rhifyn 1124 issue 1124
gair rhydd
5 Tachwedd 2018 5 november 2018
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Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972
Cardiff University campaign reaches Welsh Assembly
Cardiff University Students protested Samsung unionbusting by Jess Warren
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n Tuesday, October 30, students from Cardiff University, coordinated by the campaign group ‘People & Planet’ demonstrated outside of Cardiff’s Samsung Experience Store. This comes in response to Samsung being accused of operating a ‘nounion’ policy, which prevents workers in its factories from forming, joining or organising within trade unions. According to the ITUC, Samsung has engaged in union busting through sacking union members, threatening migrant workers with deportation and locking union members out of factories. In a statement, Cardiff’s ‘People & Planet’ said: “This action is protesting Samsung’s unsatisfactory workers rights - in particular their efforts to prevent their workers from unionising.
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Gair Rhydd meets: “The Donald Trump of Wales” by Silvia Martelli
S #ITooAmCardiff: University campaign successfully reaches the Welsh Assembly. Photo credit: Isaac Law by Jess Warren
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s part of Black History Month this October, a campaign from Cardiff University which aims to provide a platform for the voices of black and minority ethnic (BME) students has reached the Welsh Assembly. The #ITooAmCardiff campaign features an exhibition with 13 giant images of students alongside their own words. One exhibition image holds the words: “I am beautiful. I am African. Yes, I am also British. No, I do not live in mud huts. No, I do not dance with lions.” The campaign in previous years has featured phrases such as: “Don’t call me exotic, I’m not your fetish.” As well as “You are not blacker than me because I don’t fit your stereotype of a black person.” The campaign has been modelled off a similar social media campaign that received great success at Har-
vard University, and aims to create a positive narrative around race and ethnicity. The aim is to provide a voice, raise awareness among staff and students, and prompt an online discussion around the types of issues faced by black and minority ethnic students. The campaign is also available in Welsh. The exhibition is available for viewing at the Welsh Assembly’s Pierhead building in Cardiff Bay from October, 26 to November, 29. Sponsored by Vaughan Gething AM, Mr Gething said in a statement to Cardiff University: “I am proud to be sponsoring the #ITooAmCardiff exhibition as part of Black History Month. The exhibition showcases the equality, diversity and inclusion of students at Cardiff University. “In following the journey of BME students the exhibition gives a powerful voice to and helps to raise awareness of some of the issues
faced by BME students on campus. “I wish the exhibition every success as it continues on its journey.” The exhibition has previously been on display in the University and the Students’ Union, but hasn’t been showcased anywhere else until now. By taking the campaign outside of the University, it is hoped that a wider audience will be reached, and the words of the students will have a greater impact on the community within Cardiff. Susan Cousins, Cardiff University’s Equality and Diversity Project Officer was the creative fuel behind the exhibition; her idea being the use of direct quotes from the students alongside their image, in order for BME students to raise awareness of their student journey. Susan said in a statement to Cardiff University: “People love the exhibition because it’s such a powerful representation of differing perspec-
tives. BME students and staff within the University have reacted positively, welcoming its thought-provoking messages. “We had quite a few BME young people who were not Cardiff University students who came along when it was on display at the University. They thought it was amazing and that Cardiff had done something unusual in reaching and giving voice to BME students. “I want the exhibition to be seen in as many places as possible and would like people to contact me if they would like to host it.” On November 9, there is an event at the exhibition which will see the presence of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen Holford, Vaughan Gething AM, Joyce Watson AM, the National Assembly Commissioner with responsibility for equalities issues, and Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales.
peaking with Gareth Bennet, Gair Rhydd discussed the issues of immigration, Brexit and human rights. A controversial political figure to say the least, this one provides an interesting read. 18
Why you should go Vegan by Iona Middleton
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eganism has seen a recent surge following the growing environmental concern of meat farming. What started as a ‘hippy’ trend has certainly eached the mainstream, and here’s how you can make the 21 transition to plant-based.
Sleep and memory by Jonathan Learmont
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ew research on good quality sleep has further supported the claims that a a good night’s rest aids memory. Measuring “ripples” in the hippocampus has revealed more about the mysteries that sleep 24 holds.