scope J A N U A R Y
2 0 1 7
scope bulletin J anuary 2 0 17
. RACHEL WONG . KELLY WING . ODETTE LAU . . KEONA PANG . TIFFANY WONG . . SELESTE WOO . ABIGAIL WONG .
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW! Thank you all for keeping up with Scope Magazine this whole time. Sorry we’ve been away for a while, but we’re back and pleased to announce that instead of our old seasonal publications, we will be focusing on releasing shorter, more frequent “bulletins” like this one. Please enjoy our collection of creative and literary work!
Thirteen Reasons Why YOUNG ADULT FICTION NOVEL BY JAY ASHER REVIEW BY ABIGAIL
A POPULAR YOUNG ADULT NOVEL SINCE IT WAS PUBLISHED IN 2007, JAY ASHER BEAUTIFULLY TELLS THE STORY OF A YOUNG GIRL STRUGGLING THROUGH LOVE, A FRIENDSHIP, BETRAYAL AND LIFE. few wee ks af ter Ha n na h Ba ker’s su icide , C lay Jense n rece i ves a package con t a in ing seven casse tte ta pes. The parce l con t a in ing t he seven t a pes is to be sent to thi rtee n di fferen t people, whose lives wi l l neve r be t he same agai n . U pon listen ing to t he first one , C lay discove rs that the rea son he received t hese t apes i s becau se he i s one of t he t hir teen rea son s why t he g i r l that was so special to him decided to t a ke her ow n l i fe .
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ersonally, I th in k t he writ ing s t y le t hat t he a u t hor used is what makes t h is novel so u n ique. The na r rat ion sw itches back and fort h from Han nah to Clay t h roughout the book , with Clay being a commen t ator on he r na rrative. By having Han nah tell her own t ale, t he a u t hor kee ps her — t he dead g irl — alive t h roug hou t t he story, making Th ir teen Reason s Wh y one of t he most spectacu lar ly written books of all t ime. The message of the s tor y is anot her one t hat all of u s shou ld pay at ten tion to — “treat ot hers as you wan t to be t reated”. Wit hou t a dou bt, I recommend t h is book to all you book lovers ou t there w ho are looking for a late n ig ht t reat .
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Fourth wave feminism has swept into the tides of society in the last decade, falling into the shores of the internet. It isn’t yet as defined or action-based as its precedents, however it’s been thoroughly inclusive in nature and diversity. Defined by both traditional feminist issues (such as domestic violence and unequal pay), and modern problems (such as misogyny on the internet, slutshaming, rape on campus and the rights of women in developing countries). The movement is championed by the new generation, pushing for body acceptance and positive self-image. Seemingly combatting the advertisement based capitalist nature by trying to provide messages that fight advertisement such as the one below. However, as Michel Foucault argued, it is impossible to see social movements without the lense of their environments, thus making it impossible to view modern western feminism (specifically 4th wave feminism) without the lense of capitalism.
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Personally as a feminist I have always believed that by supporting the movement to emancipate women, I was equally supportive of a better world which is overall more just and fair. I agree and support the ‘six pillars’ of 4th wave feminism (ex. queer involvement, sex-positivity, trans inclusivity and anti-misandry), and have found that in perhaps a cruel twist of fate, the movement for women’s liberation has become intertwined with the neoliberal capitalist movement. In the past, specifically second wave feminism, the movement worked towards a world in which gender emancipation came with participatory democracy and social solidarity, the ability to grant women the goods of individual autonomy, increased choice and meritocratic advancement. However these goals have been wrapped to fit into capitalist individual ideals. Feminist criticism of the ‘male breadwinner’ served to legitimize ‘flexible capitalism’, which relies heavily on women’s labour in low-waged service and manufacturing sectors. As women have poured into the labour markets around the globe, the family wage is being replaced by the two-earner norm. Now don’t get me wrong here, I support women’s rights and their ability to work. I personally deem my future career to be of utmost importance, however what hasn’t changed quickly enough is the treatment of women within the workforce.
Women are faced with depressed wage levels, decreased job security and declining living standards. There is an increase in numbers of hours worked for wages in females per household, by the exacerbation of the double shift – now often a triple or quadruple shift – and a rise in poverty, increasingly concentrated in female-headed households. This capitalist theory exploits feminist critique of the family wage to justify the exploitation of women, it harnesses the dream of equality between the sexes in a manner that creates support for the capitalist society. The current situation in a whole does not empower women, it merely exploits them in the name of increasing the nation's GDP.
This is not the only manner in which capitalism has been seen to exploit feminist ideals. Recently the clothing company H&M revealed an ad in which it seemingly supports many of the ideals of 4th wave feminism. The ad shows a trans woman walking to work, a young woman manspreading in the metro and a woman walking into a meeting where she is running the office. As seemingly fabulous the ad is, it is still an ad. An ad that is designed to promote the idea that H&M stands for something great, seemingly championing an empowering feminist ethos in order to claim profits.
The problem is H&M does not stand for women.
Discussion must be generated about the current system whereby all the underrepresented groups (women, ethnic minorities, people living with disabilities etc.) are structurally disadvantaged, their access to opportunities restricted. Oppression as a whole (as well as within sexism) did not begin with capitalism. It has existed for far longer. However it has defiantly been exacerbated by it. In the past this capitalist system has led to unprecedented levels of inequality and consolidation of wealth in largely in the hands of rich, white men. Capitalist society promotes individualism over collective action. The perfect example being the celebration of individual female entrepreneurs. It is easy to look at Oprah Winfrey and conclude that since she is in a position of power, there is no sexism or racism in the system and that capitalism helps advance all. Against this backdrop, vulnerable groups such as women are exploited in all the manners discussed above. Historically the feminist movement has been about eradicating and opposing the inequality in our society. Feminism is thus, incompatible with a system that compounds and worsens the said inequality. Earning a lot of money will not eradicate the inequalities, as vulnerable groups around the world will continue to live in impoverishment and harsh conditions. It is imperative for the society to understand that such inequality goes hand in hand with the capitalist theory. Capitalism as a whole is here to stay for now, thus yes, it is important to reduce the gap in pay and advocate at least some form of inequality in the current system. However, plausible alternatives to our current societal and economic model need to be created. An alternative to a system that will forever uphold a white, capitalist patriarchy.
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H&M can sell a t-shirt for as little as $40 because in Cambodia, the workers (almost exclusively female) will sew for roughly $40 an hour. These factories are notorious. Workers often fall onto the floor in mass fainting episodes. The other year, strikes for better pay were crushed by authorities, shooting dozens dead. These abuses are not isolated, interviews with workers show that the rampant and not rare. If any of the 90 percent of the seamstresses become pregnant, they are often fired due to their ‘unproductivity’. Using the toilet during a 10 - hour shift will provoke the wrath of the bosses. Staff are not allowed to refuse excessive overtime, yet were paid no overtime wages. Despite the implementation of the Fair Wage Method project H&M initiated in 2013, staff are earning below the stipulated industry median of $178USD per month. Sexual abuse was also seen to be prevalent in the factories, a colossal problem. Regardless, it can be said that H&M at least celebrates body positivity right? This is a complete show and one look inside a H&M store will prove this to be true. Plus-size models were included in the advertisement in their underwear dancing. Maybe they were only wearing underwear because there are no H&M clothes that fit. Most H&M stores don’t even stock the plus-size range. The Hong Kong stores does not stock plus-size items and every New York store pulled the garments from its floors because apparently they have no room for it. Multi-billion dollar companies such as H&M are exploiting the feminist message while treating women like well, crap, and doing nothing to change the status-quo. If we are to look at one of the ‘six pillars’ of 4th wave feminism, there is a focus on the gender pay gap. However, even if (and this would be a huge challenge in itself) women are paid the same amount as men, it does not change the fact that sexism is institutional at almost every level of society. Earning the same as men will not give females the same social standing. Being in a higher economic position will not fix the cases of female CEOs being cat-called by construction workers on the streets. Workplace sexism will not disappear. Trafficked sex-workers will continue to exist, as will rapists. There will still be everyday and widespread sexism. Yet, a certain naïvety allows us to believe that high pay for women will fix this. Equal pay does not address the fact that the society as it stands is structured as white, capitalist and patriarchal. This system as a whole needs to be combatted. Rather than trying to fit into the society and fix it within, society must be critiqued.
You were a natura disaste
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you push and i’ll pull and we’re tectonic plates and our friction causes destruction we leave in our wake the sparks turn to fire that fuel my hurt fuel my love but i’d still set my lungs on fire just to keep you warm in my chest and i know ribs are cages that’s why our hearts are so protected so hidden so lonely but you seeped through the bars slowly then all at once like a tidal wave crashing through penetrating my veins infecting my heart my lungs my body i am slave to your demands but i am independent i have to be independent i can’t keep up with you stop please let me breathe i’m pulling away stop pushing stop taking my breath away leaving my feelings and my mind confused as you cause wreckage like a hurricane leaving destruction in your path the eye of the storm was a nice illusion and now reality is like an uncontrollable storm yet i’d still force myself to bend down at my knees and look down at my feet standing before you you are majestic and i don’t know what i’m saying anymore
RENEE CHAN
Dream Series NATASHIA LEE DIGITAL
The scorch ing su n is beating down , the a i r i s stick y, a nd a ste nch o f wa ste dri f ts through t he ai r. A ll a round Mr. Shawn , are the sou nds o f shove l s diggi ng i nto foundation, the steady thwack o f axes , a nd the t ap-tap of a br ick being care ful l y l i ned up. He e xcha nges eye -contac t w i th the two g rate fu l fig ures who stand am idst the broken a spha l t that decorate the ground, a nd fee l s hi s eyes becom i ng red , ho t and tear y . “Noth ing much , ju st sweat trickl i ng dow n my face … that’s a l l ”, stutte rs Mr. S haw n a s he rea ssu res the wor kers who su rveyed hi m wi th conce rn. They a re a ssumi ng that i t i s e i t he r h i s ha nd bli s ters or nagging back in ju r ies that a re di sturbi ng hi m. But Mr. S hawn knows e x ac tl y w hat he ’s feeling. He’s feeling a re newed fa i th i n huma ni ty’s compa ssion.
‘GIVING IS AN ACT OF GENEROSITY…” Mr. Shawn ’s lifelong comm itmen t to se rv ice work sta rted a f te r be i ng i nspi red by hi s commu n i t y and pa re nt s . As a for tu nate city dweller now , Mr. Shawn i s consta ntl y re mi nded o f the rura l Canad ian v i llage he grew u p in . Growing u p, eve nts a nd cha ri ties orga ni sed by hi s pa re nts e nriched t he l i ves of his a nd ever y villager’s. In retu r n , w he n hi s fa mi l y needed he l p bui ldi ng a 4 0 f t x 6 0 f t she l te r, people from all cor ners of the com muni ty ca me to a ssi st. I t took days o f ha rd la bour— despi te t hat , no vi llager asked for an y th ing in return. Eve r si nce the n, Mr. S hawn wa s i nsti l led w i th the be l ie f that g i v i ng time and effor t to those i n need i s a re ma rka ble form o f se rv ice , a nd pe rha ps t he mos t needed . “I wan t fu tu re generation s to unde rsta nd how the powe r o f a communi ty worki ng toge t he r ... is [trul y] i mmea sura ble ”, he says. Throug h Habitat for Hu man ity, he is now a ble to esca pe Hong Kong’s urba n c ul ture whe re sk yscrapers a re cou n tless, to a r u ral Thai village w he re they see m to worth i t’s we ight i n gold. A t t he con s truct ion site, Mr. Shawn relear n s the plea sures a nd pa i ns o f worki ng wi th hi s ow n ha nds. I f t he 8kg conce rt br icks that he is car r y ing from house to house a re n’t we ighi ng hi m dow n ye t, the n su re l y the oppressive, swelter ing weather would do so. Mr. Shaw n spe nds hours fe tchi ng wate r by a t re nch for concrete m ixing. The water is so high that, despi te hi sboo ts, each sl ight mi sste p se nds waves o f cold , murky water sliding down h is leg, puddl i ng at hi s fee t — a nd w i thout e lec trici ty, ha rsh labor i s done by hand, including sifting rocks to ge t sa nd a nd mi x i ng di rt for concre te foundation. Soaki ng a nd e xha u sted, Mr. Shawn slides h is ove rsi zed boo ts o ff a nd a ca scade o f muddy wate r pours ou t . B y then, he realises that the su n screen a nd concre te di rt mi x ture i s formi ng a pa rtic ula rl y gri tty coat i ng on hi s ski n.
“GIVING IS SOWING A SEED…”
GIVING IS SOW
St umbli ng a nd slippi ng , Mr. Shawn figh ts again st hi s achi ng a rms a nd ha ul s a pi le o f bricks down the a lley . Amid s t the wear ying atmosphere, Mr. Shaw n hea rs the fa mi l ia r ri ngi ng la ughte rs o f loca l ch i ld re n w ho a re poi nt ing their fingers at the hardened chunks o f ce me nt that accessori sed hi s ha i r. M r. S haw n g rins a s he t ricks a boy by pretending he would gi ve hi m a high fi ve , the n pul l i ng hi s ha nd away at t he la s t second . These ch ildren ’s paren ts are the i ncredi bl y ha rdworki ng loca l s w ho comes out to t he si tes to help build for their comm u n ity . They a re the eve r grate ful fa mi l ies, w ho try w i th eve ry morse l o f t he i r bei ng s , to con vey their gen u ine kindness a nd grati tude to the i r v i si tors from Hong Kong . “These sig ht brings a war m glow of joy to m y hea rt”, he smi les. I nev i ta bl y, Mr. Shaw n bui lds a s t rong cama raderie with the locals, and he finds hi mse l f a pproachi ng eve ry ha rdshi p wi th e ne rgy a nd a ge nerous spirit, in stead of resen tmen t. As time fl ies l i ke a n a rrow , Ha bi tat’s houses begi n to ri se up from t he du st and br ing tr u th to the sayi ng, “ma ny ha nds ma ke l ight work ”.
“…TH E SEED WILL PRODUCE GREAT HARVEST OF F RU ITS. ” ~ L AIL AH GIFTY AKITA O n t he la st day, Mr. Shawn gazes at the last nail needed to comple te the house . Beca use o f hi s sweat y , bli s te red pa lm, the metal glin ts u nder the sunl ight. As he na i l s i t down, a q uie t, di sta nced pa i r o f mo t he r a nd da ugh ter with fir m, bron ze skin catches hi s eyes. Wi th the i r unre le nti ng sta re a nd liq uid pools o f pie rcing hazeln u t eyes, they con vey an i ntrigui ng i nscruta bi l i ty. As the i r eyes lock , Mr. Shaw n i s stra ng led wi th emotion s. “It is her”, he gasps. Two yea rs ago, he re me mbe rs thi s widowed mot he r crad ling he r ma lnou r ished daugh ter with her fra i l , ble mi shed ha nds. Be i ng at a n e ndless strug g le to spa re 50USD for ren t ou t of her 150USD monthl y wage , a ny re ma i ni ng l ight i n the mo the r’s hol low eyes faded unti l they were dar k and em pty. Two yea rs late r, he r eyes sti l l re ma i ns a s the ghost of he r d read ful pa s t, ye t they are now cu pped by fleshy pouches a nd gl i nti ng l i ke a ra re ge m. “I t wa s u s , t wo yea rs ago, who bu ilt her hou se, freed u p that money a nd cha nged he r l i fe ”, sa id Mr. Shaw n. For t he fi rst ti me, the mother weeps tears of gratitude a nd te nde rness, a nd si mul ta neousl y, he r face radia n t w i t h ha ppiness . As for Mr. Shawn , he exper iences a fee l i ng one doesn’t norma l l y e x pec t from be i ng bo t h e xha us ted a nd sore. Someth ing that didn’t wa i ve r eve n a s he tries to thrust hi s shove l i n to a ma ssive pile of dir t; even after he endlessly ca rries bucke t a f te r bucke t o f concre te sa nd; eve n a f te r not be i ng a ble to get h is br icks proper ly l i ned up. I t i s the fee l i ng o f pure grati tude a nd joy . And i t remind s hi m of wh y he choses to ser ve. “Ha bi tat i s bui ldi ng more tha n homes, beca use one sma ll inves tment in a com mu n ity, pays off in heal thie r, ha ppie r fa mi l ies who ca n prov ide a be tte r fut u re for t hei r child re n”, he says. Knowing th is overcomes a ny sore ness a nd e x ha ustion. He fi nds a happi ness he never wa nts to lose. Per haps the hardest q uestion Mr. Shaw n ha s eve r a sked hi s studen t s con t inues to s t a nd tr ue, “who do you th in k gets more out o f the tri p, you or the homeow ne rs?”
WING A SEED
KEONA PANG
B L AC K P I N K 불 장난 (p l a y i n g w i t h f i r e)
macklemore drug dealer album: drug dealer g e n re: ra p
a l b u m : s q u a r e t wo g e n r e : k- p o p
s eve n t e e n H I G H LI G H T
m a r t i n l u ke b r o w n & sody wa s t e d yo u t h
album: going s eve n t e e n g e n r e : k- p o p
a l b u m : wa s t e d yo u t h gen re: pop
zayn, taylor swift i d o n’t wa n n a l i ve fo r eve r
bad suns m a y b e we’r e m e a n t to be a lone
album: fifty shades d a r ke r o s t gen re: pop
a l bu m: d isa ppea r here g e n re: i n d ie rock
m a c h i n e g u n ke l l y f t . camila cabello bad things album: bad things gen re: pop
crush beautiful album: guardian ost pt. 4 g e n r e : k- i n d i e
B I G BA N G l a s t d a n ce
wa l k o f f t h e e a r t h fi re i n my sou l
album: MADE g e n r e : k- p o p
a l bu m: fi re i n my sou l g e n r e : a l t e r n a t i ve
c h a n ce l l o r, d o k 2 M U R DA
san holo light
a l bu m: MY FU LL NAME g e n r e : k- h i p h o p
tame impala ye s i ’m c h a n g i n g a l bu m: cu rrents g e n r e : p s yc h e d e l i c pop
album: light gen re: futu re bass
honne wo m a n
tinashe co m p a n y
a l b u m : wo m a n gen re: synth pop
album: nightride g e n r e : r&b
NCT 127 無限的我 (무한적아; l i m i t l e s s) album: limitless g e n r e : k- h i p h o p