Impact Issue 261 on Identity

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Identity Crisis and Hate Crime in Britain Post Brexit The Science Behind Gender Identity Are We Being Desensitised to Children Being Sexualised?

IMPACT IDENTITY EDITION

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A letter from the.....

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Front cover and current page illustration by Katherine Gomes Front cover photograph of Abdullah Al-Kattan by Nina Shasha

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Hallo!

We hope you’ve been survivin’ and thrivin’ in this cold, wet and windy semester. If you haven’t, we have just the thing to keep you company whilst you watch your fellow students struggle walking down the downs – The latest issue of Impact!

The theme for the 261st issue is identity. Now this is a topic that has a myriad of connotations and the Impact team, both writers and designers, have delved into the many meanings surrounding the subject.

What does identity mean to you? Is it to do with gender? Maybe nationality? Or perhaps an allergy?

In Impact News, Lauren McGaun tackles the complex subject of imposter syndrome and the effects on females specifically; whilst Gareth Holmes unties the ideology of toxic masculinity by looking at the Warwick rape chat scandal and the way society expects men to have a particular physique.

With the recent news surrounding Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s move to step down as senior royals, in Impact Features, Lujain Alkhalaf discusses whether The Royal Family help to create the British identity. Focusing more on our generation’s increased use of social media, Nila Varman questions how it can influence our perceptions of our bodies.

At university, your subject can say a lot about you, so Isabelle Hunter has created the ultimate travel guide personalised depending on your degree. Have a read of her article in the Lifestyle section – I’m sure you all know that one friend who perfectly fits the stereotype for their degree. Many believe going gluten free is just a lifestyle choice but for some it is essential to avoid being extremely ill; Lauren Winson gives us an insight into the personal challenges that come with living with coeliac disease.

In the Entertainment section, Jerome Gerada, takes a look at the subject of identity within the film industry. He specifically looks at the portrayals of identity disorders in Psycho, Split and Joker. Alternatively, Ryan James Keane investigates the portrayals and appropriations of different cultures within music videos.

Football is a staple sport for many of us, yet Ben Ofungwu describes how the industry is still relatively homophobic and struggles to provide a welcoming environment for a homosexual man. Focusing more on the university setting, Callum McPhail gives us a guide to university sport stereotypes - have a read, some might surprise you!

From the design side, we looked at the more individualistic side of identity and the way we reflect and realise there are different versions of ourselves. Our front cover is inspired by this self-reflection and the following page designs aim to accentuate the multi-faceted theme of identity that the articles discuss.

We hope you really enjoy this issue and feel as if you can partly relate to some of the opinions and stories told over the following pages. Who knows, some of the articles may even alter your preconceptions and help you see things from a different perspective.

I’m going to love you and leave you now, so till next time - happy reading and have a great rest of the term.

Natasha Phang-Lee

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CONTENTS

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CONTENTS NEWS 6 Spotlight on LGBT+ History Month 8 Imposter Syndrome - Always Feeling Like an Outsider 9 Identity Crisis and Hate Crime in Britain Post Brexit 10 What Is It Like To Be Religious at University?

11 BAME Identity at University 12 White British Working-Class Boys Least Likely to Get into University 14 The Toxicity of Toxic Masculinity

L I F E ST Y L E 32 33 34 36 38

F E AT U R E S 16 To Graduate, or not to Graduate, that is the Question 17 The Royal Family - Do They Help to Create the Identity of the People?

18 Are We Being Desensitised to Children Being Sexualised?

20 Talkin’ about My Generation 21 Tying Together the NOTTS of our Student Identity 22 Does National Identity Have a Place in the Modern World?

24 My Body and Me 26 How Well do our Names Really Define us?

27 Got Any ID? Your Identity Based on what you Drink

The Influencer Influence Bored of Beans on Toast?

The Reality of Being Coeliac The Science Behind Gender Identity Identity and Style - How Are They Affected by Social Media and Influencers?

40 A Soulful Reunion in the Middle East E N T E R TA I N M E N T 41 What Does Your Subject Say About Your Typical Holiday?

42 Places that Made Us: Student Life in Nottingham 44 Artistic Licence vs. Cultural Appropriation: Identity in Fiction 46 Identity Disorders and the Cinematic Landscape 47 How Identity is Constructed in Fight Club 48 Male Gamers, You Have to Know Something’s Wrong SPORT 49 The ‘Gamer’ and Gaming’s Identity Crisis 50 The Dangers of Appropriating Culture in the Music Industry 53 The Difference Between University Sport and 52 Striking a Chord: Musicians that Aren’t Afraid to College Sport Change 54 What the Changing Popularity of Sports Says about Society 55 The Guide to University Sport Stereotypes 56 Homophobia in Football EXTRAS 58 Identity in Sport 59 The Team

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An interview with LGBT+ SU Officer Sam Hawkins.

Sam Hawkins isn’t just a 3rd-year psychology student or a trampolining aficionado, he is the Students’ Union LGBT+ Officer at the University of Nottingham. As the representative for the LGBT+ community at the university, he ensures the issues facing his constituents are heard. We succeeded in arranging an interview with Sam, during which we talked about the progress he has made for the LGBT+ community since assuming his role.

Sam has accomplished a lot in his role as LGBT+ Officer, a large part of his work culminated in what we saw during LGBT+ month. The most striking change to our campus in February, and arguably Sam’s greatest legacy, was the implementation of three rainbow crossings, one on each campus.

On University Park, the crossing can be found outside the Portland Building; on Jubilee, it is by Xu Yafen; and on Sutton Bonington, by The Barn.

Moreover, the crossings also have two extra stripes, brown and black. They represent the relationship between the LGBT+ and BME communities, a connection which Sam wants to emphasise.

“Arguably Sam’s greatest legacy was the implementation of three rainbow crossings, one on each campus” The rainbow crossings also point to a broader aim of Sam’s: to show the university is open. In particular, it is important to demonstrate this to new and prospective LGBT+ students - especially to those who have not been previously exposed to the LGBT+ community, and to whom doing so is a significant step in their development.

It is difficult for every new student to find their place at university, and LGBT+ individuals are no exception. Starting university is frightening and oftentimes daunting for LGBT+ students, especially for those who come from small communities or have not previously been exposed to the community and, perhaps, who they are. This process is “quite significant”, Sam says, and it is often hard. Hence, boosting LGBT+ visibility is vital in helping students discover who they are and making them feel accepted.

Other features of LGBT+ History Month also aimed to increase visibility. At the beginning of the month, students may have noticed the LGBT+ flag raised on Trent’s flagpole (it was supposed to stay up for the whole duration of the month, but Storms Ciara and Dennis disrupted those plans). And, the “three Tuesdays” (11th, 18th and 25th) of February were slated to hold the month’s main events, though only two were able to take place.

Due to illness of the special guest speakers, “An insight into non-binary experiences” was cancelled. Decolonising Queer Spaces, however, went as planned, investigating the influence of colonialism on queer spaces; going hand in hand with the SU Officer’s aforementioned aims to shed more light on QPOC (Queer People of Colour) within the LGBT+ community. And finally, Being Queer in Academia saw guests from Manchester,

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Oxford and many other institutions come in and talk about their experiences of being LGBT+ in Higher Education across multiple disciplines, from music to STEM or classics. The theme of defying expectations and finding success, as a queer individual, was key.

“The rainbow crossings also point to a broader aim of Sam’s: to show the university is open”

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But the success of LGBT+ History Month only represents a fraction of what Sam has achieved throughout the year.

The Rainbow Lace campaign was one of these achievements; Sam succeeded in raising over £2,000 for Stonewalls and promoted LGBT+ inclusion in sport in the process.

Not all his campaigns have been this visible. A lot of the day to day is taken up with emails and meetings. This is the predominant manner in which substantial change is enacted within the University of Nottingham. These campaigns promote the welfare of LGBT+ students. Sam instituted a policy at the Union Council meeting to create gender-inclusive language on 650 University of Nottingham systems. This allows everyone to be identified by the correct pronouns thus promoting their identity and further including them within the university.

light on History “It is difficult for every new student to find their place at university, and LGBT+ individuals are no exception”

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Another significant area that Sam improved was the on-campus health service. Whilst this was in part another campaign for more inclusive language within the university, it also gave training to staff to better accommodate LGBT+ patients. There have also been leaflets which further outlines services specifically for gender incongruent patients. This increase in inclusivity was especially targeted towards aiding trans and non-binary students.

Even though he’s done a lot this year, Sam has more projects that he would like to complete before his term is up. The first of which is the gender-neutral bathroom policy. Sam is trying to increase their prevalence at the University of Nottingham, particularly in halls. However, this has been a challenge as the bathrooms are under the purview of estates, not the Student Union, thereby making it a long and challenging process.

He hopes that there will be an increase in gender-neutral bathrooms soon.

“The theme of defying expectations and finding success, as a queer individual, was key” In the meantime, there is a map being developed, which shows all the current gender-neutral bathrooms on all the campuses, helping those who are trans and non-binary to find a bathroom that they can be comfortable in.

Whilst Sam has done a lot for the LGBT+ community he believes that there is more to be done. He hopes actions like the rainbow road will make LGBT+ students feel respected and confident in expressing their identity. For those who are uncertain about their identity or looking for support, the LGBT+ Network provides a place for students to feel comfortable. There are various welfare and outreach programmes, opportunities to campaign for various LGBT+ causes and it provides a way to meet like-minded people.

Alex Lovesey and Simeon Lee

Graphic by Chiara Crompton Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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Imposter Syndrome – Always Feeling Like an Outsider Imposter Syndrome is a phenomenon that will likely affect all of us at some point in time, whether that be gaining an unexpected promotion, taking on a lead role in a play or simply attending a prestigious Russell Group university like Nottingham. As an unconditional offer holder myself who didn’t meet the regular grade requirements, I know the feeling of questioning whether you deserve to be in such a position.

The term Imposter Syndrome was coined by Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes in the 1970s, and is used to describe individuals who feel incompetent, inadequate and feel like a fraud in certain scenarios, such as in the workplace, even though they have high achievements. This can lead to people questioning their position and making statements such as “I’m not good enough for this role”.

“These feelings are essentially inner voices of the mind, often preventing students in particular from wanting to progress to more advanced jobs as they suffer from feelings of self-doubt”

These feelings are essentially inner voices of the mind, often preventing students in particular from wanting to progress to more advanced jobs as they suffer from feelings of self-doubt. The impact of this syndrome has often been understated and research has in fact estimated that 70% of people will experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lives.

The feeling of imposter syndrome may have a more significant impact on women compared to men as historical gender biases have left women feeling increasingly inadequate either in the workplace, their place of study or wider society. This is arguably a result of men being placed in top executive and leadership positions, with there being less female exposure to these roles. This likely discourages women from wanting to apply for such positions as they have few female role models to look up to and inspire them.

Whilst the likes of Hilary Clinton and Theresa May have tried to break down this stereotype in politics and likewise J.K. Rowling and Oprah Winfrey in the arts and business world, more still needs to be done to help curb the effects of imposter syndrome as the gender pay gap is yet to be resolved.

Adding to this, the defeat of Hilary Clinton in the 2016 election as well as recent allegations of harassment towards women in Parliament has deterred many females from wanting to pursue more of an active role in politics as they feel as though it is a male dominated society that they’re not worthy to be a part of.

This being said however, many are optimistic that imposter syndrome can be overcome for both genders and critically this must start at the student level. By creating a learner’s mindset and encouraging curiosity, students can overcome their self-doubts and restore confidence in their own abilities.

Lauren McGaun

Graphic by Chiara Crompton

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Graphics & Page Design by Sarah MacAllan

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What Is It Like To Be Religious at University?

Impact writer George spoke to a Sikh, a Jew and a Catholic in order to explore the prevalence and accessibility of religious practices at the University of Nottingham.

How religious were you before university?

Japneet, 3rd Year, Sikh: My relationship with religion derived from how my parents raised me. They’d take us to the temple and to Punjabi lessons etc, but I wasn’t very religious before university.

Anonymous, 3rd Year, Jewish: My Judaism originated from my parent’s relationship with Judaism. I was never an Orthodox Jew, but I always held my Jewish roots close to my heart. I went to Synagogue every so often and partook in Jewish holidays and festivals with my parents each year without fail.

Sam, 2nd Year, Catholic: I’ve always been raised Catholic, I went to Catholic primary and secondary school, but it was really in sixth form when I began to get involved with religion on a practical level. I was a student Chaplin at my school which meant I was responsible for arranging mass etc.

Has university life impeded on your religious beliefs or practices?

Japneet: University hasn’t necessarily made me less of a religious person, but I don’t engage in religious activities as much as when I’m at home.

Anon: I would not say university life has impeded on my religious beliefs or practices. There are plenty of opportunities to practice Judaism here at university.

It so happens that most Jewish holidays fall outside of university term dates, so I’m able to participate in them from home with my family.

Sam: In my first year I became less engaged, then in my second year when I was at the Welcome Fair when I ran into someone I knew from my school who was involved with the Catholic society who was on their stall and we got talking, went to their event and got involved at university from there.

Obviously, things like drinking culture etc present issues to some students and a lot of people I know do worry about that quite a bit. There’s a lot of structures in place within the university to ensure that you can do so in a way that is most appropriate to you.

Photos courtesy of Google Images

Have you ever experienced prejudice at university for your beliefs?

Japneet: I think going from a predominantly Asian society and coming to uni, and then being one of the only two Sikh people on my course made it a little bit more difficult to adjust but it didn’t significantly impact anything at all.

Anon: I’ve experienced a great deal of acceptance here at university. A lot of my friends had never met a Jewish person before and were fascinated by the customs and laws which I stick by.

Sam: Mostly jokes but often they are aimed at the Catholic church rather than at my personal faith. I’d say in general the experience is very positive. People are often interested to know “oh what does that mean”, or “what do you do”.

George Sullivan

Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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BAME Identity at University

Tamara is in her second year of studying Liberal Arts at the University of Nottingham. Whilst she is from London, her ethnic background is Nigerian.

She was asked if the BAME identity is well represented at university. She responded: “No. For some reason the ratio between BAME and white students is always disproportionate and it is not only discouraging, but also since you are the only one, you feel you have to represent your BAME identity and perform better to prove that more students like you can take these opportunities too.”.

“13% attainment gap between White UK students and BAME UK students receiving a first or an upper second-class degree at universities” Universities UK and National Union Schools recently announced a 13% attainment gap between White UK students and BAME UK students receiving a first or an upper second-class degree at universities between 2017-18. Following calls for university-wide change, a re port involving 99 universities in total, released plans to make significant progress to narrow this gap. The universities regular, the Office for Students, has announced that they aim to close the attainment gap by 2024-25.

In addition, BAME staff are under-represented in senior academic and university leadership roles.

Of 19,000 people employed as professors in the UK, only 400 are BAME women. Baroness Valerie Amos, director of SOAS University of London who co-led the report, noted: “Even when BAME students overcome the hurdles that prevent them getting to university in the first place, they do not have an equal chance at succeeding. We are not operating a level playing field”.

“Of 19,000 people employed as professors in the UK, only 400 are BAME women” Since July 2017, the University of Nottingham has been operating a BAME Attainment Gap Initiative. With this, they have implemented measures to help address Nottingham-specific issues. They also found that the attainment gap widens between academic years, that student societies are essential in bringing together people of the same race and region, and that student experiences vary between the different campuses.

The university has also set up a ‘Steering Group’, which meets termly to give updates to the Student Experiences Committee and has introduced training to tackle unconscious bias.

Although the current end date of the project is July 2020, it has found that having conversations about this topic was challenging and that ‘many white staff are defensive and deeply uncomfortable about discussions of privilege and race’.

Safa Shahid

Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

Photos courtesy of Google Images

At university, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students often have a lesser sense of belonging compared to their white student counterparts undergoing the same experience.

Universities are often known for being a hub of cultures, languages and races; as a place for the minds of students and academics around the world to come together. However, despite positive action for minority groups, there is still a growing sense that the BAME identity is perhaps under-represented within mainstream university life.

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WHITE WORKING-CLASS BOYS

LEAST LIKELY TO GET INTO UNIVERSITY We often hear that race, gender and socioeconomics can affect an individual’s chances of achieving academic success. Whether scoring perfect GCSE and A level results or getting a place at a top university, it seems that identity really matters.

In the latest round of discussions in academic and journalistic circles on how the identity of our students affects their educational opportunities, a new group has emerged as distinctly underachieving: White British working-class boys. But does this problem really exist and if it does, have we all become too ‘woke’ to realise it? Has modern politics, in its efforts to ensure the success and welfare of minority groups, somehow become distracted from the difficulties that white communities can face?

“If you’re a white, working-class boy, you’re less likely than anybody else in Britain to go to university” (Theresa May, 2016) A study conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) on all students in England who took their GCSEs in the 2008/9 academic year, found that White British working-class boys are now the group of students least likely to go to university. Although published in November of 2015, this discovery only found major media coverage after the then Prime Minister Theresa May mentioned the statistic in her first statement in July of 2016. “If you’re a white, working-class boy,” the Prime Minister remarked, “you’re less likely than anybody else in Britain to go to university.” Since the comment, the media across the UK have rushed to cover the story. Each publication keen to press their own covert political biases upon it. Looking at the data, we can however break down and analyse the phenomena impartially.

First, ethnicity. Higher education participation has risen far quicker for ethnic minorities across the studied time period compared to White British students. The IFS study found that Black African pupils are almost 35% more likely to go to university than otherwise-identical White British pupils. Most other ethnic minority groups are around 15-25% more likely.

“Over 50% of universities admit less than 5% of white students from low participation neighbourhoods” (National Education Opportunities Network, 2019) Next, socio-economic status. As with ethnicity, socio-economic factors’ impact on higher education participation are substantial. In the 2015 IFS study, it was found that pupils from the highest socio-economic quintile group are around three times more likely to go to university and around seven times more likely to go to a selective institution than those from the lowest

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socio-economic quintile group. This later finding is perhaps in line with the tidal wave of criticism that Oxford and Cambridge have received in recent years over their supposed failure to diversify the socio-economic backgrounds of their students. Looking at these two groups together, in 2019 the National Education Opportunities Network’s (Neon) published their ‘Working Class Heroes’ report that concluded, “over 50% of universities admit less than 5% of white students from low participation neighbourhoods.” A telling statistic that sums up a serious problem.

Finally, gender. The IFS reported that “girls are significantly more likely to participate in higher education than boys, and the differences have remained roughly constant over the period covered by our data”. Girls are around 8% more likely than boys to go to university at age 18 or 19, and just under 2% more likely to attend a selective institution.

“Children from poor Indian, Pakistani, African and Caribbean families do much better than their white counterparts, despite similar levels of disadvantage” So, the evidence seems unequivocal. White British working-class boys are seriously underperforming.

But why? It is this question that has been depressingly under-researched.

Some put the trend down to low aspirations and bad perceptions of education in low income areas of the country, but poverty seems to fall short of taking all the blame. As we have said, and as others have pointed out, children from poor Indian, Pakistani, African and Caribbean families do much better than their white counterparts, despite similar levels of disadvantage.

White working-class boys in coastal towns have been recorded as performing even worse than their inland counterparts. But surely it isn’t the bracing British sea air that’s causing the country’s white lads to bail on university? Right?

Whether it be maritime exposure or low-income backgrounds, the problem is a real one. So how come it’s taken so long for mainstream media and our politicians to pick up on it? Is it that we have become tentative to call out injustices affecting only white people or has this just been another failure of our politicians to act quickly on problems affecting the young? Conservative MP Ben Bradley thinks it’s most likely the former.

“This issue is brushed under the carpet in our ‘woke’ society that can marginalise the issues of white males” (MP Ben Bradley, 2020) On the 12th of February 2020 Bradley secured a debate in the House of Commons on ‘Educational Attainment for Working Class White Boys’ and in a Facebook post prior to the debate, he summarised his line of argument: “Statistically it’s these lads that are most likely to fall behind at school and even education leaders have said that this issue is brushed under the carpet in our ‘woke’ society that can marginalise the issues of white males. This under performance has become normal”. He went on, “we need to move beyond this kind of identity politics where it’s almost frowned upon to raise the plight of white lads.”

So perhaps, amid our frantic millennial ‘wokeness’ we have missed the genuine plight of white working-class boys. Or, maybe this social issue slipped under society’s collective radar for other reasons. Regardless, a group of young people in this country are suffering from a chronic lack of higher education opportunities and this, no matter your political alliance, is surely a call to action.

Aidan Hall

Graphic & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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The Toxicity of Toxic masculinity exists. There is no avoiding this fact, nor should there be, for it is an insidious and dangerous cultural standpoint that promotes rape culture, misogyny, negative mental health, homophobia and violence. This abhorrent ideology attacks the open discussion of mental health whilst promoting a sickening tolerance for abusive behaviour towards others. So, the question we must ask is how this toxic culture is still being perpetuated despite the knowledge of how damaging it is?

It was recorded in 2019 that suicide rates were the highest on record since 2002 with 6,507 suicides recorded at the end of 2018. Three quarters of these were men. Often cited as one of the leading reasons for this is the wrongful idea that men cannot discuss their emotions and mental health without appearing ‘less masculine’, that the very idea of having feelings means you are subject to ridicule by other men for appearing ‘weak’. Personified in the ‘comedic manly man’ meme, which says feelings are for women and homosexuals, this thinking is widely depicted across numerous websites and movements in support of this ideology. One of the most popular websites is called ‘Return of Kings’.

From only a glance at their front page, the notion of toxic masculinity is thriving. Articles such as, ‘How to break through Beta male conditioning’ and ‘The pussification of Western society and how to overcome it’ espouse the ideas of denying feelings, asserting dominance and physical prowess as the true measure of a man. Another website, ‘The art of manliness’, contains articles giving advice on where to inflict the most damage with a punch, why every man should carry a knife and how owning more than three pairs of shoes is indicative of weakness. These websites also talk about the dangers of feminism and how to combat the rise of weak men who support it. For example, calling them ‘soy boys’, suggesting that not eating meat is a sign of poor masculinity (although their phrases are far more derogatory).

“In 2019 that suicide rates were the highest on record since 2002 with 6,507 suicides recorded at the end of 2018” The ideology of toxic masculinity further extends into the physical nature of masculinity and how a man should look. The idea of the alpha male hunter, muscular, strong, able to wear a suit or flannel shirt and look powerful no matter what. With male body dysmorphia on the rise, according to statistics at least one in every ten male gym goers suffers, one must look to the perpetuation of this image of male body perfection and what damage it is doing. Up to one million young men are taking performance enhancing drugs including steroids or some form of growth enhancer. The overuse of steroids has been heavily linked to heart failure, kidney and liver disease as well as other medical concerns and has been prevalent in popular entertainment like professional wrestling where men are lauded on the perfection of their musculature and strength.

Further, we see a constant air of negative language around those who do not meet this ideal with phrases such as ‘The Dad Bod’, ‘Beta Cuck’ and so on. This tends to create an environment where men do not wish to express their feelings and feel as if they are less of ‘a man’ if they do, which can subsequently lead to a cycle of silence and inward emotional turmoil with very damaging outcomes.

Both the NHS and the Mental Health Foundation highlight the importance of men talking about their feelings to promote a positive mental health.

“The NHS and the Mental Health Foundation highlight the importance of men talking about their feelings to promote a positive mental health”

Illustrations by Bersun Kilinc & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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Toxic Masculinity

For example, talking therapy is central to numerous mental health recovery programs. With toxic masculinity, the idea of talking about your feelings and the suggestion that even having them is a weakness, this can be seen to contribute to the poor mental health of society.

However, if we look at the way in which much of this shaming is framed, we see an even darker aspect of this thinking. For example, where male weakness is spoken about as being feminine, homosexual and ‘beta’.

Feminism is seen as either a joke or a vicious attack on men’s rights with men’s rights movements actively promoting a stand against the progression of many pro female groups. Splintering from men’s rights groups are a growing section of men belonging to ‘red pill’ organisations. Such organisations, for example, believe that women do not want emancipation or equality but are instead meant for subjugation and dominance. Posts on the Redpill Reddit forum openly discuss domestic abuse as simply part of a relationship and rape apologists are only outnumbered by the number of men who think rape simply does not exist.

“In March 2018, Warwick university was rocked by the ‘Rape chat Scandal’ involving eleven male students” In March 2018, Warwick university was rocked by the ‘Rape chat Scandal’ involving eleven male students. Some were penalised with a ban from university after their WhatsApp chat revealed a year and a half’s worth of rape threats and jokes about their close female friends. Phrases such as “it’s just banter” and “it’s how boys talk” can be seen to be indicative of toxic masculinity.

Notably, where subjects such as rape, violence towards woman and misogyny are normalised. Two of these students were given ten-year bans which have been reduced to a year and are expected to return to university later this semester.

“It is an ideology that needs to be fought with tolerance, understanding and a refusal to allow it a place in our society, our halls of power and our homes” Toxic Masculinity is harmful in the extreme, almost dichotomic to how one would hope any culture should be. It supports the normalisation of violent misogyny and homophobia whilst suppressing healthy discussion over mental health and emotional development. It is an ideology that needs to be fought with tolerance, understanding and a refusal to allow it a place in our society, our halls of power and our homes.

Gareth Holmes

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To Graduate or

Not to Graduate, That is the Question The prospect of leaving university and all that it encompasses is a scary one. Eleanor writes about what she will miss about her university identity when the day finally comes to walk across that stage and throw our hat in the air.

Before I came to university, three years sounded like a lifetime. My sister repeatedly told me that the time would “fly by”, but me being me, I never quite believed her. I don’t know how university can feel so slow and yet so fast. The release of our graduation date, the 20th July, was like a bad dream: me and my housemates shut down conversations about graduation as though it will only happen if we talk it into existence.

“I DON’T KNOW HOW UNIVERSITY CAN FEEL SO SLOW AND YET SO FAST” It’ll be strange going back home and that being my only home again. I confuse my parents all the time with my reference to ‘home’: “I’m heading back home”, “What, to us?!” dad replies in a panic, “Wait, no as in my home.”, “What do you mean, your home, the one with us, or the one in Nottingham?” mum asks. After two years in this student house it really has become my home, and I love everything about it – the mouldy bathroom, the paper-thin walls, even the rat-infested garden.

I know for a fact that I’ll spend a period of time mourning this house, let alone my… best…friends… that I won’t see… every. Oh god. Day. I have a little Nottingham routine and it goes a bit like this: muddle through a week of lectures; crawl into my housemate’s bed whenever possible (here I am right now); stress occasionally about all the sh*t I have to do; confess my sins on a Friday night in Bodega; Beeston Park Run on a Saturday followed by a Tesco shop and pancake scoffing in the Pudding Pantry - and just like that, we’re near enough ready to repeat it all over again for a new week.

I’m so used to telling people at home over

Christmas or Easter when I’ll be “going back” to Nottingham that I’m not quite sure what I’ll have scripted for after I graduate. Maybe a very passive aggressive “I’m here to stay now”, or, I might just burst into tears - but hopefully not.

Practically thinking, I’ve realised how difficult it’s going to be to “see” my housemates after we all move out. With one based up North in Sunderland, another down in Southampton, and then another all the way back up in Manchester again. I much prefer the idea of just stumbling a metre out of my bedroom and then directly into theirs.

BUT I RECKON EVEN WHEN I’M 50-ODD WITH 8 DOGS AND A ROLLS ROYCE AND SOMEONE ASKS ME WHAT I’M DOING WITH MY LIFE, I’LL PROBABLY STILL ANSWER “I’M A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM” Although we moan about that 9am lecture, and get wound up by those 3pm Turnitin submissions, life as a student, compared to being tied down to a 9-5 job, is pretty easy. And I’ve probably taken that for granted. I don’t think I’ll just be feeling those “post-grad blues”, I think I’ll be feeling the post-grad greens and yellows and even a midnight blue (Google it).[1] My emotions will range from jealousy (of all those students who are still students), to happy reminiscing, to days when I’ll inevitably be feeling really down. But I reckon even when I’m 50-odd with 8 dogs and a Rolls Royce and someone asks me what I’m doing with my life, I’ll probably still answer “I’m a student at the University of Nottingham”.

Eleanor Wright

Graphic & Page Design by Beth Dunnett

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Are we being Desensitised to Features writer Niamh Robinson addresses the rising exploitation and sexualisation of children in popular culture.

Speaking at a Women’s March in January last year, Natalie Portman recalled the moment she received her first fan mail aged only thirteen years old. Having made her debut as a child star in the 1994 French thriller Léon: The Professional, Portman remembered her delight at the prospect that her “art would have a human response”.

On opening her first letter, the Black Swan actress told the 500,000 strong crowd how this exhilaration turned to complete horror when she encountered nothing other than the warped desires of a man who felt he had a right to her young body.

“I excitedly opened my first fan mail to read a rape fantasy that a man had written me”, Portman revealed to those gathered before her.

Drawing upon her own personal traumas to shed light on the sexualisation of children in the media demonstrated immeasurable courage, particularly when calling out an industry who prefer to quell uncomfortable and distasteful conversations.

Portman continued by detailing how the experience had affected her. For fear of attracting further unwanted attention from these ‘adoring fans’, the actress spoke of the close guard she kept on her public persona and the identity she constructed in order to survive in the public eye.

“I built a reputation for basically being prudish, conservative, nerdy, serious, in an attempt to feel that my body was safe, and my voice would be

listened to”.

Since when were children made to feel responsible for the predatory actions of fully-grown men? No minor should feel obliged to suppress their personality on-screen to curtail the sexual appetite of the audiences sitting at home. We have a duty of care to condemn the sexualisation of children in the media.

“Since when were children made to feel responsible for the predatory actions of fully-grown men? No minor should feel obliged to suppress their personality on-screen to curtail the sexual appetite of the audiences sitting at home” Horrifyingly, Portman’s story is not an isolated one. Across the film, music, modelling and advertising industries, there are similar accounts of childhood abuse and premature sexualisation.

These issues affect both male and female young rising stars. However, the latter demographic is the primary target of inappropriate media coverage.

Millie Bobby Brown, the star of Netflix series Stranger Things, appeared in a list of names entitled ‘Why TV is sexier than ever’ on a 2017 W Magazine cover aged only thirteen years old.

Billie Eilish, the American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 2016, was the victim of numerous eighteenth birthday countdowns on the internet, euphemistically the age when she was legal for sexual relations. Eilish recently revealed that her signature baggy fashion style is, in fact, more of a protective armour ensuring that “Nobody can have an opinion because they haven’t seen what’s underneath”. Kaia Gerber, daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, was featured in Young Versace, aged only ten, gazing

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o Children being Sexualised? suggestively into the camera lens whilst clad in a leather bomber jacket and short black skirt.

The over-sexualisation of young girls and teenagers precipitates any one industry. In the name of ‘art’, ‘talent’ and ‘beauty’, we have begun to normalise that which is far from normal. This media obsession with youthfulness leaves the older female demographic feeling side-lined and the youngest members in our society vulnerable to exploitation and predation.

“In the name of ‘art’, ‘talent’ and ‘beauty’, we have begun to normalise that which is far from normal” With Hollywood sexual abuse scandals hitting the headlines in 2017, most notably the accusations made by countless women against industry mogul Harvey Weinstein, the struggles of women in the artistic world have received more attention than ever before. The trail-blazing ‘#MeToo’ movement gave many victims of sexual violence within the industry an opportunity to speak out, stand up and demand change.

It is when these same stories are echoed by children growing up in the public eye that we are forced to acknowledge that the battle is far from won.

We, the public, may curse our inability to effect change in this elite, clandestine world which we have no influence over. We are aware of the need for reform but have little idea of how to engender it. We view sexualisation of children in the media as an endogenous issue, a result of failings by powerful individuals in far off boardrooms to safeguard child stars who are thrust into the limelight. However, this underestimates our power as consumers.

In an age where profit outweighs principle, the leading arts industries will provide what they know will sell, whatever that may be. Whilst this is a bleak reality, it also means there is more power in the hands of the consumer than ever before.

Just as the industry responds to our interests and demands, it also reacts to our outcries and objections. Last year, a Philadelphia cream cheese advert was banned by the Advertising Standards

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Authority (ASA) for depicting harmful gender stereotypes; notably, it conveyed two fathers who were so preoccupied with their lunch that they placed their babies on a conveyor belt. The advert received 128 complaints for portraying men as incapable caregivers and was, subsequently, removed from air.

This response only proves the power of the people.

If this same approach was applied to childhood sexualisation, if a similarly outraged response was incited every time a minor was made to play an age inappropriate role or dressed in a manner too mature for them, the industry would have to take heed and listen.

Next time we’re flicking through a magazine or reading tweets online, we must remember that many of the stars of today are still, in fact, children. We must not allow ourselves to normalise the portrayal of young girls in an overtly sexual manner.

Objectification is not an arbitrary price tag attached to fame. Children in the public eye need protection from sexual abuse as much as children in the playground.

We have a voice which can be used to decide what content reaches our television screens and news feeds. It’s time to use it. Famous children are still children. Let’s step up to our duty of care so they start receiving fan letters that they will want to read.

Niamh Robinson

Graphic & Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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IMPACT

Talkin’ about

my Generation “

Attending university as a mature student can be a daunting experience.

Gareth Holmes discusses the peaks and troughs of gaining a degree a little later in life.

What connects Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Dexy’s Midnight Runners at number one in the charts, and the launch of Channel 4? The answer is they all happened 37 years ago in the year of my birth, 1982. Before you ask, yes, we did have running water and no, we didn’t ride dinosaurs to work. Sadly. As one of the last members of Generation X, I have yet to start a decent punk band or make a mountain of money and then lose it all in the ‘.com’ craze of the early nineties after someone invented a thing called ‘The Internet’.

What I was doing, however, was questioning what I had done and where I was going. So, at age 35 I took some advice from a very wise friend and decided to do something I was expected to do at 18. I started a Punk band…. I mean I worked my way into University. Within a year I was a mature student, (no one else accused me of being mature by the way) and I felt something that I don’t remember feeling before. I felt old.

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SEEING SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE FULL OF POTENTIAL MADE ME WONDER IF I HAD WAITED TOO LONG, WASTED MY YEARS OR MAYBE EVEN MADE THE WRONG DECISION

I IMAGINE A NUMBER OF MUCH OLDER STUDENTS DO WORRY HOW THE YOUNGER GENERATION VIEWS THEM; HOWEVER, I HONESTLY FOUND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AGE AND, INSTEAD, IT MATTERS SIMPLY WHO YOU ARE

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The university has a huge amount of support for mature students, offering further help with childcare, time management and travel whilst not making you feel like you are a bother. There is a great mature students’ network that offers socials and meet ups whilst considering the different schedules that many mature students have. Whilst I have not had much interaction with the network, I have never felt excluded when I have been there. Talking to others of my age whilst sharing stories and coping plans has been wonderful.

There are still days where I wonder if I do not come across as a ‘crusty old weirdo’ asking kids what’s cool these days and if they remember the Thundercats, but these days are few and far between. I am simply a student who can offer some extra life advice, as long as I remember I still have much to learn.

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Okay, maybe I felt left behind more than ‘aged fossil made of dust’. As, in terms of years spent breathing, I am still doing well. However, seeing so many young people full of potential made me wonder if I had waited too long, wasted my years or maybe even made the wrong decision. I would imagine several of my fears were no different to those who were attending university for the first time, no matter what age they may have been.

Will I fit in? What if I don’t make friends? Am I going to be good enough? It was a real boost to my confidence to know that I was not the only one asking these questions and to realise how kind the other students on my course were. I imagine a number of much older students do worry how the younger generation views them; however, I honestly found it has nothing to do with age and, instead, it matters simply who you are.

Image couresy of Pixabay via Google Images

Gareth Holmes

Page Design by Beth Dunnett

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Tying Together the Notts of Our Student What constitutes the identity of a University of Nottingham student?

Zoya Gulshin suggests some traits and experiences which set UoN Identity students aside from those at other universities.

Do you ever wonder what makes up the identity of a University of Nottingham student? What sets us apart from those studying at different establishments? For example, students at Loughborough have a reputation for being quite sporty, just as those at Oxbridge are notoriously known to struggle balancing work and a healthy social life. So, what exactly is it that helps to construct the identity of the UoN student?

One thing every UoN student dreads is the treacherous hills. From Portland hill to that climb one must warm up for before visiting Cripps health centre, a UoN student is plagued by hills on a daily basis. Who needs a gym membership when all this trekking is enough to achieve your dream summer body anyway?

Something unique to our university is Mooch, our very own bar/restaurant on campus. One would think that a bar situated on a university campus would be student-budget friendly; however, Mooch begs to differ. Flinching without fail every single time we open the menu is an entrenched part of our identity.

Yet, we’re still consistent consumers there. Being a spendthrift? That’s exactly what UoN students are.

“Whatever Trent students do, we have to do better”

All students of UoN are undoubtedly, somewhat, ‘living in a bubble’. Which bubble that is, depends on your campus of study. If you ask someone from University Park where Sutton Bonington campus is, initially, they’ll insist it’s not a real place. Wait, the UoN exists outside of the main campus?! Our cluelessness is exposed when we open our exam timetable to find our exams are based in some far-off location we’ve never even set foot in. No, but seriously, where actually is King’s Meadow campus?

By the time we start second year, we indisputably become hardened; we’ve seen and experienced it all. From disturbing house viewings in Lenton (yes, that indeed was a rat you saw under the sofa) to DG taxi drivers who make you question their spatial awareness skills; nothing can shock us. We’ve followed the infamous case of the missing library cat (Bertie) and have found ways to ensure we bag a seat at Hallward during exam season. Our identity has become accustomed to facing whatever challenges life throws at us.

Pretending we’re efficient problem solvers is another part of our identity.

Having money worries? Let’s buy a Boots meal deal instead of meal-prepping at home. Nearing a deadline? Let’s party-it-up at Rock City.

After all, if Crisis can’t solve all your problems, what can?

And the final seal to our UoN identity? Having our picture taken by the classic ‘Nottingham’ sign at North Entrance. If you didn’t ‘gram it, did it really happen?

Zoya Gulshin

Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

“Being a spendthrift?

That’s exactly what UoN students are”

Photos courtesy of Google Images

A big fragment of our identity is our competitiveness. All you have to do is mention the name Nottingham Trent and suddenly everyone is an ice hockey player. There exists a prominent rivalry between students at both universities that you don’t find elsewhere. Whatever Trent students do, we have to do better.

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IMPACT

DOES NATIONAL IDENTITY HAV IN THE MODERN WORLD?

Daisy Forster discusses the relationship between British national identity and global in argue it dilutes British culture; Daisy presents an alternative perspective highlighting th world.

Gone are the days when every house in Britain boasted a photo of the queen, and neighbourhoods flooded into the streets to celebrate VE day shrouded in red, white and blue. It is easy to long for the ‘good old days’, but it is no secret that nationalism is the catalyst of fascism. Is it possible to celebrate our own national identity whilst also welcoming new cultures? Part of progress is accepting change. Clinging onto the idea of ‘being British’ – which is merely a social construct in itself – is ultimately futile in the modern era.

Ironically, the first fish and chip shop was opened in the 1860s by Joseph Malin, an immigrant who based his recipe on traditional Jewish cuisine. Tea, which is now considered the quintessential British drink, was a custom started in China and popularised in Britain by the Portuguese wife of Charles II. The list goes on; so many of the pillars of our cultural identity are adopted as a result of globalisation.

“Our national identity has only been formed through generations of global fluidity; a patchwork of cultures that has created the illusion of the Britain we see today”

Why are we so intent on preserving something that, in effect, doesn’t exist?

Condemning immigration on the grounds of preserving national identity is completely paradoxical.

On the flip side, many of our own national treasures have blossomed when introduced to the international stage. Cricket, perhaps a declining sport in its home nation, has boomed into a cornerstone of Indian culture, industry and entertainment. In 2015, the IPL contributed $160 million to the Indian GDP and is one of the most watched sports leagues in the world. Just as many of our own customs originated elsewhere, a British invention has ended up defining another culture more than our own. Perhaps learning to share, both our land and our culture, could lead to an even more diverse global identity.

In an increasingly globalised world, national identity has diminished in its meaning. As a global culture emerges, the characteristics that once made us British are no longer unique to this small, island nation.

However, in the current political climate, this cultural diffusion has caused a national insecurity that has been detrimental to foreign nationals, immigrants and even refugees.

“Today, 13% of the UK population is foreign-born, a proportion higher than ever before” The Guardian reported that “The study, led by the University of Strathclyde, found that 77% of [immigrant] pupils surveyed said they had suffered racism, xenophobia or bullying, though such approaches were often disguised as banter. Of the pupils, 49% said the attacks had become more frequent since the EU referendum in 2016”.

It is clear that the Brexit movement, although only tenuously linked to immigration, has seen a rise in nationalism – and subsequent racism – in this country. National pride has turned toxic, a belief that being born in a certain place gives us more rights than those born elsewhere. Palaeontology has long since proved that humans originated and migrated from Africa some 1.9 million years ago. We are all one people, yet barriers created by political borders pit us against each other. National identity is nothing more than a socio-political construct that constantly changes and grows. In reality, we are all one people with little difference to separate us.

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VE A PLACE

nfluences. Critics of globalisation he benefits of an interconnected Furthermore, is it possible to strive towards racial equality whilst continuing to bury Britain’s imperialist past? ‘Our island story’, a theme so prevalent in politics today, is a selective tale that leaves out all of Britain’s less palatable histories. With a national identity so intrinsically linked with slavery and colonialism, a need to condemn these wrongs leads us to detach the Britain of the past from the country we live in today. In order to move towards a liberalised and equal modern world, children in school need to be taught Britain’s true role in world history, not a glamourised version.

31% of Brits believe that Islam poses a threat to the British way of life. How can we be protectionist when there is nothing to protect? Our way of life has been moulded from other cultures throughout centuries; the way we view ourselves has changed beyond recognition, and it will undoubtedly change countless times again. How can Islam pose a threat to something that has always been malleable, anyway? Progression is celebrating change, so to resist change is to condemn progression. Increased cultural fluidity creates a more diverse, colourful way of life. Perhaps being introduced to new cultures sparks a fear of something unknown. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t something worth embracing, something which can enhance our experience of the world.

“With 5.6 million Syrians fleeing a war-torn country since 2011, what grants English nationals a greater right to safety and prosperity than our Syrian counterparts?”

In 2012, we opened the Olympics with a spectacle: an opening ceremony that celebrated both national pride and international diversity. As well as showcasing Britain as the birthplace of the industrial revolution (and consequently environmental destruction, but that’s a debate for another day…), it featured many national treasures. It was a somewhat harmless display of national identity that also welcomed the competing nations with open arms. Perhaps national pride can coexist with cultural diversity, but is it naïve to assume that everyone can accept new cultures without becoming precious about their own?

There will always be those who are not willing to share. It would be idealistic to suggest that we

can eradicate long-standing prejudices towards new cultures and people.

Inevitably, some will always perceive foreign influences as a threat. However, condemning globalisation on the grounds that it undermines national identity is a contradictory argument.

Our national identity has never been set in stone. What gives us the right to freeze it in its tracks? Or, to dictate that this is the best it will ever be? Cultures will always continue to interact with one another, and, in a world of increased interconnectivity, it is time to start considering ourselves not as Brits, but as global citizens.

Daisy Forster

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Graphic & Page Design by Kajal Bains

We are all one people, yet barriers created by political borders pit us against each other

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IMPACT

Our bodies are often a key way of identifying ourselves; whether we’re sporty, young or even our gender. Nila Varman questions how this identity can be morphed by the opinions and words of others.

Who am I? A question asked so often that, at times, I find it almost loses its meaning when asking myself in front of a mirror, or when I’m in bed contemplating and overthinking. Are our subconscious thoughts the enemy or are they just the soundtrack to our everyday lives? I was once told that these thoughts are the hardest to argue with, especially if they pertain to the mismatch between how you look versus how you feel. What do I identify myself as? Even that question is tainted by social constraints; our very concept of identity is confined by conditioning to a small set of lazy labels for disingenuous categories like fat, thin, slim, pretty, and most perniciously of all, ugly.

Society’s changing standards of what is considered “fat”, “thin” or “ideal” may be perceived as a result of manifesting unrealistic standards.

Nowadays thestandards we set for ourselves based on subconscious comparisons and “body image”, is shifted from a personal understanding and relationship with our bodies to a dreaded conundrum marred by shame and guilt.

I’m no stranger to body shaming, and frankly I’ve lost count of the number of times strangers, relatives and that one aunt, who for some unfathomable reason always claims my face is rounder than the last time she saw me, have criticised my appearance with snide comments.

Let’s not forget to mention the judging look when helping myself to a second portion of food because let’s face it, I love food! Unfortunately, I’m so far from alone, because nearly 94% of teenage girls and 65% of boys have reported feeling insecure about their bodies due to body shaming. Contrary to popular conjectures, a healthy body image is not just deciding that you don’t “hate” yourself, but more accepting yourself as you are.

My Body

Social media used to be fun, but nowadays, it increasingly strikes me as a façade of entertainment, because when I’m not posting, I’m comparing myself to everyone else, or being bombarded by toxic celeb-endorsed appetite suppressants. Though body positivity is gaining traction, others simultaneously find more creative ways to add new words to their distorted vocabulary with which to undermine others.

According to psychologists, the dissatisfaction of one’s self appearance is enhanced by internalising thin ideals and social standards of physical appearance (Thompson & Stice, 2001).

“Unfortunately, I’m so far from alone, because nearly 94% of teenage girls and 65% of boys have reported feeling insecure about their bodies due to body shaming” As a woman, I find my personality and appearance playing victim to judgement and labelling by others’ definitions. If we stand up for ourselves, we’re loud or boisterous; we’re kindly put forth as “voluptuous” if we’re curvy (as if that were a bad thing); and if we take a selfie or, let’s be real, use self-timer in aesthetic places, we’re narcissistic. Let’s remember that before photographs, men used to spend hours being painted, whilst dressed in robes to depict how long they’d been thinking for that day. The stereotypes centred around body identity only perplex understanding further rather than helping to form a true identity.

“As a woman, I find my personality and appearance playing victim to judgement and labelling by others’ definitions”

And Me

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It may come as a surprise to some that many people don’t take the question “have you lost weight” as a compliment! It may be perceived as asserting the notion that “thin” bodies are inherently more desirable than other body types.

Contrastingly, weight loss may not be an intentional effort either; it may be the aftermath of something else, so why comment on someone’s body or succumb to weight stigmatisation at all?

We already struggle to manifest a certain “body image” representation, although some people commonly and obliviously draw perceptions that our beautiful body is a source of shame. This sets some of us back a few days or weeks until we recover from a low blow either from ourselves or the harsh mind of another. We cease to remember that, for many, weight loss may be grief and trauma related. It may also be related to an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia and body dysmorphic disorder) which have emotional tolls on our bodies, not for the sake of diet and beauty.

Consequently, we project views of losing weight or attaining an “acceptable” figure onto other people’s bodies without understanding how they feel about their size.

“We project views of losing weight or attaining an ‘acceptable’ figure onto other people’s bodies without understanding how they feel about their size” I often hear the cliché that “words don’t define you” but it’s hard to untether labels from the identity other people force upon you. When someone labels you, it’s hard to tell yourself that it’s not true. Labels have a profound yet reductive effect on self-esteem and self-perception. The problem with these labels, is that their over-simplicity makes them memorable, so they cling to every casual glance on every reflective surface.

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For those with a stronger mentality, turning a deaf ear may come more easily than self-conscious mindsets, like mine. It’s hard to look the other way sometimes, and even so, I can’t help but ask myself, “Do I look like that? What if she’s right?”.

How are we supposed to know what to believe about ourselves? Must we confine ourselves to the name or adjective that is associated with us?

In my opinion, society leads us to believe that every insult or adjective thrown at us is a literal description of our identity. Why do I, a woman with a certain build who practises ballet, have to be labelled “the fat ballet dancer”, instead of just “ballet dancer”. Maybe if our relationship with our bodies focused on being in them instead of how we look in them, or if we were less aware of how others perceived them, we’d gain a clearer picture of our perceived body image.

“Maybe if our relationship with our bodies focused on being in them instead of how we look in them” So who am I? Who are we? Regardless of what people say, we are talented, beautiful and powerful. It’s hard to see such power crippled by words alone. We can probably never form a concrete picture or a perfect equilibrium between how we look and how we feel, because we are constantly exposed to novel experiences which make us better, more considerate people. So when I find out who I actually am, I’ll let you know.

Nila Varman

Graphic by Chiara Crompton Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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IMPACT

How Well do our Names Really Define us?

Like it or not, our names have tremendous power in our lives. A name is the first thing we’re ever given, the first thing we reveal about ourselves to strangers. It is one of the first impressions others obtain of who we are.

Why should this be? As humans, we are obsessed with naming things, giving meanings and categorizations to everything we encounter. They allow us to simply define and verbalise the world around us. However, does this familiarity make us forget the complexity and power of names in our lives?

“The rise in discussions surrounding gender spectrums and transgender rights is a reminder of the ongoing importance of names” In his fantasy novel The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss creates a world in which it is clear that names are not merely linguistic tags. They are imbued with the inherent power and quintessence of the thing itself, formed by everything that has shaped it since its creation. He states “Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power”.

Names in the novel, when spoken with an understanding of their significance, have the ability to summon the very nature and strength of the thing in question.

Vikings, too, placed great emphasis on the importance of names, in both their legends and every-day lives. Names were loaded with who and what a person was (for instance Kåre meant curly hair) or, moreover, what they could become (Erik meaning leader).

Furthermore, names were a changing part of life, altered by the experiences and even the legend a person acquired. It is unknown whether King Harald Bluetooth (a King of Denmark who unified Denmark and Norway) was ever known by this name whilst alive. However, his legacy continues to be carried in his symbolically loaded name, one that now names the technology allowing the sharing of information between places.

But perhaps not that much has changed; names are as important as ever. The rise in discussions surrounding gender spectrums and transgender rights is a reminder of the ongoing importance of names. For many transgender people, the official and legal changing of names on documentation is a key stage in transitioning and is one many have had to fight long and hard for. In 2016, a transgender man was denied the right to do so by a judge in Georgia on the claim that it was ‘fraud’. That judge evidently had not read The Name of the Wind or heard the tale of Harald Bluetooth, or he would have understood that names are shaped by our lives, by both who we inherently are, and who we choose to be.

“Beyond the words themselves, they carry what we hope our legacy will hold when our names are all that is left of us” Even for those of us whose names are a constant throughout our lives, they are, nevertheless, central to our identities. They hold the history of our families and, with that, the responsibilities carried in them. Beyond the words themselves, they carry what we hope our legacy will hold when our names are all that is left of us. So, in a world of ‘pale’ words, I think it’s worth remembering the power of our names.

Chiara Crompton

I ll u C

iara sr ation by Ch rotm pton

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‘ ’

Bea O’Kelly

Graphic & Page Design by Holly Marr

Lifestyle Photoshoot Capturing identities around campus.

Photography by Nina Shasha

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IMPACT

THE INFLUENCER INFLUENCE

Melina explores how the opinions of celebrities shape our identity and influence our ideals.

Celebrity culture surrounds us: details of the most insignificant aspects of their lives aredocumented online and the public offer an accompanying commentary, often sharing their opinions on individuals whom they do not know. The reality is that we watch these people through a photoshopped lens, and then broadcast that

image all over the internet, subsequently imposing that unrealistic

presentation of humans on the consumer. Such focus on the lives of celebrities creates a culture determined by conformity, in which we move away from the celebration of diversity and individuality,and instead focus on a mostly unattainable goal.

The popularity of interviewing as a means of understanding celebrities means that we are now able to witness intense probing into their personal and emotional lives. Manyindividuals use this for good, for example when Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone used their status to draw attention to the Worldwide Orphans organisation (http://wwo.org/) after being photographed at lunch in New York.

Celebrities were also seen using their influence for good at the 2020 BAFTAs. Kate Middleton wore an old Alexander McQueen gown, and all were encouraged to re-wear outfits to make the event more sustainable.The academy aims for the EE British Academy Film Awards to be carbon neutral, and have even said that the red carpet itself is 100% recyclable, demonstrating the ability of these events to influence our environmental ideals. However, despite this encouraging movement, celebrities like Shailene Woodley have been known to share less progressive opinions, stating that she is not a feminist because she does not hate men. This received a lot of attention, yet all it showed was a dismissal of feminism as a man-hating movement. As a prominent figure in young adult movies, her misinformation could be extremely damaging.

Celebrities can also use their platforms to endorse brands. For instance, Kim Kardashian endorsed ‘flat-tummy tea’, an unhealthy way to lose weight as it essentially works as a laxative. Much of her audience consists of young girls, and it is disappointing that she promotes a product of such nature rather than the truth: exercise and eating well. While there are many instances like this, presenting an unattainable image and negatively affecting those on the receiving end, other celebrities are in fact known for sharing their own body-image issues, showing people that they are not perfect and that no one should feel bad about themselves based on an unrealistic portrayal. Lady Gaga defended her ‘belly fat’, and Demi Lovato called out a journalist for insinuating that her weight was the most interesting thing about her. So, whilst social media, celebrity events and interviews have the ability to affect us “The key is to not get too negatively and move us away from embracing our caught up in the identities, there are individuals in the spotlight who do not buy into that, and who share their realities, photoshopped versions of which often mirror ours. The key is to not get too people online, and instead caught up in the photoshopped versions of people online, and instead learn to appreciate that no one is learn to appreciate that no perfect. one is perfect”

Melina Williams

Graphic by Chiara Crompton Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

FOOD

Bored of Beans on Toast?

Katy tells us about some of the best dishes from different world cultures. I bet you’ll be salivating before you’ve reached the end!

One of my favourite things about being at university is having the opportunity to meet so many cool people from countries all around the world. Having a multicultural group of friends also means discovering lots of new foods and dishes from different cultures.

British Roast Dinner Let’s start with a meal that most of us know and love: a good old Sunday roast.

This is a super fun one to cook together as a house, and is easier than you’d think when everyone pitches in. The best parts: Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and completely drowning the whole plate in gravy.

A strong part of our national identity is taking pride in the meals our countries cook, and then sharing them with other people. Here I’ve rounded up some delicious national dishes from around the world. Some you will have already tried, but others you may not. If so, you need to befriend someone from these countries who will introduce you to them!

Japanese Ramen Switch up your Heinz Cream of Tomato for some Ramen noodle soup. This dish normally consists of noodles in a fish or chicken broth with soy sauce and topped with sliced meat, egg, and green onion. However, it’s also a really adaptable dish; you can add mushrooms, sweetcorn, spinach or whatever you feel like/whatever’s in the fridge. It’s the perfect cosy meal for a night in.

Greek Moussaka I love anything with aubergine in it, so this dish with sautéed aubergine, topped with spicy minced lamb and creamy Béchamel sauce sounds dreamy. If you love a lasagne, you will become addicted to this.

Indian Biryani Forget chicken tikka masala, a biryani is where it’s at. You can make it veggie or meaty, and it’s traditionally cooked with a boiled egg in the middle.

Another Indian classic is dosa (a thin pancake that can be stuffed with potato or served plain). I recommend the restaurant Dosa and Chutney in the city centre for the best biryani and dosa about.

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Swiss Potato Röstis These are basically grated potato burgers cooked in butter or oil. They are super flexible; they are really good as a part of a brunch plate, or, if you add herbs, they are more savoury and therefore you can cook them for dinner as well.

Spanish Paella This is a cheap and easy rice dish cooked in spices and stock. It’s traditionally cooked with seafood, and served with lemon wedges, but this can be switched up for chicken and chorizo, or just veggies. Top tip: make it in a big pan so you can refrigerate it as meal prep for later in the week.

Turkish Doner Katy Skillen Kebab Illustrations and No, this isn’t Page Design by just Natasha Phang-Lee something to eat at 3am after a dip in the Ocean.

Traditional Turkish doner kebabs are actually a lot healthier than what you might be used to. They consist of a flat bread with tomatoes, onions, lettuce, “A strong part of our cucumbers, yogurt and mince. national identity is taking See, kebabs have more potential than just being the pride in the meals our ultimate drunk food indulgence! countries cook, and then

sharing them with other people”

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IMPACT

For some, being gluten free is a lifestyle choice, but for those living with coeliac disease, avoiding gluten is crucial to avoid being horribly ill.

Lauren’s article is a wonderfully personal and honest exposé revealing her everyday struggles being coeliac.

The Re

A few years ago, going gluten free was all the rage. In the last ten years the amount of gluten free products in supermarkets has rapidly increased and gluten free options are available on most restaurant menus. In spite of the increasing awareness about being gluten free, there remains a lack of public understanding about having coeliac disease.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition, not an allergy, and it affects one in one hundred people. There is no medication that can cure coeliac disease: the only treatment is to adopt a completely gluten free diet. Our immune systems react to gluten, causing damage to the gut and making us ill after eating any food containing gluten. Going gluten free is not a health trend or a lifestyle choice but a necessity for those of us with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance.

“Going gluten free is not a health trend or a lifestyle choice but a necessity for those of us with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance” When I was diagnosed as coeliac aged nine, I’d never heard of the word gluten before. Gluten isn’t one particular food type; it’s found in several grains, including wheat, barley, oats and rye. Some foods are easily discernible as containing gluten like bread, pasta, biscuits, cake and cereal. Many are less obvious and over the years I’ve become an expert in reading food labels.

Soups, sauces and chocolate bars can be thickened with gluten and the vinegar in crisps or on chips is often made of barley malt.

Coeliac disease is also hereditary. Both my Dad and Grandmother are coeliac, which made changing to a gluten free diet easier as I have family members in the same situation. The increasing range of gluten free food available from supermarkets is helpful. However, the socioeconomic impact of paying triple the price for a tiny loaf of bread is not. Almost all GP surgeries have stopped prescribing gluten free bread, flour and pasta as the NHS deem it ‘non-essential’. As these foods cost far more than a gluten-containing equivalent, and therefore a gluten free diet is now more difficult to manage for people in low income households.

In terms of student life, having coeliac disease can be restrictive, though the University of Nottingham is making positive changes. When I came to an open day, I was impressed by how knowledgeable the university halls’ catering team were, assuring me they could offer a gluten free meal plan if I went into catered living. Because I wanted to live on campus, I opted for a catered hall during my first year. I’m grateful for the attention and consideration of the catering staff in ensuring my alternative meals were gluten free and nutritious.

The main drawback was living on jacket potatoes or fries for lunch every day, with the occasional gluten free sandwich if I could find one. Although a few places on campus offered jacket potatoes, gluten free soup and cake (I highly recommend the cafe in David Ross!), my choices were a bit limited.

Reality

FOOD

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However, during my second year, Hendersans opened and offered students a dedicated gluten free, vegan and vegetarian café. This was a step in the right direction by the university as the large eateries in Portland, like Love Joes and Man’s Gourmet, didn’t seem to offer any gluten free meals.

One of the biggest difficulties for coeliacs is the risk of cross-contamination. Even slight amounts of gluten can irritate our gut and make us ill. Using the same cutlery to handle gluten and non-gluten foods or the same toaster contaminates the food. Some brands mark their food as ‘made in a factory handling gluten’ or ‘may contain gluten’ and I avoid these where possible.

Eating out is often a source of anxiety for coeliacs. During my sixth form prom, the soup starter had croutons on top and I had to request a new soup. Sometimes I feel awkward explaining I’m coeliac. I know it may sound pedantic to say I can’t have soup because it has bread on top of it, but for people with coeliac disease, cross-contamination is a genuine risk.

“Almost all GP surgeries have stopped prescribing gluten free bread, flour and pasta as the NHS deem it ‘non-essential’” Having coeliac disease means checking the tripadvisor reviews of every restaurant before you go out and contacting the staff to check what gluten free food is available. It means having to explain to friends and partners why I can’t go to certain restaurants because their menu has nothing gluten free on it. I’ve never eaten out at a buffet due to the risk of cross contamination and it’s sad to miss out on meals with friends. However, many restaurants and cafes are becoming better at offering gluten free food, and I hope eating out will continue to become more accessible to coeliacs in the future.

I can only speak from personal experience, but I don’t believe anyone who is diagnosed coeliac or gluten intolerant would choose to ‘go gluten free’.

The convenience and ease of eating on the go is what I miss the most.

Getting a meal deal is basically out the question, though I’m glad to see Spar now sell some gluten free sandwiches. Nearly every time I go out, I bring lunch with me and it amuses me to be told I’m so healthy for bringing my own soup or pasta pot.

Most foods can be replicated as gluten free, and if nothing else, there’s often a gluten free cake option in cafes. Gluten free food doesn’t always taste great; gluten free bread is notoriously unpleasant, but gluten free meals don’t have to be bland. Many meals are easily made gluten free, like risotto or homemade spaghetti bolognese with gluten free pasta. And Nutella is gluten free, which makes toast slightly more edible.

In spite of the dietary restrictions, eating a gluten free diet to manage coeliac disease has encouraged me to cook for myself and experiment with new recipes. Looking back at photos of my childhood, I was very underweight and pale before being diagnosed coeliac. Eleven years on and I am much healthier and happier because I’m able to enjoy gluten free food without getting ill.

Lauren Winson

Illustration & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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The Science Behind LGBTQQIP2SAA No, this is not the manifestation of smashing one’s head on a keyboard during exam season. This is one of the longer acronyms summating sexual orientations and gender identities.

Today, we spill the ‘T’ of this acronym.

In this case, taking a deep dive into the science behind transgenderism.

Often highly politicised, I’m going to attempt to balance the political side of gender identity with the completely rational.

Wish me luck.

Note that this is a layered topic with a multitude of terms many readers will be unfamiliar with. I’ll try my imperfect best to navigate us through it all carefully. Hold onto your hats.

First, let’s define what it means to be transgender, in the most linguistic of senses. The OED seems like the highest authority on that matter, and concludes that to be transgender is ‘Designating a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond to that person’s sex at birth, or which does not otherwise conform to conventional notions of sex and gender’.

“Men are, on average, taller, have greater muscle mass, and have a lower percentage of body fat. But, they also live about six to eight years fewer than women. Swings and roundabouts” Let’s dissect that a little.

What do we mean by ‘sex at birth’? On a basic level, it’s a doctor’s assertion based on what’s between your legs when you pop out of the womb. Male or female. This proves problematic, initially, for anywhere between the 1 in 1500 or 1 in 2000 people who emerge as intersex. Still, though, as an objective standard, it works.

Chromosomally speaking, an objective standard

exists again. If you’re an XX, you’re a woman. If you’re an XY, you’re a man. Once more, there are the odd exceptions. An XXY, or a lone X. But these are rare, again. Male and female exist as the core biological categorisations, and certainly have physiological relevance. Maintained until puberty, these two sex categorisations differ in the increased amount of body hair on men, and the commencing of periods in women, both fuelled by hormonal differences. Men are, on average, taller, have greater muscle mass, and have a lower percentage of body fat. But, they also live about six to eight years fewer than women. Swings and roundabouts.

This binary division, that between man and woman, lays basis for the term ‘cisgender’, meaning ‘Designating a person whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds to his or her sex at birth’.

“For the whole of human history, just about, this binary division has gone relatively unquestioned” For the whole of human history, just about, this binary division has gone relatively unquestioned.

Even today, in areas of the world where human rights and individual freedom remain repressed, society lacks time to consider gender identity, as the focus remains on staying alive. However, in the Western world, binary distinctions are now being routinely challenged. Our Western society, thankfully, is becoming increasingly accepting of those whose ‘personal identity’ ‘does not correspond’ to their ‘sex at birth’.

But, to many, particularly outside the liberal and progressive bubble of university life, it is a radical idea.

And, it is science that people tend to cite when expressing concerns about transgenderism. Many point to gender dysphoria, the medical term for the distress felt when this initial mismatch between gender identity and biological sex is first experienced, as a mental health disorder that needs treating so those feelings go away. Current treatment supports transition for the person so they feel more aligned with their gender identity, as opposed to more aligned with their biological sex, which leads to the terms ‘trans man’ (a biological woman identifying as a man) and ‘trans

SCIENCE

d Gender Identity woman’ (a biological man identifying as a woman). Those reluctant to accept multiple genders point to some of the facts referred to earlier regarding the biological differences between men and women, arguing that such physical differences mean that anyone born a man cannot ever truly refer to themselves as a woman (or visa versa), no matter how strongly that sense of ‘personal identity’ may stress otherwise. The controversial debate regarding whether trans women have an advantage when competing in female-only events adds content to this conversation.

“One must also acknowledge the revolutions in science that have facilitated improvements in the quality of life of transgenders” People often forget, though, that there is much science out there that wholly supports the idea of gender identity too.

There is a genetic basis for gender identity. Twin studies are often used to show whether a trait is genetic or environmental (due to the fact that identical twins share 100% of the same chromosomes, whilst fraternal only half).

Identical twins are more likely than fraternal twins to both be transgender, rather than just the one twin, implying that this is a result of genetic factors, as opposed to environmental ones. There is evidence too that the brains of transgender women resemble those of cisgender men, denouncing the viewpoint that transgender identity is a choice.

One must also acknowledge the revolutions in science that have facilitated improvements in the quality of life of transgenders. Sex reassignment surgery, whilst still not perfect, remarkably allows one to live with their preferred genitalia. Hormonal treatment continues to improve, helping people feel more comfortable in their bodies and allowing their identity to become fully realised. In years to come, and with the increasing awareness of people departing from the binary norms, one can only expect these measures to allow the quality of life of transgenders to continue improving.

Science can be used, justifiably, to argue for and against gender binaries, and this distinction between what constitutes biological sex and what

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constitutes gender identity remains an important one. What remains now is to consider this science in a socially relevant context.

Fundamentally, the concept of gender identity remains a new idea to many, and it shows. For example, transgender hate crime rose by 37 percent in 2018-19, higher than any other increase in hate crime.

This is unacceptable.

Discrimination still very much exists, and appears, unfortunately, to be on the up (though this could be due to people’s increasing comfortability in expressing their desired identity). This being said, it is wrong to brand anyone who even begins to question the concept of gender identity as ‘transphobic’. Concerns about trans women being allowed in female changing rooms should be heard, whilst a person who questions whether it is socially viable for there to be the 71 genders Facebook indicates exist, is simply utilising common sense.

“A person who questions whether it is socially viable for there to be the 71 genders Facebook indicates exist, is simply utilising common sense” Freedom for people to comfortably express themselves is paramount. The University of Nottingham remains an open and welcoming place for all. One can only be happy that the science does support that.

Joe Paternoster

Graphic & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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A Soulful Reunion in the Middle East

Ryan discusses his personal experience of solo-travelling.

In November 2018, I was experiencing one of the lowest points of my life thus far. Six months prior, my mother had died from heart disease. Only a month prior, my boyfriend had dumped me. So, it’s safe to say I was in a pretty insensible state.

In fact, through losing them, I ended up losing myself. They say grief is a dislocating entity and they’re not wrong. Six weeks before Christmas and I was sick of looking in the mirror and seeing a husk glare back at me. I was sick of living each day in autopilot, being an arrow operating in aimless direction. I knew something had to be done. And fast.

“I decided to let impulsivity rule the roost for a change” I decided to let impulsivity rule the roost for a change and booked a one-week holiday in Egypt.

My heart wanted a respite from routine, and I had to listen to it. My father came with me on the holiday, but from the get-go, I knew he would only want to lounge around the pool. If I wanted to go and see the relics in the Egyptian Museum or sail down the Nile I would have to partake in such endeavours by myself.

Upon arrival at our resort, I signed myself up for a myriad of excursions and

activities, somewhat terrified of spending lengthy days in my own company. What if something went wrong and I didn’t know what to do? What if I was robbed or kidnapped or got into an altercation with a rogue camel? I knew other holidaymakers would be on the trips with me, but I wouldn’t know them, and I suffered from capricious social anxiety at the time. I firmly believed that in order for me to milk this experience to its optimum, I would need a close companion. My solitude would only seal up the udder.

“What if I was robbed or kidnapped or got into an altercation with a rogue camel?”

However, over the course of the seven days I spent travelling around Egypt, I began to realise solitude was my best friend. At the museums and archaeological exhibitions, I wandered off, peacefully awe-struck by the impressive craftsmanship and architecture. At the Giza Plateau, I stood up to an aggressive vendor who tried to blackmail me into buying blocks of wood, prompted by my lack of external support.

At the Valley of the Kings, I dared myself to speak to a curator in Tutankhamun’s tomb, feeling a sense of pride that was cultivated solely by myself. By the end of the trip, I felt renewed, because I realised that by experiencing these wonderful expeditions by myself, I had forced a self-reconnection. There had been no consistent distraction; no excuse for me to remain lost. I could only ever truly rely on me when I was in these foreign environments alone and so a resurrection of the spirit was inevitable.

If executed safely, solo travelling allows us to flourish in a way no other form of travelling could permit. It allows for psychological rejuvenation. It forces profound introspection. It offers a mechanic for the soul.

Ryan James Keane

Graphic & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

TRAVEL

What Does Your Subject Say About Your Typical Holiday?

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English student – A city break to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam; a city of romance. A common site of interest for many movies on the silver screen, with picturesque and ‘insta-worthy’ scenery to explore.

You would find the typical English student wistfully reading a Jane Austen novel on the famous Fault in Our Stars bench to live out their 13-year-old fantasy. Most likely, they are wearing a pair of Doc Marten boots and a ditsy flower summer dress, thinking about their next adventure to a smoky café to try the new fresh cappuccino.

Business student – Ibiza.

The typical business student seems to be a non-stop party animal, and will do anything for the sesh.

Ibiza is the ideal holiday for them: out all night and sleeping all day for the ultimate escape. Get ready for cheap clubs with dodgy drinks from 10pm to 6am. Ready to see the sunrise before finally collapsing into bed? That’s every night for the business student. Will go hard and post 10 hours’ worth of snapchat stories purely to flex their ‘wild trip with the lads’ the second that they’re back in the UK.

Law Student – New York.

Now, we all know why the Law student is taking this History Student – Rome. degree right? The career When in Rome, go see the historical sites! For the earns big. I mean BIG. So, a typical History student, Rome is jam-packed with quick flight in business class to ancient insights and gems, including the New York would be the perfect fit for the Law world-famous Colosseum, Vatican, and St. Peter’s student - they can afford to splash the cash on Basilica. The typical history student constantly a far-away destination. They will most definitely carries around a notepad and pen wherever they spend all their holiday shopping, particularly in go, just in case they needed to write down Gucci and Prada, scouting for that designer bum important historical facts for the coursework bag ready to flex at the next night out in Notts. they’ve been avoiding the whole trip.

Classic Snapchat photos will always include The Statue of Liberty.

Fashion Student – Paris.

Ah, Paris: the home of Paris Fashion week. Catch “Will go hard and post students flooding in to catch a glimpse of the trendiest 10 hours’ worth of styles and exciting fashion choices, while praying for snapchat stories the chance to spot a celebrity walking the red carpet.

Paris is perfect for the typical Fashion student due to purely to flex their the insane amount of ‘Instagrammable’ features. ‘wild trip with the Polaroids are essential for this trip, paired with a lads’” gorgeous new beret or head scarf to give off the ‘chic’ look when wandering around town in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, someone will finally model scout you for the next runway show.

Isabelle Hunter

Graphic & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

Images courtesy of AltPhotos.com

We all love a good holiday. Whether it’s a short city trip with your best pals, the ultimate party and ‘sesh’ holiday, a beach holiday, or 2 weeks with the family, we can’t seem to get enough of them.

Consequently, I’ve devised the ultimate guide for the perfect student holiday solely depending on your degree. Enjoy!

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PLACES THAT Student Life

Highfields Park Thoughts are marathons and desks too close I follow my feet down rabbit-bitten slopes down steps from another era, a glimpse of tarmac across the lake seems so far away…

Impact’s poets explore student life in Nottingham: from favourite locations to living in a student house to treks to Tesco Express.

circular route scenic no matter the season duckweed and decades-old trees a retreat from the rush of living in double time heartbeats and seconds never slowing until I watch the lake rippling, lapping upon its banks.

In summer boats come and go, orange as duck beaks.

Along the route I side step ducks who wander past, watch webbed feet plop into puddles.

There is an open green gate and stepping stones dappled with damp in late September sunlight.

A moment’s reflection does the heron look back at you elegant upon a rock?

Lauren Winson

Tesco Express Outside: cars at a standstill; Inside: pizza and ping meals.

Outside: Notts castle on a hill; Inside: some reet bargains concealed.

Outside: Bloody pavement’s a mess; Inside: It’s a Tesco Express.

Myron Winter-Brownhill

MADE US:

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in Nottingham

Thou shalt always offer tea when making for oneself - otherwise one is an a**hole.

Thou shalt not steal from cupboards. Anything on the side or counter tops is free game.

Thou shalt have a maximum of 5 dirty mugs in their room at a time. Anymore and the entire house suffers as a result.

Thou shalt make pleasantries in the kitchen, even if the smile is more forced than the button on your jeans after Christmas dinner.

Thou shalt not yell at ‘Alexa’ if she doesn’t understand your song request. She is a valued member of your house.

Thou shalt always have an ‘open-door’ policy for those who are in need of advice, sympathy, or a bed to cry in.

Emily Hall

Image sourced from Flickr

The ‘Student House’ Commandments

Hockley Take a gander down Goose Gate these streets reveal something old, new, borrowed or blue, once a lace industry, now repurposed vintage clothes in Victorian buildings display windows a blur of colour bright as the rainbow painted upon cobbles a turquoise typewriter and donated desk in Sue Ryder, salvaged second hand books, sustainable fashion between quirky cafes. Innocuous in appearance, Hockley only reveals itself to the intrepid: look a little closer, an empty space may be an arena for one-night raves, spoken word poetry, a guitar riff you can’t quite forget.

Lauren Winson

Images & Page Design by Nina Shasha

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Artistic Licence vs Cultural Appropriation: Identity in Fiction Robert examines the complexity of representing identities outside one’s own in literature.

What do nearly-murdered orphans, sock-deprived slaves and arachnophobic gingers have in common? Besides the fact that they’re all blessed with better luck than the people who paid to watch ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’, they refer specifically to things that J.K. Rowling isn’t.

Yet, it would be pointless to criticise Rowling for writing characters struggling with experiences and identities worlds away from her own given the fantastical nature of the genre and setting they inhabit and the common-sense belief among most readers that fiction is like a globalist utopia or an irritating friend: entirely without boundaries. But when those experiences and identities are socially sensitive, when they have the capacity to gravely offend or lend much-needed representation to readers from marginalised minorities –say, when a white and wealthy middle-aged author tries to pull off the voice of a black teenage schoolgirl– the line between promoting diversity and respecting divides becomes a slippery one to walk.

“The crucial variable here is accuracy. Empathy might be universal, but without the requisite research it’s muddied by misconception” The conundrum is that in order to convincingly pull off that black teenage girl’s voice, the author must first put it on. Appropriation involves approximation, meaning the result is bound to be imperfect. Though, in the words of author Elizabeth Gilbert, “perfectionism is just fear in fancy shoes” – in this case, the understandable fear of misrepresenting the idiolects, habits and hardships of black readers and looking racist as a result. To have a passionate readership at all is a rare and powerful privilege, particularly when, according to the Guardian, the British publishing

market is dominated by a 93.7% white status quo.

As literary icon Uncle Ben once observed, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Namely, the responsibility of writers to do their research.

Skin colour isn’t like hair colour, sock size or steak preference; it’s not just a character trait, an aesthetic detail or a plot point. It carries a whole history of cultural baggage, of proud traditions and painful memories, of assumptions in the mind of the reader over which the writer has absolutely no control. Hence, when white writers actively (or in Rowling’s case, retroactively) assign their characters arbitrary colours and creeds without bothering to explore how those identities might affect their every interaction, many readers bristle and bubble with rage.

“Just as the worst autobiographies are concealed fictions, the worst works of fiction are concealed autobiographies” The crucial variable here is accuracy. Empathy might be universal, but without the requisite research it’s muddied by misconception. Award-winning children’s author Cynthia Smith urges a policy of reading at least 100 books by members of a character’s culture, w hether it be working class Welshmen or West Indian women, before attempting to put pen to paper. Although daunting, such thorough precautions stave off the tendency among novice novelists to cherry-pick only the most distinctive,

ARTS

superficial, and narratively expedient parts of a foreign identity – a phenomenon dubbed ‘exotica’.

Staunch defenders of artistic licence argue characters are purely creations, not appropriations. Fiction doesn’t replicate reality –that’s the job of nonfiction– it represents reality with plausible lies, a job altogether easier to do but harder to do well. And the laziest, lowest form of creation is surely to regurgitate one’s own life experiences like some naval-gazing narcissist, changing only the names and the handsomeness of the narrator. Just as the worst autobiographies are concealed fictions, the worst works of fiction are concealed autobiographies. The glibly clichéd advice of simply ‘writing what you know’ removes imagination from the equation of storytelling and risks replacing outward-looking empathy with uninspired self-indulgence.

Moreover, the claim that only X can write about X might seem reasonable intuitively, but it smuggles in the sinister implication that X can only write about X. Earlier this month, a heated hullabaloo erupted across social media and literary outlets over the well-intentioned but slightly shoddy drama-thriller American Dirt, whose white-Latino author Jeanine Cummins woke up one morning to find her reputation irreparably bruised by a barrage of one-star death threats. Her crime? Making her main characters Mexican migrants. Her critics argued that because she’d had no personal experience inside Mexican culture and had never herself been in the position of a penniless immigrant forced to flee lawless cartels, she had no right or reason to tell the tale she wanted to tell. And because of this cultural disconnect, her story was stained with ugly tropes and stereotypes like that of the American Dream-chasing foreigner, whose plight can be solved by the monolithic white saviour known as Amurrrica. A quintessential case of

assumption trumping insight.

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Are there certain stories, certain unhealed societal pressure points, that white cisgendered heterosexual writers just shouldn’t touch with an ego-length pole? (I ask, blushingly belonging to exactly that bullet-point bundle of privileges). Well, to quote Douglas Adams, “I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don’t know the answer.”

The Nobel Prize-winning Polish poet Winslawa Szimborska famously wrote that “whatever inspiration is, it’s born from a continuous ‘I don’t know’”. Insatiable curiosity is the bread, butter, knife and spork of any decent writer’s trade.

Storytellers will always cross boundaries, whether equipped with a passport or not. The onus falls upon them to tread with humility, humanity, and heaps of humdrum hard work.

“Venturing outside the comfort zone of one’s own identity is a risk that requires skill, sensitivity and attention to detail – but then isn’t all artistic expression a risk?”

My personal view is that, just as squinting through a window with only partial vision reveals more than staring with perfect vision at a wall, a flawed experiment in empathy is preferable to none at all. Venturing outside the comfort zone of one’s own identity is a risk that requires skill, sensitivity and attention to detail – but then isn’t all artistic expression a risk?

Authors must reserve the right to write whatever their muses desire, to construct whatever characters, plots and settings they deem acceptable and interesting (barring obvious illegalities like defamation). But they must also consider the cost of oblivious mistakes: misrepresenting real-world cultures and identities will aggravate and alienate a great many readers and court the disdain of critics whose quotable opinions can make or break a new writer’s credibility.

Robert Nettleton

Graphic by Rachel Mortimer Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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Graphic & Page Design by Sarah MacAllan

FILM

How Identity is Constructed In

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Emily takes a look at the two identities that define the 1999 cult-classic.

Despite premiering in 1999, David Fincher’s Fight Club is arguably more relevant today than it has ever been.

“Durden evokes the early Starring Brad Pitt and Edward Nor“hunterton, the film tells the story of the unnamed Narrator (Norton) who is gatherer” dissatisfied with his white-collar job figure which is and monotonous lifestyle. As a result, still an he resorts to using support groups in a bid to find some emotional release. archetype some After a year, however, it is still not deem to be the enough. This leads to the formation ultimate image of an underground fight club with Tyler Durden (Pitt), a charming soap of masculinity” salesman the Narrator first encounters on a plane.

Stop reading now if you do not want the film’s ending to be spoilt.

This love of commodities is a big part of modern identity construction whether we intend it to be or not. Following the latest fashion in clothes, home décor and food is so effortless that we can pick up and lose trends more easily than ever before. It becomes easy to lose yourself in it, meaning it becomes easier for it to define who you are. This leaves the questions: do you truly like something or are you going with it for the sake of looking good to others?

Does owning the latest clothes or furniture actually make you happy?

Fincher and Palahniuk (authors of the source novel) seemingly give us the answer as the Narrator’s attempt to fill his emotional void with such is unsuccessful. Consumerist culture, at least as it’s presented in the film, is empty.

Narrator and Durden are the same Durden’s identity, on the other hand, is person. Two personalities. One the opposite. He only needs the bare body. In the film’s first chapter, minimum to be happy, as demonstrated the Narrator’s half of this split by his preference to live in a rundown persona reflects on how deeply house rather than the nice, IKEAentrenched he has become in furnished condo. Durden evokes the mainstream society’s early “hunter-gatherer” figure which materialistic lifestyle. He is still an archetype some deem to continuously flicks through be the ultimate image of catalogue after masculinity. An archetype that catalogue going so far Norton’s character evidently as to contemplate yearns to be, as demonstrated the kind of dining “This love of commodities is a

by Durden’s creation. set that defines him as a person. big part of modern identity Here, Fight Club comments In other words: construction whether we intend it on the struggle of forming what “should” to be or not” a strong identity in a world complete him. where humanity fauns over commodities but loses themselves in the process.

Emily Wong Graphic & Page Design by Chiara Crompton

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GAMING

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Jack Richardson

Illustrations & Page Design by Holly Marr

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The Dangers of Appropriating Culture in the Music Industry We see it everywhere nowadays, throughout music genres, but what is the real impact of cultural appropriation on the consumers and on the minority groups affected? Ryan James Keane investigates.

The term “cultural appropriation” is pretty commonplace in today’s society. All anyone has to do is log onto Twitter and they’ll probably see a story trending about an artist who has allegedly committed it. To some, it is “faux-woke nonsense”; a concept so inconsequential it doesn’t even deserve consideration. To others, it is an incredibly serious issue, and reflects a society hell-bent on twisting perceptions of identity. Initially, I used to view it as the former. I thought it was just people nit-picking, being bored and finding something to get upset about. However, the more I researched it, the more my opinion on the matter changed. I realise now that cultural appropriation, especially in the music industry, is dangerous and has lasting effects on minority groups.

“Cultural appropriation, especially in the music industry, is dangerous and has lasting effects on minority groups” For those who have never heard of such a concept or aren’t sure what it means, the term refers to a situation where people of a certain culture take elements of other people’s and include them in their art, style or everyday lives. In this sense, an American of European origin having a Native American dreamcatcher in their room, or a white woman having cornrows can be considered examples of cultural appropriation. In this sense, appropriating culture can be analogous to stealing it, especially if someone (say, a musical artist) doesn’t credit the genesis of the items incorporated into their endeavours.

“In essence, society has always found ways to weaken the emotional and physical endurance of native people. If they are seen to be pre-colonial, they are seen to be devoid of value” If we consider this in the context of music videos, we may picture Katy Perry decked in Egyptian-style clothing in “Dark Horse”, or Lana Del Rey donning a Native American headdress in “Ride”. We may then say, “Well, even if it can be considered a form of theft, is it not more annoying than harmful?”. But putting stock into this line of thinking means we are symptomatic of the social system that continues to belittle and op press minority groups within society. In fact, before we examine why appropriation is more dangerous in the music industry, we need to examine why it’s dangerous in general.

Many examples could be given, but for now, let’s consider the plights of indigenous peoples around the world throughout history. In Australia, the frontier wars gave host to the brutal and intentional decimation of the country’s aboriginals.

In Canada, First Nations children were stripped from loving homes and placed in residential schools, forced to assimilate into Euro-centric value systems and broader ways of life. In essence, society has always found ways to weaken the emotional and physical endurance of native people. If they are seen to be pre-colonial, they are seen to be devoid of value. There has been an incessant emphasis on the “importance” of assimilation and racism has played a fundamental part in this.

MUSIC

We also have to consider that this abhorrent behaviour of subjugation and belittlement occurs even to this day. Take Standing Rock for example. In 2017, the Trump administration continued to build the Dakota Access Pipeline through the native-owned area, much to its population’s disgust, and once the media realised the story was becoming a little old, they dropped it. Imagine how the world abruptly turning a blind eye to your tribulations can set a precedent of alienation for you and your people.

Now imagine how it must feel for a person of indigenous identity to be living on an underfunded reservation, dealing with a higher chance of health issues thanks to the racist, oppressive system that has affected your genetics through diet reconfiguration, and seeing a white American walking around wearing indigenous jewellery. It’s a slap in the face. Salt in the wound.

For centuries, your culture has been experiencing erosion at the hand of white people, and now they’re walking around the local supermarket sporting it. How is this not a problem? How is this justifiable?

We also have to remember that identity exists in relation to other people’s self-perception. In other words, we identify in a certain way, because we are excluding another. Therefore, identity becomes meaningless if we see everyone else trying to replicate our own, and if we lose our sense of identity, this is going to have dire consequences for our mental health.

The music industry is colossal, and music more generally has an even bigger outreach. “Dark Horse” has accumulated 2.7 billion views on YouTube alone.

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The image of a white, American Katy Perry sitting on a Sphinx-esque throne has been seen by more than 2/7 of the world’s population. Let that sink in.

When artists, notably those with large fanbases, are sending out these kinds of subliminal messages that appropriating culture is edgy, we can only expect the subjugation and mental health issues of minority groups to deepen.

“Therefore, identity becomes meaningless if we see everyone else trying to replicate our own, and if we lose our sense of identity, this is going to have dire consequences for our mental health” Of course, most of these artists dressing up in foreign or indigenous clothing aren’t doing so to be malicious. I highly doubt Lana Del Rey put on a Native American headdress for her music video just to upset the native community. As a self-confessed fan, I’ve researched a lot about her, and can deduce that her character has little malevolence. But not every Native American will see it this way. Not every person viewing that music video is going to be truly aware of the history behind that headpiece. Like much of its cultural partners, its narrative has become lost to the wind, leaving yet another incident of appropriation to thrive.

“Intent isn’t always fool-proof, and content being offered to the masses possesses copious power” Ultimately, we just have to be careful with the items and styles we dabble with, especially for those of us pursuing musical careers. There really is a danger of inciting blips in identity for minority groups and rubbing the nettles of oppressive histories into their faces. Intent isn’t always fool-proof, and content being offered to the masses possesses copious power. Anyone should be free to consume culture. But when we are putting it on display through the media of songs and music videos, we need to be more meticulous with whose culture we’re showcasing.

Ryan James Keane

Graphic & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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IMPACT

Striking a Chord: Musicians that aren’t Afraid to Change

Myron explores the musicians who have made the most of their platform to reinvent themselves, both musically and aesthetically.

It’s not unusual for musicians to adjust their sound as their career progresses, and it can often make a returning artist more exciting to check out. But what about musicians that take it to the next level; musicians that seem to change not just what music they make, but who they are?

One of the most significant examples of this happening is David Bowie. A musical chameleon, Bowie changed his brand and identity an astounding number of times.

“A musical chameleon, Bowie changed his brand and identity an astounding number of times” Bowie started relatively quietly with a self-titled folk album when, all of a sudden, bang. Glam. In 1971, Bowie became the androgynous space-rockstar Ziggy Stardust, from his concept album of the same name. Abruptly retiring the persona on stage in 1973, Ziggy was succeeded by Aladdin Sane, sporting that famous lightning bolt across his face. Then, along with 1984-inspired album Diamond Dogs, Bowie became the eye-patched Halloween Jack from Hunger City. In following years, Bowie ditched the mullet, dyed his hair orange and started making soul music. Due to an unhealthy reliance on cocaine, Bowie next became the moody, lonesome and dangerously underweight Thin White Duke.

This was just two years after Ziggy was retired, and he still had over 15 albums yet to release.

Bowie has said that creating characters through which to perform has served to deal with the nerves of being on-stage. Though you might say that those characters aren’t just an outer mask, but a part of Bowie himself: he took ‘A Space Oddity’s’ Major Tom all the way to his final album, Blackstar.

One of 2019’s most acclaimed albums is another great example of artistic reinvention: Tyler, the

Creator’s IGOR. On it, Tyler becomes Igor, tossing and turning his way through a distressing breakup.

Igor’s striking suit and wig fashion a unique identity, and Tyler’s live performances ooze with this vibrant personality.

Though Tyler is still often called a rapper, IGOR is barely a hip-hop album and the Tyler we know today is a far cry from the Tyler of old, whose boisterous and shamelessly offensive albums like Goblin and Bastard got him banned from the UK. Now he can call himself a Grammy winner, and as Tyler has grown and matured, so has his music.

The Beatles also revised their identity, though more musically than physically. In the 1960s, the fab four went from a pop group who made dance-hall friendly tracks, to an experimental band playing around with the conventions they had previously embodied.

From Rubber Soul onwards, The Beatles’ work became increasingly inventive. Revolver was a landmark psychedelic record that still tops best album lists today, and Abbey Road played with the pop form, such as with the medleys that populate the album’s second half.

Whilst these are just a handful of high-profile examples of reinvention through music, music has no doubt led to countless listeners reinventing themselves in turn, providing proof that music doesn’t just sound good, it does good too.

Myron Winter-Brownhill

Illustration by Rachel Mortimer Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

SPORT

The Difference Between University and College Sport

From British eyes, the American system, where your identity gets wrapped up with university sport, can seem very alien.

However, when you consider the roots of professional sports in the country, particularly the two where this dynamic is most at play, this all begins to make much more sense.

The most popular sports at university level, American football and basketball, were both invented and initially adopted by universities in the 20th century. The big professional leagues growing out of these sports had limitations to start off with: The NBA and NFL took a long time to grow south and west, with some areas, that are long standing hotbeds of these sports, only getting professional teams in the 1980s or 1990s if ever. The hotbeds for university sport tend to be the areas that were historically underserved for various reasons, whether that be distance from league heartlands, population density or other financial factors. Whether you have an NFL or NBA franchise with a recent maximum team limit of around 32, is dependent on a number of factors away from the pitch. Whether you have a significant university American football or basketball team isn’t limited in the same way, with 128 in the top division of the former and even more in the latter.

“The closest similarity in many ways for the American system in this country isn’t university sport, but rather the lower leagues” The closest similarity in many ways for the American system in this country isn’t university sport, but rather the lower leagues. As sport in this country grew out of organising games with long histories or offshoots from certain schools, it meant that associations of clubs were

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created that pre-dated league structures. Many of the older clubs in football were something for cricket clubs to do in winter or workers creating a team, such as Arsenal and Manchester United. A pyramid structure grew with the sport meaning that regions (of a much smaller country) couldn’t be excluded in the way that the American south and west were with the NFL and NBA. The sport grew into leagues in a more organic fashion.

Rather than the South Eastern Conference providing much of the highest level of a game in a significant chunk of the country, areas like the midlands or the southwest can be represented in the middle tiers of the Football League.

Beyond the mechanics though, there is also how this works from an emotional perspective. By having a far greater number of universities to choose from at every level, and the greater financial investment, where you choose to go is a significant statement. When your university of choice is a grander statement and there are differences in the sporting culture more broadly, it is only natural for the bond you create with your sport to be greater. When you grew up watching the Tigers or Bulldogs, with the nearest professional side hundreds of miles away in a different state, they are your team more than any from a major professional league.

Callum McPhail

Graphic & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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IMPACT

What the Changing Popularity of Sports Says about Society While in this country, outside of a couple of geographic exceptions, football rules the roost when it comes to sporting primacy, elsewhere the national pastime is truly up for grabs. How this has changed across the pond, and how this has transferred to this country, shows how our changing identities as a society is reflected in our sporting culture.

In Canada this title is undisputed in much the same way as it is here. Ice hockey rules the day with barely any competition, even with basketball in the ascendancy this century with the increasingly established presence of an NBA team. Both of these do show the power of growing up playing a particular sport in the same way that football dominates here. In the US however, “When the game is the top mostly transmitted spot in the hierarthrough narrative chy has summaries in been very much up newspapers or on the for grabs radio, these slightly less in ways that reflect telegenic but drama shifting heavy sports thrived” priorities.

The localised prominence of ice hockey shows the same factors as both rugby codes in this country, that weather and culture play a huge part in the appetite and integration of some sports, leaving both in a distinct and lasting secondary position. Baseball then stood as the original holder of the title of the national pastime in much the same way that

cricket did in the same pre-war era in this country.

When the game is mostly transmitted through narrative summaries in newspapers or on the radio, these slightly less telegenic but drama heavy sports thrived.

Without having many alternative channels or options instead of watching or attending the game, those emptier moments serve to draw you in or simply spend some time in the sun during these summer sports.

With the rise of television and as the leagues aged however, the kinetic nationwide sports took over.

The NFL merged with the AFL, created the Super Bowl as a centralised climax to the season and simply served as a superior television product.

Generally speaking sports evolve more when they are younger, and at this point baseball and cricket were the best part of a century old, with limited overs cricket only being innovated in the 60’s. So with both football being more telegenic due to the relatively non stop action of one and the natural breaks “The prolonged gaps in allowing for analysis in action of these the other, established sports the allowed the opening for prolonged gaps in new sports to capture action the public’s attention” of these established sports allowed the opening for new sports to capture the public’s attention.

The final iteration has been the rise of the NBA and the Premier League. The high drama of both of these means they sell themselves, partnered well with the rise of the internet and dedicated sports channels. These two continued the trend of fresher leagues driving interest more, along with the changing media landscape pushing this further. The internet and social media have paired well with both, the nightly highlights of the long basketball season are perfect for sharing clips.

The diminishing of barriers between fans and the increased accessibility of their teams have helped shape and change football fandom.

Callum McPhail

Graphic & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

SPORT

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A Guide to University Sport Stereotypes Everyone has met someone who plays sport at university. Whether you’re waiting for the bus next to someone wearing a green jumper with their sport on the bicep, running into a team in the gym or your neighbour in freshers who went to a session and were completely hooked, you’ve come across one of them. Everyone also “knows” certain things about certain sports and teams.

Some of these stereotypes are more idiosyncratic to Nottingham than others. There are sports with national stereotypes, like rugby and hockey having the reputation of being posher than your average.

You have the “rugby lad” figure, with the attendant stories, everywhere you have rugby clubs. On the other hand, you see teams going to a particular place together on Wednesdays or recognise the distinctive appearance of University of Nottingham sport gear and the stereotypes that that leads to.

“Seemingly everyone who has ever stepped foot into a training session for any team has ended up with some kind of gear” The standout across all the different teams is the gear. Seemingly everyone who has ever stepped foot into a training session for any team has ended up with some kind of gear. It could be a fleece or jacket with the team name on, which results in all the looks to see what sport and whether the person “matches” it, or something more distinctive like a team hoodie.

These then become what everyone rolls out of bed and puts on. You can tell when an order comes in as then you have a flood of brand new ones out and about on campus at the same time. Everyone then has their own theories about who wears this gear more than others, whether it’s about everyone from a given sport, or a subset of sports more broadly.

“You’ll also undoubtedly have seen some of them out seemingly every Wednesday or Friday night. The only way these two things can be true is that they’re working hard and playing harder” Foremost, among all the sporting stereotypes is the work hard, play hard mentality. The two places you are most likely to see someone who plays a sport are in and around DRSV or on a night out. If you then personally know one of these people you’ll have heard about the early runs or the evening training sessions or the extra hours they have to put in beyond even that. You’ll also undoubtedly have seen some of them out seemingly every Wednesday or Friday night. The only way these two things can be true is that they’re working hard and playing harder, with their degree potentially being put on the back burner.

Everyone’s got their own views on different teams or university sport more generally. They can just be among your group of friends if you’ve seen a specific team out and about a few places, or it can be a general assumption about the whole enterprise. Some of these are pretty on the money, but others couldn’t be further from the truth.

Callum McPhail

Graphic & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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IMPACT

HOMOPHOBIA Football in England is one of the most prominent industries in the country, and whilst it continues to develop in many ways, its struggle with homophobia continues. In what now feels like an issue discussed every year with little progress made, creating a welcoming environment for a homosexual man to play professional football in, has proved challenging and it’s an issue that casts a big shadow over ‘the beautiful game’.

As old as the sport itself, homophobia within men’s football, particularly in England, has harmed the lives of some who have dared to come out. The first and perhaps most notable is former Norwich City player Joshua Fashanu who came out as gay in 1990. His decision proved to be fatal as he killed himself 8 years later after he suffered years of abuse from other players, fans and managers. Were there to be any players at the time who had thought to come out, the treatment of Fashanu would have surely discouraged the idea. Consequently, the other men who have played in any of the main divisions in England and come out as gay, have only done so long into their retirement. Fast forward 30 years later from Fashanu, and not very much has changed. Over the last year, there has been an increase in the number of hate crimes in football stadiums in the UK. Kick it out (an independent body which primarily exists to fight discrimination in football) report that in the previous year ‘discrimination related to sexual orientation increased by 12 per cent’. A deplorable statistic, particularly considering the fact that outer society is as inclusive as it’s ever been.

“Why is there such a disparity between men’s and women’s football in relation to homophobia?”

“At present, there is not a single openly gay player in men’s football in England”

At present, there is not a single openly gay player in men’s football in England. In comparison, there seems to be a lot less homophobia in the women’s game, with many over the years being relatively comfortable coming out as gay or bisexual, a luxury that is not replicated for the men.

Being able to express your true self shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be the standard. Why is there such a disparity between men’s and women’s football in relation to homophobia? One could look at the difference between the type of fans both attract. With fans of the women’s game tending to be very diverse and inclusive, in the men’s side, there still exists a subgroup of male fans who maintain the archaic view of football only being for a particular type of man, leading to the insults of those who do not fit the bill.

There is no doubt that fan behaviour is the biggest hindrance of progress in reaching total inclusivity, as although many could even be aware of how we ought to treat homosexuals in wider society, any chance of decorum is thrown out of the window when inside the stadium.

SPORT

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IN FOOTBALL Some fans claim that the slurs they shout at players is never anything personal or even particularly homophobic, they’re just words that they’ve become accustomed to saying. That is worrying for two reasons; it signals that there is still a lack of overall education on or awareness of sexual oppression and discrimination and, it shows just how deep homophobia runs in football, that it’s now just seen as a part of the game. A recent match in non-league football saw Village Manchester FC—known for being a very welcoming team for men of all sexualities— subjected to derogatory abuse, not just from the opposing fans but also from the opposing players on the pitch. James Wilson, a VMFC player was quoted saying that “It was one of the most homophobic experiences I’ve had playing football’. This was a non-league game, you could only imagine the increased abuse that must occur in much bigger stadiums in division football, and there has not been enough done to stop it. It is clear the treatment of many LGBTQ fans and players comes from the fact that football is a hotbed for excessive machismo and that seeps into people’s judgement of those who take part in it but don’t embody that trait.

Perhaps if people were to be made aware of the weight and gravity some of the words being flung out held, there would be a shift in behaviour.

It may be unfair to say that the FA have stood back and watched. They’ve launched various campaigns in a bid to end homophobia and they took the initiative to start a discourse on it early on. There is no doubt the level of abuse has dropped since the 80’s and 90’s, there is however still a very long way “More has to be done in the to go for football and it’s not going to be solved by just having a conversation about it now and again. way of punishing fans who More has to be done in the way of punishing fans utter derogatory remarks who utter derogatory remarks during a game as during a game as well as well as increasing education for fans. In the wider context of football, far too often, the FA , as well as increasing education for fans” UEFA and FIFA particularly, have been lax in their approach.

“The question of how much They’ve also football really cares is there shown remarkable to be asked” ignorance to the issue at hand. Why is the next world cup in Qatar?

Why was the last one in Russia? Two countries that have made it explicitly clear their position on homosexuality, so much so that many queer fans— having not been ensured of their safety by FIFA—have decided to boycott the next world cup.

The question of how much football really cares about this issue is there to be asked, especially if they continue to be so blasé. The harming of one’s sense of self-identity or expression is one of the worst things that could happen to an individual and that is what football runs the risk of continuing if more serious action is not taken.

Frequently endorsed as the global sport and one for everyone, at this moment in time, it’s a long way off that mark.

Ben Ofungwu

Graphic & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

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IMPACT

IDENTITY In SPORT

This article discusses what it means to be identifiable through a sport and the impact that can have on an individual.

Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Simone Biles. Three of the biggest athletes in the sporting world. As LeBron James would immediately have us know, they are more than just athletes, of course they are, but at the same time it is almost impossible to see those three names and not think of Tiger Woods sinking yet another 100 yard putt, Roger Federer hitting one of his trademark backhands, or Simone Biles defying the laws of physics yet again. Certainly, not everyone would reach the dizzying heights these athletes have set, but an equal dedication to a sport could still earn them a tag of one known almost exclusively by that sport they play.

“The extent to which one is recognised by the sport they play is known as Athlete identity” We all know a few of them: ‘Taiwo the Rugby guy’, ‘Mo the tennis whizz’, or ‘Hanna the gym freak’. The extent to which one is recognised by the sport they play is known as Athlete identity. Of course, it’s completely natural that the more you participate in something, the more that becomes a part of you.

Athlete identity isn’t particularly a good or a bad thing, it all depends on the way you choose to look at it. On the one hand, a strong sense of belonging to a sport could bring about a resulting extra motivation that influences your performance, as well as provide a feeling of comfort when playing. On the same basis, however, failure at this sport, which in many ways defines you, could prove to be too damaging to accept at times.

Following from that, it seems as though only being known by the sport you play does a disservice to the rest of one’s personality. Being acknowledged through the sport you love might be warming, but it also must be frustrating when that one part of you starts to completely overshadow the other parts that still embody you. There is a hole that you fall into as soon as your attachment to a sport is recognised, it almost seems to limit your capabilities of being recognised for other qualities. And, as is the case with most things, the stereotyping ensues: from perhaps being classed as the dim-witted sports guy to being known only as the girl who spends way too much time at the gym. There isn’t much to suggest that identifying so closely with a sport puts out the best image of oneself.

“There isn’t much to suggest that identifying so closely with a sport puts out the best image of oneself” Outside of all that, however, an even bigger problem is, what next after this sport? For many, the inability to continue with a sport—for whatever reason, from injury or retirement— that they’ve formed such a strong bond with, leads to a feeling of a loss of self-identity. This eventuality is all too real for those who have invested heavily in a sport professionally or otherwise.

The next question tends to revolve around; well, who else am I? For some, continuing their love affair with the sport is possible, leading to coaching or analyst roles, but maybe the more fulfilling and certainly more challenging thing to do would be to find a new you, or at least a new part to you.

Ben Ofungwu Graphic & Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee

IMPACT

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THE TEAM E D I TO R I A L Editor-in-Chief Print Editor

Katie Moncur James Hurman

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DESIGN AND IMAGES Artistic Director Head of Illustrations Head of Images Associate Designers

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