JUST ZINE VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 6 • OCTOBER 2020
COVERING SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN WEST LONDON
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A Letter From the Editor Editor in Chief
I
t is with great pleasure to present the 6th issue of JustZine magazine and with great sadness to announce that this is the final issue under the Photojournalism Hub ‘s Mayor of London Culture Seeds support. Before departing from the project as such, JustZine issue 6 will be presented as a special edition with a digital and printed version. In this issue, alongside its usual production, I am very proud to present the wonderful contributors to the project and let you discover a little of their lives through their profiles. The young reporters, photographers, poets and artists behind the couregaous, committed and honest journalism have showcased a profile produced by photojournalist Fatima Sanchez who put forward the idea and passion in producing these.
Cinzia D’ambrosi
Digital Editor Laura James
Contributors Helena Neeson Gemma Mancinelli Sabrina Merolla Laura James Urmila Nagarkoti Eurydice Caldwell Cinzia D’Ambrosi Fatima Sanchez Jenny Bardoville
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In issue 6 we also focus on protests. I have encouraged an open interpretation on this topic because protests, which have become more and more embedded in our societies, can take many forms, from personal change, activism, to protest for our ideals or personal goals. I think acknowledging protests summarises the diversity of the challenges that we face in today’s world. Contributors have shared articles and photo stories responding to the theme and have submitted their work and coverage of protests, those behind them, protests in their personal lives and as a form of activism.
Photojournalism Hub, who produced this issue. I would like to renew my thanks to our funder the Mayor of London and the Culture Seeds team. This has been an amazing and enriching experience for all of us, and we sincerely hope to find means to continue to share local stories.
I am very proud for the commitment, talent and drive demonstrated by the participants of the ‘Youth Zine West’ project run by the
Cinzia D’Ambrosi Editor-in-chief
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CONTENTS Protests Features • Parliment Square Page 6 - 10 • People Have the Power Page 11 - 17 • Debhenams Workers in Manchester Page 18 - 20 • Black Screen Youtube Page 21
PROTESTS
• Protection - If a Falling Tree Starts Making Noise Page 22 - 29
• Nature Will Out Page 30 - 39 • A Bunch of Nonconformists Page 40 - 46 • My Question To You The Reader Page 47
• To My Paraders That Have Blazed The Trail Page 48 - 49
Other Feautres • Looking at Covid-19 in London Page 50 - 51 • Female Autism Page 52- 55 • Behind the JustZine Scenes Page 56 - 60 OCTOBER 2020
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Parliament Square By Sabrina Merolla
T
he new shape shown by Extinction Rebellion during the month of September of this exceptional year allowed everyone to discuss, read and think about different topics that urged our attention. This random series of snapshots taken during the first week of the so-called autumn “riot� is a mix of different faces and actions. They come from different backgrounds and express diverse social needs. But, somehow, they increasingly mingle in a system whose growing diversity is the real point of strength, often generating beautiful and cohesive forms of protest.
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People Have The Power By Gemma Mancinelli
F
or this Issue of Just Zine I have put together a series of portraits of people who have been at the front, fighting for what they believe, at protests I have photographed throughout the years; from Black Lives Matter and Womens March to Ex-
tinction Rebellion and Animal Rights.
Pride started as a riot. Pride in London, 2019
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Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, Womens March in London 2018
BLM in Parliament Square, London 2020
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Woman next to police car, BLM, Parliament Square, London 2020
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BLM Leaders in front of the American Embassy, London 2020
Iranians in London supporting the uprising in 2018 to demand freedom from their government
Berliner, an activist since 1968, protesting against changes to renting laws
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Vegan and Animal Rights march, London 2018
Trans rights protest, Trafalgar Square, London 2019
Trans Rights Protest, Parliament Square, London 2020 OCTOBER 2020
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Debenhams Workers in Manchester By Laura James
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Black Screen YouTube Interview with Anthony, the Founder. By Eurydice Caldwell
T
his interview was inspired by a previous
Strangely, he reflects that the video got thou-
conversation I had with the creator of a
sands of views and that surprisingly these were
black-screen YouTube channel. He cre-
split 50/50. This split the debate in the comments
ated a black-screen video to express a personal
section and helped the YouTube algorithm.
opinion he felt would be contentious, somewhat disruptive and rebellious.
However, he reflected, “In future, I wouldn’t take comments personally, responding to rebuttals.
That conversation has inspired me to be quietly
I no longer check the channel or the comments,
evolutionary; what I consider to be a great way
as this wasn’t it’s purpose, although I am aware
to inspire change, personally and in my brethren
it continued to grow.”
and wider community.
He shared with me that he took away some les-
“I used a black screen, inspired by other YouTu-
sons from this ‘personal experiment’. For him,
bers, because this had no impact on how I con-
this was a therapeutic process which removes
sumed the content,” he says. “It was convenient
all inhibitions and self-judgement, such as over
to watch and they still had a community of re-
editing, production or promotion. It’s anony-
sponders. By being faceless, and instead of fea-
mous nature, lends itself to authenticity.
turing myself, this meant people could focus on what I was saying, rather than what I looked like,
“The previously less personal use of avatars and
and so enabling people to better make up their
pseudonyms used in chat rooms and in the ear-
minds about what was being said. People wouldn’t
lier days of YouTube, had its pros and cons,” he
bring their bias and prejudice into the debate or
told me, “and I liked it wasn’t so personal, there
their assumptions about me personally.”
was no recompense for being different and that now it seems the punishment for this is gener-
He also said he felt this would prevent a lot of
ally accepted.”
backlash because of the topic and avoid any lack of consideration to his personal life.
So my take home is, if I have a protest I can step outside of my comfort zone, anonymously if au-
The sharing of this YouTube video, he says, was
thenticity requires it, which can also help limit
purely for the message and an outlet for a very
any bias or discrimination, and be the change I
strong personal expression, with no ulterior mo-
desire to inspire.
tives, such as personal elevation or branding.
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PROTECTION
An Extinction Rebellion “climate emergency” banner hangs along the fence in Canonbury Road, Highbury and Isling-
If a Falling Tree Starts Making Noise
ton, on Monday, Oct 5, 2020. Following the STOP-HS2 campaign call for a National Tree Killing Day on Oct 1, 2020, local residents’ fight to save their “little forest” due to be felled on Oct. 6 is getting stronger. On Sunday Oct 4, a group of Tree Protectors has occupied the trees. The activists, who are fighting since one year, say they will not leave until the Council opens a mediation table with them. Dixon Clark Court development plan contemplates the construction
By Sabrina Merolla
W
of further buildings for social housing. The activists propose to build them behind the old ones, without destroying the green area.
ith the last wave of demon-
environmentalism. It appears to rise
family. Therefore, they are urged to
strations organised by XR
from the spirit and needs of groups
care more than the others about
this Autumn, and the start of the
of citizens disturbed and surprised
the ecosystem they disrespected
HS2 train-line construction works
by the unexpected post-lockdown
and to start to actively and inten-
on October, groups of Tree Protec-
further push towards unbridled con-
sively protect it.
tors are spreading out all over Eng-
struction and overbuilding, that is
land and the UK.
quickly changing the shape of many
It is only in this role of ‘ protector’’
previously green boroughs they live
that mankind becomes central in
in.
the natural ecosystem, and a man
But today’s ‘tree-sitting’- a typical environmentalist
deadlock
tactic
on a tree can actually change world
to prevent trees felling used since
Today’s tree-sitters call themselves
politics. Because a falling tree in a
the 1970s - seems to be changing
‘tree protectors’. With this term,
forest makes no noise, but the fall
and growing at a certain speed even
they displace human being from the
of the last tree in a bare concreted
among urban communities of ordi-
centre of the natural world to its
landscape can produce a collective
nary citizens.
periphery. The Twenty-first Century
scream of horror.
man finally becomes just a man. He In London, this practice is moving
is just part of the natural environ-
These photographs are the first draft
beyond the demonstrations linked
ment, one element in a fair ecosys-
of an ongoing photo-documentary
to the Stop HS2 campaign, the de-
tem where he is as important as any
project about groups of urban Tree
struction of woodlands and XR. It
other living creature. Nonetheless,
Protectors based in different areas
seems to take shape as an inte-
humans are guilty of disrespecting
of London.
gral part of the newborn urban
their ancestral home and natural
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London, 10th
England,
October,
UK,
Tree Protectors stand very
2020.
high on a tree at Euston
Larch Maxey, longstand-
Tree
Protection
Camp,
ing environmentalist and
City of London, UK, on Oct
tree protector from HS2
14, 2020. They are build-
Rebellion and the STOP
ing another tree house.
HS2 campaign, stands on
With last days’ rain activ-
one of the few trees left
ists slept in their tents on
near the new high speed
the ground. But the sud-
trainline works in Hamp-
den night visit from the
stead Rd., London. He is
police made them restart-
on the phone soon after
ing to build on the tallest
recording a video tweet in
trees of the area.”
which he has addressed the media which “are failing to report this blatant ecocide.”
London, United Kingdom,
A group of students stops
10th Oct 2020. Workers
out of Canonbury Road
cut the last trees left near
Trees Protection Camp,
the new high speed train-
in Highbury and Islington,
line works in Hampstead
City of London, on Oct 14,
Rd.,
London. Meanwhile
2020. They read the ban-
Larch Maxey, longstand-
ners, ask questions and
ing environmentalist and
make jokes with an the
tree protector from HS2
activist.
Rebellion and the STOP HS2 campaign, stands on one of the few trees left since four days.
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Morning at Euston Tree
Angela combs her hair in
Protection Camp, City of
the central tent at Euston
London, UK, on Oct 9,
Tree
2020.
City of London, UK, on
Protection
Camp,
Oct 14, 2020. Everyone is welcome to the camp. But lately the atmosphere was tense, due some accidents connected to the addictions of some of the homeless
people
who
come over to sleep in the camp.
Mark and Oz read a social
Anel, 28 years old, from
group update from the
West London, looks up
Stop HS2 campaign on a
to the trees while playing
mobile phone at Euston
his drums in Canonbury
Tree
Camp,
Road, nearby Highbury
City of London, UK, on Oct
and Islington Station, on
14, 2020.
Thursday, Oct 1, 2020.
Protection
Following the STOP-HS2 campaign call for a National Tree Killing Day on October 1, Highbury and Islinghton’s citizen community activists continue to fight for their “little forest” due to be felled in one week (Oct. 6) as part of the Dixon Clark Court development plan.
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“Trees AND Houses” writes Noemi, just out of a construction work site in Woodberry Grove, London, UK. The planned
felling of the majes-
tic 150 years old “Happy Man Tree”, sparked street protests and the physical occupation of the tree between May and August 2020. Despite
court decision, the tree has
been shortlisted as Tree of the Year by Woodland Trust. If it will win it will be save.
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Nature Will Out A Personal Protest By Helena Neeson
I
crave Nature. The sound of
on leaves; a (mini) field of sunflow-
birds around the corner from my
crashing waves quietens my
ers just off a busy high street; Na-
house makes me feel like I’m in the
soul and calms the disquiet of
ture reclaiming derelict structures;
countryside.
my mind. Until recently, I’d never as-
shadows and silhouettes of trees/
sociated London with Nature and as
bushes almost doubling their pres-
“Nature will out” means no matter
a result I felt disconnected with the
ence but not understating their
what is happening in this strange
place where I live. Moving away was
importance; water extending form
life, Nature will always find a way to
not an option so instead I changed
through reflections and the evening
go on, to continue existing. It is a
my ways of seeing and listening.
sun presenting the world anew and
metaphor for my relationship with
a little more magical than before.
London. It is my own personal protest, an unwillingness to accept that
I made a commitment to myself to find Nature in my very own corner
Sometimes I use this search to trans-
I could not find Nature, and there-
of London. I’ve been rewarded with
port myself elsewhere. The Thames
fore peace, in London.
what I call “Nature treats”; a duck
Clipper (now the Uber boat) creates
wandering down the street crossing
waves on the Greenwich shoreline
my path; raindrops on the cable car
after it passes making me think of
of the Emirates Air Line or glistening
the ocean, or the hedge of singing
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A Bunch of Nonconformists By Fatima Sanchez
B
ack in March when about 10
Great Britain continued to say they
holiday to Spain was not feasible.
people were known to have
had either not left their home or only
Though vacation spots, facilities and
died in the UK due to corona-
left for the permitted reasons (es-
many establishments still remained
virus, the government moved to the
sential shopping, medical reasons,
closed or under restrictions, we
‘delay’ phase of their plan to tackle
one form of daily exercise and key
thought no one could stop us from
the virus by advising schools to can-
workers travelling to work) in the
refugging in the wilderness. So we
cel trips abroad. The general public
past seven days”. It was only reason-
decided to go camping.
were advised to avoid non-essential
able to subsequently feel oppressed,
travel, crowded places and visits to
frustrated and restrained by the time
In some way, we were protesting
care homes. This was then followed
lockdown regulations were relaxed.
against the pattern society had been
by the closure of schools, colleges
conforming to.
and nurseries from March 21st. Five
It was especially the inability to make
We adhered to the rules at the time
days later the Health Protection
plans that remained the most common
it was most necessary to do so (for
Regulations 2020, informally known
way that the coronavirus pandemic
us and for all members of society).
as the ‘Lockdown Regulations’, were
was impacting people’s lives. Though
But this time it was utterly important
finally enacted. Such restrictions
my family and I didn’t fall for that.
we also gave space to each other
imposed constraining freedom of
and breathe once again, as opposed
movement, gatherings and business
My family, which consists of my son
to being subject to all the rules and
opening hours.
(2), mom (52), older sister (27) and
restrictions.
younger sister (9) had been living in
Most importantly, our time on this
A statistical bulletin published by the
a restricted space for a few months
road trip also gave me enough cour-
Office for National Statistics, which ex-
now. We had been sharing our small
age to reconnect with my work tool
plores the impact of the coronavirus
flat day and night throughout the lock-
- my camera.
pandemic on British society said the
down. By the time summer rays shone,
following: “During the period 24 April
we were all ready to hit the road for a
to 3 May 2020, 8 in 10 adults (80%) in
road trip - since our usual summer
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I thank God for the gift of nature.
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MY QUESTIONS TO YOU THE READER By Eurydice Caldwell
So what if you can’t see me? How will you judge me? You don’t know …. My gender My culture My class the colour of my skin where I live or even what country of my abode? Then what? Do you hear me, without bias? Do you really listen to what I say or type, To the words I print on the page, to my opinions and ideas without discrimination? So why should what you see change that?
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TO MY PARADERS THAT HAVE BLAZED THE TRAIL
#dyslexia #sympathiser #sheep #provocateur #protest #carnival #ill
By Eurydice Caldwell
To mask or not to mask To smile when all else fails Or to pacify the critics To tow the line To keep safe To hide and disguise To call to emanation deep forces To scare To parade So I don’t show I am afraid To keep you safe Some go without Some judged Some flout For health or not Certainty or doubt?
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Observing Covid-19 In London By Urmila Nagarkoti
Despite the UK’s government’s social distancing rules, on London’s streets you can still see scenes such as this where clearly people are not following the guidance.
(Captions left to right) The pharmacy is open but still nobody enters. Many are increasingly becoming poorer and on London streets there are more and more people homeless begging for people’s donation.
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Female Autism By Gemma Mancinelli Supported by Jessica Cheeseman Continuing from Issue 2, I keep
own clothes. I try to live a more
in. There are difficulties in school
elaborating on the experiences of
natural lifestyle and am gradually
that are subtle enough for teach-
female autism, this time I talk to
reducing my plastic waste.
ers to assume you are just lazy,
Nema Mc Morran, an artist on the
slow, odd or avoidant. Things like
spectrum, about her experience
At what age were you diagnosed
dysgraphia and difficulty reading,
with a late diagnosis, growing up
with Autism and how did you feel
misinterpreting
not knowing about her autism and
after receiving the diagnosis?
tions, making inappropriate com-
how it influenced her art. She has
verbal
instruc-
ments, lacking coordination, in-
also started volunteering at the
I received my autism diagnosis
tolerance to or seeking sensory
West London National Autistic So-
exactly two years ago, at 44, from
input. I would find myself follow-
ciety at the beginning of lockdown.
the NAS. It was an overwhelming
ing others which was seen as be-
sense of relief having my experi-
ing easily influenced but was only
Gemma: Can you tell us about
ences validated. Finally to be un-
an attempt to be part of a group,
yourself and what you do?
derstood and also to understand
to be accepted. I would try to mod-
my struggles as well as achieve-
el myself on my popular friends,
Nema: I was born at St. Mary’s,
ments. I suspected I was autistic
and often got into trouble.
Paddington, to a Cypriot mum and
for some years after reading the
English dad, and grew up in west
stories of other late diagnosed
Why do you feel Autism is often
London, part of a creative family
women. I think one of the reasons
misdiagnosed or late diagnosed in
of artists, authors and architects.
I never considered going for any
women and girls?
My grandfather, Donald McMor-
kind of diagnosis before was that
ran, designed many buildings in
most of my family were neurodi-
Women
England, including Hammersmith
vergent and that experience has
nosed or just missed because of
police station, on Shepherds Bush
always been my ‘normal’.
societal expectations. Even today
Road, and the Old Bailey extension,
are
typically
misdiag-
in many cultures, females are ex-
the familiar backdrop of journalists
What was it like growing up with
pected to be seen and not heard
reporting cases on the news.
undiagnosed Autism?
and be interested in ‘girly’ things. Our special interests, or ‘repetitive
I trained in art and design and edu-
Of course you don’t realise you are
behaviours’, tend to present as ob-
cation, and am now a publisher and
growing up undiagnosed autistic,
sessions with friendships or iden-
self-taught writer, about to release
but you are hyper-aware of being
tities rather than the text book au-
my debut novel ‘Moojag and the
different. Despite being able to
tism traits of lining up / spinning
Auticode Secret’. I’m into photogra-
form friendships and have a small
objects, or fascination with trains
phy, fixing and upcycling stuff, and
circle of friends there is always
or car number plates. Girls feel
recently started learning to sew my
that sense that you don’t quite fit
more pressure to fit in and so they
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©Giota Panagiotou
hyper-mask. Autistics are excel-
would never dream up. We are the
come from seeing the details rath-
lent mimics. Many become actors
inventors, the entrepreneurs, the
er than the bigger, long term pic-
and comedians because of this in-
activists, the thinkers. Wherever
nate and developed skill.
an autistic is on the spectrum, they
ture. But mostly it’s from feeling
have enormous value. Even nonHow does having Autism affect
verbals with apparent ‘cognitive im-
your life and relationships?
pairments’ can significantly contribute to society, if only people would
Autism for me personally, and I
see past appearances and atypical
think for most autistics, is a con-
behaviour. The key to unlocking
tradiction. On the one hand, you
these abilities is space, understand-
have the associated mental health
ing, inclusion and support.
and physical conditions and the
so passionate about something that you will go to any lengths to attain your goal, even if that results in ‘burn out’, which it almost always does. What are the pros and cons of having autism for creating art and in life?
resulting isolation, caused by a
How does having autism affect
society that values and rewards
your art practise?
Being creative and seeing what
understandings due to difference
Being able to hyper-focus on my
gress and makes life more inter-
and communication issues. On the
interests enables me to achieve
esting, but it is also a lonely place.
other hand, it enables you to cre-
what others might never even
To quote Elvis: ‘People think you’re
ate what neurotypicals (non-au-
think to attempt. There is an ele-
crazy if you talk about things they
tistic/adhd/dyslexia/bipolar etc.)
ment of risk taking which could
don’t understand.’
sameness. Then there are the mis-
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others miss is what enables pro-
JUSTZINE
Can you tell us about your new
having not stepped outside of
consistent, with the stresses of
towards me now with this label. I
audiobook?
their homes for months, because
lockdown and my other projects
have come to the stark realisation
they believe in the project. It’s be-
going on, but they are very accom-
that it hasn’t in fact
In November, the book I spent the
ing produced as we speak and I am
modating and understanding. I
made life easier, although I am
past 7 years writing will finally be
actually working on the sound ef-
feel strongly about inclusion and
now better quipped to manage my
published. Writing has been a real
fects today. The book is available
that
difficulties and recognise
catharsis for me along the journey
for pre-order in all formats from
those advocating for autism, in-
my limits. What I have learned
to diagnosis and as a result, the
Waterstones and online stores
clude and involve autistics in their
though is that not everyone will
story is a reflection of my experi-
worldwide. You can also now pre-
work.
get you, or even believe you, most
ences growing up autistic. I also
order the audio from Kobo.com.
decided I wanted to create an au-
organisations,
particularly
likely they’ll just ignore the news What advice would you give to
altogether. But the ones who care
dio version, since many NDs strug-
Why did you decide to volunteer
people who are newly diagnosed
will stick around and support you,
gle with reading, and I was deter-
at the National Autistic Society?
with autism?
and the ones who don’t, don’t mat-
mined to only include ND voices.
ter. Reach out, and don’t be afraid
The result is an audio book with
I volunteered with the local NAS at
It’s been two years since I received
to be yourself, you are far from
a full cast of autistic and dyslexic
the start of lockdown, when I re-
my diagnosis. Initially I was excited
alone.
actors, including Ria Lina and In-
ceived their newsletter calling for
and discovered a hugely support-
dica Watson. Autistics from as far
help. Being acutely aware of the
ive network of other late diagnosed
Is there anything else you’d like to
as Manchester travelled down to
impact lockdown was having for
autistics through social media. But
tell us?
record their parts at Ravenscourt
autistics, and since I had all the
it took a couple of years to really
Studios in July. They participated
skills they needed, I immediately
process what it means and to ac-
I would love to hear from other
despite their anxieties post lock-down
signed up. It’s been tricky being
cept others’ reactions, or lack of,
autistics especially those interested in publishing their work: artists, photographers, writers, of all ages. Also anyone looking to volunteer I recently set up Spondylux Press, run by autistics, NDs and parents of autistics, to publish neurodivergent books. www.spondyluxpress. com / www.nemcmorran.co.uk
About MOOJAG If Nema can’t uncover a lost boy’s true identity in time they may never escape the sticky world he designed... When Nema and her friends discover a hidden sugarhooked society holding lost kids, they find their perfect world in danger. The strange, sticky place hides the truth about Nema’s missing brother, and a plot to destroy the free life she knows. But only they can reverse a code to prevent ©Giota Panagiotou
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a rock candy robot invasion and rescue the captives. Fail and they
OCTOBER 2020
might never make it back home. A very quirky, Alice-esque, cli-fi adventure featuring diverse autistic characters, for readers 10+. Set in the utopian ‘Real World’ of post-catastrophe ;Surrey Isles;, Britain 2054, where neurodivergents live in harmony with nature and technology, this is a story about identity and finding the strength to be your true self. @moojagbook / www.moojag.com
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Behind the Just Zine Scenes
Fatima Fatima has been in the UK for eight years and is currently studying Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at UAL, which is why her role in the JZ has been pretty relevant throughout. Though her passion for documentary photography and photojournalism always rooted from the desire to give imagery to some of our society’s evil and unfortunate realities and therefore promote resolution; she soon realised that, sometimes it is also important to embrace a more hopeful and positive perspective about our society. Fatima has produced a few articles and photo stories which some will embrace every other cloud’s silver lining, within the story.
In May 2020, we launched the Just Zine magazine, a project funded by the Mayor of London through their curriculum: Cultural Seeds, and run by the Photojournalism Hub. When we had our very first zoom meeting it was only four of us: six issues later, the team has grown significantly with people from all walks of life so to celebrate our 6th issue, we are taking a closer look at who has been behind the Just Zine scenes.
Cinzia Editor-in-Chief and creator of the Just Zine, has really been a leader true in spirit from day one. Cinzia is an independent photojournalist as well as the founder of the Photojournalism Hub which is running the Just Zine magazine. Cinzia came to the UK and into the unknown, all the way from Italy, soon after she turned 18 in order to chase her dream of working as a photojournalist. Since then she has covered conflict, war and many of the unfolding human stories from the region; larger stories, such as illegal coal mining in China which became instrumental for the Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong to campaign for work safety in the coal mining industry in China. She then tied it all together by completing a Masters in Photojournalism at London college of of Communication (University of London) in 2014. Ever since she has mostly focused on structural violence including corporate violence and racism. Cinzia has also created and run numerous community projects and independent campaigns as well as collaborations with various charities and organisations such as Amnesty International, Save the Children, Shelter just to name a few. Cinzia founded the Photojournalism Hub about two years ago, with the intention to create a platform for the display of photojournalism work in order to raise awareness of social injustice and human rights’ violations; provide practical, editorial and publishing expertise.
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Helena Helena, our beloved Irish participant, trained as a Chartered Accountant but is now retraining to be a photojournalist. Driven by her passion for photography, she aims to complete a Master’s degree at UAL. Helena has been a noteworthy researcher and reporter with great journalistic skills. She can especially be credited to an outstanding contribution she provided to our fourth publication called Missed Opportunities, which explores honour-based abuse that was incited by a bizarre encounter in the street, accompanied by a photostory of hers – a truly must see. We know Helena would hold a crucial role in the team since she shares such a compassionate viewpoint on the fight for human rights issues and social injustices, which it all ties up with photojournalism and the Just Zine; “local news has such an important role in exposing injustices in our local environments and as a tool to hold local government to account”.
What we love about Cinzia is that she is very keen on the power of collaborations to initiate positive change, and the Just Zine has definitely been one of the fruits of such ambitious yet charitable goals. Cinzia gave life to the Just Zine as a means to publish personal work, generate content for a working portfolio, offer guidance and mentorship for those who aspire to further their education or gain work experience but may not be able to due to circumstances. Through the Just Zine, Cinzia allowed us to enter an inclusive and democratic space through which we are also accessing tools to help us reach our future aspirations. We thank you, Cinzia.
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Gemma
Sabrina
Gemma has been our on-your-toes type of photographer and reporter since day one. Originally from Italy, Gemma actually photographs ancient art and antiquities for a living, which sounds pretty exciting and also gives us a hint of Gemma’s delicacy with pictures. What we know about Gemma is that she loves exploring the world along with her camera, and especially the streets of London. She discovered how photography can be “such a powerful medium to raise awareness about social issues and people’s experiences through storytelling”, which is what she has explicitly attempted in all her contributions to the Just Zine. From our conversation she shared she is especially proud of our fourth issue which focuses on domestic abuse, “I think it was a difficult subject to tackle but we all collaborated very well together to make an informative, respectful and educational issue”.
Sabrina, also from Italy, is one of our many photographers in the team, also a multimedia journalist and sinologist. She is interested in identity transitions and cultural studies, but also strives to offer a voice to the voiceless through journalism and photography, as well as helping people with health issues to cope through visual storytelling. Sabrina has been contributing to the Just Zine with interviews, articles and short reportages. Sabrina has been one the bravest when contributing to the magazine despite several health issues. She states that taking part in the Just Zine project despite her health issues “really changed many things in my life and is having an influence on everything I am finally doing today”.
Urmila
Laura
Urmila, one of our youngest contributors, has been in charge to bring in a personal outlook on each issue, where she has talked about her own personal experiences accordingly. When giving us feedback on her overall experience since the JZ started she affirmed, “JuztZine has brought a lot of happiness”.
Laura from Newcastle but currently residing in West London, has not only been acting as our main Digital Editor since our very first issue yet, she has also been out and about making contacts, researching stories and interviewing people, which it all took into the shape of articles and photography pieces.
We have all noticed Urmila’s determination and energy throughout, creating photography projects as well as written pieces despite her short time in the country. We could also see her development, having learnt to share stories and photographing people and environments. Well done to Urmila!
She shared with me that not only did she love getting to know everyone involved in the team and reading “everyone’s thought-provoking pieces”, but she also found the fourth publication, which was focused on domestic abuse, to be her favourite as all the submitted articles and photo-stories were intensely “powerful and important”.
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Eurydice Eurydice, based in West London, calls herself “a creative by nature and blessed with the talent of being dyslexic enabling her to make unique connections and think innovatively”. Eurydice has very successfully combined both visual and written expression throughout, as well as establishing “greater connections with [her] community” as she puts it. Eurydice shared with us that thanks to the JZ project she has learnt to develop her photographic eye, interview techniques as well as learning to collaborate with the whole team.
Disclaimer & Copyright
Just Zine has made all the possible care to ensure that content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed in the articles, photo stories and other editorial content reflect the author(s) opinions and do not necessarily are the views of the publisher and editor. The published material, editorials and all other content is published in a good faith. Just Zine cannot guarantee and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind caused by this publication. All rights reserved and nothing can be partially or in whole be reprinted or reproduced without a written consent. On the Just Zine you might find links to other websites, third- party content and advertising. By reading the publication and using our website you acknowledge that and agree that Just Zine cannot be held responsible and shall not be liable for content of other websites and other resources. Just Zine reserves the right to make changes to any information on this site without a notice.
As for this special issue she writes, “I hope all our contribution encourage others to participate and find a voice for the justice they too would like to see prevail in our local community and the society at large”.
No person, organisation or party can copy or re-produce the content on this site and/or magazine or any part of this publication without a written consent from the editors’ panel and the author of the content, as applicable. The publisher (photojournalismhub.org), authors and contributors reserve their rights with regards to copyright of their work. The copyrightincludes (and not limited to) The content and/or images used in any of the articles of this publication The Just Zine Magazine logo and any of its derivatives The content on the Just Zine magazine and its website are made available on the terms and condition that the publisher, editors, contributors and related parties: shall have no responsibility for any action or omission by any other contributor, consultant, editor or related party disclaim any and all liability and responsibility to any person or party, be they a purchaser, reader, advertiser or consumer of this publication or not in regards to the consequences and outcomes of anything done or omitted being in reliance whether partly or solely on the contents of this publication and related website and products. are not responsible in any way for the actions or results taken any person, organisation or any party on basis of reading information, or contributions in this publication, website or related product.
Jenny Jenny who grew up in West London, has contributed and helped with a few articles and has also been in the loop of some of the discussions. She would describe herself as an imaginist who believes it’s important to express her opinion on topics close to her heart, as well as sharing insights and experiences. We can really see Jenny has made contributions to the JZ that do speak from her heart, though she has generally also collaborated to the editing of issues.
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