“Don’t go around being funny twenty-four-seven, how annoying would that be?” Arts meet Stephen K. Amos. Read the full interview on pages 30-31
The University of Exeter’s Independent Student Newspaper
Since 1987
Tuesday 15 October 2013 • Issue 613 • www.exepose.ex.ac.uk • Twitter: @Exepose • www.facebook.com/Exepose
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Format of ‘Blurred Lines’ vote changed Emily Tanner Deputy Editor
Respect Concert postponed after alleged sexist slurs from headliner EXCLUSIVE Jon Jenner Editor EXEPOSÉ has learnt that the Exeter Respect Concert has been postponed indefinitely, following accusations that planned headliner Tim Westwood made sexist comments whilst performing at a student union. The concert was originally due to take place on 25 October, but will not have a new date scheduled until the promoter has investigated the accusations and given Mr Westwood the chance to clarify his position on equality. Mr Westwood left BBC Radio 1 earlier this year after a 20 year career at the station, during which time he has
also hosted the UK version of cult-show Pimp My Ride and won three MOBO awards for Best UK Radio DJ. Mr Westwood, 56, was performing at Leicester University on Saturday 5 October for 2,000 students, as the headliner of the University’s ‘We <3 R&B’ event – part of their Freshers’ Week programme. According to a number of students at the event, Mr Westwood made a number of offensive comments to the crowd over his microphone, including: “Girl in the front row in the black dress, I’ll be f***ing you tonight”, and “Girls, keep your p***ies tight and clean”. Mr Westwood also allegedly said to a member of the crowd, “Security have told me you need to wear a sports bra”, and dedicated a song to “All the girls
Features: Talk to Chancellor Floella Benjamin OBE - PAGE 11
with clean wet p***ies”. The Tab Cambridge, who initially reported the comments, have been threatened with legal action from Mr Westwood’s representatives, for misappropriating lyrics from reggae songs as sexist comments. This is despite numerous testimonies from students attending the event saying that they felt his comments were offensive to the crowd. Dr Suaad Genem-George, on behalf of the Exeter Respect Chair, said: “Exeter Respect have a zero tolerance policy on all forms of prejudice – both implicit and explicit – and we explicitly condemn any form of sexism. “If the comments that have allegedly been made are true, then we condemn them clearly and firmly as inappropriate.
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“We fully support all students as they are the new generation to promote Equality, Diversity and Human Rights”. The concert has been organised by Urban Treats Entertainment as a celebration of diversity during Black History Month. Exeter Respect have leant their name to the event in order to promote their values of diversity and equality. Chris Rootkin, VP Welfare and Community, said: “I am pleased to see that the allegations of inappropriate behaviour and remarks made by Tim Westwood are being investigated by the promoter of the Exeter Respect Concert. I and the Students’ Guild take matters of respect, diversity and dignity very seriously and I fully support any action that seeks to promote these CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Games: Provide special coverage of Eurogamer - PAGE 35
ON 21 October a vote will commence to determine whether Robin Thicke’s popular, though highly controversial hit, ‘Blurred Lines’ will be banned around campus. Recent changes passed by the Democracy Committee will change the way in which this vote will now operate and may ultimately alter the outcome. In previous votes, such as last year’s vote on The Sun, students had the option to vote either YES or NO. In the upcoming vote on ‘Blurred Lines’ and those that follow in the future students will have the option to vote in three different ways. Firstly there will be the option to Ban ‘Blurred Lines’ from being played in all Guild outlets and across the official student media, an action will which also incorporate an official condemnation of the song. The next option will be to Condemn the song – the current NO campaign - which will result in the release of a press statement from the Guild condemning the objectionable lyrics but not an implementation of a ban. Finally students can vote for No Change leaving ‘Blurred Lines’ available to be played around campus and with no condemnation of the song’s content. There is currently no campaign group for this option. President of Labour Students Daniel Richards commented that: “I am annoyed that such changes were rushed through without any consultation with students outside the Guild. These changes will have an impact on how campaigning societies run our campaigns on campus and we were only informed after they had gone through.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 FIND US ONLINE AT
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