Issue 03

03 Salient 08.03.21

Magazine

Tools for Change p13 - 15

Universe or Algorithm p16 - 18

How Glasses Shape Your Identity p22 - 24

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03

Editorial

04

Letters & Notices

06 - 12

News

13 - 15

Tools for Change : Why feminist legal theory matters

16 - 18

Universe or Algorithm

19 - 21

Centrefold / Feature Artist

22 - 24 How Glasses Shape Your Identity Columns

25 - 30

Shits Fucked Shits Good (25),Rice to meet you (26), $10 Jugs (27), To be Frank (28), Women’s Writes (29), Student Wellbeing (30), Mauri Ora (30), Ngāi Tauira (31)

Poetry

32

Culture

33 - 34

Jawsh 685 (33), Your First-Year Fashion Fortune (34)

36 - 38

Entertainment

About Us Salient is published by, but remains editorially independent from, the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA). Salient is funded in part by VUWSA through the Student Services Levy. Salient is a member of the Aotearoa Student Press Association (ASPA).

Complaints Complaints regarding the material published in Salient should first be brought to the Editors in writing (editor@salient.org.nz).

If not satisfied with the response, complaints should be directed to the Media Council (info@mediacouncil.org.nz).

The views expressed in Salient do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, VUWSA, or the University.

Sink your teeth into it!

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Editorial SICK DAY IN MY MIND, SAFE TO TAKE A STEP OUT As a kid you could pull a sicky.

Pulling a sicky could go a number of different ways. You get sent straight to school and told off for fibbing. Your mum looks you right in your lying little face but gives you the day off if you stay in bed. You might get to park up on the couch with Jermey Kyle if you’re lucky. It was all fun and games until you were actually sick—those times when you ended up lying in bed, vomiting, and would rather be at school.

You can’t be pulling a sicky as an adult. You risk falling behind in lectures or missing pay. There’s the few times you lied to your boss when you were hungover, but that only works once in an orange moon before they know you’re taking the piss. Pulling sickies at work can also really put your managers or co-workers out.

Sick days are for survival.

Sometimes you can feel a nasty cold coming on, or your mental health going downhill like an avocado left on the bench. If you catch things early, it’s likely to take less time to recover. Sleep can help your immune system tackle bugs before they get to full scale snot. If you’re struggling to sleep, or noticing symptoms of anxiety, getting help by talking to someone or giving yourself space to rest can stop anxiety compounding.

For menstruators, periods can make your mood crappy and your belly a ball of ouch. Further complications like endometriosis are incredibly serious. Sally is dreaming of a utopia where it’s normal to take a few days off without the asking of invasive questions like “is it really that bad?”

Staying home is easier now that lectures are recorded across the board. It’s pretty stink that it took a global pandemic to get that result. Big shout out to VUWSA who had campaigned for this long before the university’s hand was forced.

The pressure to show up even if you’re feeling sick is a problem we’ve seen described in the news. Reported

by Stuff in November, a retail worker went into work, despite being symptomatic and waiting for test results.

They had initially called in sick, but went in wearing a mask after a call with their manager. The stakes are higher in these times, and the social pressure to pull through makes it very complicated. As a community it’s time to band together in support of those who must have sick days, and remember this is long overdue.

Take your sick days when you need them, and seek help. There are people here to support you, like the staff at Mauri Ora. You can also ask for an extension on assignments. That can be a bit of a debacle when you’re feeling out of it, but it’s good to remain calm and follow the procedures.

This week’s issue was set to coincide with Women’s Week, hosted by the VUW Women’s Collective. Women’s Week has been postponed in light of alert level changes.

We’ve still prioritised the work of women in this issue; check out Kirsty’s feature on the rise of spiritual TikTok on page 16 and Annabel’s opinion piece called “Where are all our Maori Academics?” on page 9.

The cover art was created by Kate Mabin. The looping forms are to allow the viewer to impose their own view of gender identity, and represent community.

Take care,

Sally Ward (she/her) and Matthew Casey (he/him) Co-Editors

Brought to you by Peoples Coffee www.salient.org.nz

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NOTICES & LETTERS VUW Womens Collective Present: Annual General Meeting

Thanks for the feed Thanks for the Krishna discount last week, I didn’t really read the magazine, I just ripped out the discount and put it back on stands. Thanks though.

JA

Submit Letters and Notices for future issues

by Tuesdays 5pm to editor@salient.org.nz

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Letters and Notices

What

offers:

Intercampus Bus Passes

ity provide free rs e iv n U e th & VUWSA nts passes to stude s u b s u p m a c rinte at different s e s s la c o tw e v who ha e same day. campuses on th

Pop by VUWSA & we’ll load 10 free bus trips on your snapper ca rd. Easy!

For info about our student services, visit: vuwsa.org.nz

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News

Co-Tumuaki Elected / Voluntary Redundancy Women in STUDiO / Subway / Opinion / SHR Policy

Ngāi Tauira Co-Tumuaki Elected Kane Bassett, (he/him) Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa Ngāi Tauira have elected their new co-tumuaki—Safari Hynes (Rangitāne) and Katelynne Pōtiki-Clune (Ngāti Porou, Waikato-Tainui, Tapuika, Ngāi Tahu).

Katelynne said she was “a little nervous” but still “excited” by the win. Safari quickly noted “there’s work to be done” and added he’s ready to do it. They each said they’re excited to work with one another as copresidents, with Katelynne adding during speeches that the two “just vibe” together.

The pair ran unopposed at last Wednesday’s Special General Meeting. They won with 30 votes for, 2 abstentions, and 0 votes no confidence. Katelynne, currently the secretary of NT, will absorb the responsibilities of both positions until a new secretary is elected.

Katelynne and Safari gave separate speeches but said they are still united over the same vision. Katelynne spoke to the importance of a by Māori, for Māori approach to student advocacy and support. Safari covered the pair’s goals to streamline Ngāi Tauira’s internal infrastructure, ensure strong financial management, and to revisit the constitution.

Voluntary redundancy raising concerns on campus

Te apa mareikura a Māui tikitiki-a-taranga, the waharoa outside Ngāi Tauira’s meeting place on Kelburn Parade Katelynne said this year is about enacting realistic, tangible change. “If [we] can change just small little parts of studying at Vic Uni for Māori students, then we’re doing our job.” Safari echoed this sentiment, and added any reformations to the constitution would be achievable within the role’s one-year tenure.

As outlined in VUWSA’s constitution, the co-tumuaki will now receive ex-officio member status on the VUWSA executive, with equal voting rights. Because they are co-presidents, they will each be ex-officio, but jointly have one vote. According to their Memorandum of Understanding, Ngāi Tauira and VUWSA are expected to work together in goodwill, with active consultation, and equal representation, in university decision-making.

Kane Bassett, (he/him) Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa Approximately 100 staff members at Victoria University have expressed interest in voluntary redundancy, leaving students and union reps concerned for the University’s academic future.

The voluntary redundancy scheme was publicly announced last year at the staff Christmas function.

A spokesperson for the University said in a statement to Salient that voluntary redundancy was one measure being taken to address “the significant

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financial challenges that COVID-19 and the ongoing border restrictions have caused the University.” The spokesperson said the scheme aims to reduce, “to the extent possible”, the possibility for “potential” compulsory redundancies. They added the scheme is “consistent with the University’s values and responsibilities”, given it is voluntary.

Current student, Grace* is worried about what the scheme will mean for the future of her education. She said she chose to come to Vic because “the papers in later years looked interesting”, and is now worried these courses won’t be available when it comes time for her to take them.

She acknowledged the financial pressure the University was under due to a lack of international revenue, and said “the insecurity will only last for a little while”, but maintained the situation was still unfair to students.

“It’s unacceptable to have us questioning our degrees full stop.”

Co-president of the Tertiary Education Union’s (TEU) VUW branch, Dougal McNiell, says “pressuring staff to give up their jobs” is a “short-term” way to manage a deficit that will inevitably hurt students’ education.

He said the University’s priorities ought to be questioned.

Nicola Willis says Vic Uni management “should focus on its core duties: teaching, learning, and research.”

Photo via national.org.nz National Party MP based in Wellington Central, Nicola Willis, says Vic Uni management “should focus on its core duties: teaching, learning, and research.”

“It’s hard to see how an expensive branding campaign is a priority right now, particularly when the original reason for the name-change was to attract international students who, obviously, can’t get into the country right now.”

The University is currently in confidential employment negotiations with staff members whose expressions of interest were accepted. *Name changed

Women in STUDiO Supporting women in architecture and design Kane Bassett, (he/him) Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa ‘Womxn in STUDiO’ is a new group which hopes to celebrate and support women in architecture and design at Victoria University of Wellington.

It is headed by Maria Walker and Anca Bleu, two STUDiO delegated officials and Master of Architecture students.

Both have been inspired by previous work; Maria has worked at a feminist studio practice in Liverpool, while Anca has completed a project exploring gender and the need for women in architecture.

A clear goal for Walker and Bleu is to provide support Wellbeing Space at The School of Architecture and Design. and strategies for women studying at Victoria University Initiatives like this are one focus of Womxn in STUDiO. of Wellington, as well as providing opportunities for Photo by Tess Lynch. mentorship and access to experiences shared by current industry professionals. www.salient.org.nz

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Women make up a majority of Architecture students according to NZIA statistics. In a 2018 study women made up 52% of Architecture graduates in Aotearoa, but only 29% of registered architects.

Walker says “you have this leaky pipeline and you are not really exposed to it until you enter the industry”.

When looking exclusively at those in senior architect roles, the percentage of women drops to only 10%.

Globally, the stats aren’t much better: Bleu states “out of the top 100 architecture firms only two are run by ‘womxn’, that’s two out of 100”.

‘Womxn in STUDiO’ hope to close up the leak by advocating for equal rights and opportunities on campus and the industry; creating a dialogue and fostering a strong network of peer support; running social and discussion-based events to build a culture at Victoria that encourages women; and celebrating both

student and industry achievements by individual women and groups.

Walker and Bleu have just opened registrations, and welcome anybody who advocates for the advancement of women in architecture and design to join.

Walker and Bleu highlighted intersectionality as a key goal for the group moving forward. Walker acknowledged “the conditions get a whole lot worse for a person of colour or members of an ethnic minority, which is not something we [Walker and Bleu] have experienced personally. So we are really wanting to make sure that as this group grows the leadership of this group reflects that.”

Those interested in joining ‘Womxn in STUDiO’ can register by contacting @womxn_in_studio on Instagram or emailing womxninstudio@gmail.com.

Kelburn joins the big leagues and gets a subway But there is no student drink deal Matthew Casey, (he/him) On Wednesday, 24 February, Subway opened its doors on Kelburn campus, making it the last of the 3 main city campuses to have a Subway within 130 metres.

Last December, Salient reported on Facebook that Subway was coming soon. The post yielded over 500 comments, mostly people tagging their friends and commenting that they wished there was a Subway on campus when they were at university.

Jack Walker, the President of STUDiO told Salient that the Vivian Street shop “Fuels pretty much all of Te Aro, especially during hand in weeks and it’s very handy to have”. This shows just how great of an addition Subway may be to the Kelburn campus.

Salient spoke to the Kelburn store manager, Suruchi Shaeh, about the opening. She said that they are offering “more options for a cheaper price” as it would cost under $10 for a Sub of the Day plus a cookie and drink. She continued, saying that the response has been “very positive”.

This does counter speculation among students that they do not offer the Sub of the Day. Of the 3 stores located close to, or on, the campus’ of Victoria University, the only one that offers any student deal is Vivian Street, who charge $1 for their student drink.

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When asked if they would offer cheaper student drinks at Kelburn, the manager’s response was: “not really,” adding that “in future we will see, and decide”.

Fourth year student Alfred says “it makes sense that they wouldn’t do [$1 drinks] on campus because everyone is a student and the amount of free cups they’d give out would be a major loss, I think they should implement student discounts though”.

This has, however, led to a few disgruntled consumers, with Maddie saying “I heard we were getting one like the design school and thought that we’d get a student drink deal too.”

There is hope for future student deals, but some students are waiting with baited breath.

Salient can report that stores such as the ones located on Courtney Place and Dixon street offer a free cup with each purchase, with the presentation of a student ID.

Where are all our Māori and Pacific academics?

Treaty partners, it can be difficult to determine whether they are actually addressing inequities beyond the surface level.

OPINION: You don’t have to be an academic to figure out Māori and Pacific are severely underrepresented in the university workforce, including at Victoria University of Wellington.

However, diversity frameworks, policies, and strategies dedicated to improving outcomes across the universities start to look weak when Māori and Pacific employment numbers and pay parity don’t add up.

Annabel McCarthy (she/her), Te Whakatōhea It’s hardly uncommon for university students to work their way through an entire degree without encountering a single Māori or Pacific lecturer in any of the degree’s papers.

Despite a steady increase in the number of Māori and Pacific heading to university, to date this has not translated into higher Māori and Pacific representation in academia.

Research published by a group of Māori and Pacific academics late last year scrutinised the pay and promotion of more than 17,000 academics across New Zealand’s eight universities.

The study, titled Glass Ceilings in New Zealand Universities, quantified what Māori and Pacific have been speaking and writing about for years; university students are not being taught by Māori or Pacific professors, and Māori and Pacific students are lacking role models at higher levels across universities.

The research was led by Dr Tara McAllister, and co-authored by four academics including Victoria University’s Professor Joanna Kidman. It also found Māori and Pacific academics are underpaid $5000 on average, and are significantly under-promoted compared to Pākehā academics.

For women of Māori and Pacific descent, the disparity worsens. Compared to their Pākehā counterparts, they earn nearly $8000 less a year, and are 65 per cent less likely to be promoted.

This data may come as a surprise to many Pākehā, but should not be overlooked. The inequities found could not be explained by research performance, age, or field of study, meaning there is a different factor at play: structural and everyday racism.

When universities claim they value diversity, inclusion, and equity while attempting to reinforce only the perception they are committed to Te Tiriti and are good

It is clear the status quo isn’t working for Māori and Pacific, and that university leaders need to step up and realise that there are real issues here.

For Māori and Pacific students, the odds are stacked against them before they’ve even got a foot in the door. If they beat the odds and make it as a lecturer or professor, they are likely to be paid less for doing the same work.

Recruiting, supporting and promoting Māori and Pacific academics is critical if universities want to fully commit to their rhetoric. For a university to address structural discrimination and meet its Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, Māori representation at all academic levels is required, including at senior management.

Structural change in terms of recruitment and career advancement are sorely needed, if universities’ claims of genuine partnership are to be believed. The current system has too many barriers excluding Māori and Pacific from academia altogether.

Recognising Māori and Pacific excellence and valuing the research they carry out is also fundamental to achieving sector-wide equity. Academics are charged with being the critics and conscience of society, so it is vital, therefore, that Māori and Pacific are not only involved in higher education research, but lead the research themselves.

Māori and Pacific academics undertake research specific to Māori and Pacific communities, doing so in a way that promotes better outcomes and processes for those involved. They amplify the voices of Māori and Pacific, and provide solutions that improve the realities and further the priorities of them.

If Māori and Pacific work is not valued, the myth that Māori and Pacific are not experts is reinforced, and universities will continue to operate based on the longstanding values and experiences of Pākehā.

For years, Māori and Pacific academics have been pointing out the disconnect between rhetoric and reality, but have struggled to be heard without quantitative data. This new research provides that at last.

www.salient.org.nz

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VUWSA’s Sexual Harassment Response Policy submission criticised Kane Bassett, (he/him) Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa CW: Sexual violence, sexual harassment Concerns have been raised on campus about VUWSA’s submission to the University’s sexual harassment response policy.

The Sexual Harassment Response Policy (SHRP) was presented for general consultation in 2019, and officially put in place at the University in 2020. The University carried out a review of the policy at the end of 2020, which sought further feedback and submissions from the University community.

VUWSA submitted to the policy during both rounds of consultation. The executive consulted 16 key representative groups in their first (2019) submission, and with Thursdays in Black, Victoria University of Wellington Feminist Law Society, Victoria University of Wellington Women’s Collective, and members of VUWSA’s Student Equity and Diversity Committee in their second (2020) submission.

Current Vic student, Hayden Fisher said he was “honestly quite taken back” by VUWSA’s second submission, which he originally sighted in an OIA for feedback received on the SHRP. “There were about 11 documents attached, and VUWSA’s response stuck out as particularly strange and offensive.”

He said the submission contains “many comments on the emotional turmoil faced by those who have been accused of a sex crime [respondants]” but spends little time focusing on the emotional turmoil faced by alleged victim-survivors (claimants). He said it is concerning because VUWSA’s responsibility is to ensure they accurately and equally advocate for issues claimants experience when dealing with sexual harassment response processes at the University.

VUWSA President, Michael Turnbull, said the submission was informed largely by work conducted by the Student Advocacy Team in sexual harassment response. He said this work dealt mostly (not exclusively) with respondents, as claimants are often referred to the Student Interest and Conflict Resolution Team. He added, “this is what we aimed to reflect in our submission.”

The president said in a statement to Salient that “VUWSA did not intend to discredit the experiences of claimants.” He added, in future, VUWSA will draft “more comprehensive and better phrased submissions.”

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He said “VUWSA apologises for the impact our submission has had.”

Thursdays in Black VUW (TIBVUW) Co-President, Maddi Rowe “absolutely agrees” with VUWSA that respondents are inadequately accounted for in the SHRP. “All parties involved in an instance of sexual violence reserve the right to rehabilitative justice and restoration of personal relationships and sense of belonging in the community”. She did however state that “the framing and language used in VUWSA’s second submission was, at times, harmful.”

“We hope to encourage VUWSA to update their standards of sexual violence response training among their staff so that they use the correct language in future.”

The TIBVUW Co-President added the SHRP, as it stands, requires improvement. “We feel the SHRP is under-consulted, regressive, and harmful to students involved in instances of sexual violence in the Victoria Universtiy community.” “student voice has not been reflected in the current iteration of the SHRP. It is clear [to TIBVUW] the issue remains with the University, and it is their lack of consultation.”

A spokesperson said the University received approximately 70 submissions on the draft policy in 2019. They said key stakeholders, including the Sexual Abuse Prevention Network, were consulted during intial drafting stages.

The spokesperson added the SHRP has been “recognised in Kate Davenport QC’s recent report on bullying and harassment at AUT as an example other institutions may wish to follow.” The spokesperson mentioned the SHRP “appears to be the only standalone policy on responding to sexual harassment in the tertiary sector in New Zealand.”

General practice is that University policies, including the SHRP, are reviewed every three years.

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Shit News.

Don’t mistake it for the real thing.

A conversation with: The Leader of the Opposition

Eugene Pipefitter

Eugene Leader of the Opposition

Eugene Leader of the Opposition

Eugene Leader of the Opposition

Eugene Leader of the Opposition

Eugene Leader of the Opposition

Eugene Leader of the Opposition

Eugene Leader of the Opposition

Eugene Leader of the Opposition

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Are you the Leader of the Opposition?

Talofa Talofa, are you the Leader of the Opposition?

Correct, yes How did you get that job?

Well the last one quit after kicking the one before him out for being too oppositional, he was being too oppositional, he was being opposition for opposition sake Some have said you too are opposition for opposition sake No, that’s still the guy who used to be in the job—anti conversion therapy and drug testing? He even stormed out and called the speaker a twat this last week. That’s not helpful for our left wing approach Left wing?

Well the current government is doing the centre-right thing so we need to oppose them So opposition for opposition sake?

No I’ve always been a leftie, they used to hassle me about it at school What do you mean by that?

Well left handed, my husband is left handed So what would you be doing if you were in power right now?

Probably the exact same thing, she’s doing a marvelous job

Eugene

Thank you for your time

Leader of the Opposition

Wait, did I tell you that…

Eugene

Thank you for your time

Tools for Change: Why feminist legal theory matters Sally Ward, (she/her)

Aside from learning about the law as it is, students need to be able to imagine how it could be.

Feminist Legal Theory (FLT) is one tool that can allow students to see how the law could be restructured to create better outcomes for those who the system was not designed for. Equipping professionals with critical perspectives can create space for diversity, and for those perspectives to be valued.

FLT combines the experiences of women with critical perspectives from other areas like feminism generally.

This is to work out the relationship between law and gender. It reveals new understandings, and limits and opportunities for legal reform. It is an ocean of work and intersects with other bodies of thought like critical race theory, environmental feminism and radical feminism.

The legal profession is overwhelmingly white and male in the upper echelons. The Law Society’s data from late 2019 shows that women make up only 39% of partners in law firms. It doesn’t add up because women comprise 60% of people admitted to the bar each year.

Gender isn’t the only aspect of identity that impacts those working in the field. Only 6.3% of legal professionals are Māori, with 78.2% Pākehā. Kelly Gage (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is a recent graduate working in the legal profession. She wrote about Māori underrepresentation in the field for the 2020 Employment Law Bulletin. Gage notes that the Māori economy is worth $42 billion, and asks how a team can “specialise in Māori affairs and business with such a clear lack of Māori staff?”

Gage also wrote that experience and knowledge of te ao Māori is necessary to tackle the overrepresentation of Māori in the criminal justice system. She draws on the ‘ethics of care’, an FLT concept highlighting the way the law “traditionally embodies one dominant set of perspectives and assumptions.” These assumptions tend to favour rationality over emotion, and individual accountability, over a communal approach.

Dr Zoë Prebble was walking across a stepping stone path at her friend’s house. As she walked along the stones, she noticed that she didn’t have to stretch to get across. Zoë “had never experienced walking effortlessly” in this way. The path had been paved by her friend, who had spaced it according to shorter legs.

It matters who builds the paths we walk because different experiences inform the journey.

I’m sitting with Dr Zoë Prebble, who is a professor at the law school. Her research looks at gendered harms, and the ways it is criminalised. She explained that she first engaged fully with her research when she got into gendered harms. The “work started to feel meaningful” and she could see its ability to “effect real people”.

www.salient.org.nz

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It’s time to repave the steps.

I lifted some definitions from Zoë’s 2018 publication: gendered harms refers to “harms predominantly carried out against women and continue due to the unequal status of women in society. ‘Women’ is not an undifferentiated category, it interacts with race, class, economic status, sexual orientation [...] to produce different vulnerabilities to harms.”

Zoë speaks with pace and precision. She has recently received a VUW teaching award, and you can see why.

The students I spoke to about her classes were full of positivity; it is clear that she is making a huge difference to their learning.

Zoë takes an honours paper on Feminist Legal Theory, amough others like Criminal Law. Nina Weir, who has taken the paper, explained that FLT sounds like it’s “just one broad thing”, but the course was a “chance to realise how many different perspectives there are.” ‘Feminism’ can easily be reduced to something that is just a women’s issue and siloed away.

Zoë had a whole list of names of academics and pointed me toward the work of Patricia Williams—“she’s really cool”. Williams is an African American scholar known for her work on Critical Race Theory, and also happens to be a contract lawyer.

Williams sometimes writes in the first person which is unusual for legal writing. In one example, Williams recounts going Christmas shopping at one o’clock in the afternoon. At the time, there was a buzzer system that allowed shop owners to be selective about who they let in: “I pressed my round brown face to the window and finger to the buzzer seeking admittance.” She was told the store was closed, even though it clearly wasn’t.

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Williams uses this story to express rage at existing power structures.

“You can be a serious thinker and use the first person.”

Zoë can still “picture lines and images” from Williams’ work—“how often do you get that?” This is just one way that different perspectives and approaches can improve the quality of study.

I asked about the state of the legal system generally.

Dr Prebble’s view was that “it’s not perfect, but it’s also a site of real power.” It’s important to challenge that power, and make sure it serves the people it’s supposed to protect. We “talk about the law as if it’s this rational thing”, but “sometimes it’s just an accident of history”, Zoë said.

The legal system is so much about the way humans make decisions.

We shifted our focus to the law school, as a “feeder to the legal profession”. What is the place of FLT in a law school curriculum? Zoë believes it helps us understand “how things could be different”. Although, we still need to know “what the law is, you can’t throw that out.”

One of the difficult things about teaching topics like FLT, is having staff with the expertise, the time to deliver courses, and the funding. There is an appetite for it, it’s something to reach for.

Feature : Tools for Change: Why Feminist Legal Theory Matters

Wang, a New Zealand case, is famous for its decision on the use of self-defence in the context of what can be described as a ‘gendered harm’—domestic violence. Dr Prebble teaches a chapter from ‘Fem Legal Judgements’ alongside Wang in Criminal Law. ‘Fem Legal Judgements’ is an initiative where hypothetical judgements on existing legal decisions are written by judges, through an FLT lens.

Theories can be used to defog our vision. Imagine if Fem Legal Judgements were written in real life, and not hypothetically after the fact. FLT is especially relevant to cases like the Grace Milane trial, and the case examining the treatment of inmates at Auckland Women’s Prison detailed in the media earlier this year.

I also talked to the current president of the VUW Feminist Law Society, Abby Jones. The 10-member exec had sat down and asked themselves “why are we feminst? And everyone had different answers.” Abby went on to say that “what people need from feminism is different”, the best thing to do “is create space and recognise that we have different needs.” So if there’s anything to take away, it’s that feminism should be underlined by differences.

The group focuses on advocacy and activism. Taking to the streets didn’t happen a lot last year, so their attention has been on advocacy.

VUWFLS has plans to introduce content warnings for lectures. A lot of the topics discussed in LAWS courses can be about domestic violence or racial violence.

Generally lecturers do provide warnings so we know it’s possible, but it is on an ad-hoc basis.

Content warnings are “about giving [...] the space for people to do it at home, in their own way.” This is possible with online learning, which Abby says is also beneficial for students with learning difficulties, for example. It’s not to say that students should be able to opt out of topics that are violent, it is a necessary part of law. It is to acknowledge that this might be the first time a person is facing these issues in a learning environment. It’s not unreasonable to need space.

I have sometimes fought back tears in class and needed a big cup of tea afterwards. I can see the benefit of occasionally being able to deal with that quietly at home, although I also enjoy learning alongside others.

FLT has a lot to offer legal studies, and the legal profession. It is one tool that can help us create change, and overlaps with other theories like critical race theory.

It’s exciting that there are academics, including Dr Prebble here at VUW, empowering students to see how these ideas can be applied to reality. It’s time to repave the steps.

Abby had spoken to a lawyer who worked in a firm where cases are allocated to lawyers who feel comfortable taking them on—lawyers can say “actually that’s a case that’s too violent.” Once that’s acknowledged, it allows the work to go to someone who is comfortable. www.salient.org.nz

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Spiritual Tik-Tok is on the rise, is it a sign?

Universe or Algorithm Kirsty Frame, Ngāti Kahungunu, (she/her)

“If you’re seeing this video on your for you page, this is a sign. sign.

This message is meant for you.”

I glance up to my clock–11:12pm, close enough. My thumb pauses while a TikTok account by the name SpiritualDivine9 shuffles tarot cards as if they weigh bricks, sending several flying from the pack. Those are my chosen cards.

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Feature : Universe or Algorithm

“Someone has recently walked away and made you feel abandoned. The Universe wants to reassure you, this is a meaningful connection. This person is your twin flame.”

(He wasn’t)

“These heavy feelings won’t last long.

Be patient. They are running back soon.”

(He didn’t)

“Like and follow to claim” … I did.

This stupid clock app has been bombarding me with ‘signs’ ever since that fateful evening last year. My TikTok feed has snowballed into so-called SpiritualTok, and it all began with my silly little thumb pressing down on the blackmirror.

It’s clear that TikTok is making waves in pop-culture. It sparks a user experience that’s uniquely matched to our distinct taste buds, which is what makes it so hard to put down. In the last year there’s also been an increased draw into the worlds of astrology, manifestation, tarot, and overall spiritual enlightenment—mostly because the world’s turning to shit and that’s stressful. Many of us have lost control of our lives in one way or another and we found ourselves seeking light at the end of a tunnel. The surge in consumers and creators on TikTok, combined with a wide need for hope, has created an interesting environment to say the least. But there’s something about this side that feels odd.

TikTok is home to many experts of many fields who use the app as a valuable tool to educate. Those in the spiritual fields are no different, especially as many disciples are inherently inclusive. But as some creators and consumers are beginning to point out, there’s an increase of inauthenticity as the popularity grows. Some creators are misrepresenting or romanticising spiritual practises, and manipulating the algorithm. It’s fame that’s the trouble, because this app is made for it.

Red flag number one is the videos with conditions.

Last time I got an in-person tarot reading, I didn’t have to give them an online rating in order for my cards to become reality. Many tarot TikTokers ask us to like, comment, share, or follow their account to “lock in”, or “claim” the reading they just gave. It feels very Facebook 2011, ‘share this before midnight or your dad

will die’. But honestly, a lot of us still follow through based on what-ifs.

Thumb interactions are powerfully observed on TikTok, and by hitting any account you enter a new virtual community that’s entirely manufactured. It’s all about the algorithm, and many creators know that. I spoke with Dr Angi Buettner, a senior lecturer in our School of English, Film, Theatre and Media Studies, with special interests in TikTok and digital cultures, to help get my head around it.

“Tik Tok is really a machine, it’s driven entirely by algorithms”, she tells me, noting that unlike our other social media, TikTok doesn’t need a social-network. “It watches you all the time, and builds a model of who you are and what you might like”.

Video information, such as captions, sounds, hashtags, filters associated with a particular video is matched with videos inside the algorithm. So it’s statistically more likely that videos of “if you’re seeing this, this is a sign” are on your feed because of the algorithm, not the Universe.

With a good algorithm comes better odds to stardom, and as Dr Buettner says, most viral creators are actually cultivated by the company itself. “When TikTok sees a strong algorithmic hit, and sees a trend, they can target and amplify it.”

www.salient.org.nz

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And it’s even the established creators that can be manipulating the app. Take Maren Altman for example.

She’s a viral TikTok astrologer with a million followers and over 30 million likes. She gained her fame late last year with her complex astrological explanations and predictions of the future. Between her revenue on TikTok, Youtube, Instagram and her website course, she earns multiple thousands each month.

Earlier this year it was revealed in a turbulent expose that she’d actually stolen content from a number of BIPOC creators, with awful bullying along the way. She’d been seen to comment on different astrology videos, criticising their theories, but then post them as her own sometime after. Her comments under various TikTok videos, combined with her viral presence meant that she looked like the more credible and trusted astrologer.

Though this is a great example of some much needed justice with a touch of cancel-culture, it’s an outlier because TikTok is so deep.

Cultural appropriation is a massive issue in this space because TikTok’s algorithm provides the perfect conditions to gentrify and commodify, which is the overarching issue with SpiritualTok’s rise in popularity.

It’s also essential to remember that TikTok has an awful history of leaving BIPOC and minority groups out of the spotlight via algorithm. This is allowing for many of these inexperienced, white creators to be amplified. As an example, burning sage has been increasingly popular both inside and outside of TikTok. #sagebcleansing shows white people burning sage and promote its benefits as a universal wellbeing balm. But that’s a far stretch from an ancient and sacred Native American practice, also with a history of discrimination. The 180 turn of white Americans popularising sage is in complete contradiction with their grandparents, who in the 70s made it illegal for Native Americans to use sage. Today sage is in high demand and even the foundation for businesses in the States.

The overarching issue among all these microcommunities on TikTok is how easily creators can establish themselves, and how easily we eat their content up. As consumers we’re scary-easily influenced, and don’t question enough, especially so when we’re being allured into a sense of stability and enrichment.

There’s a sense of magic to these practises that feels somewhat tangible, unlike in our imaginations as kids.

But now we have big-kid EFTPOS cards, and can take our influences into the world to naively buy a crystal because they’re viral.

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Feature Feature : : Destination Universe or Wellington Algorithm

As Dr Buettner says, “we need to know how the business and the industry works, so that we are informed and can be informed consumers rather than just being consumed.” She reminds us, “if you are not paying for the product, you are the product.”

So do we just throw our phones into the ocean and be done with all this? Probably not. While we know this popularisation and gentrification of spirituality is causing issues, there are still many genuine and experienced creators in this space. So many of these practises are made to be inclusive. We as the consumer need to be genuine in our intentions to begin practising some of these disciplines, and not half-arse it because our attention spans are messy. Do your research, take your time, and know that some practises are not for white people.

And remember, if the tarots are telling you he’s coming back— he’s probably not.

ARTIST PROFILE

Maisy McLeod-Riera Kia ora! I’m Maisy. I’m a freelance photographer based in the heart of Welly. I moved here from the big smoke of Tāmaki Makaurau about a year ago (finally). My goto photography falls into the category of documentary photography. I use it as a way to express the way that I see & feel the world, and the zeitgeist of my friends & family. I want to remember all their light and savvy in these transitory moments. Sometimes I end up capturing darker stuff, and I think that can be just as striking. We live in a weird world & there is beauty in melancholy!

I don’t very often work to a personal brief. I usually find just taking a camera along with me for the day produces better & more interesting images. Can’t beat candid right! …Other than when I’m working with clients, the brief is hella crucial there.

Trying to pay your rent with your hobby is a funny one.

The work for so long is few & far between then all at once, it’s a feast. That, and the reality that once you start doing something you do for fun to survive, it becomes far less fun real quick. Because of this, I’ve worn many different creative hats to reel in as much work as possible.

I’ve wound up incredibly grateful for this as it’s lead to me having a more complex understanding of entire marketing processes and helped me put the client in my own shoes.

This has been instrumental in actually comprehending what clients want from my photos, not just what I want!

You can check out more of my work on my website: www. castorandpollux.co.nz or my gram: @maisymcleod If you have any Q’s about my pics or the weird world of freelancing my DMs are always open!

www.salient.org.nz

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Marion Street Carpark Photograph Maisy McLeod-Riera 20

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How Glasses Shape Your Identity.

Jamie Clarke (he/him)

If our eyes are the window to the soul, then you better make sure you’ve got some stylish frames for them.

Whether you begrudgingly wore the glasses that your parents hand-picked for you to school every day, or rocked your colourful frames with pride, those of us who have been plagued with less-than-perfect eyesight from a young age often have a complicated relationship with our eyewear. If you’ve recently been told you’re joining the shit-eyesight club, welcome to the confusing hell that is picking out your first pair of glasses. You’ve probably never looked at your face with as much scrutiny before.

Do you suit square frames?

Circular frames?

Clear frames?

Rainbow frames? And what the fuck is your face shape?

People who wear glasses don’t exactly get a great rap in the media. This isn’t a sob-story for us glasses-wearers—it’s really not something to cry about (that would fog up our lenses). Caring about how you look in glasses, and how other people think you look, is of course a superficial problem. But, we do live in a society where our appearance affects every aspect of our lives, from the personal to the professional. Glasses are almost exclusively portrayed in movies as the personification of nerdiness—they signal to the viewer that this character is smart, thinks they’re smart, or is trying their best to look smart. As my anonymous flatmate aptly put it, “I need them to see but I feel like a nerd”. With a culture that has forced the simple act of seeing into a personality trait, it should come as no surprise that our eyewear of choice can often feel like a core part of our identity.

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Feature : How Glasses Shape Your Identity

Not to mention those vomitinducing, misogynistic makeover movies where the girl takes her glasses off, lets her hair down and *BAM*, she’s gone from unfuckable geek to heart throb just like that.

A fellow bespectacled student, Eiréann, told me that while she usually rocks her glasses, when she’s next to someone whose opinion on her appearance is valuable to her, she feels self-conscious. Unfortunately, but sadly not unsurprisingly, she’s been told in the past by a random man that she looks “so much better” without her (extremely stylish) spectacles. It’s not all doom and gloom though, she adds: “Maybe I do look better without my glasses, but I still like them. I am still holding onto the childhood joy of wearing my first pair of proper glasses, and now I get to have funky frames.

They act as a form of self-expression, with their exciting colours and bizarre shapes.” So, whether it’s trying to look clever, ‘cool’, or stylish, glasses are so much more than just pieces of plastic and glass that help us see.

Buying glasses can be a particularly stressful experience, despite those who are employed to help make it as smooth as possible. No matter which way you look at it, it is impossible to escape the fact that whenever you enter a store to buy glasses, you are entering a retail space that’s interests are, by definition, in conflict with the necessary medical service it provides—stores have retail targets, and the eyewear industry is huge.

Salient spoke with Laura, a fifth year student who described how this crossover can be particularly jarring from a customer perspective.

She highlighted that upon entering a glasses store she had one person, the optician, telling her that she needed glasses from a medical standpoint.

She then had a retail assistant in the same store encouraging her to drop $450 on a pair. “I knew I needed the glasses to see better, I’d been falling asleep in class and getting headaches all the time, but I got so stressed in the store. I ended up with baaad buyer’s remorse and a sad bank account” Laura said. “I wish I’d gone in a bit more

Princess Diaries makeover scene Source: theknotnews.com

Legally Blonde class scene Source: insider.com

prepared with what I wanted.” She was, overall, happy to be able to see properly again.

Salient also spoke with an optical assistant, who is a student at Vic too, about being a part of the industry. When asked what glasses are on trend at the moment, she told us that “tortoise shell never goes out of fashion”, with slim cat eye, and big and round being the current shapes of choice. A mix of wire and plastic are the in-style materials. As someone wearing a pair of glasses with plastic, tortoise shell frames and wire legs, I must say she has a great sense of taste. Aligning with current trends can be an important way to feel as if your glasses don’t make you look like a nerd, or at least to help prevent you from feeling out of place. Buying a new pair as your old ones go out of style, just as I did two years ago.

She “loves [her] job,” as she gets to help people feel less concerned about the often stressful process of getting glasses. “I think it’s nice to be able to help, particularly older people, understand how glasses are going to correct their vision. Oftentimes they come out of the exam www.salient.org.nz

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room understanding that their vision is worse and having heard the optometrist’s recommendations for correction but not knowing what that actually means.”

“It’s definitely nice to be able to break down exactly what progressive lenses means, or why they are being booked in for a visual field [...] and how it will help them. The same goes for people with first time glasses. Having a chat makes it less scary I guess.”

Because that’s what those struggling financially need more of—debt.

=

There are no public optician services in Aotearoa, and so the eyewear industry does provide an essential service for those in need of visual aids. For the many of us whose poor vision is a relatively mild inconvenience, forking up money for a pair of specs can seem like an annoying, but relatively optional, additional cost. But, for the majority of the 150,000 New Zealanders with moderate to severe vision loss, access to glasses is a necessity. When vision loss affects your ability to live your life independently and, say, drive, or be able to get the bus, or walk to the shops, the cost of purchasing them shifts from a pain in the ass to another essential bill that many can’t afford. While Work and Income do provide some financial assistance for those 16 and over on very low incomes, this is a loan. Because that’s what those struggling financially need more of—debt.

The only way you can get “free” government money for glasses is by being 15 or under and having a high use health card, or have a parent with a valid community services card (in addition to meeting strict clinical guidelines).

Whether you wear glasses out of necessity, or simply for the vibe they give off, it’s undeniable that they influence how we see ourselves, and how others perceive us. The very first impression you get of someone—at a job interview, or in a uni tut, or on Tinder—is almost always based on their face. Our faces are at the heart of our appearance, and how we present our emotions to others.

So whether we like it or not, glasses provide a glimpse of who we are. This sense of identity, however, is underpinned by the fact that glasses are visual aids that many people need.

While we are sometimes encouraged in a retail space to forget about functionality and think about fashionability in order to spend more, we should not be forgetting that glasses are fundamentally a medical aid.

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Feature : How Glasses Shape Your Identity / Column : Shits Fucked, Shits Good

SHIT'S FUCKED The State of Fast Food in the CBD - William Waiter You may say “we have decent burger joints already in this city”. Well I can tell you, ain’t no one delivering roast potatoes like Te Atatu Wendys. The KFC Krusher doesn’t do the job like a Hand-Scooped Ice-Cream Shake™ would, and absolutely no one does plant based options better than Burger King. It’s a shame that we don’t have any of these options.

company from receivership, but think about the kids. Think about the kid pissed at midnight on Manners who “don’t want to go to Maccas.”

When I drove up to Tangiwai the other weekend, my mate and I made sure we ducked into Paraparaumu because we needed some mouth watering, Vodafone Warriors sponsoring, earth shaking, ‘Old Fashion Hamburgers’. We When I’m a bit dusty in the middle hours of a Sunday, as an needed Wendys’ chicken tenders, a Frosty float, some roast out of towner, I am slapped in the face with the sad reality potatoes, and the world famous Baconator. It was bloody that I can’t get a Frosty shake. A Frosty fucking shake! marvelous, and I’m beyond pissed off that I don’t have easy This city starves me of all the fast food I want (except for access to it in Wellington. good access to KFC). I really want Wendys, Burger King, and Carl’s Junior.

If you want BK, go to the airport. If you want Wendys, Paraparaumu. If you’ve got way too much money and a With the original nationwide lockdown, Burger King shut tooth for CJ’s, you’ve got about a 2 hour drive to Palmy. down some pretty major spots, including Lambton Quay, Cuba Street, and Courtney Place. The top level real estate I’m pissed, and I just want this top level stuff available ASAP. in Wellington’s CBD must’ve been a big ceebs to them.

Wellington’s fast food is all pretty sweet, but to be honest, That is all good and fine when you’re trying to save a shit’s fucked.

SHIT'S GOOD The Bachelor is back! - Sloane Peters After spending too many nights watching the most recent season of The Bachelorette with my girlfriend, I am now very excited for the new season of The Bachelor.

Moses is possibly the hottest bachelor yet, and with an established singing career he both has the talent and money to make me very very happy :P

I was let down when Lexie chose Hamish, because he reminded me of this dude from highschool who I just honestly DO NOT vibe with.

Obvi, I can’t make the call on whether he will break our hearts like Lexie did, but I do look forward to this season. The first episode gave me a glimpse into his kind nature and it had me absolutely in hysterics that no one recognized him, like ummmmm.

But this season the Bachelor is the absolute hunk of spunk that is Sol3 Mio’s Moses Mackay. A cute singer and an accomplished man, he is also a host on Flava radio.

We are saddling up for an absolutely positively awesome season 4. Moses Mackay is beautiful as fuck, and so are all the women on the show.

I do want this to end up in a successful and loving relationship but low key, I just want Moses to give me the final rose.

Shit is really fucking good.

On Tuesday night I watched the first episode and me oh my. The fucking smile on that man! It absolutely melts me like I’m the Wicked Witch of The West. www.salient.org.nz

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Hi! We’re Anoushka and Laurelei and it’s Rice To Meet You. From dating, to pronouncing ethnic names, to racial imposter syndrome, we’re Salient’s resident Asian aunties giving completely unsolicited (but somewhat sage) advice.

No, that's not how you say my name.

Hi, I’m Anoushka! Not Anooshka, not Anoishka, but Anoushka. I’ve had a somewhat complicated relationship with my name throughout my life. As a child, I genuinely hated it because it was different, and frankly I didn’t think it was very pretty. This escalated to a point where as an enraged child, I asked my parents for a legal name change. Thankfully they were like “lol, no’’, at which point I resigned to my fate of having an ‘ugly’ name.

According to my parents, Anoushka means twilight, and now that I’m 18 (and have a lot more taste), I realise that I do in fact have a beautiful name. My name is unique, and I appreciate that. However, one thing I don’t appreciate is when people put zero effort into pronouncing my name correctly. The conversation tends to go downhill pretty quickly:

When you meet someone for the first time, introducing oneself is the starting point of any good acquaintanceship. First impressions are made within the first few words exchanged between two people, so when confusion arises around something as simple as one’s name, things can get a little awkward. This only develops into annoyance and eventual exhaustion with the more people you meet and introductions you make.

I must first disclaim that my first name isn’t actually Asian, but I have had my fair share of mispronunciations (see here: Laure-lee, laure-lay, Loréal), and my surname isn’t that straightforward to figure out either.

Anoushka Divekar (she/her)

Laurelei Bautista (she/her)

I can guarantee that if you haven’t been on the receiving end of such a tricky interaction, then you’ve probably been the culprit of butchering someone’s name—well“Hi, I’m Anoushka.” meaningly or not. These kinds of mistakes are normal, “Anooshka?” but if you’re excuse every time is “Sorry, I’m just really “No, Anoushka.” bad with pronunciations”, or if the next question you ask is “Do you have a nickname I can call you?”, and you “AnoOshKa?” Absolutely not. While I’m a strong believer make the same slip-up over and over again, then the in being proud of one’s heritage and culture, I’ll admit problem isn’t the name; the problem is you. Why are you that having an ethnic name comes with its fair share of bothered by the little effort it takes to learn how to say problems. Every time someone butchers my name or a few syllables that are actually a lot easier than you surname, I can feel a brain cell dying within my cranium; think? How can you put in that same effort into learning you can imagine I don’t have many brain cells left. I have names like Tchaikovsky and Michelangelo (as put by a feeling that anyone with an ethnic name has had a Uzo Aduba)? Where is the same attitude that comes similar experience. A name is the first point of contact with judging Asians and other immigrants on their you have with someone, it’s one of the first things you broken English and foreign accents? If you can push us learn about them. The bare minimum you can do is have to speak perfect English, then the very least you can do the decency to pronounce their given name correctly. is figure out how to pronounce our names. No, you are My name is something I’m proud to identify with, so this not bad with pronunciations—you’re just lazy. No, I’m is but a humble plea that when you hear an ethnic name, not giving you a nickname—our names have beautiful take a little bit of time, put in a little bit of effort, and meanings and beautiful histories, and they do not deserve to be shortened purely for your convenience. don’t completely slaughter it.

Deal with it.

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Columns : Rice to Meet You / $10 Jugs

The Grand

This week we have the first $10 Jug that’s officially on Courtenay Place. A place which is epitomised by its name—The Grand. A place I have walked past a million times to stop and check the score of the Hurricanes while standing on the street. I have been a frequenter of this venue at different points in my university career. In my first year, I attended my first ever R18 gig to watch Smino play here, little did I know I’d also see him at Laneway within the next 365 days.

The decor in this place is quite nice. I am especially a fan of their cushioned stools; they are very comfortable, and help me to digest my beer. On shorter chairs my stomach doesn’t feel as free to take in the beverage.

Size:

2 and a half pints

Availability:

Every day

tells me, you’re either a Tui drinker or you are not. I am in fact, not a Tui drinker.

It’s fair to say I spent my summers closer to Tokoroa than Mangatainoka, and that’s the beauty of Tui. When speaking to friends who love it, they bring it back to their grandparents—“my nanny’s marae is in Pahiatua and she always loved what she called a ‘sweet beer’”.

Tui seems to only be enjoyed by people who have a connection to it. Padraig the designer says that it’s the beer he’s always had, from his early drinking though to going to games at the Cake Tin, back when it was the beer served at the rugby.

Tui is an ‘East India Pale Ale’—Yeah Right.

The brick walls are quite cool, it reminds me of one of those Northland fire station flats. They have interesting pictures of Courtenay place from former eras, which gives me an insight into what Wellington may have looked like in the era of the Battle of Manners Street.

There is also an outside area, which allows you to feel very much at one with Courtenay Place. With a bus stop virtually right outside, this is a good venue if you need to rush up to uni after your $10 jug.

Now let’s talk about the beverage itself.

Straight off the futha mucking bat I am handed a chilled glass. That is some top quality service. I haven’t had a Chilled Glass since my dad bought me a Steinglager Super Cold at the Tauranga Lone Star. A chilled glass is an extraordinary addition to the jug, as it keeps your drink cold as. After looking online, a bunch of the craft beer elites think that it ruins your beer and to be honest, it doesn’t really matter when you’re drinking a $10 jug.

Since you sometimes want to get rid of the flavour, the coldness actually helps. This is important for a jug of Tui. My friend Dennis (yes his parents called him that)

The interesting thing about this East India Pale Ale is that it just isn’t a EIPA, it’s a standard New Zealand Draught beer. It’s definitely not an IPA in any capacity.

The beer is a lager. But while we’re at it, let’s look at how it tastes. It’s one of the rougher beers out there. To the untrained pallet, it’s a bit closer to Lion Red than it is to cat urination.

Sam, an ex Tui drinker, believes he stopped drinking Tui due to social pressures from people like me, the number of which had increased since he moved to Wellington.

Since getting a job he is able to afford different beers now. He ended by saying his final exodus from being a Tui drinker was “it tastes like piss”.

I would just much rather not drink Tui. The Grand does offer Export Gold as a part of this deal as well, which I would highly recommend. With the standard jug size and chilled glasses, it’s definitely a place worth trying for your next $10 jug.

www.salient.org.nz

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Frankie Dale (she/her)

Sex and dating advice from Wellington’s rankest, pessimistic, anxious, and most dramatic woman.

I’d like to think I am someone who puts personality way above looks. Like, there’s only so much a symmetrical face can do for me if they are only inclined to talk about how much ketamine they did last week, their love for Joe Rogan, and refer to vaginas as ‘axe wounds’.

I’ve been thinking a lot about sexual chemistry in the last week or so, and what it actually means; is it important or is it a complete myth we make up? Is getting butterflies a good thing, or a sign that these people actually make us anxious?

For me, I am sexually attracted to anything from John Campbell, to Michael Cera, to Ryan Gosling. When I look back through my little black book, I am shocked at the hoard of misfits I once shared feelings for. How can I argue that my “type” are tall gangly chain-smokers, when I dated someone who wore socklets?

What I am trying to say is that attraction is indiscriminate. Being “hot” is a mindset. And, we need to remember that being perfect on paper isn’t always perfect in person. For example, I had a boyfriend once who is every mother’s dream. He worshiped the ground I walked on, grocery shopped for my family, and kind of resembled a Greek god—what gives, right? Even though I on paper was attracted to him, something was missing.

After the first week or so I had completely stopped wanting to jump his bones physically and mentally; I had sexually signed off.

On the latter, I was once friends with a guy who I had zero attraction to until one day I was absolutely hooked and couldn’t imagine my life without smanging them— how could I go from thinking of this person as a brother, to overnight picturing our life together in Sicily?

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Columns : To be Frank / Women’s Writes

The thing with sexual chemistry is that it’s confusing, biological, and most of the time out of your control.

Although I wasn’t physically attracted to my friend, it was something about our energies that were just drawn to each other. This type of attraction goes deeper; from the sound of their voice to, the way they interacted with other people so confidently, to the way they took their fucking shoes off.

Most importantly, when we say “I’m not hot enough to get with them” this just isn’t true! Sexual attraction, in my opinion, isn’t so black and white. We so often beat ourselves up comparing ourselves to our new beau’s ex, and society’s insanely unattainable standards of what is ‘hot’. I literally once got with a guy who looked exactly like Tommy Wiseau from The Room—attraction is completely desultory. You are hot enough, because hot is just a mindset.

When I was in intermediate I fell in love with my online boyfriend; we had never met, I just knew he wore a lot of OBEY and had fingered a friend of mine at Christmas in the Park. I was hooked, just from a photo. Nowadays, I don’t care if I consider you attractive from face value.

Isn’t it more important to wanna bone your personality rather than your perfectly placed dimples?

It all makes sense, right? As we get older and potentially more enlightened, that Justin Bieber look alike seems less important. This isn’t to say physical sexual attraction is completely redundant. But, if it’s the focal point of your relationship—we might have a problem.

Give the quiet person in your tutorial a chance, you might be surprised. Let’s cut the superficial bullshit.

Women's Writes CW: Discussion of ableism and harmful portrayals of autism On Sia’s film Music, from the perspective of a woman with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Opinion: Depicting a disorder is not endearing if you don’t listen to the people you attempt to portray.

Having a female nonverbal autistic character is a good thing, with most cinema tending to depict an emotionally devoid super-genius as a male antithesis to the young girl obsessed with horses.

However, when the trailer for Music hit the internet the neurodiverse side of the internet went wild.

Directed by Sia, the movie musical revolves around Zu (Kate Hudson) who is begrudgingly burdened with her autistic half-sister named Music (Maddie Ziegler) after the sudden death of her grandmother.

Sia depicts a neurotypical idealisation of what living life with sensory issues is like, rather than basing it off lived autistic experiences. Sia’s polarising view is revealed even in the trailer, when Zu’s love interest Ebo (Leslie Odom Jr), describes how Music “sees the world in a completely different way from us”, ostracising her in a sick fetishisation of abnormality, rather than educating safe ways to integrate autistic people and their strengths into society. Even the musical sequences which aim to provide access to an autistic’s mind are too colourful to withstand, with flashing strobe lights and neon sets being too painful to look at. Here, Sia’s creative liberties act as a glorified plot device to use musical theatre and set design to nab an Oscar, to place on a shelf alongside her stash of accolades.

If this really were an autistic woman, she would probably mask by switching her stims to less noticeable ones such as chewing fingernails, twirling hair, feeling the fabrics of her clothes to distract from overstimulation and to prevent ridicule from others. An experience for so many of us that has been normalised. There was a cut scene in which Music was experiencing a meltdown. Instead of putting on some calming music, providing a stimulatory toy such as a fidget spinner, Zu pins her to the ground in a lethal restraint. This portrayal teaches incorrect methods of how to correctly regulate stimulatory outbursts, by using Music as a prop to spread disinformation about autistic needs.

Outside of the film Sia is trading one screen to offend people for a smaller one on Twitter by offending her audience who are trying to educate her on her wrongdoing.

For the production side of the film, Sia partnered with Autism Speaks, a toxic advocacy organisation that undermines the very people that they are ‘trying’ to help. In 2009, they released a controversial video commercial entitled “I Am Autism” describing how autism can ruin families with a haunting narration “I work faster than paediatric aids, cancer, and diabetes combined, and if you’re happily married, I will make Although autism is a spectrum, Music’s stimulatory sure that your marriage fails.” For Sia to be aligning behaviour is exaggerated to the point of mockery herself with Autism Speaks reveals just how oblivious through the musical sequences. This is illustrated she was in the development of the film. Even her through her front teeth jutting out, fingers twitching Twitter apology just screams ignorance: “I had no repeatedly, and repeated groans. These irresponsible idea [Autism Speaks] was such a polarizing group!” and unrealistic attempts at representing stimming are This reinforces her misrepresentation through her made worse through a non-autistic actress being cast alignment with Autism Speaks, who consider autistic as the main character. This reinforces the neurotypical people to be child-sized terrors, when we in reality are narrative and highlights once again that Sia does the victims that get spoken over. not care about including or representing the autistic community, rather choosing to create offensive, Having Sia, a neurotypical celebrity profit off our ableist trash that is made for neurotypical people. disability for her own financial gain through ignorance does not make her a visionary. Our neurodiverse experiences do. www.salient.org.nz

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Student Wellbeing

Mauri Ora Eden Roberts, Ngāpuhi, (she/her)

Stephen Maslin Counsellor

Managing COVID-19 anxiety.

Well that got serious quickly, tri one starts and suddenly were in and out of level two and three for Auckland.

It can be pretty stressful, impact sleep and just be overwhelming. Staff here at Mauri Ora feel it too as we change the way we run in level two to hopefully keep you all safe.

Here is the thing about our anxiety, it’s largely out of our control. Life happens, things come up and they have an impact on us whether it is good or bad. It’s how we deal with our situation and the anxiety (or whatever shitty emotion you’re experiencing) that’s the important bit. If you let your anxiety control what you do, say stay home and avoid hanging out with friends it can get on top of you. However, if you allow yourself to feel the anxiety and still do what you give a shit about then you are in control.

This is easier said than done and I only have 300 words to explain this to you. If I was to recommend one thing it’s this, when you’re feeling stressed out, slow down, take a deep breath, notice your environment, notice the emotions you’re feeling and let yourself feel it, acknowledging it hurts. That’s being self-compassionate.

The next step is asking yourself what is important to you and doing that with or without the shitty emotion.

I don’t expect this to solve everything but be curious and try it out if you want. Otherwise we have some great options to help here at Mauri Ora. We offer Same Day Counselling appointments, Short Term Counselling and some other options. Our GP’s, Nurses etc. also know a thing or two about managing this stuff. So please come in and say hi.

With it being the first few weeks of the academic year, life starts becoming hectic and as students we have to start balancing all aspects of our busy lives. This can be challenging as we start to gain momentum and try and prioritise certain aspects so that we don’t fall behind. Something has to give, and more often than not it is our mental health that suffers. This leads to burn out, and can look like loss of motivation, bad sleeping habits, and high levels of stress. Prioritising mental health from the beginning can provide you with a strong foundation to keep moving forward and succeed at university.

Te Herenga Waka offers support through Manawa Ora which provides wellbeing workshops to students, run by students. This ensures that the support offered comes from a place of experience and understanding, which makes participants feel heard and equips them with the tools to overcome well-being struggles not only immediately, but as they continue to progress through their academic journey.

The workshops are set up in a way that is easy for students to book online through CareerHub, and then show up for a quick one-off session. These range from procrastination, sleep habits, study/life balance, and loneliness. Alongside these workshops, there is a wellbeing space for students to enjoy called The Bubble which is located on level 2 of the Student Union Building on Kelburn Campus. The Bubble provides a safe quiet space for students to enjoy some hot drinks, fruit, and even games while they take a relaxing break from study and classes. It is important to look after your wairua, so take advantage of the services available to ensure you hit the ground running over the first few weeks at university.

Eden is a VUW student, PASS leader, Student Ambassador and volunteer Student Wellbeing Facilitator

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Columns : Student Wellbeing / Mauri Ora - Ngāi Tauia

Ngai Tauira Take the opportunities you’re presented with, and run with them. You have the mana of your tīpuna behind you, the collective. You are the one.

Affirmations I am not one I am a collective Connected through breath Woven together like waves I look up at night and I see a family portrait Hanging perfectly in the night They wonder how I sleep at night They guide me to a place Fit for a god Fit for the children A place like home.

I am a tribe Past and present I am the ocean Fluid and changing Stronger than rock I am the earth And she is me I look in the mirror and I say to myself How fkn untouchable A concept so foreign and so true.

I. The centre of gravity I pull the sun across the sky everyday The tides have nothing on me The moon A light in the dark On a journey designed just for her.

Something we have in common.

She holds me, she whispers Walk in your ways What’s for you will be yours

Renati Waaka, Te Arawa, (he/him)

www.salient.org.nz

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My Favourite Fraudulent Mayor

In it again, legs shaking, bodies are weird- yeslike Gaudi architecture and monotheistic religion, like rent prices in Wellington, pushing me from the centre out, pushing me back to where the green hills steam up the sky.

We stood on the road and spotted hikers, their own weird bodies against colour and cloud.

Watch the skin stretch and pull, make jokes about leaving me hanging only in the sense that my guts have been perfecting this kind of dive.

Bodies are weird- yes- and capable of tractor beams and magnetic fields.

You lift a wagon from me and are revealed as a fraudulent mayor.

I live the rest of my days thinking about that kindness.

Rachel Lockwood (she/her)

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Poem / Jawsh 685

An homage to South Dawson (she/her) Auckland Success Elisapeta Ngare Hauata of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hamoa If you spent quarantine on TikTok, listening to the radio, or paying attention to what’s happening in Aotearoa, you know the phenomenon that is “Loud and Styla” Jawsh685.

Debuting in 2019, he skyrocketed with the aid of Tiktok and his track “Laxed (Siren Beat)”. The original audio amassed over 50 million ‘creations’ on TikTok. This spawned global celebrations of culture through the app, in a trend called the ‘Culture Dance’, with Jawsh’s own 685 references (Samoa’s calling code).

first and only Pasifika artist to achieve the #1 single in the UK. It was so huge that BTS hopped on the track—Kpop’s ^official marriage with South Auckland.

Siren Beat uses sounds from siren speakers, usually stuck on bikes or cars. Variety highlights the way it’s “Reminiscent of Jamaica’s dancehall scene and Latin America’s embrace of reggaeton, it’s a musical point of pride.”

685, Mr Whippy speakers in baskets, ‘leshgos’—they are the wealth and culture which became popularised, Unfortunately, the powers that be can never let the good although the music had value prior to international flourish without trying to line their own pockets. So in recognition. Those sounds are inherently Jawsh, April 2020, Jason Derulo dropped a ‘Culture Dance’ embedded in Aiga; he will always keep repping where video captioning it “IS THIS A TREND”, acting like he he’s from. South Auckland has always believed in itself. didn’t know what he was up to. Typical. While Sony Throughout the pandemic, headlines were littered Music were trying to find Jawsh’s mum on Facebook, Derulo didn’t feel the need to wait for a sign off on the with “South Auckland” and “highschooler”—teenagers production, and according to one of his mates went were leaving schools to join the workforce. Divisions became apparent with corresponding headlines of those “rogue”. He put his lyrics over the siren-beat without crediting or acknowledging Jawsh. benefiting from the pandemic. Boys and girls woke up as adults, to work. As my Poppa did, as my mother always Jalaiah Hamron did not get credit for the ‘Renegade’ told me was expected from the eldest, or rather it being dance, in a similar situation. As the New York Times put what you do for your family. it, “to be robbed of credit on TikTok is to be robbed of real opportunities. In 2020, virality means income.”

National lockdown underway, Jawsh685 emerged as an international success. This forced a national media As we gather here today to celebrate the astonishing celebration of SA, and disproving tensions created by success and talent of a young man from South the national urgency to inquire on SA’s competency and Auckland, so did the TikTok community. Accountability agency. was forced upon the elite by the people, with audiences across the globe who utilised Jawsh’s beat in celebration South Auckland wasn’t waiting on you. It never needed of themselves giving that celebration back to him. your approval. The man with the #1 single in the world Goliath was defeated. is posting Bible verses & his bros going for Head Boy. This chart topper is solidification of his future legendary On 11 June 2020, the Hot 100 chart-topper was officially status, a legend who is “Focusing on all the positive things to come, and getting Manurewa 67 on the Map.” released: “Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)” by Jawsh685 and Jason Derulo. This made Jawsh685 the www.salient.org.nz

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Review

Fashion

Your First-Year Fashion Fortune Nina Weir (she/her) Co-star? So 2019. Tarot Readings? Waaay too complex.

Tea leaves? You know it’s iced coffee or nothing bub.

Girls, gays, and theys, let me read you your 2021 fashion fortune based on the most intimate, soul-spelunking, profound measure of a person there is: how you’ve decorated your first-year room.

You’ve spent the last couple weeks assembling your living space, exercising that main character complex, and need to assert your individuality away from mum and dad. So now based on that, it’s time for me to make some massive over-generalisations and confine you into one of four Gen Z fashion stereotypes.

If your room has: 1. An Iko Iko poster, ideally botanically themed, and roughly 83 succulents You have more cool pairs of wide-legged jeans than an ABBA tour bus. You’ve probably crocheted yourself some earrings to go with your beaded macramé plant hanger, and your love of accessories would give a minimalist nightmares. You definitely own more than one canvas tote-bag, and you don’t consider an outfit complete unless you’re carrying your keep cup. I would vote you most likely to unironically wear cowboy boots and look cute doing it.

2. A rogue street sign, accidentally acquired after a night of unintentional inebriation Your preferred drink is Nitro, and your preferred outfit features dad jeans and an oversized souvenir t-shirt that has a sexy bear in sunglasses saying “women want me, fish fear me!” Oddly specific, but have you ever felt so seen? You own at least 3 bucket hats, 2 of which are reserved for formal occasions (i.e. Circus Bar on a Tuesday night). Your thrifting skills are immaculate and if required you could assemble a New York Fashion Week worthy fit for under $10. Saying that, though, your sneaker collection is probably valued on par with the GDP of a small Eastern European nation.

Images 1. Still from Mamma Mia, via thesun.co.uk 2. Maddy in Euphoria vogue.com 3. Jeans and Tee, pinterest via lu.

4. Coloured Glasses, pinterest via fuzzweb.com

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Review : Fashion

3. A dainty little windowsill of 1L Smirnoff vodka bottles You may not be Maddy from Euphoria, but you are Maddy from Dio, and you have the same I.AM.GIA pants and hell-to-pay attitude. By day, you’re never seen in anything other than your hoodie and your striped Ruby sweats. But by night, it’s anything cropped, spandex, and showing off that Bondi Sands. You think heels are overrated and have dodged many a rolled ankle and ACC claim in your trusty converses, tripping into a Courtney place gutter at 2 a.m. Your nails are always perfectly done, your wardrobe exclusively contains colours that make you look more tan, and adults are all absolutely terrified of you.

4. A truckload of (UNLIT) decorative candles in a rainbow of pastels: You’re probably a Scandi Fashion Bitch with a Pinterest more curated than the Louvre. You have a wardrobe of lilacs, pale greens, pinks, and butter yellows, which perfectly match the hand-crafted vegan soy candles you sourced from a local artisan on Insta. You’ve got a claw clip and you know how to use it. You’ve spent your summer thrifting a tonne of Y2K purses that you know look great with your mini sunglasses, even if they really don’t fit your MacBook or textbooks. Your shopping wishlist is almost entirely Paloma Wool, and you would do unspeakable things for that mint green Saks Potts coat. You appear superhumanly put together, and you probably change your phone case to match your outfit and have alternating Spotify playlists depending on the day’s colour palette.

www.salient.org.nz

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Crossword: Within Limits

ACROSS 2- 685 is the calling code for which nation (see page 33) 5- Radio station – 88.6 6- New Zealand’s only native land mammals 10- The best halls of residence, no the answer isn’t anywhere but Weir (7,4) 12- First name of Salient’s News Editor 13- The sound of a cat, Wellington music venue 15- Sport’s whose World Cup has been postponed till next year 16- Botanical name for weed 18- That silly boat thing that is happening in Auckland (8,3) 19- Representative group for law students 20- The City of Sails 22- Cher, Dionne and Tai

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Puzzles

DOWN 1- What day’s are the editorial talking about?

3- ABBA’s first New Zealand #1 Album 4- Victoria University Law and Commerce campus 6- Cryptocurrency 7- Social media and Kesha song (3,3) 8- Beautiful bird, not so beautiful beer ($10 Jugs) 9- New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs – The Honourable (6,6) 11- Hello Kitty’s boyfriend (4,6) 13- White sauce added to a burger 14- New Zealand NRL team 17- Media company which owns the Dominion Post 21- Husband of Kath Day-Knight

Skuxduku: A bit harder than last week’s

Word of the Week

“sick” Te Reo Māori māuiui New Zealand Sign language

Last Weeks Answers

OPENING HOURS: LUNCH 11:30AM - 3:00PM (MONDAY - SUNDAY) DINNER 5:00PM - 8:30PM (MONDAY - SATURDAY)

FRESH, FLAVORSOME VIETNAMESE CUISINE

62 DIXON ST, TE ARO, 6011, WELLINGTON

www.salient.org.nz

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D Aries

Taurus

Gemini

This week is all about the decisions you make, so choose carefully.

Whether it’s dropping a course or crashing your fun neighbour’s party—think first. You’re feeling a little flat so it might not be the week to be spontaneous.

You’re feeling like you want to start a comment section war, but before you get too heated, take a breath and think about what’s really bothering you. The planets want to help you heal; you just have to be honest with yourself. Get yourself a cactus to care for.

You’re literally represented by twins, and this week the planets have your two personalities knocking heads.

This is your Twilight, and you can’t decide whether you want Edward or Jacob. Call your best friend and ask them what they think is best for you.

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Cancer, I hardly know her. No seriously, who are you this week, Cancer? You’re acting fierier than a Leo—embrace that confidence and productive energy. It’s time to get shit done, just don’t forget you are a water sign; conflict is not your strong suit.

Get your head in the game and out of the past Leo! You’re focusing too much on those who have hurt you this week, and you don’t need to. You’ve grown so much, and big things are coming for you. This is just a tiny blip—next week will be better, BET ON IT!

You’re looking for clues externally, when you need to look inward for the answers. Trust your gut! If you feel like you want to, do it! Stand up for yourself at work, change your hair, or ask the person you like to come over already. Stop reading your horoscope, just do!

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Take yourself more seriously! You tend to cave in when you feel insecure; rise above that and be more self-aware. Low-key someone is crushing on you—you need to show them you’re confident, and if all else fails, bend and snap!

This is your week Scorpio! Somehow this week you’ll find time for throwing a potluck with your friends, catching up on all the lectures you missed, and going full Marie Kondo on your room. Grab a coffee to reward yourself for getting through it all, you deserve it!

This week you’re thinking about your environment. This might mean moving your bed to the other side of the room, buying a candle, or moving in with your partner. Just don’t be drastic—don’t settle for Gorilla Glue when you could wait a day for real hairspray.

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Stop doing your flatmates chores for them. You’re focusing on others to distract yourself from your needs.

You’re gonna burn out! Take a nap, and ask your flatmate to pick you up a bubble tea on their way home— they owe you one.

You’re feeling inspired ever since you fell into craft TikTok, and honestly I think you could do it. The planets are on your side; it’s time to start up a small business. Also, avoid cheese this week—it’s not your friend.

People are drawn to your energy this week, and you’re making a lot of new friends. You might have to hold off on going out with them, though, cause you’ve got to start budgeting—and fast. You’ve been spending too much on coffee, and it’s adding up.

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Horoscopes

The Team Editors

Sally Ward & Matthew Casey editor@salient.org.nz

Design & Illustration Padraig Simpson designer@salient.org.nz

Sub Editor Jamie Clarke

News Editor

Kane Bassett news@salient.org.nz

Chief Reporter

Feature Writers Sally Ward Kirsty Frame Jamie Clarke

Contributors

Maddi Rowe Annabel McCarthy William Waiter Sloane Peters Frankie Dale Anoushka Divekar Laurelei Bautista Rachel Lockwood Elisapeta Dawson Nina Weir Francesa Georgia Pietkiewicz

Niva Chittock

Staff Writers Janhavi Gosavi Ronia Ibrahim Lachlan Ewing

Social Media & Web Manager

Find Us

fb.com/salientmagazine IG @salientgram Twitter @salientmagazine www.salient.org.nz

Thomas Gerbremichael

Podcast Manager

Francesa Georgia Pietkiewicz

Centerfold

Maisy McLeod-Riera @maisymcleod

Cover Artist

Kate Mabin @visualramblings_bykate

www.salient.org.nz www.salient.org.nz

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