Why students need to talk about politics

WHY GEN Z SHOULD CARE MORE ABOUT POLITICS

From Brexit to trump to the covid-19 pandemic the world has changed dramatically since I left high school. Young people born at the turn of the century, and especially students, are seen both as the group which disengages politically, yet is also at the forefront of major political movements.

These include the extraordinary response of Liverpool’s reaction on June 21 last year when Liverpool’s students, locals, and LGBT+ community rallied in support of LGBT+ rights, even though multiple members of that community had been viciously attacked only a few weeks before the Pride rally.

The year before, following the murder of George Floyd, hundreds if not thousands of locals and students gathered around St. George’s Hall to show their support for the black community and against police brutality.

Callum Barrie a 22-year-old campaigner for greater democracy rights ‘North West Power’ and a final year politics student from Liverpool said: “Politics affects everything in our lives from who we vote for, the TV we watch, the friends we make, the universities we study at. “Politics affects every decision whether we realise it or not, it is always present. To recognise that and the effect that our actions have especially as young adults who are expected to change the world, we need to be involved in politics to be aware of what’s going on in our lives as well as what’s affecting the lives of those around us who we care for and love”.

He aadded: “Coming to university I’ve met people from a variety of communities and cultures I’ve never thought about prior to my time here. Knowing that so many students like myself have had the same experiences we must all become more interested in the daily affairs that govern our and those around us lives.

“From immigration laws affecting foreign students, LGBTQ+ rights affecting our mates, spiking threats, and rape culture affecting the women in our lives and a variety of others to numerous to name. We must each, all of us become involved in helping to protect the people who we have come to meet, shape our university experiences and love as friends, course mates, and more. That is why I believe students should be more involved in politics”.

Photo Credit: Callum Barrie

Photo Credit: Callum Barrie

While the world of politics can be intimidating, by getting involved in politics at a young age, students and other Generations Z-ers are creating opportunities to learn and grow. Many young adults already have a foothold in the world of politics and all they need is just a bit of guidance to make them feel more confident about their knowledge and what they stand for.

An important thing to remember is that activism isn’t the only way to be politically involved. At every university, undergraduates should be encouraged to listen to debates, read and research current political issues and figure out their perspective on them.

The generation of which I’m a part have a powerful ability to make a difference. They need to realise that they will be the backbone of the political landscape in the future and that every political decision made today by the government will affect everyone’s tomorrow, so it is crucial for the younger generations to be involved and have a voice.

Photo Credit: Callum Barrie

Words by RADVILE SAKENAITE

Photo Credit: National Museums Liverpool Photo Credit: National Museums Liverpool

Celebrating history with a sense of Pride

February is LGBT+ History Month, a celebration of all the people and communities who wave the rainbow flag with pride. MNL reporter DANNIELLE JONES discovers some of the events happening across Liverpool that you can attend

National Museums Liverpool launch new LGTB+ Events to help raise awareness:

Nationals Museums Liverpool (NML) are putting on a variety of events, activities and introducing new online content all relating to LGBT+ History Month.

Claire Benjamin, Head of Learning and Participation at NML said: “We are so excited to be able to showcase a series of contributions from members of Liverpool’s LGBT+ community, responding artistically to the important people, places, and events in their lives.

“From the links between religion and sexuality in one of our live panel discussions to exciting new online content, we hope that everybody can find something to inspire them throughout February.”

During the month, the Museum of Liverpool are hosting live events to raise awareness of LGBT+ History Month, including a panel discussion that explores religion and LGBT+ lives as well as talks with LGBT+ individuals who express key issues using their art.

Alongside the museums live events, they also have a ‘LGBTQ+ Histories Hub’ on the National Museums Liverpool website to give visitors the chance to delve into interviews, opinion pieces, art history and hidden stories all relating to the LGBTQ+ community from the comfort of their own homes.

Claire addded: “Liverpool’s LGBT+ history is long and diverse – the city has been at the epicentre of some of the most important leaps forward in the struggle for LGBT+ rights, including the first legal same sex marriage in a place of worship in 2012.

“Despite landmark moments such as these, there is of course still progress to be made and the city is still reeling from a series of homophobic and transphobic attacks in 2021.” • For more information on these events and to book tickets, visit: liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ lgbt-history

Big Chat Series: Christianity and LGBT Lives Museum of Liverpool 12 February 2022 – 1-3pm At this event, you can hear the untold stories of three panellists– Chris Butler, Sister Maria Renate and Kieran Bohan – as they talk through some of their shared experiences and discuss whether having a Christian faith is compatible with being within the LGBTQ+ community.

Queer Creatives: Art and Activism Museum of Liverpool 19 February 2022 – 1-3pm This event covers the stories and works of three local artists - Ben Youdan, Lo Tierney and Dan Chan - who use their work in different ways to make the LGBTQ+ community and their issues more visible and to campaign for a more equal society.

Storytime with Mama G Museum of Liverpool 26 February 2022 – 11am-12pm, 1-2pm and 3-4pm A family friendly event aimed at younger visitors to give them an opportunity to celebrate LGBT+ History month with special guest, Mama G, present-

Photo Credit: Liverpool John Moores University

Trans and Non-Binary Student Network Student Life Building - JMSU Development Room G.18 10 February 2022, 4:30-6pm Led by LJMU Trans and Non-Binary Students' Officer, Olian, this event is an opportunity for trans and non-binary students to come together and chat about their ideas, experiences, and things they want to do in the future.

Movie Night: LGBT+ History Month Student Life Building 11 February 2022, 5-7:30pm Join Jessi, LGBTQA+ Students' Officer for LJMU at their LGBT+ History Month Movie Night.

Ally Workshop: LGBT+ History Month Student Life Building 17 February 2022, 4-6pm An interactive and informative session where you can share top tips about how to be an ally within the LGBT+ community and beyond.

Bingo Night: LGBT+ History Month Student Life Building 28 February 2022, 5-7pm To end their LGBT+ History Month event series, Students' Officer Jessi is hosting a bingo night with an LGBT+ twist!

Photo Credit: National Museums Liverpool

Social events bring community into the spotlight

Within LJMU, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team (EDI) are alhosting a variety of activities to help raise awareness of LGBT+ History Month and celebrate those within the university and beyond.

The team have put together different types of social events including a LGBT themed movie night, bingo night, workshops and more taking place throughout the month at the Student Life Building, located near Lime Street Station.

Dr Bee Hughes, Co-chair of LJMU’s LGBT+ Staff Network, spoke to MNL about the importance of raising awareness about the LGBT+ community and how the history month can help engage people about the community.

Dr Hughes said: “LGBT+ History Month is important because the history of queer people has been misrepresented, misunderstood, or entirely hidden for a very long time. Now we have much more visibility of LGBT+ people and their lives, but there is still a long way to go to ensure the history of our era is better written than the histories of queer lives in the past.

“I think people should engage with and learn about LGBT+ history all the time – not just during history month – but I do think it is a valuable time for our queer communities to be seen and heard, for us to reflect and celebrate, and for those who might think the world is changing too quickly around them to take a moment to learn about all the different expressions of sexuality and gender that have existed across time and around the world… we’re not as new as some people seem to think!”

They also spoke to us about things within the community that need more awareness and how LGBT+ History Month can help with this, adding: “One of the most important things for me is that we aspire towards liberation for the LGBT+ community, not just acceptance. LGBT+ history month can help us move towards liberation when it creates space for queer people to tell their own stories and histories, and perhaps counter some of the moral panic and misinformation that tends to swirl in the media.”

Tickets for the events occurring within the university can be booked online for free and for more information you can visit: What’s On & Events @ Liverpool John Moores University Students’ Union (jmsu. co.uk)