FARID THE ZINE | THE EVOLUTION ISSUE |Winter 2020

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EVOLUTION

Editor’s Note WOW, what a crazy year we’ve all had (and it’s only October). Our lives have been turned upside down and inside out. Being honest I don’t think any of us know what on earth is going on. With this being said it it’s been great for us all to try and make best of a bad situation. Whether that’s been spending more time with family members, getting out and about more, or using our extra time to get creative. For the first issue of the year we felt that Evolution was a fitting theme. We’ve all had to change our lifestyles, adapting and getting to know what our new normal looks like. Whether it’s working from home or just remembering to pick up your mask on your way out the door! Being handed the reins of Farid at such an uncertain time is a daunting prospect but I cannot wait to get started with this amazing opportunity. Over the last couple of months, being online, learning, and creating, has been at the forefront of everyone’s life. The making of a zine more exciting project than ever. I’m confident that we have a team that will continue to create content that is educational, informative and, most importantly, provides some form of escapism from the current stress of everyday life.

From film, to music, to climate change, our new team of writers has come out swinging in this issue. We look back on things that happened over the chaotic summer, as well as scanning the future for a brighter horizon. Troy provides a touching tribute to one of his heroes, Amy tell us why we need to now more than ever wake up to the reality of climate change and, on a more lighthearted note, Hannah documents the evolution of one of our favourite heart throbs. As we say a sad farewell to the OG Agony AJ, Holly takes on the challenge of providing all the answers we need to our endless life questions! We have so many new contributors in this issue I am so excited to show off the endless talent and creativity in one amazing zine. We hope that within this issue we can provide a new take on Farid, the zine you know and love, with a few laughs along the way! So grab a brew (or a bev!) and enjoy our first issue of the year. The new generation of Farid showing what we’ve got!

Megan Smith

Online Editor Note With the theme of evolution, Farid has taken an opportunity to evolve itself with new team members and its two new editors. 2020, am I right? No matter who you are, you know what that means. Nevertheless, we’re still here and ready to get back into the groove of things. As Online Editor of Farid, I am ready to steer the magazine into a new era, creating content that isn’t just readable but also watchable to reach out to a wider audience. I will be introducing some people you may already know from outside the university, but also give my peers a platform. If you’ve read Farid before, you know that I’m the pop culture guy. Nothing is changing in that respect, I’m still going to be in that department, giving you reviews, comic book history lessons and much more. However, if 2020 has taught me anything it’s how to evolve and I’ll be branching off into other topics. I know that quarantine sort of put a spanner in the works for many people, so I’m going to be talking more about mental health, organisation and how to improve yourself. I also want to focus on music because it’s given me an escape through these weird times. Weekly, and in the magazine, there will be my picks for the week/month, so keep your eyes out for that. Our team is ready to launch Farid into a new era, building on the zine you already know.

Each article you see is a piece of each writer, I know we always say this but it really does take a village of people to do this, we’re all a team here and I couldn’t be prouder to be partly leading. I hope you enjoy the latest issue. Your new Online Editor, Troy Milan Harrison

Designer’s Note Guess who doesn’t have professional pictures like our lovely editors? Instead I drew a cute picture, why not? im a creative anyway... With the upcoming Issue there has been a lot of things to tackle within our climate, yet this has not held us back and we are now EVOLVING more than ever, let this issue a testament to us all; that no matter the consequences, we all are capable of adapting overcoming and excelling no matter what, as our editor mentioned were leading with this concept for a reason, we want to bring a lighter feel for the magazine were alos looking to branch out with more departments. If you have anything you would like to show off, or feel like your work could be added in here feel free to get in contact via FARID’s Instagram because we are constantly looking for talented people to include in the magazine. I would also like to thank our designers this term, you guys have excelled. Thank you. Edina Balog

Special thanks to Kaityln Anna and Dallon Morris for helping designing this issue, and elizzzlle on Instagram for the art on the cover and the back!

Back to schoolseries...

My name is Sofia, I am a film production graduate of the University of Gloucestershire. Since I started the course I had an interest for photography and compositions in framing. I learned how to create not just films that I proud of, but photography which expresses who I am.

inspiration for my photo series from the subjects of the photos themselves, and the movement of the sport. I always find it fun to explore new angles, settings and times of day to take photos, I like exploring the different outcomes I can achieve.

The inspiration for the collection of these photos comes from my passion for sports photography, in particular skating. I take a lot of

Sofia Thorpe

Agony Aunt I am a 19 year old virgin Dear Agony Aunt, I am a first year student who, to put it bluntly, has never had sex. Ever since secondary school, when all my friends started to lose their virginity, I have been sat around wondering why not me and am I lacking something that other girls have? I am the last one in my group to have sex and I feel like this is a really bad thing and to be honest I feel kind of embarrassed because all of my friends were doing the deed when they were 15 and 16 and here I am a 19 year old, first year of uni VIRGIN!! Am I doing something wrong? Should I be feeling this way or is it normal? Thanks, The Virgin Mary

Dear Virgin Mary, Let me start off by saying VIRGINS CAN BE SEXY TOO! Just look at Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey, I mean she was a pure, unexperienced virgin at the start of the series and she rocked it. I am pretty sure I have seen articles where women are selling their virginity, you could totally hop onto that band waggon -FYI I am definitely joking! On a slightly more serious note, you don’t need to even feel worried about this. Waiting, and not forcing, it is always the best and right option. Yeah you are 19 and lots of people around you aren’t in your position but just own it and know that it isn’t the end of the world -even if you might feel like it is! Trust me, your girlfriends will not care that you are the only one who hasn’t had sex yet. You aren’t doing anything wrong and you don’t need to feel the pressure to change

to “fit in.” Ignore the stigmas and stereotypes and just own it! It will happen when it happens and that is normal! Good luck, Agony Aunt.

My boyfriend won’t leave me alone Don’t get me wrong, I love my boyfriend and I love spending time with him, but recently I’ve been struggling as he is round my house constantly! As I said I love spending time with him and he gets on with all my friends and stuff but how do I tell him I just want my own space without hurting his feelings! I just don’t want it to come across in the wrong way, please help! From a guilty girlfriend

Dear Guilty Girlfriend, Clingy, clingy, clingy. These are the words going round and round my head right now. Don’t get me wrong, this can be flattering, he clearly loves your company and look, it could be worse, he could be distant, but I HEAR YOUR PAIN! You cannot lose yourself and your independence in your relationship! You can either put it bluntly and say it as it is, WARNING: this can be a risk and can lead to arguments!! Or you can just start making plans and keep them to yourself. Your boyfriend does not need to know about everything you’re doing. This way he cannot invite himself or find a way to turn up! Regain your freedom and don’t feel ashamed to say to your boyfriend that you want to do things without him and that you want your own space sometimes. I have my fingers crossed for you that he will understand! Agony Aunt.

Agony Aunt (cont) My best friend won’t stop texting her ex So, after breaking up a couple months ago as things weren’t working out, my friend has started texting her ex again. I thought she was doing okay and we had been going out and doing fun girly stuff to take her mind off it. However recently, she’s told me she’s started texting him again and it’s clear to see it’s upsetting her and not going anywhere productive! While obviously, as her best mate, I’m always going to support her, it’s a very frustrating situation to have to give her the same advice over and over! How do I support her as a friend but tell her she shouldn’t be doing this?!! A frustrated best friend

Dear frustrated best friend, Someone once told me, ‘never go back to what broke you’ and it has stuck with me till this day. Getting rid of an ex can be hard and it is something that takes time. Oh and a lot of support. You MUST tread lightly here, you do not want to upset her more than she is upset and confused already. Your friend probably has many, many emotions at the moment so she will definitely need your help. All you can do is give her advice in a kind, friendly and empathetic way. Sell her the classic lines: there’s plenty of fish in the sea, you don’t need a man, men are trash, the man of your dreams is out there... and if she doesn’t listen, you have tried and she will have to learn from the pain and heartbreak again the hard way. I am sorry you’re frustrated and that you feel like you’re repeating yourself but hey if it happens to you in the future, at least the words of wisdom will be drilled into your brain! Good luck, Agony Aunt.

When is too soon to say the L word? I’ve been with this boy for a couple of months and I have really strong feelings for him. Our relationship is great, we have so much fun together and we have said the L word to each other! But after talking to my friends they were shocked that we had already said we loved each other. This made me worry slightly, have I just got overexcited and rushed into it? or shall I just ignore it and go with how I feel? An over thinker Dear over thinker, Just bloody ignore it and go with how you feel! I totally think the L word has become a massive deal when it doesn’t really need to be. Love comes in many forms and depths after all. You can love someone on a surface level and then love them even harder once you get further into knowing them and the relationship! There is definitely stages to love. If your relationship is fun and exciting and you think it is going well then who cares what anyone else thinks, even if it is your friends. You said the massively, overly hyped L word (dw not a big deal!) as that was how you felt in the moment and we all know we cannot control feelings.

You do you girl. At the end of the day, no one knows how you feel so go with your head and your heart!

Agony Aunt. - Holly Ostle

Am I worthy of love?

Sexual abuse can leave a permanent scar and even as life moves on and you learn to cope, intimacy and sex can still be a struggle. TW: sexual abuse, mental illness.

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Words by Rachel Roberts

TAKE FARID EVERHWERE YOU GO @FARIDTHEZINE

A GENTLE REMINDER THAT THE EARTH IS DYING...

As our society has evolved, advances in technology have made the way we live easier. However, at the same time they have also lead to negative impacts on the planet and climate change is now an issue more deadly than ever. We need to face the facts and start educating ourselves before its too late, here are some of my top picks of programs, podcasts and websites to get in the know! NETFLIX OUR PLANET, 2019 A series of beautifully shot images of animals, landscapes and the ocean, voiced by everyone’s go-to guy on nature, David Attenborough. That’s why you shouldn’t leave ‘Our Planet’ off your Watch List. EXPLAINED: S1, E2 THE WORLD’S WATER CRISIS & S2, E3 THE FUTURE OF MEAT, 2018 Did you know Cape Town is planning to indefinitely ration its water supply? No, me neither, until I watched this. These 20-minute episodes will give you more understanding into

these environmental issues. Exploring a range of topics, narrated by some familiar voices, and with snappy clips and graphics you should watch the entire series of this show.

COWSPIRACY: THE SUSTAINABILITY SECRET, 2014 A documentary showing how the meat and dairy industry is the biggest and leading cause to climate change, ocean dead zones, and species extinction. Shocking evidence showing how the little things you thought you were doing to help

reduce the effects of climate change, don’t really do anything in the big scheme of things. There are some disturbing images, but this is an essential watch to fully understand the cause of this climate emergency. BBC IPLAYER

EXTINCTION: THE FACTS, 2020 Sir David is at it again with another stunning, yet informative nature documentary. Here he explores why biodiversity is vanishing at shocking rates.

SIMON AMSTELL: CARNAGE, 2017 An alternative take on a documentary about the impacts of animal agriculture, this mockumentary is set in 2067, and ‘looks back at Britain’s animal eating past.’ Starring Martin Freeman and Alex Lawther.

STACEY DOOLEY: FASHION’S DIRTY SECRET, 2019 A great film on how the production of cotton and fast fashion pollutes waterways and harms our environment. Unfortunately, this documentary is not currently available on iPlayer, so get your TV guides out and look out for the next time this episode airs.

SPOTIFY PODCASTS BBC EARTH PODCAST In 30 mins or less, hear ‘intimate stories and surprising truths about nature, science and human experience.’ A light-hearted podcast full of fun facts about the unseen world, a river that is legally a person, to bio-inspired robotics and dung beetles.

CLIMATE CHANGE FOR BEGINNERS: AN EXTINCTION REBELLION PODCAST Scientist and activist, Ciarán O’Carroll, answers frequently asked questions on climate change, in episodes lasting no longer than six minutes. Topics covered include how COVID-19 has positively impacted the environment.

CLIMATE QUEENS Tackling fast fashion, recycling and more, these two friends who care about the environment host a monthly podcast that aims ‘to raise awareness about the effect that we, as humans, are having on our shared planet and what we can do about it.’

WEBSITES NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM/ ENVIRONMENT This prestigious magazine has tons of resources online for you to educate yourself on the environment and climate change, including articles, videos, and images.

CLIMATE.NASA.GOV Head here for more interesting reads, graphs and statistical information.

FOOTPRINT.WWF.ORG.UK How big is your environmental footprint? What can you do to reduce your impact? Find out here.

VEGANCALCULATOR.COM A calculator to find out figures on the impact you have made by making the lifestyle change of being vegan or vegetarian. For example, after being veggie for four years, it is estimated that I have not eaten 875 animals and saved almost 7000 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. by

Amy Missin

Halloween isn’t cancelled “In the real world, Halloween is when kids dress up in costumes and beg for candy. In Girl World, Halloween is the one day a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything else about it.” If you don’t already know where this quote is from you definitely need to get to know. With Halloween looking like it’ll be extremely different this year, it’s proving harder to get into the mood for spooky season. Despite this, we’ve pulled together our favourite halloween feel good, and some less feel good, films to get you in the spirit (without the need for crowded clubs and questionable outfits!)

Mean girls - 2004 Okay okay, it might not be the first thing you think of when imagining halloween films, however they go to a halloween party, so that counts right? The 2004 teen comedy sees Cady Heron joining a new school after being homeschooled her whole life and being hit with the plastics. It’s a must watch, whatever time of the year!

Halloween -2018 Said to be the ‘best horror movie of 2018’ this thriller sees Michael Myers escape after being locked up in an institution. Laurie faces a nightmare when the madman returns to Haddonfield. This one is definitely a choice for those who want something to make them hide behind the sofa.

Addams family -1991 This classic is a supernatural black comedy film based on characters from the cartoon created by Charles Addams and 1964 Tv series. This is a film that is guaranteed to get you in the mood for spooky season.

IT -2017 If you weren’t scared of clowns before you will be after watching this. A 2017 film based on Stephen King’s 1986 book. The film follows 7 children who are confronted by the blood thirsty clown pennywise, the evil being who emerges from the sewers every 27 years to prey on the towns children.

Friday the 13th -2009 If the date itself isn’t enough to send shivers in your spine this film is bound to .The 2009 film Friday 13th is the most recent in the extensive American horror franchise. It follows a group of young adults visit a boarded up campsite where they encounter Jason Voorhees and his deadly intentions.

Wallace and Gromit- Curse of the were-rabbit – 2005 Now for something slightly less hard hitting. In this feel good adventure, the well loved characters Wallace and Gromit are needed to rescue the village and vegetable competition from the huge veg mad beast that is the were-rabbit. A nostalgic favourite for all ages.

Beetlejuice- 1988 Lets be honest, anything directed by Tim Burton has some-what spooky feel to it, and the same is true for this classic comedy horror. In this film a deceased couple try to haunt the new inhabitants of their home with help of devious ghost Betelgeuse.

By Megan Smith

Fashionably late... A Whole New Meaning to Fashionably Late With the average size for a woman in the UK being a size 16, it is safe to say that the fashion industry’s sample sizes 4-8 are not representative ofthe consumers to which they sell. So, with that in mind, is it time to bring the fashion industry’s attitudes towards inclusivity and diversity into the 21 st Century? Fashion is a global industry worth £2 trillion and generates more than £30billion in revenue per year in the UK alone. Based on innovation and predicting consumer trends, the fashion industry is built upon appearancesand driven by exclusivity. But, in a world that is crying out for inclusivity now more than ever, it begs the question; ‘‘is the fashion industry is late to thetrend of diversity?’’ According to a report published by The Guardian, a staggering “78.2% of all models featured in Spring 2016’s fashion adverts were white”, all of which were presumably of the fashion industry’s sample sizes 4-8. The 2010 Equality Act places a duty on all public-sector organisations to “advance equality of opportunity between people from different groups”, whether that be race or size. Some may argue that the fashion industry is yet to play its part in acting on the government’s legislation in diversifying a very highly publicised industry. Several commentators have said that the UK government’s legislation does not go far enough to protect those within the fashion industry, and the people affected by it.

Unlike other European countries, such as France and Italy, the UK doesn’t currently have laws in place to ensure the health of models, diversity on the runway, or the use of digitally edited imagery in mainstream publications. It also doesn’t have any laws in place to enforce diversity and equal representation across the more general fashion sector. In 2017, the French government passed a law that means all models must now have a medical certificate, including their healthy BMI,, and digitally edited images must now be labelled. This law was passed in a bid to protect models and the young people living in the country from unhealthy and unrealistic standards of beauty. Whilst this may not encourage equality in terms of race within fashion, it does mean that the health of models is at the forefront of the French fashion industry, and runway models are slowly but surely becoming more representative of the population. You may ask “why does the fashion industry need to be more inclusive?” And “why are governments intervening?”. Well, it is that an estimated 40% of models may currently be suffering from some kind of eating disorder, (Medical News Today, 2007). There are also wider impacts on society that stem from the industry’s lack of diversity- for example plus size women are often unable to find clothes in high street stores, or the lack of representation for Black, Hispanic and Asian women in the modelling community. But, when the driving force behind fashion is exclusivity, why should brands make fashion more inclusive? Whilst there are many benefits for consumers in diversifying the fashion industry with the likes of ASOS Curve and many other inclusive fashion lines,

there are also various positives for fashion designers, manufacturers and brands too. According to McKinsey & Co, they found that “the least diverse companies, in both gender and ethnic terms, are 29% more likely to underperform in terms of profitability”. So, whether it is on the runway or in their head office, fashion brands are statistically more likely to be financially successful if they incorporate diversity and inclusivity throughout their business. Not to mention, research shows that the new generations (Millennials and Generation Z), who are projected to outnumber Baby Boomers by 2030, “respond to marketing that is relevant, authentic and reflects diversity”. By making fashion more inclusive, brands are likely to see a greater turnover, receive positive publicity and are able to be at the forefront of positive change in society. So, whilst the industry may be fashionably late to inclusivity, it has no choice but to become more representative of society, because the trend of diversity is here to stay. Use #FaridFashion on Instagram and Twitter to let us know your thoughts on inclusivity in the fashion industry and what you think could be done to improve it for generations to come.

-Megan Griffiths

Troy’s Playlist Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 6 months, everyone has been spending extra time at home because of COVID-19. Personally, it hasn’t been the most fun I’ve ever had but this time has made me appreciate music more and more. I used to put one band on over and over again, thinking that was my music taste, however, being in quarantine has let my taste evolve. I’m saying this because there are some songs that I just put on repeat all throughout my time at home, so I’ve picked 8 of them to talk about. Think of these as my Spotify recommendations. -Troy Milan Harrison 1. Eben: Sad Song

I saw this guy open the last concert that I went to, and he was insane. The guy knows how to get a show started, there’s no doubt about that. However, whilst in quarantine, Eben released his brand new EP ‘Honeydew’ and honestly all the songs are really good. My favourite song on the EP that we’re talking about here is ‘Sad Song’, it’s sort of like a somber R&B classic that you can put on the background and hum to. When reading the title I thought “it’s going to be a ballad” but it’s quite the opposite. If you’re going through a hard time, break up or you just feel a bit low and want a boost of confidence, this song is what you need.

2. Frank Ocean: Pink + White

Can’t go wrong with a bit of Frank Ocean. I know it looked like half the country did, but I didn’t get around to visiting a beach this summer which kind of sucks. So putting this song on, sitting in my back garden and sipping on a Strongbow was the next best thing. If you haven’t heard this song, it’s a song that you listen to when you need to de-stress, if you’re into meditating and clearing your head then give this song a go whilst you wind down, an instant winner.

3. Paloma Faith: Never Tear Us Apart

Not going to lie, I sort of missed my friends when being stuck inside and not being able to see any of them. Somedays it felt like I’d generally never see them again, so I put this song on and feel emotions. This song featured in my favourite TV show and ever since I heard it play, I’ve fallen in love with it time and time again. This song is a cover (the original is by INXS) but I do prefer this one because of Paloma’s smokey voice. I might just listen to it again...brb, I’m going to cry for 3 minutes.

4. Lil Nas X: Panini

I know that he’s a little bit of a meme but Lil Nas X’s ‘Panini’ is 100 times better than ‘Old Town Road’ (but that’s probably because the latter was overplayed). Panini’s electronic beat is as infectious as the chorus that everyone can’t stop singing to. I kind of like the whistling at the start as well, it kind of links back to the country roots of ‘Old Town Road’. As an actual artist, Lil Nas is changing the game, people should take him more seriously because his short but sweet songs become the talking point of “ everyone’s day. The way he markets his songs is genius, really.

5. Gerard Way: Here Comes The End

When Umbrella Academy: Dallas was announced with a little teaser of the cast dancing my interest peaked. When the trailer for the Netflix Original came out not only was I excited about the show, I also needed to know where the song from the trailer was from. The song itself is extremely uplifting but with a dark message behind it, you can’t help but dance to it, yet it’s talking about the end of the world. I was never a fan of My Chemical Romance but Gerard really has a way of reinventing forgotten genres in music, he brings them up from the dead and gives them new life. Here Comes The End is no exception, so if you want to sing about the end of the world whilst doing your washing up, give it a go.

6. Joshua Bassett: Anyone Else

I subscribed to Disney+ when lockdown first started (yeah, I know. I’m a sucker for a Marvel film) and I was pleasantly surprised with High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, who knows? I might do a review about it. Anyway, one of the upcoming actors that stars in it, Joshua Bassett, caught my eyes because of the fact that he had the potential to be the next Shawn Mendes. I looked him up and realised that he released two songs so I listened to them both and was impressed. ‘Common Sense’ is good but ‘Anyone Else’ is the happiest song on my Spotify right now. I will say nothing more but check out the guitar riff because it’s so catchy.

7. Stay: Alessia Cara

This song came out three years ago but it reminds me of the summer of 2017, when we could actually go outside. I think I went to Greece that year and this song was always playing by the pool. Even if you don’t have any emotional connection to the song, you can’t help but get up and dance to it. Zedd features on this song which makes it a low-key dance anthem that everybody sleeps on. If you want an electronic anthem to blast out in your car, this one’s for you.

8. Maxine Nightingale: Right Back Where We Started

We have a major throwback now, 1976 to be exact. This uplifting disco classic will instantly put you in a good mood, however, just because it’s a dance song doesn’t mean it lacks vocals. Maxine Nightingale’s powerful voice carries the song into legendary status. I played this song when I saw my uni friends because of the fact that I was quite literally right back where I started. Also, yes, I’m a sucker for the Umbrella Academy soundtrack.

Uneasy lies the head... “Your very existence is wrapped up in things you need to fulfill. Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape your purpose” -Chadwick Boseman Today we’re going to pay our respects to the King of Wakanda not by breaking down his films but telling you the impact that he had on me. Chadwick

Boseman, in the short time that I watched him on the silver screen was a force of nature, when I first watched him in Civil War I genuinely had goosebumps at his introduction as the Black Panther. It wasn’t the fact that he had a cool suit, it wasn’t the fact that he displayed his powers in a cool way, it was the way that as a black actor, he was able to simply own the screen just by acting like King T’Challa. Chadwick Boseman played characters that demanded respect by walking onto the scene. That in itself impressed me. Black Panther was the first film I watched with my best friend and I will always hold that close, it’s not my favourite Marvel film but at the same time it was a film that broke boundaries all around the world. It grossed 1 billion, the soundtrack was playing on the radio every hour of the day and there were young black boys that were quickly flocking to buy Black Panther suits. As much as I wasn’t impressed with all of the film I can’t deny that I loved the cultural relevance T’Challa was making for himself. I always knew that a Black Panther film would be different but I didn’t expect one man and his film to make such an impact. Looking back, I admittedly didn’t realise how this man changed the game for Marvel films in general,Chadwick gave us the film that had a black man as the title character. There was someone that looked like me who had a Marvel film that was one of the most successful MCU outings at the time. I think Chadwick said it perfectly when he said: “People of African descent, most of us grew up accepting and loving Spider-Man. I still love Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk. I still have those characters that were white role models, superheroes and heroes - whatever you want to call it. You basically had no choice but to accept it” T’Challa broke the mould as he

was the hero that didn’t look like Spider-Man or Iron Man. To me, looking back there’s a sense of accomplishment that a superhero with the same colour skin as me had such a powerful impact on the world when his film came out. Moving on from his solo film, if you’ve seen Infinity War then you know that Wakanda has a big part of the movie. It’s where the big battle takes place and it’s where the Avengers lose. Even though he was a king that lost on a gigantic level, T’Challa still carried his people, he was in the face of a losing battle but he still had to carry his people that believed in him. With fiction mirroring reality, Chadwick was secretly facing his own battle with colon cancer. The actor put his body through strenuous hardship not only as he got into shape for countless movie roles, but also going through surgeries. Whilst doing all of this, the superhero (because who are we kidding, if anyone gets to be called a superhero it’s this guy) visited kids who were going through the same battle as him, Chadwick was their hero as he related to them in a way that they could never imagine. I won’t ramble on, but Chadwick Boseman was a man with grace, a man with pride, and a man with principles. I’m glad I got to see him on the silver screen when he was alive, his power and authority makes me proud to be a man of colour. “I don’t know what your future is, but if you are willing to take the harder way, the more complicated one, the one with more failures at first than successes, the one that has ultimately proven to have more meaning, more victory, more glory then you will not regret it. Now, this is your time.” - Chadwick Boseman, speaking to Howard University Troy Milan Harrison

Marvel Retrospect In April of 1938, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created something that became a beacon of light for a genre that would later be a juggernaut in pop culture. For $130, the two made a god-like being that was faster than a speeding bullet, a paragon that was more powerful than a locomotive and a hero that everyone saw a little bit of themselves in. Who was this awe inspiring figure? You and I know him as Superman.

two characters. The Human Torch and Namor the Sub Mariner. Unlike Superman before them, they weren’t idealised superheroes, they were freaks that were cursed with abnormalities instead of herculean gifts. Firstly, let’s talk about the Human Torch. You might be familiar with the Silver Age rendition of the character that is also a member of the Fantastic 4. However, before Johnny Storm took to the pages, there was Jim Hammond, an android that was created by Doctor Phineas Horton.

The android was a sight to behold but had one added effect, whenever he’d come into contact with oxygen he’d burst into flames. If you actually look at the cover of Marvel Comics #1, the android Superman was what many of the people of America needed, he was a shoulder to lean on after himself looks like a creature from a horror film instead of an amazing superhero. the Great Depression and a bullet proof father figure that taught you to be a good American citizen. Whenever you read a Superman comic he Now onto the second creation of this comic book, The Sub Mariner, who was Marvel’s first Mutant. would burst onto the page for everyone to see. Namor was born with his gifts as he was a creature Why Am I talking about Superman in a Marvel of the ocean that resented the surface world. retrospect? Namor was more or less a criminal who was Well, I can’t talk about the evolution of the Golden misunderstood. He wanted to protect his world (the ocean) from humans that were polluting it. Age without him. The last son of an exploding planet was in all respect the very first “superhero” but as you know...he wasn’t the last. Characters like Marvel Comics #1 was a hit that made Timely hit the ground running. They were firing off Spiderman, the X-Men and The Avengers would characters left, right and centre. Here comes the have their hay day, however, before I talk about the heroes you know so well, I’m going to turn the Liberty Legion, The Angel and Miss America, superheroes that splashed into a world that needed clocks back to October 1939. these characters as escapism. Before Marvel, the Multimedia mammoth you know today, there was a small company that went These characters had the optimism of Superman but they weren’t cookie cutter role models, it by the name of “Timely Comics” and they were didn’t matter if they had these amazing abilities, about to reveal to the world ‘Marvel Comics #1.’ they were somewhat human. DC were too busy Instead of introducing a character like Iron Man, creating these characters that are meant to be Timely started small, instead telling the story of icons but

Timely’s characters were flawed in ways that could only be described as such. With the success of Namor and Torch, it was time to create another superhero. A superhero that stands for freedom, liberty and peace. Sure, DC had Superman but Timely needed more than a man, they needed...a captain. Captain America was created by Joe Simon and the legend in the making, Jack Kirby. Skinny Steve Rogers took a serum made by a German scientist that transformed him into a modern day Hercules. With his partner, Bucky Barnes, Cap unapologetically fought Nazi’s and protected America from evil doers, as seen on the cover of his first issue where he literally punches Adolf Hitler in the face.

parents were forcing their children to burn these things that were apparently corrupting their minds. Comics went from being read by soldiers in the Second World War, to being completely outlawed. That was another thing, once the war was over soldiers didn’t need to be reminded about punching Nazi’s or helping protect their town. They were coming back to their families because life was returning to normal. strong women became love interests, superheroes were obsolete and the Golden Age of comics was over. I hope you enjoyed this little retrospect, I’m actually planning for this to be a five part series where we talk about all of the eras of Marvel Comics. Some of it will be in the magazine, some of it will be on our website so keep your eyes open next time when we’ll be talking about the Silver Age.

Timely was now in full swing and they had just hired a runner called Stanley Lieber, Lieber helped fetch the comic writers sandwiches and put ink in their inkwells. However, Lieber was given a chance to work on Captain America, giving the superhero a circular shield and himself the pen name of ‘Stan Lee’. Troy Milan Harisson It’s hard to imagine Timely (now renaming themselves Atlas Comics) ever slowing down but, not everyone loved comic books. Everyone has their critics but none was more harsh than a man named Fredric Wertham, an American psychiatrist and the man who nearly killed off comic books. Fredric’s book “Seduction of the Innocent” accused comic books of being harmful to children, spreading toxic messages to the youth of America. Messages like violence in the comics were making the children more rabid, Batman and Robin were a homosexual couple, messages that couldn’t be proved but Fredric still turned the tide on all the publishers that made a business selling these funny books. There were court hearings about comic books,

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Harry Styles’ Hair Harry Styles. The man, the myth, the legend. If you’re not obsessed with him then you’re doing it wrong. This man has given us so much; from the cheeky-chappy, bubbling boyband member to the now eccentrically dressed, rock and roll god.

jealousy over that girl. Damn you, Madison McMillin. She really was 2010’s ‘Heather.’ 2011 and 2012 were vঞѴѴ ;u vblbѴ-uĺ $_; Ѵ- ;u year gaining a bit more length which made me realise just how voluminous Harry’s hair is. Maybe it’s full of secrets?

2010 - 2012 It truly is a blessing to be alive -| |_; v-l; ঞl; -v _blĺ One thing I love is how much Harry’s hair has changed over the years. So much so that each style basically has its o m ;u-ĺ ;|Ľv hb1h o@ b|_ ƑƏƐƏ -m7 _-| ;vv;mঞ-ѴѴ was a curly mop. But it was - 0;- ঞ= Ѵ 1 uѴ lorĺ o| |o l;mঞomķ _bv Ѵb Ѵ; _;-u _uo0 debut in the What Makes +o ;- ঞ= Ѵ l vb1 b7;oĺ We were all burning red with

o ķ |_; m; | bv om; o= l r;uvom-Ѵ =- o ub|;vĺ o| t b|; m l0;u om; 0 | 7;Cmb|;Ѵ a strong contender. It’s the frat boy era. 2013 had Harry in snapbacks and beanies _b1_ = ;ѴѴ;7 |_; =-mC1v ;moulo vѴ ĺ o| |_-| -m om; was complaining about that. If Tumblr wasn’t thriving before, it certainly was now. There was also a headscarf u;Ѵ-|;7 ঞl; 7 ubm] ƑƏƐƒ _b1_ 1omঞm ;7 bm|o |_; following year.

I appreciated it but nothing could beat the beanies at this point.

v l;mঞom;7ķ ƑƏƐƓ -v really the year of accessories. We delved into all manners of scarf, bandana, fedora and 0-0 l-mŊ0 m | r; vb| -ঞomvĺ Oh, the fedora.

2013 - 2014 +o bѴѴ m; ;u 0; =ou]o ;mĺ The end of 2014, however, |u-mvbঞom;7 v r;u=;1|Ѵ into 2015 which revealed… *drumroll*… long-haired Harry. Long-haired Harry is one hundred percent the era that makes me fully understand the “he could run me over and I’d say ‘thank you’” joke. At least I hope it’s a joke. Long-haired Harry reigned for a while and it was a sacred ঞl;ĺ $_; l-m; -v vbm1;u;Ѵ

something to be admired. He was the beauty and the beast all in one. This is one of my favourite era’s and I think I nearly wept when he cut _bv _-bu o@Äş )bŃ´Ń´ ‰; ;ˆ;u 0; reunited? At least, we were rewarded with Dunkirk Harry. Ć‘Ć?Ć?Ć• ‰-v -m bmˆb]ou-াm] ‹;-u -v -uu‹ Ń´-m7;7 _bv Cuv| CŃ´l uoŃ´;Äş $_; Ń´om] Ń´o1hv ‰;u; gone but in their place was a stunningly handsome soldier. Harry’s Dunkirk era shed a

2015 - 2016 new light on his career as well as his hair. If you missed out on all the fun in the One bu;1াom 7-‹vġ |_;m |_bv ‰-v really something you could get your teeth sunk into. This was -Ń´vo |_; ‹;-u |_-| _bv Cuv| voŃ´oġ v;Ń´=ũা|Ń´;7 -Ń´0†l 1-l; o†|Äş ; 1olrŃ´;|;Ѵ‹ vrobŃ´;7 †v uo‚;m and I loved every second of it. 2018 witnessed a bigger change in his fashion more than anything. His Bowie and Prince inspired designs are bm;ŠrŃ´b1-0Ѵ‹ v;mv-াom-Ń´Äş †v|

when you didn’t think you could love this man anymore; he pulls a stunt like this. I will m;ˆ;u াu; o= v;;bm] _bv =-v_bom chapters. It has now become my dying wish to raid his ‰-u7uo0;Äş m r-uা1†Ѵ-u Ĺ‹ -m7 7omÄ˝| u;-ѴѴ‹ _-ˆ; - u;-vom Ĺ‹ his open chested, sparkly blue jumpsuit will forever live rent free in my brain. Coming into the present, 2019 and 2020 blessed us with Harry’s latest album, Fine Line.

We’ve been through a lot in the last 10 years. The ;ˆoŃ´Â†ŕŚžom o= -uu‹ "|‹Ѵ;vÄ˝ hair is a remarkable one. This trip down memory lane has conjured up a few thoughts -m7 t†;vাomv bm l‹ lbm7Äş Mostly that of; will long-hair Harry ever make a return? What shampoo does he use? And most importantly, what hairstyle will he have at our ‰;77bm]Äľ Ć?v| †m; Ć‘Ć?Ć‘Ć?Äş Add it to the calendar, ladies.

2017 - 2018 “he could run me over and I’d say ‘thank you’â€? Let us not forget the glorious music videos that came out of it. In regard to his hair, it has remained similar to the Dunkirk era, just perhaps a Ń´b‚Ѵ; ]uo‰m o†|Äş |_bmh |_bv matches perfectly and adds some youthfulness to his ‘glam grandad’ vibe.

~ Hannah Ĺœ -mm-_ Botham-Smith Botham-Smith

Gaming for the greater good

How can video games educate people on social issues?

When thinking of video games, my first thought is often of a younger brother screaming trough a headset, or of family members sitting dull faced, eyes glued to a computer. This may be why gaming is often criticise very publicly, for inciting violence and encouraging young people to spend more and more time in front of screens. But as technology progresses, as well as a new generation of gamers, we are beginning to witness a new era of gaming entertainment, a generation aimed at tackling some of societies biggest issues. When given the choice, would you rather escape an unpleasant situation, or would you make things worse for yourself? These are options you get playing Life is Strange. Set in modern-day America, you follow Chloe, a character whose life you are dictating, who finds herself suffering with depression after the death of her father. Within this game every decision you make counts, as life can change within the blink of an eye. Set up in order to inspire others to face their emotions and invite themselves to speak to others about how they feel, the game allows you to see how your actions can affect others which typically may not be thought about as much within everyday life. When talking to people day-to-day, you realise that mental health issues are extremely stigmatised, 46% of people believe mental illness is an excuse for bad behaviour, and 24% of people feel uneasy around a person with mental health issues. This is why games

such as Life is Strange gained a lot of popularity, as you are put into a different person’s shoes and see how different issues then affect the character. You may rather take the role of a different character in the game Mafia III, Lincoln Clay, a bi-racial male, whose life takes place in 1968. Mafia III tackles the issue of racism hands on, showing scenes with the Ku Klux Klan and the Confederate flag being dotted around the map. Navigating your way through an open world, you realise there are specific ‘white only’ areas, much like the civil rights era in America. Writers of the game did a lot of their own research, reading things such as The Trials of Muhammad Ali; The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, you are able to acknowledge this research during the game as a voice often speaks to the main character, telling you information about the injustices the character goes through. Games like Mafia III allow people, who may not be as educated on the topic, to see what people of colour go through, and also be taught about this period in time, as there are talks of tragedies such as the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the arrests of freedom riders. Research on the brain suggests that playing video games can alter the brain regions that are in control of attention and visual skills to make them more efficient, therefore when playing games such as Life is Strange and Mafia III you may have a better chance at processing the information you learn. Along with this, you are learning while doing something you actually enjoy, if the process of learning is fun, you are more likely to stay curious and come back for more. A possible reason why games that teach life lessons and provide information are becoming more popular.

Indie game developers are using their platform to educate others about climate change, as this is an issue which affects everyone across the world, and everyone no matter how big or small can make a difference. E-Line Media were approached by the BBC to begin work on the game Beyond Blue, the CEO of E-Line Media, Michael Angst, says that the game ‘invites players to be part of imagining what our ocean’s future might realistically be’. The ideas of games like this are to educate their players on how to treat the ocean in real life just as they do in the game, in ways which benefit the world and help make a difference. When looking at games such as these, it makes you think why do people still want to play aggressive games, when you could play something which can educate you and develop your mindset, whilst having fun? While shooting games are loved globally, with gaming mechanics allowing you to get better at the game and develop skill, games such as these do not allow you to be educated on real worldwide issues. Maybe it’s time for a new attitude towards video games, focussing on how we can learn whilst still doing what we enjoy. There will always be the classics that we know and love, it’s time to turn our attention towards games that encourage us to go out into the world with a brand new mindset, or new fresh thinking on an important issue, after we turn off the consoles. Ellie Anothoney

Back to school series, cont. Sofia Thorpe

TAKE FARID EVERHWERE YOU GO @FARIDTHEZINE

Onwards & Upwards?

~ Hannah Botham-Smith

burdened with boredom, they are ongoing and nothing short of serious.

With society’s ever increasing desire for diversity within the media, many organisations have begun to make the changes that we’ve needed to see. One of these being Disney, with their new film Onwards showing their first openly gay character. Hannah Botham Smith explores the film and whether the film deserves the hype it’s been given. Who doesn’t love feeling nostalgic when watching a childhood classic? These are the films that stick with you, perhaps for life. Which is why it is so essential that they provide healthy morals as well as a fun-loving experience. It is no secret that the surge of need for more representation across all avenues is colossal. In this recent summer, attention towards such matters rose substantially. Nevertheless, we must remember that they are not just trends for when you are

I’m sure many of us, myself included, indulgd in more TV watching than ever before during lockdown. Personally, I treated myself to Disney+ and revelled in my guilty-butnot-so-guilty pleasure that is animated movies. One that stood out to me (and not just because of Tom Holland), was Onward. The film shares with us the adventurous quest two brothers take in order to find the magic that will allow them one last day with their late father. Overall, it was lovely and being the film crybaby that I am… well, I cried. However, I was intrigued when I googled it to find that others had some contrasting opinions. The character I am going to be talking about in particular is Lena Waithe’s character, Officer Specter. Officer Specter was advertised as Disney’s first, openly LGBTQ+ character. While there have been many fan theories surrounding potential LGBTQ+ Disney and Pixar characters in the past, Onward exhibits the first verbal acknowledgment. The scene depicts her character comforting another fellow officer about being a new parent. To quote, she says, “my girlfriend’s daughter got me pulling my hair out.” To anyone who isn’t exceedingly

“Officer Specter w Disney’s first, o chara

was advertised as openly LGBTQ+ acter.”

heteronormative, it is obvious that she is referring to her romantic partner. However, that’s it. The gayness is gone as quickly as it came, and I can’t help but feel a little disheartened to know that something so small is seen by some as revolutionary. While this slither of growth is something we definitely needed in the whirlwind of a year that is 2020, we are still miles behind. Due to this particular scene, Pixar’s Onward was actually banned in a number of Middle Eastern countries including Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Russia had supposedly censored the film by replacing the word ‘girlfriend’ with ‘partner’ and avoids hinting at Specter’s gender. So evidently, the world is still seriously lagging in the progression department. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a Disney film has received critical backlash due to its LGBTQ+ implications. In 2017, the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast portrayed LeFou, Gaston’s comical sidekick, as an unconfirmed but highly likely gay character. We also saw a minor character, Stanley, smile and waltz down the stairs unlike the other men who panicked and ran (typical), after Madame de Garderobe, otherwise known as the wardrobe, dressed them

all as a woman. Once again, it was reported at the time that this film was removed from cinemas in Kuwait and Malaysia, and a drivein cinema in the US state of Alabama also cancelled their screenings. These facts, along with a multitude of others, just go to show how homophobia is still carved into scores of ignorant minds and despite any positive notions of change, we still have a marathon of hurdles to face. Nevertheless, a more uplifting point about Onward’s character, Specter, is that Lena Waithe, who is a member of LGBTQ+ herself, got to have her input. When speaking to Variety at the film’s premier, Waithe reported that she’d asked in the recording sessions, “can I say the word girlfriend? It sounds weird, I even have a gay voice, I think. Like, I don’t think I sound right saying ‘husband.’”

Especially in animated films where a huge portion of the viewers are children who may not yet understand or pick up on it in the first place.

Thankfully everyone agreed as she continued,

“they were like ‘Oh yeah, do that.’ They were so cool and chill. And it ended up being something special.” So, in hindsight, we actually have Waithe to thank. However, something that niggles in the back of my brain with all of this is; why are all these character’s roles so small? Where are the queer main characters? If you’ve made it this far into the article then I don’t need to remind you how important representation is, you already know that. With this in mind, it’s aggravating to only see these LGBTQ+ characters for mere moments before the main storyline continues. Too many of the occurrences that indicate a character’s queerness are so subtle that they could very well just go right over the audience’s head.

We don’t want history to repeat itself where these issues are concerned and therefore, it is vital that we unmask these marginalised groups in all aspects. Giving them more spotlight in animated films could have a huge, positive impact on younger generations and the adults they will eventually grow up to be. I mean, we all grew up wanting to be our favourite fictional characters, didn’t we? As a child, the mind is highly impressionable. I think having characters to relate to is crucial for both children and adults alike. It brings a sense of comfort and it makes the story more personal. It also plays a huge part in the educational influence animated movies can have. We are allowed films that teach children about individuality, inner strength and friendship. So, why should teachings involving complete acceptance of yourself and others, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity be any different? A major problem we suffer with today is people are still unwilling to pick apart their

upbringing and abolish their damaging beliefs. On top of that, plenty of people are pro LGBTQ+ but still battle with an immense amount of internalized homophobia. These barriers can’t be broken down if we don’t start normalising things that should be seen as ‘normal’ anyway. Attention needs to be brought to the focus of implementing LGBTQ+ personalities into our beloved creative spaces. The arts and media get belittled by many, but people deeply underestimate how abundant and significant these things are in our world. It would be pretty boring if film, books, art and all the rest didn’t exist. Also, let’s face it. It’s a commercial world but why not use that to our advantage? There is so much extra room in the film industry to embrace diverse characters. Obviously, people want it otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this article and we wouldn’t have pride marches. The money-making sales pitch effectively writes itself! Though, while there are steps being taken, Disney and other film franchises desperately need to kick it up a notch and give us main characters who are openly LGBTQ+. And more than one per film for that matter. Philosophising the idea of Elsa being a lesbian just isn’t enough anymore.

In regard to Onward, I personally loved the film. Except I enjoyed it for the relatable awkward kid who writes lists on ways to be more confident. I enjoyed it because it proved that families are not always conventional, but they are important. I enjoyed it for the wonderful concoction of comedy and magic. But I didn’t watch it with the intention of relishing in a gay character because that lasted all of two seconds. This doesn’t make it a bad film as there are lots of other great themes to appreciate. It just means it shouldn’t be celebrated for having the first ‘openly gay character.’

Let’s talk about the evolving green beauty industry! Green beauty is definitely the new trend right now as people are becoming more aware of the damaging impacts the beauty industry has on the environment. Let’s get you up to date with what the beauty industry is doing to encourage you to help change this global crisis.

It is no secret that the environment is facing a massive crisis, but have you ever considered the fact that your beauty routine could be negatively impacting the environmental issue?

The Earth’s climate has changed through history and with that comes the evolution of new products and different industries stepping up to try and tackle this alarming matter. The beauty industry has a massive problem, especially when it comes to packaging. A study by Zero Waste Week found that 120 billion units of packaging are produced every year by the beauty and cosmetic industry- a hugely dangerous figure! However- while there’s still a long way to go-

change is starting to be made. Looking at the beauty industry and the products people are buying, there is most definitely an increase in the adoption of a green mentality. Today, we beauty lovers see a lot more natural and organic ingredients dominating our shelves. They are increasing in popularity as they offer a multitude of positive health and environmental impacts. As well as this, the beauty industry is most definitely responding to the planets needs by making eco-friendly products and packaging for those who aren’t just lovers of beauty, but also the earth. We had a look at some steps the beauty industry have taken and also encourage in order to encourage change in the industry.

Using refillable products: Research from Garnier found that over 56% of Brits (that is 4.5 million of us) don’t recycle their bathroom products due to “inconvenience.” Well, that is something that definitely needs to change and refillable products is the answer! A lot of cosmetic companies are offering ways to refill products to cut down on the amount of waste going to landfill. Using refillable products saves up to a years worth of bottles and plastic from going into landfill. REN Skincare is a perfect example of a company who is working to become a greener beauty brand. They have partnered up with recycling powerhouse TerraCycle’s new initiative, Loop, to create refillable packaging for most of their best selling body and skincare products. This will help them achieve their pledge to be a waste free brand by 2021.

Renewable energy It is reassuring to see that more and more beauty brands are taking a more eco-focussed approach to their manufacturing as well as their products. Solar-powered plants and offices are becoming the norm for the beauty industry and it’s making thorough use of solar power and being energy efficient.

Recyclable packaging: The beauty industry hasn’t got the best reputation when it comes to recyclable packaging and not all packaging can be made to be 100% recyclable all the time. Sadly, plastic is still a dominant material in the cosmetic world despite a huge increase in the attempt to create sustainable beauty industry. However, it is not all bad, and some brands are almost there. Huge cosmetic giants, like Boots, are setting up their own recycling schemes to try and make the beauty industry more eco-friendly. Boots use an online system to encourage buyers to give back their empty packaging in order for it to be reused and recycled to its fullest potential. In reward, customers can gain advantage card points as well as that amazing feeling of pride from doing better for our planet. Garnier is another high-street brand known to be stepping up their game with creating recyclable packaging. This year it released the first mass market paper-based tube with 49% less plastic, a lighter cap and a newly designed to ensure consumers can use every last drop.

Being MINDFUL Whilst the beauty industry is making its way towards change, it is important to remember that the industry relies on us too. Start thinking more about the products you buy and whether they can be reused or recycled once you are done with them. Spend more time researching and looking at the labels on your products to make sure you are purchasing items with eco friendly, renewable ingredients. Ecocert is a key label to look for on your beauty products as this will guarantee the use of environmentally friendly ingredients. As consumers, we must be more aware of what we are buying and can not be lazy when it comes to recycling the packaging effectively! The beauty industry is evolving and becoming greener year by year. But let’s not forget that shocking statistic that 120 billion units of packaging are produced every year by the cosmetics industry globally. If this continues there will be more plastic in our ocean than fish by 2050, according to the United Nations. It is down to us to make sustainable choices and to be mindful when considering our beauty routine and our products to ensure that the beauty industry evolves at a much faster rate to help our planet. Holly Ostle

Covid on Campus With the world still on hold in so many different ways it came as a shock to many that university students were being encouraged to return to education as normal at the start of this year, including travelling up and down the country to their new city. Many have already spoken out about the struggle of living in halls at such an isolating time, the lost freshers weeks and the adjustments needed for online learning. At UOG it is fair to say we have been lucky to have such a dedicated team of lecturers who from day one have tried their upmost to make the transition easier for us and provided support throughout. As we are on the scale of thing a ‘smaller uni’, it has allowed for many of us to come back with varying amounts of face to face teaching and even provide some activities for freshers week such as an outdoor cinema. But having said this the start of the 20/21 academic year has still provided a much different uni experience to what many of us are used to and could have ever expected.

Anna Preece - First Year – Living at Home ‘I guess that because I’m living from home, I’ve had it easier than others. I’ve heard from people that restrictions in accommodation have been frustrating, and people I know are worried about a second lockdown and having to move back home. One of the big reasons I went to uni was to speak to new people and with covid, this has been a lot more difficult. I still haven’t spoken properly to half of my class and I feel as though I would have got to have known everyone a lot better by now if the pandemic wasn’t happening. It’s also been strange sitting in class and wearing masks all day. After speaking to others, we’ve agreed that the masks can make it difficult to concentrate at times as they make you feel so tired, but I think it’s something we’re all getting used to. One way systems are another thing that have been hard to get used to. But on the other hand, one way systems have been helpful in helping me navigate my way around and learning where things are because everything is sign posted. Altogether though, my uni has done great at keeping everyone safe. This is a scary time for everyone and I feel safe when I’m on campus which is great.’

Chloe Hall- First Year- Living in Pitville Halls ‘Having COVID around at the start of my life at uni has affected me in a few different ways. Before it began, I was worried about the social aspect of how social distancing and how it would affect meeting people and my course and the possibility of catching the virus. But as I got into the course and the year actually began, those nerves faded as I realised that it didn’t affect the course too much, I’ve still met amazing people and just have to abide by government restrictions when meeting up. Having to wear masks in class is becoming normal now and onlines aren’t as bad as originally thought. Of course, this year has been like no other but it has been interesting to say the least. The main thing is to just be careful and take care and extra precautions when needed.’

Codie Davies- First Year- Living in Halls ‘I personally feel like Covid has affected me in different ways. At first, being scared to leave the house, not wanting to go out for walks, food shopping or even to town. As the months have gone on, I do feel like I’ve mentally adapted to the situation more. Coming to Uni was a big step, without the thought of Covid being a big issue. It’s easy to be frightened by something that you can’t physically see but is spreading everywhere. I struggled majorly with my mental health when the pandemic began. Something I haven’t properly been able to talk about openly. I went through phases of not being able to eat, isolating myself in my bedroom away from everyone and not leaving the house. Wondering, “when will it be my turn to catch this horrible virus?”. I can strongly say, at this point in time, I have come out of an extremely dark place. Being able to have the confidence to come to Uni and deal with all of the restrictions, which are forever changing, and finally not worrying myself so much all the time is an amazing feeling.’

Hannah Smith- Second Year- Living in a Student House ‘As I am going into my second year I feel very fortune to have been able to have freshers week and a normal experience for the start of my first year. I really sympathise with the freshers this year and just hope they are able to make the best out of a bad situation. As I am living in a house in town this year it is a lot easier, I already have friends and people around me. However there is still always a worry about bringing covid back to the house, whether from uni or from just going to the supermarket, and the whole house having to isolate. The majority of our lectures so far have face to face which was a real surprise when I saw my timetable but I’m really happy the uni have managed to do this. I rely quite a lot on being able to use the apple macs in uni and whilst I am able to do my work from home it’s not the same as face to face. Wearing the masks can be uncomfortable but I’m glad everyone seems to be sticking to the rules and respecting each other. It is worrying as the cases start rising again and we continue to go into uni, but I admire the procedures the uni have out in place and I guess it’s just a case of taking each day as it comes at the moment!’

Duquane Cantwell – Second Year- Living in a Student House ‘Covid has affected my course in many ways. One of those being that my lectures have now been forced online, I feel this restricts my learning capabilities due to me studying a design course. Online lectures prevent me from getting good feedback on my practical work. In addition to this I feel this prevents my development as a designer.’ With the ever changing situation, and the constant state of unknown, it’s difficult for so many of us. Everyone is dealing with it in their own ways, adapting and changing to what is becoming the new generation of education.

Written by Megan Smith

The R word It’s way past the time we stop. There are many words in this world that we know to be completely unacceptable and using them wouldn’t even cross the majority of our minds, let alone leave our mouth. We have, over the years, grown as a society (the majority of us) to be more accepting and empathetic to those different to ourselves and learnt from past mistakes. With this being the case, it’s time for another wake up call! Why is it that the r-word still has such prevalence in society? If you haven’t used it yourself you are most likely to have heard a friend or even relative throw the term around. The Rword is a euphemism for the words r-tard and r-tarded which are offensive and disrespectful terms used to describe or insult people with intellectual disabilities or to insult people and places by comparing them to people with intellectual disabilities. The word r-tard itself has been around since 1426 but its first known use in relation to mental ability wasn’t until 1895. The word was first recorded being used in an offensive and derogatory context by the 1960’s and there has since been a battle to raise awareness if the hurt, offence and disrespect this word causes. Having been removed from being used in any medical settings it’s time to admit there is place for the word in 2020 (or in history tbh). Awareness is beginning to increase about this word but still it is not enough. Whether it’s being laughed off as a ‘joke’ in the playground or even seen on

our screens in films and interviews with our favourite stars, the effect of the word is still as hurtful as ever and its time we face the facts and admit it’s time we need to make a change. In 2016 the special olympics and partners launched their campaign ‘Spread the word to end the word’. The campaign was aimed at spreading awareness and encouraging society’s consciousness around the words they are using, promoting respectful and inclusive language. While this has no doubt been a success and awoken people to our often ignorant use of language, there is still a long way to go. So, what can you do yourself to make an impact? It’s clear for starts we all need to take responsibility. Whether you’ve ever used the word yourself or not we need to accept the fact it has no place in our vocabulary. Vary your own speech to use a different word, or even just try to make your own words less hurtful. It’s also not enough anymore just to take responsibility for yourself, its time we made a stand and make others aware of the upset their causing. Educate your friends and family, let them know it is not an acceptable term to be using. Explain to them the upset it can cause. We wouldn’t sit by and let our friends say racist or homophobic words and it’s time for us ALL to accept this is no different. Megan Smith

Gen z & sexting It is important to note that we do not refer to the occasional cheeky wink or suggestive shower insinuation. Still, the kind of sexting forces you to turn your phone away from anyone that might be watching. Sexting, though remarkably satisfying, does not always have you biting your lip and blushing uncontrollably. More often than not, it ends in misspelled words and messages left on reading.

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But that is where we come in, to give you the top five tips on sexting. With a second Lockdown looming on the horizon, you might have to brush up on your sexting skills to make it through the difficult times ahead. Because, let’s face it, no one is looking to get ducking ducked.

1. It’s a marathon, not a sprint

Jumping the gun too fast can lead you into some pretty sticky situations, and not the right kind of sticky. Take it slow, build up momentum, and have your sordid sext partner waiting for your next message. Don’t start a liaison by laying everything out, and definitely don’t jump straight to which positions you will have them in first. All good things come to those who wait, so play the long haul. Any successful marathon is won with endurance, so be sure to ease into the race ahead. Choose your words carefully, and if possible, stay away from comments overtly crude, to begin with. Start off with phrases and stories that are merely suggestive, that out of context could mean any number of things.

2. Make use of the 21st century Gone are the days when you struggled to write your sexy letter under the candlelight or attached a dirty drawing to a carrier pigeon’s leg. In 2020, you have the entirety of your phone’s

tech to play with. Now, we are not suggesting that you make use of Bitmoji to tell a raunchy story, but other features are sure to get the blood flowing. A personal favourite, voice notes, is integral to my online’ sexcapdes.’ Put on your best phone sex voice and hope no one is at the door listening. But make sure you sound like you do in real life. The last thing anyone wants to find out is that they are talking to someone with a sexy voice like Batman.

3. Pictures should be the cherry on top Let’s face it, not everyone has crude pictures that resemble softcore porn or artistic renderings of the human body. Some of them are definitely questionable, and some of them need to learn about proper lighting. Sending a dirty picture should always be the icing on the cake to reinforce what you describe with your words. Sending

out a plethora of images isn’t hot for anyone unless you have an album of Harry Styles, in which case, send them over. Consent should also be paramount. Just because you are engaging in a cheeky conversation does not mean that the person you’re talking to wants to see everything but the kitchen sink. Ensure you know the limits and boundaries of this cyber relationship and give the other person your upmost respect.

4. Simple and descriptive We aren’t all Shakespeare when crafting the perfect message, so don’t try to be. There would be nothing creepier then receiving “Wherefore art thou booty” attached to a dick pic. That isn’t to say, don’t get creative with your wording. Change things up and say things you would never usually consider, but never try out words you would use to describe something in an art gallery. On the flip side, stay away from words that tend to make people cringe if you are looking for a more pleasurable bodily reaction. If you have seen it in a movie, don’t use it for God’s sake, just in case they have also seen the movie you are carelessly referencing.

5. Explore your fantasies The safety and comfort of a phone screen gives you the perfect time to experiment with those fantasies you have been dying to try. Suggest them, play with them, and toy with the idea that it might happen in real life. If you have been longing for some light BDSM, using the word daddy far more than is socially acceptable, or wondering what the hype is behind feet, start with sexting about it first. Now, let’s be clear, sexting is a slippery slope that doesn’t always have a happy ending. But, with someone you are interested in, it can be a great way to get off and enact social distancing. Remember, consent is always crucial, and never kink shame of any kind. Kieran Gaplin

Could the pandemic save our planet?

With the virus having a great impact on many aspects of human life, it was obvious that there would be someenvironmental change. But how much of it is positive? It is widely thought that the Coronavirus crisis has been good for the environment- serving as one of the only silver linings of this tragic time. Towards the beginning of the pandemic, people took to social media to document the results of everyone’s less carbon-intensive lifestyles. Experts were also keen to spread the news about the improved air and water quality. From lockdowns and travel bans to attending Zoom meetings rather than going into work, a more hopeful vision of the planet’s future was imagined in terms of the lessons which could be learnt. But it appears they did not go a long way. There is now evidence to suggest the reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions was a temporary effect. This was anticipated as governments put measures in place to reinvigorate economic growth, such as the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ Scheme. The disruption of the virus also provided distraction. Illegal deforestation in Brazil saw an increase. According to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE), deforestation in the Amazon rose more than 50% in the first 3 months of 2020 comparedtothesame3monthperiodin2019. But on a positive note, unemployment in Pakistan led to the creation of the ‘10 Billion Trees’ campaign to plant; an attempt to make up for the global net loss of trees this year. Besides this, face masks are highly discussed in terms of sustainability. The government recommends reusable cloth face masks due to the fact that disposable ones generate a lot of

waste. This is because they should only be used once. According to the UCL’s Plastic Waste Innovation Hub, if everyone in the UK used one single-use face mask each day for a year, it would create more than 66,000 tonnes of contaminated plastic waste- 10 times more climate change impact than reusable masks. So what does the future look like? After it was revealed in recent studies that people living in more polluted areas were more likely to be susceptible to severe symptoms of the virus, there has been an increase of awareness concerning air quality and health. Data analysis found that those who had lived for decades in heavily polluted U.S. countries are 8% more likely to die from COVID-19 than people in the least polluted countries. So, for the future of the environment and health to improve, it’s our responsibility to make sure the air quality improves. The dramatic changes in lifestyle brought on by the pandemic opened our eyes to the direction we need to be going, and the positive environmental impacts that are possible. We need to take this as a lesson and make these changes before it is too late.

By Jasmine Ponting

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