Issue Seven 12.05.17
Album Reviews: Totty Spotted Fire Safety
Stormzy & Ed Sheeran!
returns to the centre-fold.
tips to prevent accidents.
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION CENTRE
Still looking for a house in town for next year? The university’s website is the best place to start looking for accommodation in town. • All properties are close to campus and inspected by us • All advertised private landlords are accredited by Decent and Safe Homes (DASH) • Properties available from as little as £50 per person/per week for groups and individuals Pop in for a chat with one of our advisors or search on www.lborostudentpad.co.uk. The only place to find ‘University Approved’ accommodation.
Peace of mind - we will help you choose accommodation, be it halls or a house, we will find something right for you!
01509 274488 E: findahouse@lboro.ac.uk www.lboro.ac.uk/accommodation @lboro_campus www.browzer.co.uk /Campus.Living.Loughborough
LET’S CELEBRATE YOUR GRADUATION
18–21 JULY 2017
REMEMBER TO BOOK YOUR...
AL FRESCO BBQ^ live music and bar 11.30am to 2.30pm, Martin Hall Building Casual barbecue served outside offering a selection of freshly bbq’d food, streetfood, paella, fresh strawberries and cream, prosecco and a selection of bottled beers.
EAR BOOK L A FR Y & GE OF P EE JUG T IMM END S ** S3 0 JU
£15 per person TO BOOK and guarantee your place visit www.lboro.ac.uk/graduation
NE
**non-alcoholic jug can be offered as an alternative ^limited space available on the day
THE TEAM CONTENTS Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Taylor Editor Leanna Kightley Assistant Editor Alice Priestley Art Director Jessica Foxford Head of Design Liam David Hopley Head of Illustration Emily Forrester Chief Photographer Elias Ruiz Monserrat Design by Jessie Foxford
Comment Editor Asli Jensen Culture Editors Jamie Hutton - Lydia Kah-Pavlou Features Editors Emma Morgan - Natali Dimitrova News Editor Ellie Mackenzie Music Editor Emily Harrison Sport Editors David Boyden - Hannah Thompson Style Editor Arianna Rossi Head of Online, Marketing and Distribution Beatrice Quarshie
Disclaimer: Label is the publication of Loughborough Students’ Union. The opinions contained are those of individual contributors, not of Loughborough Students’ Union, the editorial team, or any other officer of the Union unless otherwise stated. Front Cover: Design by Liam David Hopley
Editorials 04 Editorial News 06 How Should We Respond to Terrorism? 07 Would you become a student landlord? The Perks of Being Single Whilst at Uni 08 Should Britain Give Foreign Aid? 09 Is the University Class Gap Closing? Features 10 Final Year Blues 11 Want Those Summer Vibes? 12 Great Nosh: Red Lentil Soup 13 A Day In Her Shoes 14 Top 3 YouTube Channels Should UK School Receive Free Sanitary Products? 15 Tweets | Loughborough Overheard Is Happiness Really A Choice? 17 Let's Talk About Sex (In Films) Baby 22 Totty Spotted 29 Fire Safety Culture 18 The Disney Debate 19 Cineworld vs Odeon 20 Top 5 Summer Reads 21 A Tale From The Farm Music 24 GSAP... More Than Just An Album 25 Gangs, Signs and Prayer 26 Ed Sheeran 'Divide' Review 28 Summer 2017 Festival Lowdown Design 30 Competitions Style 31 Transitions 32 Style Shoot - 36 Years Of Walking On Water 34 Feminism and Fashion 35 Body Parts As Trends 36 Ripped Jeans: Where To Draw The Line? 37 Are Luxury Accessories Really Worth It? Sport 38 Spring Classics: What Went Down? 40 Shining A Light On: Wakeboarding 41 How To Use Exercise To Combat Study Stress Exec Focus 42 Interview with Sport EO: Luke Thomson 43 Interview with College EO: Josh Thompson 3
And for any poor souls suffering with hayfever this summer who need to hide inside for the next three months, there’s a cracking article on which YouTube channels to keep up to date with. Three great suggestions; but make sure you also keep an eye out for the incredible Casey Neistat whose life just looks ace. He has an electric skateboard; need I say any more? Or if you’re a travel junkie make sure you check out ex-Loughborough lad Max White’s YouTube channel; Global Convoy. He’s currently travelling around the world in his little Nissan Micra and making some epic videos as he goes. So for the penultimate time, enjoy this fabulous edition of Label, and be sure to send any thoughts over to @LabelOnline. Jennifer Taylor Media EO and Editor-in-Chief
Hello all, and welcome to the penultimate issue of Label for this academic year! How are you liking this snazzy monochrome look, different isn’t it?! We love a bit of variety here at Label… However, there’s something amazing about doing my job and seeing articles come in from all the different sections, written organically by writers under their independent section editors. We don’t prescribe, I don’t tell people what to write, but somehow, on occasion, the stars align and there is an invisible thematic string connecting our sections in the most divine of ways. This issue is exactly one of those examples. What exactly are you on about, Leanna? I’ll tell you. Culture, Features, News and Style have ALL, of their own accord, provided us with a fantastic take on feminism, in all its various forms, right now. From Disney to HeForShe, tampons to slogan tees, it’s fascinating to see how disparate elements of the feminist debate can come together in one student publication, and so poignantly represent the state of play in our society. All hail Emma Watson, eh?! Other ones to watch this issue… Stormzy – what a guy! Both Comment and Music have been inspired by him this issue and make for a fantastic double page spread. News is also absolutely on point. Feminism aside, we are tackling student finance, international finance (all the finance) and terrorism, and the articles are well worth a read. Particularly ‘How should we respond to terrorism?’ which resonates more now than ever, and raises some hugely vital moral issues. Phew, I think that’s enough solitary trumpet blowing for now. Do enjoy, and if you want to get engaged in any of the HUGE debates this issue, don’t forget you can tweet us @LabelOnline with your news and views! Leanna Kightley Label Editor
4
Illustration by Emily Forrester
And so we’ve hit the might summer term, in my opinion the best of them all! For you Finalists who are into your last term of Loughborough Life, it’s not all that bad. There are still some gems to come this term, after the dreaded diss hand in of course, so be sure to check out the article on final year feels.
Design by Jessie Foxford
EDITORIAL
LOUGHBOROUGH DESIGN SCHOOL (STUDENT) SHOW 10—14.06.2017 10.06.2017 INVITATION ONLY 11—13.06.2017 PUBLIC VIEWING 14.06.2017 BUSINESS EVENT LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY THE DESIGN SCHOOL EPINAL WAY, LOUGHBOROUGH
5
NEWS
The modern day civilian response to terrorism appears to be to change your Facebook profile picture to a flag of the affected country and show united strength by contributing to the worldwide trend of hashtags such as #WeAreNotAfraid or #PrayForNice. A poignant tribute perhaps but, unfortunately, ultimately worthless in the grand scheme of things. In the last few weeks alone 5 were killed when a car ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge; a bombing at a St Petersburg metro station killed 13 and injured over 50, and in Stockholm a truck was hijacked and driven into a major department store leaving at least 4 dead and 15 injured. In response to the Westminster Attack, London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated: ‘We stand together in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life. We always have and we always will. Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.’ One of the first things we should always do is not jump to conclusions and not make inflammatory comments before we know what has happened. Watching the Facebook Live Feed of the events unfolding at Westminster, what angered me even more than the attack were the racist comments that began to roll in before anything was known about the perpetrator. The day after the Westminster attack a man was arrested for a stabbing at a London Tube station reportedly brandishing a knife shouting ‘I want to kill a Muslim’. Police reports state that they were treating the incident as a “serious hate crime” but said there was “no suggestion of wider terrorist aspect”. If we turn against each other based on our differences then surely we are no better than those we seek to deter? We don’t need a Trump style travel ban, we certainly don’t need to discriminate on any grounds. Yet, preventing these types of attacks has become significantly difficult. To an
extent we can police gun licences, gain intelligence about radicalised individuals and detect bombs, however there is no feasible way of monitoring terrorist attempts using vehicles. We must learn to trust our National Security without a doubt, regardless of your opinions of conspiracy theories. Instead of giving terrorism publicity such as printing the attacker’s backstory and character profiles from school teachers about how he “seemed to simmer with resentment and anger” we should be focusing on the compassion and efficiency of our emergency services and the selfless way in which people didn’t hesitate to help others. The best way to summarise how we should respond to terrorism came from an image of an underground information board which was read out in Parliament. Although the image turned out to be fake, it perfectly encompassed the ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ British spirit reading: “All terrorists are politely reminded that THIS IS LONDON and whatever you do to us we will drink tea and jolly well carry on. Thank you.” Hannah Timson
6
Illustration and Design by Vincent Lau Illustration and Design by Vincent Lau
How Should We Respond to Terrorism?
COLUMN
Would you become a student landlord? If you could become a landlord whilst studying at uni, would you? Would you want to take on a mortgage and save yourself the trouble of renting? Loughborough Building Society is now following in the footsteps of Bath Building Society, and offering students a mortgage which allows them to buy their own property and become their own landlords, renting out the spare rooms to their peers. The ‘Buy for Uni’ mortgage offers students up to 100% of a property which costs up to £300,000, as long as it is within 10 miles of where the specific student studies. Sound too good to be true? That’s because it is. In order to be accepted for the loan, you must have substantial backing from a close family member who has enough money or equity to act as a guarantor.
Illustration by Vincent Lau and Emily Forrester
There are a number of disadvantages to this scheme, as detailed by the Guardian. According to two different mortgage lenders, the interest rates on the ‘Buy for Uni’ scheme is significantly higher than those on typical first time buyer mortgages. Furthermore, Alistair Hargreaves, an executive mortgage consultant, argues that renting out rooms may not be enough to cover the mortgage payments, which would lead to greater financial dependence on parents. Another point to consider is the longevity of a mortgage, and the commitment one would have to make to living in their respective university town for a number of years. Although this idea has promise it is a rather divisive system, which caters only to those who come from well-off families, once again suggesting that the class gap at universities is becoming an increasing problem. Ellie MacKenzie News Editor
The Perks of Being Single Whilst at Uni Most of you reading this article will empathise with its contents and for some others, it will be a pleasant stroll down memory lane. Now, onto it then… Most of us after A levels bid adieu to relationships and infatuations from school with the hopes of finding love at university. We must have said to ourselves, “Surely out of 15,000 plus students, I will find the right one”. Admittedly some of us did not coin it quite so elegantly, but the idea remains that uni was a place of discovery. However, life, as it so often takes as a prerogative, decided to prove us wrong and leave us waiting. Thus, ‘til the date of you reading this article, you’re still single. But lighten up! It’s not the end of the world. In fact, being single holds some rather promising cards up its sleeves… One very obvious benefit to being single is the freedom. Most of us would have been in that relationship where our partner is controlling and even intrusive, and at uni that can be a pain. Going to FND or any other night out can be so much fun when you have the luxury of chatting up anyone and everyone, and if your chat up game is so stylishly debonair that he or she wants to wake up next to you in the morning, then happy days! Now another perk of being a member of singleville that’s less somatic is a fuller purse slash wallet. Valentine‘s, birthdays and the occasional binge spend can be avoided to achieve a happy bank statement. I know this because unfortunately, in this regard, I traded away my membership (wink!). Adegbolade Daniel Adebote 7
NEWS Foreign aid has recently become a controversial and divisive issue in the UK. There are perceptions that the government is more concerned with helping people overseas rather than increasing funding to the important services at home. There are also concerns about how the money is being used. Theresa May has suggested that Britain’s current foreign aid budget of £13.3bn is going to be cut in the next parliament. The current law requires 0.7% of the UK’s gross national income to be spent on aid but proposing changes to the legislation will be challenging. Moreover, aid agencies will be sure to condemn any potential reductions to the budget. The public concerns and discontent about foreign aid has come against the backdrop of the increasing financial pressure on hospitals, schools as well as other institutions and services at home. British aid has been used to help nine million children intro primary school; helped to immunise over 55 million children against preventable diseases; helped to buy mosquito nets to prevent people dying from malaria; the money was also used to help the Syrian refugees fleeing the war etc. Examples also include awarding a grant of £724,500 to Medical Aid for Palestinians and the £230m provided to fight the spread of Ebola. Britain’s foreign aid is significantly beneficial for humanitarian and social projects overseas. However, there is a general argument that spending on home services and organisations should be prioritised. In addition, there is criticism that certain countries, like India and Pakistan, should not be given aid because of their decision and affordability to fund space programmes instead of social or humanitarian projects. Critics 8
argue that the government is required by law to contribute the 0.7% of gross national income to foreign aid and this can lead to ‘dumping’ or wasting money on needless projects to meet the requirements. I do believe Britain should keep giving foreign aid to other countries, despite recent changes in the public mood. With Brexit a near certainty, it is important for the United Kingdom not to isolate itself internationally further. It is unfortunate that national services are experiencing pay-cuts and facing financial pressures, but this should not affect the aid given to foreign governments. It is important not to calculate humanitarian aid in terms of its financial cost, because the human and social cost is more important than money. We have a duty to take care of each other, especially if our social and financial circumstances allow it.
money on those projects that are not necessary. Foreign aid should not cease but there should be better insight as to how the aid is distributed and who will benefit from it. More effort should be made to make sure that the aid reaches those who need it and avoid corruption. Foreign aid is crucial and should remain a part of the UK’s foreign policy, because the UK has a duty and privilege to help others. Aldas Krūminis
SHOULD BRITAIN GIVE FOREIGN AID?
However, there should be more flexibility in foreign aid legislation to avoid unnecessarily wasting
Photography by Thomas Stovell
IS THE UNIVERSITY CLASS GAP CLOSING? Upon initial thought, many of us think gaining a space at university is subject only to academic aptitude, however, it is becoming more and more necessary to put class into the equation. Whether we like it or not, social class plays a pivotal role in university acceptance, as it impacts education and career aspirations, making it all the more difficult for those of a lower class to obtain a place at university.
Illustration and Design by Phoebe-Rose Logan
Social class greatly impacts education and there is a general correlation between class and quality of schooling. Financial situation often is used to determine the social class of an individual and the gap between the rich and the poor at university seems to be rising, despite the active deliverance of financial aid to support poorer students. Though the
number of students attending university in general is rising, this mostly accounts for those individuals of high-income families. The situation is vastly different for the financially disadvantaged young people. Perhaps this is due to the maintenance grants not being sufficient for those of low-income backgrounds or the lack of social mobility. The social stigma that those from lower classes do not try hard enough in school therefore do not attend universities is wholly misinformed, as these students do possess the intelligence, but just not the means. The rising gap between rich and poor students at university is intertwined with the class gap. The acceptance rate of financially advantaged students is rising every year, but not for economically disadvantaged students. Universities have been targeting this growing issue through the creation of summer schools targeted to specific disadvantaged groups to increase accessibility. It has been noted by Prime Minister, Theresa May, that white working-class boys are the most at risk of not receiving a university education. In response to this criticism, Oxford University is set to launch a summer school scheme aimed specifically at this disadvantaged social group, with hopes of helping these students realise their potential and apply to universities. Aside from economic circumstance, class is often bound to geographical location, as statistics show that where a young person lives greatly influences their decision to apply to university. More developed areas tend to have more students go to university. London, for example, has the largest number of students attending university, due to the large investment in its schools. The class gap is slowly closing. The reform of education standards across the UK and the encouragement of social mobility has allowed more students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access higher education than ever before. However, evidence shows that the impact of these efforts has been slowing down in the recent years. As students, this issue is disregarded unless we are directly affected by the class struggle. This is why creating a dialogue discussing the class struggle with respect to university education is of such vital importance, in order to promote equal opportunities within the education system. Gugundeep Kaur
9
FEATURES
FINAL YEAR BLUES
When you realise the University expects you to write our dissertation, apply for grad jobs, meet deadlines and maintain a relative social life simultaneously, frequent nights out are no longer socially acceptable. Speak to any other finalist (except me) and you’ll find out nights out are rare. Why does everyone typecast me as a boring, old finalist? It’s all very well that little Johnny spends his Friday night in Pilkington, but does it mean I have to? I appreciate the severity of my final year (everyone else keeps banging on about it) but there needs to be a balance. When you realise the amount of independent study you have to do to get through your final year modules and dissertation, you actually miss having more contact time. There is something slightly disheartening about finishing my degree in my bedroom or a cubicle in the library; bring back those compulsory lectures no one wants to be in, but where we all suffer together in a dimly lit lecture theatre resisting the urge to fade away into a lethargic abyss (sleep). I don’t know if I am alone in this but for some reason, good ol’ Student Finance seem to think in my final year I can survive with the least amount of money out of my three years. It’s almost as if it’s a sick kind of test. Who else do they think is paying for my Domino’s on those lonely library nights? Seriously finance guys, as I write this I am staring at a prescription I am yet to fetch because I realised prescriptions aren’t free anymore and I would rather buy two new pairs of boots. The end is coming! It’s not the end of the world but it definitely is the end of my university glory days. Beatrice Quarshie Head of Online, Marketing and Distribution 10
Illustration and Design by Rik Wyer
In all honesty I am not sure where the last almost three years of my life have gone, other than a few misspent hours with my much loved fishbowls, twirling in Room One and many a library breakdown. As the second to last term of my university experience ends, and the thought of graduation becomes a reality, I have had to come to terms with a few hard truths:
r e m m su ? WANT THOSE
vibes
LOOK NO FURTHER...
HOLIDAYS
ZANTE ISLAND is located in Western Greece. Clear blue waters and golden sand beaches surround it also it’s one of the most popular party destinations for students. Visit https://www.onthebeach. co.uk/hotel_searches/ show/916336707
For the adventurous amongst you, why not book a spontaneous trip to THAILAND? Save your final loan instalment and book a couple of weeks in Bangkok and mix with the Buddhist culture. Visit: http://www.thomson. co.uk/destinations/asia/thailand/ holidays-thailand.html.
ACTIVITIES
Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
PRAGUE is one of Europe’s most picturesque cities. Venture through the magical Old Town, take in the extensive views from the Charles Bridge and sample the best Czech beers from across Bohemia for under £150 pp. Visit http://www. holidaydiscountcentre.co.uk/ city-breaks Head to ALTON TOWERS for a day of family-packed fun! Experience the thrill of some of Europe’s most daring rollercoasters or spend the day in Splashlandings on the water-rides. Get discounted vouchers here: https://www.altontowers.com/ tickets/special-offers/
A day spent at the ZOO is a day well spent! Twycross zoo is just a thirty-minute drive from Loughborough and boasts some of the world’s most exotic animals. Book online and receive a discount today via: https:// shop.myonlinebooking.co.uk/ twycrosszoo/buy.aspx?tid=1
Nothing quite gets you in the summer mood more than a BBQ AT THE BEACH. Grab your best friends, buy a few ciders and spend the day mucking about at your closest beach.
VOLUNTEER
It is no secret that us students are granted with a long summer. Some of us have over four months off from studying (cough, partying, cough) and this can be quite a daunting prospect. So, what are we expected to do exactly now that Hey Ewe and FND are not a weekly option? Breakfast at JC’s is suddenly thrown out of the window and we can actually avoid heading to Pilk’s for a coursework session without feeling guilty. Read the list below for some tips on how to spend your summer in 2017:
Volunteering at your LOCAL FESTIVAL is a clever way to gain your access to your favourite singers and DJ’s! Volunteering looks great on your CV to potential employers and with plenty of free time to enjoy the event with your friends, it would be rude not to! Visit: https://www.festaff.co.uk
For those who want to step out of their comfort zone a little this summer, maybe consider volunteering abroad. GLOBAL VISION INTERNATIONAL offers over 150 different volunteer abroad projects in 10 countries all over the world. Visit: http://www.gvi.co.uk/ volunteer-abroad/
Gain valuable experience for your future aspirations and protect “special places for ever, for everyone”. Voluntary work at NATIONAL TRUST branches across the UK often lead to paid work, so there is definitely an incentive! Visit: https://www.nationaltrust. org.uk/volunteer for more info.
Even better – it’s free!
Whatever way you decide to spend your summer, there are definitely cheap options out there if you just do a bit of research. Keep going guys, summer is in sight! Liv Ferris 11
This recipe is healthy, tasty, cheap and is great for cooking in bulk as it gets even yummier after a couple of days in the fridge or freezer! Many people think that eating healthy is not always tasty but I think if you give this recipe a go you will definitely change your mind.
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
3 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp chilli flakes 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp dried rosemary 1 red onion, chopped 1 carrot, grated 1 cup of white wine, beer or cider 150g split red lentils 850ml vegetable stock 400g can chopped tomatoes 200g chickpeas, drained Topping: Feta cheese, coriander leaves, avocado, Greek yoghurt
Method Heat a large saucepan and add the olive oil together with the spices. After 3-4 minutes, add the onion and the grated carrot and stir, cooking for another 5 minutes until the onions and carrots are soft. Add the wine, beer or cider, along with the lentils, stock and tomatoes, and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the lentils have softened. Add the chickpeas, and whizz the soup with a blender or in a food processor if you like a creamy soup, or leave it as it is if you like your soup chunky. Serve in bowls and sprinkle feta cheese and coriander on top together with a dollop of Greek yoghurt. Enjoy!
Tips I think if you give this recipe a go, you will be surprised to find just how tasty healthy food can be. The soup can also be frozen and reheated, so it saves you from having to cook dinner for a couple of days! Also, if you want to save some money on ingredients, I would check out the Loughborough Market that takes place in the town square every Thursday and Saturday (it has been voted the best outdoor town market in Britain). You can find all kinds of produce there including bread, fruit, vegetables, as well as meat and fish, sometimes at half the price of that in supermarkets. Alessandra Wall
12
Design by Malika Singh
Ingredients (Serves 6)
Photography by Jazz Jefferies
RED LENTIL, CHICKPEA AND CHILLI SOUP
A DAY IN HER SHOES
FEATURES
“You know who the truly marginalised are now? White males.” Now, I don’t find much common ground with my godfather’s political views at best of times, however, this casual utterance particularly struck me. Mainly because I have heard repackaged versions of it from male friends who like to consider themselves ‘liberal.’ “You have the vote, what else do you want,” a buddy of mine jokingly noted when I pressed him on the subject. His position seemed to be that women, at least in the West, have sufficient formal rights and should therefore cease “moaning.” Three years ago, Emma Watson delivered a now famous speech to the UN in her capacity as ambassador for the ‘HeForShe’ campaign, seeking to end to gender inequality. In a follow-up interview, Watson revealed she was actively discouraged from using the term feminism, lest she alienate the audience. The sad reality is that the word has become a pejorative one and individuals who identify with it are perceived as naggy or ungrateful, at best, and man-hating revolutionaries, at worse. In actuality, feminism envisions equality between the sexes, not the unseating of men from a throne of superiority, in favour of women’s reign.
Illustration by Alice Weil
The concerns of feminism today have moved on from the battles of the 60s and 70s. Today inequality transpires as a quiet undercurrent, so banal, so nested in our everyday experience that it is all too often overlooked. Like the frequency with which I get groped every time I step from behind the bar at my place of work. Or how these incidents have been dismissed with aphorisms such as “boys will be boys” or met with shock that I don’t “even wear short skirts,” as if it is my choice of wardrobe that could invite assault. To anyone who doubts that inequality persists, I point out that more women graduate from University in the UK, yet only a fraction make it to top positions in their fields. I note that females are perceived as either ‘nice’ or ‘competent’ but not both, in contrast to men. I also draw attention to the fact that women still perform ¾ of child care and domestic chores, creating a double-burden for those in full-time employment. And still, we are rewarded with only 80 cents for every dollar a man earns. It is time we stopped dismissing the existence structural barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential for fear of being dubbed too ‘whiny’ or ‘angry’. If you were seen as a sexual object first; bypassed for promotions; constructed as either a bitch or a likeable simpleton, would you not get angry too? But the goals of feminism don’t just benefit women. They unburden men from the need to act ‘macho’ in order to fit into a socially constructed mould or the masculine ideal. Feminism is for all, but as aptly put by Emma Watson, “it is not the word that is important. It is the idea and ambition behind it”. Natali Dimitrova Features Editor 13
COLUMN
UFC commentator and comedian Joe Rogan operates one of the most watched podcasts on YouTube. Providing fight breakdowns and insider info, his channel is a must for MMA fans, although the show also provides interesting and hilarious content for most demographics. Rogan, Eddie Bravo and co. cover everything from politics and conspiracy theories to who would win in a fight between a bear and a gorilla, and the show also features a plethora of celebrity appearances every week; with previous guests including Dr Brian Cox, Russell Brand and Ronda Rousey.
Beardbrand
Looking for a new form of procrastination this exam season? Why not grow a beard? Eric Bandholz channel ‘beardbrand’ will tell you how and why you should begin your journey of beardlyness. Providing interesting new content each week focusing on the grooming and products required to maintain a follicle forest, beardbrand allows you to feel part of a community of bearded men whilst seated behind the screen of your laptop. The channel promotes healthy living and a sustainable lifestyle alternative to the gym, cycling and other more common hobbies. Yes, growing a beard is now a hobby.
TEDx Talks
Okay, so you’re still procrastinating but you feel guilty about it; why not trick yourself into thinking you’re actually being productive by watching a TEDx talk. The irony of watching a video about how to manage your time or be more motivated whilst simultaneously failing at said skills hopefully won’t become apparent and odds are you’ll find yourself saying, ‘yeah getting up at 5:00AM every day would help me with my work (that’s due in tomorrow)’
14
Adam Thompson
I am in no way condemning free condoms, and I am glad that there is emphasis on the significance of sexual health and wellbeing, but the importance of menstruation should also be addressed. Women who live in poverty or come from low-income families who can’t access tampons are at risk of skipping work, skipping classes, or missing school, university and work altogether. Menstruating, much like ejaculation is a normal bodily function and this raises the question: why does one bodily function result in receiving free health products but another that most women endure does not? Some readers may be questioning whether schools should receive free sanitary products, as surely they are not that expensive? Why should taxpayers and schools pay for this? But that is not the point when feminine hygiene products are taxed as ‘luxury’ items when there is nothing luxurious about monthly stomach cramps and bleeding. Anyone who has had a period before knows it is very difficult to carry on throughout the day without adequate fem-hygiene products and being taxed for having a uterus is insulting. As with condoms, feminine hygiene products should be a right and not a luxury. Women have periods whether they want to or not. Kes Browne
Illustration by Emily Forrester and Aarushi Mittal
TOP 3 YOUTUBE CHANNELS
The Joe Rogan Experience
Providing free feminine hygiene products does not seem like a crazy idea when nationally free condoms are available. On the one hand, it is possible to abstain from sex, but on the other it is a lot harder to abstain from menstruating without pregnancy, implants, pills and injections. If health clinics and educational institutions can afford to hand out condoms, surely it isn’t too much to ask for free tampons?
Design by Holly Rowlands-Hempel
Should UK schools receive free sanitary products?
Loughborough Overheard Never snort a dib dab. Do I look like a cheese person? He’s peacocking sitting down, if that’s even possible. Illustration by Emily Forrester
It’s not about the size of the wave, it’s about the motion of the ocean!
Got som ething y want to ou say abo ut this is sue
OVERH SOMET EARD HING?
?
Get in to uch on Twitte @LabelO nline r at
TOP T W E E T S
Design by Jessie Foxford
Matthew Gill @UAffairsEO_LSU: Huge shout out has to go to @lsumedia, @labelonline, @LCRLive and @MediaEO_LSU. Pulled off an incredible #ExecElections debate!
Label @labelonline: Label has made the SPA Awards shortlist for Best Design, and do you know what? We couldn't be prouder #SPANC
Bea @B_trisss: Replying to @labelonline @alice_priestley @leannakightley - loving [Leanna and Alice’s live tweeting] on the M1.
Ryan Redman @RWRedman: Loving the @labelonline #execelections tweets
IS HAPPINESS REALLY A CHOICE?
“Kevin, don’t finger the wall!”
This may be me opening a rather large can of worms, and for that, I ain’t even sorry. For some, happiness is second nature – it’s just who they are and how they respond to most things in life.
A positive attitude is nothing but a blessing for those that can actively live that way. When things get difficult – and this doesn’t even have to be an isolated event – the main thing you want is to move on and leave those dark feelings in an even darker place. But the thing I want to address here is: What if you can’t? People are often mistaken with the fact that happiness is a choice, that it’s as simple as choosing to not let things affect you (if that were the case, then boy am I sure mental health issues wouldn’t be as catastrophic as they are today!). For some people, choosing to be happy is simply not a luxury available to them, thus, more people need to be aware just how debilitating and isolating depression can be, and learn how to be there for someone who is suffering. Depression is an illness, not a choice. Moreover, like a broken leg, it’s not something that you can immediately fix. By having an awareness of the symptoms and a sensitivity to the illness, you’d have no idea how much of a difference it could make to someone’s life. If you know anyone who seems to be exhibiting any kind of symptoms, then let them know they have the choice for them to reach out to you, rather than the pressure of pretending to feel happy when they don’t. Kindness and awareness go so much further than you’d ever know.
Alice Priestley Assistant Editor 15
EVERY SINGLE DAY
Just for students
USE CODE: STUDFREE WHEN ORDERING ONLINE
WWW.DOMINOS.CO.UK DELIVERING UNTIL 5AM 153 DERBY ROAD, LOUGHBOROUGH LEICESTERSHIRE, LE11 5HJ
01509 211200
*Buy one get one free on medium & large pizza only. Valid online only. Free pizza must be equal or lesser value than the first. Not valid with any other offer. Offer can be withdrawn without notice. Student ID required. EXP 31-5-17
FEATURES
a t l k a b s o t ’ u t e L
..
Baby Design by Liam David Hopley
Now, I’m pretty certain that I’m not the first to be niggled by this topic and I probably won’t be the last. You know that moment when you’re sat there, enjoying a rom-com, shovelling your face full of popcorn and suddenly that sultry music appears in the background. It’s about to happen. But if you’re like me, you don’t actually enjoy the classic sex scene, the climax (sorry) of the story’s main romance coming to a peak (quite literally). All you can concentrate on is the astounding multitude of questions and protests bouncing around your mind at that current moment: A) Just HOW did she manage that so gracefully? B) That’s very ambitious or C) That would NEVER happen, mate. I must admit, it does ruin the ambiance quite a bit. But seriously, films should portray sex in a way that is authentic, because on no planet are you going to look that fresh after a good 20 minutes in the bedroom. Films that idealise the ‘perfect’ sex quite simply ruin the real thing. Sex should be a place of total security, not the opposite. You should feel completely at ease and ultimately be able to be as relaxed as you can to have the most fun as you can! There’s a tonne of pressure on both sexes to ‘perform’ or even just be attractive enough, and most films don’t really help the matter. So, when you’re next curled up watching a saucy movie, just know that A) there’s just no way B) it would never happen like that in real life and C) that’s totally okay! Alice Priestley Assistant Editor 17
CULTURE
The Disney Debate:
The Classics vs The Adaptations
For one, there’s the problem that the majority of these films were made in the 70s or 80s and are deeply rooted with sexism. For most of us rewatching the films we grew up loving, it can come as a bit of a shock when we start to notice little things which would definitely (at least, I hope) not make it into the cut had it been made in the twenty-first century. Beauty and the Beast’s Belle is deemed unusual simply because she reads books, and let’s not forget the entire film is structured around her good looks (with her name literally translating to beautiful), while the misogynistic beast kidnaps her making her the classic damsel in distress with nothing but her looks to save her from the curse. Meanwhile, the Cinderella remake of 2015 is all-round problematic when you deconstruct the story and realise all it took to change Cinderella’s life was falling in love with a prince who whisked her away to give her happy ending. But all of this aside, is adapting these animated classics really worth it? I will admit, I was a big fan of 2014's Maleficent and the reworking of the Sleeping Beauty story, especially as the story focused on the villain rather than the fairly helpless character of Aurora. Had Disney made a Sleeping Beauty rework focused on Aurora, possibly the most anti-feminist Disney princess going who spends most of the story asleep, I would probably be ranting about that too. Disney has proven time and time again in recent years they can still produce new original films that are hugely successful and progressive reflecting a more modern society (think Tangled, Frozen, Moana) and, dare I say, they are just as popular as the classics. But simply adapting films into major Hollywood productions with little change to the original storyline seems like a ploy to bring in big actors and actresses, make money and essentially take away the magic from the original films. Lydia Kah-Pavlou Culture Editor 18
Illustration and Design by Vincent Lau
In the past couple of years, there has been a huge surge in Disney releasing several live action remakes of their animated classics. As Beauty and the Beast joins the list, I can’t help but think that some things are better left untouched. I don’t dislike the idea of live action films, and I have seen and enjoyed plenty of them but there’s something about them that bothers me a bit.
Life at university is full of hard decisions. Domino’s or Papa John’s? Revs or Echoes? KFC or Maccies? And now, with the opening of the new development, a new conundrum to rack your brain over of a hungover Sunday: Odeon or Cineworld? Well fear not, as Label are here to break it down and see which is best! Price We are very lucky that both cinemas are so cheap, something we often take for granted until you go home to your home town and your local multiplex is charging £10 a ticket to see Boss Baby (even higher if it’s a film you actually want to see). But here at Luffs, Cineworld and Odeon charge average of £5 and £4, respectively. Basically half price what you’d expect to pay elsewhere. So, is that pound difference a factor? Well, if you’re being sneaky and take in your own snacks, a pound can get you a bag of supermarket popcorn, biscuits or a fizzy drink no problem, and when living the student lifestyle every little helps, so we think Odeon wins this one. Quality Let’s face it, the Odeon is old. Compared to the Cineworld’s massive open plan foyer and huge windows, the Odeon seems smaller and tackier with its lighted stairways and white tiled floor. And there’s something quite futuristic and thrilling about taking
the escalator up to Cineworld, so perhaps that wins on first impressions. However, the screens themselves are more evenly matched. Cineworld is slicker and the screens are bigger but I would stress that the seats are not as comfy as dear old Odeon. And if we’re getting really nerdy, the acoustics in the smaller Cineworld screen are not so great, unless you’re sat right at the back. However, if you’re looking for a fun cinema-going experience, Cineworld is going to be your first choice every time. Choice For big blockbusters, both cinemas will doing lots of showings. However, Cineworld will undoubtedly be doing the most, so if you want to see it early, this will be your best shot. However, if like some of us you prefer an all the more quiet viewing experience, it’s best to check out Odeon. This won’t be many people’s first choice, and a day screening here can often be virtually empty. For deeper cuts again, Odeon is your best bet, though you may have to wait a few weeks to see them. So ultimately, it’s Odeon that offers the biggest range of films, Cineworld the most screenings. A draw. Jamie Hutton Culture Editor 19
TOP
5 SUMMER READS 4
EVERYTHING EVERYTHING
13 REASONS WHY
is a 13-episode TV show on Netflix, but you may not know it’s a book adaption! The book features around Clay Jensen who comes home after school to discover a box with his name on outside his front door. Inside there are 13 cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, a girl who recently died by suicide, she gives reasons why she ended her life and clay is one of them. This book is powerful and gives us an ability to reflect and change ourselves for the better.
2
RED QUEEN
is about society in the fantasy world of Norta, where there are
20
the reds, who have no abilities and are the lower class, and the silvers who are the ‘elite’. As they have magic abilities such as fire and lightning, they are the higher class. In a twist a red, Mare Barrow, discovers she has her own ability.
3
THE MAZE RUNNER
is about Thomas, who wakes up in a lift and only remembers his name. He is surrounded by strangers who have no memories either. They’re in ‘the Glade’ where the only escape is a maze that is constantly changing, anyone who has attempted it has never made it out alive.
5
THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
is based around Charlie, a freshman, who is essentially a wallflower. He attempts to navigate through school, sex, drugs and just life itself. The book is powerful, has a lot of twists that show important themes throughout and is a must read this summer! Rebecca Gibbs
Photography by Blagovesta Chobanova
1
is about a girl who has a disease that causes her to be allergic the world. She hasn’t left her house in all her seventeen years and the only people she sees are her nurse and mum. One day, there is a moving van next door and there’s a new boy in town, Olly - from there everything changes. This book sounds like a typical love story but there is a massive plot twist, which is shocking!
Design by Rik Wyer
Summer is quickly approaching and I, like most of you, am already trying to figure out what to fill the time with. The break from uni means that we can regain the ability to read for fun, so here is a list of 5 books you should read over summer - I’ve tried to include a few books of different genres so there is something for everyone (no excuses, guys)!
CULTURE
. FA R M . A TALE FROM THE
In the farm where pigs are tall and horses are small, where cats are chained and dogs roam free, one lonely goat is up to no good. In the farm where pigs are sophisticated, cows are angry and chickens don’t lack humour, the lonely goat struggles to make friends. His life is also burdened by the fact that he’s adopted and has never met his parents.
Photography by Hannah MacLaren
However, he was never bothered by his past misfortunes and his only concern is the reluctance of others to treat him as a friend. He debated numerous reasons for his loneliness: all the animals on the farm are unfriendly but, as a matter of fact, they get along quite well among themselves; all the animals are just being mean to him on purpose, but they always give him food and water and invite him to farm meetings. They don’t need new friends, but then a stray chicken wandered onto the farm a few months ago and charmed everyone. He hated that chicken. Eventually, the young goat had an epiphany - all the animals on the farm were taller than him. His height must be the reason why everyone is shying away from him. The other animals probably can’t hear or see him because he is so short and, thus, he is ignored. “This must be it,” he thought to himself, “If I was taller they would have to talk to me.” Without hesitation, the young goat started scheming and planning – “How do I get taller?” He could eat more, but the food is rationed and breaking into the food warehouse would require sneaking past the vicious cats, a deed that is certainly impossible. He could grow, but that would take years and he’s lonely now. He could boost himself up but there are no boxes or anything similar and the buildings are too tall for him to reach. “But wait,” he paused “what if I jump on the horses? Then the animals will pay attention to me, then they will acknowledge me as their own!” Full of excitement, he found the horse and proceeded to jump. To his surprise, he has discovered a world of new possibilities. Down on the grass, he did not realize how short he was and how little he could see. Now, with new height and new courage he was determined again to make friends. Aldas Krūminis
21
I′ve b
tottysp 22
Photography by Lens Volunteers
been
p
tted
Design by Liam David Hopley
23
Firstly, Stormzy has used his platform to give a voice to the young black demographic in London. The album pleads for young people to leave the ‘the streets’ and pursue more wholesome aspirations in life. Although I can’t relate to the severe depravity of certain areas in London, I do understand the necessity for a prominent grime artist to reach out to the lost youth. I often witnessed my peers spiral into crime and I can understand the importance of music in rejuvenating hope and goals into youngsters. It’s something grime artists have been doing for years now but this has
24
been particularly notable for the new generation, especially with the humble and down-toearth nature of ‘Big Mikey’. Stormzy used GSAP to address social issues such as racial profiling in DSTRKT night club. He is empowering ‘young black queens’ and the ‘young black kings’. He seeks help from God to prevent his friend from excessive gambling. He also mentions his fight against depression. I personally know that the topic of mental health can be particularly taboo in certain minority cultures, so having Stormzy be transparent about his struggles is beyond monumental. His desire to ‘kick up the yout’ is an inspiration to all. He never fails to be relatable as he raps ‘I was in the O2 singing my lungs out rudeboy you’re never too big for Adele’. The success of Stormzy’s album means much more than the momentary fame of being number #1 on the UK charts. This is a major step for the grime music scene, an important aspect for many fans in the UK, especially for me. Growing up listening to the likes of BBK, Wiley, Lethal Bizzle and Dizzee Rascal; Stormzy cemented my love for this genre of music. Asli Jensen Comment Editor
Illustration and Design by Phoebe-Rose Logan
Stormzy’s album GSAP (Gang Signs and Prayer) was the first ever grime album to go number 1 in the UK and I know exactly why. There is not one song on the album that fails to impress. From the sentimental ‘100 bags’, chilled back ‘Cigarettes &Cush” and the upbeat spitting of bars in ‘Cold’ – Stormzy has tapped into every single emotion of mine. I’m no Christian but ‘Blinded By Your Grace’ Pt.1 & Pt.2 gave me a spiritual awakening. Michael Omari took me on a deep journey through his musical masterpiece.
MUSIC Gang Signs & Prayer is the debut album from the People’s Prince of Grime. Stormzy has proved himself to be a versatile, daring artist who has delivered a solid and varied first album. Throughout, it’s easy to see that Stormzy sees himself as more than a sole grime MC - we see him switch comfortably between hardhitting grime cuts like ‘Cold’ and ‘Return of the Rucksack’ and smooth, emotive R&B like ‘Velvet’ and ‘Cigarettes and Cush’, which although can be a risk for such a young artist, pays off for Stormzy. He takes inspiration from and pays tribute to the various musical influences in his life, from Grime, Gospel, R&B and Hip Hop to produce his own sound, proving himself to have multiple dimensions as an artist. Although, having said this, it’s clear that Stormzy is one of the strongest grime MCs in the game. He delivers time and time again throughout the album, showcasing his sharp wordplay and natural flow over classic grime beats, reminding us all of his rightful place amongst grime royalty. It’s easy to just praise the album
RATING 7.5/10
BEST SONG ‘100 Bags’
HIDDEN GEM ‘Velvet/ Jenny Francis Interlude’
because of Stormzy’s commercial appeal; he’s been the first grime artist to really make the move to mainstream culture, so people forget the talent behind his booming voice and undeniable charisma. But he really has grown musically, from freestyling over other grime artists’ instrumentals to meticulously crafting his own sound. Stormzy knows who he wants to be, and has shown that so well on Gang Signs & Prayer. Michael Omari gives everything he has on his debut, showing both his light and dark. He even said himself in an interview: “We all knew Michael Jackson, we all knew Amy Winehouse, because they told us everything in their music. To be the artist that I want to be, I’ve got to be vulnerable.” The album has beautiful, soaring moments in ‘100 Bags’, ‘Blinded by Your Grace Pt 1 & 2’ and ‘Lay Me Bare’, where Stormzy is fearless and exposes parts of himself that transcend his music. Addressing issues like depression, his relationship with his estranged father and growing up in the harsh environment of South London, Stormzy strips himself bare in the most touching, yet unapologetic of ways. Henna Amin
25
MUSIC
ED SHEERAN Illustration and Design by Carla Borkmann
Fresh from his gap year which included falling in love with New Zealand and renting out Iceland’s Blue Lagoon for a day, Ed Sheeran’s third studio album, ÷ (Divide) opens with ‘Eraser’, a tale of self-awareness, a truthful Wikipedia to his past self. Critics however, have been much louder this time round as expectations become even higher after the success of his first two albums, + (Plus) and X (Multiply).
26
‘DiVIDE’REVIEW Full of hindsight and vocally delivering a new side to his voice, ‘Castle on the Hill’ contains piercing head resonance after the second chorus, and is a reminder that above all, Sheeran is a strong singer. Reminiscing about days where he and his friends would recreate near Framlingham Castle in his Suffolk hometown, this track is quintessentially Ed Sheeran and a far cry from ‘Shape of You’, a song that encompasses a dancehall beat and was originally written for Rihanna. Sheeran’s management decided ‘Shape…’ would be released early alongside ‘Castle…’, so that fans could acquire a taste of the variety available on Divide and it’s certainly been a wise move. With a similar beat to ‘The Greatest’ by Sia ft. Kendrick Lamar, ‘Shape’ is Divide’s ‘Sing’, all tracks with large commercial appeal, but is this just a business move to make Sheeran that bit more marketable? ‘Dive’ is one of several ballads on the album. It works as a mellow but predictable cousin to ‘Thinking Out Loud’. Structurally, Divide’s tracks feel disconnected from each other. With the creation of material sung in different languages, it’s a brave move for a man attempting to appeal to the masses. ‘Barcelona’, sung in part Spanish and ‘Bibla Be Ye Ye’ in part Twi, a Ghanian dialect, is a lucrative move and there’s no denying the man’s international reputation, but these songs can feel at times unnecessary and are a cry to be different even if they are incredibly catchy. Within hours of Divide’s release, ‘Galway Girl’ made number one in Ireland. The track’s veneer is clever but look further and the song is the most stereotypical night out you could ever have in Dublin. Critics have cited that the fictional story, which encompasses several brands of Irish alcohol and another reference to Van Morrison, would’ve been far more respected if it were set in Galway. Despite the distaste of the track however, fans clearly aren’t as bothered as the album made it into several global charts upon release and all of his 16 songs made the UK Top 20 consecutively. Ryan Tedder often finds himself helping chart topping artists like Sheeran develop new material and on
‘Happier’, Tedder succeeds by showing a rawer more vulnerable side to Ed as they pen a tale about one of his past girlfriends. It’s Ed’s realisation that his ex has moved onwards to happier times with a new man, that makes this one of the more standout tracks on the album. Flipping in and out of head resonance, the chorus is attacked in a smoky full voice with rapid vibrato for good measure. As the song matures, Sheeran’s baritenor talent becomes obvious as he impressively belts out an A4 during “I could try to smile and hide the truth”. His honest delivery makes ‘Happier’ one the albums strongest tracks. Just last month, Chance the Rapper donated $1Million to the Chicago Public School System and, just like Chance, Sheeran can often be found giving to charities including help for Street Sex Workers and of course lending his voice to the controversial Band Aid 30. And yet still, on ‘What Do I Know’ a track that should’ve been left on the cutting room floor, Ed exempts himself from anything vaguely to do with world issues, asserting himself merely as a singer. The lyrics seem forced and the context contradicts anything Ed has ever done with charities which are so often involved, even if indirectly, with politics. Fans have been in tears over ‘Supermarket Flowers’ and have citied it as Sheeran’s most emotive song to date, with sweet, simple lyrics and very personal stories, it’s a touching tribute to his late grandmother. Continuing his homage to family on ÷, ‘Nancy Mulligan’, a song about his grandparent’s love story is admirable for its Irish inspired beat, it’s everything ‘Galway Girl’ could’ve contained, truth. On Divide we see Sheeran in conflict with himself, substituting his integrity for worldwide adoration. Divide is not a poor album and, at times, shows some of Sheeran’s strongest work yet, you can’t help but feel some real gems may have been left out for fear of disapproval. It feels misplaced and confused but has enough redeeming qualities for it not to be a total failure. Perhaps Sheeran is struggling with creating a perfect blend of pop star and singer/songwriter, when so often they fail to go hand in hand. James A. Hullait 27
MUSIC
Design by Shameel Batavia
Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
Summer is just around the corner, and festival line-ups are being released. So, with an overwhelming choice of events, we thought we’d give you a Top 5, just for a little guidance, and help direct you to a festival that you might just be hitting up this coming summer!
28
Luce George
Illustration by Sharika Tayub
Both Robert Bakewell and Elvyn Richards have recently had kitchen fires. The fire in Robert Bakewell was so large that the kitchen could not be used by the students in the flat for some time. Both of these fires had one thing in common – they were caused by unattended cooking. Luckily nobody in either hall was hurt, but the main worry about a fire is the speed at which it spreads. Some of you may have seen the infamous video of a bedroom fire where a pair of hair straighteners was chucked directly on to the bed and within 30 seconds the whole bed was on fire!
- - - -
Don’t leave your cooking unattended for any reason Fat catching fire is the most dangerous thing Keep your grill pan clean as it reduces the chance of a fire If you don’t know how to use fire extinguishers or fire blankets safely then just raise the alarm and get out. - And please, please, please don’t stop to take a photo/selfies or videos – you might get a quick snapchat out of it, but what about if it spreads and the person 30 seconds behind you can’t quite get out? Nobody likes being evacuated into the cold in their PJ’s at 7am the morning after a Hey Ewe, so just have a think next time you consider leaving your cooking!
29
DESIGN Congratulations to Thomas Stovell, winner of last issue’s competition to capture scenes from around Loughborough. Next issue, we’d love to see some photos of whatever you'd like, but only if they’re in black and white!
Competition Time! Well done, Angel Chiu: what a great illustration representing the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Next issue’s theme will be Space Scenes and Sci-fi Characters.
If you’d like the chance to see your work in our last issue of the year, please email it to us at: liamhopley@lsu.co.uk by midnight on Monday 15th May. Good luck!
30
Design by Liam David Hopley Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
Generally, though there is no doubt that people inevitably change over time, university has a very particular and significant effect on an individual. Personally, I can say that I have developed into a completely different person since my first day of University. Not only have I changed physically (having grown taller, changed my style of dress and mannerisms), but I have greatly changed and developed my mentality, perspective and approach on life. Overall, there are three main areas of change that I have identified in myself and in many of my peers.
Second, since coming to uni, my perception on friendships and relationships has changed greatly. Unlike in high school where majority of your peers share a similar schedule and range of activities, at University it can sometimes be hard to find even just a half hour of mutually free time to meet up with someone. Besides bettering my time management, I’ve found that this has taught me to really evaluate the value of each relationship and invest more time and effort into few ‘deep’ friendships rather than having many shallow ones.
First, the most notable difference is in my understanding of what is ‘normal’. At university you are exposed to people from all walks of life, with various upbringings/lifestyles, contrasting opinions and opposing views; being an international student, this was particularly amplified for me. I was forced to reconsider how I perceived the world around me.
Third, I feel like I’ve transitioned from a teen to an adult. Besides the literal transition from 19 to 20, because of new responsibilities — from buying groceries and paying bills to scheduling your own medical appointments and staying on top of degree requirements — I have become far more mature and sensible. Gone are the days when we could depend on our parents to take care of everything, now we’re held accountable for everything we deicide to do and their consequences.
From understanding what manner is appropriate to greet friends (in Italy and the Philippines we kiss on both cheeks and/or hug even upon first meeting, but I learned that in the UK physical contact is not as common and has to be worked up to) to understanding a new kinds of humour (British humour took me a long time to figure out), I have learned to be more open minded and not make expectations or keep preconceived standards for anything.
Though there have been countless more changes and there are surely many more to come, these three encapsulate the biggest and most significant. Arianna Rossi Style Editor 31
36 YEARS
Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
STYLE
WO WALKING ON
WATER
Buy your own Walk on Water t-shirt for £12 by contacting kim.leiper@gmail.com Sizes come in S, M, L, and XL
£12
32
Design by Kim Leiper
OW How can Loughborough get away with singing the phrase “Loughborough Walks on Water” year on year?
For the 36 consecutive years, Loughborough has won the British Universities and Colleges Sport championships. This means we have won the most medals. Every. Single. Year. Are you proud to be a part of a university with such a legendary status? The question now is whether Loughborough will win again, for the 37th year in a row. Our student athletes have been competing over the last few months in order to try and keep up the record… Hockey is one of the leading sports at Loughborough, and both the Men’s and
3
x GOLD BUCS FINAL MEDALS
Women’s 1st XI squads have had tremendous success over the past few years with the men winning 3 out of the last 4 gold medals and the women winning 3 silver. It is through hard work, dedication and such a strong sense of team spirit that Loughborough manages to remain consistent in achieving these medals each year. Although it may sound arrogant to all the other Universities, and no doubt they all envy our amazing record, it is no wonder we sing ‘LWOW’ with such pride.
33
STYLE
Feminism and Fashion ‘feminist’ t-shirts
In this instance, celebrities like Emma Watson, Benedict Cumberbatch and Ed Miliband were quick to support feminism and public support followed. That was, of course, before sweatshop allegations surfaced. ‘Feminist’ t-shirts are not a new phenomenon. Previously, t-shirts with slogans like ‘No More Page Three’ and ‘I had an abortion’ made headlines. Recently we have seen slogans like ‘We Should All Be Feminists’; ‘The Future Is Female’; ‘This P***y Grabs Back’ feature in public discourse. While some are quick to suggest the newly-formed harmony between fashion and feminism and even proclaim the emergence of fifth-wave feminism, feminism and fashion most likely will never get along, because the two stand for conflicting values and principles. Feminism is a right; fashion is a privilege. It is hypocritical to even think that fashion can stand in support of feminism. From the controversies of how, where and by whom the clothes are produced to women on the catwalk, who are usually skinny, usually tall and usually white – it is difficult to see fashion as a friend of feminism. Can we truly say that fashion allows women to express themselves, when fashion is a luxury and not available to all? Fashion does not empower women, but dictates what women should look like and what women should wear. Unfortunately, feminism is one of those topics, that can often (for the wrong reasons) divide and provoke conflict while fashion can be seen as pretentious and unimportant. Putting phrases like ‘I am a feminist’ or ‘This is what a feminist looks like’ on a piece of clothing is more about fashion than feminism. Feminism should not be reduced to slogans or distorted by fashion, because feminism does not need fashion like fashion needs feminism. For all its faults, feminism is a necessary topic in this world. Despite the criticisms that feminism is disguised prudishness or that it is perceived as hatred against men, feminism has made significant contributions to our society. The movement was successful long before fashion wanted to interfere and now it does more harm than good. 34
Aldas Krūminis
Illustration and Design by Lisa Remy
It is no secret that feminism and fashion don’t get along, so it’s difficult to view ‘feminist’ t-shirts seriously. In 2014, the production of ‘This is What a Feminist Looks Like’ t-shirts was mired in controversy with allegations that they were sweatshop-produced by underpaid female workers. It is both sad and frustrating that the possibility of finding clothes in the high-street stores, that were not made in sweatshops by vulnerable, young people (who are often women) is low.
Body Parts as Trends:
Is Cleavage Really ‘Out’?
Cleavage will never be ‘out’, right? Well, a Vogue UK article declared that “the tits will not be out for the lads. Or for anyone else, for that matter,” and people are furious. In last December’s issue, Vogue UK daringly declared cleavage to be “over”, a pronouncement that was met with widespread outrage and indignation. People have been striking back, many wondering why people’s body types are ever considered “trends” in the first place. The Vogue article in question argues that because most models now prefer to show off their necks, shoulders and stomachs instead of their busts, cleavage is no longer ‘in’. In her article Kathleen Baird-Murray wrote, “The cleavage – those magnificent mounds pushed together to display sexual empowerment, to seduce, to inspire lust or even just to show off – is over, or at least, taking a well-earned break.” Because, apparently, now even bodies and body parts can become trends to forego. What will be next to go? Ears? Legs? Fingers? Who knows… Many critics have even pointed out that it isn’t the first time Vogue has encouraged body types as trends, having published an article in 2014 titled “We’re Officially in the Era of the Big Booty”, which promoted having a sizeable derrière was a staple of beauty an advertised body types such as Kylie Jenner’s. With the claims made in such articles, Vogue is essentially saying that body certain body shapes and characteristics are out of fashion. But what about people who can’t help having cleavage? Personally I think it’s ludicrous to tell a woman, or anyone for that matter, what part of their natural bodies is acceptable or not by any measure — whether that be fashion, society or personal preference. So long as Vogue is suggesting pairing a red lip with your nighttime outfit to change up your look, it remains within its reasonable rights as an authority of fashion; but as soon as it delves into unchangeable and natural territory (such as body types or body parts) it crosses a line that is best left uncrossed. Cleavage will never be out. If cleavage is part of your natural body, then by all means ‘rock out with your tits out’ and disregard Vogue UK’s bold and audacious claims. Rocking your natural beauty is timeless, and never goes out of style. Arianna Rossi Style Editor
35
Ripped Jeans:
Where to Draw the Line?
I hate to be dramatic, but ripped jeans can make or break your outfit. I’m sure you’ve seen some jeans that have a subtle, distressed feel to them, which gives the perfect biker chic vibe to their outfit. Yet, I have witnessed too many ripped jean-related
disasters. When I see people with more leg on show than jean, I think they have taken the ‘ripped’ part of ripped jeans a bit too literally. And so, we must learn to find the fashion middle-ground and ensure our ripped denim looks trendy, not trashy. Denim seems to be the most popular option in daily fashion and as ripped jeans are becoming more exposed in the summer season, let’s make sure we get the look spot on. So to save you a denim disaster, I will offer you some friendly tips: To begin ladies and gents, think more denim, not less. When choosing ripped jeans in a high street store, or planning the next DIY adventure to salvage your old denim favourites, it is better to keep most denim intact, to avoid wearing tattered remnants of what we like to call ‘jeans’.
When talking DIY, please, don’t attack the material with kitchen scissors, instead, my second tip offers you to use sharp nail scissors to create the incision (sounds like medical procedure I know, but this sh*t is serious). Then, use either a cheese grater, sandpaper or pumice stone and you will be sure to achieve the best distressed look. Next, when finding the perfect pair of ripped jeans, don’t look for big gaping holes; find the jeans that are subtly distressed. And when talking gaping holes, my final tip looks at the placement of these rips. Now to avoid the knee bulge for example, where every parent is sure to ask ‘Oh have you fallen over?’, look for the ripped jeans where the rips are on the thigh or on the shin. Usually when the rips are on the knee, they stretch the rip and make the denim sag; saggy denim is not what we are going for. In light of these tips, it is clear where we can draw the line on ripped jeans and avoid such a common fashion flaw. Whether you’re hoping to channel your inner 90’s biker badass chic, or expose your punk rock side, these tips will help you keep your ripped jeans trendy throughout all of the seasons. Megan Horsnell
36
STYLE
Many blogs make it seem as though you can possess no ‘style’ without owning such luxurious and expensive accessories. However, others, such as Who What Wear, actually aim to provide cheap alternatives that can be bought to recreate the designer looks while on a budget. Unfortunately, although it is a great initiative, with good intention, it still somewhat plays into the idea that luxury items are superior and something all women should aspire to own. Arguments supporting luxury goods include that they are worth investing in because they are quality/timeless pieces that can be passed on through generations. Some say they are more
valuable because they are symbols of style created by the greatest leaders of the fashion industry, and therefore an honour/privilege to wear. Others say they are worth the high price because they are produced in limited amounts and therefore are a status symbol (ex. the Hermès Birkin bag). Arguments against the purchase of luxury goods mainly focus on the fact that they are ridiculously expensive considering their purpose. Since cheaper alternatives which serve the same purpose and are relatively similar in ‘look’ are readily and easily available, many believe that the money spent on them can be better invested — whether that be on cheaper versions of those luxury items, or the warm bed you can lie in thanks to rent you’ll actually be able afford because you didn’t buy yourself a Birkin. Though we all lust over designer and luxury goods, I think it’s safe to say that they are not strictly necessary to maintain a stylish and chic look. If you’ve ever been to Zara, or shopped on ASOS, you’ll know that cheap does not necessarily mean shabby — nor does it necessarily compromise how stylish you are; in fact, I would even argue that being stylish on a budget is a more significant achievement. Lastly, in my humble opinion, luxury items are quite controversial in terms of the fact that some people in this world can barely afford to clothe themselves or feed their families, which (to me at least) makes the idea of spending 4K on a purse seem superfluous and almost immoral. All in all, it is clear that whether you think luxury items are worth it will depend on what you value and how you perceive their effect on your personal style will be. So… what do you think? Arianna Rossi Style Editor
Are Luxury Accessories Really Worth It?
Illustration and Design by Lisa Remy
Fashion blogs and bloggers have become all the rage lately. Notable names within these categories include bloggers Negin Mirsalehi, and Chiara Ferragni (“The Blonde Salad”), as well as blogs like Who What Wear and The Londoner. A common factor that can be identified within all these blogs, is the proliferation of flaunted luxury accessories. Ranging from the famed Chanel Boy Bag (RRP £7,560) and Louis Vuitton ‘Horizon 55’ hand luggage (RRP £4,000) to the luxurious Tiffany & Co.‘T’ bangles (RRP £2,500+) and many coveted pairs sky high Louboutin heels (RRP £400.00+), those accessories embody the true definition of luxury. So, an important question emerges: are luxury accessories really worth the outrageous cost?
37
SPORT
Spring Classics: What Went Down O
ften overshadowed by the might and recognition of Le Tour de France, road cycling’s Spring Classics are a force of their own. Primarily taking place in Belgium, France and the Netherlands, they don’t get the same degree of coverage in the UK as the Grand Tours but they are equally, if not more, entertaining. There is no definitive list of the races that make up the Spring Classics but they are often considered to be the Ardennes Classics, the Cobbled Classics of France and Belgium and Italy’s Milan-San Remo. At the time of writing, only Milan-San Remo and the Cobbled Classics have taken place so let’s take a look at the highlights thus far: Michał Kwiatkowski Wins Milan-San Remo: After winning Strade Bianche in Milan, Team Sky’s Michał Kwiatkowski went on to repeat the achievement in the 290 km epic in the North-West. World Champion Peter Sagan was favourite going into the race and looked the stronger rider as they made their way into the final climb. It was in the last hundred metres of the final sprint, however, that Kwiatkowski pushed past the Slovak to take the title by a hair’s breadth. Greg Van Avermaet Wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, E3 Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem: Having sustained an ankle injury over the winter, the Belgian Olympic Champion was looking to start 2017 emphatically; few predicted how well he would start, however. Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was the first of this year’s Cobbled Classics and Van Avermaet held off Peter Sagan and Sep Vanmarcke to retain his title. Van Avermaet’s next win came in Harelbeke with a dramatic sprint that picked off fellow countryman Oliver Naesen just short of the line. The BMC rider made it a Belgian triple as he also took the title in Wevelgem just two days after his previous win. In the longest of the three races, Van Avermaet led out and won a brilliant sprint against Jens Keukeleire with the peloton charging in the background. Peter Sagan Crashes Out of De Ronde: De Ronde Van Vlaanderen, or Tour of Flanders, is one of the pinnacles of the Spring cycling calendar with some of Europe’s most notorious cobbled climbs. This year, in its 101st edition, it ran from Antwerp to Oudenaarde and made the headlines under unfortunate circumstances. Whilst the title deservedly went to Belgian National Champion Philippe Gilbert, winning by such a margin that he had time to walk over the
38
line with his bike aloft, it was Peter Sagan that made the headlines. Classics legend Tom Boonen suffered a mechanical at the foot of the Taaienberg, ruling him out of becoming the outright most successful rider of De Ronde, but Sagan used the climb to unleash his attack and break away from the peloton. Riding along the dirt at the side of the cobbles with Van Avermaet and Oliver Naesen in tow, Sagan hit the deck in dramatic fashion with the two followers joining him in the dust. After Warren Commission level investigation from fans and the cycling press alike, it appears that Sagan’s handlebars snagged on a fan’s coat that had been hung from the side-line railings. Sagan took to social media to vent his frustration but conceded that “these things happen in racing and I now have to focus on Paris-Roubaix.” Tom Boonen Retires at Paris-Roubaix: In a career that stretches back to 2002, Tom Boonen has defined himself as a bona fide legend of cycling. No modern rider has taken to Spring with the same
Illustration and Design by Steph Carr
degree of success as the Belgian giant and nobody has won more editions of Paris-Roubaix, Ronde Van Vlaanderen or E3 Harelbeke. Boonen’s most successful year came about in 2005, as he won the UCI Road World Championship after topping the podium in all three of the aforementioned races, The Tour of Belgium and a couple of stages of Le Tour. Whilst not winning a Monument since his hugely successful 2012, Boonen has consistently made the podium and won smaller races. This year he went into his final Paris-Roubaix as an outside favourite and received more support than any other rider on the pave; unfortunately, he could not nail that fairytale ending as he slipped from the front and finished in 13th place. Despite this result he already has his place in the history books of cycling. Greg Van Avermaet Wins Again: 2017 has been a Spring that Greg Van Avermaet will never forget as he took his fourth, and potentially most prestigious, victory of the season in Paris-Roubaix. This year’s race was the usual brutal slog over the cobbles, made no easier by the punishing heat and dust and with Sagan suffering double punctures and Boonen struggling to keep up, Van Avermaet rode into the Roubaix Velodrome flanked by Zdeněk Štybar and Sebastian Langeveld. They were joined by Jasper Stuyven and Gianni Moscon for the final sprint but it was Van Avermaet that took the line. David Boyden Sport Editor
39
SPORT
Design by Jessie Foxford
Shining a Light On:
WakeboardIng WHAT IS WAKEBOARDING? Wakeboarding is a very niche, fun and relaxed sport. The easiest way to describe it is, it’s like water-skiing but on a snowboard! Like snowboarding, we have a lot of similar tricks, using jumps and rails. We perform 360s, board grabs, backflips (tantrums) and many other skills. We usually wear a wetsuit or board shorts, an impact vest, helmet and the wakeboard itself. There are two forms of wakeboarding: cable and boat. Boat wakeboarding is where you are pulled along by a boat; it is what many people will try on their holidays. Cable wakeboarding is on a machine that pulls you around a lake. Most people will specialise in one, however, the skills are extremely transferable.
We're a small, tight, family-like group who love to wakeboard. We train as much or as little as the members want! We even train when the water is just five degrees! The UK boasts some great wake parks and with the growing demand of the sport, there are more wake parks opening. Lots of friendships have blossomed through the club. If you fancy giving it a go, we hold a taster session at the start of every year for anyone interested, regardless whether you have experience or not! WHERE DO YOU COMPETE? Wakeboarding is no longer a member of BUCS. Instead, we have a student led independent organisation called Uniwake. Two of our members are on the Uniwake committee, who help to organise competitions for all the university wakeboarding teams in the UK. We have three main competitions a year, Winter Jam, Spring Jam, and Student Nationals. A few weeks ago, 40
Loughborough sent a strong team to compete in Uniwake's Spring Jam 2017. All of the team members had a high level of success on the podium, as well as gaining a lot of experience and new skills. HOW DO YOU SOCIALISE AS A TEAM? Last year, we went to the best wake park in Europe Hipnotics Cable Park in Antalya, Turkey. We spent the whole week wakeboarding every single day! Club socials are a big part of the club. We host monthly club socials, which help us bond more as a team. We also play the infamous wakeboarding game ‘slap cup’ on our very special Loughborough wakeboarding slap cup table. Everything that happens in the social is ‘insane in the membrane’! So, if you don't know what that means, join Loughborough wakeboarding next year! Mathilde Jeakings
Photography courtesy of LSU Wakeboarding
WHO ARE AU WAKEBOARDING AND WATER-SKI?
How to Use Exercise to
Combat Study Stress Photography courtesy of LSU Media
Writing an informative article on the subject of sport and exercise may seem a banal and facile task given the enlightened nature of most Loughborough students reading this, but I will give it a go. During the exam period energy levels and morale plummet whilst anxiety and stress sky rocket; causing lack of sleep, abnormal brain function and even physical illness. A key tool in combating all of these negative, work related symptoms is exercise. Even just going for a twenty-minute walk every night can help to pump the body full of endorphins and make your mind a more positive space, as well as acting as a welcome intermission during an otherwise packed work schedule.
An obvious result subsequent to more strenuous exercise is the strain it puts on your cardiovascular system, thus tiring you out and ensuring you have a better night's sleep. Enough sleep is essential in staying focused throughout the day and negates the need for a reliance on stimulants such as caffeine and sugar. Exercising also helps to drain out any toxins in the body and can therefore be helpful with hangovers, lessening the effects and making the day after the night before a much more productive state of affairs. Also the more cardio becomes a consistent part of your routine the less susceptible you become to being rundown, thus allowing for a work/life balance that Loughborough embodies. Adam Thompson
41
Exec Focus Interview with
Luke Thomson Sport EO
With the BUCS season winding up and the academic year nearing its end, how has this year been for you? It’s been another really strong year for the AU. We are still on track for our highest ever BUCS points total (fingers crossed) and have had so many team and club successes both inside and outside of BUCS. There have been some great performances from the likes of Fencing, Handball, Cheerleading, Kart, Basketball, Netball, Badminton and so many more, and it’s fantastic to be a part of it. Coming to the end of your two-year tenure as VP Sport, then Sport EO, what would you like your legacy to be? I hope that I’ll be viewed as someone that drove sport forward, not just within the AU but in empowering the student voice across the body of sport, and I think the Sport Senate which I set up last year will likely be the bit that people remember most from my tenure. I think perhaps the area that will affect the average student the most going forward will be finance. I came from a business background with my degree and placement, and post my 2 years, the AU is in a different world financially than when I arrived. We’ve moved from over 30 clubs in debt to under 5 and from overspending year on year we’ve got back on budget, which is absolutely key in making sure our clubs are able to continue to improve and grow sustainably. What has been the absolute highlight of your two years on Exec? I’ve absolutely loved every minute of it. I’ve had the joy of working with some great teams and people, particularly the AU Exec who have been terrific in both years, run massive scale events, including a visit from Queensland and a trip out to MIT and been able to tap into some of the biggest players in British sport which has been incredible. But, if I had to pick one, I worked with the Performance Sport Director at the University to put in a bid for an additional
£165,000 per year to further help support some of our developing teams. Making that happen was one of the primary reasons I reran, and the phone call to tell me that we’d got it and were therefore in a position to invest in some of our clubs for this year… well, I won’t forget that any time soon! Looking forward, how do you see Loughborough Sport progressing in years to come? Loughborough will continue to dominate performance wise for a good few more years yet, I have no doubt, but I do think we are at a really interesting point in the cycle of sport as a whole. The sport programme we offer is exceptional, world leading perhaps, but part of me thinks we are close to reaching our ceiling of potential with the current structures we operate by, and as I said in my Bubble Debate, if you want to be a game changing university, you always need to be ready to change the game. I predict we might see a model that pushes delivery by sport rather than by programme. That would be a huge change and would present challenges of it’s own, but it could open up a whole new level to our potential offer and really make the sky the limit for sport at Loughborough.
Contact me Twitter: @SportEO_LSU Facebook: /SportEOLSU Email: SportEO@lsu.co.uk
42
Interview with
Design by Liam David Hopley
Josh Thompson College EO
How do you think the Elections process went this year, having been involved in it twice? This year I found the elections a much smoother process, but I think that was because I have done it before. Speaking to other candidates lots of them struggled at times, as I don’t think certain points were as clear this year. However overall I found the elections to be very successful and once again was an amazing experience.
Illustration by Emily Forrester
As the academic year swiftly draws to a close, what plans do you have to round off the term? The academic term at college is a little longer so we have a bit more time for events. Two of the highlights for the upcoming term will be a trip to Alton towers and a celebration/festival-type event in the outdoor space of the college. Are you planning to work with other sections in the coming year that you haven’t had much involvement with thus far? I would love to work more closely with all the sections next year, I think if college engagement in all sections could increase, even by a small amount, that would be a huge success. Describe the College in three words… Diverse, friendly, unique.
Contact me Twitter: @CollegeEO_LSU Facebook: /CollegeEOLSU Email: CollegeEO@lsu.co.uk 43