice of outfit. It therefore has darker connotations, up in.

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LIFESTYLE

GLASGOW NIGHTLIFE: The Other Gay Scene Rhys Harper Watercolour cdesign: Annabel White

The latest ethical disputes over the G1 Group’s employment practices are far from the first time Scotland’s largest hospitality organisation has found itself on the wrong end of critical headlines. Funnily, though, the same free market economics in Scotland, which allow scrupulous employers to sack and exploit lowincome service workers, is the same economic modelling which gives we - the consumers - power and agency to speak up using our cash. To do something practical rather than just, say, whinge or tweet in outrage. To put it plainly: if you do not approve of G1’s practices, do not support their (many) Glasgow venues.

Easier said than done, of course. For those of us in the LGBT community, a boycott (or to put it more lightly, an intentional avoidance) of G1 queer bars and clubs can at first seem a fruitless act of self-injury. The phrase “Glasgow gay scene” oftentimes feels interchangeable with that cosy corner of the Merchant City, homing G1 fixtures like The Polo Lounge, Delmonicas, the Riding Room and Speakeasy among the less notable, last resort venues owned by others (cough, AXM, cough). But the relationship between Glasgow’s queer community and G1 has always been strained, with more politically-minded folk feeling conflicted about the community’s reliance on these venues.

There has never been a better time for Glasgow Uni queers to challenge our dogmatic Polo Wednesday routines; until last year The Polo Lounge were supporting Glasgow Uni’s LGBTQ+ society for their reciprocal relationship with annual donations worth thousands of pounds. That relationship has since come to end.

12 | MULTIPURPOSEMGZ

So let’s run through some of ironic sportswear. But this isn’t Polo, the best non-G1 alternatives you’re in no danger of hearing some available to Glasgow Uni’s queers: poor Adele ballad being butchered with an EDM beat drop. For the DILF is men-only, and not at all for the music and its aesthetics, Hot Mess faint-hearted. Homed in The Poetry is unrivalled in its queer brilliance.

Club (SWG3), this is a BDSM leather fetishist night held monthly where even Free Pride is not a ‘club night’ as such, the most buttoned-up professionals rather it’s a political organisation leave their LinkedIn personas at the born out of dissatisfaction door. Unofficially, DILF is the spiritual with the depoliticisation and home of Glasgow’s chemsex scene; so commercialisation of Pride Glasgow expect house music fused with dance (a trend that has been repeated in and electro, dark and dirty spaces, prides across the west). As fundraisers hairy men, muscly men, men in for their main annual party which rubber, men in leather, masked men, runs concurrent to Pride Glasgow men walking around in nothing but each August, Free Pride have been a jockstrap. On my first visit to DILF irregularly holding club nights with I was wordlessly invited to engage incredible drag performers and DJs in acts with strangers that I wouldn’t at The Art School. All nights at The feel polite putting in print. Up on the Art School are pretty solid, but Free mezzanine, the couches hosted groups Pride events have a particular political men taking turns swapping more than edge and ingrained queerness which business cards. My eyes were opened make them well worth checking out. to a leather fetishist world that had Expect to hear Grace Jones, Prince previously seemed a bit weird and and absolutely no tropical house. unknown to me. It’s liberation, escapism, a complete shedding of the Queer Theory, which you’ll find self: not unlike cosplay. To be shocked downstairs in Sleazy’s once a month, and aroused and repulsed all at once is pure cabaret. If you’re a drag fan, is to feel alive. Think The Picture of this is worth a look in. Queer Theory Dorian Gray meets Tom of Finland. has become the spiritual successor to The Flying Duck’s pre-refurbishment Sticking with The Poetry Club, their queer nights such as Lock Up Your other major queer night is open Daughters. Dress big and drink to all genders and is perhaps the bigger (their bartenders’ White finest queer club event happening Russian is sickening, in a good way). in Scotland right now. Across two rooms, some of the most gorgeously Speaking of The Flying Duck - all put together looks in Glasgow grace queers new to Glasgow learn swiftly this former warehouse for an eclectic that The Flying Duck is the city’s monthly night of homodisco, alt-pop best gay bar, despite it technically and house. Patrons come in drag, in not actually being a gay bar. Gay pastels, in gender-fuck make-up that adjacent, if you like. Take a chance cannot, and perhaps does not want to on Bum Notes, their karaoke drag be, easily definable. A bit pretentious night. It’s not for everybody all of the sounding, sure; large portions of Hot time but it’s for somebody some of the Mess patrons do seem like the middle time, and perfect for drag lovers who class types to have overly curated just want a good time. Give it a shot.

Instagram feeds of ceiling shots and

OPINION

Melodise & Politicise

Why female musicians and performers should seek to do more in the Trump era Suzanne Elliot To read Taylor Swift’s testimony from her sexual assault trial against former radio DJ David Mueller is to recognise the composure, grace and self-assurance with which she faced her assaulter and his counsel.

She refused to stay silent, she refused to condone being objectified and was unapologetic in her remarks and in her denouncement of her harasser’s actions. In the face of men attempting to thwart her, she stood in solidarity with fellow victims and survivors and used her privilege as a white and wealthy woman to hold the rape culture that is so prevalent in our lives – and those that propagate it – to account.

When I heard then that she was to release new music soon after the trial, I was thrilled to think that these profound and important experiences would be conveyed in her songs, Swift’s lyricism having previously been so dedicated to the personal and private aspects of her life. Instead, I found myself disappointed.

Now, don’t get me wrong.

‘Look What You Made

Me Do’ is a good song.

It’s insistently catchy hook and upbeat style are everything you could want of a pop song. I imagine I will be listening to it on many a walk to uni, I am sure my flatmates will hear it blasting from my room at all hours, and I know it will make a fair few appearances on the HIVE dance floor. But I can’t help feel that Swift could have achieved so much more than that. The song itself largely focuses on the culture of celebrity feuding that we have seen grip our twitter and Instagram feeds in the last few years.

Throughout the song Swift references her public disagreements with the Kardashian-Wests, Calvin Harris among others.

Now the petty, GossipGirl fan in me loves it.

But another part of me regrets the shallowness, the immaturity of it. From the woman who brought us ‘Blank Space,’ a masterpiece of a pop song that calls out the casual sexism that permeates the music industry, the media and its coverage of female stars, I was left underwhelmed and wanting more.

Similarly, when I listen to Katy Perry’s new music, I hear little more than generic dance tracks. Perry has been an outspoken supporter of Hillary Clinton throughout both her 2008

and 2016 Presidential election campaigns, as well as advocate of women’s rights. Yet in her music she remains silent. Miley Cyrus is another who instead of using her music as to protest uses it to comply with the mainstream, or even worse, culturally appropriate the works of others.

These white artists have a privilege afforded to them simply by their race, the privilege that allows them to be silent. They are in a unique position to touch the hearts of millions, particularly young and impressionable girls who make up a large part of their fan base yet fail to do so a lot of the time.

In comparison, artists of colour in the same industry have no such privilege. To be a successful artist of colour, particularly when female, is in itself a political act, and stars like Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé recognise this and incorporate their struggle and their beliefs into lyrics and music. They stand against the political tide that crashes against them, a tide of racism and of rising populism, and sell millions of albums and singles while doing so.

song ‘Praying’, of her latest album, she sings of the torment she went through as a victim of sexual assault.

It is harrowing to listen to her pain, but it is inspiring to see her overcome that pain, and stand in defiance of those wishing to silence her.

With every note, her music reaches out to her fans and conveys strength and love and overriding message that says no matter what our leaders and our society may say, we are not to be made victims.

So, when the President of the United States actively condones and practises sexual assault, we must take a stand against his words of violence and bigotry. Music artists are in a prime position to do that.

They can create the protest anthems that rouse and reinvigorate movements.

They reach into our ears and heads and our hearts with their music and have the power to change us, to make us question and above all, to make us listen.

They have the potential to be a force of good, and ultimately a force of change.

Why should we expect any less from artists like Swift and Perry and Cyrus?

Kesha’s new music exemplifies what can be achieved in this way, in a new political age. In her MULTIPURPOSEMGZ | 13

TRAVEL with many more contact hours (i.e. lectures and seminars), more workload and exams. The upside is that you get to study very interesting subjects you wouldn't come across otherwise, and that the lecturers are some of the best in their field. I've also had the chance of Matei Botez making friends with some international students from my college, many of anything I’ve experienced in Glasgow). whom study full-time at Strasbourg; we'd I was ideally situated for everything. usually talk in French, which is always a The university was 5 minutes away, and plus for someone like me who's looking the city center, with its many shops and to improve their language skills. In terms restaurants, was a mere 20-minute walk. of extracurricular activities, there are a few societies on campus (theatre, languages, environment etc.) but overall fewer and somewhat less active than at Glasgow. Notably, there is a group called Erasmus Student Network (ESN), which organizes weekly international student . events such as café des langues, movie screenings and even trips to nearby cities y first impressions of Strasbourg in Germany. were mostly positive, and my nine-month stay proved me I wasn't ithout a doubt my favourite part wrong. A perfectly middle-sized city, it of the year abroad was my last has nothing of the hustle and bustle of month and a half of stay when I was free major metropolises; instead, it's known of exams and could really enjoy the city for its chilled, laid-back vibe and friendly at its fullest. From May, my only activities people. In fact, this experience taught included strolling through the city centre me that you shouldn't judge an entire daily, visiting every possible museum and nation based on stereotypes and word- spending countless hours relaxing in the of-mouth; having heard many negative Botanical Gardens. Gliding along the things about the French before, I was canals on a boat tour, and the panoramic surprised to see how genuinely nice and views from the top of the cathedral spire helpful most people I've met have been were highlights, and not to be missed with me - from the accommodation if you ever visit. I also got to travel a bit manager to the shop assistants and through Alsace, notably to Mulhouse even the taxi drivers. What's more, the and Colmar, two beautiful nearby cities, city is extremely picturesque, the many Colmar boasting one of the best art pedestrian areas with cobble streets, museums outside of Paris. There are large green spaces, and the Alsatian many more things I could recommend, architecture of the houses rising above the but I’ll let you discover them for yourself. many canals of the old town creating a postcard worthy picture. I loved going for walks in Strasbourg, enjoying the warmth and sunshine in spring and summertime, stopping at a local shop for a croissant or a homemade ice cream and soaking in the romantic atmosphere of the city adly, at the end of June, it was time to centre with its towering cathedral entirely leave Strasbourg. I know I will be back lit up by night. Truly breathtaking. one day, but, for now, I can say I've really enjoyed my experience; not only did it niversity courses started only a give me the chance to see what student few days after I settled in and they life - and life in general - is like in a different occupied a lot of my time while I was country, but it also opened up my mind abroad. I won't talk about academics to new ways of thinking and seeing the in detail, but I will say that student life world. If you get the opportunity to study in France is very different from the one abroad - in Strasbourg or elsewhere - I'd in the UK. More rigorous in a way, it say grab it with both hands, because you emphasizes studying over other activities, won't regret it.

A Year Abroad in Strasbourg F

rance is undeniably one of Europe's most charming countries and one of the top destinations for Erasmus students.

While often overlooked in favour of more glamorous places, Strasbourg is definitely a rare gem worth discovering. Located in the northeast of the country, close to the border with Germany, it's known for its medieval cathedral, for being the seat of many EU institutions and also the birthplace of France's national anthem, 'La Marseillaise'. However, this vibrant city has many more attractions too, some of which I've had the pleasure of experiencing first-hand as a study abroad student.

A

s a joint honours student in Comparative Literature and French, I had to spend my third year abroad in a French speaking country. Excited as I was at the prospect, I was also undecided as to where I wanted to go; needless to say, my decision to go to Strasbourg was the product of much (over)thinking and debating. I had received advice on the matter from many people, who praised the Alsatian city not only for its one of a kind beauty, but also for its reputation as a prestigious academic centre; not to mention that I had visited it twice before, for short periods of time, and loved every part of it. From all the choices I had, I went with the one closest to my heart - Strasbourg. By June 2016 all my exchange details were confirmed and I had booked a room in a student accommodation for the next academic year. My adventure was about to begin...

B

efore I knew it, it was the beginning of September and I set out on a three-day journey by car from my home in Romania to France, accompanied by my parents. I found the journey painfully long and tedious – but necessary: I had packed almost half of my house into my luggage. The accommodation pleasantly surprised me – it was a fairly new building, designed specifically for international students, with a welcoming staff, and large, airy rooms (larger than 14 | MULTIPURPOSEMGZ

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OPINION

Challenging the status quo of modern racial diversity

Bethany Howard

Munroe Bergdorf, aged 29 from London, L’Oréal’s first transgender model, was recently fired from her position after tweeting her opinions on racism and how it is engrained in modern society: ‘Honestly I don’t have the energy to talk about the racial violence of white people anyway. Yes ALL white people.’

‘Because y’all don’t even realise or refuse to acknowledge that your existence, privilege and success as a race is built on the backs, blood and death of people of colour. Your entire existence is drenched in racism.

From micro-aggressions to terrorism, you guys built the blueprint for this s***.

These tweets acted as a springboard into a broader debate as to what ‘Diversity’ actually is; whether it is progressive, and who’s voices dominate the discussion.

L’Oréal justified the sacking of Bergdorf with the following tweet: ‘L’Oréal champions diversity. Comments

by Munroe Bergdorf are at odds with our values and so we have decided to end our partnership with her.’

If L’Oréal champions the value of diversity and has sacked Munroe Bergdorf for disclosing her opinions on what diversity actually consists of in our present society; diversity as a whole must mean different things to those implicated within that category and external from it. The act of firing someone for their opinions on the subject, shows that there are societal rules about who is allowed to advocate and vocalise their opinions on it, and who’s opinions are shown to be valid. This is worrying. L’Oréal originally labelled Bergdorf as ‘The face of modern diversity’. Is it now

ironic that as soon as she actively challenges the structure of racism in her society, she can no longer be their physical representation of diversity?

Does this evidence that corporate branding want the illusion of diversity, but not the debate and discussion that go with it? If Bergdorf was a passive model of diversity, would that be more acceptable for them?

It gets worse…

Bergdorf tries to clarify her tweeting on Good Morning Britain in her interview with the notorious Piers Morgan.

When asked to clarify her tweets she says, ‘I don’t think that all white people are BY NATURE racist.’ Ensuing that racism is a cultural construct, artificial, yet ubiquitous; a dominant narrative in our society. She explains that if you are not actively dismantling racism, then you are part of the oppressive structure enforcing it. This is extremely powerful, enabling self-reflexion and conscientiousness in terms of race. Piers, however, takes away the potential power of her words, and centres the argument on his feeling of being generalised and stereotyped as a racist, sexist homophobic white man: ‘I find very it very offensive’, ‘I am taking it very personally’. '...in order to start achieving diversity, you have to first make those profiting from the divide listen'

Here is where the danger lies: he takes her story, and makes the narrative about him, invalidating her opinions on race and diversity. This is even more so incredulous, when he is shown to be ignorant of racial divide as he condemns Bergdorf for creating that racial divide in society. Her rebuttal is an important one, revealing Pier’s

ignorance and indifference due to being in the more powerful position in society: ‘By talking about racism isn’t causing a divide, there is a divide anyway’. All in all, we can see clearly, the ingenuity of her tweets as she uses generalisation and stereotyping, a powerful tool used by white people to subjugate those how do not fit into that category; and she turns it around and uses it against those who profit from their white status. And just look at how livid they are!

I do not agree with everything that she says, particularly about sexism and society. She claims that women cannot uphold the patriarchy as they are the victims of it – because of course, many do. From my perspective, the patriarchy is so powerful because it creates victims and forces them to support its structure; it is due to gender ideology enforced upon us over centuries and centuries which is in turn is internalised by both men and women, framing society with an unbalanced idea of gender, race and sexuality. Maybe instead of gendering or giving a race to that ideology (blaming one category of people), we should analyse it for what it is: an ideological construction, apathetic, controlling, inhuman and divisive – a creator of bigotry that gives or takes power away to those implicated within it or raised above it.

Either way, her speech has got people questioning this insidious societal ideology. She has pointed out that in order to start achieving diversity, you first have to make those profiting from the divide listen, and the only way to do that, is to shout and be heard, expelling indifference and exposing their prejudice. Then, when the incongruities are pointed out and accepted, we can unitedly attack the structures ingrained in society that maintain racial, sexual, and gendered imbalances.

MULTIPURPOSEMGZ | 15

MATHS AND SCIENCE

Marymam Mirzakhani Mathematics Triumphs

David Nkhansah Maryam Mirzakhani was a professor at Sandford University. Born on the 13th May 1977 in Tehran, Iran, she found herself in a field that is very underrepresented by women, the field of mathematics.

Undoubtedly talented at a young age, she was the first female Iranian student to achieve a gold medal in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), and the first Iranian student to achieve a perfect score and win two gold medals in the IMO. However, Mirzakhani did not always think she was growing up to become a mathematician, at a young age she thought she would take up a career in writing, reading novels was what excited her. Despite her love for reading and writing, Mirzakhani later became excited about the challenges she came across in the world of numbers, shapes and creativity.

Mirzakhani was granted a scholarship to Harvard University, supervised by professor Curtis McMullen who was also a fields medalist in 1998, he described her as a relentless questioner. Professor McMullen studied shapes in complex dynamics in geometry, shapes that many of us would struggle to picture and understand. In time, Mirzhanki not only learnt to understand these shapes and complex dynamics but also later developed a new proof of a famous formula in string theory, in her early twenties.

In 1936, four outstanding mathematicians were the first to be 16 | MULTIPURPOSEMGZ

awarded one of the most prestigious prizes in the field of mathematics, the Fields Medal (sometimes described as the Nobel Prize for mathematicians).

Awarded once every four years, and only to mathematicians under the age of 40, the award is one of the greatest honours a mathematician could hope to receive. In 2014, Mirzakhani became the first Iranian and the first women to be awarded the Fields Medal, for “her outstanding contributions to the dynamics and geometry of Riemann surfaces” – Joran Ellenberg. But what does this research actually concern itself with?

she explains, “If you have a billiards table and you start at a point and hit the billard and it meets the boundary. Assuming it moves forever, what will its trajectory look like? Can you find closed billiards paths?

Will it cover the whole billiard table?”.

The mathematics is extremely difficult, however, Mirzakhani took it head on, not only examining the example of an ordinary billiards table but examining the universe of all possible shaped billard tables and how these shapes affected the dynamics of a ball. Suppose you were playing billiards on three rubber rings that were glued together, could you determine how to strike the ball for it to go in a specific hole, or better yet, is there Breaking down the technical terms can any way you could strike the ball for it to help us understand what sort of work move endlessly without ending up in a Mirzakhani was working on. Dynamics pocket? this would be one example that is a branch of mathematics that is Mirzahani would mathematically study. concerned with movement. This could be the movement of planets in a solar Her work was, one could say, quite system, the movement of population abstract. Despite this, It like many pure growth between foxes and rabbits, or mathematical branches had realeven the spread of disease in the human world applications, such as the growth body. Crudely speaking, the geometry of of human embryos, the movement of something is looking at the properties of quantum mechanical particles and even its shape, and the kind of shapes here, the activity of the stock market. More Reimann surfaces, can be thought of importantly, Mirzakhani broke a barrier, as curved sheets of paper being glued showing that you do have to be a man together to create a curved complex to achieve such awards in mathematics. shape, like a torus (a doughnut shape). In Oxford University, a Mirzakhani Mirzakhani looked at how such geometry society has been established for women of curved surfaces, affected the way who enjoy mathematics in her honour. things moved.

Although she will be missed in the field of mathematics, her impact will always In a Harvard lecture she described an be present in the future. She has truly aspect of her work: “So the general left a mark in this world as being one of problem is trying to understand the the greatest mathematicians of the past behaviour of a ball on a billiard table”, century.

INTERVIEW

Interview with Graham Macrae Burnet Annabel White “You Lottie van Grieken

are defined as a writer after you have written”

G-You was very excited to meet with Graham Macrae Burnet, former Glasgow University student and author of The Disappearance of Adele Bedeau (which received the New Writer’s Award from the Scottish Book Trust) and His Bloody Project which won the Saltire Society Fiction Book of the Year Award, the Vrij Nederland Thriller of the Year Award, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and the LA Times Book Awards and is now published in several countries around the word.

Graham is launching his newest novel, The Accident on the A35 in just a couple of weeks time!

is don’t read them, ignore that s***, its often written by people who have never written anything. The serious side is that you have got to find your own way.

Just write and finish things, and give them to people to read. Get feedback on them by asking specific questions so that you get honest opinions. Identify what you think is wrong with the story and ask them for their opinion. I’ve never been to a creative writing class or workshop, and while I’m sure it can be useful, but it can also be overwhelming because you have too much stuff in your head, and it becomes not unique to you.

As you also studied at Glasgow University, can you tell us a little about your student life here?

I always loved studying. I came to university very young, only 17 and would say I was quite a ‘geeky’ student. I was always engaged and eager to learn.

I’ve always associated Autumn with starting new projects and starting university fitted into this. In terms of my subjects, I loved the contrast between the traditional English department of Glasgow University and the newness of the Film and TV department.

What is your biggest achievement as an author so far?

The biggest achievement is finishing a book. That is actually what you achieve. Don’t get me wrong, its nice to have my work shortlisted for awards, its amazing, but the achievement is finishing it. I like all my books equally, and even though His Bloody Project got all the attention, I often have people saying ‘I’m sorry, but I actually preferred your other book’, and I like that, I like to hear people’s opinion.

Did you ever write for any student publications at UofG? No, I was always too shy to join a student publication. I never thought I had the temperament for journalism.

Was there any particular inspiration which made you want to become an author?

I wrote short stories at school and really enjoyed creative writing back then, even though the phrase ‘creative writing’ didn’t really exist back then.

Former Glagow University professor Hunter Steele had a box where you could leave your work and come back a week later and he’d have read it an annotated. It was a terrifying experience because I had never shown anyone my work and he was a real writer, I don’t think I’d every met one before that. After some encouragement from him I entered a short story competition for Glasgow and Strathclyde students and my story won. He asked me if I’d ever thought of getting and published or approaching magazines, and that encouragement of ‘you can do it too’ was really important for me.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

The good thing about writing fiction is that shyness is no barrier, it might even be an advantage. The internet is full of advice for aspiring authors, but my advice, while it might sound a bit flippant

Which book have you enjoyed writing the most?

Well, theres a slight misunderstanding when you use the word ‘enjoy’, because, like most writers, I really loath writing. It’s a horrible, painful process which I have to force myself to do. Actually the easiest was His Bloody Project because of the idea behind it and the structure. The others may seem much more simple, but they actually have much more complex structures. I struggle everyday to make myself write, but the last book has been the hardest because I have a situation and characters, and I’m trying to find the story, rather than having it in mind before.

How did you go about finding research for His Bloody Project?

Lots of ways, talking to people from the highlands, use of the National Achieves, old documents, reading actual psychiatric reports from prisons.

I worked as TV researcher in the past so I have experience in this. But from the very start I kept note of the words Roddy would use, it was important to use colloquial language because it was in first person. It’s important for the authenticity. It’s all about the language.

One word, especially with something historical, can throw you out of the illusion. I used a 19th century dictionary to check they were in use at that time. A guy even wrote to me to comment on the fact the word ‘vendetta’ would not have been used in the time, although

we found out it came into use in the 1850s, and educated lawyers would have used it.

Is crime and thriller novels what captured your attention?

Absolutely not, I don’t really read either and I don’t think of myself as a crime writer. But just because I don’t think of myself as one, it doesn’t mean I’m not one. As far as I’m concerned, I’m just writing novels. My sort of thing to read is mid-20th century fiction. I have been re-reading a lot of classic existential novels.

Do you take inspiration from other authors?

I talk a lot about Simenon, a Belgian author whos written over 200 novels and wrote them each in 11 days. He’s got an amazing style and he’s brilliant at setting a scene in a minimal number of words, so he’s an inspiration but it’s got to become your own thing. For me, its important to have them set in real places with real people but with my own fictional take on things. The reason you like something is because it speaks to you, you read it because you like it. I think I have a similar sensibility to Simenon, but it’s not that I’m taking that idea from him.

On a completely different note, what was your favourite childhood or teenage novel?

I wasn’t a huge reader as a child. I don’t think until recently I was ever asked about childhood book, but there was this one in my grandma’s house called ‘Mr Papingay and the Little Round House’ and if it was reprinted now, the language would certainly be edited because it contains some unsavory language. But I came across 'The Catcher in the Rye' and it just caught me, it’s such a teenage boys book. I was immediately struck as I didn’t know books could be about me or speak to me. From there it became my thing, it was an alternative universe to my small-town home of industrial Kilmarnock.

So it was very important to me at that time.

When was it you wanted to be a writer?

Well it’s hard because it’s one of these things people say ‘I want to be a writer’ but you have to ask what they want to write. You can’t want to be a writer, you have to want to write and you become defined as a writer when you have written and published an amount of work.

I had no intention or becoming a writer, but I was writing these stories back when Hunter Steele encouraged me to share them. But I suppose it goes back

to my teenage years, leading into becoming more involved in literature.

Did you have a lot of knockbacks before you got your work published? Was it disheatening or did it encourage you more?

I wrote a novel in the 1990s, which was quite generic and set in a thinly disguised Kilmarnock. It got a bit of interest, but was never published and now I’m happy that it didn’t. I started a few others in the interim, but with Adele Bedeau it was turned down by 15 publishers, so I’ve had my share of knockbacks. I did a big rewrite of Adele Bedeau and it got sent out and was rejected. At that point my agent exhausted the avenues so I took it indecently to a number of publishers and one of those was Sara at Saraband, who said yes very quickly by the standards of publishers, which was great. Was it disheartening? Yes, for a period, you see other people getting their work published you at times you think ‘that’s sh*t’ and you know yours is good if an agent takes you on. It does feel bad, but I also knew it must be half decent because we worked so hard on it. I had the experience of the reality of what its like to be a novelist, e.g. you still have a day job. His Bloody Project sold very modestly for months until it was reviewed by some bigger areas and the reviews, modesty aside, were really very good.

When the book starts getting published abroad, it’s just mind-blowing.

People were sending pictures to me of it in Nepal and Romania (I didn’t even know it was published in Romanian) and its like ‘well f***’, it’s sustained a life beyond not willing the Booker Prize and its given me a lot of encouragement to finish this new book and get it published this year.

Are you excited about your new book and seeing it on the shelf?

I am, but there’s an element of anxiety too. It’s going to get a lot more attention. As I’ve said to Sara (my publisher) it’s a little book, the scale is small and the structure and narrative is different. That doesn’t mean to say it’s a lesser book, I love little books, it gives the reader the chance to explore it for themselves more. But it’s what I want to do. It’s an element of both excitement and nerves, but people seem to be interested. Apparently, it’s really funny? I didn’t think it was in the least bit but it seems I’ve written a bit of a comedy… so I’m looking forward to seeing the reactions.

Thank you very much to Graham for carrying out this interview with us.

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SPORT

MEET THE AMAZONS: THE WOMEN OF GUWC Michael Finlayson As part of the diversity issue, G-You were curious to investigate how opportunities for women to take part in what are seen as ‘traditionally male’ sports were progressing at Glasgow.

We sat down with the Women’s Captain of the Glasgow University Weightlifting Club (GUWC), Karolina Jarosińska, for a candid interview to discuss what she thought about the barriers that still faced female athletes competing in such sports and to share her own story. Having transferred to Glasgow after spending her first year in St Andrews, Karolina’s initial interest in fitness began to flourish in the West End, but to begin with saw herself as a long distance runner rather than a power lifter. It wasn’t until injury forced her to stop running for a while that she became interested in weightlifting, while on her year abroad in Lisbon. At first, this was through cross-fit, but with the help of supportive coaches, began training for olympic power lifts during the summer of 2016, and has been competing for Glasgow since her return.

Karolina was insightful into the barriers that still exist for those wishing to get into the sport. She noticed this sprouting up on multiple occasion at the freshers fair, with some of those who are new to the University being anxious about the perpetuated stereotypes of becoming “bulky” or not appearing to fit into the supposed ideals of femininity, often being discouraged by their peers. Although Karolina rightfully told us that this stereotypes could not be further from the truth, she was disheartened that such attitudes and ideas seem to be somewhat prevalent amongst millennials

'she told us of how being involved in weightlifting has been critical for her in developing a positive body image and self esteem' attending University, especially when it was their fellow peers which were peddling such views. Despite her own experience having been highly positive, especially from those already within the sport, she recognised that these archaic societal norms and pressures are barriers which many female

Love and Death in Govanand Hydland For those who regularly attend ‘A Play, a Pie and a Pint’ at the Oran Mor, you might know that it can be somewhat hit and miss. You might also think that a play that starts with the words “Christ, Sh*t, F*ck,” will not be an overly sophisticated performance. And you’d be right. But that doesn’t stop it from being both strangely touching and absolutely hilarious.

Love and Death in Govan and Hyndland is about Ivan, a writer with writer’s block on the 10th anniversary of his mother’s death. It is a one-man performance, so all eyes are on this individual as he recounts the story of his mother’s last days. There are many characters in the story, which the lead actor manages to differentiate using different voices. This highlights an impressively versatile vocal style and serves as a large part of the play’s humour, as he naturally speaks with a rather deadpan East Glasgow accent. But he manages to put us in mind of the other characters very well.

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athletes are forced to confront.

Karolina was very open to some of the initial challenges she faced throughout her University career, having suffered from an eating disorder during different periods of her study. Although she has now recovered, she spoke candidly about her suffering from an eating disorder, and the mental challenges that she’s faced as well as the physical ones. However, she told us of how being involved in weightlifting has been critical for her in developing a positive body image and self-esteem, and in her battles to remain recovered. She describes a community within the GUWC who are extremely support of all athletes who wish to get involved, regardless of whether their goal is to compete for the University or just getting into better shape. The GUWC still faces their own challenges, as despite being affiliated with the SRC, due to the budget constraints imposed upon GUSA and the other three student bodies, they have yet to be approved as a member of GUSA. Thank you very much to Karolina for taking part in this interview!

REVIEW

Michael Cartledge The story manages to be very fast-paced without losing any of the meaning. He tells of his mother’s slow battle with lung cancer through his own eyes, managing to make it both emotional and very funny. All the while never letting us forget that he is telling a story. This all happens in his flat, which he uses to its fullest effect, using everything around him to help with the recounting of the tale.

Overall, Love and Death in Govan and Hyndland is a sidesplittingly funny show, that manages at the same time, to make us all (subconsciously at least) think about those close to us in a more affectionate way. Though its Glasgow run is over, it can be seen at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and Oran Mor will be treating us to a number of other great pieces of theatre this Autumn.

ART FEATURE

Paolo Nutini: caustic love artwork Sian Oo First Year, Physics and Astrophysics

'I’m Sian Oo and I have just started my first year at the University of Glasgow studying Physics with Astrophysics. Painting and listening to music help me to relax. Earlier this year, when studying for exams, I painted Paolo Nutini using his ‘Caustic Love’ album cover as inspiration. Having misplaced all my paintbrushes, I had to improvise and used cotton buds instead.'

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