The Leopard (November 2012)

November 2012 Issue 011 Free

Web: www.theleopard.co.uk E-mail: leopardnewspaper@gmail.com Twitter: @leopardnews

NEW SECTION: PHOTOGRAPHER’S PAGE

CONTENTS NEWS

MILLIBAND Q&A SAINSBURY’S TO OPEN INTERN AWARE NEWS IN BRIEF

Q&A with David Miliband at Goldsmiths

COMMENT

Abortion Debate Coming Out Sports Critique Extradition LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

Short Story Overthinker’s Guide Food&Drinks Fresher’s Diary FEATURES

By Bartholomew Foley Features Editor The first stop of the year on the university tour of Labour’s former Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, was Goldsmiths, University of London.

Facilitated by the Goldsmiths Labour

Society and the Politics department, a one-hour Q&A session took place on Wednesday October 17. The format included a one-to-one interview proceeded by audience questions.

With the lecture theatre brimming, the interviewer, Goldsmiths Dr. Simon Griffiths, dived into questions focused on the economy, Labour’s political

vision and the guest of honour’s former stomping ground, foreign policy.

Miliband was questioned about his foreign policy of ‘liberal interventionism’ and asked about what role he sees the West playing in supporting democracy in other nations. In responding he spoke of the development of democracy in the 21st century,

highlighting the recent example of Egypt, “Now what’s happened is not a Western-imposed change but a grassroots change and I think that that is by far the most preferable way of change happening.” He said, however, that intervention is required in certain circumstances.

(Continued on page3)

New Sainsbury’s Local to open in New Cross

By Dean Courtney

A lifeline for Goldsmiths students or killing the High Street?

A new Sainsbury’s local is due to open in New Cross on November 2. Hailed by some as bringing essential new services into the area, it has attracted rich criticism from locals and Goldsmiths students alike with accusations that yet again, large corporations are squeezing the traditional high street, The Leopard investigated.

For some people, the sight of a New Cross filled with barren shop fronts is a depressing one. Filling a long disused space across the road from Goldsmiths, Sainsbury’s promise is to bring students and locals alike a reasonably priced offering at a time convenient for them.

Opening from 7am to 11pm every day, the chain will offer the standard Sainsbury’s Local experience, with an in-store bakery, wider range of foods

than are available in smaller retailers at reasonable prices, and another free-to-use ATM. In the process, it is hoped that it will provide employment opportunities for hard up students to make a little extra money to supplement their student loans and expand their diets beyond Basics baked beans.

Many students and locals the Leopard has spoken to are keen to welcome (Continued on page 2)

Black History WW1 Coffee Shop Writers Kashmir SPORT

Rugby Football Sport Fixture Cycling MUSIC

Ask Bono Pierrot Lunaire PHOTOGRAPHER’S PAGE

Photo Essay Black& White Photography Competition

THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2012

2

NEWS

problem. Mothers and fathers from less privileged background often have less

By Dean Courtney and Chris Dillon time to prepare freshly cooked meals for their children. These children score Goldsmiths is to train public sector podcasts and reports which will allow lower in intelligence tests and often struggle in school.” employees on managing religious differ- access from a wider audience. ences in the work place, in partnership with the Cambridge Coexist Programme. A study conducted by Goldsmiths has It is to be conducted on behalf of the found that children who are given more Equality and Human Rights Commission ‘fast food’ meals will grow up to have a and the Government Equalities Office. lower IQ than those given freshly-cooked meals.

After assessing the Commission’s policies, Goldsmiths Religious Literacy Research by Dr Sophie von Stumm from Leadership Programme will offer discus- the Department of Psychology concluded sions on the duty of religious equality in that childhood nutrition has longstanding effects on IQ even after socio-economic the public sector. status and intelligence is taken into The training will address issues such account. as appearance and sexual orientations against real-world examples of conflict. “The findings highlight that differences The six discussions will produce in children’s meals are also a social

News in Brief: Stories for the breakfast table

Letter from the Editors Welcome to the first edition of The Leopard this year.

you Johnny for helping us with the design and layout.

Quite a lot have happened around Goldsmiths and New Cross since we wrote our first editorial letter this summer. From the departure of our former editors, Johnny and James; followed by the parting of Goldsmiths’ own ‘forever’ sabbatical officer, Manoj Kerai; the renovation of RHB; to the Freshers’ Welcome Week; the opening of Sainsbury’s local, and David Miliband’s visit – see page 3 for more on Mr. Labour’s talk.

Starting this year, The Leopard will have a new section called the Photographer’s Page to showcase photographs and share some tips on photography techniques. So Goldsmiths photographers, … you know what to do.

We had an amazing turnout at the Fresher’s Fayre – it was really great to see you all and thank you for all the contributions!

While it is always nice to see familiar faces, we are endlessly grateful for the fresh talents who have joined our team this year and thus, we would like to thank our excellent team of editors who have worked so hard with us in putting this issue together. Without them, all of this would be impossible. Also, thank

The Leopard est.2010 Editors-in-Chief: Nindya Atmodipoero Alice Yehia Layout: Nindya Atmodipoero Alice Yehia Leopard Logo: Emily Harthern Interested in becoming a contributor in any area of The Leopard?

E-mail: leopardnewspaper@ gmail.com 0207 71 72 220 THELEOPARD, Dixon Road New Cross SE14 6NW

Last but not least, while we were editing this paper, we had come across a word of wisdom that says, “The best results are made by combining hard work with heart work. Fulfilling only one would just be half as good.” Whereas we believe that the best issue is yet to come, nevertheless this one is a labour of love.

New Sainsbury’s Local (continued from front page)

So we hope that you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed producing it.

Love and light, Nindy and Alice

News Editors: Dean Courtney Chris Dillon Features Editor: Bartholomew Foley Comment & Opinion Editors: Radu Istrate Michael Lovelock Lifestyle & Culture Editors: Charlie Brinkhurst Cuff Grace Dayton Music Editors: Sabrina Abdalla Kelly Wells Photography Editor: Camilo Fernandez Sports Editor: Oliver Bellamy Proof reader: Matthew Chia Abbie Cohen

The Leopard is a publication printed on newsprint, so after you have finished with it please pass it on so others can read it or take care to recycle or re-use it. Save those trees, reduce those rubbish dumps and be kinder to the environment!

the new shop, which will open amid a storm of criticism and hard fought planning permission.

In particular, there is relief that there will be alternatives to the sole and usually very busy NatWest ATM on campus, and the recent stand alone machine erected on the high street outside the library. Many students expressed concern on the previous reliance on using cash machines which charge up to £1.85 to withdraw cash, forcing them to withdraw larger sums of money and leaving them vulnerable to theft or muggings.

In some ways, it is felt that Sainsbury’s have corrected a long-term problem on New Cross high street, the lack of appropriate banking facilities. If this aspect is welcome, are there any wider ramifications?

Café Crema owner and NCF member Chris Boddington expresses his concerns on the BrockleyCentral blog.

“Sainsbury’s management [have] stated that the reason for opening a small store in addition to the large store already operating in [New Cross Gate station] is to pick up the ‘top-up’ trade – i.e. shoppers who do their weekly shop at the big store, but who may need to top-up with a few items mid-week.

This is exactly the trade that small, independent shops rely upon for their living. They conveniently ignore the fact that in any community there is a

finite amount of money that residents need to spend on groceries each week.

A new shop opening does not mean that business will be drummed up out of thin air. At least 50% of the shoppers in New Cross are students at Goldsmiths College. The new store will be opposite the main entrance of the college. In addition to groceries, it will sell ready-to-eat takeaway food, which will take trade away from the two cafes immediately adjacent to it, as well as the many other independent cafes and takeaway counters in the area. It will also sell alcohol, taking trade from off-licences.”

One issue that has been raised is the location of the new supermarket. In the infamous traffic bottleneck around The Marquis of Granby,there are fears that traffic will be slowed down further still. As the store has no rear access, its lorries are forced to park in the line of traffic to offload its stock. Sainsbury’s have attempted to correct this by disallowing deliveries in the early morning peak.

Perhaps more seriously, the shop has attracted accusations of deliberately throttling New Cross high street, with the new store opening just 500m from the existing larger supermarket at New Cross Gate Station.

The New Cross Foundation (NCF) and Independent New Cross campaign groups have highlighted that this may put other local businesses in jeopardy,

forcing already struggling smaller retailers to lay off staff, or potentially put them out of business for good. They are concerned that the new Sainsbury’s could create more unemployment and empty shops than it creates in the local community.

However ‘SamB’ commenting on the BrockleyCentral blog said “Why is the argument in this case always about how much it will take away from local businesses, and how local businesses will suffer from it? How about thinking about what the customer wants for a change, and considering what the market actually wants. In this case, a sizeable part of the market is students.

Students are generally known for wanting to shop cheaply and quickly - this aim is easily achieved by a Sainsbury’s Local, far more so than a plethora of poor quality convenience stores.”

Whether or not an extra Sainsbury’s in New Cross is a damaging example of the area’s gentrification leading to the closure of existing independent businesses, or will simply complement the existing businesses with extra services remains to be seen.

NOVEMBER 2012 THE LEOPARD

3

SECTION NEWS Unpaid internships - exploitation?

Q&A with David Miliband

by Chris Dillon

(continued from front page)

He expressed on a number of occasions that he is a firm internationalist and gave his stance on interaction with the global society, “I’m a great believer that you’ve got to be part of it and engaged with it.”

He also summarised his opinion on global interdependence, “In that world of interdependence you can’t just say, ‘What goes on in another country is none of my business.’” He said he believes in ‘global intervention’ not just ‘Western intervention’ citing Kosovo as a strong case for this.

He further recognised the irony of Western society in the 21st century, stating that, “I think it’s a really, really profound point that democracy has never been more popular around the world, but it’s never been less respected in the Western world.”

He added his diagnosis of the general frustration felt for politics, “Here the politics feels short term, tactical and small, but the issues are long term, strategic and big.”

The former foreign secretary spoke of his differences with the incumbent William Hague, “First of all, he puts priority on bi-lateral relations with North African and Middle-Eastern countries, which I think is important, but I would put more emphasis than he does on European nations acting together.” He added that Hague also puts an over-emphasis on commercial diplomacy.

In describing European economics he stated, “People want the best of markets and the best of government and they fear the worst of both. So in crude terms… people fear the cure will be worse than the disease.”

He also spoke of the deficiencies of the New Labour years. He said that there was an over-reliance on the financial sector and a disproportionate economic focus on the London area, to the detriment of his own constituency of South Shields and the North East region.

He also addressed the Iraq War, openly saying he would not have supported

the invasion “if he knew then what he knows now” citing the absence of WMDs and the negative balance sheet.

When asked “Back in 2009 you wrote, ‘I’m arguing that the best antidote for the terrorist threat in the long-run is cooperation.’ Is that something you still believe in?”

He told The Leopard, “One big issue I think was being raised at the time in Washington is ‘It’s impossible to cooperate with Pakistan, we should cut ourselves off from Pakistan.’ And I just think that would be a terrible thing to do…

“Pakistan needs our help and if it doesn’t get help from us it’ll be getting help from China, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere and we need to balance that out.

“And so I still believe that the best attitude to intolerance and Jihadism is actually to show that the 99% of us that’s the same is more important than the 1% that’s different.”

Responding to The Leopard’s reporter’s question on whether the Afghan forces need to cooperate with the Taliban, Miliband replied, “Well not cooperate with the Taliban, but the point is that there’s no military solution in Afghanistan…

“What we should be doing, I think, is using defence, diplomacy, development to support a political solution in which all the Afghan factions are inside the political ring. I said from the beginning, the Taliban should be at the original Bonn conference in 2001 and of course we should be talking to them now. Because 95% of the Taliban are not al-Qaeda and that’s a really important mistake people have made.”

When prompted by another audience member, Miliband described the prisoners in the criminal justice system. He said, “they’ve failed themselves, and the system’s failed them.” He claimed that the number of poorly educated and mentally ill prisoners was, in part, a sign of failure with the system. He said that the justice system should be about prevention as well as punishment.

Throughout the event, Miliband relayed the importance he puts on grassroots movements.

He cited it as the main driver behind his ‘Movement for Change’ campaign.

He spoke of how he wanted to acknowledge other forms of politics that are not “MPs shouting at each other in the House of Commons” and shift away from the mass movements of unions. He described his grassroots campaigning as ‘extra-parliamentary change.’

Another of the themes, as was to be expected, was his reversion to party line comments, prevalent especially in his characterisation of conservative economics. He said: “There are questions of right and wrong in politics and there are questions of right and left.

It seems to me that the issue about the economic strategy is a right and wrong question, I mean it is just evident.”

His most convincing polemical attempt, however, came with his vision of Labour politics, “I still think progressive, reforming, modernising central-left politics is basically the only hope for societies that want to combine dynamism with equity.”

He described the Tories as builders of a dynamic but unequal society. “You can’t afford to stand against social and economic change, but you’ve got to try and shape it in the interest of the majority.”

Since his self-removal from frontline politics, public speaking events such as this one have been a constant feature for the former foreign secretary.

Clearly though, his performance on the day achieved the standard of expectation for any cabinet minister. He did not dodge questions and provided argument and evidence for his claims.

He was apt, eloquent and descriptive in his answers and explanations. His focus was on the problems that people wanted to know about and avoided outdated arguments. If the party’s aim of this tour is to drum up support at a grassroots level, David Miliband appears right for the job.

Goldsmiths Labour Students hosted their first event on October 9 centred around the theme of internships. Gus Baker, co-director of the Intern Aware campaign, highlighted the dangers of working for free and the exploitation it can lead to.

passing legislation to outlaw unpaid internships was impossible due to the willingness of people to work for free, and therefore laws would restrict that free will. The campaign focuses on protests, which embarrass large companies into paying their interns.

Baker outlined his concerns as to why unpaid internships should be stopped. He said how unpaid internships destroy entry-level jobs and reduce the diversity in industry to people from middle income and above backgrounds.

The key to the campaign appeared to be about challenging and changing perceptions in companies, university departments and students. “Many people get their internships from career services,” Baker said, “I ask you to challenge them and challenge any lecturers ... who say I have this great placement with one of my friends, go and work for them. Challenge that when you hear it because it’s totally not ok.”

He also gave many case studies including that of a student who worked for a solicitors firm for 8 months. She was doing her own cases and billing for her own work and made that company £20,000 and was not paid for any of her work.

Despite internships offering “valuable experience”, Baker was defiant in referring to unpaid internships as exploitative.

He said “I see these stories of exploitation and they do make me angry, they make me angry because I think people deserve to be paid for the work that they do, they make me angry because there is something inherently disrespectful about someone taking your labour AND not giving you anything for it.”

Intern Aware is a simple message and is directed at changing the views of Government and students alike.

However, Baker acknowledged that

Two representatives from the Goldsmiths Careers Service were also present to outline how they treat unpaid internships. Their policy is that they do not advertise or encourage unpaid internships unless it is within the law to do so.

As well as campaigns, Intern Aware provides student support for workers who have completed unpaid internships to claim back their pay from the employer. Baker made a strong request for ex-interns to send in their stories to help publicise the problem.

More information about future campaigns and intern support is available on their website: http://www. internaware.org/

Wired relaunch delayed by IT problems

by Dean Courtney and Chris Dillon After a year of being plagued with technical difficulties, the launch of the refreshed Wired Radio has yet again been beset with problems. At the time of going to print, and following a campus-wide internet problem, the relaunch, which had been due to be on October 22nd, had been delayed “until further notice”.

When it finally does go live, Wired promises an eclectic mix of music, lively presenters, intelligent discussions and hearty comedians.

Writing on the Goldsmiths website, Wired Manager Kieran Hennessy says “The station’s key aim for this year and beyond is to begin the process of unlocking the rich potential our students hold within themselves. Our aim is to offer a platform through which students of any experience and genre interests are encouraged to get involved and where ideas can be put into practice.”

To find out more, head to www.wiredradio.co.uk

4 X

THETHE LEOPARD NOVEMBER LEOPARD MARCH2012 2011

Features SECTION Kashmir: From Meadows to Mass Graves

By Syed Mujtaba Rizvi Thousands of miles away from London is the beautiful valley of Kashmir.

Surrounded by the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range, the valley of Kashmir is often described as Heaven on earth, for its breathtaking beauty and jaw-dropping scenes.

There is a long history of Hinduism, Buddhism and Sufism – of saints and sages whose stories of mysticism, lessons of peace and divine love are popular to this day.

There is a rich and evolved culture of handicrafts, introduced to Kashmir by the Persians, but so perfected by Kashmiri artisans that a Kashmiri carpet, a piece of paper-mache, or the hand-embroidered shawls are considered to be a luxury and objects of exquisite beauty and grace around the world.

With its heavenly meadows, glaciers, mountains, forests, lakes and streams, Kashmir is a destination for perfect bliss, and has naturally attracted tourists seeking peace and adventure from all over the world for centuries.

Rich in resources and being one of the highest hydro-electric power potential regions in the world, Kashmir has vast economical potential.

However, the last six decades have turned this paradise into what is now referred to as the ‘burning paradise.’

Kashmir largely refers to the area that includes the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir (Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh), the Pakistan administered Gilgit–Baltistan and Azad Kashmir provinces, and the Chinese-administered regions of Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract. In other words, this region is under the occupation of three different countries.

Today, this paradise is a disputed region, a conflict zone with heart wrenching stories of pain and suffering, draconian laws, unjust rule and rampant violation of Human Rights. The Indian administered region is the most militarized zone in the world, with approximately 1 armed person for every 16 Kashmiris. There are laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which allows armed forces to arrest, rape, kill and destroy property without being accountable in the court of law, providing them with the ‘privilege’ of complete immunity.

According to official figures, 42,207 people (including 14,000 civilians) have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir since 1990, while other sources place the figures at more than 92,000. Thousands have ‘disappeared,’ thousands raped like in the kunanposhpora incident where every mother, daughter, pregnant women, the old and the minors were raped by men in uniform – today the place is called ‘The

Raped Village’.

Even with evidence of mass graves - acknowledged by the state, human rights commissions and organisations, no justice has been served.

While the aspirations of the people to be free from rule can be traced back to the times of the Dogra rule - (which started in 1846 after the purchase of the region from the British under the treaty of Amritsar, and lasted, under the paramountcy (or tutelage) of the British Crown, until 1947) – the main dispute started after the end of British rule in India in 1947 and the subsequent creation of two new nations – Union of India & Dominion of Pakistan.

The princely states were given the choice to join either of the two or remain independent. Jammu and Kashmir, the largest of the princely states with a predominantly Muslim population, under Maharaja Hari Singh decided to remain free.

Pakistan expected it to join them being a majority Muslim region and sharing long borders - not seeing that happen, they sent tribals for invasion to free Kashmir from Dogra rule - receiving support from Kashmiri rebels.

However, the Maharaja sought Indian intervention to crush the rebellion and signed the temporary Instrument of Annexation on 25 October 1947 that was accepted by India two days later - on which the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, said “If, after a proper plebiscite, the people of Kashmir said, ‘We do not want to be with India’, we are committed to accept that. We will accept it though it might pain us. We will not send any army against them. We will accept that, however hurt we might feel about it, we will change the Constitution if necessary.” (Statement in the Indian Parliament, 26 June 1952).

Ever since, however, Pakistan and India have both claimed rights over Kashmir and termed it as their ‘integral’ part.

There have been two major wars over Kashmir between India and Pakistan, which cannot be encompassed herein.

Today Kashmiris continue to seek their right to self-determination. They seek the fulfilment of the promise of the plebiscite.

They seek, above all, the right to life; the right to move freely and not be frisked by the foreign army; the right to know what happened to their abducted loved ones, the right to freedom of speech, the right to a life of dignity, the right to a street view which does not look like a war zone and the right to move freely without trespassing a fatal ‘restricted zone’ and having their bodies dumped into a mass grave.

Pic by: Julie Starr

Writing in Coffee Shops - Trend or Inspiration?

By Alice Yehia Some old country music plays quietly in the background, while the conversations fade in, perfectly homogenized with the sounds of the coffee cups being put back down on the wooden tables and the noises of the espresso machine. The smell of freshly brewed coffee invades the nostrils, while the red-painted walls excite the senses.

It becomes a refuge, intimate, away from the agitated world outside, away from the cheap looking Kebab shop across the street. Some people are reading, talking, others are writing.

Time passes by slowly as if trapped in a mythological place.

For many, the café exists as a place where their most intimate thoughts and dreams come to life through writing. A place where stories, novels and emblematic characters are born.

As Goldsmiths Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, Francis Spufford says: “Cafés tell you that imagination takes you places. J.K Rowling wrote her book in a coffee house. Look at Hogwarts and how different it is to an Edinburgh café.”

Perhaps that’s why some writers prefer working in coffee shops. “It’s all about breaking the loneliness,” confesses Mike Sims, writer and staff member of the Poetry Society, while enjoying a plate of vegetable tempura in the Society’s Café. “Writers come in for a coffee, or a glass of wine, just to be friendly. My favorite working environment is somewhere with people, but not too frantic. I love writing in coffee shops. Writers are often poor, and coffee has been the medium for getting together. Katherine Mansfield used to write in this place called the Lion’s Tea Shop and Virginia Woolf was quite sniffy about it,” he says laughing. Sims compares writing in coffee shops to studying in the library, when you know you are surrounded by other people who are going through the same process of suffering.

The Poetry Society’s Café is a place advertised as the perfect location to write during quiet afternoons, or read some poetry during the evenings.

Perfectly hidden in Covent Garden, this small café is decorated in the most minimalist way, with candelabras made out of newspapers. Dora Meade, PHD student and waitress, talks about the café: “It’s been here for more than ten years. It’s supposed to be a place where poets come and talk, but we get a lot of people coming in specifically to write. It’s a very friendly place that attracts a very mixed crowd. It’s not at all pretentious.”

However, writing in small friendly coffee shops is not everyone’s cup of tea. Spufford talks about his writing experience and process. “For me it’s about consuming the spectacle of the world in a semi-private, semi-public place. It’s a commodity relationship.

You’ve got access to social bonds and the world, but you’re not dealing with the people you love having to pay the rent,” he continues smiling sarcasti-

cally. “The reason I write in cafés is because we moved to the country. It’s too bloody quiet in my study room.

Cafés are noisy and I can relax.”

But what kind of cafés does the professor prefer writing in?

“I wouldn’t write in Starbucks, just because the coffee is rubbish, and I love coffee” he says. “I can see the attraction of going to an idiosyncratic café, but I don’t mind being somewhere generic and mainstream. I want company, not intimacy. I don’t really like making conversation with other people or getting to know the owner.”

“A coffeehouse exists to sell coffee, but the coffeehouse cannot simply be reduced to this retail function. A coffeehouse is also an idea, a way of life, a mode of socializing, and a philosophy,” claims Markman Ellis, English Professor at Queen Mary, in his book ‘The Coffee House: A Cultural History’.

According to Spufford, writing in coffeehouses has its roots in the Middle East. “Part of the tradition has to do with how the public and private spheres work in some societies.” While the 18th’s century writing was concentrated in London’s coffee shops, the 19th century was all about Paris. Along with the beginning of the 20th century and the totalitarian regimes, writing in cafés became a dangerous practice.

The year 1989 not only represented the abolition of communism, but also the rebirth of the coffee house, and the birth of the chain cafés.

“Jean – Paul Sartre is known to have done most of his writing (including

heavy philosophical work) in Paris cafés. Also W. H. Auden's famou poem 'September 1, 1939', about the outbreak of the Second World War, presents itself as being written in a New York bar, and that’s just to name a few,” says Chris Baldick, Goldsmiths Literature Professor. ..........

However, can writing in coffee shops be seen as pretentious? ‘You’re not fooling anyone when you take your laptop to a coffee shop’ is the title of American writer John Scalzi’s book about writing.

Nonetheless, Spufford, just as Simms, doesn’t see writing in coffee shops as pretentious: “Pretentious is about people who play,’ he says this ironically in an almost theatrical manner. ‘”t’s like wearing non-prescription glasses to look like an intellectual. I don’t really care if I look like a cool writer. I’m not posing,” he concludes.

And once again, the intoxicating smell of freshly brewed coffee comes out of the espresso machine, as the steam rises. There is no music, just noise.

The feeling of refuge has disappeared; people are coming in and out, ordering take-away coffees. Some of them choose to stay in. Imagination can still spread its wings and fly. It’s just a matter of preference. Whether it’s a small, intimate coffee shop, or a mainstream café, some writers do love using these places as their study rooms and let their writings come to life.

5 X

THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2012 MARCH 2011 THE LEOPARD

Features SECTION

Pride and knowledge - Celebrating Black History

By Charlie Brinkhurst Cuff The ideologies surrounding Black History Month have always caused a certain amount of controversy.

‘Why don’t we have a White History Month?’

I was once asked.

Although I am sure that almost everyone who is reading this will be able to answer that ridiculous question, it is conducive to note that the reason as to why we have a Black History Month is to do with the fact that it is a necessary outcome of years of prejudice.

By having a Black History Month we are able to have a gentle form of positive discrimination brought into our society – positive discrimination that I hope one day, will not be necessary. And, regardless, black history is incredibly interesting; from the plight of the slaves, to the beauty and cruel power of the African kings and queens.

In poetry, black history is often best expressed. From Langston Hughes’s lament from ‘Way Down South in Dixie’, where assumed Klu Klux Klan members ‘hung my black young lover, to a cross roads tree’, to Lucille Clifton’s more modern poetic struggle, where she calls on the reader

to celebrate ‘What I have shaped into a kind of life? I had no model. Born in Babylon, both non-white and woman’ and Maya Angelou’s more positive depiction of the end of the difficulties between the races, ‘When we release our fingers from fists of hostility, and allow the pure air to cool our palms’, the depictions put forth in poetry help to shape the lives of the black people they concern.

While Langston Hughes’s poetry allows us to never forget, and therefore continue to learn from the past, for as the saying goes, ‘those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it’, Clifton’s poetry is an ironic portrayal of the struggles that even modern day black people may face.

Maya Angelou on the other hand, brilliantly advocates peace, a peace that we are still striving towards between all of the races.

So I’ll leave you with this: And I said, “Black is beautiful, but black isn’t power. Knowledge is power.” So don’t be proud of the colour of your skin, for that should not be what Black History Month is about. Be proud of having knowledge enough to know that a skin colour does not define you.

Black History- worth more than 31/365, surely?

By Shuma Khatun Black History Month is generally recognized as a month set aside to celebrate the achievements of influential black figures, typically including those such as Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X. Created by Historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1926, it was initially referred to as “Negro History Week.”

Many deem this to be a significant month in appreciating the struggles and contributions of Black communities throughout history.

However, many critics have disputed that this is nothing less than a ritualistic tradition, a vain and shallow attempt at concealing the wounds of Slavery and years of oppression and segregation.

Actor Morgan Freeman has commented further on the subject, stating that the regulation of his

History to just one month is “ridiculous , echoing the perspectives of many.

Has the very existence of Black History month, a tradition spanning over decades, essentially failed in abolishing the vicious cycle of racism and prejudice it was created to help overcome?

It is indefinitely arguable that a singular month is hardly enough for academic students and subject protesters to delve into the complex struggles and histories of Black cultures and people.

By separating the contributions made

by Black people to the world and creating labels such as ‘Black History’ this undermines the efforts made and struggles endured, steering mankind away from one shared ‘common’ history.

Influential Black figures should be celebrated and taught alongside historical figures, not just given a mere 31 days out of 365.

From the Front to the Latrines: An Interview with Richard Grayson

By Bartholomew Foley I arrived at the Imperial War Museum on Saturday October 13 to the sight of imposing cannons and children straddling de-commissioned rockets. This was my first visit to the museum and I was here to witness the launch of Goldsmiths Head of History Richard S. Grayson’s new book.

He has edited a collection of letters

by John Hamilton Maxwell (J.H.M.) Staniforth, a WWI British Army officer; his chosen title, ‘At War with the 16th Irish Division 1914-1918: The Staniforth Letters.’

The afternoon began with Goldsmiths Warden, historian and proud Irishman Pat Loughrey providing an interesting perspective in his preamble speech for Prof Grayson.

He focused on the positives of collaboration with the museum and advocated future cooperation between universities and the museum. His speech highlighted the need to remember Irish contributions to the war with the looming development of public amnesia.

After the Warden’s speech, Prof Grayson took the stage. He read a number of excerpts from Staniforth’s letters, including topics ranging from the monotony of everyday life to the horrors of the battlefield. Although the letters were originally written to his parents, the writing conveyed a vivid imagery and had an ‘honesty and immediacy’ to it.

Staniforth’s daughter, Rosamund Du Cane, was also in attendance on the day. She was able to give some insightful knowledge on Staniforth and said that he provided his material for the Imperial War Museum in the hope of public consumption. Fortunately, this day brought about Staniforth’s ultimate wish for his letters: publication.

I sat down to speak with the editor about the development of this book and the author of the letters, J.H.M. Staniforth.

Why do you think there is such an extensive collection of letters for these four years? Was Staniforth attempting to catalogue his whole experience.

Richard S. Grayson: Well I think he had a pretty close relationship with his parents and I think he was keen to tell them what it was like, but I think perhaps even more than that, being at war was deeply boring for a lot of soldiers. Most of their time they weren’t in action, most of their time they weren’t doing anything and writing home was one way to get over that boredom. In fact, there are other letters in the collection from one of his fellow officers called Billy Cullen who also wrote to Staniforth’s parents on half a dozen occasions. They’d sent things out that Staniforth and Cullen shared and he (Cullen) wrote to them saying, ‘I hope you don’t mind but I’m really bored and this is one way around it.’

There are some missing letters, simplybecause they were not kept very

well before they were handed to the (Imperial) War Museum, so there are gaps. They (the letters) were damaged.

Was that a normal amount of letters for someone to write to their parents?

I think that is on the large side, but it’s not unheard of for officers. They weren’t subject to quite the same censorship as ordinary soldiers and often were better educated and, therefore, could write longer letters. But it’s unusual to have them in an archive.

I spoke briefly with Mrs Du Cane about his heritage. Can I ask you, what nationality was Staniforth? And if he wasn’t Irish, why did he fight for them?

You have to remember at the time that there was no such thing as Irish nationality, everybody was British; it was all a part of the United Kingdom. He was British, but on his mother’s side there was Irish ancestry and he had a forebear who’d fought in the 88th foot, who were the forerunners of the Connaught Rangers. In fact his mother actually was Irish herself, she was from County Cavan.

The excerpts that you read of Staniforth’s writing I thought were quite eloquent. I spoke to Mrs Du Cane about this and she said that he had aspirations of being a writer.

Yes and he did write because he translated ancient texts: Marcus Aurelius and the early Christian writing of the apostolic fathers; for which he wrote the introductions. But he was also well known for writing ditties to anybody who wrote to him. So when he was a vicar (from 1937-63), parishioners would often get those back apparently.

They’d often get an answer, but they’d also get a little rhyme.

The Goldsmiths Warden Pat Loughrey said that there was a difference in consciousness between the Irish and English representation of the war.

Briefly, would you be able to say how you think this came about?

Well, put very simply, from the Easter rising onwards there was a change in Irish opinion when the British army went from being an army that people joined to being an army that many Irish people were fighting against. That change happened in public opinion at home and didn’t necessarily effect the men who were away in the British army, so when they came back, being a British soldier was not something that they wanted to commemorate. And many did then go into the IRA and fight against the British Army and those with skills and British military experience, their experience and skills was much valued by the IRA [laughs].

There were a couple of members of Irish memorial associations (at the launch), who were they?

The Leinster Regiment Association.

I suppose in lots of ways they’re a family history group. They’re formed by people with some kind of family connection with the Leinster Regiment

Association. The Leinsters were disbanded in 1922, along with all the other Southern Irish regiments on the creation of the Irish Free State, but veteran’s associations continued until the veterans had died out, largely in the 70s and 80s. Associations for the disbanded regiments were formed from the early 1990s as people started to become a bit more interested in the First World War in Ireland, as the Northern Ireland peace process developed. The Leinster Regiment Association was not formed until the early 2000s, but they take part in annual parades, they have a journal.

Do they track the history of the Regiment as well?

Yeah, what they’ve recently done is make links with the village of Ledegem in Belgium, which was liberated by, I think it was the 2nd Leinsters in 1918.

And they’re involved in these sorts of commemorative activities and to a certain extent they’re re-discovering a lost history. For example, they had a dinner back in June and they had a representative of the Canadian High Commission there, who had a military background himself and he brought along photographs of the regiment’s silver plate, which had been given to Canada when they were disbanded and they’re still in a military facility somewhere. The reason they were given to Canada was the full name of the Leinster Regiment is the ‘Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians)’ because when the British Army was re-organised in the late 1800s one of the units that formed the Leinsters was the Royal Canadians.

The Imperial War Museum, did they play a significant role in the development of this book?

Well they did because the material I had from them; they allowed me to do things that other people wouldn’t be able to do. For example, when I discovered these letters (I noticed) Staniforth had typed up the letters, but he’d missed a load, all the ones from Passchendaele.

Now we don’t know whether that’s because he felt it traumatic, or whether because he just couldn’t find them at the time he typed them up, I don’t know. But when I discovered those hadn’t been typed up and I needed to transcribe them, if I’d transcribed them in the Imperial War Museum it would have taken me days, but they allowed me to go in and take photographs in a room so that other researchers didn’t see me and want to take photos themselves. And then I was there for a day, took the photos home and used voice recognition software to transcribe them, which I did 15,000 words in a day which is quite a lot. I could type maybe 5000 words in a day, but 15,000 is a lot [laughs].

6 X

THE THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2012 LEOPARD MARCH 2011

SECTION Features Professor Hackett on Journalism for a Better World

By Giacomo Tirelli Professor and author of several books, Robert Hackett was invited

by Goldsmiths Leverhulme Media Research Centre on October 17, to discuss the future of journalism as a responsible medium to make the world a better place.

The knowledge that we are living in an era of huge social changes such as economic crisis, global warming and numerous wars, leads us wondering about what can be done to save our future.

Hackett tried to answer the question of what kind of journalism we need nowadays to make these changes possible. By the end of the lecture, different issues, such as the role of democracy, the idea of censorship (related particularly to the debate on news coverage of the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster) and power in modern society had been raised.

Hackett supports an optimistic view on the media as a way to empower and orient citizens towards a better understanding of our historical period and society by undertaking non-violent social movements.

This shift in representing political agenda instead of reality had a big impact on the media’s reputation. Therefore, they would need to reconquer their credibility among audiences by promoting a more ethical and responsible way of producing texts and news.

But how should journalism be exactly? And how can we avoid “bad” journalism? Hackett’s response to these questions take the basis of journalism and its “regime of objectivity” under critical consideration. What is relevant are its political, economical and ideological crisis implications, but new normative paradigms such as normative goals, newsgathering practices, epistemology, institutional framework and everyday talk of news could be discussed again.

The professor also believes in “peace journalism”, where more space is given to pacifistic initiatives instead of war events.

Therefore, by paying more attention

Road-tripping through Scotland

By Patricia de Groot

to pacemakers rather than to terrorists, the press would help to spread social responsibility among citizens.

He continued by saying that the media should also focus more on structural and cultural violence between communities and different ethnic groups.

What is striking here is the urge to reconsider the dominant values of tragic news, trying to shift it to a more “pacifist” way of doing journalism.

Another crucial point in Hackett’s research is that newspapers should pursue ethical obligations.

An environmental communication would foster eco-friendly behaviours and make the decision process transparent. Therefore, it should build environmental signals which society would respond to.

Moreover, it is fundamental for the media to raise awareness on the urgency of matters such as global warming and identify harmful policies that need to be changed.

In the last couple of centuries the media came to be driven solely by profit and consumer demand. Journalism’s crisis can therefore be connected to a broader market failure.

Hackett believes that this “miserable” situation could be changed through a democratic reform of communication and media policies thanks to media activism.

He underlines some ways to improve our world, such as to support small communities and alternative media by building on independent funding.

As marginalized voices are accessed, the media content is finally monitored and discussed, often contributing to the rising of social movements aimed at redistributing social, economic and political power and capital.

His final point was that democracy might therefore be established through non-violent, social movement involving the development of independent media, made by everyday users rather than media conglomerates.

Readings, preparations, essays… The new school year only started a few weeks ago and every student is already surrounded by piles of work. Don’t worry; you only have to hang in there a little longer, because soon reading week will be upon us! The ideal moment to take a much-deserved break. Why not plan a last-minute road-trip with some friends throughout the breathtaking Scottish scenery?

Scotland lends itself perfectly to amazing road-trips. The colourful scenery, twisting roads and charming little villages are all waiting to be discovered. No need for detailed itineraries, just jump in your car and follow your instincts. Liberate yourself, leave everything behind and go wherever you feel like going!

10 reasons why Scotland is the ideal break destination 1. A whole other world lies right around the corner.

2. A road-trip through Scotland doesn’t need a lot of planning. The only thing s you need are a return ticket, a rental car and your sense of adventure.

3. Since there is a cosy B&B on every corner, there is no need to book any hotels in advance. Don’t worry that you will end up in a ruinous room! Thanks to the stars given by the Scottish Tourist Board, you’ll know what to expect.

4. Tourist placards throughout the whole country make it very easy to find all of the must-see places. There is even a handy castle and whisky trail that you can’t miss. No huge map or GPS required!

5. Among Scottish natural beauty is a perfect place to recover your breath. The superb landscapes, the awe-inspiring lochs and magnificent mountains will make you forget all of your commitments.

6. The countryside is absolutely gorgeous and the colours are stunning this time of year. Not convinced? See the movie Braveheart for proof.

7. Scotland has a vibrant art and cultural scene, diverse architecture and brilliant shops. In short, this country has something to offer every student.

Pic by:Otacon

8. Scottish history appeals to the imagi-

nation. Feel like royalty in one of the many immemorial castles, or catch a glimpse of the mysterious Loch Ness monster.

9. Not only can you taste the worldfamous Scottish whiskies in original breweries, you can also create your own blend and bring it home in a take-home flask. Great to impress your friends at the welcome home party! www.glengoyne.com 10. Thanks to the hospitality of the warm Scottish people, you will immediately feel at home.

Highlights For those who don’t want to miss out on the must-see places for students, these are only five of the most famous spots: - Edinburgh The capital of Scotland is a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO, and upon arrival you will immediately understand why. The unique combination of the historic Old Town at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, and the graceful Georgian New Town, make Edinburgh a fitting destination for a versatile city trip. Follow the Royal Mile towards one of the most impressive castles in Scotland. Watch the Scottish men, dressed in traditional kilts, play the Highland bagpipes and try some haggis in a snug pub. Chances are that you will have difficulty leaving the stunning city.

- Glasgow In contrast to ancient Edinburgh, Glasgow is a more modern city. Shop lovers can indulge themselves in shopping paradise. The shopping area is centered round Buchanan Street, and consists of a large amalgamation of stores, and the shopping mall, Buchanan Galleries. Thanks to its roaring nightlife, Glasgow is definitely the place to be for a party during your trip.

- Loch Lomond Loch Lomond is without a doubt one of the most romantic areas in Scotland.

Little islands can be found spread over the loch; so if you are up for some excitement, hire a canoe or a little boat to reach them!

- Loch Ness Almost everyone associates Scotland

with the Loch Ness Monster, and it is the mystery of this creature that makes this loch magical. Don’t be surprised at catching yourself continuously on the lookout during your trip, and make sure to pass by the fun Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition if you want to know how this myth was created. Don’t forget to stop by the fabulous Urquhart Castle that lies on the shore of the lake.

- Isle of Skye The natural beauty found on the Isle of Skye is – without any exaggeration – stunning, and the island is easily accessible, thanks to a bridge. Cliffs, colourful houses, steep paths, the Eilean Donan Castle and wildlife (think various mammals, eagles and otters), the Isle of Skye has it all and much more. Watch out for the legendary highland cattle on your way!

Vital things to take along!

- Waterproof clothing, a solid umbrella and a pair of wellington boots - Some food for the road - A good camera, because you will definitely want to take tons of pictures How to get there?

You can either travel by train (eastcoast. co.uk), coach (www.megabus.com) or plane (www.cheapflights.co.uk) to Edinburgh.

The cheapest way to get to there is by train or coach. Trains from London King's Cross Station to Edinburgh Waverley Station run by East Coast leave about every half hour. The journey takes around 4 hours, and advance tickets cost from £11.20 online with a 16-25 Railcard.

The cheapest way is by coach. The journey takes around 10 hours but you can pay as little as £1 each way.

And there is so much more beauty to be discovered in Scotland! Inspiration and useful information can be found on www.visitscotland.com. Just keep the wise words of Ralph Waldo Emerson in mind: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path”. Because, in the end, you never know where you might end up in Scotland.

So, good luck, or fair faw, as the Scots would say!

THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2012 MARCH 2011 THE LEOPARD

To more good times!

By Adam Gilbert

There are many reasons that being a Fresher is perhaps the most exciting time of a student’s life; that sudden experience of freedom and sense of liberation as we leave behind the previous confines of home, the novel thrill of poor hygiene and a messy flat, and that oh so delicious increase of the bank balance, as never seen before.

I think it’s fair to say, however, that it is the people you meet that decide your future. And within the titillation and excitement of Fresher’s Week, the sociability and magnanimity of those around us was great enough for even the most bashful to feel at ease in meeting new people.

Not only this, but with so much to do, the idea of boredom becomes nothing more than a forgotten myth.

However, although some people may not be so willing to admit that they like their SU bar, I personally think any venue that puts on an 80’s synth-pop roller disco should be nothing less than worshipped.

Although of course, the best times are those that happen late at night within your own halls, with a group of eight of us sweatily dancing on the bed in

Lifestyle & Culture SECTION Complications, Part I

Fresher’s Diary

The jaunty frolics of Freshers’ Week are perhaps some of the most memorable moments of my life so far, and have served only to add to the enthusiasm I hold as I look forward to my years at Goldsmiths.

7X

our underwear being the first flashback to come to mind.

However, no matter how many childish things we get up to, living in London allows me to at least feel civilized through the culture, arts, museums and history it has to offer – all at our doorstep.

I can sing horrendously to Kate Bush on Karaoke night, but then visit the Tate and suddenly feel like a hard working citizen again, with a promising degree ahead of me.

I do love singing to Kate Bush though.

Regardless of my debatable music preferences however, I think to be a Fresher in London is especially exciting, and something I very much look forward to making the most of.

Now I have been here at Goldsmiths for one month, and although the Fresher’s spirit shall live on in me, I already feel that I am beginning to lose that first year naivety and learn the lessons that every university student should live by.

Mainly being that the student maintenance loan is not an everlasting infinite amount, but a dwindling number that scarily falls through my bank account much faster than I should like. But I shall not look back wistfully upon my first month; instead, I aim to learn from my Fresher foolery and look to the future with as much pleasure as I have in looking back upon my experiences here so far.

By Radu Istrate

The smell of scotch was all around her place, I remember that. She was lying there naked, without a care in the world, while I was twirling in her bed like some sort of a horny rabbit. I just had no grasp of where I was going anymore, I had no brilliant ideas left that would've changed my life; I had nothing and everything at the same time. To know that something is wrong but to not actually be able to put your finger on that certain problem was just plain annoying. It's not like it was bad, but there was something missing and I felt that in every single inch of my body. I kept retracing every step that might have been a wrong one, but I found no mistakes in my life. I mean, sure, there were the occasional hangovers and the cheating on my numerous girlfriends and the whole life in sin I used to live, but I never truly cared about any of them in the first place.

I remember I didn't want to wake the broad up, whose name I just could not recall, so I put my shirt and my jeans on and took off. Halfway through my walk of shame I remembered leaving my shoes there, but I guessed that she would appreciate some sort of memory of me and what I did to her the night before. The walk of shame for men is so much different from that of women, I reckon.

The looks I used to get while I was casually strolling down the boulevard with my shirt unbuttoned and my zipper undone were priceless confidence boosters.

What's weird was that I didn't need them, because I never craved for anybody’s attention, even though I used to be in the spotlight most of the time. I would have picked a solitary evening over anything in the world - just me, some single malt whiskey and my paintings.

I felt like a kite without a string, slowly drifting through London, silently contemplating and trying to figure out why the sudden emptiness was taking over my heart. I lit up a cigarette and leant against a wall and I looked up at the sky. It was beautiful, yet so crowded with tall buildings and smoke. So crowded with things that didn't matter at the end of the day, things that made the sky lose its simplicity. I didn't have time to think too much about it, because my trousers started vibrating.

It was a phone call from my best friend and also the guy who made me rich just by allowing me to partake in his bestselling game by drawing the models for his characters. I rejected his call, because I didn't want to speak to anybody.

It had been a while since I had done some soul searching, but the worst thing I realized that morning was that I didn't have a soul left to search.

I kept thinking about the night before, to be honest. She wasn’t really a one night stand,

because we went on an actual date before having any… time for ourselves.

She was beautiful, she wasn’t way shorter than me, yet she was very easy to handle. She had her hair dyed black recently, from what I can remember, and she had very easy to lose yourself into, big, brown eyes and damn, she smelled good, like home. I slapped myself across the face at some point, because I was getting way into it. I had made a promise to myself to never get attached to anybody ever again, because the last time I did that, things didn’t really go so well. However, with each thought of her that slyly made its way into my mind, I grew fonder of this woman

drunk, take you to my apartment and give you a tour that will end in my bedroom and - bam! Seduced!

-Fuck you! he muttered. I did make him smile, though.

-Come on, sit down. I swear my heart is truly broken this time.

-If I sit down, will you stop with the homoerotic jokes?

-I promise. Maybe. No. But do sit down.

I know I shouldn't have tried to lighten the mood, because I did majorly screw up again and he's the kind of guy who makes your suffering his suffering.

However, he did know that that was who I still am - a major disappointment.

-Was she not nice enough?

Why did you leave like that?

-I panicked, okay? I… uh, she was snoring. Yeah! She was snoring like a bear. Like a huge, brown, beautiful bear.

-Why won't you take this seriously?

Are you in denial right now or what? Can you not see that you're the only person standing in your way?

Even I am happy with this new girl I met.

-Being happy is a lost art these days.

Pic by William Warby

whose name I could not remember.

The day went by quickly, as I let myself be consumed by each thought of her. I couldn’t even draw anything and I couldn’t concentrate on something for more than a minute or two. After a while, I remembered the call I rejected and I thought it’d be nice of me to return it. We decided to meet up and talk about what had happened, like the two little girls that we were. So, there I was, waiting in the filthiest of bars for my knight in shining armour to talk some sense into me, sipping on my two pound, non-alcoholic cocktail.

I swear to God I'm heterosexual.

-I'm not asking you to be happy yet, I'm asking you to get past your shit. Start over, you know? It's been six months, Derek; you can't just drift through life.

He did make sense. I had stopped searching for meaning in this limited amount of time that is called life. Mostly because I couldn't force myself to even believe it had some left. Maybe the human race is too old and has exhausted its sentimental resources; we've complicated our existence, so that even models don't smile anymore.

Ever noticed that?

Ever noticed that models don't smile -I thought that after our last conversa- anymore? They just walk with a tion you'd at least try to have another real broken expression, as every pretentious prick in town examines relationship, asshole. them. It may not be the best of -Oh, is that how we speak to each other examples, but it's food for thought, right? now? No room for pleasantries for the Maybe that's how it's supposed 'brokenest' of hearts? to be now - you think you -Adding a suffix to a word doesn't make found something special, but you it a new word, jackass. Are you trying never really did. Maybe it's karma to fuck yourself over and invent a new or hell, maybe it's God's sick humour, but we can't be living language at the same time?! these fucked up lives and keep My knight in shining armour, Collin - he continuing to believe that they have meaning anymore. swears a lot when he's mad. incoherent chain of -This was a real relationship, a My thoughts disrupted my converfully satisfying, real relationship that lasted eight hours. sation and he appeared to have calmed himself down. He -Why should I even sit down? gave me the ‘brokenest’ of looks We both know how this conver- and asked me whether I was truly or not. sation's going to end up, anyway. okay -We do. I'll chat you up, get you -No, I’m not. I’m on it, though, I

working replied.

8 X

THE LEOPARD MARCH 2011

SECTION Lifestyle & Culture T.V Chefs Tackle The Refectory

By Grace Dayton I’m sure we all know the Refectory well and its familiar standard lunches and bargain breakfasts which we take full advantage of whenever possible. We don’t expect much from our canteen: just hot food and a warm place to eat.

This is why, when I received an email inviting all students and staff to take part in the filming of a new series, with the working title of ‘Chefs’, being filmed at Goldsmiths, I jumped at the opportunity and decided to rally the troops. The prospect of decent food promised at Refectory prices seemed like an opportunity not to be missed.

James Tanner: Vegetarian Option Penne pasta with vine-ripened tomato fondant, roasted vegetables and cheese crumb topping Meat Option Aromatic Thai green chicken and Autumn vegetable curry with a fragrant steamed rice and griddled flatbread Dessert Cocoa cinnamon bread and butter pudding with butterscotch Kent pears, Chantilly cream and warm chocolate sauce

I’m a particular fan of Thai green curry, so went for that. I have to say that I prefer my own recipe. I wasn’t alone in thinking that in general, the food was quite bland. The flavours were far more interesting than the food usually served in the Refectory, but a lack of salt let it down. And the rice was a step before al dente, crunchy, on both meat main courses. It isn’t my intention to sound like a food snob; I think our expectations were somewhat too high. We had forgotten that we were eating in the uni canteen, not Claridges, and even if Gordon had made an appearance, I doubt it would’ve been anything more Our chefs were the one and only interesting food-wise.

Stephanie Moon and James Tanner.

And here’s me hoping that Gordon Dessert wasn’t bad; I had James or Jamie would pitch up! No such Tanner’s option again. They made a luck. You might recognise the name fatal mistake here, however. Desserts Stephanie Moon from The Great were priced at a ‘minimum’ of £2.00 British Menu aired on BBC 2 in 2011 and it was suggested to students and where she represented the North East, faculty that we pay what we thought it and James Tanner frequently features was worth. Now, despite the fact that on the Lorraine Show on ITV. They are all proceeds were going to charity; you both none the less accomplished within were never going to get students to pay their profession, whether or not I know more for something than they needed their names! to, so £2.00 it was.

The television program seems to work on a pretty standard premise. Two ‘celebrity’ chefs, I use the term loosely, get thrown into all manner of situations and fight to the death to come out on top. Perhaps a slight exaggeration but you get the gist. On this particular challenge the two contestants were sent to location, our Refectory, and were given a day to suss-out the kitchen, compile a menu, source ingredients and cook a canteen-style two course meal for two hundred people all under a minimal budget.

We were presented with menus from each chef, who had created one vegetarian and one meat main dish and then a dessert. Once the general introductions had been filmed it was business as usual – we all lined up for food and paid the usual £3.80 at the tills.

The Overthinker’s Guide to Being the Quiet Person in a Seminar

By Nindya Atmodipoero

The wine was very welcome (we had to pay for that of course, nothing’s free these days), but given that it was a Wednesday it did provide us with very effective Club Sandwich pre-lash. All round it was an evening with a bit of a difference. Having technically donated £5.80 to charity, we went away with a The menus were as follows: warm, happy feeling. But maybe that was the wine. The winner of the contest Stephanie Moon: wasn’t announced – all very top secret Vegetarian Option – although given the amount of people Spicy bean cakes with tomato, mango, who opted for bread and butter pudding coriander salsa, mint and lime dressing, as opposed to chocolate brownie, I’d and crispy potato wedges. say Mr Tanner had it in the bag.

Meat Option Beer-splashed jerk chicken with char- ‘Chefs’ will air on the BBC early next grilled sweetcorn and herby rice year as part of a charity competition Dessert series.

Hot chocolate brownie, chocolate sauce, whipped mint cream and Pic by: Lauren Powell honeycomb crumbs

Photo: The Bubble Chamber.org

Namaste, lovely people. Welcome to the Overthinker’s Guide, a column for those with a workaholic brain. Each month I will try to ease your analysis paralysis by sharing some tips on student life situations. This November, I’ll cover being the quiet person in a seminar, which can be problematic and often leads to uncontrollable re-examination of oneself.

So: You’re in a seminar. You managed to get the corner seat – your favourite spot. You don’t really know the people in this group. Okay, no, you actually know that guy who sits on the opposite corner. You’ve seen him in the lecture; he always comes late and sits in the last row, making noise every time he walks up the stairs. You don’t know his name, so that doesn’t count.

But that girl, sitting next to him, you both queued for coffee before and had a small talk. You’re wondering So what’s her name again? Is it Rebecca? No, she doesn’t look like a Rebecca. Maybe Jessica? You’re pretty sure it ends with a –ca.

At this time, the register reaches you, good timing, now you can tick your name and try finding out her name… wait, no Rebecca or Jessica? Okay, so, who is she? You start to blame yourself for forgetting names – how horrible of you! – just as you realise you’ve taken a little too long with the register. You quickly pass the register to the next person as you justify your poor memory, How am I supposed to know her if we only talked once for two minutes? It’s not my fault. You hope that she forgets your name too, you know, just to make it even and so you feel better.

Anyway, that aside, being in a classroom like this is no big deal; it’s only one hour – actually, since seven minutes have passed, you only have to endure the remaining fifty-three minutes!

Plus, you possess the three crucial elements of seminar survival. You came to the lecture earlier, and you’ve done the reading, so you’re not clueless – which is always nice, it’s one less thing to worry about. The seminar leader is rather okay: smart, adequately leading and not dictating the seminar, and most importantly s/he’s not the type who picks on people (YOU) so you know no one will force you to speak up and you can just sit there, listening to other

people. Hopefully they will talk. Well, they better, because you won’t.

Overthinkers don’t like to talk to strangers because they hate to impose on anything – hey, words are more powerful than swords, right?

DO’S AND DON’TS SURVIVING A SEMINAR

OF

DO Thank God/ any Supreme Being you believe in because you are at Goldsmiths, where you are not graded for seminar participation. Some universities include class involvement as part of a student’s overall grade, in which case you’re screwed. Be thankful that you’ve come to the right place – it could be worse, you could be ‘fighting’ with other students for a ‘Most Obviously Critical and Enthusiastic Award’.

Regardless, gratitude just generally makes life feel so much better.

DON’T Feel jealous of those classmates who keep on talking. True, nothing makes you feel more like a failure than seeing other people being so articulate at expressing their opinions. Look on the bright side: if it weren’t for these brave martyrs, you could be the one who has to do all the talking.

DO Look busy. Take notes, keep writing. Or if there’s nothing to write about, draw some pictures. The point is, whatever you do, just make sure your pen is dancing on the paper. It gives the impression that you are benefiting from the seminar – not to mention, it makes you look a lot less ignorant.

DON’T Make eye contact. It may be obvious, but eye contact is the root of all conversations.

DO Take your time when talking.

In the unfortunate event that you are expected to speak up, take your time.

Take a mental breath, relax and speak slowly. If you want to make it easier for yourself, do a) mention the reading/ lecture, b) refer to the person who talked before you, and c) ask some questions.

Typical things to say: 1. “Yes, I agree with [insert name/point of person b)], I also think…”

2. “On page X of the reading, s/he says [read the whole quote]. Yeah I think that quote pretty much sums up my opinion.”

3. “But that’s not always the case. In my country, …” - Dear overthinking international students, …

4. “Can you just explain what X means when s/he says [read quote]?”

5. “And what do you think? I want to know your opinion.”

DON’T Ramble, just shut up. So: you’re halfway through presenting your argument and you just realised that you’re not making sense. You feel, no, you know, you should just stop talking. But you can’t, you can’t just stop talking because you’re still in the middle of your own nonsense argument. Stopping now will only make you look stupid. WRONG. To continue talking will make you look even more stupid. Be honest. Say, “I’m sorry. On second thought, what I just said doesn’t make sense.” Trust me on this, nothing haunts you more than the post-seminar “I should’ve said this, not that” over-analysis.

A few life tips to keep in mind when you think you’re stupid because you don’t have anything to say 1. The idea that intelligence is measured by one’s ability to express one’s argument orally is not always accurate.

There’s a reason why there are more brilliant minds who write books than there are who star in a talk show.

2. People are not thinking about you as much as you think they are thinking about you.

3. Silence at the proper season is wisdom and better than any speech.

– Plutarch

9

MARCH 2011 THE LEOPARD

X

SECTION Lifestyle & Culture

The Body Adorned - Dressing London at the Horniman Museum

By Giacomo Tirelli

Come Dine with Grace

By Grace Dayton

Photo: bbc

It’s almost Halloween, and that means there’s an excuse for a party. If you’re planning a get together this spooky season then why not ditch the take-out and do a bit of home cooking. Thai green curry is a great dish if you’ve got lots of people round, and is really simple to make. Here’s how:

South East London’s The Horniman Museum is playing host to a new exhibition “The Body Adorned” which showcases Londoner’s love to adorn themselves and features on how objects from various cultures and eras have found their way into urban London fashion.

industry were also interviewed.

Menswear designer and Blogger Nick Bain said that people in London are free to express themselves as individuals: “everyone has the ability to be who they want to be”. He went on to say that in London, people from around the globe coexist without major problems.

London, a true metropolitan city has always embraced different cultures, religions and beliefs.

Fashion Stylist and blogger, Sabrina Bangladesh also noted that London makes people try different styles, allowing for experimental looks as self-expression.

Last but not least, Wayne Modest, co-curator of the exhibition, sees London as an international city where dissimilar traditions come together in a global flow of materials, objects and patterns from all over the world.

He suggested that most people are free to dress and express their identity.

The exhibition considers how the movement of people, objects and ideas have influenced London’s fashion culture in the past and the present.

There is a diverse selection of objects on display: several wardrobes from London residents, headdresses, early tattooing instruments and adorned figures, some imported from the British Museum and University College London.

There is also a film installation, in partnership with Goldsmiths, by ‘The Light Surgeons’, which explores the reasons behind how individuals dress.

Passers-by were interviewed before the opening of the exhibition about the “London Look”. Some observed that Londoners dress diversely; following a casual, unique, eclectic and multicultural style. Most of them added that sometimes their choices were influenced by a brands ‘religion’ making it easier for them to identify with a preset appearance.

Furthermore, it was established that everyone had their own favorite places to shop from. People’s unquestionable, underlying reaction was that everyone has a unique style, which is always different from that of their peers.

People involved within the fashion

However, there are also some who cannot follow their desired way of dressing because of the barriers imposed by their own social structures and conventions.

One of the most interesting things to emerge from the exhibition is that most citizens, instead of being completely free to choose their look, are highly influenced by their cultural environment, society and also by mass media.

Choosing how to dress follows a desire to create a unique self-identity within a group. It seems to be difficult for people to be able to detach from this completely.

People are not as free as they seem, and any choice they make about the clothes they wear appears to be influenced by someone else.

Most youngsters today try to imitate the way their favourite celebrities dress and behave in their everyday life. Some of them sacredly buy from clothing brands sponsored by their best-loved

pop stars or actors. It is hard to say if this process of imitation is conscious.

However, it is certain that the media and market possess an immense power – influencing people’s consumerist behavior in any way possible while making a profit from it.

What people expressed in the interviews about dressing freely and uniquely remains entirely questionable.

It is far from the truth that people dress distinctly from each other; they just embody something that has already been thought of and created as a market good to be bought and used by the consumer.

What emerges is that fashion, like any other discourse, is socially constructed in its meaning.

Therefore, fashion taste could be thought of as a set of connotations, signified by certain clothes, that a group considers suitable for its representation in society.

In fact, they use certain styles of dressing in order to distinguish themselves from other groups and identify themselves with that particular fashion style.

At this stage, semiotic analysis can be applied to discover social meanings hidden in a particular outfit. For example, a certain kind of t-shirt might denote an affiliation to a religious, cultural or social community.

Fashion can be considered one of the main ways of producing group and personal identities.

The entrance to the gallery is free, and the exhibition will run until January 6.

Ingredients: Feeds five people for £13.50 (That’s £2.70 each!)

garnish can be added if you’re feeling snazzy and poppadoms and naan can be bought if you fancy it. Mix and match with the veg: courgette can be fried with the chicken for example.

9.

The curry itself can be frozen and reheated: cover and cool outside the fridge, then transfer to the freezer. If you are reheating then the curry should be piping hot before eating. Always be careful with chicken.

3 large chicken breasts 1 pack of mangetout 1 pack of green beans 1 red pepper 1 green pepper Sainsbury’s 1 jar of Thai green curry paste 2 cans of coconut milk 1 pack rice (half a mug of dry rice per person is ample) 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil (whatever you have in the cupboard is fine)

Sainsbury’s shopping list: 460g Chicken Breast – £4.00 Mangetout Sainsbury’s Own – £1.50 Green Beans Sainsbury’s Basics – £1.00 per pack Sainsbury’s Basics Peppers – £1.29 Sainsbury’s Thai Green Curry Paste £1.29 2 x Blue Dragon Coconut Milk – £1.99 Sainsbury’s Basics Long Grain Rice – £0.44 per kg pack

Method: Takes a maximum of 35 minutes 1. Boil the kettle in advance so that you’re not wasting time boiling pans of water and put a large pan or wok onto a high heat, adding the oil to the pan.

2. Dice the chicken breast into same sized pieces so that they’ll all cook at the rate. Chop the peppers into thick slices and take the rest of the vegetables out of the packaging and wash if necessary.

3. Once the wok is up to temperature, place the chicken in and colour the outside. Add the curry paste. This amount will make quite a hot curry, add less if you prefer milder food. Turn the hob down to a medium-low heat.

4. Add the coconut milk to the wok.

The chicken will be poached in this, which is why you only need to colour the outside initially.

5. Decant the water from the pre-boiled kettle into a saucepan and bring to the boil again. Heavily salt the water. Put the rice into a sieve and wash under the cold tap (this means that it’s less likely to stick together when cooked).

6. Once the water is boiled and the rice washed simply cook the rice for about 10-12 minutes or follow the packet instructions (you can use boil in the bag rice if you wish).

7. When the rice has been cooking for about 4 minutes, add the vegetables to the wok. The vegetables will steam in the coconut milk and thai curry sauce.

Doing this should mean that the rice and curry will be ready at the same time.

8. Serve immediately – either plate-up or decant into serving plates. Corriander

TOTAL: £13.50

Vesper Martini Cocktail The premiere for the new James Bond film Skyfall was last week, and what better way to celebrate than with a drink straight from the film. The Vesper Martini was featured in Casino Royale and is James Bond’s drink of choice.

It’s not for the faint hearted, but with Freshers week under your belt, we think you can handle it.

For one Vesper Martini: (one measure 25ml) 3 measure gin (Bond chooses Gordon’s) 1 measure vodka ½ measure vermouth (Bond chooses Kina Lillet but we don’t live in France so we choose Martini Extra Dry) Lemon peel for garnish Preparation: (according to James Bond) "Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet.

Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?" - Casino Royale

10 9 X THE LEOPARD MARCH 2011

SECTION Comment & Opinion

THE GREAT DEBATE

The fight for visibility is far from over

By Michael Lovelock October 11 marked International Coming Out Day. Unfortunately the occasion did not provide the impetus for any famous names to explode out of the closet in a shower of sequins, rainbows and unicorns, a la the recent examples of Anderson Cooper, Nick Grimshaw, Frank Ocean and others (metaphorically speaking, of course), but in any case, that would have been beside the point.

Newly-appointed Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt recently called for the limit on abortions to be halved from twenty-four weeks to twelve, provoking a storm of controversy, criticism and debate. Our contributors argue their beliefs on this deeply contentious issue.

“I am a firm believer in a 12-week limit”, Camilla Gilbro, MA Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship I must admit, that even though I’ve now lived in London for more than a year, I have never been the best at keeping up with UK politics.

But when I was recently made aware of the debate on abortion going on, largely provoked by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s call for the abortion limit to be lowered to 12 weeks, I went a little crazy on Google. Hunt’s remarks have caused a tremendous amount of drama for several reasons, and all of those reasons give me the creeps.

At the moment the abortion limit is 24 weeks. The reasons given not to lower the limit were: too many unwanted babies in the world already; no medical research can argue against it; and my favorite one - that you won’t be able to tell if your child has Down’s syndrome within the first 12 weeks. The last argument came from a women’s activist group, I have not been able to figure out which one – I hope it’s because they’re embarrassed.

As you have probably guessed I am a firm believer in a 12-week limit.

This is what the limit is in Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden and Norway amongst others, and I think the UK would benefit from a little bench marking. Furthermore, using the excuse that there are already too many unwanted babies in this world is like when people tell their children to eat up because children in Africa are starving.

All this does is make children in Europe obese. The children in Africa will still be hungry no matter how many beans and sausages children eat in London.

Lastly, I find it chilling that a country who has recently hosted the Paralympics would dare talk about Down’s syndrome in this way. I have great sympathy for disabled children and I think it is important that countries give parents the opportunity to have an abortion if they know that their child will lead a short and painful life.

However, many disabled children can lead a perfectly wonderful life, and all the children I have ever met with Down’s syndrome have been happy and extremely loving. We need to think long and hard before we start removing infants due to illnesses. I think this

development can be very dangerous.

An abortion is not something you get because you find out your child is missing an arm, or because some children in Africa don’t have parents.

An abortion is something you can have if you have been unlucky enough to end up in a situation where you’re pregnant, but don’t want to be. It will always be an unpleasant experience, but probably less unpleasant if you have it done before you can actually feel the baby kicking inside you.

“It’s a woman’s right to decide what happens to her own body”, Ren Aldridge and Martha Julings, Women's Officers in the SU It seems incredible to us that in 2012 we feel compelled to write an article arguing for a woman's right to decide what happens to her own body. Because ultimately this is what this boils down to - a woman's right to chose.

The amount of abortions occurring after 12 weeks is low. On the NHS website it states that "Most abortions (around 90%) are carried out before a pregnancy reaches 13 weeks, and virtually all abortions (around 98%) are performed before 20 weeks." Thus the debate is around a minority of cases, most of which affect the most vunerable women.

The current resurfacing of the debate seems to be largely to do with scientific developments into researching the point at which foetus' feel pain and at what stage a foetus can be kept alive.

There is also some rather more sensationalist information being given on the gruesome details of the procedure - as though we all thought having an abortion was like some fragrant spring clean of the womb.

Evidence still generally suggests that a foetus cannot feel pain until well past the 24 week limit. But are these hugely complicated arguments and painfully difficult moral decisions really ours to navigate and draw, at our comfortable distance, our own condemning decisions from? Surely this is for each individual woman facing this choice, her choice, to decide.

In fact, even women who have faced this decision, and haven't gone through

with an abortion, need to respect circumstantial differences. As Judith Orr emphasises, "It is a fact that some young women simply don't realise they are pregnant, some go into denial until they can't hide it, and, in the case of older women, some mistake missed periods for the menopause and don't realise for some months that they are pregnant."

Under a Conservative government seemingly intent on winding the clock back when it comes to attitudes about things like families, sex and abortion, and in a cultural climate increasingly tolerant of rape apologists, women are being attacked from all angles.

In fact, in the current climate of austerity, some women following job losses or benefit cuts might realise they simply can't afford to have a child. But even if a perfectly well off woman, who already has children, and who is baring a healthy foetus decides at past 12 weeks that she quite simply cannot handle having another child, then who are we to tell her she has to?

Caitlin Moran puts forward a very basic, but perhaps often overlooked point, about the importance of a child being wanted. Moran says her resolve on this issue firmed after she had children and realised the level of care, attention and love they require. She aborted what would have been her third child on the grounds that she did not feel she could wholly commit her life to its existence.

International Coming Out Day was founded in 1988 with the purpose of campaigning against issues of LGBT inequality, raising awareness of the support networks available to LGBT people, and ultimately to fight for a world in which anyone can come out free from the spectre of oppression, fear, shame or persecution. It is recognised in countries as diverse as Australia, Canada, Germany, Poland, Switzerland and the USA, as well as here in the UK. But Britain is so tolerant now, you might think; is this really necessary?

In a word: yes. Under the phantasmagoria of rainbow flags, Lady Gaga and newspaper articles espousing the strength of the “pink pound”, we can sometimes forget that life as a young (or old, for that matter) LGBT person can be a painful and alienating experience. The message that heterosexual equals normal bombards us from almost every angle, which can result in what can feel like an overwhelming absence of images reflecting your own desire, images with which to identify and take comfort.

This is why the visibility of out and proud LGBT celebrities is so important, and why we need people like X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan openly

voicing her appreciation of some scantily-clad female backing dancers live on prime-time TV. A welcome reprieve from the hyper-feminized caricature of Gok Wan or Alan Carr which, as fun as they may be, largely dominate the public perception of LGBT people.

When asked why he had waited so long, gay US television actor Matt Bomer, who came out in June this year, remarked, “I chose not to relegate my history to the back page of a magazine, which to me is sort of akin to putting your biography on a bathroom wall,” a comment which I found incredibly frustrating.

Coming out is not a degrading, attention-seeking display of what one should really keep private. This implies that culturally we have transcended sexual categorisation; that it’s your own business and it just doesn’t matter anymore; which is clearly wrong. The default heterosexuality that is hoisted upon every child at birth is perhaps the biggest cultural injury committed against LGBT people; which brings the whole concept of “coming out” into existence in the first place.

We need a culture which acknowledges the existence of a multiplicity of LGBT bodies. Sure, some gay men like fashion and fabulousness, and some are professional boxers like Orlando Cruz or play Rugby like Gareth Thomas; and some lesbians orbit around the earth like the late astronaut Sally Ride.

Anyone can be gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans; but we’re not determined by it, and nor does it define us. We can, and do, all manner of things in our own different ways. For now, however, the battle to be visible, in all our wonderful and diverse forms, is far from won.

To conclude, as Judith Orr asserts, "the key argument is that women are more than incubators: they have the right to control their own bodies. No woman should be forced to continue a pregnancy if she feels she cannot cope."

It is vital that we protect the most vunerable, who would be disproportionately affected by a reduction of the abortion limit by any amount, but do not exclude any woman who exercises her right to control what happens to her body and her future.

Do you disagree with the opinions of any of our contributors in this month’s issue? Want to have YOUR say, and get your views on these, or any other issues printed on these pages and read by students and staff across Goldsmiths? Then email your articles or any queries to commented.leopard@gmail.com.

11 11

NOVEMBER 2012 THE LEOPARD

SECTION Comment & Opinion

Extradition: Home and Away

By Noreen Niazi

General Sports Critique

By Oliver Bellamy When you talk about the Football World Cup there is often a gross sense of perceived underachievement from the English National Team, the last time they lifted the cup was in 1966, no doubt before many of us were born.

What followed from their 4-2 victory over West Germany was forever a reminiscing sense that it can happen again though for the time being, it has not.

With such a strong domestic league it is hard to see English players wanting to go anywhere else, regardless being such a competitive environment it can sometimes be daunting for younger players to make their mark with the majority of money being made at home.

It has forever been a debate whether imported players should be reduced within teams to allow more English players to shine, although this would effectively destroy what has become of the premier league with international interest making it what it is today.

Illustration by Sofia Niazi

My joy at hearing that Gary McKinnon was to be spared extradition to the US was mixed with anger and frustration, as two weeks prior, Talha Ahsan, a man from my local community, was not afforded the same treatment. Home Secretary Theresa May stated that it would be against McKinnon’s human rights for him to be extradited since, as a sufferer of Asperger’s Syndrome, he would be at high risk of attempting suicide.

May made this decision having two weeks earlier condemned Ahsan, a poet who also suffers from Asperger’s and had been identified as having a high suicide risk, to immediate extradition to the US. He was cruelly taken from Long Lartin Prison, where he had served 6 years without charge, and bundled onto a plane without a chance to even speak to his family. The disparity between the treatments of both alleged criminals is both unfair and inhumane.

Gary McKinnon is accused of hacking into US military systems at the height of post-9/11 paranoia, and is said to have perpetrated the "biggest military computer hack of all time." Ahsan’s allegations also relate to internet crimes, he is alleged to having been involved in running a pro-Jihadi (whatever that means) website called azzam.com.

What’s the difference between Gary McKinnon and Talha Ahsan?

McKinnon has admitted being involved in hacking, yet in a British court of law it seems like there would be relatively little evidence by which to prosecute Ahsan of any serious crime.

Other than that, one is white, middle class, is supported by celebrities, songwriters and politicians, and is portrayed as an eccentric who merely hacked into the US military system to look for

UFOs. The other is a bearded Muslim from Tooting, with a name that no one can seem to pronounce. The striking similarities in both McKinnon and Ahsan’s medical conditions and the fact that both were wanted by the US under the same extradition treaty makes the disparities in the decisions to extradite one and spare the other scandalous. It has prompted families and supporters of Ahsan to accuse the home office of double standards and ‘old-fashioned racism’.

I attended the protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice a few weeks ago, when a verdict on Talha Ahsan and four others, including the infamous and headline monopolizing Abu Hamza, was due. As the verdict was finally announced there were tears running down the cheeks of the family members, friends and supporters who were holding on to a fragment of hope that justice would prevail. It did not. A Somali women screamed out from the crowd in rage: ‘This is democracy?

This is the democracy you want to bring to Africa? Keep this democracy of yours, we don’t want it!’

If you are born in this country and pay taxes in this country, surely you should be able to prove your innocence in this country? If extradited to the US Garry McKinnon could have potentially faced a life sentence of 70 years in a maximum secutiry prison. In what I consider to be a gross miscarriage of justice, in a prison in Connecticut Talha Ahsan is currently subject to solitary confinement, where 50% of all prison suicides in the US occur. Their hearing is not until October 2013.

I’m not sure who British justice is for, but as a Muslim British citizen it does not seem to be for Talha Ahsan, or me for that matter.

Certainly it is not as though England have always produced sub-par, weak teams. In fact some of the best footballers have come from blighty itself; the problem is a group of truly talented players have not come at the same time.

Players like Oxlade-Chamberlain and Hart have shown what great players they can be, but we find ourselves lacking across the right plane, as well as across the back with the recent international retirement of John Terry.

There is a danger to get overly excited by these few exciting talents and suddenly think they can carry an entire team to victory, Theo Walcott was a youth player with great things expected of him, fast on the ball and an aptitude for getting the crosses in he had somewhat of a burden on his shoulders. Although highly sort after he never developed into quite the sensation he was pitted to be which is easy to blame on the high prospects of his development.

Younger players, despite lacking experience often will have a certain drive to win that gets somewhat diluted over time, yet England in more recent times has opted with older more experienced players who are less likely to be affected by the lime light. There is a glimmer of hope in the England squad with Hodgsons squad averaging in at just 24 against San Marino, then again the pressure from San Marino has never been quite on the same playing field as Spain.

While the resignation of John Terry from his international footballing career has been seen by most as a massive blow to the back line, at 31 it was questionable how long he would have been in the national team, with Ryan Shawcross and Gary Cahill both inviting call ups thanks to recent developments in form and an apparent maturity required.

This recent competition to the back line may well offer a welcomed rotation to the England squad where no player should be guaranteed of a starting place. Certainly the best pair

of defenders available to England are Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott who, thanks to their defensive duties at Everton have become accustom to each others movement and were part of the winning side against Spain, if only a friendly.

On either side of the central defenders lies more room for direct competition, with Ashley Cole increasingly becoming less motivated for England and Leighton Baines really picking up his form he provides a really strong threat to that position, however his attacking runs forward may put off Hodgson as a permanent replacement who tends to favour players with more modest force. Kyle Walker has become a key figure within the Tottenham ground yet has found it difficult to find a place in front of Glen Johnson who provides more experience and is potentially less of a risk to the side.

Around the midfield is difficult to see anyone who quite competes on the same level as Steven Gerrard, Tom Cleverly provides more attacking play however his long passes and shots on goal do not match the precision and technique we need around that attacking midfielder role.

As mentioned earlier OxladeChamberlain has given the England team an exciting and well-needed injection of flair, but he still lacks maturity on the ball and is far more effective as an impact substitute, giving defenders a nightmare when stamina becomes a key factor. Ashley young has still shown excellent pace and unprecedented ability to wriggle round defenders and coupled with Theo Walcott on the right side provides extremely high pace and plenty of attacking options out wide.

A divider between fans is that of Andy Carroll, arriving at Liverpool after the monstrous £35 million move he may well have had to be top scorer and best defender of the season at the same time to justify so much investment on 1 player.

Yet his impact has been negligible, certainly his presence around the box makes him somebody you would like to have on the bench where the crosses can really fly in. Not to mention the form of Jermaine Defoe and the relentless work rate of Rooney are bound to make even the hardiest defenders sweat, especially coupled with the pace across the sides.

Players are certainly the grounding point to any team but often the manager can be more pivotal to the success of a team than any amount of quality players. One with tactical prowess and an ability to control his players can turn a faltering 11 man zombie march into a highly slick show of intricate passes and impressive build up play.

A great example of this is Harry Redknapp after his appointment at Tottenham Hotspur; with the team in the relegation zone his better suiting format helped them reach 8th in the

league by the end of the season. While it’s unlikely they would have finished in the relegation zone by the end of the season, Spurs did end up achieving Champions League football. In contrast Andreas Villas-Boas was introduced to Chelsea with dire results, his complete upheaval of the dressing room left players nervous about the club future, something similarly demonstrated by Harry Redknapp and the England call up highlighting the fragility of the team spirit.

It is not just about results however, managers are constantly being criticised for their uninspiring displays, even if the end result is a desired one. After winning the La Liga Fabio Capello was released by Real Madrid thanks to his extremely defensive game play style .

Perhaps it was these results that attracted the Football Association to Capello, after all with fans craving a World Cup win again they may not have cared how it was achieved. Despite his resignation, Capello clearly left a mark on the England team, Roy Hodgson’s clearly defensive setup during the Euro was not exactly inspiring yet by the quarter finals he had the backing of most people.

While he was an unpredictable choice his selection of players very quickly revealed his interests to be very much safe build up play versus extravagant long balls. Rio Ferdinand was omitted from the England team and while most assumed this to be because of the tension between Ferdinand and Terry, it could indicated Hodgsons reluctance to have a player who would often try to create chances out of nothing, favouring his long ball clearances which would often negate possession.

Another indication was James Milners introduction at the right hand side of the pitch, while Milner has shown his ability at crosses and vision it would be easier to assume his employment is to act as a more of a stronger presence when Glen Johnson makes runs forward. Direct competition for this space is usually seen by the likes of Theo Walcott who on multiple occasions has lacked in his defensive duties.

This style of play has been proven to work, Roberto Mancini has often focused his attention at the back which achieved Manchester City their first Premiership cup, Roberto Di Matteo clearly prioritised defence over attacking during Chelsea’s remarkable Champions League campaign. Yet fans often grow tired of these very defensive displays, while it effectively worked at the Euro, the lack of goals is also what essentially knocked us out.

While this style of play has been employed by teams trying to counter act Barcelona’s attractive and intricate passes, it is difficult to support a team using such tactics with equivalent passion. After all nobody truly likes seeing their team pinned back in their own half.

12 X 14

SECTION Photographer’s Page Photo Essay

Forced Begging: Slavery in modern India

By Camila Jurado

Actually in India there are more than 300,000 child victims of forced begging. Criminal gangs - known as the “begging mafia” - operate along the country abducting children and forcing them to ask for money in the streets; sometimes they are tortured and mutilated. This is a photo essay about homeless children trapped in a vicious circle of constant abuse and the most horrendous violation of human rights.

The Leopard is offering a contest open to amateur and professional photographers. We will have a photo contest every month inspired on the technique and the style of different important photographers among time.

For our next contest inspired by Bruce Davidson, the photography must be in black and white and taken by you. You must do some research about Bruce Davidson and apply some of his techniques into your photography. You should also create a short but good story along with the picture. Everybody is welcome to send some of their work (maximum 5 images) to photoed.leopard@gmail.com. The winner will be published in the next Leopard´s edition. Submission deadline: 23rd of November.

THE THE LEOPARD LEOPARD NOVEMBER MARCH 2011 2012

13 THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2012 X

MARCH 2011 THE LEOPARD 14

SECTION Music

Cheeky Dmitri - the Composer

by Benjamin Kuper-Smith

The orders Dmitri Shostakovich received were clear: He was to compose a celebratory symphony for the Soviet Union's victory in World War II. Naturally, Stalin demanded a grand work for this occasion, a big symphony with huge orchestra, choirs and soloists.

Shostakovich was going to follow these orders exactly. He had been publicly attacked and had been officially denounced in 1936; many of his friends had been imprisoned or killed. Now that he was regarded favourable again, he was desperate not to lose Stalin's sympathy.

The precarious nature of the composer's situation can best be summarized by one of Shostakovich's earlier quotes, when he made the final round of a competition for the Soviet Union's new anthem: 'I hope they accept my anthem. It would be a guarantee that I won't be arrested.'

This composition’s timing coincided with another fact. This was going to be Shostakovich's ninth symphony, a number that had received its own myth since Beethoven composed his ninth symphony, the final movement with Schiller's Ode to Joy. Since then a curious fact emerged: No important composer created more than nine symphonies. Bruckner and Mahler both died whilst composing their tenth symphony, Dvorak reached nine. Brahms (4), Schumann (4), Tchaikovsky (6) and Sibelius (7) didn't even get close.

This lead Schönberg to state: "It seems that the ninth is the limit.

He who wants to go beyond must pass away. (…) Those who have written a Ninth stood too close to the hereafter."

Independent of whether Shostakovich was aware of this, ninth symphonies tended to be of great scale.

All works are grand (Beethoven's, Bruckner's and Mahler's are all longer than an hour) and many of them directly addressed the topic of death, most notably in Mahler’s ninth. wThe guests at the premier witnessed something quite unexpected.

The symphony, which finished after just 23 minutes was very gay and vivacious, even naive and required only a very small orchestra. It was in all senses an anti-ninth-symphony, differing in about any possible aspect of the expected symphony.

Even the slow movements weren't reassuring or warm, as in Beethoven or Dvorak; they were cold, afraid or

warning. Shostakovich openly ridiculed Stalin.

To give an example: During the entire first movement the trombone has only one responsibility: It's plays two notes, which signal the beginning of the second theme. Later on however, the trombone continuously misses its entry, randomly trying to open the second theme (this is not a fault by the player, it is written into the score).

The trombone does not miss its entry six times, until it, more by chance than skill, finds the right time to start the second theme again at its now seventh attempt.

Later, just before the end, the trombone again plays its signal, lacking confidence, quietly and only once, whilst the rest of the orchestra heads towards an ending that is entirely unrelated to the trombone's efforts.

One can imagine Stalin's reaction, which was indeed unusual. He did nothing.

Maybe this did not come as such a surprise to Shostakovich after all.

There had been two similar events, one of which occurred to him, and one to Pushkin. In both instances, they had directly defied their leader.

The then twenty-seven-year old Pushkin had directly told Nicholas I that he would have stood with in the ranks of the rebels at the Decembrists revolution, which did not lead to any bad consequences but quite the contrary: Nicholas I now called him the wisest man in Russia. And a similar incidence occurred to Shostakovich at the night of the aforementioned contest for the anthem.

After he had been called into the opera box where Stalin and the committee were gathered with the other finalists, it was announced that Shostakovich did not win.

Another finalist who did also not win due to flaws in his orchestration blamed it on his arranger, whose absence inhibited him from defending himself. Shostakovich shouted at the composer that it was unjust of him to accuse someone without that person's possibility to defend himself and that he should be ashamed; all of this directly in front of Stalin.

Again, it seems that dictators like honest men who are not afraid of speaking their mind in front of them.

Stalin simply remarked later, after the musicians had left, that 'Shostakovich seems to be a decent man'.

Pierrot Lunaire celebrates 100 years since first performed

by Amelya Goldy

The centenary of the first performance of Arnold Schonberg's incomparable masterpiece “Pierrot Lunaire” was marked on October 16. It is probably the single most provocative work of the 20th century and to commemorate the occasion, the Royal Academy of Music programmed a linked series lectures and concerts, including a performance of the work by Jane Manning.

Along with being one of the leading vocal pioneers of contemporary vocal repertoire giving more than 350 premieres in her illustrious career, Jane Manning has performed “Pierrot Lunaire” over 100 times. She has recently released her book "Voicing Pierrot" which is a practical, analytical and personal guide to the vocal part including an accompanying CD of the instrumental parts, which is the result of three years of research as a Fellow at Kingston University.

Manning told The Leopard: “I first performed the Pierrot in 1965 and was also the first work I broadcasted for the BBC, it has punctuated my career regularly for over forty years in many varied circumstances all over the world. It continues to be an enormous joy and a privilege to be involved with it; it generates excitement and never bores. Schoenberg was a composer with an incredibly natural musicality and spontaneity of ideas”.

Jane graduated from the Royal Academy in 1958 and has been working with present students; “It’s a very special pleasure to be involved in this celebration at the Academy, my own alma mater.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the six gifted young singers, the conductor Karin Hendrickson and the ensemble for the concert.

It’s now quite difficult to recreate the mixture of awe and illation I felt in launching myself into the piece for the first time. I now know it is the single work that has most influenced my development as a singer and artist. It was always an ambition of mine to perform Pierrot on the centenary; this is a realisation of that ambition.”

Manning gave two of the highly informative lectures during the series at the Royal Academy, the first about the legacy of Schoenberg’s vocal writing; Sprechstimme and beyond.

Taking Pierrot Lunaire as a starting point, Jane talked about the writing for the contemporary voice and exploring the vital relationship between speech and song.

She sighted specific compositions which reflected Schoenberg’s impact on vocal writing from Kurt Schwitter’s “Ursonate”(1922-32) to Luciano Berio’s seminal work “Sequenza III for woman's voice” (1965) and including recent compositions such as Joanna Lee’s “Chansons Innocentes”(2008). Playing or singing examples which directly showed Schoeberg’s influence, she described the technical difficulties of producing Sprechstimme especially in the higher vocal register, where if not careful the performer would sound like they were singing.

Jane went on to mention that after Pierrot Lunaire Schoenberg mainly began to write for male voices, as it is easier to produce this unique use of the voice in the lower range.

her interview for Music Matters on BBC iplayer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/ episode/b01n9z9h/Music_Matters_Pierrot_Lunaire_InsideOut_Piano_SaintSaens/ Also Jane Manning, “Voicing Pierrot. A practical, analytical and personal guide to the vocal part of Schönberg’s Pierrot Lunaire” published by Southern Voices, is available from www.albarmusick.co.uk

If you wish to hear more about Jane Manning and the anniversary of the first performance of Schoenberg’s “Pierrot Lunaire” you can listen to

Got a Problem? Just... Ask Bono!

by Kelly Wells

Hi everybody, I’m international rock superstar Bono.

I’ve been asked to take time from my busy schedule of saving the world and buying new glasses to help some of you ordinary people. So, got a problem? Just ask Bono!

Dear Bono,

Dear Bono,

I’ve been having problems with my girlfriend since we both started uni in different cities.

I’ve just moved to London and feel all alone in the big city, far from home. What can I do to stop these feeling of isolation and despair? N. Nomates, Deptford.

We don’t see each other as much as we used to and we seem to have less in common. I’m scared she will meet someone else. What can I do?

Sad fresher, Brockley.

Bono says: You know, a lot of people experience relationship problems when their circimstances change.

I remember talking to Nelson Mandela when he came out of prison about his problems with his wife. I said to him, prison sex is a lot different to living with someone. He said my advice was of great help. Of course they ended up divorced but there you go.

I dunno man, when I’m in trouble with the wife I buy her a new house.

Bono says: Bejeesus! I knnow what you mean N, I was in L.A. the other day having lunch with Christian Bale, Bill Gates, Kofi Annan and Robert Pattison, and we all found it really hard being so far from home.

Kofi was asking me to do the music for a new charity film about the UN, trying to raise awareness of something important.

We’re having a big gala reception at the Cannes film festival. I’m going down there in my yacht with Frank Lampard and all his WAGs to do a sponsored swimsuit competition and er..what was the question again? Oh yea, no mates. Get a life and meet some new people!

14 X

THE LEOPARD MARCH 2011

SECTION Sports Cycling

By Oliver Bellamy If you were to mention the Olympics even only a few years ago certainly Great Britain would be worthy of some attention with its water based antics usually hauling in some medals, despite this it’s never been considered largely a threat to the medal table. With the summer Olympics being hosted in London there was always the assumption that the home advantage would rack in a few more medals, if not for the fact that the host nation always gains automatic qualification to every event.

Despite this it’s difficult to make a dent in Team GBs monumental success, taking home 29 gold medals propelling the seemingly small nation into 3rd on the medal table.

The main objective of the Olympics was to rekindle national pride, yet while being the butt of many jokes almost 80% of people felt that it had done just that. Certainly during the summer Olympics there were disappointments as well as near impossible achievements but it’s safe to say that even after a substandard start when the gold medals began coming in, they hardly stopped.

What was most surprising were the amount of medals obtained from areas not typically considered strong points in Great Britain. Five of the gymnasts that made the podium were the first to do so since 1912, while Andy Murray caught payback on Roger Federer to win gold despite being beaten by the same man 1 month ago. The equestrian, judo, rowing and sailing all superseded official expectations by the government, but also earned the respect of the public through faultless performances that will no doubt inspire generations for years to come.

Potentially one of the more publicised areas that Team GB had dominated on was the track cycling. In 2004 Australia had secured 6 gold medals with Great Britain earning a meagre 2,

yet in 2008 Australia only managed 1 silver medal while Team GB walked away with 7 out of a possible 10 gold medals. Considered perhaps a strike of luck Team GB again defied the odds and walked away with the same percentage of gold medals in track cycling at London and only 2 less overall in all cycling disciplines.

With a series of nations left scratching their heads, some attributing it to the bikes, others blaming the climate but most had realised the genuine pool of talent that was complemented by the coaching styles and the comparatively high level of funding the cyclists had received.

Perhaps it’s the media exposure then that for the first time this year Goldsmiths Cycling Club has been founded as a way for different cyclists to join together in what has always been considered a healthy, fun way to socialise. As part of a bid to attract a more diverse range of people the club caters low speed; low intensity courses around the countryside. While not being brisk rides to say the least they do offer an understanding into the effects of endurance but also essential skills in bike control and varying surfaces. The lower gradient is something relatively less experienced riders are encouraged to start on but the club also offers more challenging, mountainous routes around the Kent and Surrey countryside that offer more face paced sections despite only being around 25% further than the causal ride.

Apart from the occasional cycling routes provided for both fitness and social elements, the club can advise on the correct accessories and even the best bikes for purchase. Because of all this I can only recommend you give their Facebook group a look at and even maybe come along for a ride one day. http://www.facebook.com/groups/ goldsmithscyclingclub/

Goldsmiths Rugby Continued from back page

The promising signs continued during the game as the scrum, a talent that the Goldsmith’s team relied on heavily last season, continued to play a domineering role in the game. Confidence began to spread amongst the backs as every scrum was won with little difficulty and even when the Rum’s won their own scrums; it was not without retreatingseveralyardsbackbeforehand.

Another promising aspect of the game was tackling. Too many times last year were Goldsmith’s caught trying to go in high with their arms outstretched like zombies, and too many times did this lead to powering backs breaking the line and scoring tries. Yet today was a different story as hardly any misstackles were seen amongst forwards and backs. Special mention even has to go to captain Niall, Singh and team clown Dan Benson, for making a number of big hits, which clearly shot fear into the RUM’s backs who nervously pushed the ball out wide whenever they were in possession, leading to very little ground being made and most of their game being played in their own half.

Yet for all the quality on show and the all the physicality that Goldsmith’s had to offer the first half was a dry spell. You could say both teams cancelled each other out but in the end you simply have to accept that Goldsmith’s simply weren’t clinical enough. This was attributed rightly at the end to two things. One, is that Goldsmith’s, with only one real outright finisher in Tom Ross, could not get the ball over the line, even though they made a number of quick breaks.

Finishing a move is as much about physically putting the ball over the line and mentally thinking you can do it. Tom, last season’s highest try scorer, was marked out the game by a wide Rum’s team that clearly had very knowledgeable wingers, who gave him very little space. As a result Goldsmith’s were a bit like an arrow with no head at times, unable to truly penetrate the back line and turn possession into points. The second reason is to do with support play. Whilst the pack was physical, hard hitting and supportive, in the final moments of play, almost as if touch line fever was kicking in, the support went

lacking. Fitness and experience will have to improve as the forwards need to support fast runners in Rory and Niall if they want to turn a good move into a great one.

Finally though Niall and Tom linked up well moving the ball out wide and back in to crack the dead lock and put five points on the board. Unfortunately just before this, Glynn Webster, a brute in second row, seemed discontented with hurting the opposition with crunching tackles, and accidently took out Daniel Armistead, one of his men. Daniel has been practicing his kicking all summer but was not there to convert the try, leaving Dan Benson, who was highly inexperienced in this field, to take over and ultimately fail.

After the try was scored though Goldsmith’s heads seem to go down. Instead of pushing forwards and looking to build on their result, the psychology of the lead took its toll and Goldsmiths, a side that were dominating all game were suddenly unable to keep

possession.

The ball quickly went wide and the tired legs of the greyhound simply couldn’t keep up.

The game went to five a piece and as if by magic, the draw refocused the hounds. Attack after attack ensued and new outside centre and man of the match, Will Barnes came close to breaking the line and scoring. Yet the outside centre was running on empty after running himself into the ground all game. If the ball had fallen to either Tom or Niall you feel the result might have been different, suggesting maybe a switch between Will and Niall might serve the team better.

It can be seen as a testament to how good Goldsmiths played that the RUM’s team kicked the ball into touch when the clock had run out. Yet testaments and compliments from the ref account for very little when you don’t win a game that should have justly been yours.

Signs look good for this new team and if they can continue this form, this season could turn from a good one into great one. Time will tell.

Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting

by Radu Istrate As bad as I feel for using that very unoriginal reference as the title of this article, I must admit that my participation to the first Goldsmiths Kung Fu training of this school year gave me the total opposite feeling.

From the nearly two hundred people that signed up at the Fresher’s Fayre, fourteen of them actually showed up, so it’s safe to say that I felt a little disappointed. However, their excitement made me forget all about it. From the first minutes I could tell that the trainers were taking this whole experience very seriously, as one of them had made himself a juice made of spinach and tomatoes – tasty!

Even though I didn’t participate in their training, per se, I could feel a sense of community developing among the students and their trainers, which led me to believe that not only were they learning new ass-kicking techniques, but they were also having a great deal of fun.

When I asked one of the trainers, Bao Anh Nguyen Tran, why he had gotten

into Kung Fu, he simply replied that he wanted to fulfill his Asian stereotype, but on a more serious level, he admitted to being very passionate about martial arts and wanting to develop other people’s interest in them as well.

Hearing this, I questioned one of Bao Anh’s disciples, Alex Ford and after asking him whether he’d be coming back or not, he said he’s definitely going to do this again, both for the sake of his health and well-being, but also because he would like to imitate his idol, Chuck Norris, at some point in his life.

I wish Alex good luck on his very long journey to becoming the second Chuck Norris (as if that’s even possible) and to all the shy readers that didn’t feel like going the first time around, I wholeheartedly recommend this new experience, as it is good for both your body and your mind, but also because the bond you’d create with these people through sweat and blood will be much stronger than any other!

15 15 X

MARCH 20112012 NOVEMBER THE THE LEOPARD LEOPARD

SECTION SPORT Sports

Prospects Good for Uni’s Sports Teams Continued from back page.

FOOTBALL FANATICS One of the most popular sports at Goldsmiths is the football, with the sport hosting a first, seconds, thirds and women’s team. The first team who this year are competing in multiple leagues will certainly be testing the endurance of their players who will have to battle it out with the likes of the Imperial Medics 1st and Imperial 2nd team as well as the UCL 2nd and 3rd teams who have always performed incredibly strong thanks to excellent training facilities. The first game of the season will be on Saturday 27 October where they butt heads with King’s College Medics

Goldsmiths Sport Fixtures

BACK OF THE NET-BALL Another popular among Goldsmiths are their netball teams who much like the football teams have enjoyed enough popularity for multiple teams, both of which are involved in different leagues.

The 1st team plays Royal Holloway on the 22 October, immediately playing Queen Mary University on the 24 October with stamina and focus will no doubt be a key issue with such a short resting period between games. Limited details are available on the 2nd team but their first game of the season will be against King’s College 4th team.

Mixed Volleyball

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. University of the Arts London (1st) Home - Location TBC

Wednesday, 14 November Women’s Volleyball

Middlesex University (1st) vs.

Goldsmiths (1st) Away

Men’s Football

Roehampton University (1st) vs.

Goldsmiths University (3rd) Away - Roehampton Playing Fields, SW15 5BP, 2.00pm

Men’s Rugby

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. University of East London (1st) Home - LH, 2.00pm

Saturday, 17 November Men’s Football

University College London (3rd) vs Goldsmiths (1st) Away Goldsmiths (1st) vs. University College London (6th) Home - LH, 2.00pm

AMBITIOUS

Sunday, 18 November Women’s Football Keep up to date with all the latest Goldsmiths fixtures here to follow your favourite sports around London, some locations are yet to be posted on the board but be sure to check the British Universities and College Sport website (www.bucs.org.uk) for further updates and fixtures beginning December.

2nd team, a match that could set the momentum for the rest of the year.

The 2nd team fared less well and have dropped to division 4 yet still will have to entertain an incredibly difficult group with the likes of the King’s College 4th team on the 27 October with Goldsmiths 3rd team playing the same group on the 24 October.

The women’s first team will host the School of Oriental and African Studies 1st team on Sunday 28 October at the Loring Sports Ground.

HALF VOLLEYED The volleyball men’s team were unable to triumph over Essex men’s team on the 17th losing out 3 – 2 to a team who have consistently been running along the top flight and were only relegated in 2010, yet it’s important to take a positive stance for exactly the reasons above. The mixed volleyball team play Queen Mary University on the 29 October while the women head to Middlesex’s university ground on Wednesday 24 October in a bid to start the season well.

With such a large amount of competitive fixtures there’s no doubt every team will be giving their all against the other universities, with the right mind-set and that extra leadership every team should be able to aim for gold, who knows, we may even find Goldsmiths in the Premier League in a few years?

Do you enjoy watching sports and have lots to say about it? Why not write for us and let Goldsmiths know your views? Email your articles and/or pictures to sportsed.leopard@ gmail.com

Saturday, 28 October Men’s Football

King’s College London Medics (2nd) vs. Goldsmiths (1st) Away King’s College London (4th) vs.

Goldsmiths (2nd) Away

Women’s Football

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. School of Oriental and African Studies (1st) Home - Loring Hall Sports Ground (LH), DA14 5EL, 2.00pm

Monday, 29 October Mixed Volleyball

Queen Mary University (1st) vs.

Goldsmiths (1st) Away

Women’s Netball

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. King’s College London (1st) & Goldsmiths (2nd) vs. King’s College London (4th) Home - Bacons College Outdoor Courts (BC), SE16 6AT, 6.00pm

Wednesday, 31 October Women’s Hockey

St George’s University (1st) vs.

Goldsmiths (1st) Away

Men’s Hockey

University of the Arts London (2nd) vs. Goldsmiths (1st) Away - Quintin Hogg Memorial Sports Ground, W4 3UH, 12.00pm

Men’s Football

Goldsmiths (3rd) vs. King’s College London (5th) Home - LH, 2.00pm

Men’s Rugby

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. Imperial College London (2nd) Home - LH, 2.00pm

Women’s Netball

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. Imperial College London Medics (2nd) Home - Haberdashers College (HC), SE4 2ED, 6:30pm

Saturday, 3 November Men’s Basketball

Goldsmiths (1st) vs Queen Mary University (1st) Home - HC 1.00pm

Men’s Football

Goldsmiths (1st) vs University College London (2nd) & Goldsmiths (2nd) vs Royal Free and University College Medical School (3rd) Home - LH 2.00pm,

Sunday, 4 November Women’s Football

St George’s University (1st) vs Goldsmiths (1st) Away

Monday, 5 November Women’s Netball

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. School of Oriental and African Studies (1st) Away St George’s University (3rd) vs.

Goldsmiths (2nd) Away - Rob Lowe Sports Centre, SW17 0RE

Wednesday, 7 November Men’s Hockey

King’s College London Medics (3rd) vs. Goldsmiths (1st) Away - Honor Oak Park, SE23 1NW

Women’s Volleyball

School of Oriental and African Studies (1st) vs. Goldsmiths University (1st) Away

Men’s Football

Goldsmiths University (1st) vs.

Middlesex University (3rd) Home - LH, 2.00pm

Men’s Rugby

Royal Veterinary College (1st) vs.

Goldsmiths University (1st) Away, 2.30pm

Women’s Hockey

Goldsmiths University (1st) vs.

St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospitals (2nd) Home - Crystal Palace Hockey Pitch, (CP) SE19 2BB, 3.00pm

Women’s Netball

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. Imperial college London (2nd) Home - HC, SE4 2ED, 6.30pm

Saturday, 10 November

Men’s Football Imperial College London Medics (1st) vs. Goldsmiths (1st) Away - Teddington Sports Ground, TW11 9BB, 12.00

Sunday, 11 November Women’s Football

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. Royal Free and University College Medical School (2nd) Home - LH, 2.00pm

Monday, 12 November Women’s Netball

St Bartholomew’s (2nd) vs.

Goldsmiths (1st) Away

Royal Holloway University (2nd) vs. Goldsmiths (1st) Away

Monday, 19 November Women’s Netball

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. St George’s University (2nd) Home - BC, 6.00pm

Mixed Volleyball

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. University College London (1st) Home - Location TBC

Wednesday, 21 November Women’s Netball

University of Hertfordshire (3rd) vs. Goldsmiths (1st) Away

Men’s Volleyball

London School of Economics (1st) vs. Goldsmiths (1st) Away

Men’s Football

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. City University (1st) Home - LH, 2.00pm

Men’s Rugby

London Metropolitan University (1st) vs. Goldsmiths (1st) Away

Men’s Hockey

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. UAL (2nd) Home - CP, 4.00pm

Women’s Volleyball

UEL (1st) vs. Goldsmiths (1st) Away - SportsDock, E16 2RD, 4.00pm

Women’s Hockey

RF&UC Medical School (2nd) vs.

Goldsmiths (1st) Away - Hounslow Hockey Club, W4 2SH, 4.30pm

Saturday, 24 November Men’s Football

Royal Holloway University (5th) vs.

Goldsmiths (2nd) - Hounslow Hockey Club, W4 2SH,

Men’s Basketball

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. St Georges (1st) Home - HC, 1.00pm

Men’s Football

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. Imperial College Medics (1st) Home - LH, 2.00pm

Sunday, 25 November

Women’s Football Goldsmiths (1st) vs. King’s College London (1st) Home - LH, 2.00pm

Wednesday, 28 November Men’s Rugby

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. University College London (2nd) Home - LH, 2.00pm

Men’s Volleyball

Goldsmiths (1st) vs. University of Chichester (1st) Home - HC 6.00pm

X

Sport

SECTION

THETHE LEOPARD NOVEMBER LEOPARD MARCH2012 2011

16

Leopard Sport’s Outlook on a Tough 2012-13 Season

By Oliver Bellamy Sports Editor

Where are they now?

Pete Grant, a former Sports Editor for The Leopard was last seen sliding round a field in Cambridgeshire over the Summer.

With the British University College Sport Leagues fast approaching, coaches from a manner of sporting disciplines have been crucially searching from players to fill vacant gaps over the past couple of weeks.

Budding footballers grafted it out against one another over a 2 day try out session in a bid to catch the attention of team managers. With a considerable turnout of players, things weren’t made easy by such a variance of individuals ranging from light, agile forwards to rugged centre backs.

Certainly for such a small university, Goldsmiths attains a highly competitive sporting setup with multiple teams in football and netball.

CONSISTENCY Perhaps its most consistent sport is the rugby union team (right) who managed a mid-table finish last season in 7th, downing the Middlesex and Kent 2nds team towards the end of the season.

This year saw the first game of the

season played at home on the Loring Hall Sports Ground hosting Royal Free and University College Medical School 2nds, who have enjoyed a steady promotion throughout the South Eastern Conference. Royal Free, who currently sit top of the table could only manage a draw against Goldsmiths and thanks to that game Goldsmiths now have a game in hand to them. Goldsmiths next travel to Berrylands, where they clash with the London School of Economics 1st team who suffered relegation last year after finishing 8th in the 2B South Eastern Conference. Despite this setback LSE have shown solid form and beat London Metropolitan 24 – 18, suggesting a tough fixture ahead. Yet with the right frame of mind and tactics Goldsmiths could head to second in the table based on try difference.

Continued on Page 15

Rugby Report

By Leigh Simmons A draw of 5 -5 against a demoted team from the league above might seem like the kind of result a previous Goldsmiths team would be proud of – the kind of result they would bite off your hand if offered before the game.

Yet as Niall Docherty lead his team off at the end of a hard fought game against the Royal University of medicine, the dejected look on their faces and the bitter tastes in their mouths said everything – they deserved to win this game!

After

they

walked

over

last

season, this was technically the greyhound’s first game. It was a huge test and one that began as it ended with the Goldsmith’s pack dominating the physical battle on the pitch. It was clear from the start, that big hitters in Arthur, Andy, Gaffers and Simmons were too much for the Rum’s team to handle, with the pack not only securing every one of their own rucks with ease, but also managing at times to turn defence into attack, with quick darts to the break downs leading to a number of turn overs during the early stages of the game.

Continued on Page 14

New Season, New Fixtures - October/November’s Page 15