St Peter's Keystone 2020/2021

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Keystone The COVID-19 Edition

JANUARY 2021

Dear Reader,

EDITORS' NOTE

By Natasha Johnston and Freddy Wharton Lower 6th

Piecing this magazine together has required a total change in strategy. Meetings in person have transformed into meetings online over Microsoft Teams from multiple locations across the school, without a whole editors' meeting once during the making of this issue. This has required a dedicated team of Section Editors going above and beyond to create this special Covid-19 edition. Overall, it has been challenging but enormous fun!

Covid-19 has not only disrupted our daily lives but also the publishing of the previous edition. As a result of this we have included a small number of articles meant for the previous unpublished edition here. Therefore this is a particularly special edition.

Our growing team has written on a huge variety of topics, covering everything from modern art to human rights and the travesty in Yemen.

We would like to thank all the writers for submitting their articles, and our committed team of Section Editors. Of course, thank you to Mrs Todd for her help, time and advice across the whole journey.

We hope you enjoy reading this!N O M A D I C

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Freddy Wharton and Natasha Johnston Chief Editors

|

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CONTENTS 2 Editor's Note 4 The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez 7 School life under lockdown 8 Why is there a lack of appreciation for modern art?

10 Artstagram: How is social media affecting the art world?

12 The writing on our walls 14 Feminism within sport 15 Why We Should Turn to Sport in These Difficult Times 16 Music at St Peter's 17 Have companies moved towards sustainability?

18 Yemen: The Largest Humanitarian Crisis 20 Why we should save our coral reefs

Jessica Wilde shares how to overcome writer's block.

Story on p. 20

21 Rebels without a cause 22 Our backpack of troubles 24 The four horsemen of male mental health 27 LGBT+ : dealing with the norm 29 First Colsten, then Churchill 32 Participation: why it matters and why you should 34 On liberty 36 The Mongol Empire: Nomads no more 38 Henry VIII: wise... or witless?

40 Puzzles 42 Section Editors 43 Closing thought: The most draconian measures

3

Director: Brian Knappenberger

‘The trials of Gabriel Fernández’- who is responsible for his death?

By Diana Seo L6

Gabriel Fernandez’, examines the death of an abused boy who was lost under rotten adults, including the child protection system in the USA. The whole story covers the Gabriel’s

of

justice.

the

trial

This

for

tragedy

begins when an eight-year-old dying

boy

arrives

at

the

emergency room of a hospital in Los Angeles. His body is covered in trauma marks- cigarette burns, a black eye and bruises- some old, some new. These trauma marks clearly

prove

the

long-term

torture from his mother and her boyfriend. That night, Gabriel was beaten on his head twenty times by his mum’s boyfriend before he finally collapsed on the ground, his mother kicking him in his last moments.

Why couldn’t he be saved before all that? Why couldn’t he have been saved by the social workers who visited him several times?

Why did he have to die when his teacher had reported the child abuse to the deputies?

4

Released date: 26 February 2020

Section Editor : Diana Seo

This documentary, ‘The trials of

progression

Platform: Netflix

Source: the Internet

The

director

of

Brian

The fact that she had also been abused by

appalling

someone since she was a child creates a clear

tragedy, seeking the definitive answer for those

evidence of a vicious cycle within this crooked

questions through six extended episodes.

family. Her boyfriend was a former security

Knappenberger

this

documentary,

presents

this

guard who followed everything that Pearl said The gruesome torture instigated by the couple

and demanded, even with the abuse she

raises a question of ‘why’ from most of the

inflicted on Gabriel. As he was a fairly big and

viewers, which leads to an investigation into

muscular man, his existence was like a personal

their background as well as the unstable life of

guard for Pearl and eventually a threat to

Gabriel. The first few episodes sharply focus on

Gabriel. By its nature, it was pretty clear that

the background of Gabriel and his family, who

Gabriel would not be secure at his third home.

ultimately killed him. Gabriel was sent to his

However, ostensibly, no one saw the apparent

uncle and his boyfriend in the early years of his

risk of danger, or they ignored it.

life, before it was reported that the uncle had been sexually assaulting Gabriel. However,

Throughout the period of torture, Gabriel could

there was not much evidence that supported

not shout out for help to ‘anyone’ even though

the

his body was showing every evidence of torture.

claim.

The

possibility

of

documentary Gabriel’s

asserts

the

great-grandfather

Even when there was a report from his

reporting the issue falsely as he was against

schoolteacher the child protection hotline was

them taking care of Gabriel due to their

not a help for him at all.

homosexuality. He was then sent to his grandparents just before Pearl Fernandez took

When the deputies went for a check-up, they

over Gabriel’s care. Gabriel was happy, safe, and

bizarrely just believed Pearl when Gabriel was

loved by his other relatives more than his

locked up in a box at 3 am. The intervention of

mother. However, he was sent to his mum just

social workers did not make a significant

because of the insurance money Pearl would

difference either, without any serious measures

receive if she took over his care. Gabriel being

for Gabriel. Every single one of them claimed

sent to three different households would have

that they had done their job properly and was

already affected him negatively considering he

not aware of his death at all when they were

was only 8 years old at that time. Moreover, it is

interviewed by the Director. However, there is no

not particularly ideal for a child to go through

doubt that all of them are guilty for Gabriel’s

complicated

would

death just as much as the two evils in his house.

possibly make him feel guilty. The producer

The teacher could have brought him to the

specifically points out the instability of the

medical centre and could have physically linked

family

his trauma marks and the abuse through the

as

family

a

whole,

issues,

which

which

became

the

foundation for Gabriel’s suffering.

professional doctor. The deputies could have asked Gabriel himself and sent him to the DCFs

However, the evil which took over his life was

earlier. The social workers, who are employed to

definitely his own mother, and the man who

be protectors of children, completely failed their

was meant to be his stepfather. Pearl was

job. The reason for their ignorance was because

mentally unstable; she was diagnosed with

of tiredness and negligence due to overwork.

depressive disorder, developmental disability, a

This ultimately resulted in the discussions for a

possible

fundamental

personality disorder,

and

post-

reform

of

the

DCFS,

the

traumatic stress disorder from former abuses by

Department of Children and Family Services.

her uncle.

None of their assumptions can ever be an excuse for Gabriel’s death. Ever.

5

Despite the dismissal of the trials for

the

social

workers,

their

possibility of significant charges, the death sentence for Isauro Aguirre and the life sentence for Pearl reassure the public about the issue several years later. The viewers,

the

public,

and

the

workers physically related to the security of children would say there should not be any tragedy like Gabriel’s case ever again.

However,

the

strongly

documentary

criticises

declaration

by

their presenting

another boy’s tragic death under similar circumstances to Gabriel.

This

documentary

asks

one

question: who is responsible for Gabriel’s (or any other innocent child's) deaths? Is it just the physical abusers or society itself?

Now, it is our responsibility to

More documentaries to watch on Netflix..

answer

the

question

with

a

definitive solution for our helpless children who are still suffering at the hands of their own parents, every day.

Making A Murderer The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

6

Photo from Netflix

SCHOOL LIFE UNDER LOCKDOWN "Through these difficult times, school life has been hard; however, it has still been enjoyable."

There is much more time to throw myself into academia, spend more time on homework, and get involved in more cocurricular clubs like Art, and groups such as Music and Hockey. However, although things aren’t back to normal yet, I can still enjoy Choir in year bubbles, music lessons, and there have also been some opportunities to have hockey matches against other schools.

Being a part of Lower Sixth means it has been good to meet all of the new people that have joined. There is now a tent where our whole year has been able to socialise due to the Covid-19. This has meant that there is more opportunity to speak to new people and others that you wouldn't have spoken to normally and find similarities and connections with new people.

Positively, more of my free time has opened up when I would have been playing sports or practising for music concerts, making room for me to engage more in things I enjoy outside of school, and try new things, like writing for Keystone! Not only does school offer me loads of opportunity to grow as a person, it also offers lots of room to show my personality in what I do. St Peter’s also creates a kind atmosphere, from supportive teachers to amazing friends.

Although it may be hard to get everything going as normal, the system we have adapted to at school is very enjoyable as not many people thought co-curricular clubs and events would still happen; S H O N I with A S T precautions ON however, put in place, school life is almost back to normal.

7

MODERN ART

WHY IS THERE A LACKING APPRECIATION FOR MODERN ART? Everyone has heard the phrase ‘I could have done that,’ when discussing pieces of abstract or modern art by the likes of Jackson Pollock and David Hockney. So often we perceive art, inspect only its appearance, form an opinion and move on, but why is it that we are so quick to judge before we even give ourselves the opportunity to understand the art? It can be regarded in an infinite number of ways, and yet still so often it is discredited if a real meaning is not immediately obvious. Art is no longer just a realistic representation of a physical object; the boundaries are now being pushed further and further into simply the expression of creativity intended to appeal to a human aesthetic sense. Art can be anything.

By Molly Bonner Modern Art, the abstract, more expressive sort, is nothing like the portraits and landscapes of traditional works by artists such as DaVinci and Michelangelo. Because of the commonly more impressionistic themes in this type of Art compared to the representation of previous artwork, it is often deemed less impressive and consequently less worthy of our appreciation; however, so many times this conclusion is reached without any further insight into the piece.

Yes, Fine Art can be admired simply for its beauty and visual effects; however, so often art is not supposed to be perceived this way. There is a myriad of different components which are used together to create the final product including: aesthetic values, contextual importance, and purpose. For us to fully appreciate and gain a real understanding of the work, all of these factors should be considered as Art is always so multifaceted, thus allowing us to develop our own interpretation. Each level adds more meaning and is designed to evoke emotions for its audience by incorporating themes that relate to personal and worldwide experience.

Contemporary Art is expressive, and it is this which truly makes it Art.

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This does not, however, go to say that the visuals aren’t important; sometimes it is necessary to simply admire the beauty - even just in the simplicity of shapes, textures or colours - but if this route is too often taken so much will be missed. Furthermore, it inspires questions such as ‘what is beautiful?' and, 'Is it only something that appears physically attractive or can it be the intent behind it which makes it beautiful?’ It is only when we begin to ask questions like this, we are truly beginning to understand the purpose of Art. In order for us to really begin to appreciate Modern Art we must look beyond what meets the eye and explore what actually makes art. We must try to gain a richer understanding of the context and purpose of the piece before reaching a conclusion or disregarding it as real Art, because even when it seems there was little skill involved, in fact there is still an entire process and story behind the final product. It is not only the visual appearance that makes something Art, but also everything that the artist is attempting to portray and what it can mean to ourselves.

Recumbent Figure 1938 Henry Moore izzoloaP odraudE 7491 gnihtyalP s’naM hciR a saw I

Glacier Crystal, Grindelwald 1950 Wilhelmina Barns-Graham

Henri Matisse

All images from Google

ossaciP olbaP

7391 namoW gnipeeW

The Snail 1953

ARTSTAGRAM : HOW IS SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTING THE ART WORLD?

By Hope Simpson From the invention of photography in the 19th Century to the Western popularisation of woodcuts during the 15th Century, technological advancements have had a revolutionary effect on the production and marketing of art throughout history. With technology continually advancing, it is interesting to consider how recent innovations, most notably smart phones and social media, are reshaping the way we consume art today.

The most obvious impact smart phones have had on the art world so far is the democratisation of Art. Artists now have the freedom to share their work without the expensive formalities of going through a gallery. In fact, social media broadens an artist’s audience instantly to a global scale. Inevitably, this means that Art is more accessible for viewers too, with social

media

providing

insights

into

artists’

inspirations, processes and behind the scenes content anywhere in the world and within a couple of clicks.

Art is no longer restricted to the high classes and to those who can afford the works. Instead, creators focus on using their platforms to raise awareness, highlight issues and share ideas to the masses. In addition to marketing an individual’s work, social media has provided museums and galleries a more modern method

of

advertising

their

own

permanent

collections as well as visiting exhibitions. Over the Photography Polina Andreeva

lockdown period, some museums were able to open their

doors

virtually

and

provide

educational

experiences, with social media being a vital marketing tool to these initiatives.

10

Moreover, some contemporary artists are embracing this facet of modernity so much it is becoming both an inspiration and even a medium for their art. Ai Wei Wei is famed for his politically-driven online presence which he uses not only to showcase his work but also to interact with followers. This shows us how the relationship between art, artist and viewer is becoming increasingly interconnected – the people are becoming an intrinsic element of the work. Evidently, social media has become integral to the art world as well as wider visual culture, but at what cost does this apparent freedom come?

Ai Weiwei, Sunflower Seeds (image from Google)

With the possibility to repost, retweet, screenshot and share, reproductions of images are ever-increasing on social media, a vast landscape which licenses others to display, adapt and copy your work. For too many users this prospect is insignificant, yet to some artists this means they may lose control over their art. In addition, there are no distinct boundaries between art and non-art. Anyone can profess themselves as an ‘artist’ meaning that a class of self-taught creators has emerged who are unable to exhibit their work offline.

Viewing art through pixelated, two dimensional squares loses the materiality of the pieces, an important visual element. This means that artworks may appear distorted or flattened through a phone screen. For many viewers, the experience of seeing art in real life, including the immediacy of the impact of an artwork on those viewing it, is irreplaceable. Moreover, large scale pieces would dramatically lose their intended effect if they were shrunk down to the dimensions of a mobile. It is clear that viewing art online has the potential to lessen both the quality and impact of the pieces and so, until virtual reality is readily available, viewing art online will always be an inferior experience Ultimately, the ongoing progression of social media and Art is inevitable. There is no denying that smart phones have become as fundamental to showcasing artworks as a framed canvas or plinth. Moving forward, artists may look to create more immersive and experiential pieces which cannot be replicated through snapshot images. Alternatively, artists may choose to embrace this new medium and use it to their advantage by exhibiting cheaply and broadening their audience. Either way, there will be a place for galleries, online and offline. As a viewer, it is important to simply be aware of what you’re seeing, as well as the manner in which you’re viewing it.

11

T H E W R I T I N G O N O U R W A L L S

By Gaby Wschiansky

BY GABY Notorious and revolutionary in its nature, street art has sparked a debate all over the world since its earliest beginnings in Brooklyn.

Birthed by hip-hop, punk and new wave countercultures, American youth started taking to the streets to communicate with members of their groups and gangs. From the cans of teenagers, this subversive culture has taken a form of true artistic expression. With the global rise of the art form as a licensed discipline, finding its way into galleries and onto the art market, the line we draw between art and vandalism has been progressively blurred.

How do we distinguish art from the pure insolence of petty property damage?

Does the illegality of graffiti stifle the artist’s freedom of expression? Or does it fuel their rebellious essence instead, granting purpose to their work?

From being initially viewed as a controversial guerrilla practice, to the commissions of artists for staggering murals, it is clear that street art has amassed a following.

Collectors have shown a growing interest in the work of numerous artists, including the likes of JeanMichel Basquiat and Banksy; names you will be sure to have heard before. Over the years, they have acquired graffiti more respect.

12

Take Banksy: his stencil-heavy motifs, now selling for millions, have simply become part of a shared cultural vocabulary. His success, and that of other acclaimed ‘grifters’, have broken many stereotypes attached to the discipline. Essentially, they have contributed to the promotion of graffiti as a valid art form, graffiti as an intermediary voice: a sociopolitical critique.

An iconic example of Banksy’s work is ‘Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower)’. The image depicts the “masked thug”, a protestor, caught in the act of hurling a bouquet of flowers. This was completed in favour of Palestinian rights, and Banksy’s advocacy continues to stir controversy, the same way his medium of expression does.

Although we like to think of graffiti as trendy and mysteriously enticing, the tag on the garage door down the street or the blockbuster letters on the neighbouring building are still, in the minds of the public, the product of delinquency.

Understandable.

More often than not, it is a case of foolish kids getting their shaky hands on a spray can. If lucky, you’ll come across a masterpiece by one of the street art stars.

Sometimes, however, you might notice a significant number of tags, either signed by a common pseudonym, or bonded by uniformity of style.

Fascinating in their daredevilry, imagination and sheer slickness, the Berlin Kidz are a crew of that calibre. Their art can be recognised as red and blue Pichação verticals, proudly inked down the sides of buildings and smokestacks. Not only are these cryptic bi-colour missives spooky in their otherness, the process behind each piece is also dauntingly splendid. Lockpicking their way through the city and its metro stations, the Berlin Kidz find empty wall space to paint by roping down the tallest walls, climbing out of four-storey high balconies, all with the barest of safety precautions. Needless to say, time is a huge constraint; the faster the execution of the tag, the lower the risk of getting caught. Thus, these anonymous artists are privy to an adrenaline-driven lifestyle, where train-surfing isn’t off bounds either.

Over the past few decades, street art and graffiti, products of a cultural

phenomenon,

have

flourished under different lights and continue to do so. Ultimately, it’s art on the edge of society. With the success of certain artists, the art form has gradually been given its due credit. Their glorification, however,

tends

to

feed

hegemonistic patterns of popular culture – and many other grifters are here to remind us that the graffiti world will never give up on its anarchic position.

And so, the debate goes on.

Photography by Polina Andreeva

13

FEMINISM WITHIN SPORT

by Ella Reynard

Some people may say there is much inequality within the sport of tennis, the main issue being the gender pay gap. In 2018, 71% of the worlds top 100 men earned more than women who hold the same ranking. This is based on prize money per tournament played. The prize money at tournaments used to have a much greater disparity; Djokovic, world number one in 2015, won three of the four slams, winning 93.18% of his matches across the year, resulting in his total prize being £14.5 million. However, Serena Williams, world number one on the WTA tour, also won three of the four slams. Even though she won 94.64% of her matches across the year, she only received £7.3 million in prize money.

Today the prize money is equal, although this is still looked down upon by many as they believe that women shouldn’t have an equal pay, due simply to the number of viewers compared to men's tennis being significantly lower. This is completely wrong; the views for women’s tennis would increase rapidly if it was supported by all individuals. For example, in 2018 the number of articles concerning men’s tennis was 71,380 and the number of women’s articles was 38,220. These figures are similar to most tournaments around the world, showing a lack of support which results in fewer view counts. This affects their pay around the prize money. resulting in the pay gap.

The majority of people complain about how women are unequal to men, although the way in which they deal with the process in stopping inequality is selfish. Female and male spectators lean towards where there is more money, and in this present time it's towards men. The attention should be focused on women, with the support to help them achieve the same level that men have within everything. This can only be done if everyone is in this together and actually supporting women, not just saying they are, but ultimately still going to the higher paid industry of men’s sport.

Source: the Internet

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Source: the Internet

Why We Should Turn to Sport in These Difficult Times

by Poppy Dodsworth

"Golf is quite simply a pleasure in every sense of the word. Not only does it encumber the very essence of ultimate relaxation, it also carries with it a mild sense of competition, keeping the game engaging even after many hours of play."

WILLIAM BROWN

The physical act of sport can benefit you in many ways, including self-positivity within your appearance, but also including a reduction in anxiety and depression. Overall, people who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of well-being. They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives.

Exercise is a powerful medicine for many common mental health challenges. In results from four studies, researchers found the odds of getting depression were 22% lower for people who managed 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week compared with those who didn't.

Exercise is a powerful depression fighter for several reasons. Most importantly, it promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energize your spirits and make you feel good.

Finally, exercise can also serve as a distraction, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression. Exercise is also heavily beneficial for anxiety. If you try to notice the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, or the rhythm of your breathing and the wind on your skin. you can escape your cycle of stress. Through this mindfulness element of really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise you’ll not only improve your physical condition faster, but you may also be able to interrupt the flow of constant worries running through your head. Go for a run!

15

Music at St Peter's

by Toby Mayfield St Peter's has a vast music department, offering so many different instrumental lesson and groups. The teachers and staff are incredible, giving a multitude of opportunities to play in concerts and ensemble. During the first lockdown music carried on, without a hitch, keeping the whole community going full steam ahead. The department gave weekly music lessons, along with multiple online rehearsals. Every month we were able to do a livestreamed online concert allowing every St Peter's family a chance to witness the music department under Covid-19.

My favourite aspect of music at St Peter's is the advent service at Christmas, with St Olave's kicking off the festive season. I also love the Cabaret Concert at the end of every year, as it enables everyone to see the leaving Upper 6th perform, which is always a tear-jerker. This event is also marked by the school choir medley, which takes weeks of hardworking from the school choir to perfect and always results in making the last week so special.

The students aren't the only talent within the school. The talent of the teachers themselves is at the forefront, boasting a vast range of instruments. I have found this a real inspiration to my musical journey at St Peter's as it has allowed me to be able to set the pace of my practice as well as being able to choose when to do my grades. I really enjoy the tranquil aspect of being able to practise in the music block in peace and I even have the opportunity of recording music. Whilst in the music department if you walk around you are able to hear an amalgamation of multiple genres and instruments seeping underneath the doors filling the air. You are able to hear a beautiful, traditional piece of classical music, whilst, at the same time, someone else is playing the latest pop song.

Personally, my journey with music at school has been incredible. As well as taking music exams, I am also a part of the Barbershop, School and Chapel choirs. Over the past 4 years in Chapel Choir, we have been to several different famous cathedrals and churches including St Paul’s and Westminster Cathedral. These trips were so much fun and I feel so privileged to be able to sing in these amazing spaces. In the barbershop we have sung many iconic pieces including ‘Last Christmas’ and ‘Bless you’. However to me barbershop is not just an ensemble, it has become a family. The support network within the music department is second to none. It is so expansive that I am proud to be able to say that I am a part of it.

Photography by Polina Andreeva

16

GEOGRAPHY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Have companies moved towards sustainability?

Melissa Bell

Photography by Polina Andreeva

From May 2020, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere is the highest it has been in human history. To combat this problem, sustainability is becoming more and more important for organisations across the world.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the world’s leaders are refusing to acknowledge this growing problem, so who should be leading this movement? Well, it starts with businesses. A sustainable business is one that considers its long-term impact on the environmental, social and economic factors. These changes have proved more popular to consumers across the years with one survey (Cone Communications Millennial CSR Study) finding that 9 out of 10 millennials would switch brands to one associated with a more ethical cause. This highlights that not only are consumers willing to pay for a service or product that is sustainable but also that businesses who are willing to invest into a sustainable ,supply chain are more likely to become market leaders.

Nowadays, the majority of online shopping sites are focused entirely on profit, encouraging consumers to buy as much as possible and overlooking the quality and sustainability of products. This contributes to something we are all guilty of, wearing something once and then throwing it away because frankly it’s so much easier to buy a new one rather than to fix the already existing item.

However, BUYMEONCE is an online shopping website that challenges this trend by selling long-lasting products and ensuring the quality of each item is made to last by including exclusive warranties.

Traditional ink is around 80% petroleum and 20% pigment meaning they are nonbiodegradable, but this company has used algae to create a new source of biodegradable ink.

Another point worth noting is that for every tonne of algae that is grown, 2 tonnes of CO2 is pulled out of the air, therefore helping restore the environment around us

Instead of relying on recycling, they are attempting to change the way we shop by designing durable items. For example, extending the life of an item of clothing by just nine extra months of active use would reduce the carbon, water and waste footprints of the item by around 20-30% each, demonstrating that businesses who make small changes like increasing durability can create significant differences.

One way companies have changed for the better is by developing new innovative products. For example ‘Living Ink Technologies’ have changed the ink industry by offering the first environmentally friendly printing option.

Looking slightly closer to home on Coney Street in York, LUSH was the first company to invent solid shampoo bars and package free products that reduce the need for plastic packaging or bottles. It is estimated that they save nearly 6 million plastic bottles globally from selling shampoo bars alone, helping to fight our war against plastic.

LUSH has also been at the head of the fight against animal testing for a long time by making sure all their products are cruelty-free and vegetarian. They also pay particular attention to where they buy their raw materials and ingredients from and are committed to becoming more sustainable by using their buying power to drive positive change.

These companies are striving towards a more sustainable future.

However, these efforts are wasted if there is not a collective effort from society to change our mindsets and push towards a greener economy, so that we can save our planet before it is too late.

17

YEMEN The Largest Humanitarian Crisis

by Elysia Urwin Yemen, a country in the Middle East, has been suffering from a crisis since 2011 when a revolution against their president began, and since 2014 this humanitarian crisis has only worsened due to conflict escalating and grave environmental problems. Many people are still not aware of the extent of this crisis and there is not enough news coverage to help spread awareness. Currently 80% of their population is in need, which is 24 million people, and 12 million are children. Not only are they in need of clean water and basic sanitation but also they are struggling with famine, locusts and many other diseases, along with the dangers of Covid-19.

This all started in January 2011 when protests began in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, against their president (Ali Abdullah Saleh) due to poor economic conditions and government corruption. These eventually became violent and aggressive, leading to a revolution which lasted until February 2012 when the new president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was elected. This fueled the Civil War which began in 2014 as Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi struggled as President as a result of various attacks and economic problems. The Houthi rebels, who previously made a series of attacks against former president Saleh similar to the protests, saw this as an opportunity to take control of some parts of Yemen, gaining the support of many Yemenis.

Illustration by Annabel Kelley

18

They took over the capital, forcing the

Additionally,

desertification

and

drought

president to flee as they began to take

have increased poverty because it has made

control of most parts of Yemen. Conflict

farming increasingly difficult, forcing many

continues in Yemen still whilst the US

people into unemployment, which is already

continues counter-terrorism operations in

a

Yemen

the

problems. Similarly, sandstorms have also

damage. This has pushed many in Yemen

increased, which creates soil erosion and

with

airstrikes

furthering

to the brink of famine, causing 85,000 deaths. Over 100,000 are dead due to the war, with around 17,500 of these being civilians. Furthermore, bombings from the war have left chemical residue in the soil preventing

further

agriculture,

and

damaged infrastructure has left areas inaccessible and hazardous.

main

cause

of

Yemen’s

economic

damages crops, adding to the struggle of farming and the agriculture business.

The shortage of clean water is one of the main issues in Yemen because there is a limited supply of water and the majority of the water is polluted from untreated sewage, salinization and the oil industry. Without the basic sanitation, clean water and shelter

Yemen’s humanitarian crisis is worsened by the ongoing environmental issues it

needed for survival, Yemen faces many diseases

including

cholera,

malaria

and

dengue fever. Cholera, a widespread issue in

faces as climate change has led to extreme

Yemen, is treatable. However, the mass

heat, desertification, decreased biodiversity

outbreak that started in 2016 has seen many

and a loss of ecosystems. This decrease in

dead because of this, as Yemen’s healthcare

biodiversity and loss of ecosystems is due

system is flawed and facilities have been

to

unchecked

damaged due to the ongoing civil war, and

infrastructure development, degrading the

because Yemen does not have enough

environment and making it uninhabitable

supplies to help all those in need.

deforestation

and

for many species. Additionally, there is a large issue with the poaching and trading

Now, with Covid-19 affecting the world,

of rhino horns which are used for dagger

Yemen is more than ever in desperate need

handles

of aid as there is limited healthcare available

and

decorative

ornaments.

Despite the government's efforts to ban the trading, importing and exporting of rhino horns it is still a prevalent issue and further help is needed. Swarms of locusts have been seen in many African and Middle Eastern countries including Yemen this year and they have greatly affected farming and agriculture, leaving many farmers in despair as crops were destroyed.

and it is important that we act to save as many lives as possible because now there is an

increase

in

malnourished

children,

famine, poverty, destruction, disease and sanitation. Their economic crisis is worsening and the conflicted government fails to gain control over its country, so we all need to be aware and spread our awareness of this humanitarian crisis to others.

19

WHY WE SHOULD SAVE OUR CORAL REEFS

By Lucy Falconer

Coral reefs - enchanting, picturesque, vibrant. This superficial stream of adjectives is what comes to mind at the mention of this ecosystem. However, hidden beneath the colourful exterior of these corals is their undeniable importance, resulting in more than just a pretty picture. These coral reefs are built up of living coral colonies that are surrounded by a calcium carbonate skeleton. Each coral polyp hosts a photosynthetic algae, zooxanthellae, forming a symbiotic relationship between the two, showing the more complex nature of this organism.

Coral reefs are essential for a diverse ocean as they support more than 25% of marine life yet only occupy less than 1% of the ocean floor. This is significant as a highly biodiverse ecosystem is more resilient to changing conditions that we as humans often contribute to, whilst also providing us with greater ecosystem services. These services are the main reason we as humans should be, although selfishly, more appreciative of these reefs that we take for granted. Coral reefs provide coastal protection so effective that we are mimicking it with concrete, man-made structures that are immersed in the waters of fragile coastlines. The reefs buffer 95% of wave energy resulting in decreased erosion and the reduction of storm damage. The 4000+ species of fish living there are a significant food source to over a billion people worldwide, providing a natural source of fish oil that holds many health benefits.

Following on from this, coral reefs are found to be the medical cabinets of the 21st century as they are credited in the developments of treatments for cancer, asthma, arthritis and many more, however it is clear we are still to unveil their full potential. Local economies can benefit massively through the tourism revolving around coral reefs such as The Great Barrier Reef, displayed in the global value of a staggering £5.7 trillion provided each year by coral reefs. The UK is not exempt from this total as it contributes £1.9 trillion to the figure above, proving that the coral reefs worldwide positively affect us here in Britain.

We are now, more than ever, facing the frightening prospect of the uncertain future of our coral reefs.

Coral can only survive in a narrow temperature range, 23-29C, beyond this the coral dies and bleaches.

Therefore, the coral is fronting increasing danger as global warming tightens its grasp upon the earth. As humans we need to face the reality of our seemingly insignificant actions that actually hold immense power. We continue to release vast quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere which trap heat, consequently warming the earth with its oceans alarmingly absorbing 90% of the planet's heat.

Alongside this, the ocean absorbs increasing amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, creating a more acidic ocean contributing to the deterioration of coral. This paradise is in peril. We hold the power, each of us singularly hold the power, and the choices we make daily can help save our coral reefs. y ell e K l e b a n n A y b n oi t a r t s ullI

20

REBELS WITHOUT A CAUSE 'The Existentialists' is the name given to a faction of philosophers who attempted to revolutionise the entirety of Western Philosophy. This is not to say that before the Existentialists, Western Philosophy was stagnant- far from it. However, even amidst the wars of thought between materialism and idealism, or deontology and teleology – to name just two battlegrounds- there had always been an agreed upon postulate: that there was some kind of point. A point to the discovery of morality, a purpose of humanity and a meaning to the universe. Whilst these answers are yet to be found, and I do not believe that the pursuit should be abandoned, it is in tackling this core assumption where the Existentialists rightfully earn their notoriety.

Existentialism was born of Søren Kierkegaard’s recognition of human ‘angst’ and the persistent dissatisfaction of consciousness.

Somewhat paradoxically, Kierkegaard believed humour to be the most important virtue – claiming that to laugh defiantly at the world’s horror is the only intelligent response. Whilst Kierkegaard’s work was brilliant, it was not revolutionary. The Danish philosopher eventually hit, what he thought to be, an impenetrable barrier whilst trying to find a solution to ‘angst’. Ultimately, he fell back on the old ways of thinking, Christianity, stating “to have faith is to lose your mind and to win God”.

Friedrich Nietzsche, unlike Kierkegaard, refused to accept surrender unto faith, and therefore, he famously claimed ‘God is dead! And we have killed him’ in his book The Gay Science (1882). Nietzsche’s solution to ‘angst’ was brilliantly clear as day: Nihilism. Nietzsche looked at himself, the world, and the universe, and concluded it was all insane, and that we must accept it and move on. The sooner, the better. Accepting nothing matters was the best you can do. Anyone who could achieve this, Nietzsche hailed as an Übermensch (Superman) ((Superperson)). However, Nietzsche was a troubled soul, and it is that which means much of his work was either incoherent and/or incomplete. Fortunately, a French couple, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, took Nietzsche’s ideas even further to create, arguably, the first practical Existentialist ethic.

Sartre’s contribution to the cause was twofold.

by Billy Watkinson

First, he developed existentialist ideals, so that Nietzsche’s solution, Nihilism, was no longer the best option. Sartre placed a particular emphasis on the freedom of ‘the self’, stating ‘We are our choices’ (And nothing else) – to this end mankind is both condemned and liberated to invent the purpose of ourselves and to assign whatever meaning we wish to the universe. Secondly, Sartre made Existentialism a more holistic ethic, as opposed to what it had been before – an analysis on the insanity of consciousness. De Beauvoir not only gave a female perspective to Existentialism, but also made Sartre’s work somewhat coherent.

She was the first to critique, adapt and amend Existentialism so that it could be a more rigorous ethic. Unafraid of calling out Existentialism for what it was, so that more people could better understand it, de Beauvoir said that ‘from the very beginning, existentialism defined itself as a philosophy of ambiguity’.

Ultimately, Albert Camus, the long-term friend of Sartre, took Existentialism yet further, completing the central philosophy. Camus’ work, often clashing with Sartre’s to some degree, realised a nuance within Existentialism, perhaps missed by his contemporaries. Camus appreciated that the beating heart of Existentialism was acceptance of the absurd, and the courageous perseverance regardless: Absurdism. He asked the need to assign a meaning to the universe, for it is the utter meaninglessness of everything else which makes what we do, as individuals or collectively, matter at all.

Furthermore, Camus promoted Existentialism through the encouragement of anyone brave enough to try, saying ‘Sometimes, carrying on, just carrying on, is a superhuman achievement’.

There are simply too few words to do even one of these philosophers justice, and to summarise their message here is undoubtedly impossible.

Nevertheless, and somewhat inspired, I wish to conclude with this, ‘The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion’ – Albert Camus.

WWW.FRAMEMAG.COM | 20

21

our backpack of troubles

by Abby Lever

For my Extended Project Qualification, I chose to write a book of original poetry surrounding the subject of mental health. Also exploring psychological illnesses and disorders, 'our backpack of troubles' aims to expand readers’ understanding of mental health, hoping then to loosen its stigma and spark new conversation. Though my book consists of 7 chapters and over 35 poems in total, here are just a few of my favourites…

Photography by Polina Andreeva

‘face of stone’: A poem in which the speaker hides their true emotions.

The book’s blurb, communicating the power of understanding and discussion in lightening the load of our worries.

'circus freak’ A poem depicting body dysmorphia from a victim’s perspective.

22

‘the weight in my chest’

'thoughts flow’

A poem depicting the symptoms of depression.

This poem discusses how sharing personal emotion, thoughts and experience can not only help ourselves

in

recovery

but

also

expand

the

knowledge and understanding of others, aiding their journey through mental health also.

'stuck in the back seat’ A poem whose speaker suffers from Depersonalisation Personality Disorder.

‘when I read, I don’t always succeed’ Suffering from Dyslexia, this poem’s speaker tends to get a little confused when it comes to using homophones.

Thank you for taking the time to read some of my poetry; I really hope you enjoyed them. If you did and would like to read more, a copy will soon be available in the library.

23

The Four Horsemen of Male Mental Health

by Mr Cannon In 2010 a study was conducted with adolescent chimpanzees. It was a mixed sex group of equal numbers.

They were given painted rocks to see how they would respond to a new stimulus. The chimpanzees demonstrated behaviours which, for a long time, were believed to be human and developed through environmental factors.

The females grouped together. They placed their rocks in the centre of their group and rotated watching them. Weaker females were helped by the stronger and the rocks were collectively protected by the group.

The males attacked each other until one remained standing with all the rocks. Sound familiar?

This trend continued for 30 years with the assumption that male and female brains work the same. An assumption we seriously questioned not 3 paragraphs ago. An assumption which was questioned so much that it sparked the first dedicated male mental health research centre.

Male mental health is a hot topic in modern society. Why? Why isn’t ALL mental health a hot topic? Surely the mental health of females is just as important as males? Yes, yes, it is. But here is the kicker for men reading this, women’s brains are fundamentally better. Is this Mr Cannon just taking another opportunity to blow the horn of Feminism? Probably, but you cannot argue with Science either. The female chimp brain is hard wired to look out for their community, this is exhibited in different quantities throughout the female populous but is nevertheless the findings of the study above. Add to that the eons of oppression and you have a resilient sex. Men on the other hand, we do not have that, and it is now showing. In a BIG way.

The study lead onto the social media craze of “controlling your chimp brain”. It also opened a large debate; “Does the male and female brain function differently on a fundamental level?”. Widely it is accepted that they do, the male chimp brain is solitary and aggressive whilst the female chimp brain is communal and caring. But what does this have to do with 3 out 4 suicides are male. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 40 mental health? In short, a lot. globally. I lost a friend to suicide. For The history of research into mental ten years I have been obsessed trying health and psychology is vast and, in to understand why. I kid myself that it places, ugly; the book by Jon is scientific curiosity that drives my Ronson “The Psychopath Test” gives study of male mental health, it is you brief insight into this ugliness. more my grieving process. My way of However, from the 1980’s onwards trying to understand why a young research and society had a large man with such potential decided to shift in perspective as mental health end his life. An understanding which I want to share with you. began to have the same standing as physical health.

The title “The Four Horsemen of Male Mental Health” is a metaphor I use to There was a snag. summarise the observational work I When conducting mental health have done. What is observational research, most subjects tested or work? It is the greatest tool in questioned are voluntary. Most behavioural research. You wait for an event to occur and document the volunteers were female. reaction it causes.

24

You do not manipulate the event but allow it to naturally run its course. Schools are a fantastic place for observational work, and it is within the school setting I have seen the cause and effects of the four horsemen.

The Four Horsemen are: Body Image, Pornography, Homophobic Language and “Ladette” Behaviour.

To convey the “effects” side of the horsemen, I need a subject. Barry Trotter:

An average teenage boy who we are about to put through the Four Horsemen. Poor kid.

Body image is not the new kid on the block. It is not something which magically appeared over night with social media. Females have been objectified and had societal pressures with body image for centuries. However, in the mid 90’s there was a movement which fought back against female objectification and the groundwork for future females to build upon was laid. This never happened for males, due to them being the one who did the objectifying, and when social media struck, it struck hard.

Experiment time! Open any social media platform and go to the news feed. Start a timer and start scrolling. Stop the timer when you get to any post which about “The way you look”. Took me two swipes, about 1 second.

That is not a quote you will find on the internet, that is from Angela Cannon at a national conference about sexual health and education. Her disdain for the porn industry has been passed onto me because I see the effect it has on young males.

The usual cohort which a young man compares himself against was his peers in school, overnight that blew up to billions. Men which are genetic freaks saying they only do push ups to get their 8 pack. Men on the verge of starvation at 1% body fat advertising “cheat meals”. Me who regularly jab themselves with testosterone advertising supplements because they are a “natural athlete”. All of this hit the retinas of young males with no heads up.

Here is an unachievable goal, off you trot.

This goal is a one-way street to body dysmorphia, self-loathing, Nervous System Overload, sleep deprivation and a lowered immune system. Our boy Barry Trotter has just been hit by the first horseman and his definition of what an “Athlete” is has been falsely redefined.

Barry Trotter is sat in the common room one lunch time and overhears his male friends bragging about their sex lives.

Barry begins to question himself as some of the claims are far above what his sex life is like.

Barry goes on the internet to find out more information. “If you type the word sex into google, does an educational page appear? No. A porn website appears.” Another statement from my mum’s speech. Barry begins to reinforce the claim his mates made after searching the porn website.

Barry’s relationship with his girlfriend becomes toxic. His unrealistic expectations of himself affect him on a profound level. He begins to blame his girlfriend for his short falls. The relationship ends. Badly.

Pornography. Not something you expected to see in Keystone, but it is one of the Horsemen.

Pornography has had more of an influence on society than people realise.

Technology in entertainment has the porn industry to thank. The technology you use on an evening to select a Netflix series to binge, the porn industry gave you that. The warped sense of reality and attachment disorder the lad next door has, the porn industry gave you that as well.

Does this scenario sound familiar at all? Yes? Are you thinking, “That’s actually a bit tame”, because it is, for the sake of the publication. Once again, the male chimp brain can cope with peer comparison but not global.

Be honest, have you ever seen somebody do something and you have responded, “That’s gay!”.

A draconian insult which still exists in society today and is often portrayed as “Banter”.

Homophobic language has more of an effect than you might think.

Let us do another scenario with Barry.

“95% of young adults get their sex ed from porn. In fact, let me reword that. 95% of young adults get their sex ed from a form of entertainment centred around dehumanising women, toxic masculinity, video trickery and exploitation.”

Barry is feeling overwhelmed.

25

His studies are getting the better of him, his

Because if it is not, this happens:

relationship with his girlfriend has ended and he is not performing at sport because the drugs he

Our

test

subject,

Barry

Trotter,

has

become

bought off the internet are making him feel ill. He

unrecognisable. A young man riddled with ill mental

confides in a male friend only to be met by “Oh

health. A young man with an inability to express his

man up and stop being gay.”

emotions, a deep sense of insecurity and at a loss for what defines his masculinity.

7 words which seem meaningless upon saying them but let us unpick the ramifications. The term

It is probably at this point you are expecting me wave

“man up”, this insinuates that Barry’s expression of

a magic wand and say, “This is how we solve it!”, but I

emotion is an unmanly act. An act which makes

am afraid this is not that kind of piece. I do not have

him less than a man, subhuman even. “Stop being

the answers to solve male mental health, I have

gay”, what is the primary issue with this statement?

identified some causations, but my journey has not

Using the word gay as an insult harks back the

led me to the solutions, yet. What I do know is that

time where being gay was illegal. A time in which a

males and females work differently, what may work

collective a people fought tooth and nail for the

for one may not work for the other. We are in the

right to purely exist in a legal status. Put the fights

adolescence of understanding male mental health

for equal rights in terms of marriage, adoption etc,

and the male chimp brain.

on hold for a moment and just take that statement alone on board. Using the word “gay” as an insult

What I do hope this article does is cause discussion,

reaffirms the days of when a cohort of humans

debate, and reflection. We are all guilty of the

were not allowed to LEGALLY exist. And you have

behaviours above in some shape or form. We all

just used that homophobic language towards your

contribute to the wellbeing of each other on a day to

friend. Add on top of that questioning of sexual

daily basis. What may seem like a flippant comment

orientation and you have gone from 7 words to

today could snowball into a major event tomorrow,

emotionally oppressed.

are there any acts that you need to rectify? An act of retaliation to oppression may feel good in the

The final horseman, Ladette behaviour. A term

moment, but has it progressed our community

which is often misused in the categorisation of

further toward equality or polarity? What are you

behaviours. “Feminism is about women being

doing to make sure the Horsemen do not turn

equal to men, not women being men”. Another

someone’s world into an apocalypse?

quote from my mum when I broached this topic with her some years ago. What Ladette behaviour is and what my mums statement means is the fight for equality is not about using toxic masculinity as tool, it is about removing it from society full stop.

The other three horsemen are toxic masculine traits. Misogyny, alpha male syndrome, narcissism, “mansplaining” and homophobia are what cause the three horsemen above to rear their ugly heads.

At first I did not believe these behaviours were exhibited by young women, that was until the day I saw a group of young females respond to a young male in need with “Oh my god, are you gay?”. These traits have no place in society for males, then surely the same rational should be applied to females?

26

LGBT+

dealing with the norm

words by Mrs Pywell

You might wonder, in the 21st century, why we need Pride, LGBT History month, or even, here at school, our own LGBT+ group.

In an ideal world, of course, none of these things would be necessary.

Melania Geymonat and Christine Hannigan wouldn’t have been harassed and assaulted by three teenage boys on a London bus last year, for the crime of being a couple. Philip Schofield wouldn’t have needed to come out live on television, or to post on Instagram asking people to please ‘be kind’ to his family in the wake of his incredibly personal, private news being made public. Gareth Thomas wouldn’t have needed to tell the Daily Mail, ‘I don’t want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player, first and foremost. I am a man.’ Nobody would ever have to come out, in fact, because it would be a non-issue. Nobody would care about any of it, because, after all, none of it is anyone else’s business. And yet, we don’t live in that world.

People don’t come out as straight or cis.

Nobody worries about sitting their parents down to admit that they have feelings for someone of the opposite sex.

And worldwide, no straight people have to hide their sexuality for fear of imprisonment, torture, violence, or death.

But this world, which doesn’t care two hoots if you’re straight, seemingly still cares if you’re not. It may be the 21st century, but true equality is still not here for those people who don’t fit the ‘norm.’

And yes, I know, here at school, nobody is going to fear for their life if they come out.

We are a tolerant, accepting community.

I’m sure if your friend told you they thought they might be bi, or were confused about their feelings for somebody of the same sex as them, then you would be kind and supportive, or maybe even just tell them they were making a big deal out of nothing. Love is love, right? This is the UK. It’s 2020. Gay people can get married, they don’t get fired over their sexuality (not legally anyway), there are queer characters all over Netflix, no one cares. It doesn’t matter.

But imagine that you are having those thoughts, those invasive, repetitive thoughts and feelings that niggle away at you.

Those ‘why don’t I fancy boys like my friends do?’ thoughts. Those pit of the stomach, fleeting feelings of terror that you might not be ‘normal,’ whatever normal means.

And, in the midst of that, you hear your friends saying things like ‘that’s so gay!’ where ‘gay’ means ‘gross’ or ‘awful’ or ‘stupid’ or, probably, something ruder. You hear people calling others a ‘faggot,’ but it’s just ‘banter.’ Do people say these things intending to hurt feelings?

Probably not, in the vast majority of cases.

But if a part of you that is very private, and possibly already slightly terrifying to face, is repeatedly being made a joke of or used to insult people, it is impossible not to internalise some of that, no matter how confident or cheerful you are.

27

When people use language that implies personal characteristics are inherently negative, whether those characteristics are to do with sexuality, gender, race, or anything else, it hurts the people who share those characteristics. And it should hurt you too. We should all be embarrassed when we hear someone use racist language.

If you would like to join the St Peter's School LGBTQ+ group, please email Miss Edgar on v.edgar@stpetersyork.org.uk.

Allies welcome too!

We should all call it out and educate the person who’s used it about why it’s unacceptable, if they genuinely don’t know (although frankly, that excuse is tired). None of us should let the many, many microaggressions that people of colour face on a regular basis go unnoticed or ignored. And exactly the same is true for non straight, non cis people. If you hear a friend say ‘that’s so gay,’ you should be disgusted and you should let them know, regardless of your own orientation, just as you would do if someone was racist in front of you, regardless of your own race. We all have a responsibility to make our society, whether that’s school, York, England or the wider world, a place that’s genuinely pleasant and welcoming to all.

Casual, everyday homophobia is exhausting. I’m bored of hearing people say things like, ‘when’s Straight Pride?’ (Response: every. single. day.) I’m tired of hearing, ‘why do gay people have to make such a song and dance about it?’ (Response: because the world we live in is inherently straight centric – almost every relationship you see around you is a straight one, and it’s nice to see yourself represented occasionally.) I’m really, really fed up with, ‘I don’t care if people are gay, I just don’t want them to shove it in my face.’ (Response: I promise you, no one is holding their boyfriend’s hand just to gross you out. Ask yourself why you’re offended by two men holding hands, but not by a man and a woman doing the same. If you don’t have an answer, think about it until you do. Then ask yourself if it’s a good answer.). What if we simply stopped saying these things? What if queer teenagers now didn’t have to look forward to decades of this ‘banter’?

21st century England is a place where acts of violence or hostility against people because of who they are, or who someone thinks they are, are (thankfully!) potentially crimes. If you are in the habit of casually using homophobic language as ‘banter,’ don’t be surprised if one day you’re in a workplace where it’s not only unacceptable, and likely to get you fired, but may also get you reported to the police. Sheffield University expelled a student for posting homophobic comments on Facebook a couple of years ago.

This is not something to take lightly.

28

photography by Natasha Johnson Hate incidents are defined as any act (which may or may not be crimes) that the victim or any other person perceives to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards an aspect of a person’s identity, and include verbal abuse like name-calling and online abuse among other things. It is a hate crime if someone, for instance, uses homophobic, biphobic or transphobic language to abuse someone.

Our 21st century LGBT+ group exists because there are people in our community who need a space to be themselves, and there are other people in our community who want to support them in a meaningful way. Anyone is welcome to come to it, regardless of how you identify, as long as you’re there to be part of providing a supportive, welcoming atmosphere. We’re not here to debate gay rights. We’re not here to debate trans existence.

We’re here to hold space, to say, ‘I do not accept homophobia or transphobia. I will stand with you. I see you and I accept you for who you are.’

FIRST COLSTON , THEN CHURCHILL

by Natasha Johnston and Annabel Kelley

Worldwide, people have taken to the streets in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, catalysed by the police murder of African American George Floyd. Since this, a considerable amount of media attention has been directed towards protests, which have involved the defacing and dethroning of statues: figures whose reputations were built on the crushing of people of colour. This has caused a significant amount of controversy and has sparked much productive and progressive debate, although many would say it has been exploited as a way to detract from the aims of the movement and generate negative sentiment towards protesters.

The topic amassed nationwide attention after protesters submerged a statue of Slave Trader Edward Colston into Bristol Harbour in June. Like many affluent people in 18th century Britain, he was heavily involved in the Atlantic slave trade, although his charitable pursuits are what led him to be memorialised. Activists on the day of the toppling of the statue were adamant that Colston’s charitable deeds in no way made up for the transportation of thousands of Africans into slavery. “The statue was glorifying the acts of a slave trader,” one said. “He gave some money to schools and good causes but it was blood money.”. His statue was situated in a public space, emphasising the power given to the oppressors within our society.

This sentiment arguably pays more homage to hate than heritage. Many politicians have advocated against this unlawful vandalization; however, when we compare focused vandalism to the monuments of men who used barbarism to achieve their fortunes, which is worse? Bristol was one of the first cities to catch on to the slave trade and make a vast fortune; therefore, it is fitting that Bristol is the city that started the nationwide debate about racism and history.

Photography by Polina Andreeva

29

y ell e K l e b a

n n A y b n oi

t ar ts ullI

30

The

Black

Lives

Matter

movement

gained

This could be seen as the accommodation of

momentum universally from this point, with another

deep-rooted racism in our society, as well as the in

planned march the very next day in Westminster.

education about the actions of these figures. Is it

The protestors left in their wake the message that

truly possible to uproot it all? Remove, erase

Winston Churchill, wartime prime minister, ‘was a

everything? Perhaps this provides even more of an

racist’. To some, Churchill is one of the greatest,

opportunity to confront and educate our nation

most iconic leaders our country has seen, as he led

on our colonial history, with solutions suggesting a

our country through World War II serving for over 60 years. He was the epitome of patriotism and a defender of our democracy and liberty. But to others,

he

was

infatuated

with

supremacy,

endorsing multiple racist political actions including the imperialist policy leading to the death of millions in Bengal due to famine. He advocated against black or indigenous self-rule believing that British imperialism in its own colonies was for the good of the ‘primitive’ and ‘subject races’. He had a great belief in racial hierarchy and eugenics. But they

were

not

similar

to

Hitler’s

murderous

interpretation of racial hierarchy.

push for reforms in education, allowing a more lucid address of colonial and imperialist history within the school curriculum. This is an important step in establishing the initial address and breakdown of systemic racism.

In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced the convening of a special commission to debate the dismantling (and erection) of the city’s statues.

Relocating them to museums could be an even more effective solution, as statues in public places tend to imply that the person is celebrated, as simple inscriptions are much less likely to be read by passers-by. An alternate solution is the addition of inscriptions that outline the history of the figure

We cannot deny that both Colston and Churchill

being portrayed. This could be a better suggestion

were born pre modernism, pre racial and gender

for more commendable, influential figures such as

equality. Churchill was born in 1874 during the reign

Churchill. This will allow education of our colonial

of Queen Victoria, he was Edwardian. Consequently,

history to the public, as well as the part these

most of his views are completely unpalatable to

selected individuals played in it.

people within this generation and era. If we judged everyone of that era by the standards of the 21st

“The removal of symbols of racist power

Century’s political correctness, they’d all be guilty.

should be celebrated, however the structural

"We can't just cut history off at the mains.

History is history.”

The toppling of Colston and defacing of Churchill stands as a driving force in the debate over many more figures within society. This importantly allows the questioning of the meaning, as well as the effect of these statues that we place in our society. Later that same week, authorities in London removed a statue of Scottish slave trader Robert Milligan, leading to mass protests for the removal of British

racism and inequalities that hold back so many people of colour, will prove harder to tear down than Colston’s statue.”

Arguably the most important matter is to listen to and amplify Black voices. Creating awareness of their experiences and understanding of systemic racism and discrimination is crucial in bringing about structural change. We must listen to the pain and anger felt across Black communities in seeing

the

commemoration

support, of

their

celebration past

and

and present

oppressors.

supremacist Cecil Rhodes in Oxford. Many worry this poses a risk of erasing or denying a part of our history.

31

Participation: why it matters, and why you should

by Sam Carter

The UK is a unitary state which relies heavily on democracy and the political system that it has established.

A democracy by definition is ‘ A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of state, typically through elected representatives.’ Therefore, for a representative democracy, such as the UK, participation by the populous in these elections is vital for the election to be valid or respected. This is why even in a situation where you believe your vote is void or unable to affect the outcome it is important to vote anyway. When there is a lack in participation there tends to be a general lack of trust in politics and especially politicians. Some people will see votes that are not cast as worthless as the people who did not vote may have done so as they did not feel qualified or did not care, therefore their vote has less meaning and weight. In many circumstances the vote was actually not cast due to trends and lack of trust in the political system. These ideologies and misinterpretations not only cost you your voice but your involvement in the direction of your country.

The main issue with the participation crisis is that it is the young that are tending not to vote. This trend, if carried on, could result in the drastic drop in participation as time goes on. This is why it's not only important for you to participate but to encourage participation from those around you in polls, referendum votes and in constant refreshment of political knowledge. The absence of participation suggests that either those that aren't voting feel that none of the candidates represent them or that they don't feel like there is purpose in voting. This, even if true, is a flimsy argument. As seen in countries that have compulsory voting such as Sweden, Austria and Australia, the population tends to become more engaged in politics and therefore the elections show a more accurate representation of the public with the government performing its duties more effectively. There are many controversial points that are occurring in government and if these matters are not properly addressed in a political system that a large segment of the population agree with they could become volatile, with riots and demonstrations common practice. Already we are seeing pressure groups such as Greenpeace and the BLM movement rage through the country showing clear discontent with the actions of the ‘elected’ group in power. This cycle of violent and nonviolent protests is not only unstable and unsustainable, but an irresponsible form of democracy. These issues should be able to be confronted in a political manner and not on the streets; this can only come from increased trust or huge reform in the political system.

One of the main issues with the lack of participation in elections is that the elected party end up acting on matters that do matter to the people who have not voted and they don't have a say in it. Some people see the UK as an elective dictatorship due to the power afforded to the politicians that are elected. In this nearall powerful decision in the election you are only given two real options, Conservative or Labour, but many people don't agree with the ideologies of either party. In the Brexit Referendum, many Conservatives did not agree with the 'Leave' campaign and many Labour politicians did not agree with 'Remain'.

Smaller parties are hardly given any power and are downtrodden by the ‘first past the post’ system. In countries such as Sweden and the USA citizens are able to put forward referendums and vote on matters that in the UK tend to be dealt with by the government. However, these changes can only be made by involvement in politics, especially petitions that can be found on the government website. The idea of voting and democracy as a whole is that the person with the most public support is given power by the people to run the country. This is one of the fundamental pillars of our society and without it there would be turmoil and chaos.

What you are doing, therefore, by not voting, is undermining this system and the safety of our country.

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Photography by Polina Andreeva

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On Liberty Does the Government infringe human rights by imposing measures to combat COVID-19?

By Justin Kong Needless to say, a lot has changed since the global outbreak of the coronavirus.

These changes have not been welcomed by everyone, as exemplified by how thousands demonstrated in central London in defiance of social distancing rules. A number of them held signs that read “My Body, My Choice”. Striking a similar tone, former Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption has also roundly denounced the “hysterical” response against the pandemic as the “greatest invasion of personal liberty in our history”.

Whilst one can recognise the logic behind Lord Sumption’s contention, it does beg the question: has the Government disproportionately limited our rights and freedoms by imposing restrictive regulations, and hence infringed human rights?

Legitimate Aim

One objective compels all government measures the protection of the right to life (Article 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998, HRA) which is nonderogable. The Government thus has a positive obligation to not only safeguard lives, but to also prevent them from being avoidably risked. This is particularly relevant in the current situation when it is within the Government’s ability to influence the outcome by restricting human activity to allow more time for researchers to find effective vaccines and treatments.

Necessity and Suitability

The example of Sweden has been cited numerous times for notably taking a far more relaxed approach than any European countries have, including making lockdowns voluntary while avoiding an economic blow. The conclusion - the UK Government is being needlessly authoritarian.

But is the situation here analogous to that of Sweden? For one, the population density of the UK is 11 times greater than that of Sweden. Further, Sweden has advantages that Britain does not share.

Their population is healthier, and more comfortable to follow guidelines due to greater confidence in their government, although the latter appears to dwindle. It is also of interest to note that Sweden’s international image is currently at stake.

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The above argument stems from a ‘prevention paradox’. Instead of realising how disastrous the situation would have been without these preventive practices, critics have too quickly underplayed the gravity of the original issue.

It has also been put forward that current restrictions are not suitable; the Government should only concentrate on high-risk groups, instead of indiscriminately applying regulations to young and otherwise healthy people who experience ‘less’ risk.

More people would acquire immunity from this, too.

Yet, this strategy is far easier said than done. As pointed out by the Government’s scientific advisory group SAGE, such ‘focused protection’ approach involves the vulnerable to be separated entirely from the population for many months. So far, no country has succeeded in doing so. The durability of immunity has also been put into question by scientists.

Although hospitalisations and deaths are not usual among younger people without health risks, the long-term effects should not be underestimated.

Recent study has found that some people suffer from enduring and often significant symptoms after being infected weeks and months later, including those who did not need to be hospitalised. Given such circumstances, Sweden’s chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, perhaps unsurprisingly, has said it is “futile and immoral” to seek herd immunity as a protection against the pandemic without a vaccine.

Striking a Balance

It is possibly misleading to reduce the human rights argument into a dichotomy of societal benefits and the individual rights restricted. In practice, the right to life and health of the vulnerable (Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, ICESCR), and the right to just and favourable working conditions of key workers (Article 7 of the ICESCR) are equally engaged.

Under Article 14 of the HRA, the enjoyment of our rights and freedoms is to be protected from discrimination. Whilst “the virus does not discriminate”, statistics show otherwise. Ethnic minorities had up to twice the risk to die as a result of Covid than White British, as they are more likely to live in overcrowded households in deprived areas. Those from a lower socialeconomic background are more probable to work in highly infectious environments where social distancing is not possible. If we allow the infection rate to rise, the burden will undoubtedly fall on the disadvantaged in our society.

Lord Sumption believes “It is up to us, not the state, to decide what risks we are going to take with our own bodies”. The dilemma before us is this: is it reasonable to allow the relatively protected to arbitrarily exercise such right, when it would inevitably amplify the risk faced by those who do not share this privilege?

Conclusion

This article is by no means a holistic one. Rather, it attempts to highlight the potential aspects that critics may have overlooked. The duration and intensity of measures, as well as their impacts on major areas such as employment, access to justice and our mental well-being, will play an important part in determining their proportionality. It is of great importance for us to be vigilant in upholding our rights and freedoms, and we must continue to do so with good sense and realism.

Lord Sumption holds that history shall regard these measures as “a monument of collective hysteria”. Might it not be sensible to suggest that instead, they reflect the incredible solidarity we have shown in facing such a challenge, and are something to be admired by those who come after us?

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The Mongol Empire: Nomads No More

by Oscar Hawes

The Mongol Empire spanned from modern day China to the Mediterranean, and from Moscow to the Persian Gulf, covering a total of 9.15 million square miles at its peak. This makes it the second largest empire in human history. The Mongols are typically portrayed as ruthless people who pillaged, raped and slaughtered. I became intrigued with how such people managed to maintain and administer such an enormous area which contained vastly different cultures and people.

Genghis Khan, the first leader of the Mongolian horde, is renowned for his barbarism, yet his style of rulership differed greatly from other leading rulers on the Mongolian Steppe. His intelligence and ingenuity is demonstrated by his early reforms. Without him no large force would ever have left Mongolia and no empire would have ever formed. He came from an insignificant tribe which abandoned him and his family at a young age. Despite this he was able to form alliances with other tribes, even giving up his autonomy (something which was uncommon of his people at the time). Genghis eventually united the many different peoples and cultures of the Mongolian Steppe under his banner. He introduced The Great Law (Yassa) designed to help unify the tribes of the Steppe. It purported a strict set of rules which if broken would yield harsh punishments. One such law outlawed abduction of wives. This practice ran rampant throughout the Mongolian Steppe and resulted in animosity between tribes and families. He also outlawed the abduction and enslavement of any Mongol. A hunting ban was also introduced on specific game between late spring and autumn so as to provide a guaranteed supply of food during the winter. The Great Law would become the basis for which the empire would be ruled, with successors adding to it much like a modern-day constitution.

Genghis set in place policies under his Yassa which integrated defeated tribes into his own, rather than destroying them. He split them apart to instil loyalty towards him instead of their original tribes. This was done by stamping out tribal features, for example enforcing standardized fashion so different tribes could not be distinguished. There was also a switch from the traditional aristocracy to a more meritocratic society in the early stages of Genghis’ building of an empire.

Positions of power were awarded based on skill and loyalty rather than lineage. Subsequently, the Mongols and tribes of the Steppe became more unified and stronger, allowing them to venture out of modern-day Mongolia.

The Yassa introduced religious freedom throughout their empire, something which I find particularly interesting in light of their stereotypical image. This undoubtedly helped to consolidate their empire. Even though the Mongols had their own religions based around the “Eternal Blue Sky”, they did not impose this on those they conquered. They saw the need to allow for religious freedom across such a variety of peoples. With this freedom also came tax exemptions for religion as well as many key professions such as doctors and teachers, thus protecting crucial roles in society and increasing the contentment of the people. I think this is a clear case of the Mongolians showing their wisdom when it came to ruling.

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On the subject of taxes, the Mongols also

In comparison, crusades made the Holy Land

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there

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the empire. It was said that under Mongolian

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rule the Silk Road was perfectly safe, with

lands they had taken is far more impressive. They

merchants able to travel all the way through China and into modern-day Iran with no worry of robbery or attack. This was not only due to the Mongols' strict control over their land and ruthless enforcement of the law but also their traditional nomadic customs of

were inexperienced and most of them didn't understand sedentary society customs and ways of life, yet they were able to learn and ended up successfully ruling these nations of vastly differing cultures for up to 100 years.

hospitality towards strangers.

Source: the Internet

37

HENRY VIII WISE...OR WITLESS?

by Claudia Parravano-Tomasso

When people think of Henry VIII, it is unlikely that the word “wise” comes to mind. Henry is arguably the most famous of English monarchs but he is not always remembered in a favourable light. Instead, he is generally recalled as being an overweight egoist who tended to focus too much on the identity of his next wife, rather than being able to rule a country successfully. It would be too easy to dismiss Henry as a fool. Therefore, we should investigate the positive aspects of his character and reign, to reach a justified judgement of this controversial ruler.

In some ways, Henry was both a tyrant and a hero.

Henry’s reign was summarised by the historian Alison Weir, “Today, historians recognise that his reign contributed an extraordinary legacy - modern Britain.

Henry began his reign in a medieval kingdom, he ended it in what was effectively a modern state. We are still living in the England of Henry VIII. She was correct in saying that England changed dramatically during Henry’s reign. Over thirty-six years, Henry VIII managed to marry six times, radically improve parliamentary powers, expand the Royal Navy to three times the inherited size and, probably most significantly, he completely reformed the English Church.

Henry was brought up in the rigid beliefs of Roman Catholicism. He was not the original heir to the throne and therefore did not spend his childhood learning how to rule a country and helping to continue the Tudor Dynasty,. Unlike his brother, Arthur, Henry’s childhood was one of religion and education. Theologians and scholars were enlisted to prepare him for a career in the Church and pass on to him their knowledge and ideologies. Henry’s intellect and religious beliefs are highlighted in the book that he wrote entitled ‘Defence of the Seven Sacraments’. He was the first monarch to write and publish his own book, which caught the attention of the Pope, who rewarded Henry with ‘Fidei Defensor’, a title meaning ‘Defender of the Faith’, and one which would later be the cause of extreme controversy.

Source: the Internet

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In 1532, when the Pope refused to grant an annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon, Henry announced England’s separation from the Catholic Church. This was the most controversial event in Henry’s reign and ultimately gave him his infamous reputation. His reasons for the separation with Rome were plentiful, the main reason being that he had fallen in love with his wife’s maid of honour, Anne Boleyn. Catherine’s failure to provide Henry with a male heir only cemented his ever-growing desire to marry Boleyn. This eventually resulted in Henry breaking from Rome and reforming the church. Subsequently, the Pope excommunicated him. Henry, introduced several statutes between 1532 and 1537, which severed the already broken relationship between England and the Pope. Some of these new laws made supporting the Pope an act of treason, punishable by death.

Henry’s extreme actions led to a nationwide rampage known as the ‘Dissolution of the Monasteries’; a monumental land-grab, with Henry, forcibly closing countless Catholic strongholds and destroying, or looting, precious artefacts kept within churches. These moves were about more than just pillaging his own country. It was a display of total power, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of rebels. There are countless examples of the murderous consequences of rebellion, for example, Abbot was dragged through the streets by a horse, before having his head cut off and then was impaled on the abbey gates. This behaviour showed a man of extravagance, boisterous greed, and an unnerving lack of pity, who made his beloved country a place of fear.

Throughout Henry’s life, he neglected royal duties and squandered his profound inheritance on unnecessary parties and masked balls, leading us to understand that Henry could be a man of overindulgence and debauchery. However, he is said to have had serious anxiety regarding his health, even as a young and fit man. This did not stop him consuming an impressive 5000 calories per day and drinking 70 pints of ale per week. His excessive behaviours can also be seen in the death records of his reign. Henry executed over 57,000 people during his reign of thirty-six years, two of which were his wives.

There is no question that Henry was at times an absurdly brutal man and although he was extremely intelligent and enlightened, for me, his devastating actions cancelled out any redeeming qualities. Therefore, I believe that Henry was a wise man who did witless things.

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Puzzles Riddles 1. The more you take the more you leave behind, what am I? 2. What has a head, a tail, is brown and has no legs?

3. David’s farther has three sons, Snap, Crackle and..?

4. A doctor and a bus driver both love the same woman. They both want to marry her and she can’t decide who to choose. The bus driver has to go away for a week on a long journey so leaves her 7 apples. Why? 5. What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment but never in a thousand years?

6. I have many keys, but can open no locks, what am I? 7. I have six faces but can’t wear makeup and twenty one eyes but see nothing. What am I? 8. I am not alive but I grow, have no lungs but need air and have no mouth but water kills me. What am I? 9. What has the most use when it’s broken?

10. I can turn one person into two. What am I?

r o r r i M , gg e n A , e r i F , ) e c i d ( e i D , o n a i P , M r e t t e L , y a w a r o t c o d e h t s p e e k y a d a e l p p a n A , d i v a D , y n n e P , s p e t s t o o F : s r e w s n a s el d di R

McDonalds Puzzle:

51 +) 01 x1( + 5 9=2+2+5 0 2 = 5 + 5 + 01 0 3 = 01 + 01 + 01 :sr e ws n A el z z u P s dl a n o D c M

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Wordsearch Puzzle:

Read something you disagree with?

Keen to have your say on a topic?

Maybe you just love writing or design?

We are starting work already on our Easter edition of 'Keystone' and need opinionated, articulate pupils who would like to get involved. Contact Mrs Todd, Natasha Johnson, or Freddy Wharton - all years welcome.

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Section Editors: A huge thank you

Sport Geography and the

Poppy Dodsworth Elysia Urwin

Environment History and Philosophy

Cecily O'Neill

Politics

Sam Carter

Art, Film and Drama

Diana Seo

Mental Health School Life and Music

Natasha Johnston Shoni Aston

Puzzles

Freddy Wharton

Design and Photography

Polina Andreeva Annabel Kelley

42

CLOSING THOUGHT It has been said that the measures put in place during these national lockdowns are ‘the most draconian since World War Two’. As I write this, it is Remembrance Day, and it therefore seems natural to think back to the times of the Blitz in this history themed article. The story of the Blitz is well known.

With Hitler’s forces decimating Europe, Britain was subjected to bombing raids on a nightly basis from the 7th of September 1940 to the 11th of May 1941 - a period of 8 months and 5 days. During this time two million houses were destroyed - 60% of the houses in London. Approximately 43,000 civilians were killed. There is no other way of describing this other than sheer tragedy, yet the people at the time continued regardless. There are stories of people whose houses had been destroyed during the night getting on their bikes in the morning and cycling to work through the rubble. There is the incredible tale of Ena Squire-Brown - an international dancer - who despite her house being bombed on the night before her wedding resolutely continued her plans and was married to RAF flying officer J. C. Martin in 1940.

These tales inspire awe and wonderment, but also guilt. Why can’t we keep calm and carry on? Why can’t we be like Ena, or all the other brave resolute people who despite all hardship stayed positive and never gave up? It feels like the world is crashing down around us as we are hit by screaming headline after screaming headline, with relentless misfortune keeping us away from our friends, family and loved ones. It is perhaps ironic that in our interconnected world we are more alone than ever - alone in a crowded room.

However, this article is (largely) not a gloomy one, and I intend to convey a happy message. To do this, I will tell you a story. In late 1940 a bomb landed in Chatham Dockyards on the River Medway in Kent (approximately 150 miles south of the Yorkshire border) and through the sheer mass of the explosives buried itself 16 feet into the ground. The bomb did not detonate but was fitted with a new type of anti-handling fuse - a particularly dangerous prospect for bomb disposal. A few weeks prior to this, an RAF officer had tried to defuse a very similar explosive and was killed in the subsequent blast.

Lieutenant Commander John Babington lowered himself into the pit, and attached a line to the head of the fuse in order to remove it.

Rupert Walker

Photo by Mrs Todd

He made the attempt three times, yet the line broke each time, the first time breaking the fuse assembly line with it, which Babington had to fix before continuing.

Despite the imminent danger to his life - the bomb could have exploded at any point Babington continued to go into the pit to attempt to defuse the bomb. Eventually he succeeded, in what was a breakthrough at the time, and he went on to teach others how to do the same, likely saving many lives. He was awarded the George Cross for "great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty" and eventually passed away on the 25th of March 1992, as an 81-year-old retired teacher living in Oxfordshire.

Just as for Lieutenant Commander Babington, the way we are living our lives now seems perilous. We don’t know what the immediate future will hold and any move we make now seems to be fraught with danger. However, we can take faith in Babington’s story that each individual has the courage and skills to tackle life and prevail. We can all get through this short period of tribulation, and what awaits afterwards is nothing short of long and happy reward. To paraphrase illustrator and writer Charlie Mackesy, if you can’t see your destination, take your first step and you will get there.

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Illustra

tion by

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el Kelle

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