Issue 83.1

on dit

EDITION 83

ISSUE 1

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On Dit Magazine

‘And sometimes counsel takes, And sometimes tea’ CONTENTS Editorial What’s On Student Represntative Council State of the Union Humans of the University of Adelaide

2 4 8 10 12

Pacifism Adelaide University Sport Student Politics Clubs Guide How to Win Friends and Influence People

14 16 18 20 22

Campus Map

24

Tinder Mental Illness

26 28

Iggy Azalea Sex Trafficking

29 32

Saviour The Oscars Nine Life Lessons From William Shakespizzle Reviews

34 40 42 44

Adelaide UniBar Emma’s Dilemmas Diversions

46 47 48

On Dit is a publication of the Adelaide University Union.

Editors: Daniel Millburn, Daniel McLean & Leighton McDonald-Stuart.

Cover art by Monty Do-Wyeld.

Enormous thanks to Kyriaco, Grace & Rhys for without them this magazine would not be in your hands.

Published 23/2/2015

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On Dit Magazine

Editorial

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his is your magazine. On Dit is written by students, illustrated by students, made for students. The magazine is now in its 83rd year and we hope this year it will continue its rich story, a story that has been narrated by a thousand unique voices.

Politics, literature, science, economics and just about every other subject imaginable – including a lot of sex – have made continued as well as cameo appearances throughout On Dit’s history.

The editors of On Dit are typically a sad bunch of pedants and grammar enthusiasts. Our job is to check facts and correct any abuses of grammar we come across. The magazine is ultimately your voice.

Speaking clearly and passionately is your job. We’re just a few of the organs involved with the production and amplification of that lovely voice.

Our university is an enormous house full of an enormous family. One of the aims of On Dit this year is to involve more members of that family. So hopefully throughout the year we’ll all be able to read about peculiar and enigmatic and interesting things, things we may not have ever read about before.

Of course many of the old voices of the family will continue to speak: politics, for one, just won’t lie down and die. Boring political issues will inevitably pop up in the magazine. But when they come out to speak, we’ll hopefully be watching a balanced and fair commentary in which views from all sides are given the opportunity to be heard.

In this first edition we have an interesting mix of subjects. While we enjoyed reading all submissions, we found a few particularly noteworthy pieces of prose: Morgan’s article on the Australian sex trade tells a tale of injustice under our very noses (32); Taylor’s writing on Iggy Azalea raises important questions of race and background (29); and Karolinka’s short story is creative and artful (34).

A short guide on the adjacent page tells you how you can contribute to this little magazine. On Dit is happy to recieve all kinds of artwork and all kinds of writing, regardless of how long or short or totally obscene it is.

But before you hurry to your desk with your pens and brushes, take a moment to look through this edition and see the good work your fellow students have created.

See you next time, Daniel McLean, Daniel Millburn and Leighton McDonald-Stuart.

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Edition 83 Issue 1

How to contribute to On Dit Want to contribute? It really is an easy process…

ondit.com.au

If you want to write an article, here’s some advice before you get started:

@OnDitMagazine

Talk to us first. Your chances of being published are much higher if we’re all on the same page.

facebook.com/OnDitMagazine

Make it relevant. On Dit is primarily read by students.

They don’t like reading long-winded pieces of writing, so please keep it concise.

@OnDitMag ondit@adelaide.edu.au

Make sure what you’re writing can appeal to a wide audience. If it’s a technical topic, try to explain it simply.

Don’t presume people know all the specifics of niche topics.

No one likes a pretentious wordsmith. Try not to use jargon.

Want to write but don’t know what to write about? We have a long list of things we’d love people to write about.

On Dit is for conversations.

It’s not like an academic journal or a newspaper.

It’s a beast of its own, made up entirely of students’ work.

On Dit doesn’t happen if you don’t write.

Don’t be shy. Come in for a chat. We’re down the dodgylooking stairs near the Barr Smith Lawns.

Yours, The Editors

Submission deadlines for artwork and written content Issue

Theme

Contribution deadline

Issue

Contribution deadline

83.3

Education

9 March

83.8

20 July

83.4

6 April

83.9

3 August

83.5

27 April

83.10

17 August

83.6

4 May

83.11

14 September

6 July

83.12

28 September

83.7

Elle Dit

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On Dit Magazine

What’s on 8 In O’ Week

MONDAY: BIG BANG O’Week blasts off on the Barr Smith and Maths Lawns at 10am. Grab some free food, get tattoed and enjoy the bangin’ atmosphere.

• • • • •

Welcome to Country performance Free Welcome BBQ DJs sets from London Tavern DJs, Future Music Festival DJs, Pilot DJs and more Flash Tattoos Roving entertainment

TUESDAY: TUNE IN Awesome live acoustic and low-fi acts take over the main stage.

Customise, craft and create your ultimate day with activities and pop-ups; visit the blanket fort, get making at crafternoon sessions, or design your own customised O’Week t-shirt.

• • • • •

Acoustic music including Themla Plum, Jessie Davidson and more!

Crafternoon classes make friendship bracelets, flower crowns and dream catchers Live street art Drumming workshops Roaming Mariachi Band – The Three Amigos

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WEDNESDAY: POP The colour comes to campus with our very own pop culture festival with movie cars, cosplay, tv- and movie-themed music and DJ sets. Great Scott! This is heavy!

• • • • • • •

Hypnotist Isaac Lomman Dancin’ Dave Callan Riot City Wrestling demonstrations Cosplay Free photobooth Kick-ass nostalagia DJ set.

Delorian and Harry Potter cars on campus

THURSDAY: HOOK UP Activities, tips and advice on how to plug yourself in to university and community life. Meet fellow new students, network and explore all the ways to have the maximum uni experience.

• Community and Volunteering Day – Meet new people, network, volunteer.

• Comedy on Campus – line up on local, national and international comedians performing on campus!

FRIDAY: ON THE GREEN Experience the prestige and be part of the tradition as we transform the Goodman Crescent Lawns into a vintage wonderland with: • • • • • •

Vintage Picnic: (11.30am-2.30pm, Goodman Crescent) Play vintage games on the lawns, Sample delicious food, Pick up a record from Crackle and Pop pop-up shop Dance to old time tunes by DJ BottleRockets Vintage cars and dress ups

Meet your Reps: (11.00am-2.00pm, Hub Central)

Meet the office bearers from the SRC. Meet and greet, find out how to get involved or give feedback on what you think matters.

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On Dit Magazine

Correspondence Dear Editors, I felt a sudden urge to write to you while halfway through my fortnightly shop for groceries. You see, I was rolling my shopping trolley down the supermarket aisle and found I had meandered into the great expanse that is the canned tuna section.

be consumed outside of the home (unless a person is camping or living through a zombie apocalypse).

I am aware the banning of canned tuna on campus may send us down a slippery slope (see: canned tuna > garlic > onions > cheese > gulags), but something must be done!

I’ll start off by firstly clarifying I believe tuna is a great food, being both delicious and healthy. I have no doubt that with the extensive range of tuna brands and flavours one could eat tuna every day for a month and not need to repeat flavours – isn’t that amazing?! It’s like having the same food, but without it feeling like the same food. It’s like having choice without needing to make a choice.

Yours in solidarity with the olfactory senses of all students,

Here comes the deal breaker though. Tuna stinks, but especially so if you’re not the person eating it.

For this reason I will never take canned tuna to my workplace or to university. Have you or your readers ever sat near someone who has cracked open a can of tuna while enjoying something relatively inoffensive like a fritz and sauce sandwich? It’s an imposing and uncomfortable experience, I assure you.

One late afternoon I was walking beside Elder Hall when I heard a heavy rustling of leaves followed by an upwards scuttle. Slightly startled I turned to see the vanishing backside of an enormous creature as it clawed its way furiously into the higher branches of a tree. Now safe up in its tree this creature, a meanlooking possum, watched me with ringed eyes. What on earth could it want? I wondered. As if in answer to my thoughts, it suddenly puffed out its chest, turned right around, giving me full view of its posterior, and dashed out of sight. How rude!

Unfortunately for us, the University of Adelaide is not immune to public displays of affection (PDAs)… towards tuna! Many a time I have needed to relocate myself within the Hub to avoid the imposing wafting of someone’s tuna lunch towards my olfactory receptors. Or perhaps even more testing are the times when I notice a friend or classmate’s lingering smell of 30-minute-ago-tuna-consumption and am powerless to do anything but breathe shallowly and pretend I don’t think any less of them.

Jean-Baptiste Grenouille *** Dear Editors

It seems our university zoo is now complete: we have ducks, rats, rude possums and far too many Law students.

Meng Wai

No one should have to suffer these precarious situations. I implore your team, as controllers of a rather big student mouthpiece to please educate the wider student population. Canned tuna – as amazing as it is, honestly – is not a food that should

A note from your editors: We love to receive letters. If you want to rant about something, complain about an article we’ve published or simply make a random observation, write to us at ondit@adelaide.edu.au. Alternatively, slip something under our door.

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LONDON UNI NIGHT LAUNCH PARTY THURSDAY MARCH 5

EVERY THURSDAY $5 JAGERS $4 SKITTLE BOMBS & BASE SPIRITS $3 BEERS $2 CIDERS 2- 4-1 PIZZAS FROM 6-9PM! DJ’S & GIVEAWAYS!

The London / 175 North Terrace / Find us on Facebook

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On Dit Magazine

SRC President Renjie Du

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elcome to all University of Adelaide staff and students, and an especially warm welcome to our new students. As you take your first lectures and tutorials you embark on what will be a lifetime of enrichment and discovery through education, and we are pleased that you are taking part of that journey with us.

Whenever you‘re confused about something, we’re all here to help you. If you feel like talking to someone about a nagging problem, or if you want to share some great ideas with us, or just want to meet more university friends, you should drop by our Fix Student Lounge located on the ground floor of Union House and say ‘hi’ to our SRC members.

I’m in my final year of Engineering (Honours) and Arts and also President of the Student Representative Council (SRC).

Prior to my role at the SRC I have worked in many international and domestic organisations on and off campus. In 2013, I was named Australian International Student of the Year by the Council of International Students Australia (CISA). I look forward to continuing my community service as your SRC president for 2015.

The SRC is an elected body of students that represents you here at Adelaide. It also advances your interests with various other bodies at state and federal levels.

This is achieved through events, media, campaigns, meetings and publications. There are several SRC Office Bearers who advocate for specific student groups and issues, including Queer Officer, Welfare Officer, Education Officer, and Environment Officer, and they work hard to ensure your rights are safeguarded and that you are properly represented.

It’s quite exciting to see old friends and classmates coming back to university after the three month summer break. It’s also exciting to see so many new faces joining our university community.

I’ll never forget how overwhelmed I felt when I first started here.

Coming from a different country, I didn’t know anyone on this campus; I struggled to connect to the Internet; and I struggled to understand what the lecturers were talking about. I’ve come to realise that this was an experience shared by many of my fellow students. It’s normal to feel a little bit lost in the beginning, but with the support offered at Adelaide you’ll pick things up very quickly and learn to thrive.

The quickest way to get used to the campus life is to talk to someone.

The SRC and I have a mission to help as many students as we can to create the best university experience possible. If you share our passion and would like to create a better university experience for all, or even if you just want to get involved with more extracurricular activities, you should definitely apply for our volunteering program. we’re launching a volunteering program which you should definitely apply for.

Transitioning from high school to university is a challenge for anyone, but I can guarantee that you are going to have a great time. During your time here at Adelaide you’ll meet others who are passionate about your chosen field of study producing world class research

in a world class institution. Your horizons will be expanded far beyond your expectations.

Adelaide produces leaders, great scientists, teachers, musicians and lawyers. When you graduate and become one of the alumni you will join a group of former Adelaide students that extends across the globe. But even more importantly, you are going to make some of your most important lifelong friendships here.

Congratulations and welcome to all students coming to Adelaide University! I hope that you find the experience a rewarding one.

Renjie Du is the President of the Student Representative Council

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SRC Office Bearers

Womens Officer: Maddison Veitch To the weird and wonderful On Dit reader that you are, hi! My name is Maddison Veitch and I’m your Women’s Officer for 2015. In my spare time I enjoy long walks on the beach with my boyfriend and sipping fine wine (as long as it cost less than $10) accompanied by only the best quality caviar (more likely beetroot dip and crackers).

This year marks my fourth year studying Law and Social Science here at this fine university, while I continue on the side as a paraplanner for a financial planning business. I couldn’t be more excited about taking on my new role as the Women’s Officer, and have spent the start of 2015 organising some really fantastic events for the year. I can’t wait to meet you and would love to hear from you! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to flick an email to srcwomens@auu.org.au.

Education Officer: Jack Newton It is a great honour to have been elected the Education Officer of the Adelaide University SRC for 2015. I look forward to working with you all this year and advancing your education.

Briefly, I’m currently 18 and entering into my second year of a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting.

2015 is undoubtedly set to be one of the biggest for universities around Australia. The Government’s Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill, currently before the Senate, will dramatically shake-up the university sector as we know it. We must, whatever the outcome, work coherently to ensure that the transition process is as smooth as possible. I will endeavour to ensure this occurs. Please feel free to make any suggestions or simply say ‘hi’ by contacting me via my email srceducation@ adelaide.edu.au. I look forward to working with you all.

Welfare Officer: Josh Boughey My role as your SRC Welfare Officer is to do everything that I can to make your university experience as happy and healthy as possible. This involves being the first port of call to assist in any issues that may be affecting your study. You may not be aware of the fantastic services provided by Student Care such as emergency loans, free legal advice, and free counseling services. I’d be more than happy to direct you to these and many other crucial services. With two thirds of students living below the poverty line and the Abbott government’s punitive budget measures waiting in the wings, accessibility to these services has never been more important.

This year I’m looking forward to focusing on mental health issues and expanding the free Breakfast Club program with a wider range of food, in a more prominent location. Further, I’m committed to working closely with the National Union of Students, your peak representative student body, to assist in campaigns on campus against the Abbott government’s cruel changes to Newstart payments as well as the regressive GP tax. I look forward to meeting you at one of our great events around campus this year.

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On Dit Magazine

State of the Union Amelia Briggs

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elcome to everyone starting at Adelaide University this year, and a warm welcome back to those returning. My name is Amelia, and I’m the President of the Adelaide University Union this year. I’m a maths student, and in my spare time I like to go dancing and take as many naps as humanly possible.

The Union is your student organisation on campus. It’s run by students just like me to ensure you get the best out of campus life.

We’re all elected – from me, your President, to the On Dit Editors who have put this pretty magazine together for you. It’s our 120th year of being the life on campus here at Adelaide University, and we’re pretty stoked about it.

Student members are the most important part of our organisation.

They are the students’ voice, and they get to be a part of everything the Union offers. For $40 for two years, you can be part of our members-only BBQs and have access to all our deals and giveaways, along with supporting the beautiful folk here that work so hard to look after us. Head to the Union website auu.org.au to grab yours ahead of time, or pick one up from the big red tent at O’Week.

It’s a big year for the Union, for our University and for students in general. At the Union we’re planning to make life on campus even better with new events, more funding to clubs, and even more training courses for you than before. Students around the country are also watching carefully as the Federal Government looks to enact some of the biggest changes that universities have ever seen.

The Union runs a number of

services and events for all students at the university, including O’Week, where you might be reading this right now! We’ve run all sorts of cool things, from the big At The Cloisters party with bands and food trucks, down to small stalls during exam time to help us all survive the stress. This year we’re cooking up even bigger and better events than ever before. We can also give you free help if you need it: services like Student Care and the Employment service are there to make sure students are looked after.

can have a cup of tea. I’m always looking for students opinions, as well as ways to procrastinate, so it’s really a win-win for me.

Website: auu.org.au Facebook: facebook.com/adelaide universityunion Twitter: twitter.com/UnionAU Instagram: Instagram.com/ adelaideuniversityunion

The University is still planning its redevelopment of Union Amelia Briggs is the President of the Adelaide House, where I’ll continue to be University Union involved in asking them for better student spaces and resources.

The University’s looking for as many students as possible to give feedback, so I’d encourage you to get involved too. Watch your inbox carefully, and make sure you stay in touch with the Union: we want to make sure we get as many students speaking on this issue as possible.

There are many ways to get involved with the Union. Make sure you check out our website and visit us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, where you can leave us a message and also score some free stuff with very little effort. You can volunteer with us at events, join or start a club to suit whatever strange hobby you might enjoy in your basement (mind out of the gutter, folks!) and come to our meetings.

You might even want to run for student elections yourself.

If you want to visit us in person, the Union lives on Level 4, Union House (funnily enough). Here you’ll find our merchandise shop, binding services, and me! Call me at 8313 6945 and maybe we

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Get to know your Vice-Chancellor On Dit

VC, for those who are unsure, what exactly does your role involve? Are you like a school principal?

Besides letting them get inebriated in a foreign city, what else does the University’s Global Learning program offer students?

“Well the University is a lot bigger than a school—we have around 7,000 staff and 26,000 students. The Vice-Chancellor is the chief academic officer and my responsibility is to shape the University’s educational and research mission. I am also the CEO. While the University is not a business as such it is imperative that we conduct our affairs with the same kind of diligence and transparency.”

“Studying overseas means getting a quite different view of the world. I was fortunate to live and learn in New York as a student and it had a profound influence on me professionally and personally. I want students at Adelaide to have the same opportunity.”

Do you have any tips for new students looking to make the most out of their time here?

“Right from the outset, make good friends with those around you. Remember that the students sitting beside you in lectures and tutes will be your future professional colleagues in years to come. Creating a lifelong professional network is one of the greatest aspects of a campus university experience.”

What about those returning to university?

“When you’re midway through a course, sometimes the end seems a very long way away. Don’t give up: it will be worth all the hard work in the end. Having a degree from a Group of Eight university like Adelaide means having a calling card of a quite special kind.”

Ever been to the Unibar? What would you rate it out of 10?

“Yes I have been. I know it’s dripping with years of atmosphere, and everyone seems to have their own special “Unibar story”. But it’s hardly Adelaide’s most up-to-date venue: I think it might be time to consider a refurbishment and see how we might be able to freshen up that part of the campus.”

We don’t often see you around campus. What’s the best way for students to contact you?

“Depends which campus you mean—I have four to cover.

I certainly wish I could visit Waite and Roseworthy more often. This year I will be meeting with student groups in each faculty/campus, something I didn’t manage last year.

I’m also open to coming to another all-student forum, like the one run by the SRC in 2014.

And students can always email me at vice-chancellor@ adelaide.edu.au”

Finally, seeing as you’re not an Adelaidean: Coopers or West End? “Coopers, the fridge at home has nothing else.”

Warren Bebbington is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide. He was appointed to the role in 2012 for a five year term.

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On Dit Magazine

ans of the m u H UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE 1: What the hell are you doing here during the holidays?

2: Advice to first years? Feelings about your first year?

3: Any thoughts on the skinny men in pink Lycra riding around town at the moment?

4: Iggy Azalea? Is she allowed to rap?

5: Typical Friday night?

Olivia Animal Science, 1st Year 1: I’m here for an enrolment session 2: I’m excited, but afraid of failing the statistics course.

3: I haven’t really seen them because I live in the country.

4: Yeah, I don’t care too much whether she raps. If people don’t like her music, then they shouldn’t buy it.

5: I’m a waitress so I don’t really get a Friday night.

Aaron (left) Commerce, Maths & Comp Sci, 2nd Year Mike (right) Commerce (Finance), 2nd Year 1: We’re doing summer school which is intense. Lessons are everyday. We have an assignment tomorrow, then one the day after.

2: A: Don’t leave your work till it’s too. Take it week by week.

3: M: Very bright and colourful, like jelly beans.

4: M: She’s funny, maybe a bit crazy. She can do whatever she wants though, it’s her choice.

5: A: Dinner with friends, watching movies - and Mike likes to stay up late and sleep in on Saturday.

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Anwitha & Karolina (left to right) Health Science, 3rd Year 1: We’re doing summer school, studying a course on communication for health sciences.

2: K: I’d improve my approach to exams. I’d also sign up to sports clubs like the athletics club.

A: I’d focus more in first year to improve my GPA early and keep in mind socialising. Have lots of fun and make lots of friends!

3: K: I appreciate how talented and dedicated they are, but really that is not an outfit.

A: They would look fine without clothes anyway.

4: She should be. If she’s comfortable with herself, she should be free to do it.

5: K: Travelling interstate for the weekend and going to the gym A: Cooking and spending time with family Eleazor Health Science (Podiatry), 3rd Year 1: A communications course for health science. It’s a good course.

2: Go to class and do the readings!

3: I don’t mind them. Headache with traffic though.

4: She should be able to do her thing - shake that booty everywhere.

5: Work, then go home and sleep.

Nicole Psychology, 2nd Year 1: A summer school course for my degree.

2: Head down, do the work.

3: Oh golly, I try not to look.

4: Go for it, if it’s going to make her money then why not?

5: Watching Better Homes & Gardens with a bottle of wine.

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Pacifism

Doomed Dream or Political Possibility Serrin Prior

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t their core, the recent attacks at the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris and the Martin Place Lindt Cafe in Sydney show a belief in violence to achieve political aims. This is, of course, nothing new. Kings, countries, and even chimpanzees have been waging bloody, organised conflict for time immemorial.

So strong is the influence of political realism that it seems practically no one with power believes there is an alternative. Swiss-style neutrality is an aberration.

Worse still is pacifism, an impossible dream of idealists and cowards. To that image of the carnation in the barrel of the rifle, we cynical, post-post-‘60s children ask: what chance does a flower really have against the might of steel?

Here, I would like to address that question, rather than just taking it as rhetorical, by considering certain assumptions about pacifism that discredit it as a feasible alternative to militarism. The assumptions are that pacifism is individualistic, impractical and passive.

But first, pacifism should be clearly defined in the context of inter- and intra-national conflict. When I use the word here, I follow philosopher Andrew Alexander in defining it as a political, rather than individualistic, doctrine, a doctirne that concerns itself not only with individual wars or conflicts, but more broadly with the institution of war. Alexander uses the analogy of the market to explain the distinction: just as the market consists of a “whole system of production, distribution, advertisement, and so on”, with transactions between buyer and seller, so too does the institution of war consist of a complex system that exists beyond merely instances of conflict. Simply

disbanding armed forces would leave people to defend themselves individually or in vigilante groups, most probably supported by the use or threat of violence.

Not only is this an ineffective way of protecting people, but it hardly seems better than militarism if our goal is to move from systems of violence to ones of non-violence. The development of an institution of peace would see the institutionalisation of non-violent resistance; whereas once soldiers were drilled in the use of violence, now specially trained groups, and citizens more generally, could be taught non-violent resistance techniques.

Now to address the first assumption: that pacifism is individualisitic. The example of the pacifist bystander, who passively observes a violent attack, rather than using violence to defend the victim, is often used to discredit pacifism. But this is a misleading example.

It is a critique of individualist pacifism, rather than political pacifism. Consider two explanations for the use of violence: it is a natural reaction to certain, especially life-threatening, situations; and it is a tool for achieving goals. A distinguishing feature of political pacifism is that it rejects the second of these reasons for violence, but not the first. Political pacifism does not totally avoid violence, though everything it does serves to prevent violence used for political or social goals.

The ‘bystander’ example also highlights another way in which political pacifism is conflated with the individual variety: namely, that pacifism is equivalent to passivity. The refusal to take part in war is compared with the refusal to act at all. From a political perspective, the passive pacifist whose only stand against war is to do nothing is understandably criticised. Yet while passivity and nonresistance are

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indeed foundations of some pacifist doctrines, such as those preached by Tolstoy and some Christian traditions, political pacifism does not encourage these. On the contrary, political pacifism would call for action, though of the non-violent variety.

Demonstrations, boycotts or the creation of parallel institutions are all methods a political pacifist might follow.

Pacifism is assumed to be impractical: it does not produce good outcomes, say some, or it is unreasonable for people to follow it, say others. The latter accusation is linked to the ‘bystander’ example, which claims that in situations that require violence to protect innocent people it would be unreasonable to expect the principle of non-violence to hold.

This example, as it relates to political pacifism, has already been challenged above. As to whether pacifism is capable of achieving desired outcomes, several cases from recent history show that, even within an institution of war, far from being impractical, non-violence succeeded, where violence failed. The withdrawal of Indonesia from East Timor (1988-89), and the overthrow of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines (1986) are two of those cases. While violence existed on both sides, these cases showed that

non-violent resistance with mass, broad-based civilian participation, campaign decentralisation, and media coverage, could secure victory. The use of violence in fact backfired against both sides. Campaigns that use violence, especially against non-violent opponents, may be viewed as extremist, while those who stay committed to non-violence are more likely to gain political legitimacy and international and domestic sympathy .

A single flower may not be able to stop the determined bullet. But to look at this as an indictment of pacifism would be to ignore its full capabilities. Pacifism, as a political doctrine that seeks to replace our current institution of war with one of peace, is not concerned with individual bullets. It encourages the use of a range of non-violent resistance methods which, when implemented with proper organisation and widespread participation, have proven to be successful in the struggle to achieve political goals. The success of pacifism in the future seems largely to rest on our willingness to move on from our past traditions of violence.

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”

- Martin Luther King Jr

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A look at 2015 with Adelaide Uni Sport The Blacks- Adelaide University Sport

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elcome to 2015! For those of you less acquainted with Adelaide University Sport, we are the home of The Blacks, your University of Adelaide sport teams, offering access to over 40 clubs, sport facilities, events and sport scholarships.

Coming directly to you in 2015 will be all of our favourite events, including Sports O’Week, the International Student Centre Beach Sports, Clubs in the Hub, the SA Challenge, Sports on the Green, Inter-Faculty Active Recreation (IFAR) Week, the Vice-Chancellor’s Cup and The Blues Awards. We will also be hosting the Southern University Games (SUG) in Adelaide and sending teams to the Gold Coast for the Australian University Games (AUG).

To get your first dose of sporting action in 2015, head to the Maths Lawns this week (23 – 25 February), where our sport clubs will be in full force signing up new members and demonstrating their skills. We have everyone covered, from the spin bowler to the breaststroker, the scuba diver to the striker. Our clubs have a variety of settings, including courts, fields, oceans/rivers/pools, tracks, mountains, runways and mats, and these are open to everyone and anyone!

Sport is far more than fitness and competition. It’s about teamwork, leadership, fun and the thrill of trying something you’ve never tried before – like whacking someone across the head with a bamboo stick (that’s our Kendo Club).

You don’t have to be part of a sport club to be part of our AU Sport family though. Our events and activities cater for those who need a break from the books and who want to feel the rush of endorphins between a lecture and a tute. It’s amazing how a quick game of table tennis in Hub Central during IFAR Week can make you more productive for your afternoon study.

We also offer social sport days for students, including the International Student Centre Beach Sports (beach dodgeball and volleyball), Sports on the Green (soccer and volleyball) and the SA Challenge (inter-varsity sport between UniSA, Flinders University and the UofA).

Our more competitive teams and students have the opportunity to represent the University at the SUG and AUG, which are inter-varsity events between Austrlalian universities. Expressions of interest for these events open in O’Week.

We know you can’t contain your excitement now after reading about the year ahead with AU Sport, so make sure you LIKE us on Facebook to stay in the loop.

We don’t want you missing out on a free Zorb Ball Maze during IFAR Week in September, or the chance to don The Blacks uniform at the AUG on the Gold Coast! You’ll find up and coming events, as well as monthly reports about our various clubs, results and events in On Dit throughout the year.

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Upcoming Sports Events International Student Centre Beach Sports February 17 3.45pm – 5.30pm City Beach Free beach sports for international students Registrations essential – sign up at the ISC Welcome Centre during Orientation

Sports O’Week February 23 – 25 10.00am – 4.00pm The Maths Lawns Sport club stalls, activities, demonstrations and giveaways

Clubs in the Hub March 11 11.30am – 2.30pm Hub Central Sport club stalls

Sports on the Green March 27 3.00pm – 7.30pm Graduates Oval Free Volleyball and Soccer tournament, followed by a free BBQ Registrations essential – www.theblacks.com.au

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On Dit Magazine

The On Dit Guide to

STUDENT politics Gemma Paech

S

tudent politics is a vibrant part of Adelaide University’s culture, and yet another thing we do better than UniSA and Flinders. In the heart of the city and with Parliament House just down the road, Adelaide Uni is a great place to hone your skills because everything here is just a little more ridiculous than adult politics – and a lot more fun.

The University of Adelaide has pumped out a range of notable (and sometimes infamous) politicians, including Julia Gillard, Cory Bernardi, Julie Bishop, Christopher Pyne, Sarah Hanson-Young, Nick Xenophon and current Premier Jay Weatherill.

There is a range of political clubs to get involved with, including the Adelaide University Labor Club, the Adelaide University Liberal Club, the Adelaide University Democrats, the South Australian Young Greens, Resistance, and the Socialist Alternative.

These clubs, along with independent political activists, converge during the week of student elections, a crazy time around September when they battle it out for students’ votes.

To start you off, I’ve made a brief run-down on the student representative bodies you could be elected to for 2016.

ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY UNION (AUU) BOARD The AUU Board comprises ten students known as board directors, who hold a two-year tenure. So five positions are up for grabs every student election.

In addition to making decisions about the future of

the Union, an AUU board director is involved in other services, such as overseeing the funding of the Student Representative Council (SRC) and student media, employment services, welfare and academic services, and grants.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL (SRC) The SRC is a body that is supported by the AUU and voices the views of students. The SRC holds regular meetings to work out what Adelaide Uni students want. It also hosts a range of social events on campus.

A number of elected individuals hold specific positions to support some very important causes. These positions include Welfare Officer, Education Officer, Queer Officer, Women’s Officer, Disabilities Officer, Social Justice Officer, ATSI Officer, Mature-Age Officer, International Students Officer, and EthnoCultural Officer. Here are some great opportunities to assist students in the areas you are most passionate about.

Along with these specific positions, the SRC offers eight General Councillor positions. General Councillors have a say in meetings and help to run events – a great place to start out in your first year.

ON DIT AND STUDENT RADIO These positions are for those with a passion for the arts. Whether you want to be a journalist, a writer, an artist or a comedian, you can gain real experience

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from student media before you go job-hunting in your graduate life.

Up to three editorial positions for On Dit and three for student radio are available during student elections each year. If elected, you are given the chance to take the name of On Dit or student radio and make of it what you will. It’s just you, your co-editors and a tonne of creative licence.

As an individual who has devoted her life to politics, I strongly encourage you to get involved in the clubs on offer, and to run for positions when you are given the opportunity in September.

When I joined my political club, my perspective and my goals were changed forever. For me that has resulted in a lifetime career choice, but for others it can compliment their main area of study, or simply be a hobby. Whatever the degree of your involvement, student politics will provide you with valuable skills, ranging from public speaking and negotiating skills to managing crises and reconciling personality clashes.

This university is crying out for students with ideas and passion to create positive change. No matter what political persuasion you are, this is the best time for you to get active and make real changes on campus and gear yourself for the world ahead.

Gemma Paech is the President of the Adelaide University Labor Club

SRC:

SRC President: Renjie Du General Secretary: Hannah Russell Welfare: Josh Boughey Education: Jack Newton Social Justice: Alyona Haines Queer: Robert Kavanagh Environmental: Peng Yu Mature Age Rep: Yawei Wang International: Ziang Li Womens: Maddison Veitch Postgraduate: Zhao Lu Ethno- Cultural: Brad Guo Rural: Cameron Emery Disability: Belinda Wilson

SRC General Councillors:

Jack Lienert, Yu Fu, Xinyuan Kou, Mark Pace, Edgar Nicolas Daniel-Richards, Kyriaco Nikias, Felix Ritson and Max McHenry.

AUU Board Directors:

President Amelia Briggs VP Rachel Phillips Adi Rai (Clubs Committee Chair) Jennifer Nugyen (Student Media Committee Chair) Renjie Du (SRC President) Robert Katsambis Joe Lu Georgina Morphett Yiran Tan Rhys Williams

A note from your editors: On Dit reguarly attends meetings of the AUU Board as well as the SRC. To keep up with all that’s said be sure to follow our twitter account @OnDitMagazine. We tweet under the hashtags #AUUBoard and #adelaidesrc.

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On Dit Magazine

The Unofficial Guide to

CLUBS on campus Business Students’ Society (ABSS)

Law Students’ Society (AULSS)

The Adelaide Business Students’ Society (ABSS) is the representative body for all students studying business degrees at the University of Adelaide.

The ABSS conducts a variety of career-orientated and social events throughout the year that intend to help students advance their professional careers and networking skills while at university. Please feel free to contact us through our Facebook page or website if you have any queries at all.

The Adelaide University Law Students’ Society (AULSS) is the primary association for students studying law at Adelaide University. The AULSS aims to enrich the law student experience. It provides the law student community with a variety of social events, academic competitions, careers events and sporting functions as well as defending and promoting issues of social justice and well-being.

To get involved please email: business@auu.org.au

To get involved please email: law@auu.org.au

United Nations Society (AUUNS)

Multicultural Club (AUMC)

The Adelaide University United Nations Society (AUUNS) is a club for anyone interested in the world as it is today and the events that shape it.

AUUNS is open to any and all students with an interest in international affairs, no matter your degree. We offer regular Mini-Model United Nations Sessions (‘Mini-MUNS’), as well as an annual South Australian Model United Nations Conference (‘SAMUNC’), co-hosted with UniSA.

The goal of the Multicultural Club is to offer the students of Adelaide University a place to expand their cultural understanding and service the community around them in cross-cultural activities.

Everyone is welcome. Joining the Multicultural Club gives you an opportunity to meet new people and learn about cultures around the world.

Please visit our facebook page!

To get involved please email: unsociety@auu.org.au

To get involved please email: multicultural@auu.org.au

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do you know there are over 130 clubs on campus? visit auu.org.au/clubs to find yours!

Adelaide University Liberal Club (AULC)

Adelaide University Debating Club (AUDS)

If you’re a student with a passion for freedom and good fun, the AULC has an active social calendar year-round, holding cocktail parties, a dinner at Parliament House, pub-crawls, barbeques, pizza nights and special events with MPs. Joining up is a great way to meet new people on campus and to have fun with other people who share similar points of view. Look for us during O’Week or contact us via Facebook for more information and to sign up!

To get involved please email: liberal@auu.org.au

AUDS runs the longest running adults debating competition in South Australia. We organise competitions for people of all levels of experience and provide members with the opportunity to travel interstate and globally. Involvement is a small time commitment, but can provide valuable skills for your studies or career.

There is also a lively social aspect to debating.

Adelaide University Labor Club (AULC)

Medical Students’ Society (AUMSS)

The Adelaide University Labor Club operates as part of the Young Labor movement in South Australia, existing to discuss and debate public policy, along with being heavily involved in State and Federal campaigns. We run a range of events throughout the year, including Politics in the Pub with guest politicians, Parliament House drinks, Labor Students camp and a Labor versus Liberal Club debate.

The Adelaide Medical Students’ Society, or AMSS for short, has represented the views of medical students at the University for over 120 years. We support students with their medical studies and running events that make their time at medical school much more enjoyable. Our vibrant culture and aims as a Society are best summarised by our motto “Traditio, Spiritus, Gaudium”, which is Latin for “Tradition, Spirit and Good Times”.

To get involved please email: labor@auu.org.au

To get involved please email : adelaideunidebating@gmail.com

To get involved please email: mail@amss.org.au

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How to Win Friends

and Influence People Robert Katsambis

J

Australian universities and and high schools uphold a key tenet of Western education, which is that their students are encouraged to question everything, from their teachers to the very material they are taught.

Most student activists struggle to define their role and purpose. Why should I join a political club? What can I achieve being an activist on campus? What can I do as an elected student representative?

The students here look closely at your political campaigns and scrutinise them. The reason why over the last decade or so there has been a dramatic decline in Left-wing university politics is because these groups have failed to sell their message to an astute, informed and educated student population.

oining a political group on campus, or even being an activist, are facets of student politics that lack concrete direction or guidance. As a consequence, student activists have the tendency to be confused and run blindly into the wilderness.

The first thing to understand is everyone has a different reason for aligning themselves with a political group on campus. Some people want to be activists, others want to talk policy with like-minded individuals. Some just want to go to social events and others want to run as candidates in student elections or even just help out on campaigns.

If I were a first year student again setting out to promote my philosophies, I’d find this task much easier with some guidance. I hope that in writing this article I can provide that guidance to aspiring student activists on both the Left and the Right.

Use logic and reason to convey your ideas.

You can march in solidarity up to Parliament House running scare campaigns all you like, but that won’t spread your philosophies across the University.

This is because your target audience, university students, are smarter than you might believe.

The ordinary student knows that marching and shouting at politicians won’t achieve anything. They know that engaging in violent and intimidating protests loses you more supporters than it wins.

This is why most students I’ve spoken to were turned off by the protests which were hijacked by radical student activists last year for the Prime Minister’s address at the University.

Although they claimed that they were acting on behalf of students, most of the student population was embarrassed that their university was portrayed on national news as unruly and intimidating.

The way you spread your message on campus therefore is achieved best through logic and reason. University students are more inclined to listen to well-reasoned argument and judge debate on its merits than the average voter is.

A concise, structured and well thought-out argument is far more persuasive at university than provocative signs plastered with generic three word slogans.

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Be realistic Sometimes when student politicians are elected to student representative bodies like the SRC or the AUU Board, they see this as akin to being elected to Parliament.

This view is both irrational and delusion.

During my time on the AUU Board I have seen fervent debates around child labour being used to stitch soccer balls, affirmative action, radical feminist ideas and climate change—all this when our real job is to provide services that students will value.

My advice is that if you seek election to a student representative body as a platform or step up to be a social justice activist, then you need to reconsider. You won’t be helping anyone. You’ll only be hurting those who elected you to represent them.

It is essential that you realise the potential of student politics but properly understand the scope and limitations of that potential.

Don’t associate yourself with radicals The radical and extreme fringe political movements are over-represented on campus when compared with their unquestionable insignificance in mainstream politics. These movements are hate-based and mould themselves around notions of an “us against them” conflict in which they seek to divide society.

These movements thrive on hate and attract people who want to vent their frustrations of the world in some hateful way. For most of them, it’s just that

misguided thing they did when they were young which they would later come to regret as wasting their youth.

On this campus you have the Socialist Alternative as the prime example. This group has been known to engage in violent protests, and on one occasion actually set fire to some posters designed to warn students of their violent practices!

In their heads they think that they are doing something noble. In reality, the bulk of the student population views them as an annoying, deluded, intimidating group of weirdos who practice an unattractive, aggressive brand of hate politics and intimidation.

If you get in with the wrong crowd, students will not listen to a word you say after you tell them which organisation you’re from. If your aim is to spread a message you believe in, your decision to make friends with aggressive extremists will severely compromise this objective.

Understand those around you Not everyone is like you. Some of your political friends will not be as committed to activism as you, and some not at all. Everyone is in a political club for a different reason, whether it be for activism, for social events, or just to find out which political persuasion is best suited to their own views.

If you don’t acknowledge this, you will be setting yourself up to fail. Once you understand the motivations of your peers (and rivals), then how you work with this is up to you. This is often a skill that can’t be taught, but if you think critically and selflessly you will work it out, and only then will you be put on the path to success as an activist.

Robert Katsambis is the President of the Adelaide University Liberal Club and a Board Director of the Adelaide University Union. He is a member of the Executive of the South Australian Young Liberal Movement.

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On Dit Magazine

Tinder: Is Romance a Swipe Away?

Mikaela Wangmann

W

ith the days of blind dates and set-ups fading away, is dating app Tinder the new way to find unforeseen love?

We’re the generation whose only experience of a set-up was when a friend of a friend needed a date for a high school formal. And you know what? We decided that being set up like this was awkward and weird, and we didn’t want anything to do with it. Set-ups and blind dates needed filters. We didn’t want to find ourselves once again stuck with that very strange kid who wouldn’t stop staring and wouldn’t bother to talk.

But now we have Tinder. Dating through Tinder can be as awkward and uncomfortable as those blind dates, but at least with Tinder we have greater choice and power to meet who we like.

Tinder sure does get tedious: swiping through a string of group photos to figure out who on earth you’re judging; trying to think of a witty reply to your tenth ‘DTF?’ message today; chatting with weirdoes in general; or, of course, turning on your phone to see another dick pic.

Tinder often seems superficial. But is it really any worse than the way people approach each other in real life? You can bet that any dude approaching a woman at a bar on Saturday fancies her looks, or that the woman sparking up conversation with a guy in the supermarket was drawn in by a snippet of his conversation she overheard. Being attracted by appearance or words is exactly how the Tinder game works, only with Tinder you hopeful boys and girls can control the side of you the rest of the world sees and the three sentences it hears.

Thanks to dating apps like Tinder, all our witty banter can be put to good use on that person whose travel pic shows your favourite country, or that person who likes five of your favourite bands, or even that funny dude who asked whether you liked ghouls. And even if these people turn out to be a bit too obsessed with our shared interests, it’s incredibly easy to leave these Tinder conversations, much easier than if they were in real life.

A Tinder ‘no’ is far less painful than the awkward face everyone pulls when trying to tell their mates to cut the conversation short, or even than the tried and tested excuse of “sorry, I need to go to the bathroom”.

But honestly there really is some great banter to be had on Tinder. With pressure removed many people can

allow their relaxed and playful personalities to surface, replying sharply and wittily to your own hilarious one liner, even if they had to Google it first to get the Simpsons reference.

Unlike bars, which attract certain crowds, Tinder truly has someone for everyone. Fancy world travellers with stories to tell? Well then, hunt down your perfect match whose pictures show various globetrotting tendencies. Looking for someone to party with?

Choose from the plethora of party animals with their crazy eyes and beer bongs. How about surfies? You got it; there are plenty of those sun-bleached beach-lovers out there. Whoever you’re looking for, they’re most definitely on Tinder.

You have a chance to get to know your Tinder pals before them. Add them on Facebook, talk to them over the phone. When you do eventually meet your Tinder date - in a public spot obviously - be sure to have some friends nearby in case things go south and you need a Hail Mary save.

Dozens of my friends have met up with people from Tinder and had a great time. Classic romance, it seems, is dead. These people didn’t go out to fancy

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dinners; they didn’t go salsa dancing. He didn’t rock up on her doorstep with flowers; he didn’t even pull her chair out at the pub. But even if any of these romantic gestures took place, would most of us know how to respond?

Our generation can’t deal with this classic romance, and that’s why Tinder suits us. Even our parent’s experience of dating casually is vastly different from ours. Maybe we’re forging our own version or romance, a version that might involve less ‘large’ (read as ‘awkward’) gestures and instead be more about remembering what kind of beer we drank or letting our partner rant for five minutes longer even though we’re tired of it.

Either way this means more West End and less awkward silences, and that’s something that we really should be thankful for.

So I guess romance is, in a way, dead. But this still doesn’t allow you to send unsolicited pictures of your genitals.

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Mental Illness

and Your First Year At Uni Hanna Jacob

S

o you’ve made the decision to start a university degree. You’ve studied your timetable, tried to work out where all your lectures and tutorials are so you can calmly and confidentially find your way there on the first day. You’ve rehearsed how to introduce yourself about 43 times. You’ve got it down pat. You’re in control.

Except you’re probably not.

On my first day at uni I dropped my bag and all my books spilled down the stairs. I was absolutely convinced every single person in the Napier building was staring at me. Truth be told, I now realise probably no one noticed, except the guy who helped me grab my books.

But it didn’t feel like that then. It felt like I had people staring at me all day. I bit my tongue when I introduced myself to my class. I got lost twice. It was horrific. I came home and went to bed, curled up with my old lovers, Depression and Anxiety. I let them eat me alive.

I skipped uni the next day. It took all my energy on the third day to get on the bus and go.

But I’m glad I went. It took a little while, but I memorised how to get all my classes. I introduced myself without making a fool of myself. My tutor high-fived me and told me I made excellent points. These are all little things that add up to help you rebuild yourself after mental illness has stripped you bare. I’m not going to lie to you – sometimes it’s really hard to go. But it’s also super rewarding. It can feel like you’re climbing a mountain sometimes. But the view is great.

studies for exams, he prints out all his notes, gets them bound and studies them until he can recite them in his sleep. When I studied for my exams, I watched six seasons of Parks and Recreation in two weeks and then read my notes on the bus on the way down to my exam.

As a result, I have very little knowledge of Shakespeare but I can quote Leslie Knope in every single conversation I have.* But it’s super important that you find the best way for you to study. If you study best under pressure, study that way. If it’s better for you to be over prepared, be over prepared. Do whatever’s going to get you to the finish line.

2) Find a really good coffee place, make friends with the baristas and study there. Sometimes it’s good to get a breather from studying at the uni and a change of scenery really does give you a new perspective.

3) Your tutors are there to help. The biggest help I had all year was from my tutor who asked me whether I was okay. I vented about everything wrong and he gave me some invaluable lessons about Shakespeare and also some good little life lessons. Tutors are great. They are there to help. Ask and ye shall receive.

4) You’ll have bad days. Take care of yourself on those days.If you’re feeling really bad, go to Student Counsellors and take advantage of the help there. Go to the Harry Potter Room (Barr Smith Reading Room) and sit in silence and breathe. Walk away from the assignment giving you hell and come back an hour later.

There’re some things you should remember though:

You can do this. You can do this. You will do this.

1) Don’t pay attention to how other people study, especially when it comes to exams. When my brother

*I would not endorse this method of study, even though I passed my exam with it.

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Is Iggy Azalea

allowed to be black?

Taylor Rundell Artwork by Carly Harvy

A

methyst Kelly grew up in Mullumbimby, country New South Wales. Her family had lived in Australia for more than a century.

But when she was 16, she made the bold decision to leave her small hometown, to pursue her dream of making hip-hop music, to take on the stage name Iggy Azalea, and move to the USA to “make it big”.

And make it big is what she did. In 2014 it seemed like it was impossible to get away from Iggy Azalea. Azalea’s debut album “The New Classic” was a chart-buster, hitting number 3 on the US Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Australia Aria Charts. It won the Breakthrough Artist Release award at the 2014 ARIA Music Awards, the Favourite Rap/HipHop Album at the 2014 American Music Awards, and garnered her four Grammy Award nominations. The distinctive four note bass line of Iggy’s biggest hit, “Fancy”, echoed through dive bars, house parties, car stereos, and department stores (and as a retail employee, I know this all too well).

Follow-up singles and collaborations with the likes of Ariana Grande did the same.

But towards the end of the year a lot of noise was generated online about Iggy’s apparent “problem”, one described with a pathetic two-word platitude that seems to shift in meaning whenever it is used: “cultural appropriation”.

The story goes like this: hip-hop has its origins in the Bronx, inextricably tied with African-American culture. Therefore, Iggy is not allowed to make “black” music as a white person. African-Americans, subsequently, have a monopoly over the production of rap music, over-embracing one’s figure for sex appeal in music videos, and pronouncing “business” as “binniss”.

If a white person chooses to make this sort of music, they must support every black cause célèbre of the moment.

Some have gone further than describing Iggy as perpetuating cultural appropriation. I keep seeing her performance style described as “vocal blackface”, denoting a crude impersonation of black people and culture.

Spending 10 minutes on YouTube watching true blackface performances makes it obvious that this is not the case; nothing that Iggy does intends to degrade black people, make them seem stupid and piggish, or demonstrate what white people think black people are like. If someone watches Iggy Azalea and thinks, “this is how black people act”, then that person is silly. They have thousands, millions, of other sources online of African-Americans who have succeeded in their lives – why use a white girl from country New South Wales?

Leading the attack is Iggy’s similarly named, sworn Twitter enemy, Azealia Banks. Banks started off by criticising “Igloo Australia” for not taking part in the public discussion surrounding the death of Michael Brown, a young black man, in Ferguson.

Someone should probably tell Ms. Banks that using the death of a human

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being to attack someone regardless of your perceived agenda is a low decision to make.

What I’m far more concerned about, however, is whether it is at all logical or necessary to try to stop someone from making a particular type of music because of their race and background. That is what is happening, and when it is put that way, it becomes evident that it cannot be justified.

The end game of the theory of cultural appropriation being applied by Banks and her ilk is that white people have to rap in a white way about white things if they want to make hip-hop. Firstly, that is ridiculous, and secondly, I have heard enough 360 to know that Australian hip-hop – that is, hip-hop which tries to embody Australian culture - is awful. Should only black people make rock and roll, since that genre also had its origins in the blues music of African Americans? I’m sure that the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and every decent rock band that’s come since would beg to differ.

Australians don’t reach the top of the Billboard Charts everyday. The likes of the Bee Gees, INXS, Gotye and Sia don’t appear everyday. Most Australian artists – even ones who get consistent airplay on commercial radio – will never achieve success outside of our country.

The situation in hip-hop is even more dire. Apart from Iggy, the highwater mark of Australian rappers hitting the big time overseas is Seth Sentry playing on Jimmy Kimmel once to a muted crowd response. To shoot our only high achiever down for choosing to be successful is to kill the dreams of every Australian wanting to make it big in hip-hop, and a classic instance of tall poppy syndrome.

The fact is that American music is what the market wants. The distinctive southern American accent made famous by Nicki Minaj, Ke$ha, and, yes, Iggy, is what people want to hear. You can’t just shout people down as bigots for making this type of music, purely because of its cultural origins.

To put it as bluntly as possible: Azealia Banks and the social justice police who get behind her say that they are fighting racism. But to say that someone can’t choose whatever career they like, or that they can’t express themselves in whichever way they choose, based solely on the colour of their skin… well, it’s obvious what that is. Having hurt feelings about white people doing black things does not change that.

Taylor Rundell is a final year Law student who is definitely in the murder binniss

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Australian Sex Trafficking

An uncomfortable truth Morgan Rigby-Meth

Sex trafficking happens in Australia.

Yes, you read that right.

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ustralian sex trafficking is a complex issue because, as you might have suspected, it often involves girls from overseas. This may be one of the reasons why we don’t hear much about it. Most victims never get a chance to tell their story, and as a result few people are aware of their situation and even fewer have any idea of what to do about it.

I bet you’ve never heard Phuongtong Simaplee’s story.

Simaplee was only 12 years old when she was sold by her parents in Thailand and trafficked into Australia in 1986. She was then forced to work in Sydney as a sex slave. Simaplee never had a happy ending. She never escaped her living hell. In 2001 Simaplee’s brothel was raided and she was placed in Sydney’s Villawood Detention Centre, most likely because she lacked identification papers. In her Villawood room she died.

Right under our care, Simaplee passed away from health complications 72 hours after being detained.

She weighed 37kg.

Like Simaplee, the majority of Australian sex trafficking victims come from Asian countries, countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Burma, Indonesia and South Korea. These women are often from poor and rural backgrounds and may already work as prostitutes. Some women come to Australia intending to work in the sex industry briefly to escape poverty but are unaware of its exploitative conditions.

Other women end up as Australian sex slaves having been tricked into the trade by promises of education

and job training. Women are often kept in the sex trade through debt bondage: they are told they owe money that can be repaid only by performing sexual services.

The moment these girls are smuggled into the country they are at a disadvantage: they have arrived under false papers. Even if a trafficking victim has valid papers, her trafficker usually confiscates these, leaving no proof of her identity. There then follows the so called ‘breaking in period’. In this period the women are forced into obedience, crucial for producing slaves.

They are raped, beaten and often convinced that Australian authorities support their traffickers. These strategies allow traffickers to control their workers, as one woman explained to the 2004 Parliamentary inquiry, saying that if she refused to work, she would be gang raped and even starved on occasion.

As if being treated like disposable sex dolls and punching bags were not enough, victims of Australian sex trafficking face severe health concerns. Some “clients” unleash their violent and perverse fantasies on these women, causing them various injuries such as bruising as well as internal bleeding. Slave holders force women to become drug addicts so that they become submissive and dependent. Inadequate nutrition, forced abortions and sexually transmitted infections are other serious problems that plague the sex worker. This is the cruel reality of life in sexual servitude.

All of this is happening in our country, and it is unacceptable.

Australia has previously seen legal reforms in an

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attempt to protect sex trafficking victims, but faults in the system still remain. In 2004 a 30 day bridging visa was introduced to give trafficking victims residence in Australia during their trial, provided that evidence supplied by the victim was considered valuable. This placed many trafficked women in a predicament.

Because many struggled with English and didn’t know where they were being kept, how could they possibly pass on vital information such as their slaveholders’ names and location? This was finally changed in 2009 when women could gain a 45 day visa without assisting the police.

Even if sex trafficking victims gain their freedom, moving on with their lives is difficult. They have no source of food or shelter, which means released women often stay with their traffickers. Some women who were sex slaves become traffickers themselves for reasons such as being barred from all other employment and understanding no other trade than the sex trade. Unfortunately some are deported to their home countries without ongoing support, so they often become sex slaves once again.

If you are anything like me, you get increasingly frustrated when people feed you stories of human

rights violations without providing a roadmap of good courses of action. That is not my intention in writing this. Project Respect and AusAID are two Australian organisations that support trafficking victims. Project Respect keeps tabs on Victorian brothels, providing emergency accommodation and offering support to those trafficked to Australia. This organisation’s website gives information on how to rally support for their cause as well as how to donate and volunteer.

Public awareness is crucial to fixing this problem. One rescued trafficking victim wrote a statement thanking the High Court for prosecuting her slaveholder. She wrote, ‘it is important that people understand that the experience of being trafficked is absolutely the worst thing you can ever imagine. I want people to know that this is happening in Australia’.

So tell people around you what’s happening. Do a Google search, read an article, get inspired to act.

Above all, don’t forget about these women. The more aware we are, the more we will advocate for their human rights and the sooner this unforgiveable trade will end.

$EX

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Creative Writing

Saviour Karolinka Dawidziak-Pacek

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unarian scanned his surrounds, desperate to glimpse even just a hint of movement — but there was nothing. The only things around him were pine trees, covered in layers of snow. He bit his lip and gripped his spear tighter, trying to ignore the shivers that ran through his body. Sunarian felt the burden of all the furs wrapped around him weighing him down. Not long ago, he had run around with his friends through tall meadow grass, his face warm from the sun, whooping with joy. Now, the bitter cold wormed its way into his bones and brushed along his smooth face. He rubbed his eyes, watering from the whiteness of the snow, before resuming his search.

‘Give it up, Suna,’ said a voice behind him. He turned and saw the gaunt face of Big Beohaurn. Sunarian remembered him as the man in the local ale hall, laughing raucously, a pint always in his hands. Now, big furs hung limply over his bony frame, and eyes no longer twinkled — they were empty, soulless. With a gulp of air, Sunarian allowed the stinging coldness to push back his tears.

An image of his mother flashed through his mind, her face a pale blue, like the icy waters of the rivers that had frozen long before their time. She had reached towards him with her skeletal fingers, every bone visible, and grasped his hand, her faint breath barely escaping from her chest — Sunarian shook his head and banished those images from his mind. He faced Beohaurn and squared his shoulders, standing tall. ‘I’ll keep on looking. Just a little longer.’

Beohaurn sighed as he surveyed the boy before him, and withdrew a small bottle from his ice encrusted furs.

He pulled the stopper out with his teeth and thrust the bottle towards Sunarian. The strong fumes of the firewater wafted through the air, and Sunarian swallowed longingly. ‘Here, youngster,’ said Beohaurn, ‘you have a greater chance of survival than we do. The vigour of youth still burns on in your heart.’

Sunarian took the bottle from Beohaurn and wet his lips with the fiery liqueur. As he licked his lips, he felt the powerful effect speed into his body. Almost straight away, his hands stopped shaking and the wetness in his eyes diminished. Sunarian knelt and carefully placed the bottle beside him, and his spear next to it. He reached back to unbuckle his sleeping sister from his back, but Beohaurn knocked his hand away. ‘Leave the babe. She will soon be dead anyway,’ the man said.

Sunarian straightened up, blood coursing violently through his veins. ‘No!’ he said, his voice low. ‘I made a promise — ’ ‘We all made promises,’ said Beohaurn, ‘but in some cases, promises made to the dying cannot be kept! Your ma and pa weren’t in the right frame of mind when they made you take her. A few more hours in the snow with their bodies and your sister — ’ Sunarian gave a low growl and took a step forward, his hand clenching automatically around — thin air. His breath caught in his throat as he stared down to see Beohaurn slide his foot under the spear and send it flying into the air.

‘Watch who you’re trifling with, boy,’ he spat as he deftly caught the whistling spear. ‘You know nothing! You’re a child of the sun, not a hunter!’

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Sunarian surveyed Beohaurn, his grey and sunken face, his hard eyes.

The leader of the expedition, Sindurign, stepped up next to Beohaurn and clapped him on the shoulder.

‘That’s enough, Beo,’ he said, his breath a white cloud in the frigid air. Beohaurn glowered at his wasted hands, his chest heaving, and back at Sunarian. A muscle twitched in his cheek, and he threw the spear aside. He stalked away from the party, his footsteps crunching loudly over the layer of crystals that covered the ground.

Sunarian made as though to go after him, but Sindurign put a hand on his shoulder.

‘Leave him be for now, Suna. Let’s go back to the others.’

He followed Sindurign back to where the group had paused. The men stood in a loose circle, weapons at their sides. One of them withdrew strips of dry meat, then handed them out to everyone. Sunarian took a strip and chewed on the tough meat vigorously, ignoring the sour smell. Once he had reduced the meat to a pulp, he spat some of it into his hand and was about to loosen the straps holding Itenikara to his back when one of the hunters shook his head.

‘Boy, you know nothing. The babe needs breast milk.’

Sunarian’s heart plummeted. He swallowed the meat, and felt it pass down his throat in a clump. He scrutinised the group of men. Precious few of their wives, some of them mothers, were left — many who had gone out foraging had perished. His eyes swept over Sindurign, who had already eaten his strip.

‘Sind… You have a babe, don’t you?’ he said.

Sindurign’s expression darkened as he shook his head.

‘Nay, boy,’ he said, and sighed deeply. ‘It died a moon ago. Danila hasn’t been the same since…’

Sunarian opened his mouth, but Sindurign cut him off. ‘I know what you want to ask. There is little food, so the milk in her breasts has dried up. But if we find something…’ The man pursed his lips but Sunarian jumped up, a new vigour burning through him. The men watched him, scorn on their faces.

One of the hunters stepped up to Sunarian, a sneer on his face. ‘What do you know of hunting, boy? Just give up, and go hide those smooth cheeks behind real hunters! Or better yet, just go back to camp. We don’t need your inexperience here.’

Sindurign’s face was stormy as he approached the man,

but Sunarian had already backed away, his heart closed to the taunts. He headed for the trail, pushing through the glacial drifts. Once again, he strained his watery eyes against the glare of the muted whiteness, and peered towards the horizon.

The pine trees had long ago shed their needles and stood naked, exposed to the violent winds that whipped through the forest. Sunarian shivered as the wind swept over him, and drew his cowl around his face. The men were right in one aspect; Sunarian wished for a beard to cover his face, a shield against the cold that stabbed at his face with little pinpricks.

A flash of russet.

Sunarian pivoted, his breath almost stopping for a moment. But there was nothing — only trees, icicles hanging off the dead branches, peered into the sky.

Again.

He pulled his cowl back, ignoring the slivers of ice that hit his face. There had been something, he was sure of it.

Sunarian scanned the tree line, his heartbeat thundering in his ears.

There it was.

Sunarian froze, not daring to move as he saw the stag step out onto the trail. Its coat was thick, and somehow, the cold had not wasted it. It lowered its head to lap at the snow, and didn’t flinch as the wind raced by it, bringing its scent towards Sunarian.

As he witnessed the majestic creature, Sunarian raised his hand and held it to his chest, crossing his index and middle fingers in reverence. He knew that only a Sacred Animal of the Baen, those who were born with the affinity to communicate with animals, could have survived in such a merciless winter.

He heard a footstep crunch through the frost, and saw that the other hunters had gathered near him. Sindurign’s face was lit up with a smile.

‘Well done, Sunarian! The wind is in our favour — the stag’s scent will blow straight towards us, from the east.

At the moment, the animal hasn’t gone into the trees yet so if we hurry, we may be able to catch it in the open.’

The party followed Behzukung, the tracker, as he led them eastwards. After some time, Behzukung put up his hand and the group paused. A thick silence rent the air; no one even shifted free as their weight pulled them slightly into the deep snow. Behzukung pointed through the tree line, and all the hunters followed the direction of his hand.

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Winter had not affected the stag; its bones were covered by layers of muscle. The stag’s deep russet coat shone against the starkness of the snow. Clouds of steam billowed from its nostrils as the stag snorted and pawed at the ground with its dark hooves. But most magnificent of all were the Sacred Animal’s antlers; the twelve tines rose high into the sky.

Behzukung extended one finger into the air. Daerian and Theorican held their spears over their shoulders and begun to advance slowly towards the stag.

Suddenly, the animal’s ears perked up, its nostrils flaring as it took in a new scent. The stag begun to back away, its pupils wide.

‘The wind’s changed! Go, go, go!’ Sindurign screamed, shattering the silence, and the hunters ran towards the stag as it begun to gallop down the open trail.

Sunarian sprinted ahead of the others, his youth propelling him ahead. As he ran, he lifted his spear above his head and drew his arm back, preparing to let it fly, when a sound stopped him short.

Itenikara begun to cry, her sobs echoing across the forest.

Sunarian stopped, and sunk to one knee. The spear fell from his hands as he watched the stag redouble its efforts to get away. He gasped, his exertion catching up with him, and relished the sensation of the icy air as it tore down his throat.

The hunters stared at the receding stag. Beohaurn grimaced and flung his spear into the snow. Sindurign stood still for a moment, and then let out a yell, throwing his head back to the sky. Tears leaked out of the corners of his eyes. The others muttered darkly amongst themselves, staring at Sunarian.

Itenikara cried as the bitter wind whistled near her exposed face. The furs that covered her had been torn back as Sunarian had sped towards the stag. She tried to flail her limbs about, but the straps that held her to her brother’s back prevented such movement.

Instead, she cried.

Her cry projected deep into the forest, echoing through the snow laden trees. It spoke of cold, cried from hunger, and bewailed its frustration at confinement. But clearest was the strong note of despair that wove its way through the plaintive cry.

The emotion sang out, and willed the world to hear her despair.

cry lodged itself into the stag’s heart. It formed no words, yet projected the same pitiful lament of despair.

In that moment he knew what he had to do. All thoughts of the hunters left his mind — only the hollow melody remained. His entire fibre of being, blood and mind, called to him. He had not even the thought to resist it.

Sunarian averted his gaze, unable to face his fellow hunters. Raw emotion rose up in him as he unstrapped Itenikara from his back and saw her pink face scrunched up, bawling. He tucked the furs closer to her face, and withdrew the last of his firewater, smearing it over his sister’s lips. Itenikara choked as the fumes sped down her throat, but resumed crying. Sunarian knelt in the snow, oblivious to the cold that wound its tendrils through his body.

He held his baby sister in his arms, and finally his emotions escaped. Sobs tore through his body as he watched Itenikara’s despair. Sunarian closed his eyes and clutched her to his chest harder.

Suddenly, hot breath flooded into Sunarian’s face, and he looked up, the world blurry from his tears. He gasped as he saw who stood in front of him.

The Stag looked at Sunarian, his liquid eyes shining with emotion. The Stag gently pressed his lips against Itenikara’s forehead. Her cries ceased immediately and she rested her little hands against his muzzle. The Stag allowed her to hold onto him for a moment, then gently moved his head up so her hands fell away.

The Stag fixed Sunarian with a mournful contemplation, and sighed. He closed his eyes and raised his head up, exposing the thick fur of his throat to the young boy.

The hunters had fallen to their knees, and beheld the majestic animal with reverence and awe. Tears streamed down their faces.

The boy strapped a silent Itenikara to his back, and stood up. He bowed low to the Stag. As he withdrew a bone knife out of its hilt with a small screech, the Stag shuddered, but didn’t lower his head.

The knife bit easily through the Stag’s throat. Dark blood flowed out of his body as it crumpled to the ground, staining the pure whiteness a deep red.

The cries reached the stag as he fled. Every note of Itenikara’s song unravelled in his mind, and he slowed down, until he stood still as the cries reverberated inside him.

Sunarian took a handful of the steaming blood and swallowed it. It passed through his body, and become one with him. He pressed a drop to Itenikara’s lips, and she sucked at it. Sunarian gazed into her eyes, and saw no hidden wisdom there. But he knew then that his little sister would become one of the most powerful Baen in generations.

The stag’s black eyes filled with moisture. How was it that one so young could convey such despair? Itenikara’s

He knelt in front of the body of the stag, and whispered, ‘Thank you. Thank you for her life.’

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on dit est Charlie

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Fireside Lauren Copland Fire; deadly incandescent mass Raging, angry at the world Punishing everything and anything, Nothing safe from its fiery hatred.

Smoke; warning sign, a noxious gas, Ash falls like molten rain, death’s tears, Weeping over senseless destruction Of land and animals, a charcoal mix, Abandoned gift left in the fiery wake.

Lifeless sea no longer green, Scenic nature now reworked Using 50 shades of black, Death’s watercolour palette, Painting luscious life away.

Fiery inferno, extinguished lives, Judge and executioner in one No fair trial, death by firing squad, Flames fire wantonly Upon nature’s unfortunate victims.

Blackened limbs, listless, Ready for the deadly plunge, Scorched ground no welcome landing.

Decay; nature’s deadly perfume.

Its heady scents smothering, Air thick with bitter charcoal, An animal crematorium No service in their memories.

Memory of painful flames, Biting deep, deep within The hearts of trees Bearing burnt scars, And weeping wounds.

Destruction via heat, Unlocks growth in prime, Broken pieces left behind Creation blooms in time, When life begins to rewind.

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The Oscars Justin Martyniuk Artwork by Grace Marryat

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ith the New Year ahead now is the time for us to remember the year that was. It is also the time of the year when film aficionados argue and cry over the nominations and subsequent winners of the Oscar season.

This season is an exciting time when golden statuettes are presented to specific members of the filming industry for their efforts on some of the better films from the previous year. To receive one of these statuettes is a highly prestigious honour, despite them looking like naked men with swords. It’s an event filled with glamour and glory, and always defeat, which in turn sparks debate. Although it’s naive to say that Oscars aren’t also an ideological marketing machine, it can still be a lot of fun to put in your vote and see who comes out on top.

Starting with my favourite pick from 2014, Boyhood was filmed over twelve years. Twelve years, people!

Aside from the sheer scope and effort of the project to be lapped up by members of the Academy, Boyhood also represents a different leap forward to achieving cinematic realism. Although far from approaching real time, Boyhood connects with numerous periods from our lives. It offers the chance to reflect on growing: the challenges, the milestones and oh the angst... all the angst. Boyhood is perhaps best summarised as a case of nostalgic realism by connecting with a family that isn’t yours. Boyhood is a strong contender with a total of six nominations. Even if Best Picture is handed to another, I have strong hopes for actress Patricia Arquette and director Richard Linklater to do well in their respective categories.

While Boyhood may be my favourite for the garnered Best Picture award, it is possible that Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) might swoop in and pick it up. A film so “meta” it makes Charlie Kaufman look like child’s play. Director Alejandro Iñárritu has crafted a reflexive, existential film about ego for the post-postmodern world. On the surface the parallel of Michael Keaton playing a washed up superhero actor is enough to earn an applause (for those in the dark, see Burton’s Batman), but the deconstruction of the film’s layers is nothing short of a cathartic experience.

Unfortunately, as fun as speculation is, we have to remember the conservative nature of the Academy.

Birdman is an indie crowd favourite for categories such as Lead Actor, Cinematography, and has a slight chance for Original Screenplay, with my money for Best Picture still residing with Boyhood.

Editorial note: While we now know who took home the “naked men with swords”, Justin had no idea several weeks ago when he made these predictions.

Arguably the most cherished award is the Best Picture, but faces matter and no one honestly knows the film producers as much as those on screen. With Michael Keaton running for Best Actor, it leaves the question who is Best Actress? Nothing says crowd favourite like a manipulative sociopath, and thus Rosamund Pike, for her performance in David Fincher’s Gone Girl is justifiable. I’m going to have to side step and suggest another contender from Glazer and Westmoreland’s Still Alice, the illustrious Julianne Moore. Clocking her fifth nomination hopefully Moore will finally be able to convert one into a win. Her performance as Alice Howland, a 50 year old with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, is delivered with such fragility you sense her detachment from not only her reality, but her being.

This powerful and moving performance pays attention to the effects of Alzheimer’s, and is sure to please voters.

If Keaton wins Best Actor, Moore Best Actress and Arquette Best Supporting Actress, who will win Best Supporting Actor? At this point I take a deep breath and prepare myself to talk about Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash. If I have to be confident about any category this year, it will be J.K Simmons for his role as hellish music teacher Fletcher. His performance and the whole film were so intense they left me sweating in an air-conditioned cinema. The visceral impact of the music with editing and performance is an experience that will literally give you whiplash. Nominated for Best Picture, Whiplash isn’t a likely winner, but stands strong for Supporting Actor, and reaches out for Film Editing and Sound Mixing awards.

One of the greatest outcries upon this year’s nomination announcements was the snubbing of Ava DuVernay for her monumental biopic Selma. I say monumental because this film is about Martin Luther King Jr. and covers his campaign in Selma leading up to the epic march and the subsequent famous speech ‘I Have a Dream’. It shows the progressive nature of civil rights in America and addresses the difference between legal and systematic oppression, a distinction still relevant today. DuVernay’s lack of recognition in the category reflects a lack of representation among nominees, and justifiably so. Furthermore, David Oyelowo’s performance as the immortal activist is nothing shy of Oscar worthy. This all reiterates the ideological nature of an event that gives token nominations for Best Picture, and snubs the other categories. But even if DuVernay and Oyelowo had

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been nominated, it wouldn’t have swayed my decisions laid out above. Selma is honestly stock-standard by way of cinematic expression, and DuVernay wouldn’t deserve the award. Still her efforts are commendable and she has made one of the finest and most important films for 2014.

The Oscars are surrounded by much debate and discussion over winners and losers and snubs. 2014’s key nominees have ultimately contributed to the cinematic world. From the implications of filming life in Boyhood, the philosophical principles of Birdman to the controversial disregard for Selma, it is important to consider what the Oscars themselves represent. A gold statuette may symbolise something greater, but

a naked man is a naked man. The Oscars are still the marketing machine that provide effortless publicity for films. American Sniper, the patriotic war film; The Theory of Everything, the typical Oscar emotional performance film; The Imitation Game, the one with Benedict Cumberbatch; none of these will win, but all meet the requirements to be an “Oscar Best Picture Nominee”. Even if it’s discouraging to think the event is all for naught, it’s vital to remember the films and still consider them great films, with or without the golden glory.

Predictions: Best Picture: Boyhood Best Actor: Michael Keaton (Birdman) Best Actress: Julianne Moore (Still Alice) Best Supporting Actor: J.K Simmons (Whiplash) Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood) Best Director: Richard Linklater (Boyhood) Best Cinematography: Birdman Best Animated Feature: Big Hero 6 Best Documentary Feature: Citizenfour Best Foreign Language Film: Ida Best Film Editing: Whiplash Best Sound Editing: American Sniper Best Sound Mixing: Whiplash Best Visual Effects: Interstellar Best Production Design: The Grand Budapest Hotel Best Costume Design: Mr. Turner Best Makeup & Hairstyling: Guardians of the Galaxy Best Original Score: The Grand Budapest Hotel Best Original Song: “Glory”, from Selma Best Original Screenplay: Birdman Best Adapted Screenplay: The Imitation Game

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Nine Life Lessons From

William Shakespizzle Annie Matsouliadis (lessons taken predominantly from Hamlet, because, well, Hamlet rocks.)

1. “The course of true love did never run smooth.” - A Midsummer Night’s Dream Shit happens. Especially in love and relationships. Shakespizzle wisely recognises that people fuck up and that fucking up happens as often as the awkward and prolonged silence when your tutor asks who’s done their readings. We’re only human. And yet it’s the way in which we choose to deal with these trials of love, life and unprepared tutes that strengthens and reveals our character and integrity. Of course, in the instance of tutorials, it’s perhaps wise to rely on those hard-working and honourable few who always do the readings. We salute you.

2. “Nothing will come of nothing.” – King Lear Yep, as Lear said, if you don’t start your assignment now, or next week, or in that hysterical midnight scramble before it’s due, nothing will get done. As much as you might wish for that gargantuan pile of books and articles to be read (with almost every line highlighted because everything is important), or for intelligent words to appear miraculously on the blank page that has been staring at you until you weep like at the time your Sea Monkeys died, they won’t. So do it. Now. Well, right after you’ve had that nap.

3. “What a piece of work is a man.” – Hamlet God, you fucked up. Oh – evolution, whatever. Does it really matter?

4. “The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” – Hamlet Theatre, music, paintings and literature play upon our minds, which I think is pretty dandy. Although our good mate Hamlet was just trying to catch out the creepy uncle who killed his dad by pouring poison into his ear (slightly odd) and who was also banging his mum, Shakespizzle nevertheless teaches us how art forms “hold a mirror up to nature”. We must treasure the profoundly beautiful way we find ourselves and our meaning in art.

I mean, can’t we all relate to the grammatically exquisite lyrics of Ariana Grande: “now I’ve become who I really are”.

5. “For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” - Hamlet

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Thinking is bad. Or is only thinking about thinking bad? Evidently, Shakespeare was getting philosophical on this one. This rather enigmatic phrase, among many other things, suggests something rather intriguing about the human invention of morality. It submits that our prejudices decide whether situations are ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and evokes particular emotions towards the situation. These psychological notions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ restrict and control our emotions and actions. But who decides what is ‘good’ and what is ‘bad’? Where did these concepts of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ originate? If they’re only a construction of the human mind, are these moral judgements really that trustworthy? Are ‘good’ and ‘evil’ merely meaningless concepts subjectively applied, or do they have a ubiquitous truth? You decide. But perhaps what Willy is really saying here is that life, with all it complexities, isn’t black or white. Ah yes, that beautiful grey. All fifty shades of it.

6. “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” – Macbeth Ouch, right in the existentialism.

7. “What’s done is done” – Macbeth Yes, and unless you have a time machine, just put that shit aside, right next to your selfie stick and Santa Cruz singlet.

8. “To thine own self be true.” – Hamlet Despite the fact that Polonius was a weird old dude who hid behind curtains and talked a lot of smack, he dropped some serious truth bombs on Laertes. Nothing is more satisfying than staying true to yourself and upholding your morals and values (nothing except Brad Pitt’s perfectly chiselled abs in Fight Club). Although it’s somewhat lame and cliché, Shakespeare knows it’s a special power to stay true to yourself and not to allow anyone or anything to influence your emotions and actions. And you should try to embrace that – because you’re awesome.

9. “To be or not to be, that is the question.” – Hamlet Is it the question? I’m not so sure. How about, what is the meaning of life? Does true love exist? Mum, what’s for dinner? Can I afford both booze and petrol this week? These are the questions.

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Film Review: Selma Nick Bolton

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artin Luther King’s famous ‘I Have a Dream Speech’ is never delivered in Ava DuVernay’s film Selma. The King estate denied the producers of Selma the right to use any of his speeches in the film. But Selma doesn’t need the speech. Director DuVernay and co-screenwriter Paul Webb chose successfully to focus on a different event in King’s struggle. Biopics can often be little more than a reel of highlights, which assumes that significant events will add up to some bigger thematic pull. Selma, however, focuses on King’s campaign to end the discriminatory practices that turned African Americans away when they attempted to register to vote. The film eases the audience in and builds the tension in the town of Selma, Alabama, never rushed by the urge to cover as many historical events as possible. It airs King’s frustration at dealings with the disinterested Lyndon Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) and the racism of Alabama Governor George Wallace (Tim Roth) who stood in Kings’ way.

David Oyelowo plays King’s humble character well but when circumstances rile him, his passion is fierce and powerful. There are impressive moments. At one point King is forced to make a quick decision when a protest doesn’t go according to plan. Filming from a low angle Oyelowo conveys the immense pressure on King as he slowly rises to his feet, eyes surveying the scene, his presence dominating the frame and showing King as powerful but also uncertain. By honing in one part of the struggle we glimpse the various problems King faced. From disagreements with external groups, to rivalry over public leadership, to conflicting tactics, King deals not with issues of race but also with threats inside his own movement. But Selma isn’t just a testament to an inspirational figure. It’s an acknowledgement to the many others who contributed to the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. The film is

most powerful when it includes these people, several of whom did not live to see the enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. DuVernay also refreshingly highlights several female activists: Diane Nash, Annie Lee Cooper (played by Oprah Winnfery) and Amelia Boynton Robinson.

King grapples with the reality that serious harm and even death await many of those in the movement. He struggles with ethical questions. Is placing innocent people at risk to make a political point acceptable? At what point should he accept or reject comprises? The strain on King is made worse when DuVernay moves King’s wife, Corretta, (Carmen Ejogo) into the film’s focus and highlights the pressure on their relationship.

Ava DuVernay is an assured director handling most of the important scenes with finesse. The “Bloody Sunday” incident is narrated through the unique perspective of a journalist reporting the story to an editor over the phone as the events unfold. Here she adds another dimension to the dramatic events. But DuVernay sometimes overdoes it. Her police beating scenes have showy slow-mo effects even though the act alone would be more than capable of eliciting her desired emotion. The horror is there. No need to dress it up.

Selma’s story is important because the issue of racism and racially motivated violence still exist today. Many people will draw parallels with the recent tensions over black deaths at the hands of police officers, or the strict voter ID laws enacted across parts of the United States. Because of this a sense of dramatic irony runs throughout the film. King achieved a lot, but his dream has not yet been fully realised. Selma unquestionably resonates today.

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Music Review: Atmos Andrew Lamg

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tomos is the second record from A Winged Victory for the Sullen, the fascinating collaboration between film composer Dustin O’Halloran and ambient musician Adam Wiltzie. Blending O’Halloran’s penchant for gothic strings and Chopin‐ esque piano solos, and the drone‐heavy soundscapes that permeate the work of Wiltzie (best known as one half of ambient music legends Stars of the Lid), the two certainly have big shoes to fill for their sophomore record.

Initially, the band were approached by choreographer Wayne McGregor to score his newest dance piece Atomos, assigning them a period of four months to come up with roughly an hour of new music ‐ no easy feat. The result of these four months is this record, an album wide in scope that delivers on all fronts.

This is the natural progression for the duo’s music ‐ while it contains the inimitable style of O’Halloran and Wiltzie present on their debut record, it differs in many ways. The music of Atomos is far less dependent on melody, and instead seems to rely more heavily on the style of drone music and its emphasis on texture. More significance also appears to have been placed upon strings than their debut, an emphasis that is all too welcome.

The album opens with ‘Atomos I’ in a swirl of wistful organs and mournful strings, slowly morphing into dark and churning piano. Before long we hear the dissonant piano solo of ‘Atomos III’ (harking back to the opening track of their debut), shifting into the insistently unresolving string section of ‘V’.

‘Atomos VI’ and ‘VII’ sees a more electronic approach to the music, and is perhaps the closest the music comes to beingrhythmic in nature. The album’s final act is

best highlighted by the distorted and haunting vocals thatpermeate ‘Atomos X’, before transitioning into ‘XI’, resembling more of a traditional film score.

One oddity of the album, however, is that ‘Atomos IV’ is missing from the record ‐ a fact noted yet unexplained in the album’s liner notes (“What happened to ‘IV’?”). Requests for explanation in interviews with the band have proved fruitless.

What strikes one most when listening to the album, however, is not what the album is missing. It is how well this album works outside of the contexts of a dance piece.Soundtracks and the like are often written for the purposes of accentuating the work for which it was created, and removing it from these contexts often leaves the music feeling a little inadequate.

But Atomos does not suffer this fate. At no point does the music ever feel lacking or as though it were meant to take a backseat. Rarely does the music even contain percussive or heavily rhythmic elements that would easily classify the music as a score to a dance piece. Whether this fact is more of a testament to the ingenuity of the composers, or to the expertise of the dancers, is an interesting consideration. It would certainly be fascinating to see this work performed in its original form, and how the dancers would work with fewer elements traditional to dance music.

Queries aside, this album is a stellar follow‐up to the band’s previous record. Attempts to compare to their debut, however, are difficult at best. Rest assured, though, that this album is not only an adequate succession. It defines, refines and outshines the sound established on their previous record. A modern masterpiece for ambient and classical music alike.

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Adelaide UniBar Grace Marryat

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delaide Unibar, that bastion of solace in an otherwise crazy world, where the floors are always sticky, the beer is always flowing, and the general populace forgets their woes (or lectures).

The Unibar has been a constant in the lives of Adelaide University students for over 30 years, and with history like that it’s hard to go past. In fact, we should probably dedicate an entire issue to how epic the Unibar is and why everyone you ever met should sink a frothy there on a Friday afternoon. Sadly, we can’t publish a whole magazine on the qualities of the Adelaide Unibar, unfortunately.

Over the years the Adelaide Unibar has played host to hundreds of bands, musicians, and avid drinkers.

In more recent memory we’ve been treated to shows from the likes of Tim Freedman, Violent Soho, Xzibit, 5 Seconds of Summer, Against Me, Husky, Dune Rats, Frenzal Rhomb, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Hawthorne Heights, Gyroscope, and Bluejuice’s farewell shows; to name but a few. And there’s always more to come with Frank Turner, High Time, Citizen, and Against Me! coming up in early 2015.

Friday evenings see the Unibar pumping, especially during pubcrawl season. The majority of pubcrawls run by clubs at Adelaide University commence at the Unibar, packing it out on a Friday evening and lending a serious party atmosphere to what is, during the week, a quiet pub for a few drinks and a schnitty (or any of the other meals on offer including some excellent Bar-Cho’s). The infamous ‘Engie’ pubcrawl happens annually and fills the bar with hundreds of students gearing up for one of the biggest nights of the year.

Beer starts flowing freely at midday; and with rotating specials on jugs of beers year round the Unibar is the perfect place to while away a few hours between classes

or after handing in an assignment. Show your personal prowess to your mates over a game of pool, or some old school arcade games. Alternatively, on Wednesday afternoons best some new friends on some old school video games in Can You Master The Video Games? a free play competition with drink cards for winners.

On Thursday afternoons you can join in the pool competition, playing for glory (and also drink cards).

One cannot write about the Unibar without extolling the virtues of the staff. With a few unchanging faces and many new ones throughout the year, the unibar staff are some of the friendliest staff going around hospo these days. With a smile always on offer and a chat if you feel like it, the bar bitches floating around that place obviously love their work and the everchanging sea of faces that float through it.

While the Unibar is under threat in its current location due to the redevelopment of Union House, there can be no denying that this icon of campus life and local music will continue to thrive. So if you need a break between classes, a cheap meal, or a beer through O’Week, the only place to be is the Unibar.

With its shabby chic look and faint smell of stale beer it’ll probably be all you remember about your first few years at university and truly it’s all you need to remember.

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Edition 83 Issue 1

Emma’s Dilemmas Emma Hello Emma, I’m really nervous about going to O’Week. Do you have any tips for settling into the uni lifestyle?

Ted, 18.

Hey there little buddy, Basically the only reason you’re going to want to go to O-Week is because of the predominantly energy drinkrelated free shit you can score there, which would of course only be appealing to you if you’re that special brand of person who just can’t get through a day without a hit of that sweet sweet guarana and other unspecified chemicals.

I suggest you nullify your nervousness by smoking copious amounts of weed throughout O-Week.

It will make the whole blatant product placement on the Barr Smith Lawns masquerading as fun seem more amusing.

Plus, even though weed kills brain cells, it, you know enhances your soul.

Regards, Emma.

Hi Em, So I’m auditioning for this big part in my neighbourhood’s local theatre company production.

We have to do a group audition. What are some good ways of psyching out my competition so they don’t do as well as me?

Amaranthe, 20.

Hmm, well you could try doing fierce eyes at them from across the room every time they have to read out lines, and standing in an assertive stance (legs apart, chest puffed out, windmilling arms. I’ve seen a Ted Talk on this and everything.) OR YOU COULD TRY NOT TO PSYCHE PEOPLE OUT, DICKHEAD! THIS IS LOCAL THEATRE. YOU’RE NOT UP AGAINST F*CKIN’ MERYL STREEP FOR F*CK’S F*CK. Regards, Emma.

Dear Emma, Something has been concerning me recently that I would like to get your help on. While I pride myself on being a Greens supporter and existing under the bracket of the “lefty’s” so to speak, I believe in free speech and that the media should provide full and different perspectives on all topics.

With the election of the new editors for On Dit, I believe that the content of the publication will be pushed too far to the right on the matter of politics and that content which disagrees with the political opinions of the editors will not be published. I am not even sure if a concern such as this would be allowed to be answered in such an article as yours.

So here is my question, will they allow this to be published? Are the concerns of the students and public going to be silenced under the new editorial team?

I guess whether you respond to me or not, I will get an answer.

Thanks, Concerned Student.

Dear Concerned Student, Hey look!

A bee!!

What was your question again?

Regards, Emma.

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On Dit Magazine

Vertical 2) The Library 3) Chancellor 4) Australian High Commissioner to the UK & Lecturer 7) The General store 9) One of the editors of this magazine 11) The Prime Minister 14) The law building 16) Student Lounge 19) First name of the AUU President Horizontal 1) Vice Chancellor 5) Professions Hub 6) Another Adelaide Uni campus 8) PM that attended Adelaide Uni 10) Central part of the Uni 12) The big hall 13) First name of the SRC President 15) The river that runs close by 17) Engineering Building 18) Yet another Adelaide Uni campus 20) This magazine 21) Where the UniBar is 22) One of the cafe’s on campus

Quizzical Q) What band was the second best selling foreign act in the United States in the 2000’s?

A) __________ Q) Curb (1996) was who’s debut album?

A) __________ Q) In 2013 Avril Lavigne married the lead singer of what band?

A) __________ Q) Who asked “Are we having fun yet?”

A) __________ Q) What band got their name from a member who worked at Starbucks, and the phrase used when giving customers their change?

A)__________

Edition 83 Issue 1

Hungry?

Present this voucher at the On Dit O’Week stall to receive one FREE Krispy Kreme doughnut!

You’ll find us on the Barr Smith Lawns (Check the map on page 24) on Monday through to Wednesday.

Hurry while stocks last!

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On Dit Magazine