The Edition SA

The EditionSA Guest Author: Tumisang Bojosi on media

Extras On: Bree Street’s Gay Clubs Cape Towns development in gender

A Guide On: How to be politically correct

We Review: Purple Hibiscus Rush Valerian

Know The Team:

This Editions Thoughts: - How to be politically correct - Cape Town - A City Of Change - The Struggle of being a female athlete - Dylan Reynolds on managing a genderless club - Gender equality in media - A social construct: Gender

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FYI: Our mag uses hyperlinks! Every time you see one of these, click em!

Reviews: - 4 Opinions on Purple Hibiscus - Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets - Rush

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This Editions Exclusive: - An interview with Swedish learners - A special article written by a Botswana Student

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19 20-22

Follow us on Twitter: @TheEditionSA

A GUIDE ON :

How To Be Politically Correct Jarryd Howe

In today’s society it is extremely hard to talk about gender without offending someone. In this article I will help you to be politically correct. Before you can be politically correct you must first understand what political correctness is. Political Correctness is defined as “the avoidance of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.”

This includes the discrimination between different genders.

Some people can feel

insulted if you call them the wrong thing like calling a girl a boy or visa versa.

Now that you understand what political correctness is you can now learn how to be politically correct. An easy way to be politically correct is to know the person and who they are but you do not always know the person and the following will help primarily the latter although the tips can be helpful always.

Need more advice?

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A Checklist on: Political Correctness Avoid using HE or SHE, rather use the person’s name.

Avoid jokes or statements that can offend them people regardless of context.

Always be friendly, it is hard for people to get offended, if the person is nice and friendly with them.

These tips will not help in every case but they might help you avoid some very awkward situations. Just remember the best way to avoid offending or insulting someone is to get to know them and to know the things that push their buttons. You will not always manage to be politically correct in the cases’ that you are not remember that no matter who you offend always try and apologize even if they do not accept it it will make you feel better about yourself and try and enjoy life instead of letting people you do not even know hurt you.

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C APE

TOWN

A City of Change Cape Town has been know as the alternative, “hip culture” city for as long as I can remember. With it’s wide variety of internationally acclaimed universities and colleges it is easy to see why Cape Town has one of the most diverse communities in Africa. It is also iconically known to be one of the most accepting cities in Africa, being called “The Gay Capital” by many. With regard to being accepting, Cape Town has come a long way from its apartheid days.

Unfortunately majority of people in South Africa live below the poverty line, with an estimated poverty rate of 55,5%, affecting mostly black females. This massive poverty rate has caused a direct decline of empowerment for females specifically. However this has been no feat for South Africans to change their ways - with an increase private NGO’s helping the lives of millions of South Africans there is still hope that one day no gender or race will be of a privilege to another.

From the architecture to the fashion, Cape Town's citizens have embraced the theory “What is old is new again”. Which is such an important concept to understand.

Especially in a society where people are self-conscious about the way they look in other people's eyes, instead of just embracing who they really are.

South Africa's change in perspective has impacted massively on the lives of today's generation. This change is mostly visible in Cape Town's society. Behind the beautiful sights and sunsets is a cause for equality that shines through South Africa’s past.

Matthew Sherlock

Want to come to Cape Town?

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This video has caught our eye

T HE

STRUGGLE OF BEING

A Female Athlete Audry-Hillaire Kalombo

An athlete's career can be affected by gender roles, school, traditions, media and stigma. Gender roles play a huge impact in an athlete’s life, from a young age it creates boundaries in sports that a child can choose from.

Teens are the most affected by gender roles, during the time when fitting in is very important.

Today it is very rare to find a boy auditioning for ballet or a girl going to rugby trials. “Male” and “Female”, sports carry lots of stereotypes. A female athlete needs to be elegant, highly skilled, strong, flexible and have “the perfect body”. Even in sport their appearance counts, woman's appearance is still overshadowing their achievements. Unlike female sports, male sports are more violence orientated due to the high levels of testosterone.

“A gender role is a set of societal norms dictating the types of behaviors which are generally considered acceptable, appropriate, or desirable for people based on their actual or perceived sex or sexuality.” Many people have to face gender roles and sometimes these restrain us for pursuing passions or from acting in certain ways. Gender roles are a set of norms that everyone is expected to follow.

Tradition and culture also plays a role in the setting of these norms.

Media is one of the main income sources for athletes. Athletes needs to have a good image to earn lots of money through media. A man is more likely to make more money by playing soccer or rugby than he is playing netball or figure skating.

Gender roles play a huge impact in our society through high-schools, workplaces and families. As a male or female athlete starts high-school, this is when children start being fully exposed to gender roles.

Schools have a limited amount of resources, they can only provide a certain amount of sport for males and females. So that the majority can find a sport to do.

They follow the norms for example, lots of boys enjoy playing football. Schools end up setting a gender role structure in sports.

It is really hard for an athlete to make it without been within the gender roles structures which has been set by society.

Looking for more information?

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A G UEST O PINION

BY

D YLAN R EYNOLDS

ON :

Running a Genderless Club Working at a Cabaret theatre - Gate 69 on Bree street, Cape Town has certainly been an eye-opening experience, to say the least. I deal with and manage three fabulous drag queens on a nightly basis. Let’s just say that making a six foot tall man pull off being a convincing woman takes a helluva lot. Now, imagine attempting to transform into such an incredibly glamours one, while performing at the same time!

One word - wow!

Working in a space where gender is so flexible can seem rather unnerving at first, but once you realize how much of a societal construct gender really is, you begin to not only understand, but appreciate what it is that these drag artists do on a nightly basis.

They go from being their relatively ordinary ‘boy’ selves during the day, to fully embracing their femininity and the portrayal thereof at night! At the end of the day, I love my job and I am guaranteed to always have an interesting night . If I could only record half of what happens backstage, I’d already have a hit Television series underway.

Did you know, Bree street has some of Cape Towns best restaurants? Check it out!

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S TRATEGIES

FOR

Gender Equality In Media Taine Reynolds

In the perfect world of equality between women and men, both would have the same professional opportunities, have equal pay and feel equal in the workplace. But there is inequality in most industries around the world and is a problem that needs to be sorted out.

Creating gender equality is more than being politically correct – it’s actually good business. Research by non-profit organisation Catalyst found companies that showed the highest number of women in senior leadership roles financially outperformed those with lower rates of women, with a 35% higher return on equity. 89 companies in Europe with the large representation of women in senior roles had a 10% higher return on equity and 48% higher earnings before interest and tax.

News media and political programming are too often only showing men and men only, women are only featured 10% on news stories which is percentage that is way to low. Studies have found that although the number of women working in the media has been increasing all over the world, the top positions (producers, executives, chief editors and publishers) are still very male dominated Creating gender balance makes newsrooms more productive and can contribute to social stability in surrounding communities.

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G ENDER

A Social Construct?

Jarryd Howe

In today’s society it is hard to talk about topics such as religion, race, sexuality and gender. Gender is an especially touchy topic. Gender has become less of a biological thing and is now seen more as a social construct to categorize and discriminate against certain genders in their home and work lives. While we can all agree that genders do in fact exist they are only biological and are not meant to disadvantage anyone or be used to harm anyone in anyway.

Gender is being used to discriminate against all genders but we should not be doing this we should be treating all genders as equals. We should not try and categorize people by anything, not their race, not their skin colour, not their religion and definitely not their gender.

Why is it wrong to categorize people by their skin colour but it is okay to categorize them by their gender?

If we are going to categorize anyone it should be of their own choice and not anyone else’s. People should be allowed to choose what they are categorized as but we should not use gender as a way to categorize people.

Gender should not be used as a way to hurt anyone in any way. We should not use any differences to hurt or disadvantage anyone ever.

We should all treat each other as equals and not feel that we are better than anyone.

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Four Reviews Of: Purple Hibiscus Written by: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Read the book

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Purple Hibiscus is a novel written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This novel takes place in postcolonial Nigeria.

The purpose of the novel is to challenge the stereotypes of women and children being seen as inferior to men. The writer uses the characters; Papa Eugene, Kambili, Jaja and Mama Beatrice, to portray this.

Their story shows the inequality of the circumstances that they live through. The conflict that takes place in the book challenges the reader’s views and understanding of gender roles.

factory owner and devoted Catholic. Their worldview is based on her father’s strict Catholic rules.

Religion is a theme in the novel that reveals other themes such as domestic violence. Both Jaja and kambili are treated uniquely. They are physically abused and they are deprived of their freedom of speech.

The Idea of patriarchal families is challenged as Jaja and Kambili experience a matriarchal family at different points in the novel.

I would recommend this as book to teenagers as it shows the flaws that are still in our current societies and shows a society we can aspire to build.

Kambili, a withdrawn fifteen year old girl, is the novel’s narrator and the main character.Jaja, kambili’s bother who is rebellious, has a passion for gardening. Beatrice their mother is quiet and submissive, she takes care of her children. She never speaks up for herself. The father is a wealthy

Audry-Hillaire Kalombo 10

Purple Hibiscus is written by a well known Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The novel takes place in postcolonial Nigeria during the Nigerian Civil war. From the beginning of the story readers will find themselves on the edge of their comfort zone.

The authors spectacular use of language immerses readers into Kambili, the main character's life.

As the story unfolds specific themes are explored. Challenging reader's understanding of feminism, religion and coming of age. These stories are alluded to constantly throughout the story, constantly reminding readers of how relevant these struggles are.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story challenges readers and helps them better understand the relevancy of the female struggle, where women are filled in a society of patriarchal men.

However, feminism is not the only theme explored throughout this book. The writer as utilized many themes that are surrounded to feminism and colonialism such as; Coming of age, religion, domestic violence and silence.

The story begins on Palm Sunday through the perspective of a young girl Kambili Achike.

Immediately readers are put into Kambili’s shoes where she has to endure her father's abusive behaviour. The novel expresses the blossoming of Kambili’s character. This growth is metaphorically compared to the title of the book: Purple Hibiscus.

The purple hibiscus represents a hybrid plant and is symbolised in different places to represent the different emotions and struggles Kambili goes through.

Matthew Sherlock

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The novel Purple Hibiscus, written by the well-known Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, is a gripping read centered around post colonial Nigeria. The political and economic difficulties enhance the raw emotions and actions of the characters in this book and give us an insight on the s truggle of living in these times.


This novel is a must-read for a developing person as it is opinion changing read on identity, gender and religion, but at the same time very insightful.

I would encourage many to read this book as it gives a view into our history and the lives of people living our country.

Taine Reynolds

The story is narrated by Kambili, a 15 year old female who is struggling to find her true identity in a world where she has no say and freedom.The themes of Postcolonial Africa and religion play a huge role in the storyline of the wonderful novel. Kambili's father rejects her Grandfather because of his traditional beliefs. Religion also plays a huge role in Kambili's thoughts and actions as she is always worried about committing a sin and scared to anger her father.

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The novel “Purple Hibiscus” was written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian author. The novel focuses on many different themes that are relevant in today's society.

At times some scenes in the novel can push us out of our comfort zone which only helps make this novel even better.

This novel can help bring hope to many people that are facing difficult situations just like Kambili did. In the novel she never gave up no matter what was happening this is why “Purple Hibiscus” is a great novel and it is a must read novel that anyone would enjoy reading.

“Purple Hibiscus” is a novel about the life of a young Nigerian girl called Kambili and it focuses on her struggles through life. The novel is set in many different cities within Nigeria, each city holds different characters that influence and help Kambili grow into the person she is at the end of the novel. The novel shows us how she grows up and becomes a wonderful young lady even though we saw the horrible things she went through during this novel.

Jarryd Howe 13

Movie Reviews

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R USH

An action packed racing flick: Audry-Hillaire Kalombo

Rush is a movie based on a true story which is directed by Ron Howard and written by Peter Morgan.The Main two characters are Niki Lauda and James Hunt starred by Daniel Brühl and Chris Hemsworth.

In the story the two main characters James Hunt and Niki Lauda, Both find a way into Formula One. They were racing in the fastest cars in an era where the sport fatal . They traveled around the world and each location as exotic as the previous one.

Daniel Brühl did a good job to embody the character of Niki Lauda, he expressed the character’s emotions in such away that the audience would indulge within everything Niki lauda went through. Throughout the movie fame, glamour and gender roles are shown. Women and champagne are used to show the status of the sport. Women did not participate in the sport as they were not “man” enough to face death. In this era women did have equal rights to men. Niki Lauda’s wife is a housewife, she is fragile while james hunt is tall muscular and straps himself to an engine for a living. This shows that men and women didn’t have the same roles in society.

Not only formula one fans would enjoy this movie, I would recommend this movie to thriller, action, romance and sport lovers. When I watched this movie the age restriction was 16; I think the age restriction should be rated R due to a lot of violence, profanity, drugs and alcohol abuse.

Rush 15

V ALERIAN AND

THE

C ITY

OF A

T HOUSAND P LANETS

Exploring Issues In Modern Society:

Matthew Sherlock

Luc Besson, French Director known for his action packed films, such as Taken 2, Transporter 2 and The Fifth Element brings a stunning, visually captivating film. Filled with Sci-Fi concepts that reminds me of a Star Wars themed world, and stunning visuals that transports you to a different world. The story is aimed towards younger teenage viewers expressing concepts that influence the understanding of equality and good morals. Luc Besson’s influence in concepts and filmic ideas can be easily related to his previous film The Fifth Element.

Starring Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne as Valerian and Laureline respectively. With Cara creating a powerful female presence in the story, there is no doubt that her role takes the favourite over Valerian. Laureline’s character develops Valerian’s maturity and naive love into a mature changed man by the end of the story. Laureline’s character is key to the development of Valerian.

Due to the conflict proposed to the characters in the movie there is a divide between the good and the bad, this conflict forces the main characters to decide between what they believe is right and what is needed to be done.

Although the movie ending resonates with the viewers, and the beautiful visuals, with a combination of interesting creatures and characters as well as spectacular sets, there is a lack of consistency in the movies plot. It has dramatic build up but once the first climax takes place the movies original enthusiasm dies down and bores viewers out till the end of the film. I would recommend this movie for developing teens or younger kids, who are curious about exploring gender and equality in society due to the feelings and morals expressed throughout the plot as well as younger viewers that enjoy sci-fi related worlds and stories.

Valerian 16

Lets Collaborate...

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A Foreword From our editor:

As Parklands College students we were privileged to be connected to Rudbeck and Maru-a-Pula schools to exchange information on gender roles the society we live in.

This collaboration proposed an eye opening experience, allowing Parklands College learners to be exposed to other societal stereotypes and generalizations as well as the degree of equality.

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Our Survey: Is there such a thing as an only girls or boys school in Sweden?

No

Do men and women get equal pay at work?

No, but it has improved over the past few years.

Women.

Which gender to you see being used the most in media or advertising? such as; magazine covers or adverts...

Men. In Sweden, do which gender features the most

on TV shows? For example; Jimmy Fallon or The Ellen show...

No.

Are women treated equally in sporting in Sweden?

No not in Sweden, I feel like men and the women equally share responsibilities in a Swedish household, at least this applies to my family and my friends.

Are there specific roles/duties that are expected of a women in the household?

Anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for your time!

I think you that perspective on gender equality is dependent on which country you’re from. Here in Sweden I think the genders are quite equal and you don't get judged regardless of gender/sexual preference.

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An Exclusive

By Tumisang Bojosi Media: [noun] The main means of mass

Normal versus Stereotype:


communication (television, radio and newspaper) regarded collectively.

For years now the media has presented gender stereotypes as the social norm. Ac-

This is the Oxford dictionary definition of

cording to any newly released

the word. What is the true definition of me-

perfume advert, women wear perfume in

dia? The media is a sphere of

order to attract all the men on the block.

influence that holds the power to

You know, because females live solely for

manipulate and change our cultures and

mens attention. Oh, and don't forget that

societies. Simply put, the media has brain-

the big, strong, financially stable man is far

washed our society. The ascendancy of the

more superior to the beautiful stay-at-

media is one that has created countless

home mum. This is what we have been

stereotypes. These stereotypes have suffo-

forced to believe. These tight restraints

cated us and forced us to adhere to the

have created wounds in our society that

"social norms" that are far beyond normal,

have left scars as permanent as tattoos on

or even natural. I guess one could say the

our identities. We have been moulded into

media is the sheep herder and we, society,

stereotypes, by stereotypes, for stereo-

are the sheep that follow blindly, falling

types. Somehow, over the course of the

senselessly into large pits of gender stereo-

years, the media has constructed what it

types.

has deemed to be "socially acceptable" gender identities. This construction has given the media the power to normalize gender based stereotypes.

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More on the next page...

How gender identities are constructed by

she made sure that you didn't have the

the media?

strength to break free from the restraints

It's possible that the construction of

that held you in a position that is inferior to

gender identities starts way before we are

that of men. This is how the media has

born. For years now the colour pink has

contracted gender identities. 


been associated with girls. Advertisements will often use the colour pink to appeal to

Now, the real question is why. Why has the

girls. So if you're a girl and you're favourite

media constructed these

colour is blue...that's great and all but,

ideals? Why is it okay for women to be pre-

according to the media you are socially

sented as beneath men? Why are there so

unacceptable therefore we, as society,

many gender boundaries, constricting hu-

cannot and will not accept you. 


man beings from

And obviously we just have to listen to the

acting in certain ways? Why is this fair? So

media. Considering the fact that it

many questions, yet so little answers.

groomed and shaped you into the person you are today, it's fair to say that

How the media maintain gender identi-

the media is practically your mother. That's

ties?

right, Mother Media. She wrapped you tight in your hot pink blanket and cradled

It's easy. We've been brainwashed! The

you. She infested your five year old mind

media has infested our brains, eaten us up

with the severe need to play with the pale

from the inside and replaced what's left

pink princesses like all the other girls in

with its nonsensical ideas ad beliefs. It has

your kindergarten class. As you grew

created what the Nigerian writer,

older, she morphed and multiplied into

Chimamanda Adichie, calls a "single

the music, movies and magazines that c

story", for women in society. In her 2013

onsumed your life. She made sure that you

TedTalk, Â Chimamanda mentioned that in

learnt to wear make up that would attract

order to create a single story one must

the most handsome men. She made sure

"show people as one thing, as only one

that you learnt how to cook and clean just

thing, over and over again, and that is

to please your husband. Most importantly,

what they become."

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Did You Know?

This is exactly what the media has done. For years it has presented women as inferior to men. Repeatedly, women have

Every day, 800 women die from prevent-

been shown in adverts washing their

able complications during pregnancy or

husbands shirts, or looking after the kids, or

childbirth.

cooking. We are never portrayed as the strong, independent and intelligent women that we really are. And that,

Women spend up to 5 more hours on

ladies and gentlemen, is how the media has

unpaid domestic work than men

managed to maintain these gender identities. By presenting women this way, over and over and over again, the media has created

each day.

One in four girls around the world was

a single story for women, and it's time that

married before her 18th birthday

we fight against it.

Women earn the majority of bachelor’s

"The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete.

They make one story become the only story."

degrees, but only a fraction of computer science degrees 200 million fewer women than men have access to the Internet worldwide

It is time for us as females, and males, to come together and rise above the gender stereotypes that the media has restrained us

Facts From:

to. We are more than just a single story, more than just a stereotype. We are more than the media.

The media has told one story...it's time to tell the rest.

Find out more on media

A Good Read!

Find out more on gender 22

A Final Thank you Thank you for reading our first issue of the Edition! Hopefully we can continue to entertain you in our future issues.

Thank you for your time and patience (I know this release has been in the works for a long time)...

We cant wait to hear your feed back. You can reach us on our twitter: @TheEditionSA Best Wishes, Matthew Sherlock - Editor & CEO of The Edition

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