Interact Magazine for Europe February 2014 by Amber

Image by Images History/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) 2

From the editors ‘Life can only be understood backwards but must be lived forwards’. The idea that each experience we have entails within it a lesson that we can take with us into our future endeavours is not new. It renders its head each time we recount an event that we feel has changed or altered us in some way. For me editing this edition of Interact for Europe magazine is an example of such an experience, primarily due to the fact that I have had the pleasure of working with a hugely talented and vibrant group whose efforts and thoughtfulness are clearly demonstrated with each turning page. This project has not only provided a platform for creativity, intelligent discussion and collaboration; but it has fostered friendships, jollity and most importantly constructive dialogue between individuals from differing walks of life. The process has resulted in a publication that addresses a diverse and multifaceted range of topics that are intriguing and relatable. Whether you’re looking for a piece which forces you to take pause and examine your views, to make you chuckle, or an article which causes your mind to wander and envision some form of escape from the mundanesss of the everyday, then there’s something here for you. So sit back and allow these words and images to penetrate the realms of your mind, I assure you, you won’t regret it! Sammy Hussain Magazine Coordinator

The challenge in this edition of Interact Europe was how can we aesthetically improve from the previous edition, with content packed with thought provoking articles, travel journalism and short stories. We hope to leave you eager after getting through the magazine demanding the release of the next and so on and so forth. When I was given the challenge to write an article on faith I kept thinking, how do I write an article on faith and how can I capture an attitude at the same time. ‘Discovering Faith in the Modern Age is based on a reflective experience my time skating and the people I’ve met at the skatepark also used as a social hangout. For one thing, I want to congratulate the team of contributors for all the hard work they’ve put into creating this and for being awesomely cool to work with. Michael, B. Oyewole Magazine Coordinator

Interact

Exploring Identity 6 | Sophie-Ann McKeever Social Make-Up

Faith and Politics

8 | Sarah Martin

34 | John Miller

Just Why is Teaching So Difficult?

The Bus

10 | Olivia Dotremont

36 | Lauren Richards-Evans

Social Anxiety

Do We Need to Change our Views on Rape ?

12 | Emily Mangione An Anthropology of Us

38 | Semra Kizilkaya Children of the Same World

14 | Mariana Marques Fridges

40 | Antony Robson

CON TENT

The Lost Voter 17 | Ariel Zeng Beauty of Women

42 | Kat Langton

Arts and Culture

Social Mobility, Poverty and the 20 | Alex Gray

Milburn Report

54 | Alison Prioult Loneliness and Freedom

The Wonder 44 | Jonathan Lancaster 22 | Thomas Suen

Down and Out in Newcastle Town

56 | Samantha Hackers A-Live in the North East

A Sense of Belonging 46 | Sammy Hussain 24 | Nishma Menon

Let the Good Deeds Roll

58 | Matthew Calvert Has Hooliganism Fouled Football?

The Faithful Feminist 48 | Matthew Calvert 26 | Jonathan Shaw

EU: Bogeyman or Best Friend?

60 | Kaitlin Van Baarle The Bechdel Test and Ruby Sparks

A Mackem in Sunderland 50 | Michael, B. Oyewole 28 | Amelia Shaw

Thoughts on Discovering Faith in the

62 | Marco Shan

Glass Ceiling

Modern Age

The Parody of Slow Media

30 | Jessica McDermott

52 | Tillia Eestermans

64 | Domenico Liguigli

Show and Tell

Proud to be Belgian

What is Photography?

32 | Masruba Tasnim

53 | Jonathan Lancaster

67 | Emily Mangione

Brit Mix

Job Seekers Alliance

Sharing the Joy

Interact

To ConClude Travel and moving 99 | Rachel Sharp 68 | Rachel Lee

Families Behind Bars

Lets Get Skiing 102 | Matthew Oliver 70 | Klementyna Janckiewicz

Donde Esta La Big Mac?

Yom Kippur in Israel 104 | Page Whellans 72 | Vivianne Pellacani Italians Go to London

Coffee Culture

Reviews 106 | Kaitlin van Baarle

74 | Jade Bompela

80 | Alex Gray

Racism and Gay Rights in the

Two Sides to Every Coin

Blackfish Review

Netherlands

76 | Shirley Xie

82 | Jessica McDermott

108 | Rachel Sharp

Chasing the Northen Lights

Film Review

Fashion Looks East

Interact | Exploring Identity

Authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name here

social make up Sophie - Ann Mckeever

â&#x20AC;&#x153; Women in charge appear to wear little make-up, or spend an hour or so making it look this way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;

From Russian red lips to the no

society it sits high above us on bill boards,

foundation- foundation, there are politics

in media and certainly in the work place.

of make-up at play and the social pressures

Women strive for perfection. It is clear that

of looking our best in the work place are

this also extends to men as well as women

more important than ever. The way that

and it seems that there is a competitive

you present yourself and the way in which

need to impress where appearance is

you act will determine social opinion, if

concerned in the work place. As a female

you smile for example- people think that

graduate it transpires that doing the job in

you are pleasant or if you wear creased

the best way we can is simply not enough,

clothing people may think that you do not

we must compete and what is also clear is

care. Appearance is part of the fabric of

this professional look must be just right.

Interact | Exploring Identity A research study conducted by Yale

(that’s male and female) said they would

working your way up the career ladder.

recently concluded that gender bias in

feel ‘disappointed’ with a female member

It is also clear however that women are

the work place exists. Scientists were

of staff if they attended a key business

expected to improve their appearance if

presented with application materials

meeting without makeup on. It also seems

they are to succeed.

from a student applying for a lab manager

to significantly decrease your chances of

For a graduate this seems disheartening,

position and who intended to go on to graduate school. Half the scientists were given the application with a male name attached, and half were given the exact same application with a female name attached. Results found that the

“If men were required to cut their hair to a certain length that would be seen as equally unfair.”

but can this information be used to our advantage? A study into the psychological affect your appearance can have on others revealed that women who wear no makeup appeared incompetent, as well as affecting their

‘female’ applicant was rated significantly

a promotion. It is believed that make-up

levels of employability. It also suggested

lower than the ‘male’ in competence,

generally increases confidence perhaps

that it impacts on trustworthiness and

employability, and whether the scientist

this is the contributing factor that makes

likeability. Competence levels rose

would be willing to mentor the student.

up the make-up rule. The question is

however in those with a professional, or

What’s interesting about this study is that

however whether a woman who chooses

‘barely there’ look. Make-up only changes

both male and female scientists were

to go to work without make up on is less

our appearance temporarily it therefore

equally guilty of committing the gender

able to do her job efficiently. I would

does not place women under severe

bias. This implies then that women are

profoundly disagree, however further

restrictions. In this way then it doesn’t

just as difficult to impress. Perhaps this

investigation and observations show this

affect human rights under the Human

explains why there is so much pressure

is clearly not the case.

Rights Act. If men were prohibited from

in the workplace where appearance is

Women in charge appear to wear little

wearing earrings or required to cut their

concerned.

make-up, or spend an hour or so making it

hair to a certain length it might be seen as

look this way. That ‘barely there’ make-up

equally unfair (and a form of stereotyping)

The law is fairly relaxed with companies

style, a fresh faced, glowing skin look that

as a make-up rule for women. In short,

when it comes to developing the type of

appears professional. This look however,

have we created a gender bias expectancy

work environment they’d like, as long it

ironically often requires a lot more effort.

within the work place?

doesn’t violate laws against discrimination

Presenting yourself in this way may work

or harassment. This includes how they

to demonstrate that you live a healthy

It seems that make- up for women and

think their employees should be presented.

overall lifestyle, and are therefore deemed

the way in which we present ourselves

Some work environments for example

as a capable individual within the work

is becoming increasingly important.

use a more creative approach and allow

place. In addition, it conveys an attitude

It is clear that women are also capable

their employees to wear casual clothes to

to suggest you take the position seriously.

of gender bias, perhaps even creating

encourage a relaxed environment others

appearance expectancy in a bid to stand

desire a more professional look with

On the other hand, wearing too much

out against competition or simply to please

suits for example. It is argued that if an

make-up can look worse than wearing

employers. It seems the way in which we

employee dislikes this than they can find

none at all. It may make you appear

do our job or how affectively we do the

work elsewhere. However, a policy that

incompetent through a lack of self

work, is not enough. In an equal working

demands all employees should look tidy

awareness. It seems then that women are

environment it is not as important as the

and presentable implies that a woman

damned if they do and damned if they

way in which we present ourselves. This is

cannot do so without makeup.

don’t! What is worrying is that it may

true of both male and female employees.

affect your career progression by making A research study recently revealed that

you seem unsuited for a promotion or to

It seems that it is not all about the skills

you are less likely to be successful in an

be in charge. Thoughts aside however, it

you possess or how effectively you can do

interview if you don’t wear make-up. It

would seem there is an element of self

your job it’s about looking ‘barely there’

also revealed that two thirds of bosses

branding involved when it comes to

in order to get ahead. 7

Interact | Exploring Identity

Sarah Martin

Just why is teaching so difficult? It is a widely entrenched cultural attitude

ous factors have been cited for this stress,

that ‘those who can’t, teach’. Holidays,

including excessive workload, poor pupil

pensions and short hours all lead teachers

behaviour, pressures of assessment and

to be perceived as having a ‘half-term at-

inspections, staff relationships and profes-

titude’; tireless campaigners for protection

sional opportunities. The Teacher Support

of their privileges. To many, the concept

Network found excessive workload the

that teaching might be difficult seems

most pressing issue, with 40% of teachers

incredulous. Yet from those within the

citing it as a cause of stress whilst conflict

profession, 80% complain of stress. In- with managers and teachers was a cause of deed, whilst adverts abound seeking to

stress for 15% of teachers. However, 47%

entice top graduates into teaching, 50%

of people leaving teaching also identified

of teachers leave the profession within the

pupil indiscipline as a contributing factor

first five years. So what exactly is it that

in their decision.

makes teaching quite so difficult?

Whilst statistics can provide an overview

Numbering 442,000, teachers not only

of the collective experience of teachers,

make up a large proportion of the work

what do teachers say of the challenges they

force but represent some of the most

face in the profession? Certainly, teachers

stressed employees. In 2009, 76% of teach- can identify a range of different factors ers believed their stress levels were having

that make teaching such a difficult job.

repercussions for their health. Numer- The first thing that strikes Sarah, currently 8

image by Pearson Scott Foresman

Interact | Exploring Identity in her third year of teaching, is the expectation beyond contracted hours – Sarah regularly works 12 hour days. ‘It’s just

as I juggle all the pressures of my job.’

impossible to get everything done’ she

Teachers, it seems, are not meant to com-

adds. Beyond the long hours lies a sense

municate stress. A role model for pupils,

of frustration. Whilst long hours had been

positive behaviour management is an

expected, Sarah expected a correlation

expectation; there is a ‘responsibility to

between the hours worked and the im- inspire every lesson, every day’. Pupils, pact gained. ‘I genuinely do not feel that

parents, colleagues, management all de-

the harder I work, the better it is for the

mand the very best. Yet, at the same time,

kids. Most of the time I just feel like I am

they seem to expect the very least of the

jumping through hoops’.

profession. I always remember one pu-

The pressure to meet policy expectations – pil’s surprise ‘you have A-Levels Miss?!’. either at a school or a statutory level - is a

‘I think you’ll leave Miss’ another added,

common theme. Kelly had expected teach- ‘you can do more than teach’. Similarly,

moments to hold onto; tangible evidence of the difference they have made. The job might never be done, but the potential to effect change is potent.

‘I just wanted to inform you the essay we did together came up in my university interview, which went really well. So well in fact that and I am now currently studying History at Oxford.’

ing to be more self-contained, but feels the

there is a lack of awareness of the efforts

daily impact of policy on her working life.

teachers make. Students are surprised

The recent change to once more measure

that work is personalised, let alone differ-

So what therefore do our teachers see as

schools solely on their Maths and English

entiated. ‘It is hard to gain respect when

their future in teaching? Ultimately, it is

GCSEs, alongside changing regulations on

students think you just turn up with some

not about the bottom line, the pension

modules, has increased the strain placed

printouts from the internet’. The extent

cheque or the holiday allowance. ‘Mak-

on the Maths department. Nor is policy a

of this problem is echoed in the number

ing a difference’ motivates some to stay.

pressure imposed just by the government.

of teachers citing pupil behaviour as the

When the concept of a ‘career’ in a linear

Indeed, Andrew is required to submit les-

biggest challenge.

sense is increasingly redundant, the sta-

son plans at his school for two days a week

bility of teaching roles and the familiarity

– an expectation of all teachers, however

‘You aren’t just managing children in a

and purpose provided by a professional

long they have been teaching. Whilst a

school, you’re constantly dealing with the

direction are also strong factors. However,

lack of effective management can lead to

playground mentality of the staffroom’.

whilst the motivation to make a differ-

inconsistency between teachers, creat- Re-visiting old colleagues, one former

ence is pervasive, doubt lingers over the

ing stress, overbearing management and

teacher was quickly transported back to

potential of sustaining a teaching role for

consistent new initiatives have put one

the petty jealousies and vivacious gossip

one’s whole working life.

teacher off promotion. Relationships with

endemic to school life. Your teaching style,

management are also complicated by the

your behaviour management, whether

Just as there are a multitude of reasons

‘tell-tale’ culture some have noted. ‘If you

you are on time or not are all subjects

that make the job difficult, it is equally

ask for anything, or make any mistakes,

deemed open to speculation and critique.

hard to predict with certainty the future

the head teacher knows straight away. You

Used to passing judgement on others, the

direction of teaching. Whilst we might

are often made to feel inadequate.’

difficulty of teaching is often exacerbated

hope for a better understanding of the

by the inability of staff to unite behind a

obstacles teachers face, and renewed ef-

common goal.

forts to lessen them, we can meanwhile

‘I feel like a swan. On the surface, everything has to look graceful. I can’t show that stress. But underneath, the legs are paddling frantically

take comfort from the drive and commitWhen it is hard to do the job well but

ment of teachers tackling the challenges

‘easy to do the job quickly and badly’, what

they face in order to inspire our young

incentive is there to keep going in the face

people across the country.

of so many difficulties? Teachers explain the job is rewarding, interactive and different. All the teachers I spoke to had

(Names have been changed) 9

Interact | Exploring Identity

Status anxiety

Image taken from creativecommons.org

Olivia Dotremont

We live in a society in which, if you

coming a lawyer was your only option.

have got the right combination of capaci-

Nowadays however, freedom has oc-

ties, you can achieve anything. Which is

curred. As young adults, by instance, we

good, right? You work hard for what you

almost drown under the possibilities of

want, and when you’re good at it, your salary will increase as well. But living in a world

“Everyone can achieve anything”

where ever ything

careers there are and under all of these choices we have to make: ‘What do I want to study? Which

seems possible also has a down-side: when

university do I want to apply to? What

you don’t reach success, when you fail, it’s

do I want my future career to look like?’

your own fault. Time to discuss meritocracy and the pressure it puts upon us.

This appears to be a good system. A system where you have a choice, and

In former times, it was simple: you

where you can prove your worth. A system

were born in a certain family, for instance

where, idealistically, everyone can receive

in a lawyers family, and you didn’t have

a higher status and prestige as long as you

a choice. You couldn’t question whether

have the right capacities.

you were going to be a lawyer or not, you

Unfortunately, there are also people out

couldn’t take a look at your options: be-

there who still don’t have a choice. People

Interact | Exploring Identity who live in poverty and don’t have the

successful and join them on the top. But

you are. But the truth is, and once again

chance to work themselves up. Most of

is this really true? Is it really that easy to

I cite De Botton: “You don’t necessarily

the time, they’re stuck in a vicious circle

climb up on this social ladder?

know what someone’s true value is when

that is seemingly impossible to escape. The labels they get are ‘loser’ and ‘failure’.

Alain De Botton Philosopher and writer Alain De Bot-

you don’t know them, you can’t infer that from their business card.” The second possible consequence is

ton, who is very engaged with the phe- anxiety of abandonment. When you fail nomenon of success and failure, states

to achieve the goals you have put for your-

that it is easier than ever before to make a

self, your confrontation with loneliness is

good living, but that it is also harder than

lurking. You had all of the chances, and it

ever before to stay calm and to be free of

didn’t work out: it’s your own responsibil-

career anxiety.

ity. This shows that independency has got

One of the main questions is, why are we so concerned with our status and material objects? It is not exactly because we are so engaged with these

a dark side as well.

all is not lost! Reading all of this might have made

things on their own, but because we

you freak out a bit- sorry for that ! But

desire the consequences, the love and

don’t worry, there is still hope. Meritoc-

respect that are attached to it which

racy is not all bad either, in fact, it’s a really

then go on to define our position in the

good system- if it works. Sadly enough,

signed three different groups of people in

social hierarchy. He found three main

a situation in which meritocracy doesn’t

society. Simplified, he talks about the top,

causes that might trigger this anxiety:

exclude anybody is still to be invented.

the middle and the basics. The top con-

snobbery, envy and, last but not least:

But that doesn’t mean you should let it

sists of people who have got economically

meritocracy.

overtake you.

The social hierarchy Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu has de-

high or culturally high capital, the middle

‘Everyone can achieve anything’ is the

constitutes of people who are mediocre

motto of modern society. Everyone is

De Botton expresses that some things

and the basics are people with almost no

equal and everyone can get as high on the

are just out of our control. It doesn’t mean

economic or cultural capital.

social ladder as he or she deserves. Sadly,

that if you don’t succeed to attain high

You are probably wondering what this

this is just a myth, created by the media

standards that you are a failure or that

has to do with meritocracy. The answer

that influences us and the society we live

you cannot be successful in what you do!

is simple: because everything goes back

in that wants us to believe we can. Even

The key is to not let others patronise

to this pyramid on which our society is

when you achieve success, there is always

you or put you down. You need to let the

built upon.

going to be an element in where you’re not

greatness overcome and inspire you.

The people with the economically

succeeding. Moreover, your position in

and/or culturally high capital define the

life is not accidental but deserved, which

standard, together with the media. They

makes failure much more crushing.

define what we want, where we want to be and how we see ourselves. The most

The consequences

The final point is: start with yourself. You can choose for yourself to not judge people simply by what they do. And if you change your own behaviour, you might

successful people find themselves in the

The first possible consequence is that

inspire others as well! You can’t change

smallest space of the pyramid: the top.

people are going to judge others based on

this system in a heartbeat. But that doesn’t

They try everything to keep it that way,

their jobs. When you’re an adult, the first

mean you shouldn’t try!

while they want to make the people below

obvious question people ask when they

them believe that they can get there as

meet you is: “What do you do?’. And then,

well, just to maintain their own power and

simply based on that one aspect that they

to avoid revolution. They want to make

know about you and your life, they will

them believe that everyone can behave

generate a whole image of who they think 11

Interact | Exploring Identity

Emily Mangione

An Anthropology of Us: Mass Observation and the Selfdetermination of Personal and National Identity

Several of the articles in this is-

sponses to surveys, or in photographs—their

sue of Interact magazine strive—in direct

experience of Coronation Day, 12 May 1937.

or oblique ways—to grapple with the slip-

Even at this relatively early moment in the

pery notion of Britishness. While clearly

history of mass media, Harrisson, Jennings,

an almost omnipresent issue in the present,

Madge, and company were deeply suspicious

this urge to put a finger on what exactly it

that the British press and newsreels were

means to be British and how this distinct

actively ignoring the mass experience of and

national character makes itself visible was

response to these major events in preference

also the driving force behind the creation

of shaping public response through their

of the quasi-artistic, quasi-anthropological

reports.

collective Mass Observation almost eighty

years ago.

Observation was more generally interested

The immediate impetus behind the

in the radical possibilities inherent in con-

genesis of Mass Observation—led by the

structing a notion of Britishness “from below”

ornithologist and explorer Tom Harrisson,

as a counter model to a hegemonic national

documentarian filmmaker Humphrey Jen-

identity and history organized around the

nings, and the journalist and poet Charles

acts, values, and interests of the elites. For

Madge—was an interest in capturing in ana-

a decade and a half, they would engage in

lyzable and archival form the mass public

an almost pathological collection of endless

response to the Edward VIII abdication crisis

amounts of written, photographic, and filmic

and the subsequent coronation of George VI.

material, contributed both by guest observ-

Through newspaper ads, Mass Observation

ers and gathered covertly by some of the

recruited five-hundred citizen reporters to

move-ment’s organizers, on an extraordinary

document—through personal diaries, re-

range of topics—from women’s views on

Beyond this initial project, Mass

Interact | Exploring Identity

birth control to “happiness”—in an attempt

proletariat class of new media technologies

to make visible the unique vernacular Brit-

already in the process of falling under the

ish character in all in facets. This data was

control of the state. The restarting of the Mass

always self-consciously shared back to the

Observation project in 1981 and the probing

public from which it was drawn in the form

of the issue of personal and national identity

of twenty-five publications with titles such as

by authors in this magazine both suggest

Britain by Mass Observation, The Pub and the

that this model of counter-surveillance from

People: A Worktown Study, and Meet Yourself

below and radical self-determination may be

on Sunday.

more critical now than ever before.

In the face of an increasingly

freighted concern over the masses and government mobilization of mass consciousness through media, Mass Observation argued that what was needed was an anthropology of, by, and for “us.” Taking up such a position, the aims of Mass Observation can be seen as running in parallel to the slightly earlier worker photography movement in the USSR and Germany and the Film and the contemporaneous Film and Photo League in the United States. Through all these projects runs the utopian prospect of the personal establishment of self and collective identity through the appropriation by a working or

Interact | Exploring Identity

Fridges Mariana Marques

After a constant change of city, house, friends, environment and even tastes, I started to look for the objects that I kept with me through the years and to the other ones that changed with me, reflecting my transition. That was when I found all these reflections of me and my relationships, the sensation of opening my parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fridge and suddenly all the vegetables harvested from the garden make me feel at home, or in my shared apartment where I find food I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know the name of and where I can smell a party everytime we fill it with beers, even at work all the single yoghurts and salads with labels remind me of how much of a grown up I am, taking care of myself. Through my journey with fridges, I realised how much they tell us about how we see and treat ourselves, our lifestyle, relationships, pace of life, they tell us so much! I became fascinated and was eager to portray different people by looking into their fridges and hearing their thoughts on what their fridge says about them.

MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: International students, London 2013 14

Interact | Exploring Identity

J G

A MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: International Students, London 2013 B MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: Brazilian Family, London 2013 C MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: International couple, London 2013 D MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: Single Girls, London2013 E MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: Young couple, London 2013 F MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: International students, London 2013 G MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: Couple, London 2013 H MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: Couple, London2013 I MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: Living alone boy, London2013 J MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: Single friends, London2013 K MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: Work, London2013 L MARIANA MARQUES, FRIDGES: Young Couple, London2013

Interact | Exploring Identity

Beauty of Women Words: Ariel Zeng Photography: Jessica McDermott, Harry Tewkesbury

”

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. Audrey Hepburn

MAI Mai is an incoming investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs. She is now an Economics undergraduate student at LSE, coming from Vietnam. Finance-related experiences include KPMG, HSBC, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs. Non-finance experiences include teaching, volunteering, media-editing and working for NGOs. She also won first prize for the 2012 British Council UK in my eyes competition. She has a high focus on her work and now places professional development as her top priority. In her view, the beauty of a woman comes from their knowledge and internal confidence. ‘Especially in a corporate environment, women will bring a very soft and sensible approach to different matters while male colleagues often think in a very rational and aggressive manner. Confidence and knowledge help women get their voice across and make them beautiful,’ Mai explains. Mai admits that physical beauty is associated with women’s success to some extent, as most of the female executives in top corporates in America are pretty. ‘We as human being generally favor what is more eye-catching. As women, by having the ability to take care of yourself shows that you actually care and you should know when it is appropriate to dress up or dress down in different scenarios,’ Mai continues. Also, as women move up the career ladder, they would have more financial resources to make themselves pretty.’ ‘Looks are an important factor, but as someone said, there is no ugly woman only lazy ones who do not wear make-up. Now Mai, Banker

technology even allows us to transform our looks. It is the confidence and knowledge that get women through difficulties and make them truly beautiful.’

Interact | Exploring Identity Mai loves reading and gets a lot of thinking and mentality from books. Her favorite books are Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi,

When asking about how she overcame anxiety in stress-

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

ful situations, Mai says. ‘Most of the time I overcame

and Lean in by Sheryl Sandberg.

difficulties by having the right mindset, but people also give me advice through the way. We have to strike the balance between external help and internal confidence to overcome difficulties. Relying on lots of external help will make us feel insecure.’

Maria Maria is a dance teacher, choreographer and writer, born and

strong ballet dancer. While dancers normally stay within the

bred in London. Surprisingly, Maria was never trained as a full-

same genre of dance, Sylvie started a new type of dance at age

time dancer, though she started learning to dance at the age of

32 to challenge herself.

2. She studied politics at university and was a journalist. Then

When asking about advice for women, Maria comments that

at the age of 27, she decided to go freelance with journalism

women should be more confident and put themselves forward

and teach dancing. She has also been a dance critic for the BBC,

when opportunities arise. ‘You start from a certain position, and

and regularly writes about her passion for magazines. She now teaches jazz dance classes at Pineapple Dance Studios and works as a choreographer for HiBROW TV and City Music Services. Maria describes her dance style as very expressive, musical, complex and original. In her view, dancing makes women beautiful, because people are physically confident when dancing. ‘Increasingly, life is about sitting in front of a computer, and you become very alienated from your body. Dancing helps you to reconnect with your body and makes you happier. When you are happier, you become more beautiful. Also the physical sense gives you good posture, making you more beautiful as well,’ Maria says. Unfortunately, in the dance industry, with something like coda ballet, everybody must be in the same shape, but Maria does not think that one must be pretty and slim to be a good dancer. ‘If a woman is bigger, she can have more physical strength and can jump higher,’ she explains. Maria also thinks that maternal love and strength make women beautiful. As the mother of two kids, Maria now places family responsibilities as her top priority. Maria’s favorite female dancer is Sylvie Guillem, because Sylvie is an exceptionally ‘Dance makes me very happy,’ she says. ‘I always find inspirations in music. The music speaks to me and creates the sense of movement, because of the way someone is singing it or because of a story behind it. I also watched a lot of dance at theatres or on television to get inspiration.’

Maria, Dancer

Interact | Exploring Identity you look to the end point. No one can go from the start to the end. Usually we are all somewhere in between, and we always have to step up in order to improve and move on. By doing it, then you get better,’ she says.

Eea Eea is a missionary from Finland, who has spent decades working for a Christian charity called Agape in Africa, America and Europe. She participates in cross-cultural programs in the US and UK, helping international citizens to adjust to the new environment when moving from one country to another. She also invites students to her home every Thursday and Friday night to eat, play games and discuss topics, helping them to socialize and create a sense of belonging. In her view, the beauty of a woman comes from knowing who she is, not in a demanding way. Being beautiful is not necessarily the conventional thinking of being very successful and pretty.

Eea, missionary

‘Don’t try to think highly of ourselves or think ‘I am nobody’,

community,’ she continues.

but really know who you are. I am capable of this sort of thing,

In addition, Eea thinks that beauty is reflected in how we treat

and I am not capable of that sort of thing, but I don’t have to

other people. ‘Personality comes throughout our face and body. If

be capable of that,’ she explains.

you are happy in yourself, then you treat others well too,’ she says.

‘Beauty also comes in a sense that we are created for a community,

Eea frequently helps students. The advice she gives to young

not just individuals. The relationship between one another is

people is to learn to relax. ‘Work is good and we should work.

probably even more important than individuals. The beauty

But if life is all about work, or the best type of work we want

comes in when we are all different, and then it forms the whole

to find, then it becomes too stressful and imbalanced. Life should be about work, relationships and fun. The world is to be enjoyed,’ she explains.

When asking about the role of women in society, Eea

roles. The best arrangement is what works best for the

family. Maybe sometimes it is the wife or the husband

ever there are certain common characteristics in these three

who really wants to work outside of the home, and brings

women. They all enjoy what they are doing; love and help others;

in the money. Or maybe it is both. But the end result

have positive life attitudes and keep a bright smile on their face.

has to be that it benefits the family unit as a whole. The

These characteristics define a beautiful woman in my mind. ‘True

children and the couple are well cared for emotionally,

beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that

physically and spiritually.

she lovingly gives and the passion that she shows. The beauty

thinks that all men and women are equal, though it does not necessarily mean that they need to have the same

fter the interviews, I found there is no universal view on what makes a woman beautiful and actually the world would be dull and bland if there was one. How-

of a woman only grows with passing years.’– Audrey Hepburn 19

Interact | Exploring Identity

But I smile. Because it doesn’t matter. se this is enough.

T he Wond WRITTEN BY ALEX GRAY A woman sits by the window, staring out at the pavement as it becomes dotted with dark spots of rain. An old man is alone at a table, slurping his drink between dentures. In the corner a young mother is breast feeding her baby. I look away. I turn my back on all of them and stare instead at the row of buttons on the coffee machine, covered with layers of invisible fingerprints. ‘Are you a people person?’ The man had asked me in the interview and I had trouble answering. I had not been in the country long and it was a phrase that was new to me. But if I had understood then I would have said no. In Iceland I had few friends. Disconnected, surrounded by icy arctic waters and with Katla always, looming over my village, threatening to erupt at any moment like the mounting restlessness in my own chest. Remaining still could only mean eventual destruction. The man conducting the job interview looked at me with wild eyebrows raised. And I said ‘yes.’ They gave me the job and my life has since adjusted to the mechanical rhythms of coffee machines and cash registers and ‘would you like cream with that?’ and ‘have a nice day sir.’ I watch them. These men in their suits and the raucous teens and the women with 20

children hugging their knees, escaping from the English weather that is never quite extreme enough to make you feel anything. They drink coffee and share stories and cake while crumbs cling to moist lips. Each of them has a story to tell.

A universal fact: Everybody wants their lives to be witnessed.

Even the ones who sit all alone, the seemingly quiet indifferent types. They are silently casting their thoughts through space like prayers, from those slabs of technology clasped in their hands. But I am not like them. I don’t feel this need to express my own hopes and feelings and fears to the rest of the world, and nobody has ever asked me to. They communicate to me from behind the fat counter as if they’re not really talking to a person at all. When I come to clear their tables they barely notice and I know that they will never remember my face once I’m gone. Seen and not seen. My presence unrecorded. A shadow in the shape of serving staff. Following a routine of work and sleep and earning money that I don’t know how to spend. Waiting on tables and waiting. Waiting for the wonder. Sometimes at night when I dream of home I am scared that it was there with me the whole time. Wide wide skies and unobstructed horizons. Open spaces made of grass and jagged rock, and water and damp tree bark that falls apart when rubbed between palms. A thousand shades of green, grey, brown and

Interact | Exploring Identity blue that only nature can conjure. It’s the textures and the smells that I miss most when I wake. I cannot describe it. Only that it feels real. Only that it smells true.

der

During the days the smell is an assault of dense hot coffee and the artificial musk of perfume worn by my manageress. I serve the customers while rain pounds the windows and runs down the glass in wet wrinkled folds. ‘I asked for a grande.’ Says a woman with a face like a turkey, pecking me out of my wandering thoughts. Heat milk. Grind coffee beans. Measure and pull. I work with the speed and monotony of an android. Automated and unblinking, my brain set to standby. Performing the same tasks that I did yesterday and the day before that, so many times that I no longer have to engage any thought. All the time asking myself what I am doing here. Searching for the thing of which I know nothing. A thing without size, or shape or weight. I watch the weather. Darker and wetter than I’ve seen since I left home. Heavy memory. Drowning. Then the door opens and in walks

The girl who will save me.

A drop of water running down a sodden lock of red hair and onto her cheek. Walking towards me, shaking the moisture from her jacket as she slips it from her shoulders. Soft pale shoulders that fold inwards slightly like corners of wet paper. Delicate fingers resting on the edge of the counter with a pressure I can almost feel, a pressure that says ‘I’m here now.’ And a paint brush splatter of freckles across her nose. And slippy green eyes like moss on wet rock.

Eyes that say ‘I see you.’ She orders hot chocolate and I make it the way that I think she will like it. The way that I like it myself. She takes it from me and smiles and walks over to the corner of the room, curling herself into a large arm chair. She takes a ragged book from her coat pocket and flicks through its rain-wounded pages. Every action seems sacred, a practised ritual. How she holds her mug between her hands. How she blows so gently on the liquid’s surface, causing the tiniest of ripples. How she follows each line of her book with her lips, silently feeling her way over each rosary-bead sentence. And I am in the land of the midnight sun. Standing on the shore of Vik i Myrdal and gazing up at the surging aurora borealis. The world that had been dark and dull now dancing with celestial thumb-smudges of colour. They come together to paint a face, and at last I see something that I can believe in.

I believe in her.

I watch her for a long time. I want to give her a name from home. Lilja, Gudrun, Natalia, Katrin. I want to tell her about myself, the things I like and the things that scare me and stories from my childhood and ideas that I haven’t even formed for myself yet. And I want to know everything about her too. But already she’s leaving and all I can do is watch. I promise myself that if I see her again I will tell her everything, beginning with my name. She glances back in my direction and smiles as she steps out into the rain. The door swings behind her and now she is gone. But I smile. Because it doesn’t matter. Because this is enough.

hot just way she lik

Onl it rea tha sme tru

I beli in her

Interact | Exploring Identity By Thomas.Suen

A Sense of Belonging

The underground is always crowded, but are we as close as we seem ?

We all have our own way of feeling a sense of existence in ourselves. 22

Interact | Exploring Identity

Is it ethnicity or religion that makes us diffrent?

The world is changing rapidly in modern times, the scale of

are concerned with on a day-to-day basis. We might feel lonely

immigration is increasing, and forms of transportation are con-

and upset when have lost this feeling of being at home, but feel

stantly being updated. When we walking on the high street, it is

comfortable, happy, confident and safe when we have it.

not hard to see different kinds of people from varying cultural

This is the century that the world is persistently becoming more

backgrounds, speaking an array of languages and looking differ-

and more globalised. Consequently, perhaps one could argue

ent. I realized that these are the things which form a completely

then that a sense of belonging during this time is especially vital. With this thought in mind, hopefully there are more and more issues that can be addressed properly, such as ethnic violent, homeless, international refugee ect

Loneliness might be the extinction of a human being

international city such as London. But is this always a good thing? As a matter of fact, amidst the crowds, what can we see is people are actually grouped. People are more willing to talk and hang out with people from the same place, using the same language. People who share a culture feel more at ease with each other. The reason for this phenomenon is, in my viewpoint, the lack of a sense of belonging. Belonging plays an essential role in society, thus the lack of a sense of belonging may cause various negative results on everyday life, such as feeling uncomfortable, nervous, upset or even frustrated. I am a postgraduate student from China doing an MA in Communication at the University of Westminster. I intend to demonstrate a real feeling, which has existed but to some extent, might be neglected. Generally, a sense of belonging could be created by anything, therefore we are also making our own sense of belonging every day, and this is exactly the feeling that we 23

Interact | Exploring Identity

Faithful Feminists Words: Nishma Menon Images : Vivienne Pellacani

“Feminism is a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians”. (Evangelist and Republican broadcaster Pat Robertson in 1992)

am a Christian feminist. Or maybe I’m

a mixed race identity between the two is

religious identity issue is huge, so I will

a feminist Christian. I’m not entirely

unfathomable.

not be able to tackle every part of it within

sure which way round the words should

To bring this wonderful new identity into

such a limited space. My subject of focus

go as they stumble out of my mouth try-

being, the terms “religious” and “feminist” will therefore be the female body (I can

ing desperately to convince others of their

need to be re-addressed and expanded.

already hear the sharp intake of breath!)

legitimacy. How often have I heard people

New ways of thinking need to be voiced

The female body, a discourse which has

question this identity?! So often have I

so that a woman of faith does not feel as

been the subject of human fascination

heard both parties criticise the other, although she is sinning or turning her back

for thousands of years, will always be ad-

ways insinuating that I must pick; that I

on religion by calling herself a feminist.

dressed by secular feminists. So it should

cannot possibly be both.

Some of the accusations made my Rob-

be! Women from around the world con-

So what exactly is the problem? In a nut-

ertson (who I quote above) sound scarily

stantly fall victim to the manipulation,

shell, not many people have attempted

familiar to how feminism is viewed within

objectification and mystification of their

to describe what the world looks like

certain religious establishments. But isn’t

bodies. This victimisation can be expe-

for a faithful feminist. Women “know” feminism simply a term used when ad-

rienced in a working environment, in

what it means to follow a faith. They also

vocating social, political and economical

the unattainable stereotypes projected

“know” what it means to be a feminist yet

equality among the sexes? The feminist/

by the media resulting in insecurities

Interact | Exploring Identity manifested in relationships and countless

and therefore must be

other examples. Albeit all this, it is true

multifaceted?

that often women of faith feel alienated

An excellent example

from the solutions that secular feminism

of this can be found in

has given regarding the liberation of a

Nadia Takolia’s article:

woman’s body. I want to try and shed some “The “Hijab” has liberlight on how, by offering an alternative

ated me from society’s

solution, religious women can also obtain

expectations of wom-

the “liberation” that secular feminists talk

en”. She views wearing

about. Apologies to all other faiths but

the hijab as an act of

I will be staying focussed on Muslims

empowerment rather

and Christians as representatives of my

than a step towards

faithful women.

submission. She says:

During my university days, I noticed that “It is not about protec-

“

space to breathe

There’s absolutely no contradiction at all between being a feminist and taking your clothes off and being comfortable about displaying your sexuality.” (Catherine Hakim told BBC’s Radio 4 in talking about Miley Cyrus’ “twerking”)

and to mould into a unique identity when we lift away inflexible definitions. Time and time again critics such as Joan Morgan and Chakravorty Spivak have underlined the notion that feminism is not a platform created solely for

secular feminism gave more or less one

tion from men’s lusts.

solution to liberating the female body

It is me telling the

from society’s misogynistic gaze. Much of

world that my femi-

what has been written and spoken about

ninity is not available

women from all

has dealt with the liberation of a woman’s

for public consump-

different cultural,

body and sexuality by uncovering.

tion. I am taking control of it.”

political, racial, religious and sociological

She addresses the same subject, women’s

backgrounds. Feminism is a movement

“There’s absolutely no contradiction at

the “Secular Woman” but is a movement intended for

all between being a feminist and taking

bodies, but treats it differently. She of- intended to re-empower women as they

your clothes off and being comfortable

fers an alternative solution; covering to

have often been absent from the worlds

about displaying your sexuality.” (Cath-

empower, covering to liberate. Part of the

stage. How one goes about empowering

erine Hakim told BBC’s Radio 4 in talking

reason for “Slut walks” is to raise con-

oneself is then completely personal.

about Miley Cyrus’ “twerking”)

sciousness that a woman’s body is hers

Faithful feminism? I think it’s possible. If

to uncover, it is nobody else’s property

the motives for our actions are the source

any would disagree with this state-

and therefore nobody should have an

of our empowerment as women, then we

ment, claiming that women who

opinion on what “she” decides to do with

are feminists. I’m not a Muslim, but after

over sexualise their bodies actually en- it. The latter part of this sentence is then

Takolia’s article, I may just start wearing

force female objectification. However, this

applicable to women who follow a faith.

a turban!

is not the point. As a Christian I found that

Takolia’s article is a platform for religious

my determination to cover rather than

feminist behaviour. Viewed from a dif-

uncover my sexuality was being rejected,

ferent perspective, covering your body

accused of being old fashioned and said

becomes a powerful act whereby a woman

to be an attachment to traditional values

denies her own sexuality to a world which

which ultimately hinder the advancement

thrives on making money off of women’s

of feminism. Many of my Muslim and

bodies. She makes the decision!

Christian friends have had similar experiences. Some of them even concluded that feminism was “just not for them.” The “one solution for all” concerning women

igid definitions are problematic. Although covering has often been seen

as a symbol of the meek, mild, submitted

and their bodies does not include a reli-

female, if the motives behind your actions

gious woman’s story. Alarm bells start to

empower you as a woman then suddenly

go off in my head. Surely feminism was

covering your sexuality can become as

created for women from all walks of life

feminist as uncovering. We have the

“

There is no “natural fit” between feminists’ public, activist lives and traditional religion.” (The Guardian, Why Feminists are Less Religious: Kristin Aune) 25

Interact | Exploring Identity

A MACKEM IN SUNDERLAND

Jonathan Shaw

Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, North East of England has, in recent times been voted as one of the third least most visited locations in the North East, now why is that exactly? Now let us take a small journey through Sunderland, places that well known throughout the city and places that I hold fond memories of, so let’s get started.

ROKER Roker Park is situated in you guessed it, Roker but we are not talking about the former football ground, we’ll get to that later. The park was created in 1880 and its land which the park is situated on was donated by Sir Hedworth Williamson, the 8th Baronet and the Church commissioners and was first opened on 23rd June 1880. The park contains a large freeform boating lake in the center which is also used for remote controlled model boating and can be very relaxing to just sit around and watch everything go by, there are also two bowling greens of which one overlooks the pond and a drinking fountain which was placed as to commerate Sir Hedworths giving of the land. Further down from the pond you will find a musical band stand where every now and then a band will play. There are two playing areas for the kids to play in; they have since been renewed as they used to have a large pirate ship in one and a train in the other. Speaking of trains there is a large model narrow gauge railway just next to the playing area and was easily my favourite attraction in the whole park. I grew up in Roker and every Sunday me and my Grandma and occasionally my brother would go for a walk through Roker Park, first around the pond to see the boats zoom across, then off to the playing area and for a ride on the large model train railway and finally down to the seafront where we would finish up in the amusements.

STADIUM OF LIGHT No trip to Sunderland is complete without a visit to the Stadium of Light, especially if you are into your football history. The Stadium of Light began construction on the 13th November 1995 costing £24 million and was completed in 1997, it was built to replace the old Roker park stadium due to the plans of expansion to an all seater stadium would mean less capacity and therefore too confined, so it was decided that a new stadium would be the better option. Now during its construction they ran guided tours and you were also able of having your name engraved on a brick which was placed on the outside wall of the stadium, my name as well as my brothers are engraved on that wall and we got two tours out of that because they kept spelling my name wrong, three times to be precise. I have attended a few games at the stadium when I was younger although I fell asleep halfway through one which is a quite a feat considering the noise that can be generated in them. The stadium was built upon the old Monkwearmouth Colliery mine, a monument in the form of a Davy Lamp was placed outside at the stadium to reflect the mining industry that brought prosperity to the town. 26

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THE GLASS CENTRE Ok another destination I like to visit and so should you on your site seeing journey of Sunderland is the National Glass Centre, opened in 1998 the centre is constructed of glass and steel including its roof which visitors are able of walking on, there you can look down to the centre below and is able of holding 4600 people on it at any one time. Inside, the centre houses several galleries with changing exhibitions, a museum dedicated to history of glass making and they also do hot glass demonstrations where they show you how they make their glass art and even allow you try yourself which of course can be a lot harder than they make it out to be. The centre, along with the university’s St. Peters Campus was part of the regeneration of the banks of the River Wear.

WINTER GARDENS If you are looking for a day out the Sunderland museum and Winter Gardens is just the ticket for you. It was established in 1846 and was moved from its original building 1879 to its current location next to Mowbray Park which included a library and the winter garden. The museum contains the only known British example of a gliding lizard and was discovered in the Epplton quarry. The museum also contains a large collection of local Sunderland Lustreware pottery as well as a stuffed lion, remains of a walrus which were brought back from Siberia in the 1880’s, the first Nissan car to be built in Sunderland and features the skeletal remains of human male. Now with Mowbray Park just outside you would have to be mad to not walk around and enjoy its surroundings. The park was opened in 1857 on the 21st of May, the parks roots date back to the 1830s and is one of the oldest municipal parks in the North East. Due to Sunderlands strong links to the works of Lewis Carroll, the park when it was being restored to its former Victorian glory had a large play area constructed with a Alice Through The Looking Glass theme which featured a giant distorted checker board with pieces and a statue of a walrus from the Walrus and the Carpenter. Other restorations include the museum and winter gardens being rebuilt, the lake outside being restored and the band stand repaired and finally the park itself was reshaped and adorned with new artworks.

EMPIRE THEATER The Sunderland Empire is one of the largest venues in the North East, opened on the 1st July 1907, originally called the Empire Palace it contained 1860 seats and could hold 2200 when standing. The theatre has seen many rising stars such as musician Tommy Steele and actress Dame Helen Mirren made her stage debut at this theatre, The Beatles also performed here on their UK tour. The theatre is also well known for being the actor Sid James’s final performance where he sadly suffered a heart attack on stage during it, it has been rumoured that his ghost occupies the dressing room he used that night and after an experience the comedian Les Dawson refused to play there again. There have been many shows played at the theatre over the years one being Carmen which I fondly remember going to see years ago, that was a fun night alright. My granddad sang along with the scene unaware that he was singing out loud and my grandma kindly telling him to shut up… out loud, my brother mentioning that the events of the last act could of occurred in the first and we would all be home by then and myself wondering why in the first act people were smoking when there was a no smoking sign on the wall next to the stage, like I said fun night.

So there we have it, a look at some of Sunderlands well known places with also a look into my personal history. Sunderland is most definitely a place to visit as there are even more things to see, do and experience and, you just may be pleasantly surprised. 27

Interact | Exploring Identity

the concept of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Glass Ceilingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;relevant to women today? Written by Amelia Shaw

First coined in the 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, at the height

In 2013, young women are encouraged to

of the secondary feminism movement,

be ambitious. In education girls consist-

the term glass ceiling is a metaphor for

ently outperform boys at school, college

the physical barriers placed in front of

and university level. In fact, it is difficult

women stopping them from reaching top

to sustain the argument that the society

level positions in the workplace. The pro- we live in today is still intrinsically sexist.

gress made since this term was first used,

Sexism still occurs, but it is no longer main

and the progress which has been made

stream. However the very fact that the

is doubtless. It is interesting to question

debate continues to rage on is testimony

the relevance of such a term to a young

to the fact that there is still something

woman starting her career in 2013.

getting in the way of ambitious women.

Interact | Exploring Identity workplace but the glass ceiling is still very

the workplace after a period of time off, is

to ensure change. Attitudes within society

much in existence. The glass ceiling is

worth less to a company than a man who

must keep moving in the right direction,

still there but it has changed and become

has not taken this time out. However it

in order to build upon the progress which

something more subtle. This change has

is crucial to note that statistically, women

has already been made. In a recent speech

directly manifested itself in the Gender

who have not taken time out in order to

Maria Miller, the women and equalities

Pay Gap. The ‘glass ceiling’ is no longer

have a family are still paid less in higher

minister, recently stated that “Legisla-

a physical barrier and although women

positions when compared with their male

tion alone is simply not enough … We

are now finding it easier to reach higher

colleagues. This seems to suggest that

need cultural change.” Initiatives such as

levels, they still are not being adequately

childcare and the idea of an ‘experience

Think, Act, Report must play their role.

financially rewarded for their success.

gap’ is being used as a smokescreen, or an

But the persistence of a gender pay gap

It is shocking that four decades on from

excuse, which in certain circumstances

does suggest that there must be an ele-

the Equal Pay Act (1970) women are still

allows for a continued inequality in levels

ment of persistence underlying sexism.

being paid, on average, less than men.

of pay between the genders.

Without cultural change therefore, and a

National Trade Union statistics state that

How exactly has the gender pay gap pre- continued change in attitudes, the gender

‘women working full time will earn five

vailed, despite forty years of legislation? If

pay gap cannot ever be rectified.

thousand pounds a year less than male

the predominant attitude in society is no

The idea of a glass ceiling which needs to

colleagues’ which translates as ‘a woman

longer openly sexist then what is allowing

be smashed is something which remains

taking home 85p for every £1 that a man

such inequality to continue? A primary

very relevant to women today. Although

does.’ This makes for depressing reading

reason is the lack of transparency regard- the nature of this ‘glass ceiling’ may have

for anybody, both women and men.

ing pay. Comparing pay for like for like

changed, the continued existence of the

“Outright and blatant sexism may be becoming a thing of the past within the workplace but the glass ceiling is still very much in existence.” That woman are paid equally at lower lev-

positions is incredibly complex and within

gender pay gap suggests that there is still

els but encounter a ‘danger zone’ in their

an organisation individuals are ignorant

far to go. Women, and indeed society in

late 20s before managerial level is very in-

of exactly how much other individuals

general, must not become complacent

teresting. For a women who has spent ten

are being paid. Workplace etiquette does

regarding this kind of inequality and

or fifteen years building a successful career,

not allow you to ask your co-workers how

greater transparency combined with cul-

the decision to take time out in order to

much they are taking home each month.

tural change must be applied in order to

have children must be one which requires

Confidentiality regarding pay is something

ensure continued progress. Only when the

a lot of careful consideration. Raising a

which must be preserved within the work-

gender pay gap has been closed and there

family should not see successful women

place, in order to ensure competitiveness

is no longer a disparagement between

shut out of the workplace, or forced on

within an organisation. However within

men and women’s pay can we say that

their return to work to take lower paid and

companies more must be done to allow

the glass ceiling is no longer a threat to

lower level positions because this is where

any anomalies in the pay of women to be

women’s success.

the greater flexibility lies. An increase in

identified and dealt with. The Think, Act,

senior part time positions would play an

Report initiative from the Government

important role in raising the amount of

encourages large businesses, both small

opportunity for women who are coming

and large, to publish pay data internally

back to work after having children.

allowing any underpayment of women

The childcare debate is also something

to be identified and rectified. Initiatives

which is often provided as evidence for

such as this must certainly play a crucial

a supposed ‘experience gap’, which then

role in closing the gender pay gap.

translates into a justified pay gap at higher

However, as we have seen, government ini-

levels. A women who has come back into

tiatives and legislation alone is not enough 29

Interact | Exploring Identity

Jessica McDermott

SHOW AND TELL This series is derived from the classroom activity of the same name. Each subject is photographed with one of their possessions, an object of importance to them that has a story behind it. Alongside each portrait is the story of the object, told by the sitter in their own words. Suzanne Ling with Ganesh After many holidays to India and after many expeditions trying to find a Ganesh, I finally came upon him after getting on a ferry, getting on a motorbike and going up a very stony path. He was in this, well it was almost like a little Indian bric-a-brac shop. And I saw him and I fell in love with him. The funny thing was getting him back. The only way I could have him in the rucksack was to have him facing the traffic, so after many cars hooting, many people laughing, many people saluting him we had to make our way back; the Indian customs people found it absolutely hilarious. But yes I got him back. I’ve had him now, probably for about ten years. I’ve always been into the Indian spiritual side: he’s a God for happiness, peace and love.

Interact | Exploring Identity

Najette Ayadi O’Donnell with a photograph of a ward in South Africa

Julia Ihnatowicz with a dictionary called Hans

This photo was taken on my last day working as a medical officer

My teacher came over with this mighty tome in her hands

at Bethesda, a rural hospital in South Africa. I’ve put on a tea

and said, ‘This is the one!’ I then learnt that they had been

party, mainly as a thank you to them for having me, but also

discussing the best dictionary for students of Arabic. They

as a goodbye. This photo depicts the journey I had, which was

waved it at me, ‘You need to buy this’. I was like you know it’s

difficult professionally because I had to learn quite quickly how

pretty heavy and I’m flying, is it worth it? ‘If you’re serious

to be what I call a proper doctor – learn about new diseases that

about your Arabic you will need to buy this at some point’.

I’ve never managed, and fairly quickly. And I’m smiling quite a

And I went, mm, do I need to buy it now? ‘Well, it’s probably

lot because the team made me a present and they’ve never made

about a fifth of the price here than it will be anywhere else.’

a doctor a present before when they were leaving. They’d made

So along with five kilos of dates and a medieval sword, this

me this beautiful Zulu necklace and a hand-crafted basket. They

made it back with me from Yemen. It was originally compiled

then serenaded me with a song called Shosholoza which means

by a German scholar called Hans Weir and so this is what

‘We are going’. It’s an anti-apartheid song. I used to say to the

we call it. Have you got your Hans with you? He has become

children when I was discharging, that they were “Shosholoza-

something of a friend and is my best-travelled and most used

ing”, as in they were going. And so I became Dr Shosholoza.

book that I have ever owned. You can continue to follow Show and Tell at www.jessicamcdermott.com/blog

Interact | Exploring Identity Photography Thomas Suen

Written by Masruba Tasnim

BRIT-MIX Think about a recent bus ride or train

people from second and third genera-

journey, if you’re in London, chances are

tions incorporate aspects of their cultural

you’ve encountered people with multiple

background with modern British ideals.

identities. Worry not, their mission is not

It’s a pic ‘n’ mix if you will; cherishing

to deceive you, they’re juggling different

the positives and ignoring the negatives.

aspects of themselves and it’s now harder

It sounds almost dishonest to be one

to pinpoint exactly what a British identity

person at the office party and another

is with the influx of immigrants in the UK and Europe. We may not be aware of all the different ‘cultural hats’ people pop on and off in different contexts, but there’s certainly a transitioning that takes place.

“British identity is not just about bangers and mash, stiff upper lips and moaning about the weather”

at a family wedding but there’s a great amount of freedom allowed to express a smooth blend of cultural activities, dress, and language. British identity is not just about bangers and mash, stiff upper lips and moan-

Some might call it a hybrid identity, the

ing about the weather, it’s also about toler-

coming together of a British identity and

ance and acceptance of the fact that we can

the culture that is encountered at home

live and interact despite our differences.

with family. British identity is said to be

A belief in democracy and contributing

diminishing as many groups of young

to the economy through legitimate work

Interact | Exploring Identity is also a big part of being accepted as

comparing face to face human interactions

tures through globalisation and it would

truly British. The downside to having a

to performances on a stage. He explained

be wise to accept multicultural Britain.

hybrid identity is not being taken seri- that an individual’s behaviour, especially

Nowadays people of different cultures

ously as ‘fully British’ regardless of how

in group situations, is an act of carrying

interact more but are so cautious of of-

many efforts are made to assimilate and

out a social role and managing the impres-

fending others that they would rather

cooperate with British systems, holidays

sion that they are giving to an audience

avoid race/ethnicity talk in case they seem

and traditional clothing. Physical appear-

of people. ‘Sign vehicles’ such as setting,

politically incorrect. People feel a need

ance is a defining factor for how a mixed

type of clothing, use of language and body

to justify ‘I have a black friend so I’m

identity Brit is accepted. No matter how

language are picked up on to react and act

not being racist’. There needs to be a safe

accordingly for social acceptance.

environment created to interact and freely

Goffman differentiated between the front

converse on issues of identity.”

and back stage, the latter being the context in which there is no audience to play a role “The way I see it- if you’re not born here to. This is relevant to individuals juggling

then you’re not British, my identity is

multiple identities because they are man-

my culture and what I believe in, what

aging impressions to fit a certain identity

influences me in what I am and what I

or cultural norm. Goffman believed that

do. I just go with the flow, if you need to

marginalized groups are limited in their

speak English, you do but you don’t need

ability to be accepted by the host popula- it at home, when I’m in my house I don’t Photography Thomas Suen

much someone is immersed in British

tion that they wish to assimilate into and

speak English. You have to integrate with

so feelings of uncertainty and a disconnect

other people, you have to give it a go and

take place.

adapt to it because you have limitations

culture there’s always the possibility of not looking a certain way to qualify as a Brit.

if you live your culture your way. There’s Here are two stances on how a self-iden-

always going to be a culture clash be-

tified British Bangladeshi female and a

tween your original culture and British

Britain’s history of invitations to foreign

Mauritian male both living in London

culture but there’s no point coming here

workers to help rebuild post-war Britain

view their multiple identity.

and criticising. To come to Britain you

was a big part of forming our multicultural

must know something about the country,

society today. Understandably, new mi- “You can’t define a British identity; it’s al-

no one forces you to change, you can be

grants tend to socialise, live and surround

ways in a state of flux, always changing.

whoever you are because it’s multicultural

themselves with people that they share a

I’m just me I’m comfortable in my own

and that’s why it’s so inviting. People tend

culture with, but here lies the problem

skin because I’m in London, I don’t need

to forget their culture or where they’re

of creating tensions and social anxieties

other people telling me who I am. At my

from and its silliness, it’s just like lying

amongst migrants and British nationapen

family home I wasn’t Bangladeshi enough

to yourself. When you first arrive you

Open minds are an important tool to look

and at University other Bangladeshis

don’t know what you’re supposed to be

past stereotypes and keep judgments at

would see me differently. There are two

or how you’re supposed to act, you need

bay. Though it’s admirable to be proud of

paths; you’re pressured to be Bangladeshi

to morph yourself into the culture. You

one’s culture it’s necessary to explore other

in case you lose your culture or don’t pass

feel lost, stuck in the middle and scared

cultures, outlooks and social stances to ap- it on or, if you don’t accept the stereotypi- that if you change a little you will break preciate differences. Building an alliance

cal British way of life then what’s the point

down and lose your values and roots. You

between one’s home culture and British

of you being here and therefore you’re not

can’t forget who you are, you can embrace

culture is an advantageous and exciting

a true Brit. People need to stop arguing

and learn new things but you can’t forget.”

opportunity for the future of Britain.

about what a British identity is so we can

Sociologist Erving Goffman explored hu- accept that it’s an improved situation now. man interactions and social actions in ‘The

It’s something so subjective and personal

Presentation of Self in Everyday Life’ (1959)

to the individual, there’s a blurring of cul33

Interact | Faith and Politics

t was a bleak Monday at the bus stop. Car wheels churned up rainwater from the road, spitting it over despondent pedestrians. They thought it was rude, and though vocal

with their displeasure, the culprit cars would disappear into the polluted haze of the city streets before any confrontation could ensue.

“Ridiculous. Just take it.” With that he gingerly walked towards the back of the bus. “Have an oyster next time.” grumbled the driver, though Arthur pretended not to hear. He scanned the bus for an empty seat but it was soon obvious that he would be standing for the course of his jour-

Teetering on the verge of impatience, Arthur stood with the

ney. Realising this, his face sagged a little more. The bus jolted

other humans at the bus stop. He’d already been waiting for at

forward but everyone remained perfectly still as if they knew

least twenty minutes, yet no bus had arrived. Arthur was a tall

it was coming. Arthur didn’t, and went flying down the bus,

man, though he was also very fat. His suit stuck to him and he

much to the annoyance of everyone on it.

looked like a papier-mâché balloon. Forty years of gravity had

“Sorry everyone.” Arthur would have to be more careful.

abused his face in an unfortunate way as it sagged miserably like one of those ugly dogs. The bottle of wine he’d finished

The bus stopped a little further down the road and several

the night before still lingered heavily on his breath. He’d been

damper humans squeezed on board, using every empty square

holding his newspaper over his head for so long that the rain

inch. The smell of soggy linen and ten-pound aftershave began

had diluted the ink and it had begun to drip down like thorns

to spread around the bus. Arthur checked his watch once more

from his sodden, soggy crown of tabloid nonsense. He wiped

8.47am – he was anxious.

his brow with his wet hand and checked his watch. 8.23am.

The bus stopped again and even more piled on. This was

“Yes.” hissed a person nearby, under their breath of course.

getting out of hand. Several schoolchildren occupied a no-go

The crowd turned its head down the road and there it was – the

zone at the back of the bus. Tinny renditions of popular song

bus. Ominous and red, it was the sanctuary that everyone had

blared out of the kid’s cheap phones, rendering them largely

been longing for. Arthur especially. Though his excitement was

unpopular with the rest of the bus. With about four different

soon squashed with severe annoyance as the crowd pushed past

songs playing at once, they mixed and curdled together like

him to line themselves up in front of the bus’ doors.

milk and orange juice and rattled around the bus creating an

“Excuse me. I’ve been waiting here the longest. I’m on my

agitated atmosphere. And then, all hell broke loose as a once

way to a very important meeting I’ll have you know.” Arthur

innocent baby began to screech and scream like the world was

was confused. Nobody cared or even turned to apologise. He

about to end. Maybe it was. Arthur pressed the palms of his

spat out some consonants and accidently allowed even more

hands into his eye sockets and gently shook his head.

people to skip in front.

The hot breath of the passengers had steamed the bus’

Now at the back of the charging queue, he shuffled for-

windows up, blurring the view of the city streets. Arthur found

ward with a growing impatience. One by one everyone beeped

it near impossible to work out where he was. He had to ask.

themselves on board. Arthur was at the front in no time and

Arthur pushed his way through the crowd. With several tuts

was faced with a very snakey looking bus driver.

along the way, his wide frame charged its way through to the

“How much?” Arthur asked. The driver paused for a while

driver.

as if he hadn’t heard. Arthur went to repeat what he’d just said

“Excuse me, where are we?”

but the driver interrupted.

“Stand behind the white line please sir.” replied the reptile

“Oyster only mate.” “What on earth are you talking about? I said, how much?”

“Sorry, where are…”

“You need an oyster card mate.”

“Fleet Street.” interrupted the driver.

“For crying out loud, look I only have a twenty. How much

“Oh lovely, mines the next stop, thank you.” Arthur creeped

is it?” “I don’t have no change mate, you need an oyster card.” Arthur slammed his soggy twenty-pound note onto the bus driver’s desk. 34

behind the wheel. Arthur huffed and stepped back.

forwards once more. ”I work just down here. A rare day off today though. I mean, not exactly the weather…” “I won’t tell you again. Will you stand behind the white line.” “Oh fine. I’m getting off now anyway.” Arthur pressed his

Interact | Faith and Politics

The bus John Miller

“

onday at the It was a bleak M els churned up bus stop. Car whe road, spitting it rainwater from the destrians. They over despondent pe de, and though thought it was ru spleasure, the vocal with their di disappear into culprit cars would e of the city the polluted haz y confrontation streets before an could ensue.

finger hard on the bell. “Thank you.” The bus pulled up to Arthur’s stop, and he said his thanks once more. Ten seconds went by and the doors still weren’t open.

“I’m stood outside the doors to the Magistrates. Hurry up.” “No, I will.” “Look Arthur.” Suddenly his tone went solemn. “I thought

“Sorry, this is my stop.”

I should tell you before you got here. Just to give you a chance

“No exit at the front I’m afraid.”

to prepare.”

“Oh for crying out loud.” Arthur pushed his way back

“What is it?”

through the crowd to reach the exit doors in the middle of the

“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you…”

bus, but As he got there they slid shut right in his face, almost

“What? Tell me what?”

taking his bulbous nose off.

“We’ve lost the case.” Arthur pulled the phone from his ear

“Hey.” shouted Arthur, “This is my stop.” The driver ignored

for a moment and relaxed his squinting face in disbelief. “You

his plea, pulled out and carried on down the road. Arthur be-

were three times over the limit Arthur – that was never going

grudgingly pressed the bell once again and it stopped around

to hold up. Look I want you to know I did what I could but as I

a hundred metres down the road. He stepped of the hellish bus

said, it was a tough one. I’ll see you in a moment anyway ¬– we

and it was still raining. Hard.

can discuss your options. You will have lost your license though.

Arthur looked at his watch and wiped the condensation of

There isn’t much we can do about that.”

its face. 9.05am. He was late.

“Yes, but how will I get to work?”

The heavy rain made his face screw up. He began to make his

“Well – you can always get the bus?”

way back the way he’d just come. Suddenly his phone rang.

Arthur looked on down the road – the bus was still in sight.

“Hello, Arthur Dahl speaking.” “Arthur, it’s James Smith. Where are you? You’re late.”

And then came the realisation. “Bugger.”

“I know, I know. I’m just around the corner, the bus was a bloody nightmare.” 35

Interact | Faith and Politics

Lauren Richards-Evans

Do We Need To Change Our Views On Rape? The subject of sexual assault is a dubious one, as

over social media as they deliberately went out of

the media encourages the nation and the world

their way to sexually exploit and diminish young

that there is one perpetrator, a man and his

children, established by On Health as forms of

victim(s), the multiple women and/or children.

voyeurism and exhibitionism, which can include

Choosing to stifle the truth that the offender of

pornography, clothed or unclothed and non-

sexual harassment is not just limited to gender or

physical interaction. George was emphasized

sexual orientation and nor is the victim. Even by

exclusively due to her welcoming nature and

published standards, paedophilia has no gender

treatment of nursery children, whom she had

bias, not just with sexual orientation and prefer-

been working with for ten years prior to

ence, but countless reports have broken out of the

evidence of a contradictive stance being discov-

woodwork in recent years, containing informa-

ered in her personal and work computers by a col-

tion on paedophilic behavior in adult women,

league, and later her husband was pleading with

broadening the conceptions to be almost equal

her to come forward with her abuse, for the safety

with their adult and adolescent male counterparts.

of their two children. On Health demonstrated further that ten percent of child abuse is sexual.

An exceptional example is Vanessa George, a

former nursery worker residing in Plymouth. She

Late last year with the former singer of Lost-

and two others, Angela Allen and Colin Blan-

prophets, Ian Watkins, as if echoing Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

chard as revealed in 2009, were corresponding

favoritism for corrupted internet use, he colPhotograph by Alexandra Coffin Title: Yard Sale

Interact | Faith and Politics laborated with two female pedophiles, both with

Network (RAINN) concluded that three women

comfortably expressing themselves by the end

their own children and one who was just an infant,

and one man are murdered by their intimate

of our time in middle school, and with the next

whom was victimized. In the short trial, start-

partners every day.

generation following us into learning about sex,

ing in mid-November 2013, it covered that like

needed it to be introduced without religious or

Vanessa George, his involvement in pedophilic

It is assumed that rape is solely an act for power,

ignorant suppression that these aspects of our

acts expanded over a decade; including one night

but never has it been investigated as to what insti-

society and culture has now been liberated.

stands with adolescent girls just turned the age

gates that need to force superiority over the rapists’

of consent, dressing up as school girls as a form

victims, and why, and this is the purpose for the

The educational system through government

of roleplay.

article. I want to be the one that investigates, and

ruling – (this not limited to the United Kingdom,

one of the biggest niches I have is, as to whether

but can be spoken for the United States, Europe

Though landing on separate ends of the spectrum,

society’s attitude towards sexual education, the

and other international countries) are ignoring

there is a common dominator: rape and paedoph-

unconscious condoning of violent behaviour, and

genuine signs of potential behaviour develop-

lia are forms of sexual assault. Both are featured

the lack of understanding in psychological and

ment in the child that is evident in the home, and

on the official statistics of rape, both have been

behavioural issues and genetics have anything

without the government and the educational

majorly reported in national and international

to do with it?

system’s involvement very early on, there can be no inquiries into the family’s history, as there may

news, and subsequently are higher in number in comparison to the reports of female rapists and

Especially when the justice system discriminately

be medical, or psychological records expressing

late adolescent and adult male victims. Validating

treats both men and women differently, affecting

concerns in the parent(s) past, or repetitive pat-

this, is that it is not only children who suffer from

the time spent in prison. It is automatically as-

terns, which concludes that the NHS, US and

the conspiracy of silence, an act instigated by the

sumed, that unless the male accused confesses to

UN health care deserve notification.

perpetrator, it can also affect said adolescent or

insanity, he is fully responsible of the actions he

adult victims, if frightened by the consequences.

commits, which in the case of rape, may be un-

As that behavior develops, once hitting puberty

likely. While the female is automatically pardoned

and late adolescence, because it never got caught

Rape Crisis, at the beginning of last year disclosed

with a behavioural or psychological issue and it

early enough, the adult could lash out sexually,

that approximately 85,000 women are subjected

is only debated later if she is truly responsible.

and if confused by their sexual identity, they may not be picky in who their victims are. If inter-

to rape in England and Wales every year while over 400,000 women experience sexual assault

Sexual education is introduced to a child’s life very

vened, it could venture to a healthy relationship

every year and 1-5 women between the ages of

early, understanding sexual boundaries could

with the social services, as there is valid evidence,

16 and 59 have witnessed or been involved in

lead to healthy communications between the

where necessary examination and treatment

sexual violence. UN Women reveal that 1 in 3

parent and child over the subject of sex; under-

can be provided to prevent occurrences from

women and girls experience sexual violence in

standing the behaviour, the act and body language,

happening, because the child or adolescent has

their lifetime. Women’s Aid in a recent television

and exploring the culture of sex, putting aside the

been distanced from the environment that can

advertisement starring actress Keira Knightly,

mindsets of generational influences, especially as

mold negatively on that child or adolescent, male

warned that two women are killed in their own

the child draws closer to puberty.

or female.

Not long ago last year, it was addressed in an

Further reading

online petition proposing the prime minister

Rape Crisis www.rapecrisis.org.uk

To find out more, people can read the full report

force the educational system’s hand in broadening

United Nations Women www.unwomen.org

found on The Ministry of Justice. On page 19 of

its horizons when approaching sexual education,

The Ministry of Justice www.justice.org.uk

An Overview of Sexual Offending in England

updating the basic information to take into ac-

Men’s Advice Line www.mensadviceline.org.uk

and Wales, it was established in a pie chart that

count modern culture, like the porn industry,

Mankind Councelling www.mankindcouncelling.org.uk

5,778 children are exposed to forced sexual activ-

and LGBT issues as the petition’s creator was

Sum Of Us www.sumofus.org

ity, 2,273 men are victims of sexual assault and

of my generation, where the porn industry has

On Health www.onhealth.com

1,274 men have reported to have been raped.

a firm standing point in sexual influences and

USA Today 30 www.usatoday30.usatoday.com

Research located in the United States, with a

the LGBT was transitioning into independence

Sage www.sagepub.com/journals/

company named Rape, Abuse and Incest National

by the late eighties and early nineties and were

Woman’s Aid www.womensaid.org.uk

homes every week as a result of domestic violence and this is the public information.

Interact | Faith and Politics

Semra Kizilkaya

Children of the Same World Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll meet you there. - Rumi

Interact | Faith and Politics

June 1996, Michigan: They kick the Nazi;

drawn rings around his cooperative group

although they are different in one respect,

with wooden sticks they hit the man who

to contrast himself to ‘the other’. The Ger- they might not be in another. Most of

is thought to support the Ku Klux Klan – man philosopher Hegel was amongst the

them still share some universal values,

until Keisha Thomas, a black teenage girl,

first to point out that a person’s definition

and uniting on the base of these does not

throws herself on top of the white man

of ‘the other’ is what constitutes the self,

imply sacrificing their own ideologies.

with SS tattoos on his arms, and makes her

thereby being a natural phenomenon to

For that reason, Keisha saved the Nazi’s

very own body a shield against the blows.

establish identities. In this regard, yester-

life. For that reason, during the protests in

After she saved him, she never saw him

day as today, social groups did not only in- Egypt 2011, Christians protected Muslims

again, never heard of him. What remained

terpret the notion of the self-constituting

during their prayer. And for that same

is her act of extraordinary courage, which

‘other’ as a tool to distinguish themselves

reason, in Pakistan, Muslims build a hu-

is still inspiring people today. When they

from others, but also to distance them-

man chain to protect Christians holding

ask her “Why did you put yourself at risk

selves from ‘the other’. Thus, in all of our

a mass, in a show of solidarity with the

for someone whose views appeared to be

cultures the other was demonised, people

victims of the Peshawar church attack.

so different from your own, who would

maintained an anxiety toward what was

In the media, nearly all apocalyptic sce-

have not done the same for you?”, the

unknown, unfamiliar.

narios show everyone against everybody

answer seems simple: “I knew what it was like to be hurt.” August 1999, Istanbul: He was a grumpy, old

“In the face of death and destruction, our mundane differences evaporated, and we all became one, even if only for a few hours”

grocer, who did not sell alcohol, did not

else. Is there a chance that reality would be the opposite? The only questions that at this point remain to be asked are: “If

Yet, when Martin Luther King once wrote:

we all have the potential to unite, and let

speak to marginals. Now, he was opening “I can never be what I ought to be until

differences not become distances, why do

a pack of cigarettes with trembling hands,

you are what you ought to be”, and Nelson

we wait for a disaster to do so? Has the

and offering one to the transvestite sit- Mandela said: “I need you in order to

time not come to recognise that worldly

ting next to him. Mascara ran down her

be me, and you need me in order to be

life is only pleasurable with the other? If

cheeks, they both watched the earthquake

you”, they reminded the world of another

we approach each other, we will find the

with horror.

interpretation.

other side of the story, not just a whole

“In the face of death and destruction, our

This understanding portrays ‘the other’

different mind, but also a whole differ-

mundane differences evaporated, and we

in a new light, leading to the conclusion

ent world, someone who deserves to be

all became one, even if only for a few

that there is no shame in being different;

tolerated or even perhaps a new friend.

hours”, tells Elif Shafak, a Turkish novel- that it is not wrong to love ‘the other’. For

We could take a step out of our familiar

ist who witnessed this scene, eleven years

what makes the individual so special is

circles, and start by giving ‘the other’ a

later.

that quality, which is not of her own kind.

face. Even though this is a challenge, this

The very same world we all live in has al- This perception of the other is what peo- is about larger groups of people, about ways been home to human beings different

ple recognise in extreme situations, what

politics: this does not end with me - yet

in complexion, ideology, belief, culture,

makes them gather together and become

it starts with me. Every group consists

dissimilar perceptions of wrongdoings

one. Injustice, extremism and death seem

of individuals, of me and you. We could

and rightdoings, and mankind has always

to work like a catalyst to show people that

start with us.”

First image by Joseph Hill, Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Second image by Omar Robert Hamilton, Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Third image by Takver, Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 39

Interact | Faith and Politics

Ant Robson

olitics and trust are two words that have never exactly gone hand in hand. For many people, a politician’s answer usually isn’t a straightforward yes or no, and instead they have a knack of going off the point to avoid giving a straight answer. The world of politics means that most politicians are well-trained in side stepping the issue and in changing the subject to suit their agenda. In recent years people have felt the negative effect of political measures with the biggest recession in living memory and austerity cuts coming into play, leading to closures, job losses, higher bills and a future for the next generation that looks bleak. Young people generally now have it much harder than their parents’ generation. University students are taking on debt as they borrow money to pay large fees, and because of the employment situation, they’re also taking jobs when they graduate that have traditionally been taken by non-graduates. This has the effect of pushing those with lower-level skills or few skills and qualifications right to the bottom of the jobs ladder and beyond. The prospects for them of earning a decent salary and buying a house look more and more remote. Many young people are apathetic about politics and feel that they have no platform to voice their ideas and concerns. What’s more, they feel that they can’t change anything in the political process. A common concern of many people now is that there aren’t any real differences between the 3 main parties and “they are all as bad as each other”. If people can’t see any difference, and they can’t see any prospect of improving their lives, why should they care about voting? 40

Interact | Faith and Politics The case of university tuition fees is an example. Many students feel that the Liberal Democrats failed them at the last election after promising to prevent a rise in tuition fees, and then forming a coalition with the Conservatives and abandoning the promise. Add to that the fact that even with a high-cost university education, many graduates are unlikely to end up in graduate jobs (or in some cases perhaps any jobs) then it’s easy to see why this group is turned off the whole idea of politics. When people feel that their vote won’t make a difference, especially young people who in a few years’ time will be the adult population, this could be a dangerous state of affairs. They are the people who will carry the burden of unemployment, high house and energy prices and debt that has been created in the UK. They need to have a voice, so they can be heard. Otherwise democracy will fail. Similar situations in other periods of history have led to unrest and riots. It is essential that action be taken to encourage young people to take an active interest in politics, especially if the next generation is to also partake in the way this country is governed. More work needs to be done in schools, colleges and universities, as well as in the workplace, to get people interested and involved. We could learn a lot from other countries where there is interest and there is action. The European Parliament, for Example, runs schemes that support children and young people to engage in politics, as do the Scandinavian countries. The US has an interesting approach to encouraging young voters, often involving prominent celebrities and socially prominent figures that young people relate to and idolise. This is obviously great publicity for both the political parties and the celebrities and benefits both; it also forms a stronger connection with young voters. Does it necessarily solve any real problems though? Many would argue that it is a diverting tactic to focus less on policy and more on relations to these figures.

large numbers of young people because it doesn’t try hard enough to engage with them. When Russell Brand was interviewed about democracy by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight, he expressed some radical views about the worthlessness of voting. The video went viral, demonstrating perhaps that a large number of people also feel disillusioned with government. In the interview, Brand explained why he has never voted and never will, because he feels that the needs of most people are overlooked by parliament. He also talked about the 1% of wealthy, influential people who wield the power versus the 99% who don’t. Essentially, Brand was saying that there is no benefit for the average Brit in voting, because it won’t make any noticeable differences in society. The most vulnerable people are being overlooked and will continue to be overlooked unless something drastic happens. Brand was in fact adamant that this situation can’t continue - there will be a revolution, he said, and the current system in place will be overturned. However, Brand’s view is an extreme one, and not one, I believe, that is likely to find favour with the majority of people in this country. It is true that the gap between the haves and have-nots is widening, not lessening; it is true that many people feel powerless in the face of what they see as an impersonal and essentially uncaring government. But the answer is not revolution, or violence, but education. That’s why it is so important to educate young people – the adults of tomorrow – about the value and the importance of a democracy, and the need to use your vote. If you don’t agree with or don’t like what your government is doing to the country, then in a democracy like ours you do have a choice – you can vote it out. It is crucial that young people learn that this is an important part of being a citizen, if that democracy is not to be eroded and to disappear.

It could be argued that one of the problems of UK politics is that it is often perceived as boring, and it doesn’t attract 41

Interact | Faith and Politics

SOCIAL MOBILITY, POVERTY AND THE MILBURN REPORT Kat Langton

A report relating to social mobility and poverty in the United Kingdom has shown that the opportunities offered to young people in Britain are amongst the poorest in the European Union. The UK also has the highest rate of youth unemployment in Northern Europe. 42

Interact | Faith and Politics Alan Milburn, the former MP for Darlington and Labour Health Minister, who collated the report has urged the government to take action to improve employment rates. Some of Milburn’s key recommendations were to end long-term youth unemployment by increasing ‘learning and earning’ opportunities, to reduce in-work poverty by asking the Low Pay Commission to deliver a higher minimum wage and to reallocate childcare funding from higher rate taxpayers to help those on Universal Credit. The report said that Britain still had “high levels of child poverty and low levels of social mobility” with a rising number of children from working families living in “absolute poverty”. Recent government figures on poverty, which were released in June, show the median UK household income for 2011/2012 was £427 a week with 60% of that figure set at £256 a week. In that year, 17% of children and 15% of working age adults were classed as being in poverty. These statistics represent 2.3 million children and 5.6 million adults. For pensioners the figure was 16% which is 1.9 million people. The Milburn report has found that child poverty in the United Kingdom is a problem for working families rather than a problem for the unemployed. Two thirds of the children who are officially categorised as ‘poor’ in Britain live in a family where at least one parent is working. Alan Milburn,

the government’s social mobility tsar, says that people are “simply not earning enough to escape poverty.” He also pointed out that there are “five million people in this country - mainly women - who earn less than the living wage.” The report highlights falling family incomes and high youth unemployment as twin problems affecting social mobility in the UK today. The youth unemployment figures in Britain are the highest in Northern Europe. According to MoneyWeek, the UK’s average is as high as 21.1% whereas countries such as Finland and Denmark have rates under 20% and Germany has the lowest figures of unemployment with 7.8% of young people out of work. The figure for the UK is only 1% lower than that of Romania, which is one of the poorest countries in the European Union. The poor opportunities that Britain offers for social mobility are reflected in the make-up of the UK government. 45% of the current Westminster cabinet went to public school even though only 7% of the population as a whole are privately educated. The former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major, who was himself state educated, recently said in The Guardian that the education system in this country should help those from poorer backgrounds gain the skills they need for employment rather than shutting them out from the jobs that are higher up the social ladder.

In Britain the gap between the rich and poor is getting wider and the introduction of the ‘bedroom tax’ and Universal Credit appears to be only making matters worse. The reason for the UK’s low, and declining, mobility is in part the strong and increasing relationship between family income and educational attainment. Basically, rich people’s children get better grades because they can afford private schooling and there are additional opportunities for them to stay in education at ages 16 and 18, which disproportionately benefits those from better off backgrounds. For those born in the early 1980s, the gap between those staying on in education at age 16 narrowed but inequality of access to higher education has widened since then. Whilst the proportion of people obtaining a degree from the poorest fifth of families has increased by only 3% (from 6% to 9%), the graduation rates for the richest fifth of the population have risen from 20% to 47%. Even those with a degree are having difficulty finding work in Britain today. This can only increase the problems faced by those without qualifications. Young people from poorer backgrounds are disadvantaged, not only in terms of formal education but also in terms of those skills and qualities that aid employability such as confidence, being articulate, public speaking and general personal presentation skills.

2.3 Million children in poverty

Interact | Faith and Politics

Jonathan Lancaster

Down and Out in Newcastle Town I cannot remember exactly when it was

and looked like scrunched up paper that

that I first saw Leroy but I remember think-

had been flattened back in place. Several

ing something like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I wonder who he is?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

piercings, tattoos covered his person, bruises

These days, I quite often waste away many a

and cuts seemed to make up his entire being

dreary hour by taking long strolls across the

whilst a very small mouth and chin where

city of Newcastle upon Tyne. These days I

almost completely hidden underneath a long

rarely visit shops or focus my attention in

scraggy ginger beard. He appeared to me like

the warmth of cafes or bars. These days, I

a romanticized version of a tramp depicted in

prefer to turn my attention to the streets, to

movies. He looked like a Hollywood vagrant

observe the many people that make up life.

except he had this constant expression on his face which poured the devastation and

I have seen Leroy many times. He is a

the reality of the situation. I have walked

homeless man. He is frail, with a strong,

past him many times and given him the

long depth of haunt-

odd bit of change but

ing sadness `and loss

one afternoon my cu-

in his eyes. Lonely and

riosity caught the better

unloved it would seem.

of me and as I walked

I am not sure how tall

past him, kindly asking

he is as I had have never

if I could sit with him

seen him stand up but it

to which he abruptly

was more his presence

agreed and greeted me

that he had appeared

with a handshake.

small in my first experiences of him. It was as if

An indigo woolly hat

he had been crushed by the injustice and hard-

always sits at his knees Jonathan Lancaster, Down and Out in Newcastle Town

with a few dirty old pen-

ship of his life. He must have been about

nies lying sadly within it. A panhandling

forty years old but his face was covered

sign made of brown and bent cardboards

with deep wrinkles and lines like a map

sits next to his hat as his only companion

Interact | Faith and Politics

explaining in jittery handwriting that he

most people on the streets, some he had

was homeless. I sometimes offer him my

known were heroin addicts “you cant trust

tobacco to which he would take a very

a smack head” he would say shaking his

modest amount, something I have noticed

head disapprovingly. I believe that when

homeless people often do as they seem to

cast into such a harsh world it is every

respect the true value of pocessions Sitting

man for himself resulting in selfishness

next to him in the filthy street made me

often taking lead in many situations. He

realise literally how low down it makes

did however mention though that most

you feel, all these toweringw legs walking

homeless people do take very good care

past you. It reminds me of when I got lost

for each other. The manner in which Leroy

in town as a child and couldn’t find my

spoke, the fact that he was sober and co-

mother. We spoke about his time on the

herent, softly spoken and well articulated

streets and how he had come to live such

and swore less than my own friends in a

a life. He told me he had once been in the

conversation lead me to trust him and

army and fought over seas but struggled

believe him. I had spoken to him many

with the horror that war entails, and then

times after this conversation and I would

on returning home to Thailand he sud-

occasionally offer him a cigarette “I’m

denly discovered the suicide of his wife.

alright to be honest I have enough at the

This horrific turn in his life lead to his first

moment” he would kindly remark.

introduction of smoking Opium to which he remarked “it gave me a nice glow”. It

The last time I spoke with him he said

is most probably scarier than most think

he was living with his brother for at least

to fall down the cracks in society and

three months but was still begging on the

end up destitute. Leroy spoke to me with

streets to sustain a form of income. He

heartfelt honesty that is so rare to come

was smiling and joyous which was rare

by these days.

and great to see. I did not know here he would be in the next three months and

As counted the money he had made that

neither did he probably but time could

day I asked him what the most he had ever

only tell. There is a system called the Four

been offered was to which without any

Week Rule which suggests that once a

hesitation he recounted “this guy came

person is on the streets homeless for more

up to me once whilst I was sat the other

than four weeks it is almost impossible to

side of the road and was gonna give me

renter normal society. The injustice and

£400 pounds if he could sleep with me!,

sickening reality of homelessness would

I mean what is wrong with people, look

probably plague his life forever as it does

at me I’m ugly, so I tell him, look please

to so many people in this world. People

just go away, please. I seen him about a

do not fully understand how alone these

half an hour later with a broken nose, he

people really are, these people really are

just handed me the money and said sorry.

alone in ways that are horrific to see in

It was the most bizarre thing” Leroy went

the 21st century.

on to talk about how he could not trust

Interact | Faith and Politics

Sammy Hussain

Let the good deeds roll

‘One week, one cause, all the difference’, the

of ‘Rag week’, and to an extent this is true

previous statement is the slogan for the

however, due to its religious foundations it

aptly named lengthy event, ‘Charity Week’.

serves as a collective act of worship for all

Charity week, as the name suggests in-

those taking part. Its spiritual resonance

volves seven straight days (and sometimes

only works to heighten the experience and

nights) of raising funds for orphaned and

therefore has become an integral aspect

needy children across the globe. It takes

of the university experience for many

place mid October of each year and is

Muslim students.

run and carried out by Islamic societies

across the UK. It is unquestionably the

unity, charity and competition. Teams

highlight and most infamous period on

from each university compete to raise the

every Isoc social calendar

most in the given time. Anyone regardless

Set up in early 2000 as a way

of their faith or belief system is invited

to unify Islamic societies from all over

and welcomed to take part, thus the week

the country, the initiative has generated

allows for extensive interfaith dialogue. To

an immense amount having raised over

be charitable is a tenet present in essen-

£500,000 last year alone. CW on the face of

tially all world religions, thus CW natu-

it may appear to merely be another version

rally tends to attract participants from a

CW emphasises three key things:

Interact | Faith and Politics plethora of backgrounds. As a result, the

university, but then when you’re at the

project is a weeklong opportunity to learn

annual dinner and get the chance to meet

from others and broaden one’s horizons,

all the other people who got involved from

whilst simultaneously becoming more

all over England, Wales and Scotland…

conscious of one’s own principles.

you just forget and you realise it’s so much

Charity in Islam refers to any and

bigger than one institution and one team’.

every act of goodness. In this regard CW

(Inayah Zaheen 20, UCL 2013 winners

is not solely about the hard cash, rather

raised £75,000).

it’s about being kinder, thinking of others

before one’s own welfare, smiling more;

jumps, treks through Ben Nevis and

it’s about keeping with the spirit of CW.

Snowdon, bake sales, auctions, dinners,

You could easily liken it to the Muslim

bucketing and countless other activities

students’ version of the Christmas period

Charity week has helped over 50,000

Through sponsored bungee

whereby their surroundings and immedi- children around the world. The money ate social circles are there to remind them

has gone to refurbishing schools in

that these next few days they should be

Pakistan after natural disasters, building

viewing the world through a community

nutrition centres in East Africa, providing

lens as opposed to an individual one.

healthcare and education in Iraq, as well

The aspect of competition along

as funding surgeries for children in

with charity relates to Islamic teachings

poverty. The aforementioned are but a

as the Prophet (Peace be upon him)

few of the causes that have been addressed

would encourage everyone to compete

through the immense efforts of students

for good deeds. Though this should not

throughout the years.

be confused with aggression, conflict or

unfriendly rivalry. In actuality it points

set forth by CW ‘one week, one cause all

to using the achievements of others as a

the difference’ rings resoundingly true.

source of inspiration for their own growth.

The beauty of CW largely lies in the fact

It is envy without malice. This emphasis on

that it does not only make a difference

everyone getting ahead and progressing

to the benefactors in developing nations,

along the trajectory of personal develop-

but also to each and everyone of those

ment is highlighted at the CW annual

individuals who take part. It achieves what

dinner where the results are announced.

it sets out to do and by the end of it people

are once more gearing up for the next year.

The atmosphere can only be

Undoubtedly the official mantra

described as electric. It is unmistakable

In a social climate whereby

from the general joviality that there is no

Islamic societies are more often than not

ill feeling between universities despite

labelled as ‘terrorist breeding sites’ I for

there being technically one winner. This

one feel that it is high time that the focus

is helped by the fact that the overall total,

now be placed upon all the good that

and therefore the contribution of all who

these organisations put out into the world.

took part is highlighted and commented

It would become quickly clear that the

on a great deal more than the highest

main concern of these institutions isn’t

single amount raised. Many people that

conjuring ways to incite violence, rather

I have spoken to have expressed the

it’s ‘whose going to be bucketing outside

above sentiment one such person stating ‘

London’s busiest stations?’ and ‘how on

throughout the week you focus on the fact

earth are we going to flog a 100 boxes of

that you want to raise more than any other

Krispy Kremes in a day?’ 47

Interact | Faith and Politics

EU: BOGE YMAN OR BEST FRIEND? WRITTEN BY MATTHEW CALVERT When Britain first joined the European Union, Prime Minister Edward Heath said that it would provide “great cross-fertilisation of knowledge and information, not only in business but in every other sphere”. Yet our current Prime Minister seems to think differently. David Cameron has promised to renegotiate our terms of membership, and that an ‘in or out’ referendum concerning the EU will be held in 2017 if the Conservatives are re-elected in 2015. We can only presume that pressure from Euro-sceptics within the Conservatives and the UK Independence Party has finally gotten to Mr Cameron. They claim that a withdrawal from the EU will have numerous benefits for the UK. In 2008 a study by the National Office for Statistics showed that our EU membership cost us 65 million pounds, and is draining our already failing economy. These parties also claim that EU citizens having the freedom to live and work here is the cause of our unemployment crisis. Yet is our part in the EU as much as a bogeyman as we are lead to believe? In the event of a withdrawal, all kinds of benefits from the EU will be revoked. For example: Foreign investment Foreign aid EHIC cards Freedom to live and work in EU countries Good diplomatic relations But how would this effect Britain and other nations?

CONSEQUENCES OF LEAVING

We can safely guess, that in the event of a withdrawal our rights and Freedoms as EU citizens would be rescinded. There are 9 European nations with 20,000 or more British residents. Presumably the right to live freely anywhere in Europe would be revoked, and Britons living abroad forced to move home or apply for Visas. The former causing mass amounts of un-employment and the over-population of Britain, which in itself could have disastrous consequences. Similarly European citizens living freely in Britain would also be in jeopardy, as the EU could no longer guarantee free residency. Thousands of EU citizens would potentially be forced out of Britain or simply not afford the fee to remain. The effect of this being serious damage to the diverse multi-cultural society we have strived to build for so long, and the unemployment of former UK residents.

Leaving the EU could also harm diplomatic relations between Britain and other EU member states. Previously, Britain has had close ties with France and Germany. Pulling out of the EU would degrade these long standing friendships, and remove all possibilities of foreign aid in the event of financial crisis or war. In the past, countries in grave financial trouble have been bailed out by EU members, for example when the Greek economy collapsed in 2012. If our economy does not pick up after leaving the EU, then our financial situation will get increasingly worse and our chances of support from EU states to bail us out would be small. Furthermore Britain would no longer have representation in the European Parliament, leaving us out of potentially major decisions. The European Union is Britain’s greatest trading partner. In the event of our membership being withdrawn, would the Union still be willing to trade with us? Or would we be an

Interact | Faith and Politics outcast of one of the greatest trading forums in the world. 52% of our total trade in goods and services goes to EU member states. In a time of austerity, the last thing we need is our annual income being halved. With this in mind, can we really afford to stand separate to the EU? Finally, and possibly most significantly, international corporations have already threatened to re-consider their investments in the UK. Carlos Ghosn the Chief Executive of Nissan announced with regards to Britain’s position in the EU “If anything has to change, we need to reconsider our strategy and our investments for the future”. In the event of Nissan withdrawing its investment, 6500 jobs would be lost at the Sunderland manufacturing plant, not to mention the hole it’d leave in the economy. Who’s to say Nissan would be the only foreign investor to leave? Companies such as Airbus, Toyota and Honda could all follow suit to leave Britain’s work force jobless.

be tarnished and our appeal to foreign migrants would be lost?

British tourism

Whilst on the topic of migrating from Spain to Britain,Alberto said that moving to another EU state was “very easy, incredibly so. It did help a lot. The only thing I had to do was book a flight, there was no paperwork or anything because I’m an EU citizen. I automatically had the right to work here”. If we withdrew from the EU, foreign citizens would not find immigrating to Britain as easy as Alberto. Britain would become much harder to get into, lots of paperwork and visas would be involved in order to live and work here. Who’s to say foreign nationals would endure all this to move to Britain, when a move to France or Germany would be much easier?

To find out an opinion from an international point of view, I spoke to an EU citizen living here in the UK. Alberto Flor is from Navarra Spain and moved to England in March 2012. He is now a maintenance technician at Nissan in Sunderland. I asked Alberto why he chose to move to Britain, and if our membership in the EU affected his decision. He told me “Britain is one of the strongest countries in the EU and I thought I would have better opportunities here”. This perception of Britain is something we are very lucky to have. It allows our cultural diversity to continue expanding, and brings in more people working towards our economy. If our membership were to disappear surely this reputation would

If this becomes the case we could see a decrease in the number of skilled professionals moving to Britain. Alberto also raised an interesting point about how our EU withdrawal could hamper Spain’s revenue from tourism. “It would be more difficult to come to Spain which could put people off, this would cost Spain the money generated from English tourism”. In the summer of 2012 Spain attracted 2 million British tourists. Tourism makes up 11% of the Spanish economy. So our withdrawal would have extreme economic ramifications for Spain and damage our diplomatic relations with Spain as we’d be responsible for a shrinkage in their economy. Ultimately, the timing of this referendum is poor.

EUROPEAN POINT OF VIEW

Our withdrawal from the EU would have dire consequences for EU citizens in the UK. For example: Deportation Losses of jobs Degradation of Britain’s reputation Financial vacuum abroad from loss of

Our education system is failing, our economy isn’t growing and Scotland is threatening independence. We have far worse problems than the EU. Whilst the government cower in fear of the bogeyman in the wardrobe, the real problem has been under our bed the whole time… FACTS

IN 2004 TONY BLAIR ATTEMPTED TO HAVE A REFERENDUM ON BRITAIN’S EU MEMBERSHIP, BUT ULTIMATELY FAILED. BRITAIN’S MEMBERSHIP HAS GONE UNTOUCHED FOR 40 YEARS. IN 1973 UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF EDWARD HEATH’S GOVERNMENT, BRITAIN JOINED THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY. TODAY WE KNOW IT AS THE EUROPEAN UNION.

Image description Palace of Westminster - Photographed by Simone Graziano Pannetto (Alterations - Changed to black & white) EU Flag - Photographed by Thomas Quine (Alterations - Changed to black & white but kept flag in colour) 49

Interact | Faith and Politics

Michael, B. Oyewole

thoughts on Discovering faith in the modern age. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Discovering faith in the modern age is not as black and white as historical text make it out to beâ&#x20AC;?

Interact | Faith and Politics The summer of 2012, the skatepark was my place of solace.

Although, faith can be discovered at any time, at any place no

Although it was filled with people it still felt alone and empty.

matter how random, an adventure for the moment can begin

People were there to focus on self development, self improve-

with a simple text from a friend. There is no size to a persons

ment , you know.. focus on being better no matter how many

faith, similar to the way the seed is smaller than the tree it

times they would fall , no matter how long they would take at

grows into.

the art of mastery, even if it was on wheels. What is faith to me? My experience as someone who skates allowed me the hindsight

Faith is like discovering the necessary feeling of adventure in

to consider how much

a playground

discipline the skater has and how one can translate that into

filled with obstacles. Trusting whatever has allowed you to play.

faith. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. As discovering faith in the modern age is not as black and white as historical text make it out to be. It’s more elusive like something in the distance but that yields the feeling of proximity. Put simply, in a world of constant criticism -either from others or the self – we share experiences with others though they may vary from all ages, religious faiths and social background etc. Some came to the skatepark after school because they felt the skating was a release ; others in their late 30s would skate because it is an activity of their youth and they didn’t want to grow old and disregard the skill they’ve acquired though out the experience; others skated as a method of self reflection. Similar to religious faiths or any social grouping, the focus on self development is pivotal to the development of the group, whether that be physical, spiritual or mental, we all seek development. Oh how important is Art in the development of civilisation. A feeling that expresses itself with itself , the creative force behind life greatest mysteries; it’s new and original yet the same and old. “There is nothing new under the sun” . People discover faith through discipline and practice of the arts and they may or may not know. How amazing is life when in awe of a mass who effortlessly yearn to find a method of expression where they feel free?

““Assimilate that which you understand… you will discover that something has happened to clarify it, and give you a broader understanding of the whole” -Napoleon Hill Photography by Michael, B. Oyewole

In other words, think about what your stereotypical assumptions of a skater is. I’ve thought of mine, a skater is someone who challenges the obstacle in front of them, they make a playground out of obstacles and in turn are given something to perform as a canvas for expression, a trick, a skill, a manoeuvre .

Interact | Faith and Politics Belgian Flag over Ghent ©VJLF

Tillia Eestermans

Proud to be Belgian

I am still waiting for the moment people will be able

to go wherever they want, say whatever they want, and stand for whatever they want to stand for.

To me that is what Europe was ‘made’ for. It was made by us, modern people, to bury our differences of the past and move on, searching for a better way to live side by side. Belgium, which houses the capital of the European Union, should be a prime example of this thought. It could start by chucking out the idea of splitting the country into two parts – Flanders and Wallonia - and instead accept both. Because let’s be honest, we would be lost without one another. Belgium’s always been a place – and I say place because it wasn’t a country until 1830 – where a lot of cultural, political and religious action found place. It’s been part of the Roman Empire, when the ‘Belgae’ were described as the Roman›s bravest opponents. It’s been in the possession of the Spanish, and shortly after that the Austrian Netherlands. Since it’s birth as a country two world wars have found place. In short, with that rich history it’s not very hard to imagine what a political, and diverse country it must be. From the moment Belgium was declared independent, there has been a big difference between the northern Flemish speaking part, and southern French speaking part. Flanders and Wallonie respectively. Because all the economic

power was found in the south, and the fact that the Royal family spoke French, the Southern part of Belgium were in charge. The northerners, or Flemings, were excluded from a lot of political, and cultural decisions and tensions began to rise.

“Because lets be honest, we would be lost without one another” It didn’t take long before the Flemish part of the country got their economic share and power shifted. Political parties, that were once unitary, were eventually divided in two, and new political movements came into existence, with all the necessary media to support them. Today, 184 years later, these differences still haven’t been worked out. The fairly recent example of those ‹Community› differences is the Belgian coalition formation, following the Belgian general election held on 13 June 2010, which went on for 541 days. The main reason for those ridiculously long negotiations was that the two leading parties were the separatist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) and the Francophone socialist Party (PS), thus a

Flemish and a French party. The Southern part of Belgium fighting for their ‘rights’ and the Northern part fighting for theirs. You must be wondering, but how does it feel, living in a country with all these political and cultural differences? How does it feel to live in a place that is so modern, on so many levels, but doesn’t seem to be able to find it’s way out of this Community mess? When answering this, the first thing that comes to my mind is disappointment. Disappointment because we just can’t seem to work it out. Instead of being proud of our history and stand as one, we keep searching for reasons to fight each other. The differences we had 184 years ago should be long buried with the French and Flemish warriors, who fought brave, side by side in the World Wars. It’s an outdated dispute, kept alive by stubborn politicians and xenophobe people. There’s always something worth fighting for, but this is not it. On the contrary, we should be fighting for the same thing. For economic, political and cultural equality. I’m Tillia, a student in Ghent, Belgium’s Dutch part. I was raised in Flanders, and proud to be Belgian. I just wish everybody was.

Interact | Faith and Politics

Jonathan Lancaster, Job Seekers Alliance

Jonathan Lancaster

Job Seekers Alliance Being unemployed is hard work. I

Some time after I graduated I start-

lessness of receiving a relevant working life

like so many aspiring young people followed

ed a course for Nissan which the job centre

in relation to their degree post graduating.

the higher education route because I thought

was more than happy to send me too. It was

Unlike my parents’ generation who did not

that it would not only help me in life but

a course designed for unemployed people

have the “privilege” to go to University be-

also get me the job I had always wanted.

in my local area to be given the necessary

cause of economic circumstances, though

It is quite a sad and confusing time for any

trades and skills plus an interview for Nissan

many see still University as a opportunity to

graduate to proceed from the warmth and

with the overall intention of being given a

advance in life but what privilege is it if there

safety of higher education straight to the cold

job. On the first day I arrived at the where

is no job, security or no hope afterwards? A

of the dole office. In Britain today the rate of

the course was being held, on the bank of

lot of eager people now feel completely put

unemployment amongst young graduates

a ship yard as a thin blur river cut through

off from now going to University because

is higher than ever. 21% of young people in

stood around forty unemployed men of all

of this fact. It is a sad state of affairs that

this country are unemployed. After I gradu-

ages but mostly young, they stood all the

people’s hopes and dreams can be crushed

ated I spent a significant amount of time

same, barely supporting themselves upright

so easily by the fact the system just doesn’t

desperately applying for design jobs as I

it looked like a funeral. As the course pro-

work.

studies Illustration and Design at Sunder-

gressed I spoke to everybody and we where

With the rise of zero hours con-

land University I dragged myself into the job

all so optimistic, who knows we could all get

tracts in Britain today it would seem that

centre to sign on for Job Seekers Allowance

a job?

many companies are now inventing new

behind a long line of contorted grey faces

Tragically after six months of ex-

ways of taking advantage of the young, poor

that mine shortly resembled not long after.

tensive hard work, driven optimism and

and desperate living on fringes of society.

I have encountered so many problems and

unrelenting hope barely anybody if any got

Politicians often regard the unemployed

errors on behalf of the job centre it is as-

a job out of it. I then realised that maybe

as lazy or unreliable citizens when it works

tounding. For any person to be signing on

the course was more about keeping people

in their favor and regard them as statistics

it can be a very disheartening time, in my

who ran it employed rather than those who

or even disregard them entirely whilst in

personal experience panic often sets in and

attended it.

denial that it is a problem they are mostly

many nights applying desperately for jobs

I believe that young people in this

reliable for. Unemployment is no future for

with no replies seems hopelessly pointless

country are already starting to get wise to

anybody, particularly the young. The job

and futile.

the highly unpredictable nature and hope-

centre simply does not work. 53

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Alison Prioult

Solitude

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;A man can only be himself only so long as he is alone, and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom, for it is only when he is alone that he is really freeâ&#x20AC;? Arthur Schopenhauer 55

Interact | Reviews

harLOT

Full of stage presence and bursting with energy, I find it very easy to rock out to Harlots music. There’s always something going on to catch the attention.

After an adventurous journey to discover new music, I bring to you some of the greatest upcoming rock and metal bands from my domain, the North East of England. Make sure you savour the feeling of being blown away by that unheard-before-now symphony; screeching guitar solos overhead and bass rumbling beneath your feet. This is the sound that pulls your soul from one world to another.

How would you describe your music? The thing we pride ourselves on, and what helps us stay fresh in a scene dominated by sameyness is that we all bring different influences to the table. We’re always likened to Avenged, Bullet and Coheed which are in essence three favourite bands we can all agree on. You’ve recently released your new single, and are currently working on the rest of the EP. What should your fans expect to hear when it is complete? This EP has been long in the pipeline. We’re still growing a lot musically; we’re becoming more concise, better writers, better songs and tighter arrangements. We’re finding our exact sound right now and constantly writing songs which out do the last ones. There will be an EP by the summer, and definitely a second single with a proper music video before that! As a band, what do you ﬁnd most challenging? Like any young aspiring bands we face issues of money, time, getting shows worth our time, not getting f*cked by promoters etc. Any real upcoming band will have faced the same. Often, you’ll think, ‘does anyone give a f*ck?’ but you have to remind yourself your favourite bands felt this way once, it’s just all about hard work, growing, bettering yourself, working harder, and getting that little bit of luck and a break that gets you somewhere. Harlot also added: We’d love to take the opportunity to give a shout out to the bands we look up to and respect from the scene we’ve came through! Arcite, Digits, Enter the Lexicon, Cities on Fire, Saints of Arcadia and probably loads I’ve missed off! harlotuk.bigcartel.com

A-liv the n ea

METAL MOTH

I’ve seen Metal Moth play live and I’ve never quite seen crowd interaction quite like it. They always have the room bouncing. They’re preparing to tour this spring, so watch out for them coming your way! Who are your biggest influences? We’re mainly influenced by metal bands such as Metallica, Stone Sour, Iron Maiden, Five Finger Death Punch and Trivium etc, but we each love other types of music, and use those styles to help our music progress. Could be anything from rock n roll to funk to death metal! What has been your most eventful gig so far? The crowd always make a show, and there’s one gig in particular that stood out to us as our best gig so far, and that was in a tiny upstairs bar in Newcastle a few months ago. The crowd were bouncing so hard that the floor almost caved in! The bar staff told us we had to calm the crowd down, but if anything, that only made them bounce harder! Have there been any major struggles while working together? Unfortunately, Toby (drummer) decided to part ways with the band 2 months ago. We had to stop gigging for a while but it didn’t stop us from recording. After searching for the right one, we finally have a new drummer, Natalie! She fit right in with the rest of us and we can’t wait to get back on the stage! How’s your first EP coming along, being your first recording as Metal Moth? We’ve had an exciting experience at Omega Studios. We’ve learned a lot and added a lot of unexpected techniques and effects to the songs as we’ve been recording. It’s gonna be the first of three EP’s which will make up a concept album. The EP should be out this February, which we’ll be holding a launch party for. facebook.com/MetalMoth

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Ten Ton Friday

ve in north ast

I was totally blown away on discovering Ten Ton Friday, with their beautifully harsh vocals alongside that classic hard rock guitar tone. You’ve recently released your EP. How would you compare it to your last album (Crunkshaft)? The EP sounds a lot more focused; we’ve established a foundation now. The album was more of a labour to get through; it ended up having more of a jam sound, especially with having a stand-in drummer. I still love the album, it’s just a different representation of where the band was then, but the band now is much more defined. I think it will reflect in the songs that we do for the EP. What has been your most eventful gig so far? We played a scary gig with Hayseed Dixie. We were a drummer short at the time and we ended up just doing an acoustic gig. There were loads of people there, and we were slightly out of our comfort zone, but even though we did it acoustic the people still loved it. We loved playing in Trillians (Newcastle), the EP launch was incredible. It felt like we really held that room. It was a lot of work and we’d overcome a lot of adversity, given that Uber (Guitarist and vocalist) had tried to chop his thumb off six weeks prior, and we had to bring in a deputy guitarist and we still managed to sound like a band in completely control. We were really quite proud of it. What ideas do you have in store for your next release? We’re already in the process of writing stuff; it follows on from In Pursuit of Cyborgs, with that kind of groove and feel. Things are coming together a lot quicker now. Every time we record we get better and more experienced so it should be another top release when it gets done. tentonfriday.com

Writen by Sam Hackers Photographed Metal Moth

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R E P O R T I NG SP O R T

February 2014

HAS HOOLIGANISM FOULED FOOTBALL ? Written B y M a t t h e w C a l v e r t On Christmas Eve of 1914, on the desolate death-ridden scape of NoMan’s Land, a cease fire was called. German forces and allied soldiers lay down their weapons, and began playing football to celebrate the festive period. Sadly such a cease fire has not taken place in the modern game, and football is rife with acts of hooliganism. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word Hooligan to mean “a violent young troublemaker”. However it is best associated with disorderly conduct at a football match. At the most basic level it’s somebody getting a little too excited and throwing a beach ball onto a football pitch (much to the delight of Sunderland fans). Yet more often than not it is a far more serious issue. I think there is a fine line between enthusiasm/and hooliganism. If the game ceases to be enjoyable because of someone else’s ill judgement, then clearly something isn’t right. For example at my team’s home ground profanity is shouted at players every waking minute. This is not hooliganism, its merely just enthusiasm in the heat of the game. Yet on the other hand, I’ve seen away fans wrench out stadium seats in a fit of rage having been defeated. This is not to say that fans should be less competitive or passionate for their team, because that ruins the spectacle of the game. However when ‘competition’ descends into vandalism, abuse and violence, then the offside line has been crossed. The first recorded instance of hooliganism in football was in 1885 after Preston North End beat Aston 58

Villa 5-0 in a friendly game. Postmatch, teams were pelted with sticks and stones, beaten and spat on. Very ‘friendly’. One would hope that 128 years later the sport would’ve denounced this ugly streak of violence. The stark reality is that football is still plagued with incidences of disorder. They may seem like minor things, but history shows that in football, things escalate rapidly. Only last year, after Sunderland’s 3-0 victory against Newcastle in the Wear Tyne Derby, Magpie supporters took their tantrum to the streets. 4 police officers were injured, and one man went into the history books for venting his anger by assaulting a police horse. The event resulted in 29 arrests for antisocial and unruly behaviour. An even more alarming statistic is that during the 2012-2013 season, 2456 arrests were made and 471 banning orders issued. That’s an unwelcome increase from 2,363 arrests in the 2011-2012 season. What was once a family event where father and son would enjoy the football together, has now morphed into a free for all of ferocious attacks between supporters? Sadly incidences are not only happening out on the streets in response to bad results, fans are also resorting to violence within the stadium. During an Aston VillaTottenham Hotspur fixture, Lines man David Bryan was hit by a flare thrown by the away fans. Although only left with minor injuries, the situation could’ve been much worse. The government has warned that such pyrotechnics can burn as hot as 1,500 degrees Celsius for an hour. For what reason Spurs fans decided to endanger the assistant referee, is still

a mystery. But it poses an interesting question. Why do we see Hooliganism in Football? What drives a person to start a fight, throw a flare, or even god forbid…punch a horse? A likely culprit for the behaviour we see, is the drinking culture that overwhelms the sport. In 1985, all football stadiums were banned from allowing spectators to drink alcohol in their seats or in view of the pitch itself. Although this was a step in the right direction, it has only moved the problem elsewhere. Match stewards are finding that people are drinking before they attend matches, and at the stadium bars during half time. Mixed with the testosterone fuelled environment of the stadium, and excessive competition between spectators, this catalyses the kind of irrational behaviour we see within the stands. For example, in 1998 25 drunken England supporters were deported from Luxembourg after causing disruption on the streets. It would seem the pints flow regardless

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R E P O R T I N G SP O R T

Photographed by: Ben Sutherland

of the efforts by the FA to boot this habit from the game by making kick off times earlier. Behaviour from the players themselves also parallels the actions of these drunken hooligans. Most worryingly, is the fact that these trained professionals are not intoxicated. The fact that they are responsible for poor on-pitch etiquette, has a knock on effect to the next generation of supporters. Young boys and girls idolise these men, and look up to them as role models. So how can we justify cases like Louis Suarez biting Branislav Ivanovic, and allow them to continue? Children have grown up and became so desensitised to such displays, that when it happens outside the stadium they simply do not question it. Not only does it become acceptable to young people, but they are also indoctrinated into copying such behaviour until they eventually become the hooligans themselves.

Yet players continue to act this way, and their punishments are not representative of the violation they have committed. Louis Suarez continues to play for Liverpool Football Club having only received a 10 game ban, rather than something more permanent. Louis Suarez was employing tactics similar to those of Mike Tyson, who famously took a chunk out of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a boxing match. Has Football became so violent that we can now compare it to a boxing match? The intriguing thing about this, is that there are sports far more violent than football with better behaved sportsmen. Take Rugby for example. A contact sport where physical clashes are the order of the day. Yet players are respectful to the referee, shake hands before and after games, and the majority of on pitch violence is sporting rather than unruly. Roles have been reversed. A thug’s sport, rugby, played by gentlemen, and a Gentlemen’s sport, football, played by thugs.

Sadly this problem will never truly go away. Like they say “There’s always one”. Yet we are not powerless to act upon such issues. I propose a blanket ban on alcohol inside football stadiums to remove the temptation of getting drunk at half time and causing trouble. Although a strict proposal, clearly current measures are not enough. I would also suggest that the FA tighten regulations on players in order to set a better example for the younger supporters in the stands. Ultimately we have to remember that football isn’t a battle, a war, or a conflict, it is a game. Football once represented peace in a time of warfare and suffering. A brief cease fire in the bitterest war ever known. If those men knew what the game would eventually become, they probably would’ve just kept on fighting.

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The Bechdel Test & Ruby Sparks: Women in entertainment and baby steps of progress Kaitlin van Baarle

remember how eye-opening it was for me when I first discovered the Bechdel test. I had always realized that women were underrepresented in entertainment, but never to this extent. The Bechdel test essentially judges how inclusive films are in terms of gender, on the basis of three simple questions:

Is there more than one female character? If so, do two of the female characters talk to each other?

If so, do they talk to each other about something other than a man? 60

Disappointingly (but perhaps not surprisingly), the majority of films fail to meet all three criteria, including some of my own personal favourites. A worrying fact, given that half our population is obviously made up of women, and given European claims of progressiveness and equality of men and women. For this reason, Sweden has officially made the Bechdel test a part of its rating system, meaning that films get different ratings depending on how well they do on the Bechdel test. Although this speaks to a real problem regarding how women are perceived in society, I’m ambivalent about the benefits of such a policy. Renowned feminist Simone De Beauvoir wrote in The Second Sex, “women are dispersed among men”. Although written over sixty

years ago, this statement still unfortunately remains true today when we see how women are represented in popular culture. The Bechdel test illustrates how, despite our beliefs about how progressive we are in terms of gender equality, we still have a long way to go with regards to representing women as fully-fledged individuals who have opinions, values, and goals in life that may exist independently of men. And the way in which people are represented in the media inevitably influences the way we think about the world. The Bechdel test forces us to take these matters seriously, and to make serious moves towards no longer representing women as “Other”. The problem with including this in an official

Interact | Arts and Culture of the manic pixie dream girl is a young woman who is quirky, funny, bubbly, and her main purpose is to bring something new into the life of the struggling, brooding male protagonist around which the story ultimately evolves. Her own aspirations, however, are considered irrelevant to the overall plot.

ranking system, however, is the way that it might mislead us into thinking that there are clear-cut ways that movies can be considered either gender biased or not. But is a film considered a positive representation if it only marginally passes the test – say, if two women are found talking to each other only briefly? Or what if the film passes and nevertheless shows women in highly stereotyped ways, still failing to present us with women as multifaceted and complex characters? One film that stands out to me in demonstrating just how complicated issues of representation are is Ruby Sparks, which is an implicit commentary on the increasingly popular female stereotype of the “manic pixie dream girl”. The film is essentially about a young male writer, Calvin, who manages to conjure a woman out of his writing. He finds that whatever he writes about her becomes reality. In this way, he creates his own dream girl and finds himself exercising full control over her thoughts and her emotions. When I first found out about the film and watched a preview, I was already ambivalent about the way it represented such a dark story (at least, in my opinion) as a lighthearted romantic comedy. Still, I felt that it had a lot of potential in the way that it could make a meaningful comment on the way in which screenwriters often end up imagining the ideal women, depending on their target (male) audience. The trope

Ruby Sparks passes the Bechdel test. It is also written by a woman. And it addresses a worrying stereotype in entertainment. It also forces us to think about how we, as a society, sometimes forget to see women as individuals with their own lives and opinions which may be in conflict with our own. But – spoiler alert! – after Ruby discovers she is someone else’s creation and has been used merely for his own personal fulfillment, the two still end up happily ever after.

women are also central to the story rather than simply included in it, and that there’s no right way to go about such a complex issue. It is something that requires constant debate and analysis, and much more than simply turning to rules and tests regarding the number of women in films or whether women were involved in the creation process. Alternatively, we should try to understand that the Bechdel test opens a discussion about how women are represented in film and other forms of entertainment, instead of closing up that discussion by settling for the test as an official rating system. Matters of representation are extremely complex, and we need to keep challenging stereotypes that limit our perception of women as complex human beings.

Even after he had written her as being emotionally dependent to the point of crying when he is not at her side, only to rewrite her as slightly less dependent because he felt exasperated by her feelings. And even after he had forced Ruby to perform humiliating acts in a scene that is supposed to convince the audience of just how screwed up the male protagonist is. Ultimately, after his controlling, narcissistic, and abusive behavior throughout the film, Calvin has learned a lesson. This is why Ruby has taken him back after he stopped writing about her and exerting control over her. Everyone wins, and the film has followed a conventional story line that we are all comfortable with. Ruby Sparks shows us that people forget how complex women are, because they are humans, after all. But the film ends up doing precisely what it tries to argue against. The entire story revolves around Calvin’s own struggles with relationships, and Ruby, like so many other female characters before her in entertainment, is merely the vessel through which he reaches a point of self-discovery. What does Ruby Sparks tell us about the representation of women in films? It shows that we still have a long way to go, that we need to have films in which

Ruby, Like so many other female characters before her in entertainment, is merely the vessel through which Calvin reaches a point of self discovery

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Marco Shan

The parody of slow media Earlier this year, Norwegian public TV

the head of programming at NRK, Rune

eigners are aware of, or could possibly

NRK broadcasted a 12-hour live show

Moeklebust, the live fireplace was a ‘slow

understand. Nevertheless, the distinctive

to the public entitled ‘National Fire-

but noble television’ as it demonstrated

programme actually enjoyed wide public

wood Night’. All you could see on the

the unique Nordic firewood culture there.

participations from both Norwegians and

programme was just the still shot of a

He also added that ‘people in Norway

people elsewhere. During the broadcast

burning fireplace, and apart from that

have a spiritual relationship with fire, if

sessions, audiences are able to participate

some occasional commentary talks on

there was no firewood we couldn’t live in

in the programme by calling to share their

fire making and wood chopping, you

Norway, we’d freeze’.

knowledge of firewood, or simply remind

could hardly expect anything more. This

broadcasters when to add a new log to the

programme was so off-the-wall that the

It seems that the famous norwegian wood

BBC wrote a report about it. According to

harbors more cultural heritage that for- Norwegian people (one fifth of the coun-

fire. And surprisingly, nearly a million

Interact | Arts and Culture try’s total population) tuned in at the time

firstly proposed by some communica- time!) to complete, and in between it has

to watch the show, according to NRK. ‘I’m

tion scholars who felt anxious about the

no passengers, no traffic, only road sign,

not being ironic’, mentioned one viewer,

negative consequences of mass media.

and you have to keep steering the bus to

‘For some reason, this broadcast was very

They argue that in modern society where

keep it from driving off road, or you’ll

calming and very exciting at the same

people are bombarded by excessive social

have to restart the entire process again.

time.’ One American user commented

network notifications, news alerts, incom- Even if you finish the journey, the only re-

that ‘if only the life in the USA could be

ing e-mails and other forms of distractions,

ward you could get is a single score, mak-

so simple...a programme of a fireplace

the always-connected, speed-obsessed

ing it the most difficult point to achieve in

instead of guns and crimes’.

way of life would inevitably lead to super- video game history. The following quote ficiality and decreasing quality in media

can be seen in the beginning of the game:

messages. Sabbath Manifesto, a website

‘game is stupefyingly like reality’.

that embraces slow media movement, is pledging for a ‘The National Day of Unplugging’ with its ‘10 principles’, and the first one is ‘Avoid Technology’. Despite how plausible the idea of slow media sounds, few people would actually However it was not the only experimental

like to disconnect from the virtual world

projects created by NRK, they are proved

to find a sense of relief. In fact, we find that

to be quite experienced at broadcasting

the aspiration of living a simple, undis- nority’s masochists, the game was still

mundane events like this: in the past they

turbed life amid our gadgets is yet another

called by The New Yorker as ‘the very

have broadcasted a five-day live from a

form of escapist wishful thinking: it will

worst video game ever created’. Quirky

cruise ship, and their latest programme

always be substituted by our pressing need

as these inventions might be, they more

showed a nine-hour live knitting. If the

to socialise and catch up with what’s going

or less reflect modern people’s cynical

fireplace show still has more or less to

on, by our insatiable appetite for more

resistance to a world of constant change.

do with the Norwegian firewood culture,

sensory excitement and our reluctancy

There is too much stimuli and not enough

the recent nine-hour live knitting almost

to surrender all the conveniences that

time, in a sense this sentiment defines us

entirely emphasises the ‘slowness’ of the

technology has already afforded us. Most

as a generation. Perhaps slow media is a

show itself, which consists of two parts,

importantly, nowadays ‘disconnected’ at

possible way out, though at this stage it

the first half was a four-hour documentary

some point means being excluded from

appears to be more eccentric than real-

Although it may have satisfied some mi-

on sheep shearing, and the second con- the online community thus being left be- istic. Or, why don’t we just sit back and sisted of five hours of non-stop knitting

hind. Also this idea is certainly not going

enjoy the warmth and relaxing crackling

by a group of people aiming to break a

to be welcomed by the ads suppliers. In

sound of a real fireplace, if we do fancy a

previous world knitting record.

this sense, the National Firewood Night

moment of sobriety?

series is just a parody of the idealistic slow Impressed by NRK’s peculiar approach, it

media movement.

is realised that the term ‘slow TV’ that has been adopted by some reports is some- A more unorthodox examples of such what related to the ‘slow media movement’

mundane programmes, the predecessor of

mentioned a few times in the past. As the

both live firewood and slow media, is the

name suggests, the movement urges us

once notorious video game called ‘Dessert

to ‘slow down’ the pace when engaging

Bus’. The whole purpose of the game is to

with forms of media goes on to call for a

drive a passenger bus (but without a single

less-mediated forms of life. Inspired by

passenger) from Arizona to Las Vegas.

the slow food movement, the idea was

The single journey takes 8 hours (in real

First image from The New York Times National Firewood Night Second image from the New Yorker - Desert bus interface Previous page image by Christopher/Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0 63

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Liguigli, D., Wandering around (1), London.

WHAT IS PHOTOGRAPHY? Domenico Liguigli

“But if photography be allowed to encroach upon the domain of the impalpable and imaginary, upon anything whose value depends solely upon the addition of something of a man’s soul, then it will be so much the worse for us!” (Baudelaire, C., Salon of 1859). 64

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“photography is the epistemic evidence of the beauty of the world.” that defines the nature of photography, its

Regarding this, there is an interesting

own linguistic uniqueness, which enables

question to which one of the most im-

us to say: “that is a photograph and not

portant photographers of the 20th century

any other language!”

answered with extreme clarity:

In order to define the nature of photogra-

“Is photography an art?”

phy, it is necessary to suppose that each

Josef Sudek answered: “It is not. It is a nice

language has its own linguistic essence

craft requiring a certain amount of taste. It

and moves by itself, according to its own

cannot be art, because it depends entirely

rules, independent from whoever uses

on things that already existed before it and

language.

apart from it, that is, the world around us.”

Therefore, Baudelaire rightly pointed out

Photography cannot but look at the world

that photography must not, but above all

because it is in the world that it will find

cannot, encroach upon the domain of

the possibility of his birth, it is being pho-

the impalpable and imaginary because

tography and nothing else, its linguistic

photography is for physical constitution

essence. Photography occurs when the

the light trace left by the world on pho- technological eye palpates the world and, tosensitive matter.

consequently, the world answers to that stimulus striking and impressing with silent

Photography entirely depends on the

impetus and charm the technological eye,

world, nay it is the material, factual effect

so much to leave a trace into camera body’s

Charles Baudelaire’s criticism claiming

of the action of the world. Photography

soul, its camera film.

that photography cannot be counted as art

cannot physically exist without the light-

is known by many. Nevertheless, despite

matter particles reflected by the subject

I would like to put a definition of photog-

the harsh nature of his comment, it is pos-

photographed. Photography will never be

raphy forward. It is: “photography is the

sible to individuate in Baudelaire’s criti-

able to encroach upon the domain of the

epistemic evidence of the beauty of the

cism the first theoretic definition about

impalpable because it needs the material

world.” Allow me to explain. Why may

photography. It highlights an argument

world to exist.

photography be considered as evidence?

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As we have pointed out above, photogra-

Liguigli, D., Wandering around (2), London.

phy is the light trace left by the world on the photosensitive matter. For this reason semiology settled photography into the set of index signs. Index is a kind of sign that indicates the truth of a determinate reality, just as the fingerprints or footprints on the scene of a crime indicate the truth of he who committed the crime, the truly guilty. Therefore, photography is to be considered as the fingerprints on the scene of a crime, namely an evidence of the truth, in this case not of the guilty but of the world. The world leaves its fingerprint on photosensitive matter. This evidence is epistemic and thus, inasmuch “episteme” literally means “something which is above ground, on the surface, in light”, something that everyone can see and that no one can deny it exists. Episteme is incontrovertible. However, this linguistic essence that we could also call the photography’s unconscious, as it has been called by others, may have a sublime purpose, that is being epistemic evidence of the beauty of the world. Photography may be the one language able to prove that beauty is not merely an ideal, something that can only be found in a dream or in the ethereal, in pure imagination and creation, but it is here and now, within this Earth, under our eyes, within the pure materiality and actuality of the world. This is what some photographers were and still are able to find and prove through photography, because as Josef Sudek said: “photography is always around the corner”.

Liguigli, D., Wandering around (3), London.

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Sharing the joy Sharing the Joy: On Ragnar Kjartansson’s “Performance Room” Contribution and Imagined Communities

Emily Mangione On an otherwise utterly ordinary Thursday

concerned with the human body in all its

are encouraged to submit questions via

night, I watched a piece of performance

fleshiness and corporeality. The Schnee-

a number of social media platforms to

art with a number of other people, none

mann deals with the interaction between

the artist, some of which are addressed

of whom the artist or I could see or could

very material bodies and, ultimately, with

afterwards. Kjartansson, in a trailer for

see me. This is because the performance

the relation between human flesh and

the event, mentions that the performance

I was watching—Ragnar Kjartansson’s

raw animal flesh. In Kjartansson’s Varia-

room feels “like a schoolroom or an inter-

Variation on Meat Joy, 2013—was part

tion on Meat Joy, the essentially primitive,

rogation room” and without the social

of the Tate’s “Performance Room” series.

almost animal nature of eating—made

media feedback, the whole experience

Set in a smallish, self-contained gallery,

evident in the performance through an

could take on the flavor of the one-way

these works are not physically visible to

amplification of the slow mastication of

mirror or panopticon. Instead, what is

anyone at the time of performance and

steaks—is thrown into strong relief by the

created is a participatory museum without

are performed solely to be viewed online.

elaborately artificial fantasy of a Rococo

walls, accessible globally to anyone with

Premiered as live streams on YouTube, the

setting and costuming the artist designed

an internet connection and access to You-

performances are then preserved online

for the performers. In emphasizing the

Tube. In the face of ubiquitous criticism

to be watched by anyone at anytime. As

visceral experience of eating, Kjartansson

that virtual communities have stunted our

such, they radically shake-up our sleepy

takes up and further explores Schneeman’s

ability to interact with others in the mate-

assumptions in what is meant by the term

interest in the very bodily experience of

rial world, the “Performance Room” series

“audience” or “participatory community,” being. It is this interest in a very much

suggests that these communities do not

and even the constraints presupposed in

embodied subjectivity that I think empha-

need to be seen simply as taking the place

the word “museum.”

sizes the issue of the audience’s virtuality,

of traditional communities but can open

its very much disembodied presence in

up new possibilities of being with others

the imagined community of cyberspace.

and being with art impossible before the

Kjartansson’s work (which you can view in its entirety through the Tate’s You-

advent of the internet age.

Tube channel) is particularly interesting

What is crucial to this imagining of com-

to think about in relation to these issues

munity, this bringing together of sub-

because both it and the 1964 Carolee

jectivities in the face of their purely vir-

Schneemann work, Meat Joy, that served

tual coming-together, is the use of social

as its inspiration can be seen as primarily

media. During the performance, viewers

Video of Ragnar Kjartansson’s Variation on Meat Joy captured live Thursday, 24 October, 2013 at Tate Modern is available online through the Tate’s YouTube channel.

Interact | Travel and Moving WRIT TEN BY RACHEL LEE

LE TS GE T SKIING

Generally it’s an early awake to get a glimpse of the weather that lies ahead. On a good day there’s not a cloud in the sky and the fresh powder snow is glistening from the suns rays. After a shower and a good hearty breakfast it’s on with the winter layers - long johns and vests, the classic undergarment fashion in the ski world! Then after grabbing your skis you are ready to hit the slopes.

Everything you could ever want to know about the European snow scene I guess is just a click away, but experiencing the mountains through second hand images and write ups just isn’t enough. If you want precision and real first hand experience of what we ski addicts really experience when we hit the slopes – now is the time to take the plunge as the ski season has begun!

The downhill sport is made easy with the modern lift systems. They give you a scenic and relaxing ride through the trees, which is only interrupted by the occasional rattle of the connecting cable supports. When reaching the top the network of lifts will then take you to the mass of different slopes across the mountain.

The search begins for many early in September to find that ultimate destination. With thousands of resorts to choose from, and with just over 600 of them in Austria alone, you’re spoilt for choice.

There are many ways down the mountain, if you’re looking for a smooth relaxing run then its best to go on a blue slope but if you wanting something more challenging then hit the red and black runs.

I have been lucky enough to experience many resorts but for me, Austria has to be my favourite destination for the all-round experience so far. It’s home to the futuristic landmark ‘Bergisel Ski Jump’ which has seen two winter Olympic games. The tower is 250m above Innsbruck and Olympic skiers hit a staggering take off speed of around 92 km/h. It would definitely get the adrenaline pumping if you were to be looking down from the take off point.

It’s hard to put into words how incredible it feels to ski down a run at great speed. You can hear the scrapes from your ski blade edges cutting into the snowy mountain. The fresh mountain air hits off your cheekbones while the suns reflection on the slopes keeps you feeling warm and refreshed.

However let’s just bring it back to reality, as a typical day for us on the slopes won’t be achieving top speeds of 92km/h! But it’s always an exciting action packed day.

It’s always best to hotel not too far from the lift stations, as walking with your ski boots on carrying your skis can be risky business. Trust me…I’ve learnt from experience!

I like to soak up as much skiing as I can in the afternoon but when the sun begins to dip its après ski time – where the bars are always lively and the locals are friendly. I have to give it to the Austrians – they definitely know how to party! It’s not only about the skiing and partying for me though. I am a big kid when it comes to tobogganing,

Interact | Travel and Moving

9 Photographed The Ski Mob ( Sauze d’Oulx)

‘ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE A BEGINNE R, NO ONE STARTS OF F BE ING E XCE L L ENT ’. which is basically sledging. ‘Neukirchen’ in Austria has one of the longest toboggan runs in Europe. It’s 14km long! There’s none of that pulling your sledge up the hill and you’re down the bottom in seconds. It’s such good fun especially if you go down in a big group. I always prefer to go in the evening when it’s floodlight as you see the mountain in a totally different light. You weave down the mountain run passing through the dark woodland, the sky is black with twinkling stars and the village houses are all lit up in the valleys. It’s beautiful.

Torch night skiing is another great activity. I have only tried this once in ‘Sauze d’Oulx’ an Italian ski resort but I would definitely do it again. Everyone is provided with a torch headlamp and you ski down the mountain in large groups. You ski down continuously making an ‘S’ shape and when you look back all you can see is everyone’s bright headlights weaving down behind you. It’s awesome. So…lets get Skiing. You still have time to book that last minute deal. When was the last time you did something for the first time?

‘Neukirchen’ resort is perfect for a first ski trip away. Not only will you get the chance to experience tobogganing but also the resort is perfect for beginners. If you wanting a more challenging resort then ‘Zell am See’ is a destination favourite for many and you can get a short train ride from ‘Zell am See’ station to ‘Bramberg’ ski lift which will take you to the top of ‘Neukirchen’s’ toboggan run. @rachelbrookelee 69

Interact | Travel and Moving

Text and photos by Klementyna Jankiewicz

24 hours break Yom Kippur holiday in Israel

Interact | Travel and Moving

In Israel once a year everything stops. There is no TV or radio,

Streets and highways are full of kids on bikes instead of cars.

all shops are closed and it is forbidden by law to ride a car, bus

One can only hear people and birds, no regular city noise. No

or motorcycle. 24 hours without any mechanical rush.

one rushes, no one goes shopping, no one works, the only thing

This day is called Yom Kippur, the Atonement Day, and it is one

remaining to do is to embrace the environment, concentrate on

of the most important holidays in Judaism. In secular places

the people around and relax.

like Tel Aviv, the biggest city of Israel, it goes beyond religion

For one day this busy Middle Eastern city feels like the most

- the day turns into a celebration of the city and its inhabitants.

peaceful place on earth. 71

Interact | Travel and Moving

Text and images by Vivianne Pellacani

ITALIANS GO TO LONDON The new migration trend of 2013 Here we are. It’s 2013 and Italians − yet

escaping from the Northern territories,

by the Italian system. Young people are

again − are packing and moving abroad.

where industrialisation was supposed

looking for a place where meritocracy,

After the large-scale migration away from

to guarantee better living and working

innovation and enterprising spirit can be

Italy in the period between its national

conditions.

appreciated and therefore used as selec-

unification in 1861 and the rise of Fascism,

This recent Italian migration can actually

tion criteria, instead of intercessions (in

and then after World War II, a new Ital-

be divided into two main categories. On

Italy, to have friends in high places is often

ian diaspora is taking place. On the run

one hand, teenagers who come to London

the only way to get a job) .

from their own people this time around,

to learn the English language and then

The human flood has also been influenced

Italians are currently trying to forget their

maybe look for a job; on the other hand,

by a high level of taxation − perceived by

Bel Paese and their food addiction to seek

neo-graduates and PhD holders, as well

the population as totally unfair and out

their fortune in London.

as young professionals, who move away

of proportion − as well as a strong dis-

According to the latest data results, Italians

from Italy to seek a prospective career in

appointment towards the contemporary

regularly enrolled in the A.I.R.E. (the Reg-

the job sector they have specialised in.

leading political class, considered unable

istry of Italians Resident Abroad) in 2012

The reasons that are clearly leading to the

to represent citizens needs and desires.

were about 202 thousand in the whole of

brain drain, which is talked about so often

It is apparent at this stage that everyone

Great Britain. Of those, about 72 thousand

today, are countless.

who has put in a great deal of effort, com-

were registered just in the Greater Lon- The main problem, the main illness − mitment and skill to study or build a cadon area (a huge rise compared to the 44

which we have all identified as a cause

reer, will also expect (and deserve to get)

thousand registered in 2006). However,

for serious concern − is the economic

more for his or her life.

this number does not take into account

depression, rapidly turned into unem- Historically speaking, London has always

those who live in the City but who have

ployment. According to the latest Istat

represented a destination for migration

decided not to enroll in the A.I.R.E.

(Italian Institute of Statistics) results, in

movements. As New York and Amsterdam,

If the Italian population keeps growing

the space of a few years, Italy has reached

London itself has been made by workers

in this way, “London is going to become

an employment rate of 11.3%. The number

coming from all over the world.

the second consular district in the world

of jobseekers has actually increased in size

In 2013, this process highly accelerated

after Buenos Aires”, says the Italian Consul

by 60% since 2008. It was found that in − as far as Italy is concerned, about 15

regent, Sarah Eti Castellani, during an

2012 there was 30.2% of unemployment

thousand Italians are enrolling in the

interview for Il Sole 24 ore.

(about 600 thousand people).

A.I.R.E. every month, of those 1 out of 4

We are talking about men and women, Another reason for Italian migration is

is born in London while the other 3 are

aged 15-34, coming from all over The

the lack of opportunities and therefore

people coming from abroad − and today

Boot. Not only are they coming from the

the strong desire of graduates and profes- is mainly considered as a brain drain or

South of the country, but they are also

sionals to go beyond the limits imposed

human capital flight, rather than a work-

Interact | Travel and Moving ers migration. According to statistical data, Italians overtake the Channel because of the English language. Moving to EU countries is much easier than moving to the United States or Australia, where long term Visa processes often make migration an illusion, not a reality. Beppe Severgnini − Italian writer, editorialist and contributing opinion writer to The New York Times − describes London as “the most exciting, cosmopolitan, brilliant chameleon city on the planet”. According to his analysis, London is attractive for being international − like the Big Apple, 1 person out of 3 is born abroad: every year the British capital opens its doors to 250 thousand foreigners − in-

Claudia, 24 (Terni) and Mara, 26 (Roma) Claudia dreams to become an Interpreter. Mara has been studying art and one day she will be a Graphic Designer

novative, young, so dynamic, genuinely meritocratic and rich of opportunities. Italians who get to London are full of dreams and great expectations. To achieve their ambitious goals, they often have to lower their skills, initially working in pubs, cafés or restaurants, paid at the minimum national wage. Although the demands of hiring employers have become higher, they provide young people with encouraging opportunities to live in a foreign country and to chase their ambitions. London life is really expensive. Most of the times, half of the salary goes to pay the expensive rent, another quarter to support the public transportation, what is left is to enjoy life and to pursuit academic or professional goals.

Alex, 24 (Vicenza)

A thousand stories could be told. Here are

Next year, he will be on a road trip

some of the ones I have been listening to.

across the U.S., studying Sound

One of them started this way. Mara was

Engineering.

working in a big grocery store in Canary Wharf when a British Customer kindly asked her: “my darling, you have such beautiful weather, wonderful beaches and delicious food..why did you decide to come to London?”. Here are some of the answers.

Tatiana, 32 (Perugia) She will marry a true American cowboy (it’s ok as well if he comes from Boston or San Francisco)

Sara, 24 (Perugia)

and one day she will be running

Her goal is to become a

her own café in a Carosello Style

Photographer 73

Interact | Travel and Moving

Two sides to every coin Words: Jade Bompela Imgae source: Arianna AQ, Flicker

Poverty, war, conflict and famine. These are just a handful of things that people often associate with Congo. However, as the old saying goes, there are two side sides to every coin and I want to inform people of the other side of Congo. The side that is not poverty stricken, the side that is not involved in some war.

n 2009, following a peace deal between the Congolese and

life for yourself,

Rwandan governments, some of the main armed groups in

Congo prob-

eastern Congo joined the national government. Many of you

ably wouldn’t

reading this will not be aware of all the reforms that have oc-

curred in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) in the last

first choice

43 years, a number of these reforms are mostly down to the

thanks to

alliance of China and the DRC. Not only that, I will mention

the

the amazing Congolese environment.

it is por-

Since 1972, the PRC (People’s Republic of China) has donated a

trayed in

large sum of money to the DRC. These donations have been put

the media,

towards building projects; a farm on the outskirts of Kinshasa,

you probably wouldn’t even consider

a sugar refinery in Kisangani and a National Assembly building.

it. However, many Chinese migrants working in Congo moved

Topping it all off the Chinese government also built an 80,000 seat

there because it was the only place they could work for a Chi-

stadium in 1994, called the Stade de Martyrs-which is the fourth

nese company outside China. Also, many of them had been

largest stadium in Africa. There are new projects too- a newly

working in smelting or mining, they moved to find better jobs.

renovated road connecting Kinshasa’s airport to its downtown.

This country that is always painted as an uncivilized country, in

Furthermore, the rising price of copper has prompted two Chi-

fact provided better lives for a huge number of Chinese immi-

your

w ay

nese state-owned companies to open the largest mine Congo has ever seen. In exchange for the rights to mine potentially billions of dollars’ worth of copper for more than two decades, these companies are spending $3 billion upfront to build roads, bridges, and hospitals in Congo.

ver since China became allies with Congo an estimated 1 million Chinese im-

migrants have settled in the capital of Congo

grants. In addition, the Chinese are not

Ever since China became allies with Congo, an estimated Chinese

1 million

immigrants have settled in Kinshasa.

the only people migrating to Congo for better job opportunities; there are Indian businessmen who have lived there for a long time and also some Japanese immigrants, there is also a growing Lebanese community in the DRC.

omewhere between poverty and government corruption, the media

completely overlook the beautiful side

(Kinshasa). Due to the growing number of Chinese immigrants,

of Congo. Something I find amazing is that Congo is home to

in 2012 the population of Congo was a whopping 65.71 mil-

the second largest rainforest in the world, after the Amazon.

lion. Many of these Chinese immigrants, have set up businesses

The Congo rainforest spans approximately 1.5 million square

like restaurants, clothing boutiques and electrical shops. These

miles. It is home to a number of endangered species such as;

businesses offer opportunities for the local people and other

chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, bonobos, white rhinos and

Chinese migrants. When thinking about a place to build a better

lastly the okapi. An Okapi can ONLY be found in Congo.

Interact Moving Interact|||Travel Faith and andIdentity Politics Interact Exploring

In addition to all the animals that inhabit the Congo rainforest, five of the national parks in the Congo rainforest are UN heritage sites-which means they possess special significance to the world, yet to newspapers and news stations this is deemed as unimportant and therefore often ignored.

onetheless, when the M23 rebels decided to invade Goma a city in the eastern side of Congo, BBC

News were more than happy to report on it. Fortunately, the DRC has defeated the M23 rebels. At least 80,000 people have lost their home since the conflict began in

2012, but now that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over Congo can dive head first into a new beginning. The US has welcomed the declaration of a ceasefire as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;significant positive stepâ&#x20AC;? for eastern Congo. Civilians are slowly coming back to towns and villages like Kibumba, 17 miles north of Goma, and many young men are back at work. If Congo carries on this way then who knows what the future holds for this continually developing country.

Interact | Travel and Moving

chasing

northern lights Words | Photography : Shirley Xie

Throughout all my years, the dream of observing the Aurora has been burning in my heart, like an eternal flame, leading me all the way to Iceland, where I finally had an unforgettable encounter with her.

he is a naughty but mesmerising elf

up in September. Nevertheless, Gurry

would last three to four hours involving

dancing in the night. Every winter,

Gudfinnsdottir, a customer advisor from

standing outside the bus. Whipped by

she kicks off the show and attracts

Iceland Excursions Gray Line Tour that I

strong wind on a bright sunny morning,

people from all over the world, but just

joined, asserted that no particular season

I was wandering on Laugavegur, the main

to give a momentary spectacular perfor- is the best.

shopping street in Reykjavik, home to

mance. Not a single dancer on this earth “Due to the nature of the Aurora Borealis

several record stores, cafeterias and sou-

could compete with her as she is the only

and the fact that the Sun and Solar erup- venir shops. My frozen face hinted that

one that is able to sway in the starry sky.

tions are the reason of the charged par- wrapping up warm in more layers with

But the tickets are sold without guarantee.

ticles emitted that enter our atmosphere

a mask on face was absolutely necessary,

Like most unpredictable women, some-

at great heights, this phenomena happens

even though I had already put on three

times she is not in the mood and just quits

all year round but can only be seen

the show without any notice; sometimes

in a darkened sky.”

it comes a late staging with an abrupt end. “There are sightings from

layers with a heavy long down jacket and a woollen hat on top.

The diva’s name is Aurora.

as early as August and

No hunting could

The mysterious Northern Lights- or Au-

as late at the end of

be successful

rora Borealis in its scientific name, has

April. However,

without energy.

captivated and enchanted people for cen- there are only tours

After having an

turies. Throughout all my years, the dream

for visitors to Ice-

authentic Icelan-

of observing the Aurora has been burning

land when the dark-

dic meal at Loki

in my heart, like an eternal flame, leading

ness is guaranteed.”

Cafe situated by

me all the way to Iceland, where I finally

The Gray Line said that

had an unforgettable encounter with her.

the whole observation

the Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik—

Interact | Travel and Moving

I arrived in Iceland with high hopes. As

homemade rye bread slices topped with

stormy hell. As we drove out of Reykjavik,

predicted by NASA scientists, a period

mashed fish and smoked trout, flat bread

the haze of the city light gradually filtered

in the sun’s 11-year cycle with the strong- with smoked lamb, dried fish with butter

away, revealing a completely black curtain

est solar activity will reach its peak in

and a bite of a fermented shark, followed

ahead us with no horizon in sight. To

December, 2013, which would bring the

by a typical Icelandic lamb hot soup mixed

maximise the odds of success, Gray Line

brightest lights display in 50 years. Thus,

with carrots and potatoes, I finally felt a

checked the weather forecast and with the

2013 and 2014 have been dubbed as the

warm stream running through my body.

people living in remote areas, as well as its

two best years among those wanting to

Picking my camera and putting on more

staff on other tours. “Online information

catch a glimpse of Aurora.

layers, I boarded the bus at the doorstep

sources are also checked, although those

My hunt kicked off the first night when

of Rex Hostel and started the adventure

are almost always a random or somewhat

I arrived in Reykjavik in late October. It

at 7pm.

scientific prediction and far from accurate,”

is said that the best observing season for the lights is from October to next April.

“

First hunt

Gurry said. “News of Solar eruptions is always good news for us since it is likely that

But due to the maximum solar activity

The weather in Iceland is more capricious

the Northern Lights will be seen within

this year, the time has been shifted to an

than the English weather. One second

a certain number of hours afterwards.”

earlier date, meaning the lights could show

could transform a sunny heaven into a

Heading north for around 40 minutes,

I waited for around three hours yesterday and it really needs patience. It is like someone suddenly pushing the button and the lights would show up without any foreplay.

the bus dropped us off at a coast, which faces the boundless cold and dark Atlantic Ocean. Above was a thick cloud blanket, whose edge can be recognised far away, and below was the soft sandy beach. Waiting in the silent darkness left nothing 77

Interact | Travel and Moving but the whisper of the waves, touching

the time by joining the Golden Circle

moment, I felt as though I was standing

the bank repeatedly. There was no sign

Tour: marvelling at the spectacular view

in outer space, looking back to the earth.

of the lights at all, as the patch of cloud

at Pingvellir National Park with golden

However, patience was still the key. People

above stayed still and never drifted by. A

leaves covering the land and winding blue

piled out of the bus, bracing themselves

Russian lady told me this was her second

river through the valley; walking along the

against the cold wind with hot coffee in

time to hunt and she only managed to see

Gulfoss Waterfall with a rainbow hover-

hand. Some professional photographers

the lights for a short moment before. “I

ing above and feeling the water drops

shot the sky with long-exposure on a tri-

waited for around three hours yesterday

dabbing the face. The last stop was the

pod and it came back green. I know the

and it really needs patience. It is like some-

spouting hot spring area filled with steam

lights were building around us, but instead,

one suddenly pushing the button and the

around Gaysir, which could reach at least

I longed to see it through my naked eyes.

lights would show up without any foreplay.” 10 meters high into the sky. “As a natural phenomenon, it is unpredict- The spectacular landscape in Iceland is

Nearly two hours later, my feet felt like a frozen stone. I clambered over a small hill

able. Sometimes it will appear on a cloudy

like a pathway to heaven. But I found

after observing some white glow appear-

night, rather than the clear night.”

myself aching for the night to arrive. As

ing beyond. Just at that moment, a woman

It was 11pm by the time we got back to the

the darkness drew on, the conditions were

shouted:” Look, it is coming! Naked eyes!”

bus without any result—standing in freez-

perfect—clear sky, but would Aurora be

Aurora was there to greet us without

ing wind for three hours had completely

in the mood for the date?

any sign. Slowly, a faint streak of green

turned my feet numb. Heading back after

intimate touch

swang in the sky, and then another one

trated with Aurora for flaking out on me,

When the car drove away from the light

Sometimes they touched each other softly

but looked forward to our second date.

pollution of the city, the night started

but just one second later, they had a solo

unveiling its transparent mark. Above

dance. Suspended in the air with hundreds

he next day embraced a fresh and

us, the silver galaxy flowed through the

of thousands of stars as a backdrop, and

clear morning, with sunlight flood-

starry sky, just like a crystal bracelet with

amazingly framed by the silhouettes of

ing into my room—a promising

shining charms. The whole sky suddenly

the hills on the horizon, was the loving

prelude to the descend of Aurora. Passing

spurted with all the little twinkle. For one

dancer that I had been waiting for many

a warm hot chocolate in a cafe,I was frus-

Gulfoss Waterfall

showed up, resembling a flickering flame.

Interact | Travel and Moving

From left to right, Pingvellir National Park, Icelandic meals, spouting hot spring years. Despite the falling temperatures

stopped just for Aurora and me. I was so

night, it will always remind me of that

as -1°C, I was exhilarated at the dramatic

close to the fairy who poured down the

beautiful dancer—Aurora—whispering

phenomenon created by the Nature.

shining light, that I nearly touched her soft

by my ear, telling me an ancient legend

At 12 o’clock, we set off back to Reykjavik. fingertips. Whenever I see the clear starry But I couldn’t help myself gazing outside, as the lights were flaring up intently and

about the night…

Iceland Reykjavik

the smooth green silk was covering the

Get there: WOW airline runs flight twice a day from London Gatwick Airport

darkness. In a flash, the performance

to Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport. Cheapest from £ 68.32.

reached its climax when the sky erupted

More detail: http://wowiceland.co.uk/.

in a blaze of green. The whole bus was

Accomodation: Kex Hostel. Single room £ 44 pppn. http://www.kexhostel.is/

marvelling at Aurora, taking countless

Getting around: Gray Line Iceland Excursion. Northern Lights Mystery Tour,

photos and savouring the moment.

£28. Ticket valid within two years if you fail to see it.

It was a sweet dream. Time had completely 79

Interact | Reviews

Blackfish review Alex Gray

Interact | Reviews Blackfish has been one of 2013’s most successful documentaries.

Occasionally the film seems to be struggling to fill its ninety

It focuses on Tilikum, a killer Whale who at a staggering 12000

minute running time with interviews that are little more than

pounds is the largest in captivity and is known to have killed

personal opinion and therefore irrelevant. But this is made up

three people.

for by the chilling footage of various killer whale attacks on their trainers that is evidently the most effective aspect of the film.

The aim of the film is to expose the mistreatment of Killer Whales in captivity using the death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn

It is clear when watching these grainy pieces of film that these

Brancheau by Tilikum in 2010 as a starting point and then

are not the accidents they are often reported to be but deliberate

working backwards to uncover exactly why the incident and

and planned actions by the animals themselves. Here we really

others like it have occurred. This structure is familiar to fans

get a sense of the power and intelligence of these creatures and it

of serial killer docs, but here the real villains are revealed to the

is immediately obvious that keeping them as performing circus

humans who mistreated Tilikum at every turn.

animals is both foolish and cruel.

By splicing together a combination of interviews, coronary reports and amateur footage of the attacks, director Gabriela

It is true that Blackfish is unapologetically one sided, not helped

Cowperthwaite gradually brings together pieces of the puzzle

by the fact that SeaWorld representatives refused to be inter-

that resulted in the death of Brancheau and others. We learn that

viewed. However I don’t think this fact detracts from the film’s

in the wild there have been no known attacks on humans and

quality. Unlike many other similar documentaries it manages to

yet in captivity they are surprisingly common. This is blamed

put across its message passionately without becoming dictatorial

on the harsh conditions and treatment of killer whales that is

or patronising in tone. It is simply a cleverly crafted expose of

believed to lead to trauma and even psychosis. It is also revealed

animal cruelty and as such deserves the attention it is receiving.

that in the wild Killer Whales have life spans similar to our own yet in captivity they rarely live to thirty.

“We really get a sense of the power and inteligence of these creatures ...”

One interviewee talks about his role in capturing baby Killer Whales for SeaWorld, describing how several whales were killed in the process. Marine biologists then explain the negative psy-

Images taken from Flickr

chological effect this is likely to have on the surviving animals whose brains are highly emotionally developed. What is perhaps most astounding is the level of denial by the SeaWorld corporation. Dawn Brancheau’s killing was the most physically brutal and public incident that SeaWorld had ever had to deal with. However not only did they attempt to blame Brancheau’s death on her own incompetence but then aggressively campaigned to continue with the shows that would clearly put their staff in danger.

Interact | Reviews Written by Jessica McDermott

Oranges and Sunshine A debut feature film for British director Jim

the same month. Watt’s character is also based

Loach based on the Margaret Humphries’ book

on a real-life figure, who was exposed as a CIA

Empty Cradles (1994), Oranges and Sunshine

agent by a White House official, in a bid to

beautifully reconstructs what are fascinating

intimidate her husband and undermine his

and at times very harrowing memoirs. In the

New York Times article blowing the whistle

opening scene social worker Margaret Hum-

on falsified intelligence in the lead up to the

phries, played by Emily Watson, removes a

war with Iraq. Despite their differing stories

baby from its mother; she is calm and con-

and geography both give a troubling portrayal

trolled and both know the child needs to go

of indignant authorities not only attempting

into care. She also sees life on the other side of

to side step blame, but forcibly discrediting

the spectrum, running a regular group meet-

anyone who wishes to bring the truth to justice.

ing for adults who grew up without knowing

Flitting between England and the oranges and

their parents, and who are perpetually plagued

sunshine of outback Australia the film beau-

by an incomplete sense of self. One evening

tifully captures the feel of opposing climates

after a meeting, Margaret is approached by a

and terrain of two countries at opposite ends

distressed Australian woman who is in search

of the world. Made for just under £3 million

of her roots. Her earliest memory is getting

with a fantastic cast and close attention to

onboard a ship at the age of four with hun-

detail, there seems real promise here for Jim

dreds of other children to live in Australia. It

Loach to follow in his father’s footsteps in

is a notion at complete odds with Margaret’s

the future as one of Britain’s great film direc-

practice, but as she investigates this woman’s

tors. I would recommend it for a number

story she discovers these secret deportations of

of reasons – it is a fascinating story deserv-

thousands of children who were removed from

ing of recognition, and is beautifully shot

foster care in Britain unbeknownst to their

though always with precedence to the plot.

parents and sent across to Australia, where

The use of shrewd editing, overlaying visuals

many of them were used as child labour.

and audio with recent flashbacks, serves to

Margaret Humphries takes on the task of try-

relate individual’s stories and their effect on

ing to reunite these grown up orphans with the

Margaret without being mawkish or heavy-

roots that they were shamefully denied; a job

handed with the viewer. The characters are

that puts her in the public eye as a saviour for

given time to unravel naturally, and also to

some and the focus of hate for many others.

its credit it portrays real intimacy between

The British government as well as religious

Margaret and her husband Merv (Richard

and charity organisations that were involved

Dillane), a viewpoint of older married couples

in these deportations and the children’s sub-

which is often neglected in cinema, but which

sequent upbringing try to distance themselves

gives us greater perspective on Margaret and

from blame, and her profile becomes twisted

her family, and renders their marital bond,

by the media in a bid to undermine her in-

unlike that portrayed in the aforementioned

tentions. A female protagonist finding herself

Fair Game, entirely believable.

unwillingly at the centre of a media frenzy is reminiscent of Valerie Plame, played by Naomi Watts, in Fair Game which was released within 82

Photograph by Don McCullough

Dal. (V)

Interact | Based In Barnet: Arts and Culture

By: Kristina Shchetinina Dal (also spelled dahl or daal) is called ‘parippu’ in Sinhala, ‘parup-pu’ in Tamil, ‘pappu’ in Telugu and ‘bele’ in Kannada. Dal is a dish that is based on the preparation of dried lentils. It is an important part of Indian, Nepali, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, West Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine. There are many variaions of dal that include different ingredients and spices. In this article we are introducing Indian dal or pappu. This particular dal recipe is completely vegan and very quick and easy to cook.

Recipe: 1 mug of Moong dal or red lentils 3 big cloves of garlic, sliced 1 large onion, sliced 1 dried or fresh red chilli, finely chopped 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds Half teaspoon turmeric 2 or 3 tablespoons sunflower oil 1 can of chopped tomatoes Fresh coriander leaves (optional) Curry leaves (about a dozen) 1.5 to 2 teaspoons Salt Wash the lentils and boil in pan with lots of water (three or four mugs, be prepared to add more later). Do not let the dal dry up, burn and stick to the bottom of the pan. If it does, transfer the unburnt portion to another pan and start again (don’t scrape up the burnt bits). While boiling, add the onion, chilli and garlic. The dal will cook in less than half an hour, though it can boil on for longer so long as there’s plenty of water. Meanwhile, put a little pan on fire and when hot add the oil. When oil is very hot but not smoky add the cumin and mustard seeds. They will crackle and pop. Then add the curry leaves which will splutter and splash. Add the turmeric and turn fire off. Add this to the pot of boiled or boiling dal. Add in the tomatoes, the salt and the coriander and cook for a bit longer so all the tastes blend. And if really feeling decadent add in a knob of butter (or ghee) on top and serve on simply boiled rice! 83

Interact | Based in Barnet: Faith and Politics

Nellie Zulu

The Over Sexualisation of Women in Pop Music The year 2013 had many defining and

if you were to read the whole interview

iconic moments for women and feminism.

published in Vogue UK last May, you

There are many reasons to celebrate just

may walk away feeling somewhat

how far the feminist movement has

sceptical about her statement. This past

come. For example, actress Jennifer

Christmas she released her self-titled

Lawrence inspiring women to love their

visual album filled with empowering

bodies; pop star Robin Thicke getting

songs and accompanying videos. One

the backlash he deserved for his sexist

particular song, ‘Flawless’, has stood

song and video ‘Blurred Lines’ (despite

out for many people and has been

it being one of the biggest selling singles

labelled ‘the new feminist anthem’.

of 2013); and musician John Legend stating that: “All men should be feminists.

In this song Beyoncé samples a TED

If men care about women’s rights the

talk that African writer and feminist,

world will be a better place…We are

Chima ma nda Adichie, recent ly

better off when women are empowered

gave. She does this in order to define

— it leads to a better society.” These are

feminism because there is still confusion

just a few of the amazing victories in

surrounding the term. We live in an

the movement towards gender equality.

age where many female artists do not want to associate themselves with

One defining moment was when

feminism; so using the power of music

Beyoncé announced to the world that

to make a feminist statement is very

she is a modern day feminist. However,

significant. The Beyoncé we see on

Still from Hard out Here videoclip by Lily Allen

Interact | Based in Barnet: Faith and Politics this visual album contrasts to the one

industry that female artists have to wear

seen on previous records. This time

very little in their music videos in order

she embodies power, sexual liberation,

to achieve the success of stars like Miley

control and self-ownership. But despite

and Rihanna. I think that if the artists

it being a commercial success, Beyoncé

truly want to perform in this way then

has still faced considerable criticism. For

kudos to them. However, I suspect there

example, negative comments abound

are influential (male) music executives

on Twitter such as: “Beyoncé is a very

pulling the strings on these pop stars, as

irritating woman and I’m hoping one

if they were puppets. When Lily Allen

day soon she will fall into Jay Z’s nostril,

recently released her first music video in

never to be seen or heard of again.”

Pop star singer Rihanna.

Thus far, Beyoncé has carved out a career

years, ‘Hard Out Here’, it cause divided opinion amongst the masses. Personally, I think Allen manages to successfully use

based on class and privacy. But as she

During 2013, I do not recall seeing a male

humour to convey a vital message about

delivers her ‘most personal record’, some

artist using his sexuality or wearing as little

a controversial subject; music industry

feel that she has jumped on the female pop

clothing as some female artists did, just

sexism. She not only sings about refusing to

star ‘sexploitation’ bandwagon. For me,

to sell records. In fact, I recall most men

conform by losing weight, she also mocks

Beyoncé has always provided inspiration

appearing fully clothed e.g.in the ‘Blurred

twerking and the use of the word ‘bitch’

to go against the tide and land beautifully

Lines’ video where Robin Thicke and

whilst singing in her lovely, sweet tone.

on the shore of success. But with her new

Pharell Williams are clearly objectifying

album, I no longer feel this inspiration, or it

the models around them. What is the

Allen’s ‘controversial’ video suffered some

has at least lost its strength. Initially when

point? That women can be sexual? As

counterattack when she was accused of

I watched the 17 music videos from the

actress Rashida Jones said, “2013 was

racism by using black women as back

“They may even think that being so overtly sexual or wearing revealing clothes is feminist. But feminism is about equality.” album I was in awe of how she achieves so

the Year of the Very Visible Vagina”.

up dancers who, unlike her, were not

much. This woman has been doing a world

When Miley Cyrus proclaimed to be one

fully dressed. However, if you watch

tour, recording her album, promoting

of the biggest feminists in the world, I

the video carefully, Allen also uses non-

her documentary, and taking part in

wondered what the prominent feminists of

black dancers (and she later claimed her

interviews whilst being a mother and wife.

the 1960s and 1970s would say. Surely Betty

reason for being fully dressed was due

Friedan would be turning in her grave? I

to chronic cellulite). I do not believe

But later I began thinking that Beyoncé may

cannot help but think Miley may have set

that Allen is in anyway exploiting

have waded into the sea of sexploitation.

the movement back by a good few years.

women. I think it is obvious that she is

For example, a considerable amount of

She seems to be equating feminism with

trying to parody the current pressures

her famous derrière is on show in these

a ‘You Only Live Once’ mentality. In spite

on female pop stars to be hypersexual.

videos. Personally, I find it too much and

of this, her fan base has increased and she

it feels as if ‘Mrs Carter’ has joined the

continues to sell records and make money.

I would like to see more videos by female

ranks of Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and Nicki

Although veteran singer songwriter,

artists that do not submit to music industry

Minaj. These talented women seem to

Sinead O’Connor, publicly advised

sexism. In addition, I hope that the efforts

have given into the idea that they have to

Miley: “You have enough talent that

of Lily Allen and other courageous singers

use their sexuality in order to sell records.

you don’t need to let the music

that go against the tide, receive positive

They may even think that being so overtly

business make a prostitute of you.” recognition. The self-objectification of

sexual or wearing revealing clothes is

female pop stars will only hinder the

feminist. But feminism is about equality.

There seems to be a belief within the music

feminist fight for a world free of sexism. 85

Interact | Based in Barnet: Environment

Leanne Kingsley

The green team Saving The World - No Costume Required The stereotypical view of a hero is a

change reported that humans are the

complicated’, so Barnet Council have

person flying in a cape or a man with

main cause (a 95% certainty) of rising

recently developed new ways to address

‘spider’ abilities swinging from the

temperatures since the 1950s.

this.

rooftops. However, everyone has the ability to make a difference in the world;

Just like in the classic superhero movies, As from 14 October 2013, recycling has

this can be achieved through looking

the world is under threat from a deadly

never been easier. New schemes have

after our planet and by going ‘green’.

force that could wipe out mankind; in

been introduced such as the collection

our case global warming. Unlike in a

of recycling all-together, re-usable

Many people aspire to do great things

film, the world cannot be rescued from

plastic packaging and separate food

like winning the Noble Peace Prize

the ‘brink of destruction’ by just one

waste bins.

or being awarded an Olympic medal.

person alone. The shared responsibility

Aspirations as prestigious as these

of saving the earth is in all our hands.

When I was younger I enjoyed ‘dressing

can only be achieved through action. Although this may seem like a terrifying

up’, as it allowed me to become a different

In order to accomplish (pause for

prospect, we can each take simple steps

person for a while. On one occasion, I

dramatic effect), ‘saving the earth’,

to contribute. One of the easiest ways

purchased a Batwoman costume as I was

everyone has an important part to

to help is through recycling.

convinced that wearing the uniform of

play to help reduce their impact on the

a hero was the same as becoming one.

environment. Especially since the 2013

Many people have previously said that

What I didn’t realise is that I could be my

intergovernmental panel on climate

recycling is either ‘too difficult’ or ‘too

own hero and wear normal clothes, and

Interact | Based in Barnet: Environment that this ‘hero’ status could be achieved by helping the environment. For example, damage to the environment from carbon emissions can be reduced by limiting the amount of times you use a car on a weekly basis. Although sometimes it can be easier to change your lifestyle by starting off with a smaller change, such as separating waste materials. According to Barnet council, more than 30% of the rubbish in household bins is food waste. As part of the new recycling

How plastic bottles are recycled (Photo Source: IQS Directory)

programme, Barnet have given residents a brown container for food leftovers. By placing your food waste into the new

estimated that plastic production uses

told me that ‘being able to help the

brown container, disposal costs and the

8% of the world’s oil production. Oil

environment is now so much easier as it

environmental impact of food leftovers

is a finite resource in high demand, so

is no longer difficult to remember which

are reduced.

recycling plastics helps to protect a

day of the week each bin is collected’.

saved s r e n o “Lond llion by i £30 m ng” i r e c y cl

valuable commodity, which could be used for more important services such

Individuals now have the opportunity

as heating.

to reduce their environmental impact from waste disposal. Taking action to

Furthermore, many plastics are not

refrain from mixing different types of

Rec ycling allows

biodegradable which means they do

rubbish helps to make the environment

people to get involved and feel like

not decompose on their own. This is

a cleaner place. So, the next time you

they are making a difference. Most

another problem for the environment.

have the urge to invest in a cape and

importantly, it can enable anyone to

tights in order to adopt a ‘hero-like’

add ‘planet-saver’ to their list of life

A friend of mine inquired: ‘What happens

persona, try becoming environmentally

accomplishments! In addition, vast

to my plastic after it is collected?’ The

friendly instead. It will allow you to

amounts of energy and money are saved.

answer is that it is taken to JayPlas in

achieve the same result, without having

For example, in 2011 Londoners saved

Leicestershire where the plastic bottles

to look a little strange!

£30 million by recycling.

are sorted into the different polymer types. They are then granulated and

And remember, there is no ‘I’ in team;

Barnet has a target of recycling 50% of

turned into new plastic products such as

we must all work together to help

household waste by 2020. This objective

pipes. So the next time you go to throw

reduce our carbon footprint. So, forget

can be met through the collection of

an Evian bottle in the bin, try to think

about Superman, Spiderman and all

household plastic packaging including

about reusing or recycling it.

the other heroes; it’s time to make way

yoghurt pots, margarine tubs and food trays.

for the‘Green Team’! Are you willing As a result of the new Barnet scheme,

to join?

there is now a weekly ‘bin day’ where Recycling plastic is important because

the refuse, recycling and food disposal

For more information on recycling

plastic is derived from oil, which

bins are all collected. This has increased

go to www.recycleforlondon.com

is extracted from fossil fuels. It is

recycling in homes. A Barnet resident 87

Interact | Based in Barnet: Faith and Politics A common day in Golders Green, Barnet, London .

Lauren Carbran

Barnet, Modernity and the Orthodox Jew One in five Jews in England and Wales now live in Barnet. But as the world around us modernises each day, are the Jews within it challenged? Modernity and Orthodox religion do not

cooler and the sun a little less present,

sound like they go hand in hand, but are

Orthodox Jews can be seen on every

they closer than we think? Lauren Car-

street corner. They mostly frequent the

bran investigates…

areas of Hendon, Golders Green, Brent Cross and Edgware. There you are Jewish,

‘FFB’ (Frum From Birth) is a phrase I only heard of earlier this year. “It means you are born directly into the Orthodox Jewish tradition with set morals and values”, an FFB or Frum Jew told me in front of

then English and bar the pollution, sh*tty

“Golders Green is one big Kosher kitchen, home to the London Jewish Cultural Centre, the Jewish Learning Exchange (JLE) and wenty synagogues.”

the Kotel in Jerusalem

weather and big red buses, these places are minority-thriving Jerusalem’s. Golders Green is one big Kosher kitchen, home to the London Je w i s h

Cu ltu r a l

(the holiest site in the world for Jews). This

Centre, the Jewish Learning Exchange

was the start of my journey into seeing

(JLE) and twenty synagogues. It is “home

what the 21st century Frum Jew was all

away

about, and where I learnt about their

from the real home, Israel” one resident

perspective on modernity.

told me. She explained that all religious Jews would ideally live in Israel, but in

Back in Barnet where the air is a little 88

modern day times this is not always

Interact | Based in Barnet: Faith and Politics possible.

and have an IPhone – it is just used in

more depth and beauty to the Orthodox

But ‘do Orthodox Jews in Barnet have a

the right way.

religion than people realise, and more

balance between modern and traditional

Although there is no mention of Instagram

balance too. We can still wear modern

life?’ I asked myself as I ventured on the 82

or Twitter in the Holy Book, a network

clothing, it just has to be modest.’

bus to Golders Green to meet some people

like Facebook allows people to keep in

who might know the answer - Modern

contact with a group of friends in an

However, there are some sects within

Orthodox, Barnet-based Jews.

easy and cheap way, so it is perfectly

Judaism that entirely refuse to accept

acceptable. The common misconception

Modernism. Hasidic Jews believe in

With social media developing at space- is that a religious person cannot lead the

committing to traditions and view

engine pace and billboards with messages

same lifestyle as you, but they can. The

modern society as a barrier to this. You

that you cannot miss, there must be some

difference is that modern Orthodox

will not see any Hasidic Jews watching

friction between the magnetic pull of

Jews make sure to moderate their use of

television, reading newspapers or going

modernism and traditional orthodoxy?

modern inventions (such as social media)

to the cinema as many feel it would mean

However, when religious Jews see

hearing threatening ideas and being

billboards that are disturbing “they have

exposed to contrasting religions.

been taught to ignore the bad stuff ’, one insider told me. Religious Jews take the

Ultimately, some Orthodox Jews may be

bits they like and psychologically block

more modern than others. They adapt

out the aspects they do not.

to modern standards in a healthy and

The positive Internet

positive way. It is about thriving in your

Many modern Jews believe that in the 21st

environment but also staying true to your

century you have to keep to tradition as

heritage, which is not always easy. Per-

well as adapting to modern times. It is

haps as the world becomes more modern

essential to maintain laws and traditions like learning the Torah, but at the same

An Orthodox Jewish girl.

this will become more of a challenge for religious Jews. Who knows? The question

time understand that the modern world

to prevent them from getting distracted

is open and the answer uncertain. What

seeks integration.

by any negative aspects.

I can say for certain though, is that the

Modern technology like the Internet is

‘Orthodox-Unexpected’

chicken noodle soup with two matzo balls

sometimes shunned by religion because

The truth is that modern Orthodox Jews

in front of me will momentarily be gone.

of its dangers, but modern Orthodox

do not believe that religion is meant to

Jews know how to use the Internet in a

restrict, and this message certainly got

positive way. Whether it is for University

to Allison Josephs who made a blog all

Would modern society benefit

work, keeping in contact with friends or

about it. Allison Josephs is the Orthodox

from adopting the traditional

furthering knowledge on religion, many

Jew Carrie Bradshaw equivalent in her hit

matchmaking of the modern

people agree that if you incorporate it into

blog Jew in the City.

Orthodox Jew?

your life in a useful way, it will not reflect badly on religion.

When it comes to love, the Her mission is to break down stereotypes

modern Orthodox Jew sticks to

about religious Jews and offer a humorous,

the traditional route of a Shidduch

“We take modernisation in our stride” one

meaningful outlook into the religion. ‘In

(match-making).

girl told me. “ Yes, we have phones but

terms of Orthodox people being crazy,

flirting between sexes or any ‘dishy

we use them in a useful way. I’ve got a

many of us are really very normal’, she says

Jew at two o’clock’ business. Girls

Hebrew calendar and an app that lets

in one of her videos. She adopts the tagline

and boys preserve themselves

me read the Torah whenever I want.” The

‘Orthodox – Unexpected’ and presents

until marriage and are matched

belief is that God created the Internet for

modernism as an advantage to religious

on interests, life goals, physical

a reason, perhaps to make things easier.

Jews. ‘The Torah doesn’t stop you from

characteristics and location.

So, basically, you can still be ultra religious

doing what you want to do, but there’s

There

Interact | Based In Barnet: Faith and Politics Sources: Stealth Conflicts How the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Worst Violence is Ignored Ashgate Publishing Ltd 2008 ProQuest Q&A BBC Congo

Uriel Roth

will africa's voice be heard? Although the recent passing of former South African President and icon of the anti apartheid movement, Nelson Mandela has received virtual wall to wall coverage in the media, the fact remains that conflicts and problems throughout Africa remain underreported. Indeed, over the past six decades, there appears to have been vigorous media coverage of conflicts that have occurred throughout the Middle East. These range from Iraq to Libya.

Africa in earnest. Britain was fighting the Boers in South Africa. The French Empire began to colonise large swathes of Central Africa, alongside the German Empire.

Conversely, deadly conflicts that have raged throughout Africa do not seem to have attracted nearly as much deserved attention. It must be stated that many more lives have been lost in conflicts relating to Africa than those that have taken place throughout the Middle East. It would now be beneficial to look at the history of these two regions over the last century in order to analyse the disparity of media coverage.

Notably, the Zionist movement had already laid its foundations in Ottoman Palestine, purchasing land for Jewish settlement and cementing institutions designed to ensure a future National Home for the Jewish People. By 1914, the stage was set for the major European powers to go to war against one another via pre existing alliances. The Ottoman Empire allied with the Austro Hungarian Empire alongside the German Empire faced the British Empire, united with the French and Tsarist Russia. Ultimately, the British and French defeated the Ottoman, German and Austro- Hungarian Empires, leading to the disintegration of the vast Ottoman control of the Middle East.

By the turn of the twentieth century, Western powers were already making inroads in their influence of Middle Eastern territory. Egypt had become a protectorate of the United Kingdom; the Ottoman Empire had certainly begun to decline. It should be noted that the Ottoman Empire effectively controlled the Middle East for approximately four hundred years. At the same time, the numerous European powers had commenced their colonisation of

This inevitably led to the break down of a centuries old existing order. States that had never existed before would come into being. Indeed, the British and French would carve up former Ottoman territory amongst one another and make contradictory promises to the Arabs and Jews in regards to the question of who would control Palestine, setting the stage for a conflict that has not ended to this day. Furthermore, at this point in his-

Interact | Based In Barnet: Faith and Politics tory, a very valuable natural resource, oil would be discovered throughout Middle Eastern lands, notably the Arabian Peninsula. This would make the Middle East a region of geopolitical and strategic interest, whereas Africa could not offer such a natural resource in such large quantities.

In contrast, at this same time period Sudan had newly become a sovereign state, being made independent from Britain, albeit having been forged by the United Kingdom. Sectarian concerns were not taken with seemingly much foresight. Due to rival clans and ethnicities being molded into one state, it caused severe friction. Essentially, it pitted the mainly Arab northern Sudan against Sub Saharan Christian and animist southern Sudan. The northern half of Sudan was considered to have gained more power and representation in government, thus serving as a catalyst to the first Sudanese civil war from 1955 to 1972 ending with the Addis Ababa accords. Throughout the duration of the conflict, approximately half a million Sudanese lives were lost. The post Second World War era saw a disengagement of colonial interests in Africa by Western Empires and indeed the eventual demise of these Empires. This appeared to solidify the lack of interest that has been shown by Western media outlets in comparison to Middle Eastern conflicts. For example, in 1956, Israel alongside Britain and France would launch an attack against Egypt, partly as a result of guerilla attacks that emanated from Egyptian territory into Israel. It became know as the ‘Suez Crisis’. The Suez Canal, an important maritime pathway that links Asia and Europe, was constructed in the mid nineteenth century had recently been nationalised by new Egyptian President Abdel Gamal Nass-

er. This caused substantial irritation in British and French government circles. Indeed, at the time it caused uproar internationally. Eventually, due to American pressure, the British, French and Israelis were forced to halt their assault and withdrew from the Sinai. Peter Viggo Jakobsen has noted that “The media ignores most conflicts most of the time.” This would seem to imply that conflicts, particularly foreign conflicts with no strategic interest to the country in which a media outlet is based struggle to interest them. Additionally, Virgil Hawkins has opined “Priority in coverage is clearly given to foreign situations in which the home country has a stake. As such, stories for which there is no home connection or angle may well be unlikely to be covered at all.” The concept of conflicts given media attention when national interest is a at stake is very profound as moral and humanitarian considerations are clearly not taken into account in the process of deciding what news stories, in particular conflicts are newsworthy. Another major conflict to ravage Africa has been that of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has its roots in Rwanda and the genocide that took place there in the 1990s. After an independence struggle in the 1960s from Belgium, regions throughout this territory fought one another. Joseph Mobutu subsequently seized power in 1965, crushing rebellions and eventually unifying the nation, renaming it Zaire. Mobutu however used the DRCs vast natural resources to his own benefit, plundering wealth for himself and inner circle. Inevitably this behaviour allowed his precarious position in power to falter and Rwanda’s genocide hastened this downfall. The fallout of the Rwandan genocide proved to be a catalyst. After the Hutus government collapsed in Rwanda, an estimated two million Hutus are believed to have fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, hoping to avoid any reprisals of the Tutsis of Rwanda. Indeed, the Tutsi government of Rwanda backed by Uganda overtook Kinshasa the DRC capital and reverted Zaire to DR Congo. Laurent Kabila was installed as president. He failed to expel the Hutu militias that fled to Congo. Rwanda subsequently sent

a force to oust him as president. Kabila then requested aid from Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola. The next few years saw these countries fight a proxy war in the DRC. These events ultimately led to what is considered Africa’s deadliest conflict. Five million people would perish from starvation and disease in addition to the fighting that took place on Congolese land. The amount of individuals that died is clearly massive. It is doubtful that the conflicts that have occurred throughout the Middle East since the Second World War have generated as much dead as has in this one African conflict alone, including the deadly Iraq war of the 2000s, which is arguably the deadliest conflict the Middle East has seen in modern times, with estimates of up to a million dead from the invasion and subsequent civil strife. It goes without saying that all deaths to take place in conflicts are tragic and should always be averted; however a underreporting of such deaths in Africa is definitely a cause of concern to those who really care about humanitarian issues. Indeed, a poignant example of the gulf of coverage afforded to Middle Eastern and African conflicts can be seen through my dissertation findings that reveal that the amount of articles published by the four major broadsheet newspapers in Britain, The Times, Independent, Telegraph and Guardian regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were 33,561 compared to 11,346 articles relating to conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Darfur (Source: ProQuest). A clear disparity in the volume of articles can be seen here. There is a moral imperative that the media recognise the lack of coverage relative to the gravity of conflicts that have occurred throughout Africa and raise the awareness of the problems that have and are continuing the afflict this troubled region, however it remains to be seen when this will happen.

Interact | Based In Barnet: Faith and Politics

Who was Alan Watts? And What is Zen Buddhism?

Rob Clarke

Interact | Based in Barnet: Faith and Politics

The voice of late Zen Buddhist philosopher, The voice of late Zen Buddhist Alan Watts, is an enduring one. It hums philosopher, Alan Watts, is an enduring and then fluctuates, playing out like a brass one. It hums, fluctuates and plays out band. It is also known to send a revelatory like a brass band. It is also known shiver down the spine of the curious, opento send a revelatory shiver down eyed student. Watts’ lectures resonated with the spine of the curious, open-eyed American intellectual crowds of the 1950s student. Watts’ lectures resonated with and 1960s, but have, in recent years, been American intellectual crowds of the uploaded onto YouTube and watched with 1950s and 1960s, but have, in recent comparable fervour (The Real You, 1,482,684 years, been uploaded onto YouTube views). What’s all the hype? Well, his talks are and watched with comparable fervour supremely witty, radical and bursting with (The Real You, 1,482,684 views). uncharted wisdom. In short, they entertain What’s all the hype? Well, his talks are something of a spiritual - and unmistakeably supremely witty, radical and bursting cool - alternative to the predefined givens with uncharted wisdom. In short, they of modern life as we know it. Watts, this entertain something of a spiritual - and real life, slightly less grey-bearded Professor unmistakeably cool - alternative to the Dumbledore figure, was unusual in that predefined givens of modern life as we he was a Westerner teaching a branch of know it. Watts, this real life, slightly less Eastern thought. He was also a follower of grey-bearded Professor Dumbledore Zen Buddhism: a lovemaking of Taoism figure, was unusual in that he was a and Buddhism that occurred around the Westerner teaching a branch of Eastern 6th century in China, and which propagated thought. He was also a follower of Zen across Asia to find its eventual – post-13th Buddhism: a lovemaking of Taoism and century - abode in Japan.

Buddhism that occurred around the 6th century in China, and which propagated Zen Buddhism is a tough nut to crack, and across Asia to find its eventual – postwould be problematic - if not entirely un-Zen 13th century - abode in Japan. like - to begin defining it. An old Buddhist Zen Buddhism is a tough nut to crack, saying goes that if Zen had a meaning, it and would be problematic - if not entirely would be moon pointing. In practice, it un-Zen like - to begin defining it. An old is teaching one to see and experience all Buddhist saying goes that if Zen had a that is around them, at them, at once nonmeaning, it would be moon pointing. judgmentally and with a calm, and clarity of In practice, it is teaching one to see and the, mind. Whilst learning to bring oneself experience all that is around them, at to the present moment, it is as much about once non-judgmentally and with a calm, exploring the innate ‘nothingness’ of reality. and clarity of the, mind. Whilst learning For the nature of Zen is to wholly embrace to bring oneself to the present moment, the beauty of meaningless void. One method

it is as much about exploring the innate ‘nothingness’ of reality. For the nature of Zen is to wholly embrace the beauty of meaningless void. One method practitioners undergo is Zazen (seated meditation), which involves delving beneath the visual and verbal chaos with which the mind typically concerns itself. The ritual entails emptying the mind without force, using the breath as an anchor and object of observation. Zen masters see it as a way to attain direct insight into the nature – or natural flow – of the universe. Granted, the discourse surrounding Zen appears quite profound, and its way of looking at the world may be foreign to most. And since a casual pondering over the cosmos has become a somewhat taboo pastime (with maybe the exception of Brian Cox’s much talked-about Wonders of series), Zen has all the earmarks/ill-fated potential of being snubbed at first glance. The irony lies in the fact that Zen Buddhism is not a far fetched ideology, not by any stretch. There is pure simplicity to it. For Zen encourages learning through direct (non-intellectual) experience, thus shying away from dead ended bouts of philosophical chin-wagging. In this sense, Zen can be seen as a way of celebrating oneself and one’s surroundings as they are: mere expressions of the universe in which we live. Watts floated to and fro between Japan and the US throughout his life. Still, he took to Far Eastern motifs from an early age, with Chinese and Japanese landscape art serving his childhood muse. At 14 and 17 respectively, he wrote for the Journal of the London Buddhist Lodge and produced his first Zen-related pamphlet - ‘An Outline of Zen Buddhism’. Zen was to form the soul of his lifelong literary, and oratory, compendium. And yet, Watts brought charm to the practice, giving it his own, unique take. He could appeal to the West through desert-dry humour and nigh on psychotherapy for the alienating effects that come with modern life. His talks went some way to appease the existential angst, a feat which modernist philosophers such as Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus and Heidegger could not attain without feeling contempt for civilisation. While certainly an avid scholar of the school, Watts refrained from day-long

devotions to Zazen practice. When he was once questioned for half-hearted zeal to meditating, he replied: ‘a cat sits until it is tired of sitting, then gets up, stretches, and walks away’. It was such displays of genuine personality and a wry sense of humour which attracted his many followers. There is physiological evidence to say that ‘mindfulness practice’ (any technique to help bring the mind to the present and a recurring aspect of Zen) can improve sense of well-being. Studies on the neurological benefits of mindfulness tell us that, when mindful over sustained periods (roughly 8 weeks), brain activity flourishes in the left-side anterior - a realm associated with positive emotion. It would be fair to say that ‘mindfulness’ (sitting royally alongside ‘twerking’) is the latest buzzword. So much so, we now live in an era where commercial franchises have cottoned on to the wonders of the spiritual. You read about scores of business folk telling us how they were once persuaded by a second cousin’s pet feline to attend their first mindfulness class, took to the spiritual life and consequentially brought it to the workplace. Indeed, Google have had their own programs in place for years now, with the incorporation of the ‘Search inside Yourself ’ scheme, as have General Mills. And these firms are jumping on the metaphysically curious bandwagon because of its life-enhancing symptoms. But to what avail one might ask? Are capitalist milieus being adorned with a Wattsian, non-judgmental spirituality that sees all as one? Is that even possible in environments where the implicit, sacred law revolves around outdoing your business kins, and where people are spurred to creatively destruct, if not one another, then at least the natural world? Surely any endeavour to see beyond oneself is a good thing, and there is no doubt that such workshops comprise a requisite ‘breather’ amidst the digital rush of late. One can only hope that the mindfulness of today does not become a transactional phenomenon, instituted solely for financial gain, and that the deep-seated wisdom of Gautama Buddha’s teachings is not left behind. If ever choosing to take a mindfulness session, I would also recommend reading the literature, or watching a video, of Alan Watts.

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Kevin Ntueba

saving Friern bennett “We’re closing in five minutes’ echoes Throughout the columns, the exit packs The joy in the eyes of those who leave Behind their leather jungle of hardbacks As the key-holder, her job was keep it secure - To be the first and last on the ground floor

She’d been having a reoccurring dream of late Men in navy-blue uniform swarm the dorms Dropping shelves and carrying out the fallen Everything had gone, All except her resonating sob ‘what have you done’

All would make sense come morning The key she had, wouldn’t work on the lock Confusion solidified the air she respired, Staring through the misty glass window Without breath, she descended to one knee Clinching unto the latch on the bolted door Glaring at the emptiness within, her eyes fill The air was tranquil and she remained still

In the light of the siege she would pledge, it’s restoration, those in favor congregated Regiments exceeding seven thousand Equipped with purpose all within their faction. She would lead the rise to oppose the chancery.

Interact | Based in Barnet: Arts and Culture

Exercise For Wellbeing Carlos Aguado

We all know that exercise keeps us physically healthy. Perhaps less well-known are the benef its that exercise can bes tow upon us mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Barnet Multicultural Centre is a community hub that offers a variety of classes to its diverse membership, including an assor tment of exercise classes. The centre aims to bring together people from diverse cultures and backgrounds to promote community cohesion, social inclusion and wellbeing. Yoga, seated exercise and Karate are just some of the exercise oppor tunities available at the centre. I had the oppor tunity to visit the centre as well as a nearby Chi Kung class and reflect with my camera. Although yoga, Chi Kung and seated exercise all begin differently, they actually possess a common root; as a class progresses, one sets sail on a sea of calm and light and enters a world of peace and relaxation. Negativity and residual stress from the day slips away. External pressures from school, work, friends and 96

Carlos Aguado

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family fade to the background and the subsequent mental and emotional space created allows oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true being to shine through. Karate and other more robust classes also offer its practitioners many benef its. To become accomplished in a mar tial ar t, one must be ex tremely disciplined and dedicated. Students are often rewarded with emotional development and conf idence. Observing someone masterful in Karate is truly spectacular. Tennis, swimming, gymnas tics, football, ice-skating and many other spor ts all offer their practitioners impor tant gifts. These include a feeling of positivity, self-belief, a s trong sense of self, determination and concentration. There is a double-edged sword to be mindful of when one becomes masterful in their chosen discipline. Arrogance, pride and a lack of control are some potential pitfalls. How can one avoid these dangers? It is advisable to keep your eyes and ears open and listen to your inner voice, your gut feelings and your body. They will always be trying to communicate with you and assist your development. I find it helpful to remember that every person encounters hardships, makes mistakes and falls down in life; the important thing is to accept this and to pick yourself up again. With a class like Karate, practitioners get used to falling down (literally and metaphorically speaking!) but they always get back up and become stronger as a result. 97

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All of these exercise classes have one thing in common; with disciplined practice, they each offer their own unique way for the dedicated practitioner to develop self-k nowledge and awareness. Ever y person is unique and we are each on our own personal path to creating our lives. Does exercise feature in yours?

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Families Behind Bars For the week ending Friday June 21st 2013, 83,706 men, women and children were in prisons and young offender institutions across England and Wales. 10,768 of these were, at the time, being held on remand, pending an innocent or guilty verdict. But what about those on the outside who are left behind. The doting mothers, brothers, girlfriends, and children now faced with not only the practical and emotional separation from their loved ones, but also the inevitability that they too must become quickly accustomed to the long arm of the law, that they too must face the fact that their day to day routine also involves being cut off from normal society behind bars of one of Her Majesty’s Prisons. I went inside HMP Durham Visitor’s Centre to speak with these visitors and gain their own, unique perspectives into how the prison system is impacting on the lives of both them and their loved ones. “Before my first visit I couldn’t sleep. I was so scared, but then I walked up towards the prison and saw a sign on this little old house saying ‘Visitor’s Centre’. This little quaint house!” Julie gestures around her, with a reluctant laugh, “I mean, the only image I had of these places was what you see on TV, and it’s nothing like it - you know, I mean I’ve never been anywhere like this before. This isn’t part of our world, so I didn’t know what to expect.” This ‘world’ which Julie is speaking of is, of course, prison. Her 21 year old son Joel is coming up to his 9th week on remand for a drink driving offence, after an extensive catalogue of alcoholrelated arrests and police cautions.Presumably this disadvantaged young man is the victim of a family history littered with broken homes, alcohol abuse and petty crime; whose family and friends view him as a scapegoat for society’s prejudice, punished unnecessarily for, after all, boys will be boys. But this is not actually the case. The middle-aged lady sat before me in impeccable dress and displaying the utmost courtesy, insists woefully and startlingly about her son’s incarceration that: “It had to happen. I think it was actually a good thing, in a way...he’s had time to think about things”, agrees Sarah, girlfriend of the accused and mother of his 10 month old son. There is a deep sense of relief, almost gratitude, from these two brave women, as they reel off an endless list of alcohol programmes that they have emotionally and financially supported Joel through, sadly to no avail. For Joel’s relationship with alcohol is at the root of his criminal activities, and it has taken the law to finally force him to recognise that he is not “untouchable”; that his choices are negatively impacting on the lives of not just himself, but those of his family too. “They had a lovely flat, he had a fantastic education, he’s got his own car, a good apprenticeship - he’s always worked, you know - erm, but, we had to get rid of the flat.” Whilst proud of some of the achievements in Joel’s life, none more so than the evidence of rehabilitation, with Joel now free from the temptation of alcohol and acting as a responsible mentor to new prisoners, it is evident hat this has had to come at a high price. Sarah and her son have lost their home, unable to afford the rent as she is suddenly faced, through no fault of her own, with the prospect of being a single parent for an indefinite length of time. Her child, less than a year old, is forming his integral child-parent bond with his father during an allotted 2 hour visit, surrounded by guards and prison dogs.

Sadly, social stigma in the modern world pigeonholes these three innocents sat before me under the umbrella of criminality by association. With unbridled honesty, Julie admits that, prior to Joel’s incarceration, she too would have made the same prejudiced assumptions of the “way of life” of an individual who has been sent to prison, and “what he has grown up with”. Due to family shame and a sense of embarrassment and guilt that she somehow failed him, Julie admits that: “Work don’t know. Well, my boss knows but only because I was getting upset, so I had to tell him what was going on.” Shockingly, another main reason to keep quiet about her son’s whereabouts is the awful, and yet tragically plausible, concern that it may impact Julie herself changing jobs in the coming months. The few family members and close friends whom she has confided in, provide her with awkward cliches in the futile attempt to comfort her: “ ‘Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone’ or ‘Don’t worry, it’s no reflection on you.’ This, to me, shows that people automatically do make a judgement, as they feel the need to try to justify what’s going on. People saying these things makes me think, well, do they think that it is actually a reflection on me!?” This judgement is something which Aaliyah can easily relate to. Aaliyah is here visiting her brother, Victor; something she has been doing twice a week for the last 9 months. Victor is awaiting a retrial, thereby, just like Joel, he is yet to actually be found guilty of his accused crime. “I thought it was supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but people just presume that he must have done it, and that he must be bad. And, because he’s my brother, they presume that I must be a bad person too. It’s quite depressing - sometimes I feel like just not seeing anybody.” The sad reality is that the only place where Aaliyah, Sarah and Julie feel that they are free from these prejudices is inside the prison gates; where here a smile from a stranger across the room is a microcosm for an unspoken, mutual understanding that they’re going through the same struggles. Whereas the moment they step back out of the Visitor’s Centre to return to their local communities, that understanding and sense of inclusion seems to disapparate. Normality is reversed and the real dangers of instituionalisation are evident as the justice system begins to be an awkward comfort zone for innocent, law-abiding parties. It is a sorry state of affairs when a little boy is destined to grow up to associate prison with content family memories and a sense of inclusion not available elsewhere in society. In this sense, not only is society ascertaining an unfair judgment on those associated with people in prison, but it is almost encouraging the problem of crime breeding crime. For the time being at least, these families are playing the waiting game, not knowing whether this ordeal will end at trial or progress to a longer sentence and thereby a more permanent need to adjust to family life without their loved ones. And yet, despite the negative effects on their own personal, work and social lives, these visitors are selflessly grateful to the criminal justice system that Joel and Victor and each of them too, might finally be able to move on with their lives away from crime on their release. The unfaltering hope that there is no chance of a relapse back into crime is admirable, and yet harrowingly naive. Latest government statistics display that there is a 1 in 4 chance of offenders reoffending within a year of leaving the judicial system. This means that there is a 50% chance that either Victor or Joel will sadly fall into this category. For the sake of Aaliyah, Sarah, Julie and the future of Joel’s baby boy, who are the hidden victims of crime, voicelessly punished for their noble ability to unconditionally love and support a family member no matter what, I sincerely hope that their faith is not unfounded and that neither Victor nor Joel become the latest figure totted up on the government website.

“Boys will be boys, but this is not actually the case.” 100

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Images found on: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/flash/Lens/2011/09/20110915-prisons/480-2.jpg and http://prisonphotography.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/gknight.jpg?w=475&h=313

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Donde Esta La BigMac? “Globalisation and big corporations mean that, wherever people go, they always see the same things, and finding something unique becomes increasingly difficult.” Imagine the scene: You are waiting in the airport, with your meticulously packed bags, ticket in hand. This break has been long needed, and after much deliberation you finally settled on your destination. You can’t wait for the chance to see something new, and experience a culture different to your own. You contemplate purchasing one of those key phrases books from WH Smith’s. After a long and tedious flight, you land in your exotic destination, slightly jetlagged, but bursting with anticipation. Then, a sense of the uncanny hits you when you step out of the airport and into your taxi: the driver is wearing a Manchester United top and, as you drive down the streets to your hotel, your surroundings have a certain familiarity. This is because on each corner you can see a Starbucks, a McDonald’s, a KFC, a Costa, an H&M, maybe even a Pizza Hut.Your exotic holiday is nothing more than an expensive trip to an anonymous town centre. The possibility of adventuring into the mysterious, unknown world is fading rapidly, and soon it may be an impossible fantasy. There was once a time when going to a foreign land provided the opportunity to immerse oneself in habits and norms entirely different to life in one’s native land. Food would be different, language would be different, and clothes would be different. In the modern era, however, this vision of the far off land is disappearing. Globalisation and big corporations mean that, wherever people go, they always see the same things, and finding something unique becomes increasingly difficult. Keep your eyes open for guidebooks offering translations of an average KFC menu.Obviously, there is often some benefit to having these recognisable brands in locations that are otherwise daunting to the average tourist. When you are hard up for an idea of what to drink or eat, deciding to choose an already familiar establishment can often seem like the option to take, rather than tentatively pointing at and mispronouncing local specialities. But is this not to defeat the whole point of going abroad? There was a time (well, twelve years) when I was living in Dubai. Twelve years is a long time in Dubai Speak, and I was in a fortunate position to witness many radical changes to the landscape of the country, both economically and physically.

For all the Ferraris and Lamborghinis frequently presented in the media, Dubai, believe it or not, was once a more cultural place – and if it wasn’t cultural, at least it seemed a bit different to the rest of the world. To some extent it still is, but anyone who flocks to the predominantly touristy places in the city are unlikely to see any of this. There are still a few enclaves that attest to a not-too-distant past, wherein Dubai was not as glamorous as it is now, but even these are deviating away from what they once were. Areas such as Karama, and Satwa, which are populated mainly by wage labourers and small tradesman, are where I will frequently insist on going with some of my more traditionalism inclined friends. These are the places you go for more reasonably priced merchandise and authentic food (curries, Lebanese food, Chinese food, it’s all there). Imagine my surprise, then, when, during my last visit, I saw signs of ‘civilisation’s’ gaudy encroachment. Now the main streets show signs of abandoning the smaller scale proprietorship that made them once so attractive. Subways and KFCs are springing up, and the arrival of a Starbucks is all but certain. It seems as if this is going to be the trend the world over. McDonald’s has over thirty-thousand branches world-wide. The insidious franchise has burrowed under the skin of one-hundred-and-nineteen countries, and similar infestations of the likes of Burger King, Starbucks, and Pizza Hut are almost certainly approaching these levels of penetration. Pretty soon, it seems, we will be flying to Barcelona to try the curries, Paris to sample the pizza, and New Deli to get a Tall Americano. Like anything rare in this world, these differences in culture and heritage must be preserved, and embraced. All hope is not lost, however. We, the people, the soon to be sunburned people, have it within our power to not allow these unfortunate circumstances to blight our holidays, and the solution is easy. Resist the urge to remain in your comfort zone. You’re on an adventure, you’re going to a new and exotic land, and you’re there to broaden your mind as well as tan your body. So be brave, try something new, and remember: half the value of an exotic holiday abroad is boasting about all the amazing things you have experienced that others haven’t, and boasting about unheard of foods in unheard of restaurants is obviously more fulfilling than coming back with only the observed nuances of a foreign Costa.

“McDonald’s has over thirty-thousand branches world-wide. The insidious franchise has burrowed under the skin of one-hundred-and-nineteen countries.”

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Image found on: http://coole10.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Cookie-Splash-Coffee-Photography-1-e1308319634543.jpg

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Coffee Culture ‘Durham doesn’t need any more coffee shops!’ It has become something of a running joke, in my quaint little home town, that there’s absolutely no shortage of places to grab a brew. It’s a tiny little city, that boasts only four streets, but without much effort I have been able to think of no less than 18 cafés and coffee shops. Out in Newcastle at the weekend, we were looking for a particular shop, and I tried to explain, ‘it’s up there, next to Starbucks,’ and then promptly laughed at myself because, well, everything is next to a Starbucks. Even on the most local level then, there is stark evidence of the explosion of coffee culture in the UK in recent years; the popularity of good quality coffee and the demand for somewhere satisfying to sit and enjoy it is still on the rise and rise. And on a Saturday afternoon when I’m standing at the coffee machine in my shop, with a queue out of the door and people struggling to find a seat, I’d argue with anyone who tried to tell me Durham doesn’t need any more coffee shops. The UK now has a plethora of coffee chains operating in its market. The three main players in the UK market are Costa, Starbucks and Caffè Nero, alongside brands such as Prêt à Manger and EAT. Greggs have jumped on the coffee culture bandwagon, opening a number of ‘Greggs Moments’ stores, which bare a strong resemblance to these well-known coffee chains, showing that even companies established for other specialties are aiming to expand into the café market. Which is understandable, given how this market is thriving. According to research by Allegra Strategies, the UK coffee market saw 7.5% growth in 2012, with a turnover of £5.8 billion. UK market leader Costa recently reported a 6.8% rise in like-for-like sales, and with plans to open another 186 new stores in the coming year, this growth shows no sign of slowing down. As well as its high street stores, Costa’s presence is showing up in service stations, supermarkets, bookshops, and even in some branches of clothes retailer Next. Furthermore, Costa has installed ‘Costa Express’ self-serve units in a number of strategic locations, and sells its coffee to be used in pubs and hotels under its ‘Proud to Serve’ banner. Evidently then, barista-style coffee has become much more readily available in recent years, matching an ever-growing customer demand. It is not just about national chains, though. With over 15,700 outlets now operating in the UK, independent coffee shops are also succeeding in this market. This means that there is a choice of experience when choosing where to have your coffee. By visiting a chain store, as a customer, you know what to expect, and should be able to expect the same standards anywhere, so you can always have what you know you like. Independent stores offer a something different, and I find that this is often more personal, intimate and individual, and more of a ‘coffee experience’, in the right store.As a barista, I believe that this ‘coffee experience’ is something special and exciting. I believe that coffee is something to be appreciated on a number of levels, and something to be passionate about. It is 7 years since I started working in the industry, and just as the economic figures have changed drastically in that time, so too has the nature of the products available. Our menu used to contain 4 espresso based drinks: americano, latte, cappuccino and mocha, and a couple of types of tea.

Over the years, the offerings on the menu have increased dramatically to include flat whites, chai, various types of hot chocolate, up to 10 flavours of tea, iced coffee, iced tea, and blended drinks, all of which can be made with any of three different types of milk, decaffeinated coffee, and one of many flavoured syrups. There are so many subtleties that can influence a drink and make it something totally different. This range of options generally splits coffee shop clientele. There are those who have learnt how to order coffee, and know how to get exactly what they want; they’ll order a ‘medium soya half decaf wet extra hot extra shot caramel latte in a large take away cup’, while others will look forlorn and say, ‘I just want a cup of coffee!’, because the huge range of options make it difficult to know exactly what they want. This shows that coffee culture has reached out to all kinds of different people in the UK. It is interesting to see different customers’ attitudes to their coffee experience. There are people in suits on the phone who look rushed and busy and just need their caffeine fix. There are people who come in at the same time every day, for whom their coffee is part of their daily routine. There are families who come and buy sandwiches and cakes for themselves and all their kids, students who sit with their laptops surrounded by papers, groups of friends who sit and laugh across the table. But the one thing that they have in common is their participation in this coffee culture, buying into their coffee experience. As a barista, you become a part of this experience. If a customer’s activity becomes centred around coffee, then the coffee is important. I know many baristas who become so passionate about the product that they are serving. For us, coffee is not just coffee it is an art. Even after this coffee culture explosion, the process of making a perfect cup of coffee goes underappreciated too often. There are so many factors in creating good coffee. It begins with sourcing the best beans, then how they are dried, roasted and stored. For the barista, there is skill in making sure they are ground properly and that this grind is dispensed in the right quantities to ensure perfect espresso. Making sure milk is prepared to the right consistency and optimum temperature is essential. Any mistake at any point in the process will alter the taste of the end product. Furthermore, there is an aesthetic element to creating good coffee; in this vein latte art has become a popular challenge for baristas, using pouring techniques to produce coffee that not only tastes great, but looks incredible too. As coffee culture continues to develop in the UK, and the popularity of quality coffee continues to grow, so too does customer understanding, appreciation and expectation. For many of us, coffee is a big part of our daily routine and our social engagements, and it seems that this is only going to continue to be the case, and indeed become more so. As the market continues to expand and diversify, demand for coffee and café space will continue to grow with it. And on that basis, Durham could probably handle more coffee shops.

“For many of us, coffee is a big part of our daily routine and our social engagements.” 105

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Racism and gay rights in the Netherlands: Kaitilin van Baarle

Two sides of the same coin in nationalist politics

In the Netherlands, where I come from, people pride themselves in being a tolerant, open, and equitable society. Women, homosexuals, and ethnic minorities all have equal rights, as it is claimed. Yet, like in several places in Europe, there has been an increasingly nationalist political movement that openly speaks out against Muslim ethnic minorities, because, as it is argued, Muslims do not share the “progressive” values of Europe. The late renowned Dutch politician, Pim Fortuyn, openly stated that Islam is a “hostile religion”, and a “backward culture”, which is inherently incompatible with the liberal values of the Netherlands. It is also no unknown fact that Fortuyn was openly homosexual, and often deployed his sexuality as a means to distinguish himself from those supposedly backward Muslims. This political approach is referred to by scholars as homonationalism. It denotes the way in which tolerance towards homosexuality is leveraged as a tool for exclusionary, nationalist politics. I always find it is a difficult issue to discuss because I have trouble disagreeing with the notion that all sexualities deserve equal recognition in society, which is perhaps why homonationalism has become so persuasive as a political tool. Many of us would have trouble debating against skewed, racist arguments if we don’t know all the facts and if we can at least agree on the fact that we want to live in an equitable society. The most problematic aspect of homonationalism is, however, the way in which it blatantly ignores facts that might complicated the picture, and paints our world as black and white. In this way, many ordinary people throughout Europe might be duped in supporting racist, exclusionary policies that reek of the pre-World War II nationalist political climate. I can only speak for The Netherlands, and I can say for certain that we actually still have a long way to go with regards to equal rights for alternative sexualities and gender identities. Transgender individuals in the Netherlands are required to alter their bodies through surgery and be permanently sterilized before they can have their gender legally recognized, a policy argued by Human Rights Watch to be a violation of human rights. Maya Posch, a Dutch intersex woman who has appeared on Dutch television, also chronicles on her website her experiences with being pathologized and mistreated by psychologists and physicians. Posch suffers from Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of her maltreatment by the medical world in the Netherlands, and has vowed to leave the country in search for a place that has more knowledge and respect towards her condition. In general, among gender and sexual minorities in the Netherlands, there is a desire for being “normal” -only if one can blend into the heterosexual crowd can a person be “tolerated” for their sexuality or gender expression.

Overall, I still notice general sentiments regarding gender and homosexuality that are extremely problematic and not limited to Muslim ethnic minorities: men can’t do feminine things lest they be considered “pussies” or “gay”, if women don’t shave their legs they’re considered masculine and undesirable, the word “gay” is still flippantly being used as a pejorative, and the list goes on. Evidently, all of us in Europe still exist in a world of restrictive gender roles, regardless of the supposedly progressive values that we live in. I also have trouble believing that all Muslims are as intolerant of homosexuality as is portrayed in the Dutch media. Unfortunately, in my attempts to find information about the experiences of Muslim homosexual youth in the Netherlands, the top search results referred to attacks on homosexuals by Muslims. There is no doubt that the image of the homophobic Muslim is widespread, and that many people tend to conceptualize Muslims and homosexuals as two mutually exclusive binaries. Yet it goes without saying that non-homophobic. Muslims do exist, and that homophobic Dutch people exist. Most importantly, the existence of homosexual Muslims is a reality, and we cannot give our much-needed support with nationalist and racist politics that would only cause them to feel doubly isolated – both with regards to their sexuality, and their ethnic identity. When I was a student in Maastricht, the Netherlands, I remember one of my professors being particularly outraged at a campaign for homosexual youth that advocated “coming out”. Such a campaign privileges only those youth who can come out to their families without risking being banished from their homes, excluded from their communities, or worse. Evidently, the way we deal with sexuality and ethnic identity also goes beyond tactless political rhetoric. It largely has to do with well-intentioned individuals who want the best for sexual minorities but might overlook the fact that those sexual minorities of a different ethnic background might have very different experiences. But dealing with these matters involves a more nuanced approach than a nationalist political strategy that only capitalizes on existing racist sentiments in Europe. As a start, all of us have to acknowledge the many steps we still have to take for full acceptance of sexual minorities, especially those that might not fit within the image that is usually conjured in our minds when we think of homosexuality. In other words, we need to realize that there is a whole spectrum of sexual minorities that still face many struggles: people who are transgender, intersex, men and women who try to break free from gender roles, and especially ethnic minorities who might be any of the above. Rather than simply using homosexuality as a political tool of prejudice, pitting one oppressed minority group against another, we need to be vigilantly compassionate and have a critical understanding of the struggles people face in Europe.

“Many of us would have trouble debating against skewed, racist arguments if we don’t know all the facts and if we can at least agree on the fact that we want to live in an equitable society.” 106

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Fashion Looks East Structured, unrelenting silks hug the female form in kimono style dresses adorned with floral appliqués meticulously folded like paper to resemble origami shapes. The feminine fragility of the geisha is juxtaposed by her assertive, confident stride, in shoe boots akin to the ancient tradition of foot binding, and the powerful seduction of her scarlet red pout and harshly defined eyes laid against the base of her porcelain white complexion, alluding to a more vivacious essence of the samurai able to both enchant and mesmerize an audience in a single glance. Gatherers are not here to be frivolously entertained by the vulnerable delicacy of the geisha in the land of eastern promise. Instead, the audience here today consists of designers, celebrities and fashionistas gathered in the servile interiors of a contemporary building in Italy’s fashion capital to witness the unveiling of Milan’s Spring/Summer 2013 catwalk show from fashion house Prada. However, this bold clash of East and West is not an unusual encounter when it comes to the fashion world. For a long time now, fashion has playfully antagonised society’s ever-increasing mergence of cultures and faiths and challenged the stereotypes based on a society and its beliefs. Refusing to allow minorities to hide or be cast into the shadows, the fashion industry has kicked open its doors (with its well-heeled feet) to the opulent fabrics of the east and the exterior symbols of religious variety, and embraced the diversity that this offers to our individual wardrobes. Since the turn of the 20th century, the turban has been catapulted from a symbol of eastern faith to an increasingly elaborate and mainstream fashion commodity. From 1910 onwards, designer Paul Poiret reintroduced the turban into Western consciousness with his Eastern-influenced Oriental designs of turbans decorated exotically with plumes, feathers and flowers. Challenging the stereotypical Western female dress code of restrictive corsets, Poiret brought what was a dominantly male accessory to the masses; famous figures Peggy Guggenheim and Gloria Swanson were some of many who embraced this liberation of identity in terms of both gender roles and religion. From here on the turban has gained the prestige of gracing many a Vogue magazine cover. Classic American beauties such as Sophia Loren, Marlene Dietrich and Elizabeth Taylor each wore the turban both on and off screen in their own unique styles, catalysing an army of fashionistas to follow suit. Widely believed to have begun life in Persia as a religious symbol, by the 1940s the turban had cemented its social status as symbol for the well-educated, well-travelled independent woman. Most stereotypically, the turban is associated with Islam, being worn by Muslim men in emulation of the Prophet Muhammad; in this faith it is not part of the female dress. In Sikhism, the turban can be worn by both men and women. Where it was originally a commodity restricted to the elite upper class proportion of the Sikh faith, it is now mandatory for all practicing Sikhs to wear one so as to promote equality. Less widely known, the turban is also associated with Rastafarians, West Indian tribes, Cretan traditional dress, and even a branch of Christianity. Not forgetting that within the individual religions and belief systems, the colour, style, shape and size of the turbans vary greatly between countries and even local regions. With the physical presence of the turban holding such diverse symbolic qualities it is hardly surprising that the top moguls of the fashion world have successfully imparted a new characteristic to the turban as a long-standing, decorative accessory.

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This trend has journeyed from the far reaches of Eastern culture, to Western minority culture, to the catwalks, to high street fashion, and each step the turban has taken on its journey has contributed to its ever-changing design and status. We cannot merely say that Western fashion has taken attributes from the East but that it has also given. As Chanel’s creative director Karl Lagerfeld mused, ‘You don’t get into the details, you reinvent the details’, as cultures borrow these ‘details’ from each other to create a new version of a tradition in a mutual state of interdependence. Yet fashion may be in danger of bordering on secularising traditional eastern faiths. When Lady Gaga chose to don a burkha-style ensemble to Philip Treacy’s September 2012 London Fashion Week show, the consensus in the media was of horror and opposition whereas the fashion world rejoiced. Further added to this is the controversial modification of these sacred symbols to fit with the latest fashion trend. Designer Carla Dawn Behrle’s ‘Lou Lou’ turban, celebrated in the March 2012 edition of American Vogue, is fabricated from seductive black leather; an uncomfortable mesh of the sacred holiness of a faith with the eroticism of bondage and fetishism? Or a combination of what was once two separate cultures brought together by the power of fashion to portray a now multicultural society where east and west are no longer distinct and separate? This successful collaboration of east and west is perhaps most obviously celebrated by returning our attentions back to the catwalk for Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring/Summer 2013 Menswear collection. In one fashion collection alone, the essence of the multicultural society is captured and the fashion industry paves its way for increasing acceptance of diversity in terms of culture, tradition and faith. Pleated skirt kilts at home in the far reaches of the Scottish highlands, nautical monochrome sailor stripes whilst sipping coffee on the French Riviera, vibrant turbans and intricately patterned harem trousers off the streets of Goa, naturalistic python print sourced from traditional African tribal dress: one man, one outfit but many cultures and sources of origin. We as individuals, like fashion, cannot be simply pigeonholed into one culture or one faith. Likewise, each culture and faith is not exempt from the power that fashion holds in the current world. The iconic speech by Meryl Streep in the fashion blockbuster ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ throws off critics of fashion as secular and materialistic: “You think this has nothing to do with you”. No one is exempt from fashion. It is not just how people dress but it is an expression of identity which can define an entire historical movement. Would tribal designs, oriental signatures and even Christian cross motifs still be assigned to the exotic minority of the ‘other’ if fashion had not given these a voice and a concrete place in the identity of mainstream culture? Most probably this would be the case. By sporting the latest turban or tribal print design, we are not necessarily subscribing to or, worse, cheapening its significance. We are in fact celebrating the diverse, multicultural identity of our current society. Tradition is not a static state of affairs. It is something diverse, ever-changing, and, for Britain, it is essentially a far cry from the union jack waving, God Save the Queen, stiff upper lip that it is stereotyped as being. Through fashion we are breaking this stereotype, throwing prudish politeness out of the window and merging the best aspects of cultures into an accessible, collective sense of unity.

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CONTributors

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Klementyna Jankiewicz, ∞ 30, Designer ∞ www.klementyna.com ∞ I once designed a packaging for famous computer viruses. ∞ “Right or wrong, it’s very pleasant to break something from time to time.” Dostoyevsky

Domenico Liguigli, ∞ 25, Photographer, & Writer ∞ http://domenicoliguigli.blogspot.co.uk ∞ I saw stars moving ∞ “Yes Ernest: the contemplative life, the life that has for its aim not doing but being, and not being merely, but becoming - that is what the critical spirit can give us.” - Oscar Wilde

Jessica McDermott ∞28, Photographer ∞ www.jessicamcdermott.com ∞ When I was a child I was on a cable advert with my hair in pigtails and drawn on freckles on my face. It ran for at least two years. ∞ Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead.” - Susan Sontag.

Maruba Tasnim, ∞ 22, Writer ∞ I competed in a national spelling bee. ∞ “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

Alison Prioult, ∞ 23, Photographer ∞ The title of my project is called “Solitude” ∞ “A man can only be himself only so long as he is alone, and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom, for it is only when he is alone that he is really free” - Arthur Schopenhauer

Jade Bombela ∞ 16, Writer ∞ http://twitter.com/ Bompela_baby ∞ I hate milk ∞ “If you can read this, thank a teacher”

Alex Gray ∞ 22, Writer ∞ www.puwriters.net ∞ I have invented my own board game ∞ “ Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter” John Keats

Sammy Hussain, ∞ 22, Co-editor ∞ “I am insanely good at mudsledding!” ∞ “Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today”- Mark Twain

Sarah Martin 25, Writer ∞ My photo has been on the back of a cereal packet ∞ “ If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need”

Lauren Richards - Evans, ∞ 22, Writer & Graphic Designer ∞ http://lfrichards. wordpress.com ∞ A strong love for tattoos ∞ “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth” - Oscar Wilde

Michael, B. Oyewole, ∞ 23, Magazine Coordinator, Writer Graphic Designer & Photographer. ∞ www.eighty85.com ∞ I am a genius. ∞ “I have nothing to declare but my genius” Oscar Wilde

Nishma Menon , ∞ 22, Writer ∞ I was once chased down the street by a dancing monkey. ∞ “Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.“ - Proverbs 3: 5-6

Thomas Suen, ∞ 24, Photographer ∞ http://www.flickr.com/ photos/101570569@ N05/ ∞ I am always taking photos and listening to rock music. Come and see my gig in Wembley Stadium when the day comes!

Rosiji Bamgoye, ∞ 25, Graphic Designer ∞ Facebook Page: Rosiji Designs ∞ I have a phobia of dots, close dots! ∞ “Currently wearing the weekend and holiday as my perfume while parading around like Friday” - Rosiji Bamgoye

Vivianne Pellacani, ∞ 27, Writer and Photographer ∞ Her dream is to write the book that has never been written, changing someone’s life. ∞ “If you can dream it, you can do it” - Walt Disney

CONTributors Semra Kizilkaya, ∞ 21, Journalist ∞ I have a crooked finger! and I always buy a range of new books before finishing the ones I am currently reading. ∞ “Be the change you want to see in the world” - Gandhi

Ying (Ariel) ZENG, ∞ 22, Writer ∞ I’m an investment banker who loves journalism, traveling, jazz dancing and Impressionism painting. ∞ “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain.”

Kevin Ntueba, Poet ∞ Poetry keeps me sane, literally. ∞ “If I am killed, I can die but once; but to live in constant dread of it, is to die over and over again” Abraham Lincoln

Shirley Xie ∞ 23, Writer and Graphic Designer ∞ I am a travel enthusiast ∞ “Dream is my reality”

Emily Mangione ∞ 23, Writer ∞ I have run six half marathons and I am training for my first full in May 2014. ∞ “Pictures and rubbish seem to conspire toward mutual maintenance; the even increase, in spite every human effort…it won’t be long before they gobble up everything else.” - Hollis Frampton

Sophie Ann McKeever ∞ 23, Writer & Poet ∞ I love colours, they make me smile. ∞ “Those Who Dance Are Considered Insane by Those Who Can’t Hear the Music” - George Carlin

Lauren Carbran, ∞ Writer, ∞ I was already born with a piercing in my ear ∞ “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” – Dr Seuss

Nellie Zulu, ∞ Writer ∞ I can’t watch ‘Finding Nemo’ because I cry every time I watch it. ∞ “It always seems impossible until it’s done” - Nelson Mandela.

Leanne Kingsley, ∞ 17, Writer, ∞ https://www.facebook. com/leanne.kingsley.39 ∞ I’ve been on television (Blue Peter) and I was on the front page of a newspaper. ∞ “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way” - Napoleon Hill

Uriel Roth, ∞ Writer, ∞ I am on a gluten free diet.. ∞ “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” - Albert Einstein

Thaomy Le, ∞ Designer, ∞ My dream is to become a graphic designer or get involved with the creative industry to inspire others. ∞ “Look things up. Chase down every reference. Go deeper than anybody else - that’s how you’ll get ahead.” - Austin Klean

Kristina Shchetinina, ∞ Photographer, Writer and Designer ∞ kristinashchetinina. com ∞ I am ambidextrous ∞ “The important thing is this: to be able at any moment sacrifice what you are for what you could become” - Charles Du Bos

Robert Clark, ∞ Writer, ∞ Around a century ago, my family had five generations living simultaneously; from my great grandma to her great, great grandma. I have the portrait to boot! ∞ “Courage is grace under pressure” - Ernest Hemingway

Neus Torres Tamarit, ∞ Designer, ∞ I wanted to be astronomist before deciding to be an artist. In fact I still get fascinated with maths and physics. ∞ “The language of the eye, the intensity of the gaze and the steadiness of the gaze are more important than what one says. ” - Louise Bourgeois

Naomi Loo, ∞Designer, ∞ Allergic to dairy but can always be found eating chocolate or cake ∞ “Creativity is contagious, pass it on” - Albert Einstein

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Carlos Azuara Aguado ∞ Photographer, ∞ I’m often fighting with my mind but I love tennis because it helps to concentrate my mind and I forget the things around me ∞ “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” - Wayne Dyer

Sarah-Jane James, ∞ Editor & Writer, ∞ I am blind in my right eye, after accidentally falling on a wine glass when I was a baby. ∞ “What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” - John Lubbock

Matthew Calvert, ∞ 16, Writer ∞ I call Brussel Sprouts “Little Balls of Evil” ∞ “What’s the point in being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes?”

Ant Robson, ∞ 24, Graphic Designer ∞ I hate coffee and energy drinks ∞ “Roads? ... where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”

Kaitlin van Baarle, ∞ 24, Writer ∞My dream is to open a grilled-cheese sandwich restaurant ∞ “There has never been a sadness that can’t be cured by breakfast food.” Ron Swanson

Rachel Brooke Lee, ∞ 22 ,Team Leader & Graphic Designer ∞ www.rachelbrookelee. com ∞ I was an extra in a Bollywood Film. ∞ “Don’t let the world change your smile, let your smile change the world.”

Samantha Hackers, ∞ 23, Writer & photographer ∞ “Life is a lemon and I want my money back” Meatloaf.

Jonathan Lancaster, ∞ Writer, Designer, Illustrator ∞ I am currently in the process of finishing my first novel ∞ “There is a loneliness in this world so great that you can see it in the slow movement of the hands of a clock” Charles Bukowski

Tillia Eestermans, ∞ Writer ∞ I have crooked little fingers ∞ ’What you like is freedom, liking what you do is happiness’

Mariana Marques, ∞ Writer, Designer, Photographer, 23 ∞ http://mmarianamarques.wix.com/ portfolio ∞ I write random love letters ∞ All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love - Leo Tolstoy

Kat Langton, ∞ 22, Writer ∞ http://katlangton1. wordpress.com ∞ I have dreamt of being a journalist since I was eight years old. ∞ “Do not judge me by my successes. Judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again” - Nelson Mandela

John Miller, ∞ 21, Writer, 21 ∞ I can drink stuff really fast ∞ ‘One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.’ – Jack Kerouac

Jonathan Shaw, ∞ Writer,

Vicky Tyerman, ∞ Designer, 25 ∞ It was once said that there are more canals in Manchester than in Venice ∞ ‘Life is like a rainbow, you need both the sun and the rain for the colours to appear.’

Olivia Dotremont ∞ Writer, 17 ∞ The nickname I often go by is ‘Olive’ and I never want to dissapoint people by telling them I actually hate olives. ∞ It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.” - Antoine de SaintExupéry, The Little Prince

CONTributors Marco Shan, ∞ 24, Writer ∞ facebook.com/cctvnewschina ∞ ‘He who lies on the ground has not whence he may fall’ “Thomas Kyd: The Spanish Tragedy, I”

Amelia Shaw, ∞ Writer

Amber Poppelaars ∞ 26, Project Manager, Designer ∞ ‘He who laughs most, learns best.’ - John Cleese ∞ I used to be addicted to malted milk biscuits. I ate a packet a day, 7 days a week.

A Very Special Thanks To: Dr. Kolja Raube (KU Leuven) Dr. Susan Frenk (Durham University) Mrs Emma Hall Craggs (Durham University) Mr John Braime (UCL) Mr Oliver Peachey (UCL) Mr Dave van Ginhoven (The Hague University) Mr Wouter van Dam (The Hague University) Mr Alistair Wyllie (Recoat Design) Ms Amy Whiten (Recoat Design) Mr Russell Dempster Mr Roy Heath Mr Kwame Lestrade

With special thanks to: University of Leuven - KU Leuven University College London Durham University The Hague University

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