Issue 571 by CUB Magazine

MAGAZINE

CUB I S S U E 5 71

C R E AT E D B Y S T U D E N T S , F O R S T U D E N T S

WELCOME TO

ISSUE 571

With Valentine’s Day upon us, I have a confession: I am a hopeless romantic and quite frankly, I am in love with love! But enough about me, our third, and penultimate print edition, is dedicated to celebrating all types of love: romantic love, familial love, the love between friends and most importantly, self-love. As usual, our 67 strong team have worked hard to deliver engaging and thought-provoking content, such as exploring eroticism in literature throughout history, the dangers of losing oneself in a relationship, and a study into how ethnicity has an impact on the sexual culture of students studying at Queen Mary! Our columnists are also back and shining a light on controversial topics such as the toxic masculinity in the latest Gillette advertisement, the problem of accurate representation in historical films, and the ramifications of Verona’s recent anti-abortion motion. I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who sent us their submissions for our latest photography competition, there were so many beautiful options, CUB was truly spoilt for choice! The winning submission by our Beauty EDITOR IN CHIEF Nicole Brownfield SOCIAL MEDIA Naseha Yasmin, Ruchika Naidu, Vaneet Kaur Sandhu DESIGN Michael Lau Hing Yim, Sarah Bardell, Moneeka Thakur, Aunanna Hossain, Maliha Sajjad FEATURES Gabrielle Agyei, Tabitha Purslow, Fran Spree, Jasmine Ali ARTS Moneeka Thakur, Charlotte Rubin, Louise Fligman, Layla Angell LONDON Lisha Halai, Stevie Cannell, Samantha Vincent, Taylor Humphreys FILM Guy Pullen, Robert Stayte, Meliha Siddiqui

Editor Simran Singh features in an exclusive double-page spread; her photos act as a positive reminder of how love can light up our world and how we should spread love and positivity to those around us. Our runner up submission by Rizwana Rebecca Begum will feature online in our photography section - keep your eyes posted! Lastly, don’t miss our must-read poem entry that explores issues such as culture, immigration and asylum – all of which are relevant to today’s society. We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed making it. If you want to read more from our fantastic team, go to www.cubmagazine. co.uk for weekly content or email editorcub@ gmail.com if you would like to join Queen Mary’s award winning arts and culture magazine. Keep up to date with us by following CUB on social media: @cubmagazine Lots of love,

Nicole Brownfield Editor-in-Chief

STYLE Erin Wallace, Karina Bogdan, Roma-Ramsden Gupta, Simran Singh, Sarah Maycock MUSE Juliette Raskauskas, Silvana Limni, Rauda Aldarei, Vanda Suha, Sara Giovannini MUSIC Rachel Peters, Josephine Whitehouse, Azraa Khan, Heather O’Brien, Flora Medford UNISEX Demi Whitnell, Matthew Ferguson COLUMNISTS Gina Gambetta, Isabelle Hathaway, Flora Medford, Samuel Clarke, Charlotte Whittaker, Maleeka Imam, Maria Jones, Azmin M. Mistry, Charlotte Rubin, Tracy Jawad

4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38

L’ART POLITIQUE STYLE LONDON FEATURES THE SILVER LINING LET THERE BE BREAKING NEWS AND ANALYSIS

PERSONAL PLATFORM MUSE PHOTOGRAPHY RIGHTS AND SENTIMENTS WE’RE ALL MAD HERE

ARTS REPRESENT THE MALCONTENT BLACKETT’S TWO CENTS BEAUTY FEATURES FILM UNISEX 3

It is 1960, you are sitting in the jury at the Old Bailey hearing the public prosecution of Penguin Books for the publishing of D. H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover. The prosecutor, Mervyn Griffith-Jones, beckons you to consider the novel’s immorality, and aims to convince you of the public good that shall come in forcibly removing this work from publication. He asks you to consider, ‘would you approve of your young sons, young daughters, reading this book?’, and carried on with the further question, ‘Is it a book you would even wish your wife or your servants to read?’. You, and various others in the courtroom laugh at these anachronistic arguments, before hearing from 35 witnesses (including a Bishop), who testify to the text’s moral and artistic value, as well as the prejudice in believing that sexual content in literature can lead to the corruption of society. You, and the rest of the jury, not content that such ancient morality is sufficient in banning literature, resoundingly find Penguin not guilty.

Erotic Literature and English Sensibility

2019

If you were to organise a focus-group of your’s and various other people’s grandparents, and asked them to voice their opinions on the state of modern society, it wouldn’t take long before you hear all manner of conjecture on the declining state of the world in the hands of its youth. In fact, give it a little literary flair and you’ll have a modern prophecy akin to the fall of Babylon; that being, if Cyrus the Great conquered it for having too many trans people, grime-fans, and young people not respecting their elders. Though, I must admit, it would be too simple to delegate this “end of the world” mind-set to the older generations, for such rhetoric is dispersed amongst all ages and all levels of discourse. This way of thinking, in which all supposedly negative 4

aspects of society are contributing to that society’s end, has been redirected in recent years to attack what has been seen as a “lefty” encroachment on social life. Whether it’s university students shutting down talks, or people wanting to use particular bathrooms, there is a distinct derision by the socially conservative wing of the population on what they see as new and destructive. The greatest counter to this logic is essentially to give the people expressing it a sense of perspective on their own conservative thinking. What is new may be frightening, but it is important to remember that change has frightened people for generations. To express this, I wish for you to pretend that you belong to a particular place in historical time, a time presented in the following:

Any modern reader, with modern sentiments, would hopefully see the dictatorial ridiculousness in banning a work of fiction based on its supposed “sexual immorality”. In fact, I can say those people I previously described as socially conservative would also fall into that group, for they too should see these people as “snowflakes”, who wish to ban what they find offensive. But transport some of these people back in time, who hold onto a mindset in fear of difference, and it would be unsurprising to see them sitting on the side of GriffithJones, and to be amongst those people at this time who thought that ‘British morality, manners and family life began seriously to deteriorate’ at the onset of the 60s’ ‘permissive society’; a time when the world was beginning to change, to unhook itself from the strings of Victorian values and to challenge religious elites more than ever before. The attempting banning of Lady Chatterley’s Lover was only one example of unsuccessful or overturned rulings, for the case would be similar with other works like Last Exit to Brooklyn (1964) or Inside Linda Lovelace (1976). Progressive thought was turning the tide, a trend encapsulated well by the poet Philip Larkin in his poem Annus Mirabilis:

L'ART POLITIQUE

Offense is Not a Modern Phenomenon:

1960

This example illustrates, through the medium of censorship, that conservative and progressive attitudes existed in juxtaposition in exactly the same way then as they do now; and that the rhetoric of both are also very similar. For our parents and grandparents - no doubt some of whom harbour these thoughts - it is important to remind them that they, in their own youth, may have been seen as bringing in a new and corrupting age, in a not so dissimilar way to the youth today. For those others, of all ages, who see a scary, “lefty” world, it is important to show them that such fear of change and of an ‘other’ has existed since day one. It is constructive for all of us to ditch the sides of the conservative, or indeed the progressive, and to understand and criticise all things regardless of their perceived strangeness, or difference, to the world we know.

Words by Samuel Clarke

‘Sexual intercourse began In nineteen sixty-three (which was rather late for me) Between the end of the Chatterley ban And the Beatles’ first LP.’

g n i n o i Fash the d n i M Mind

On one hand, research such as the text mentioned above have shown the positive impacts of altering one’s wardrobe during the winter months. With awareness of Seasonal Affective Disorder growing, author Jules Standish has looked into the positive effects of including more colour in one’s wardrobe, linking stimulation through colour to mood improvements. Standish’s theory has been supported by psychological research on the neurological responses that colours and prints can trigger, having similar results to the effects of summer weather. In embracing the fun elements of fashion and utilising your wardrobe as a powerful tool, the positive effects on one’s mood can certainly be beneficial. Cognitive psychologist Carolyn Mair’s research highlights that implementing brighter colours and fun prints into your outfits can potentially be effective in lifting not only your own spirits, but the spirits of others too. Though neither Standish nor Mair are suggesting that making changes to your style can singlehandedly solve

Words by Erin Wall ace

mood and mental health-based issues, they are suggesting that fashion should not be overlooked in having the power to influence one’s feelings. However, when fashion becomes intrinsically linked to social media for some, this is where the opposite effects can be caused. Surveys have shown that Millennial and Gen Z women are highly susceptible to being influenced by the constant influx of trends that social media circulates. As platforms such as Instagram continue to be used to showcase the newest in both fast fashion and designer items, the need to keep up can certainly take its toll on one’s mental health. Fashion essentially becomes competitive, with feelings of worthlessness, plummeting selfconfidence, and stress all reportedly being exhibited as a result of constant exposure to images of wealth and consumerism. As fashion becomes less about personal style and more about keeping up and fitting in, it becomes infiltrated by negativity, and this is what needs to be eradicated.

ST YLE

As we pass the infamous ‘Blue Monday’ and approach Valentine’s Day, there has never been a better time to focus on selfappreciation and self-love, and expression through fashion can certainly be a way to do this. As the awareness surrounding mental health issues continues to grow, the implications of all areas of life on one’s health are being examined, and research such as Carolyn Mairs ‘Psychology of Fashion’ have shown fashion to have a real impact. Though it is not being suggested that fashion can either entirely cause or entirely cure serious issues, the effects that it can have on one’s mood are now being considered.

Ultimately, fashion should offer the opportunity to experiment and have fun, and this February should be dedicated to bolstering one’s self-appreciation. Valentine’s Day being upon us can certainly be used as an excuse to focus on loving yourself, and not just others. In utilising fashion to combat the winter blues whilst not pressuring oneself to keep up with fast fashion trends, the impacts can surely only be beneficial, as the effects of fashion on the mind should clearly not be underestimated. In embracing positive changes, positivity in your mood may just follow.

7 Images by Freepik

Stevie Cannell

Following Cupid’s Arrow around the city – a Valentine’s guide for singletons and couples alike… Words by the London Editorial team Taylor Humphreys Whether you love Valentine’s Day (and the halfprice chocolate on offer on February 15th) or not, everybody loves a cute little spot to grab a bite to eat, nurse a drink or two and catch up with a friend… so here are some of our favourite places for a romantic – or platonic – date! One of my favourite London aesthetics is Hampstead Heath, brimming with cosy old pubs and narrow cobbled streets housing reams of fairy lights. ‘The Flask’ in particular is a bustling tavern with a friendly atmosphere

that is just a stone’s throw from an array of gorgeous (but reasonable) restaurants. If you’re already in London on a week night but don’t want to be subjected to the midnight cut-off, the National Theatre’s ‘Understudy’ will welcome you with open arms and comfortable, perfectly contrasting furniture to snuggle up or stretch out on while overlooking the glistening lights of the city. Or, if you’re like me and fancy somewhere closer to home, why not head to ‘The Horn of Plenty’ for plenty of fun and competition over a board game before catching a film at Genesis?

Lisha Halai Valentine’s Day traditionally consists of a romantic dinner but how about changing up the game this year? Why not make Valentine’s Day more adventurous, be it with your partner or your friends? Try out Bounce where there are 17 different ping pong tables, a bar and a restaurant combined in one location for an epic night. Indulge in a little friendly competition whilst enjoying a mouth-watering cocktail (or two). You could also head on over to the Royal Observatory Greenwich and take an extraordinary trip into space. It is an out of this world experience (mind the pun) with a multitude of stargazing and astronomical shows to choose from – a romantic experience 8

that can be enjoyed alone, as part of a pair, or with a group. If you are looking for something a little more relaxing, then why not head to Electric Cinema which is located in Shoreditch? This cinema subverts the traditional cinema experience by providing cosy armchairs for the ultimate comfort! The best part about this cinema is that not only does it screen new films such as Aquaman (2018), but it also screens classic films such as Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).

Images by Freepik

to hang with mates). After an afternoon of boating, hit up the wholesomely hip The Bridge House for a pint or a glass of red in the most quintessential of British pubs. If you find yourself in the area on a Sunday, I highly recommend taking a pit stop for their divine roasts. But as you trace Regent’s Canal, you’ll stumble across a plethora of other cafés, restaurants and bars that all lend themselves to the easy cosmopolitan vibe. 2.5 miles later, and you’ll find yourself moored in the groovy waters of Camden Lock. Utterly amaze!

LONDON

Venice. One of Europe’s finest romantic cities; second only, perhaps, to Paris. However, for the most of us, jetting off to dazzle in the delights of Italy’s ‘Floating City’ is a little out of budget. Fear not, London Town has got your back. Little Venice, found just north of Paddington, is an epically picturesque network of waterways just a stone’s throw from central London. Surrounded by uber charming Regency architecture, the canals foster a serenely romantic backdrop to boat rides and handin-hand strolls alike (the hand-inhand being optional, of course... Little Venice is also a rad place

Samantha Vincent Valentine’s Day should be about all things sweet, so if you and your date have a sweet tooth, grab a couple of perfectly Instagrammable ice creams from Milk Train and take a romantic stroll through Covent Garden and the West End. Head around the corner to the bright and colourful Neal’s Yard, where you’ll find the famous doughnuts of St John’s Bakery and even bottles of wine, perfect for a night in. Looking for

a cocktail? Blame Gloria’s Love Potion No.10 might be just what you need, and the vibrant, retro décor won’t hurt either. It might not be your typical date night bar, but you’ll definitely be in the mood to party. Finally, whether it’s girls’ night or date night, why not make “dinner and a show” a little bit sexier (and, admittedly, pricier) at Proud Cabaret, home of cocktails, jazz and provocative, jaw-dropping performances.

What we can Learn from Berlin’s Buddy Bears

and cultures, but not political systems, thus distancing themselves from any connotations of war or conflict. I thought it very fitting to write about the Buddy Bears in this Valentine’s print edition as they stand for love and understanding across different nations, cultures, religions and people in general. So regardless of whether you are in a relationship or if you are single this Valentines, try not to get carried away with the roses, chocolates and cards or your hatred for a day that might make you feel lonely. Remember that no matter what, we are never alone. As long as there is love, as symbolised by the Buddy Bears, we can all open up our hearts to ourselves, each other, and ultimately, the world. Key point to take home: this message of positivity and togetherness should be promoted every day of the year, not just for Valentines.

F E AT U R E S

Bears for the purpose of promoting ‘the art of tolerance’ and living together in harmony worldwide. The bears have found themselves in places such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, Vienna, Cairo, Warsaw, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and most recently, in Riga. Who knows where they will find themselves in 2019! Each Buddy Bear is painted with a unique design and carefully crafted by different artists from around the world on behalf of their native countries. Yet despite their individuality, the bears collectively join together to advocate a zest for life and togetherness. Through each of the bears, it is possible to travel the globe and to immerse yourself in different cultures and appreciate the diversity of the world and it’s inhabitants. Although I got to experience the Buddy Bears scattered across Berlin, when the bears go on tour, they are positioned together in an all encompassing circle (or bear hug if you pardon the pun) and made to stand together ‘hand in hand’ to denote a future vision of a peaceful world. They represent different countries

Words by Nicole Brownfield I have recently come back from Berlin, a Capital saturated in so much history you can literally feel it seeping into your bones the further your feet explore. There is so much to see: the remnants of The Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, a Holocaust memorial and the former site of Hitler’s Gestapo to name a few. Berlin is plagued by the ghost of separation, once split into East and West, it is still possible to discern the bricks that separated both halves and to stand with one foot on either side so that the physical gap between your legs, becomes symbolic of the gap that divided and shattered a nation, families and also people’s sense of selfhood and belonging. Yet despite this heart-breaking history, with the passing of time, there have been concentrated efforts in Berlin towards a movement of reunification. One example that springs to mind is the Brandenburg Gate - a landmark which embodies the tumultuous history of Europe and Germany, while simultaneously standing for unity and peace. However, a more understated example which also promotes reunification and peace are the ‘Buddy Bears’, which are scattered across 10

the whole of Berlin as my boyfriend and I soon discovered, for I dragged him around everywhere in my quest to photograph them all! The Buddy Bears are life-sized fiberglass sculptures with beautifully protruding bellies and their arms are raised upwards as if they are reaching towards the sky. This open gesture of elevated arms is so warm and inviting that you cannot help but walk up to each of the bears and admire them. I must confess I became rather obsessive in my hunt to discover them all and to decide which one was my favourite (I am still undecided)! The bears were originally conceived by German businesspeople Klaus and Eva Herlitz in cooperation with sculptor Roman Strobl, as part of an artistic event which endeavoured to bring art to the streets of Berlin and to convert former places of destruction, into places of beauty. Since the birth of the Buddy Bears, they have become the unofficial ambassador for Germany and they have been adopted as the mascot of Berlin. Since 2002 and their humble origins in Berlin, the Buddy Bears have gained a universal status thanks to the ‘United Buddy Bear’ scheme which consists of a global tour of the Buddy 11

THE SILVER LINING

Why Self-Love is the Best Love Words by Charlotte Whittaker

Despite being single for most of my life, Valentine’s Day is a holiday with which I’ve never had a problem. Call me corny, but I think it’s wonderful that humans have holidays and festivities like February 14th to enjoy throughout the year. I love that we mark our calendar with basically functionless occasions, to celebrate different aspects of life that we care for. While I do think it’s kind of odd that we so vehemently celebrate an attempt to attack parliament each November, festivities like Bonfire Night, Halloween and Christmas are traditions that I sincerely hope we never lose. Yes, I understand that Valentine’s Day is soppy and can see why it repulses some people, but isn’t it also so great that in a society filled with work, capitalism and consuming, we have a day reserved specifically to celebrate love?

Obviously Valentine’s Day is a very selective holiday which leaves out a good portion of the population who aren’t all loved up in a committed relationship. For people who are just casually hooking up with someone, a day of romance is probably a tad intense, and for those who are not sexually or romantically involved with anyone it’s just your average Thursday. Hence why the day gets so much criticism— what about all of us who don’t have any one to celebrate with? If a person is feeling lonely, heartbroken or just happens to be single, the day can either be quite a tough reminder of past romantic experiences, or provide a sense of pressure to find someone by making you feel left out of the celebrations. It may even lower our sense of self-worth, or make us feel wrong for just being by ourselves. The way we perceive love needs changing. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of romantic love, which specifically requires a partner, but I’d argue that a celebration of self-love is much more important, especially for students. University provides us with an insane amount of pressure: our whole life becomes dictated by a grading system which leaves us susceptible to stress, feelings of inadequacy and loss of self-confidence. My mental health has been all over the place whilst at university: I’ve become overly critical and selfdoubting without even realising it, and I know for a fact that I’m not alone. It probably isn’t so great to have relationships thrown in the face of single stressed out

students, which is why we need to start pushing for more self-love. Self-love is all about self-acceptance. It isn’t narcissistic, vain or egotistical. It is about realising we aren’t perfect and being okay with that. It is about striving to be the best you can be, but forgiving yourself if you can’t quite get there. It’s about treating yourself and not being so punishing. It is about letting go of any expectations of yourself and relaxing under the pressure. It is about recognising toxic habits and letting go of toxic people. It is learning to be comfortable in your own skin, and gaining confidence in who you are. It is very scary and may seem like a right challenge but on days like Valentine’s Day when you might feel alone, learning to be comfortable in your own company and love yourself is the best medicine you could ask for. This Valentine’s Day, even if you aren’t single, try practising a bit of self-love. Release any pressure you may have on yourself and adopt a more rewarding attitude. Treat yourself to little things, do a light bit of exercise, go for a relaxing walk or meditate. Loving yourself may take time, but it’s achievable, and it starts with the small stuff- even if it’s just taking the pressure off of yourself for one day. Whilst romantic relationships may seem like forever, the only person you’ll have your entire life is yourself, and ensuring that you have a positive relationship is the most important task you can ever set out to achieve.

N ews and A nalysis

Let’s Go for a “Shag”?

Words by Tracy Jawad and Charlotte Rubin

With Valentines just around the corner, flower

shops are running out of roses, restaurants are already overbooked, and all anybody seems to be talking about is either “cuffing season” or the boy they just swiped right. In a university environment, especially a British one, sex and love are almost as important as dissertation deadlines. We’re thinking boyfriends, girlfriends, open relationships, one-night stands, a mistake you made at Drapers, Grindr, Minder, Tinder, and all other apps that cleverly use rhymes to make us forget how lonely we truly are. Queen Mary is known for being one of the most diverse universities in the country, be it ethnically, economically, or otherwise. Given that there are so many people coming from such different backgrounds, they must obviously see the world in different ways, including a diverse understanding of what sex and love entail. Inspired by Christiane Amanpour’s recently released Netflix miniseries called Sex and Love: Around the World, we decided to investigate Queen Mary students’ take on the dos and don’ts of relationships. In order for us to see if there was a general correlation between one’s heritage and their opinions and beliefs on a subject that is more often than not a taboo, we asked students about their sex life and their views on dating. Our interviews broadly confirmed what most of us would expect. The level in which we relate to the hyper-sexuality present within

a British university environment depends on many different factors, with cultural norms and religious beliefs playing an important role. However, there were also some surprises. A dear friend of ours, let’s call her Jasmine (all names have been changed for the purpose of this article), agreed to share her personal experience of her time at university: “Let’s make one thing clear: I had only ever had sex with my boyfriend before coming to university.” Jasmine came to university and saw how other students talked about “shagging” so casually and repetitively, in a manner that was “distinctively British.” While university has influenced her views on sex and dating, she still doesn’t feel like she can completely relate to the hyper-sexual environment that she was thrown into. Now a third-year student, she uses Tinder – “something that I never thought I’d ever do” – to entertain her boredom. Let’s be real, though, it’s “also because sex is so normalized, not that it’s a bad thing – just a change… I feel like people were so desperate to have sex around me and weigh in on, or relate to, the experiences. So many of my friends felt pressured to do this thing that everybody else was doing. I think a part of the reason I’m so comfortable with casual sex is because the attitude in the UK is so different from back home – I can’t put my finger on it. It’s almost as if people are completely desensitized from what sex can actually mean.” Another student who offered a lengthier response to our questions was Maryam*, who moved to London as an undergraduate student with plenty of sexual experience, but who is still a virgin: “People in my high school actually did

have sex, but because it was such a small place, and everyone knew each other, there was no boy I was comfortable enough with to share the experience with… I thought I’d go to university and find someone I’d either be comfortable or drunk enough to have sex with. But I got turned off by the way British boys specifically spoke about girls and their sexual encounters. It didn’t take me very long to realize that British girls were just as… not really casual, but degrading in the way that they had sex and the way they spoke about it.” Maryam quickly realized that the chances of her meeting someone she felt comfortable with were very slim – she’d have to go for the second option, and have to be drunk. “Even as drunk as I’ve gotten since I moved here – and I’m not proud of it – I could hear my mom telling me that giving up myself so easily was not part of our “deen.” And for once, I would agree with my mom - I’m not religious whatsoever, but there are values that I’ve adhered to my whole life.” Obviously, these testimonials are personal experiences that can’t be generalized, but it does tell us something about how international students perceive the differences with their lives back home. These differences, however, are not as harsh as one may think. Contrary to our expectations and assumptions, those who identified as Middle Eastern (first gen, second gen, mixed, etc.) were just as (un)accepting of casual sex as others: yes, according to a survey we

conducted ourselves via google, 25% of Middle Eastern students disapproved of sex outside of a relationship, but so did 21% of the “other” students. However, we found it to be true that those from the Middle East were more likely to factor their religion and heritage into their views on relationships. Other factors that influenced their answers and positions included moving out and university culture, just as we expected. Generally speaking, most participants agreed that growing up in general played a substantive part in exploring their sexuality, whether in a relationship or not. It is only natural that as we get older and gain more experience, our views on things like casual sex and dating apps evolve. However, there are still some prejudices against Tinder, with only 36.4% of students admitting to having an account, and with one participant answering that they “believe in real life” and another claiming they “can’t take them seriously.” Overall, it looks like we were right, our opinions of love and sex are just as diverse as Queen Mary’s student body. We may never really understand what is so fundamentally different about the sex culture within British universities, but one thing is for sure - at the end of the day, we are all thinking and speaking about it.

LINES ON MAPS Words By Efe Uwadiae

P E R S O N A L P L AT F O R M

Consider the history of the world Imagine how things would be if it didn’t matter if you were a boy and I was a girl Imagine how it would feel if no one cared if I was African or you were Asian, the only thing that mattered was that we were Homosapiens It seems idealistic at best To imagine a world deeper than the colour of your chest Or the colour of your nation’s flag that you wear on your vest Actually maybe not when you consider what makes a country You draw a line on a map Declare yourself a King Tell the members of this “nation,” they’re citizens and so are their offspring And suddenly there’s hating and hate speech outwardly and in the streets The nationalism starts to rise and people hate others with pride And yes I know developing countries is more complicated than maps But then remember Israel’s made of extracts of other country’s lines on Maps In the Western World today Immigration as a word is detested and makes people afraid They think their world is being invaded Describing the foreigners as benefits-seeking aliens But we have a duty as members of this Earth to help where we can before we’re buried in the dirt But maybe some forget they get lost in the lines Immigration’s not a curse it’s the mixing of lives With the culture The experiences The food All giving rise to a multinational mood An atmosphere of love and understanding The culmination of humanity Beyond the lines on maps. There is something amiss about immigration in this country Asylum The same word used for mental institutions describes the escape of a persecuted human from their home Do we think they’re crazy for trying to be safe? Some would say they’re lazy here to live off the benefits Well Consider this If we shut our borders And we tell them no To stay within their lines You’re not welcome here Then they’re alone Now they have no choice Without our help They have no voice How can we say we stand for equality If we sit in the face of inhumanity It’s ironic if you think about it closely England, the land of God and Morality, The origins of colonisation, Doesn’t think it has a responsibility To help support other nations.

***

On the 4th of October 2018 the municipal council of Verona agreed on approving a motion which will declare the Italian city a “pro-life” constituency. The motion commits Verona to financing Catholic associations which are conducting anti-abortion initiatives across the region for abortion prevention and motherhood support. The motion also calls for the council to promote a regional project that encourages pregnant women to anonymously give their unplanned babies up for adoption. This decision has triggered protests among the citizens of the province and pro-choice groups worry that other cities across the country and across Europe might imitate Verona’s example. Yet despite such resistance, the motion was passed by 21 votes to 6, thus proving that it does represent the views of Verona’s majority.

The approved motion relies on legislation number 194, first promulgated in 1978, which regulates access to abortion in Italy. The law legalizes abortion, but states that doctors and medical staff can exercise their conscientious objection and refuse to provide the service. Although multiple parties of the council supported the decision, the primary endorser was Alberto Zegler, a member of the Northern League Party, who defined abortion as an “abominable crime”. For years Verona has been governed by the The Northern League, a party which follows a conservative right-wing line often compared to Marine Le Pen’s Front National in France, or the right-wing to far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germany. The Northern 18

Words By: Silvana Limn

MUSE

ITALIAN CITY OF VERONA APPROVES

League’s original program called for independence of the Northern regions of Italy and had hateful stands towards workers coming from Southern Italy. However, since 2011 it has strategically changed its electoral programme in order to appeal to the fears of the wider public concerning the increase in migration flows from the Mediterranean. Given the right-wing conservative winds felt across Europe, many pro-choice advocates fear that Verona will act as the gateway for other Italian cities and Europe as well.

Aside from religious and political considerations, the motion misuses the word life in order to undermine the right to choose. Discouraging or removing women’s access to abortion will not make it disappear, on the contrary, in the absence of safe facilities, women will turn to dangerous alternatives which can often put their lives at risk. Furthermore, the decision by the council triggered protests in the days following the approval of thousands of men, women and students of all ages. Protesters from the feminist group “Non una di meno”, “No-one less” (in Italian “one” is used in the feminine) took to the streets of Verona and stood outside Verona’s city hall wearing costumes inspired by the series “The Handmaid’s Tale”, based on the novel by Margaret Atwood, and which has become a symbol that protests against female violence and the exploitation of women’s body across the world. More recently, in Milan the same motion was rejected which gives us a flash of hope that Verona may represent an isolated case.

ANTI ABORTION MOTION 19

PHOTOGRAPHY

WI N TER

These pictures are from the Canary Wharf ‘Winter Light Festival’; they reflect happiness, peace and love. The brightness of the lights amongst the darkness is symbolic of how love can shine bright and bring happiness and comfort when we feel like we’re in the dark. The pictures are a positive reminder to spread love and positivity throughout the new year. We should love ourselves unconditionally as well as others and these pictures, especially the heart with wings and the building with two red love hearts, show exactly how love has no boundaries. 20

L I G H T

FESTIVAL Photo Credit: Simran Singh

great interest in period dramas and historical films. They are perhaps the most widespread and ingrained method of communicating history to the public— they serve as exposure to topics that in many cases viewers would have little or no background on, making them incredibly important to the field of history.

Words by Isabelle Hathaway

Nearly every historical film, be it a “true story” or a fiction set on a historical backdrop, presents a modified front. The extent of this modification varies enormously and is completely dependent on the choices and biases of the filmmaker; some films blatantly ignore fact to create a compelling story, others make conscious efforts to present a realistic depiction of the past. Films in the latter category are often lauded for their accuracy by historians and critics. It is these films, however, that are perhaps the most problematic within the category of historical film. In the study of history, schools of thought are constantly evolving. Thus, ‘accuracy’ is a slightly useless term—any film that presents itself as, or becomes renowned for, being ‘accurate’ cannot possibly portray every interpretation of any period or subject. They can stick to mainstream historical analysis and generally accepted fact, but filmmakers, like historians, have blind spots. Of course, it would be unrealistic to expect filmmakers to stay on the cutting edge of historical analysis. The problem comes, however, from willful ignorance of perspectives that are anything but new. Completely new methods of examining history have been developing over the last fifty years, and filmmakers have remained (with a few exceptions) blind to their impacts on the study of history. Gender history is a perfect example of this. The practice of uncovering new histories by questioning women’s exclusion entered

RIGHTS AND SENTIMENTS

As a lover of history, I have always had

historical mainstream debate in the 1970s. Most periods have been reexamined and the near constant presence and activity of women has unsurprisingly been uncovered. One movie that is consistently featured on lists of most accurate historical films is Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World, released in 2003. Though technically based on a series of novels, its portrayal of life aboard a Royal Navy ship during the Napoleonic Wars was praised for its realism. 100% of the cast of the film is male. With cursory research, this appears to be true to the situation aboard Royal Navy ships.

“History is not an excuse to reinforce sexism in Hollywood.” Women were not allowed to serve equally until 1993, and because women were not paid for, or fed by the Navy they were not included in the muster books of ships. But captains’ logs and memoirs record that it was not uncommon for officers’ wives and children to be brought on board. Navy ships also commonly carried passengers, many of whom were women. There are also several accounts of women who disguised themselves as men during this period and found success as sailors. Master and Commander is hardly unique in using the guise of accuracy to write stories that exclude women. It is a common excuse and is almost always a poorly researched one. Filmmakers hide behind outdated history to avoid being confronted about their misogynistic biases, but history is not an excuse to reinforce sexism in Hollywood. Propagation of a false past as if it is the only truth encourages the ridiculous idea that women can be, or should be, written out. Nothing could be further from ‘accuracy.’ Don’t allow yourself to be blinded by the truth.

*** 22

We’re All Mad He WE'RE ALL MAD HERE

’reDon’tAllslipMad Here down the rabbit hole

When relationships go too far…

We’re All Mad H of co-dependency…

‘All extremes of feeling are allied with madness.’ – Virginia Woolf Being in love is pretty good isn’t? I mean we all, well, love it, don’t we? You get that giddy, almost euphoric feeling when that one person is around. Your life feels like it has suddenly got better. Indeed, Relate, a relationship support provider, noted in a survey of people with mental health issues that 60% said that their condition was improved by having a partner. You can be your unapologetic self, everything seems to make sense, nothing else matters, right? And yet, love and relationships can easily go too far into the dangerous territory of codependency. Yes, when in a new, or good, relationship you probably want to spend most of your time with this almost perfect person – whether it is between the sheets, talking late at night until your metaphorical and literal candles burn out, or going on sickeningly cute date nights. And there is nothing wrong with wanting some romantic bliss. However, we all know someone, or have personally been in a situation where it could be argued that romance took precedence over everything else. Our significant other supplanted our friends, family and everything that defined us as an individual.

bringing up your partner (sidebar: this is a shore fire way to irk your friends), or they seem to be the only thing you want to talk aboutnow be honest, are your current conversations more about waiting for the next opportunity to say what you and your boo did for brunch? I thought so…

Now, not to sound like an old lady, but when your relationship starts taking precedence over your work and university commitments then you’ve really got a problem. There is nothing wrong with putting yourself first, at the end of the day happiness is key, but it is not acceptable to start missing lectures and seminars, ignoring essays, and turning down opportunities because you want that extra half hour with your partner. Finally, and probably the most important factor to consider, how do you see yourself? Do you feel like you are only happy when they are around?

work/university. However, the focus cannot be totally shifted onto one person – especially if that person is not you.

In the long run if you stay in this corrosive and unhealthy situation, you may end up isolating yourself from your friends, miss out on opportunities, and lose your sense of self. This can be made all the worse if you break up with your significant other. Remember that you are young and while I’m not saying that you won’t be with this person forever, don’t let your life revolve around them completely. Here are easy ways to avoid slipping down this rabbit hole:

Compartmentalize your time:

• Make plans to spend time with just your friends and talk about other stuff than relationships. Also don’t spend the entire time texting your partner. • If you have work to get done then do it, and then see your partner after. Get your priorities straight.

We’re All Mad Here

• Make time for yourself! Do some self-care, have a hobby, go to the cinema alone – learn to appreciate how to exist independently.

All Mad Here In my opinion, there are some clear signs that you/your friend may be putting your/their partner at the centre of your/their universe. For the purpose of this piece, let’s pretend you my dear reader are the said person. In the case of your social life, suddenly you just don’t seem to be around as much anymore: from cancelling plans, to not being available for last minute Tequila Tuesdays and 2am SOSs. In addition, when you are with your mates, you either commit the cardinal sin of always

Do you think you need to spend every waking moment with them? Or if you are not with them physically, do you think you need to spend every second of the day texting, phoning or facetiming them? Do you literally break?

Yes, relationships are great, they can make you very happy, but you are your own person and you have your own life - don’t give that up for anybody.

We’re All Mad Her

Overall, if you are reading this and feel like a lot of these points are hitting quite close to home, then I hate to say it, but it can be argued that your relationship has become your life. True, this might not necessarily lead to disaster and it might balance out after the socalled ‘honeymoon phase’ of your relationship. And yes, there are only so many hours in the day, so of course you want to spend those free hours with someone you care about, after all, everybody has to have some downtime after

We’re All Mad Here 24

• I’m not saying only see your part once or twice a week, and that this has to be regimental, but avoid essentially living in each other’s pockets.

Words by Gina Gambetta 25

BOOK REVIEW:

Everything, Everything

ARTS

RATING 5/5

BY NICOLE YOON Words by Louise Fligman

“A moving novel about love of every kind that makes you appreciate the little things in life.”

Welcome to Book Club! As heart-shaped chocolate boxes and red cards fill the shelves of supermarkets, it can only mean one thing: Valentine’s Day is upon us! Since this issue of CUB is centered around the theme of Valentines, now is the perfect opportunity to curl up with a good romance novel, and I have the ideal book to recommend: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. Maddy is allergic to the world and has been for as long as she can remember. Even something as simple as stepping outside the sterile sanctuary of her home or holding hands with someone from outside could kill her. But one day, her mundane and routine-filled existence changes when Olly moves in next door. Maddy cannot help but be drawn to him, and just like that, she realises that there is more to life than just being alive. You only get one chance at first love. Is Maddy prepared to risk everything, to see where it leads, even if it could have devastating consequences? Maddy is such a likeable protagonist and your sympathy for her is overwhelming. You cannot

imagine being so sick that you cannot leave the house, and yet Yoon makes you put yourself in Maddy’s shoes. Your world would shrink as your only access to the outside is online. Going out to meet friends or going shopping, even going to school like everyone else is not possible for Maddy. It is heart-breaking to think of a life like that; not being able to go outside would upset me so much and Maddy’s restricted way of life really makes you appreciate your freedom of movement and ability to go where you want, whenever you want. Mixed with sympathy for Maddy is huge admiration and respect. Her strength to remain positive despite her illness is uplifting to read; it gives you inspiration for whenever you, or someone close to you, is going through a difficult time. The first communications between Olly and Maddy online are both amusing and lovely because they get to know each other without being properly introduced in light of Maddy’s illness. However, they both soon realise that online messaging does not and cannot replace

face-to-face communication. There are no facial expressions, holding hands or hugging to convey friendship and love, and it is only when these things are absent that you begin to miss them. It is not just Maddy that you are empathetic towards, but also Olly because of his father’s violent behaviour towards his mother and himself. Whilst his father’s anger may be understandable, it does not excuse domestic violence, and you find yourself becoming resentful towards him as a result. Yoon does a very good job at showing how nobody’s life is perfect; Olly may be healthy in comparison to Maddy, but his family is fractured while Maddy’s family life is full of love. When Olly and Maddy travel, it is so deep and meaningful because you see both characters’ need for escape but for different reasons: Maddy to feel like she is living her life as opposed to just being alive, and Olly to escape from his family, especially his father.

The huge plot twist towards the end of the novel is simultaneously heart-breaking and heartwarming and as a reader, your sympathies are torn along with your heart. On the one hand, you feel compassion for Maddy’s mum, Pauline, because you understand why she did what she did. On the other hand, you also feel empathy for Maddy in light of her mum’s actions. I can’t reveal Pauline’s actions without causing a plot spoiler, but all I will say is that love is at the heart of this moment (which is rather fitting for this print edition). Overall, Everything, Everything is a moving novel about love of every kind, ranging from the romantic type between Maddy and Olly, to the familial sort between Pauline and Maddy. Yoon’s protagonist triggers sympathy within you of an overwhelming nature and makes you appreciate the little things in life.

REPRESENT THE MALCONTENT

That awkward Gillette Ad W

e are at the point of society when an advert we’d skip on YouTube holds so much meaning it sparks outrage and counter rage on how we think about masculinity. In the span of a week the latest Gillette commercial racked up 23million views and over 1 million dislikes on YouTube, plus a Saturday Night Live parody. Titled ‘We Believe: The Best Men Can Be’, the advert showcases an overlapping series of #metoo news footage, over the top microaggressions straight out of a 1970s sitcom and a group of teens-played-by-adults bullies chasing a child. Plus, many close ups of freshly shaven men staring into nothingness. The tone is a hammy, awkward mess. In the same ad that portrays a tearful victim of cyberbullying mid panic attack, we see a wacky row of barbequing dads repeating “boys will be boys will be boys…” whilst they roast corn on the cob. Describing it does little justice, it is a spectacle you need to see for yourself.

ambiguous girl power messages splattered with images of pink panties and red. Lots and lots of red. So it makes sense for men’s problems to be capitalised as well. But some things can’t be kept ambiguous and toxic masculinity is one of them.

between genders, and ultimately, relationships with ourselves. What kind of messages are we projecting onto the youth of today and what kind of legacy are we providing for generations to come?

‘Toxic societies are intertwined with economic and political factors and men aren’t the only perpetrators.’

But to return to the Gillette advert. Its message was a positive one – men holding other men accountable for toxic behaviours. However, what I find particularly interesting about the ad is that apart from clips of dolled up news anchors, the women portrayed held little power in each scenario.

Toxic societies are intertwined with economic and political factors and men aren’t the only perpetrators. Back in 2013 an email from a sorority leader to her Delta Gamma sisters went viral. The letter contained a surreal rant, insisting her sisters be more sociable with the frat boys on I always find it ironic when an advert attempts campus. Michael Shannon does a reading of said to be mildly political. Remember when Mazda letter for Funny or Die and despite the strong sponsored the Lorax - a film that had a global language it is a treat to the ears. warming and anti-cooperation message. That film also sold a lot of plastic merchandise. However, it is also horrifying that a woman who Bottom line is a political message will always leads other women in an educational institution be tainted by a capitalist something. If Gillette would perpetuate such a toxic culture. A study was so ‘for’ gender equality, they would produce by Cecila Harvey (2018) further found that over gender neutral goods instead of colouring two thirds of women had experienced workplace the same product pink and upping the price. bullying by female perpetrators. There are so Then again, I do like my tropical scented aloe many things wrong with this finding, a finding gel Venus razor (it makes me feel special) … that is deeply worrying and problematic for how I suppose most women’s toiletry brands have we conduct same-sex relationships, relationships

‘If you take the time to analyse it, the ad’s execution can make any gender cringe.’ Whether she’s a bully who perpetuates the toxicity, or a campaigner who fights it, she did not exist. The ad wraps up with chivalrous men protecting random women from the micro-aggressors. If you take the time to analyse it, the ad’s execution can make any gender cringe. I am still recovering from it now… *Study cited: Cecila Harvey, (2018) “When queen bees attack women stop advancing: recognising and addressing female bullying in the workplace”, Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, Vol. 32 Issue: 5, pp.1-4, https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-04-2018-0048 )

Words by Maria Jones

“What excites you? What turns you on? What makes you feel good? Does it make you feel good to see me cry?” – Madonna

ith recent months having been, and the next few months looking to be, a veritable stash of events and gossip Brexit-wise, I have ensured and will ensure that I will gather the best news from the gander and compile a suitable repository that should satisfy both Europhile and Eurosceptic and use my column as a platform to do this. But for the moment I would like to digress away from the confusing and overwhelming realm of politics; so without further ado here is my mind racing and wandering instead... What’s a man to do with boredom? Embracing it doesn’t seem to be the issue - the wave itself comes upon us as would another maggot on another maggot-infested corpse. Boredom is very common is what I am trying to say, but with the inevitable realisation that apathy has now arrived I only have myself to blame. In preparation for this article, I thought it would suit ends well should I find the catalyst for my boredom – the one running thread ever present in existence or something akin to life support, the links to which I have recently cut.

‘What’s a man to do with boredom? Embracing it doesn’t seem to be the issue - the wave itself comes upon us as would another maggot on another maggot-infested corpse.’ 30

BLACKET T' S TWO CENTS

Member of the Bored

The latter proved the most significant – tumbling around in the grey area I managed to find the one article that succinctly explains why I have been feeling so restless, with everything and nothing before me. New Years seems so far off now, but in the midst of illicit relations with both men and tequila I had to be considerate and find the minutest aspect of life to change. Hence, soon came the passé moment the Facebook app disappeared from my phone. As did the temptation to spend hours and hours pouring over every single detail of other people’s lives (some of whom are strangers I must admit – we all have those random ‘friends’ we added years ago on a drunken night out) from the safety of my phone screen instead of ‘shock’, actually socialising with people and speaking to them in the flesh. There is something titillating about it all. So many questions, utterances along the lines of: ‘What now? Is this it? How long can I keep this up?’ (In response to the last one, it’s been 25 days so hey, baby steps!) It is both frightening and liberating – the fact that a little crimson box informing you of notifications gives you sustenance. Admit it, you are also a victim. Awake. Check. Ping. Share. Eat. Check. The voracity with which I was voluntarily signing my time away to social media was odd but not surprising – after all I’d been doing it for years. It just so happens that now I realise that this desensitised scrolling, which could be accessed at the touch of my finger tips, actually gave me nothing. And I smile. Perhaps it is because this is the first time I’ve followed through on a resolution. Perhaps it is my improved sleeping pattern. But I like to think that it is because I’ve embraced boredom (I did say it wasn’t an issue!). I was simply forced to find other ways to occupy my time – Podcasts are a thing; TV is... pretty much the reason I turned to social media in the first place. Then came politics and this column. Proof enough that the change, a largely small one, rocks. Only regret is that I didn’t find boredom sooner as it has encouraged me to harness my voice and opinions to good use… Is your New Year resolution making a big difference in your life?

‘Soon came the passé moment the Facebook app disappeared from my phone. As did the temptation to spend hours and hours pouring over every single detail of other people’s lives’

Words by Aaron Blackett 31

Gl am

It is that time of the year that we either love or hate. It doesn’t always have to be an occasion about love and romance and chocolates and roses and... (well you get the idea!) It can be an occasion to celebrate self-confidence and unconditional self-love, as well as unconditional love towards your family and friends! And let’s not forget, this is a perfect occasion for glam! So, whether you’re celebrating with your partner, family or best pals, here is a guide on how to create the perfect look for Valentine’s Day!

Words by Simran Singh

Soft Glam Sticking with the classic pinky colours for Valentines, if you’re someone that prefers to keep things natural, then this is the perfect look for you. Vanessa Hudgens is a celebrity who keeps things simple by focussing on the glow factor –dewy base, shimmery lids and glossy lips. This is perfect for day or night. To make sure your base has got that amazing Valentine’s glow, use a dewy foundation or mix any facial oil or illuminator to your foundation and buff into the skin to create that natural finish. To enhance that glow from within, go easy on the powder. Apply a pink, rose gold or copper shimmery eyeshadow to the centre of your eye lids and then add some blusher onto the apples of your cheeks. Next, apply a nude or rosy pink lip gloss. To achieve this glowy look you CANNOT forget to add highlighter. Don’t be afraid to apply as generously as you want to onto the high points of your cheeks, bridge of the nose and on your brow bone to create that beautiful sparkle.

Red Lip

Since its Valentine’s Day, you can’t forget about the classic red lip. There are so many different shades of red you can work with to suit your look as well as your personality. If you want something classic and bold, go for a traditional red shade. If you’re feeling cute or want something different from the traditional shade of red, I suggest going for a coral toned lipstick instead. This is one of my favourite colours for day time as it goes with all skin tones and looks soft and natural compared to your traditional bold red lip. However, if you want something quite daring, go for a dark berry red lip shade which is perfect for the evening. All these lip shades can be paired with minimal make up or a subtle smoky eyeor winged eyeliner.

BEAUTY

Val e n t i ne ’ s

Pretty in Pink

Pink eyeshadow looks amazing on any skin tone and Urban Decay have recently launched the amazing Naked Cherry Pallet which has all the beautiful matte and shimmery pink, red and purple tones to create an eyeshadow look that says Valentine’s day loud and clear. Create your eyeshadow as described in the smoky eyeshadow look and build the intensity of the pink as suited to your choice. Add a light shimmer to the centre of the eyelids and smoke out the pink eyeshadow underneath your bottom lash line. This creates the ‘halo effect’ as you have surrounded the shimmer all around with beautiful pink tones. If you prefer matte looks instead of shimmer, you can create a range of different eyeshadow looks using the matte pink and berry tone shades to create a pink smoky eye look. This palette is so versatile and allows you to create a look that is perfect for both day and night.

Full Glam

When we’re talking full glam, it doesn’t necessarily mean slapping loads of products on your face. For me, a full glam look simply means taking that extra bit of time to focus on certain areas of your face to accentuate your features and look slightly different from your everyday makeup look.The smoky eye is perfect for a romantic date night or a night out with your friends. To achieve this look, make sure your base is flawless and your lip colour is not too loud in order for the eyes to be the centre of the attention. Start by working in a warm brown eyeshadow in the crease and blend away using a windshield-wiper motion.To create some more dimension, go in with a darker brown, stamping it into the outer ‘V’ of your eye and gradually buffing away to blend seamlessly with the other shades. Finally, to make your eyes pop, add a shimmery copper shade into the centre of your eye using your ringfinger and build up the colour. Add the same shade of brown you used in your crease underneath your bottom lash line to smoke out the eyes. Pair with a soft brown lipstick and voila! Your smoky Valentine’s glam is complete!

As January Blues finally start to subside and you begin to tear down the motivational notes you’ve plastered on the woodchip-walls of your horrible rented bedroom, a faint sound starts to be heard. Is that singing you hear? Birds tweeting? The soft sound of a heart-felt sigh? That’s right everyone, Valentine’s Day is upon us once more! If - by some miracle this year you’ve managed to actually bag someone to spend Valentine’s day with, you’re probably starting to stress about what on earth you can possibly do to show that special someone you really care. Perhaps like me, your bank account has recently fallen out of love with you. It’s not you it’s me it whispers. Oh Santander, you reply through mascara soaked tears... why must you always play me like this? Basically, to cut the dramatics, the headline news is: I am skint. Unfortunately, the capitalist love fest must go on. So I decided for my sake and yours to compile some ideas to show your loved one you care without completely bankrupting yourself.

Dates

Presents for any significant other is always a dangerous territory particularly when you’ve got absolutely no money. Throughout my in depth experience of overdraft life, I’ve learnt that actually a thoughtful or more creative gift goes a long way. If you’re an artistic person, why not try making something for that special someone? I have a friend who loves to knit so always gives little knitted presents to people. It shows that you love someone because you’ve spent time on them. If knitting isn’t your thing, what about baking? Make someone some biscuits or a cake even, it’ll take an afternoon and you’ll look like a domestic queen/king (not to mention your flat will smell amazing!). Perhaps though, this all seems a bit daunting. If so, what about making a photo album? It is totally easy and yet appears very well thought out and caring. There are loads of websites and apps where you can print photos cheap or ‘shock’, for free. Even if you haven’t got loads of pictures together, you can start a photo album with someone and give it to them to fill the rest!

So you’ve got the present down but now it’s time for the all important date. Imagine that perfect candlelit table, the red wine and the romance flowing. Cupid’s sharp arrow has pierced your heart... It’s a lovely scene. The problem, however, with wining and dining someone is that it is so cripplingly expensive. Restaurants are of course delightful but at the moment the only thing my budget allows is a side salad and a tap water. I’ve come up with a solution: cooking. That’s right friends, dust off those pots and pans! Even if you can’t cook, who doesn’t love a nice pesto pasta? I would literally kiss anyone who made some pesto pasta. Literally anyone. Perhaps you want to go for a day date vibe rather than a romantic meal, keep it casual... what about going for a walk? Okay, okay that sounds really boring I know but London is full of beautiful and romantic places that you can walk around in totally free of charge. For example, Greenwich. Greenwich is absolutely gorgeous and a nice walk up to the observatory to look over our fair nation’s capital is bound to get any heart racing. If a walk is not your style and like me you prefer the great indoors, you could organise a film day. Pick a couple of films your significant other may enjoy, make a nice cosy den in your room, bring the snacks and let the romance blossom over an open bag of sweet and salty popcorn. Films are great. Snacks are great. How could you possibly go wrong? At the end of the day, it really is the thought that counts. If you love, like or even merely tolerate someone, sparing a couple of minutes to think about them and what they would like will mean more to them than any fancy present or date night. When all is said and done, Valentine’s Day is just a chance to tell someone what they mean to you. This article also applies to singletons if they wish to spend the day with friends, family, or even alone –because love has no limits and Valentine’s Day doesn’t exclude anybody.

F E AT U R E S

VALENTINE’S DAY ON A BUDGET

Presents

WORDS BY FRAN SPRE

nyone ever felt bad for not having someone on Valentine’s Day? Yup, we’ve all been there. The 21st century has done a great job in creating a set of fake celebrations that essentially are just good for business. Gift card sales are up, chocolate sales are up, flower sales are up, condom sales are peaking through the roof. However, also the suicide rates go up in spring, also the number of filings for divorce, and let’s not think about the carbon emissions necessary to transport a gazillion perfect roses from God knows where to your city. There is a downside of V-Day. It’s an illusion and movies are a large contributor to this illusion. Remember when you first heard about Snow White or Rapunzel? Sure, when you were very little. We are raised with stories that tell us how to act. Abandoning the fairy-tales, we turn to other narratives like comics, books, films and games. Some of them educate us by showing what is ‘good’, others celebrate the exact opposite of that, and then there are those narratives that try to educate but actually do a terrible job, and romantic comedies typically fall into this category lately. A big issue of many romantic comedies like Valentine’s Day, Friends with Benefits, Hitch etc. is that they programme us into believing that human beings are inherently incomplete. That from the moment we leave the womb, we have a hole in our soul that only one person can fill. And if we don’t find and keep that person, we are either loners and losers or become megalomaniac

billionaires. And this is way too simplistic. Those films work because they use the narrative technique of the hero’s journey; there’s a stable status quo, something disrupts the status and then someone sets out to find a solution in order to re-establish harmony. In ancient tales, it was Ulysses fighting the cyclops, and today it’s Jason Statham fighting the megalodon or teenagers and 40-year-old men fighting to lose their virginity. It is a great formula. However, in modern times, this formula is often dramatically simplified to result in sex, relationships and marriage. Sure, those may be pretty cool goals to have, but what about all the other areas of personal growth? What about finding out what you want from life? What about not wanting to be in a relationship? What about discovering your identity besides sex? What about not knowing what is going on? Hollywood’s output lacks narratives that focus on the things besides sex and relationships. Every once in a while, there is a movie about those neglected aspects like The Breakfast Club or Frances Ha, but they tend to be easily forgotten besides the noise. Don’t get me wrong, recent movies like How to Be Single or Crazy Rich Asians can be fun, but they simply programme us into striving after an utterly one-sided and simplified way of life that might not actually exist. So, whether you like Valentine’s day or not, here is a list of honest films that celebrate life, single or not, and all its facets.

FILM

Valentine’s Craze: A Re-evaluation • This is Where I Leave You • 303 (2018): Or why trying not to fall in love on a road-trip doesn’t work. Jule and (2014): Love and loss, to put it simply. When their father dies, four adult siblings are forced to spend one week at their mom’s house and show us that we’re all one beautiful dysfunctional family.

Jan drive from Germany to Portugal while discussing everything from why monogamy works (or doesn’t) to not wanting to know who your real dad is. This German film is for the brave and the curious!

• The Full Monty (1997): If you • Minimalism: A Documentary haven’t seen this, you’ve missed out! A group About the Important Things of unemployed factory-workers in Sheffield (2015): Minimalism is a trend that’s decide to put on a one-time-only strip show to pay their bills.

becoming increasingly popular in our age of excess. This documentary is about why less is more. (On Netflix).

• Happy (2011): You probably guessed • High Fidelity (2000): V-Day as it, a film about happiness. (On Netflix).

in Vinyl Day. Revolving around the owner of Championship Records and his friends, this film is for the music geeks with a hint of V-Day in it.

And that’s it. If you don’t like Valentine’s Day, that’s cool, pick a movie. If you like Valentines but are alone, pick a movie. If you like Valentines and you have someone, pick a movie.

Words By Florian Kasperski 37

SEX

A Positive Sexual Atmosphere THIS VALENTINE’S DAY Valentines Day, the day of love, right? Well, where there’s love, naturally there is sex! Think about it: all that chocolate, wine and lingerie is an enhancement of sex but unfortunately, unless it is an advertisement for durex or Anne Summers, sex has been put on the back burner and hidden in the sock drawer. Sex should be positively shown throughout social media, especially in relation to Valentine’s Day. This year Lush has launched two bath bombs dedicated to the sexual organs through the iconic peach and aubergine emoji and this is the ONLY positive sex advertisement that I have seen! Sex should be openly spoken about, allowing discussion and comfortability to discuss sex. Valentine’s Day is a perfect way to engage in positive sexual acts with your partner, purchasing items that will enhance your sex life and allow you to approach sex in a light and comical way! So, here’s some advice on how to have a positive sexual atmosphere on Valentine’s Day this year:

HAVE SEX BEFORE YOU GET ALL DRESSED UP AND GO ON YOUR DATE! This might seem strange as Romance films have always shown two lovers having sex after a meal, falling into each other’s drunken arms. However, have sex before you stuff yourself silly with delicious food, wine and cheese cake! Do you know why?... because food and alcohol will make you sleepy and bloated and you will feel way less attractive in that little lacey number once your stomach is bloated and your breath stinks of garlic sauce! Have sex before to work up an appetite and then once you are home from your date, no one says you cannot have lazy sex and fall asleep straight after if that is your thing!

TOYS

ARE BETTER CHOCOLATE!

THAN

Who needs chocolate and jewellery when you can buy your partner a sex toy that will enhance both of your pleasure? Pleasure for both parties seems like a win win to me! Buying a sex toy can be nerve wracking and anxiety provoking but during the Valentine’s Day period, companies who sell these products specialise in ways to disguise them! Speaking of experimenting, asking your partner about their fantasies and desires can be a great way to enhance the chemistry between you two and maybe you can experiment with each other and fulfil those desires!

UNISEX

HOW TO HAVE

SEXTING... CAN BE A GOOD THING, RIGHT? In today’s age of social media, sexting can be a very dangerous thing. Sadly, people can manipulate texts and/or images and use them against previous partners, however light play and sexual conversations are healthy for couples! Perhaps do not send a fully naked photo of yourself, but a flirtatious text to your partner can be a great way to start the romance early. Of course, remember to stay safe when sexting and DO NOT send anything to the wrong person!

SPOONING

GOOD

TOO!

Sometimes the stars do not align and sadly sex is off the table, however you must respect your partner’s choices and wishes. Do not pressure your partner into having sex or using sex toys if they do not want to. February 14th is not the only day that you can celebrate Valentine’s Day or have sex, there are 11 other 14th’s throughout the year and many other ways to show your partner that you love them! Therefore, my main piece of advice is to experiment with a partner! Have fun exploring things for the first time and engaging in kinks or desires you both might have. No matter how heated the scene is, how badly you both want to rip each other’s clothes off and celebrate Valentine’s Day under the covers, do not forget protection and consent!

DO NOT FORGET THE PROTECTION! Valentine’s Day sex can be extremely passionate in the heat of the moment, however, still remember protection! Condoms, a diaphragm or any other method of protection should still be used even when the mood is heated. If you’re on a first date with someone on Valentine’s Day or just having a casual sexual encounter with someone, always remember your sexual health. Never let your partner force you to not use protection because it ‘isn’t sexy’ or it will ‘ruin the mood’, Valentine’s Day is NO excuse for unsafe sex!

Words by Demi Whitnell

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