The
Cambridge
03 October 2017 Vol. 19 Freshers’ Edition www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Student
Society bars speaker for questioning trans politics
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Bellos informed the committee she would question trans politics before her invitiation was withdrawn
Noella Chye Deputy Editor
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inda Bellos, a leading feminist activist, has had her invitation to speak at the Beard Society of Peterhouse withdrawn amidst concerns that she would face tremendous protests from trans activists. Bellos has been something of an icon in the feminist movement ever since she became the first non-white lesbian female to join the Spare Rib feminist collective, a second-wave feminist magazine founded in the United Kingdom in 1981. Spare Rib is now recognised as a cornerstone of feminism for sparking debate with its creative contributions which challenged stereotypes and traditions within the movement, in 1981. The magazine described itself as one with the mission to investigate and present alternatives to the traditional gender roles for women of virgin, wife or mother Bellos is perhaps most known for her firm belief that the feminist movement must take account of the social class, minority and majority ethnic identity, disability, sexual identity and religion of women in order to be genuinely inclusive of all women. Her view
was hugely controversial at the time, particularly because of the general consensus that feminism must see all women separated from their social factors. Bellos’ reputation as a pioneer stems from the considerable number of movements she has founded or introduced. The most notable of these is perhaps her originating Black History Month in the UK whilst chair of the London Strategic Policy Unit. The Beard Society describes itself as a new platform within Peterhouse for the discussion of feminism and the role of women and gender in modern society, for which Bellos was unquestionably the perfect fit. Concerns about her event began to surface when she informed the committee that she would be “publicly questioning some of the trans politics . . . which seems to assert the power of those who were previously designated male to tell lesbians, and especially lesbian feminists, what to say and think”. Bellos’ stance is a mere fragment in a vaster swarm of controversy, centred on the developing dynamic amongst females who once identified as male, King’s Parade in all of its majesty on a sunny day in the summer. and those (continued on page two) Image: Hosea Lau
Cambridge tops The Times’ Good University Guide again Will Tilbrook
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he University of Cambridge has been ranked as the best university in the UK for a fifth time in a row by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018. The 96-page guide, that is published in print as well as online once a year, suggests that the University performed well against the publication’s metrics, which saw the University of Oxford placed second and St Andrews third. The top three universities have not changed position since last year’s ranking. The guide tests how good a university is against nine different factors, according to the News UK website, the owner of the Times and the Sunday Times. These factors are research quality, the percentage of students who graduate with ‘good’ honours (understood to mean achieving a 2.i or a first), graduate prospects, student to staff ratio, expenditure on services and facilities, entrance qualifications, degree completion rates, and student satisfaction with teaching quality and “wider student experience”. The table states that Cambridge has the highest average degree completion rate of any UK university, with just under 99% of graduates seeing their course through to the end. Continued on page 7
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03 October 2017 • The Cambridge Student
News
Editorial Team Editorial: The University experience 03 October 2017
Volume 19 • Freshers’ Edition 2017
Editor-in-Chief
Sophie Dickinson
Deputy Editors
Juliette Bretan, Noella Chye, Molly Moss
News Editors
Ali Chard
Science Editors
Simon Langer
Features Editors
Caithlin Ng
Comment Editors
Gianamar Giovannetti-Singh, Sebastian Shuttleworth
Interviews Editor
Will Bennett
Columns Editor
Alice King
Sports Editor
Finn Ranson
Theatre Editors
Carina Harford, Rose Aitchison
Music Editor
James Mackay
Fashion & Beauty Editors
Miriam Balanescu, Gabby Koumis
Lifestyle Editors
Katelyn Nash, Roshni Prasad
Food & Drink Editor
Finley Kidd
TV & Film Editor
Shameera Lin, Megan Harding
Sex and Relationships Editors
Jake Kroeger, Aleph Ross
Books Editor
Ellen Birch
Chief Sub Editors
Hannah Prentice
Social Media Manager
Joanna Zada
Staff Illustrator
Beatrice Obe, Hosea Lau
Directors
Will Tilbrook Sophie Dickinson Urvie Pereira
(continued from page one) who have identified as female since birth. One prominent issue is the prospect of laws to let men redefine their gender without a physical transition, and then gain access to changing rooms and women’s refuges, which has angered many, including Bellos. The debate comes down to a more fundamental question of how to navigate the formation of public attitudes towards trans females. We are caught in a time in which even those with the most empathetic of intentions remain unsure of how to create laws which respect both trans females and females who have identified as such since birth. It is an issue fraught with tension, stuck in an awkward balancing act of conflicting human rights. For Bellos, women’s rights come first. It is the foundation on which all else she believes is premised. Her stance is characteristic of views she has held in the past, which often finds her
that is right for you
Sophie Dickinson Editor-in-Chief
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elcome to the first issue of The Cambridge Student for Michaelmas 2017. The beginning of a new university year is always notable: if this isn’t your first year, undoubtedly you will have had a conversation exclaiming disbelief at the passage of time, and how Matriculation seems minutes ago. If it is your first term at Cambridge, it’s all going to feel a bit overwhelming, no matter how ready you are for university. In this Freshers’ Edition, we have a wealth of features detailing everything from the best place to get late night cheesy tips to a directory of welfare advice. Perhaps most important is Juliette Bretan’s Comment piece that discusses the idea of doing Freshers at your own pace. As a third year myself, I’m not sure this ever stops being relevant. Being surrounded by so many wonderful and creative people can be one of the most exciting parts of University, but can also lead to an endless amount of existential doubt and second-guessing. It’s important to remember to self care- and to do things in the way that makes you content.
The Thursday Magazine theme this issue is Getting Involved: and again, is not just for Freshers. In a typically self-referential way, I couldn’t let this theme go by without mentioning The Cambridge Student. We are always interested to hear your article ideas, so contact the paper at any point in term to see your writing or illustration in TCS, and experience the creation of a newspaper both online and in print. The magazine isn’t totally selfindulgent, however. We have the ever-sardonic James Mackay with his album roundup- which is a must-read, if only for the unlikely tone. The beautiful images that won our Summer Photography competition are there too, as is the first installment of our creative writing section. As one contributer writes in this issue, don’t let Cambridge crush ypour creative spirit! The Captains’ Previews on our Sports page is just a snippet of the response Sports Editor Finn Ranson got from Blues teams about this issue. If you’re interested in Sport (or just curious about the wealth of options for keeping fit in Cambridge), head over to our website for the full
list, and then let us know via our social media how it goes. Speaking of social media, our Instagram queen Joanna Zada is looking to share your University experience, especially the more unusual Cambridge scenes. Freshers’, you’ll snap Kings a few times and then roll your eyes at those late to the party, but it never ceases to be beautiful. I would like to thank The Cambridge Student team for this edition, especially to the Freshers who made it into the office, despite having a packed week of events. My deputies were a huge help too, as was the ever-supportive (and all-knowing) TCS Board. If you are interested in joining TCS in a role that allows you to oversee the long term future of the newspaper, the board might be someting to consider. Just another thing to get involved with! So yes, if there’s something to take away from this edition, it’s to have the University experience that is right for you, with the balance of fun and studying that makes you- not anyone else- feel happy. Hopefully this issue of The Cambridge Student will provide you with enough inspiration to do just that.
The Cambridge Student takes complaints about editorial content seriously. We are committed to abiding by the Independent Press Standards Organisation rules and the Editors’ Code of Practice enforced by IPSO, and by the stipulations of our constitution. Requests for corrections or clarifications should be sent by email to editor@tcs.cam.ac.uk or by post to The Editor, The Cambridge Student, Cambridge University Students’ Union, 17 Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX. Letters to the Editor may be published.
questioning the very frameworks in which we discuss feminist, and now trans, issues. She has, for example, previously “The welfare of been highly vocal about her view that the our students in women’s movement was dominated by white, middle-class women, and functioned this instance largely on a ‘point-scoring’ basis which was has to come not helpful to anyone. Ailish Maroof, president of the Beard first”, wrote society, responded to her email, saying, Maroof. “I’m sorry but we’ve decided not to host you. I too believe in freedom of expression, however Peterhouse is as much a home as it is a college. The welfare of our students in this instance has to come first.” Bellos replied, in an effort to justify her stance, “I’m not being told by someone who a few months ago was a man what I as a woman can or cannot do,” Bellos said.” The Cambridge Student contacted Ailish Maroof, co-president of the Beard society, who has declined to comment.
WIKIPEDIA
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The Cambridge Student • 03 October 2017
News
The Union announces Caitlyn Jenner and Ian McKellen amongst high profile speakers Noella Chye Deputy Editor
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he Union will play host to Anthony Scaramucci, a former member of the Trump administration, cinematic legend Sir Ian McKellen, and icon of transgender awareness Caitlyn Jenner, amongst others, this term. As ever, the termcard is a varied one: with philanthropists and reality TV stars alike occupying the chamber. In its characteristic political fashion, the Union will host former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, who was fired by Trump just 10 days after his appointment, in the second week of term. Days into the job, Scaramucci was fired following publication of an expletive-filled phone call with journalist Ryan Lizza in The New Yorker.
was also a former investment banker with Goldman Sachs and hedge fund manager who has published three books on the subject — for example, The Little Book of Hedge Funds: What You Need to Know About Hedge Funds but the Managers Won’t Tell You. In a similar vein, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, and of Australia, Kevin Rudd, will visit the Union to speak about their experiences of politics ‘down under’. Big name Caitlyn Jenner, of Keeping Up With the Kardashians fame, will join the line-up in week five. Jenner, who has identified as a trans woman since 2015, has become something of a household name. As part of the Kardashian family, her gender
transition in 2015 was watched avidly by the media around the world, and sparked discussions of the experience of gender transitioning.
Some have named Jenner ‘the most famous trans woman in the world’ She published a memoir titled The Secrets of My Life, and starred in a reality television series, I Am Cait, both of which focus on her experience of transitioning. Some, like Ed Pilkington writing in The Guardian, have named her ‘the most famous trans woman in the world’, following
her appearance on the cover of Vanity Fair. Others have accused her of being a fraud, both online and once, publicly, by a trans activist who attacked her in Los Angeles earlier this year. Other famous faces include Sir Ian McKellen, stalwart of the stage and screen- from The Lord of the Rings to his recent King Lear onstage at the Minerva in Chichester- who will visit the Union in Week Six. Week Three will see Game of Thrones stars Dame Diana Rigg DBE, who plays Olenna Tyrell in the hit TV series, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, or Jaime Lannister. Fans of the American comedy talk show Chelsea Lately and Netflix series Chelsea will get to see Chelsea Handler OM285 VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
70,000 The Union now boasts over 70,000 life members worldwide.
Scaramucci is expected to speak firsthand about working with Trump, and his reflections on the mishap with Lizza of the New Yorker. He
in person in week one. Philanthropists feature prominently in this term’s line-up, with Will McAskill, who founded the organisation 80,000 Hours at Oxford in 2011, speaking first about the philosophical and social effective altruism movement in Week Two.
80,000 Hours researches how graduates can make the biggest difference with their careers Its tagline reads, ‘You’ve got 80000 hours in your career. How can you use them to make a difference?’, and, broadly speaking, conducts research at Oxford into how graduates can make the biggest difference possible with their careers, both through overall career choice and within a given field. Later that week, Michael Penrose, founder of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will speak about his work at what has been termed the world’s leading organisation for children in danger. The Cambridge Union is making a number of free events available to nonmembers, marked by the Union+ logo, it was revelaed earlier this week in The Tab, suggesting a move to provide better access to those not wanting to pay for membership. The Union’s full termcard can be found online, with a variation of pricing including Access membership, with a valid finanical statement.
Newnham co-founder to be honoured 35-year high for state school admissions with statue in Parliament Square Ali Chard News Editor
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ixty-three percent of the 2017 intake to Cambridge University are state-educated, meaning that the intake will have the highest proportion of state-educated students since 1982. Last year’s applications across all British universities had a 90% admission rate for students from state schools. Around 7% of children 16 and under are privately educated. Bristol, Durham and St Andrews now have a higher proportion of privately educated students than Cambridge. Oxford has the lowest level of state school pupils at 55.7% state school students. Students report a certain level of intimidation associated with applying
“Myths persist, but staff and students are breaking through them.”
to the University as it still has a reputation for being posh. Part of the University’s work has been to reach out to state schools and demystifying the admissions process. The primary role of Cambridge University Student Union (CUSU) Access Officer, Olivia Hylton-Pennant, is to reach out to those insecure or intimidated by Cambridge and its admissions procedure, for example. Campaigns such as the CUSU Shadowing Scheme give sixth form students the chance to shadow a student of the university, and get a firsthand taster experience of life in Cambridge. “Myths persist”, Dr Sam Lucy, Cambridge’s director of admissions told the BBC, “but staff and students are breaking through them”.
Ali ChardNews Editor
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uffragist and Newnham cofounder Millicent Fawcett will be the first woman celebrated with a statue in Parliament Square. Fittingly, the statues artist, Turner prize winner Gillian Wearing, will be the first female artist to have her work stand in the square. The statue will show Fawcett holding a sign reading ‘Courage calls to courage everywhere’ after the speech she gave following the death of the suffragette Emily Wilding who was trampled by a horse at the Epsom Derby. Millicent Fawcett devoted much of her life to the advancement of educational opportunities for women. Meetings of supporters in her drawing room eventually led to her
All 11 statues in Parliament Square were of men.
co-founding Newnham College with Henry Sidgwick. Fawcett campaigned for women’s suffrage and played a major role in in the formation of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies in 1987. 62 years after beginning her campaign she saw women able to vote on the same terms as men in 1928. For Fawcett education and suffrage went hand in hand. She is quoted as saying, “A large part of the present anxiety to improve the education of girls and women is also due to the conviction that the political disabilities of women will not be maintained.” The campaign to honour Fawcett was started by Caroline Criado-Perez after she noticed all 11 statues in Parliament Square were of men. Her petition was signed by 85,000 people.
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03 October 2017 • The Cambridge Student
Freshers’ Edition
“Everyone’s needs are represented Navigating the Cambridge welfare system, from cups of tea to sexual health supplies and everything in between.
TCS Features Writers
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rom college welfare officers to the Student Advice Service, there is plenty of support at every level. Finding the right group is important, so TCS have compiled a guide to some of the options available if you are looking for advice- or just a chat with someone who understands. Hopefully, you won’t need most of the advice here, but just a Week Five blues night in the bar can make a huge difference to your term. Pull out an keep this guide so all the contact information is in the same place. There are many more groups available at the University who are not listed in detail here, but are equally as useful, such as:
They can also be contacted at 01233 332865.
If you want a chat with someone annoynmously, ring Cambridge nightline on 01223 744444 in term time.
If in doubt, ask your college welfare officer for advice. There is more information on the CUSU website, or see your JCR page. GABRIEL DAVIS
College’s often have staff with office hours (such as the Chaplain or the nurse), who are available for advice and to support students through welfare issues. Each college is different, but as part of your Freshers’ introduction you should be introduced to them and their role. The Cambridge University Counselling Service provides more structured conversations, and students can self-refer via their website. There are also links to self-help tips, and groups and workshop timetables.
Student Minds Cambridge is a branch of the national campaign group, and is highly active in the city. Their Facebook page shares interesting links to articles relevant to student mental health, and their ‘simplified and accessible’ Student Support Guide is coming soon. Cambridge’s most central sexual health clinic, Lime Tree Clinic, is located on Mill Road. Whilst some STI tests are available at your local GP’s, the specialised service means many feel more comfortable dicussing their sexual activity, and more tests can be offered in one visit.
CUSU Welfare and Rights Officer
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icha Frazer-Carrol is CUSU’s Welfare and Rights sabbatical officer, repsonsible for organising and training college welfare officers, and providing university-wide support. Speaking to TCS, Micha was keen to stress that she is ‘approaching it from an intersectional and political standpoint’; running a campaign that is sensitive to the various factors that can influence an individual’s welfare. The training sessions offered to welfare officers includes ‘how
to tackle barriers to wellbeing, active listening and boundaries’: inclusivity is a priority. The ‘Welfare’ section of the CUSU website is worth a look in itself, even if just out of curiosity. Highlights include a Freshers’ dictionary to Cambridge terms (bops and DOS and so on), a guide to supporting friends, and information on STIs and contraception. Micha can be contacted via her dedicated Welfare and Rights Officer Facebook page, or at welfare@cusu.cam.ac.uk.
CUSU Disabled Students Officer
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lorence Oulds is the CUSU Disabled Students Officer, working closely with Micha in order to make the CUSU Welfare provisions are communicative and collaborative. The campaign welcomes ideas about students’ own experiences of disability at university, but also has a wealth of experience dealing with individual concerns. The wide ranging support offered includes helping assert your rights, whether on an individual or institutional level. The DSC are keen to stress that
they are committed to making changes to faculties, colleges and accomodationand will lend a hand with everything from advice to manpower. Mental health problem relating to disability has its own section on the website. Florence also has an official Facebook page, and can be contacted via email at disabled@cusu.cam. ac.uk. The CUSU building is totally accessible, and the Sabbatical office is signposted. The address is 17 Mill Lane if you would prefer a face to face meeting. CUSU
The Cambridge Student • 03 October 2017
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Freshers’ Edition
d”:The Freshers’ guide to welfare HANS WOLFF
The officers’ perspective Eliza Dickinson Pembroke Welfare Officer
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eing a Welfare Officer is a pretty varied role! Sometimes I’m focused mainly on the political side of it, getting in contact with college about changes that need to be made and making sure that everyone’s needs are represented. A lot of my time is also taken up with organising welfare events like picnics, chilled alternative study sessions, free hot chocolate nights and yoga and Zumba classes! But the most important part of the job is definitely being a friendly face who people know they can talk to – I’m always happy to point people in the right direction if they need something specific, and always up for a cup of tea if they just need to chat or vent!
Katie Roberts Sidney Sussex Welfare Officer
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elfare officers are trained students who have a variety of roles, including sitting on the colleges JCR exec. One of our most important jobs is being a first port of call for many students when they have an issue, and helping them navigate the welfare systems both within and out of college. Also, we’re provided with sexual health supplies, so we are an excellent, and free, source of condoms, etc. The part of our role which is often most fun is running events, which range from puppy welfare and Easter egg hunts to educating, inspiring talks. We’re an invaluable resource, and the role presents a great opportunity to get involved in college life.
Have you had a particularly good experience with your welfare staff, either on a university or college level? Or was an issue mishandled, or dealt with badly? The Cambridge Student are investigating welfare provisions at the University, and are especially interested in the difference between the options available within colleges- and how these can be improved. If you would like to share your interactions with any welfare team, please get in touch via email at : editor@ tcs.cam.ac.uk. Please give your name (and detail if you would like to be annonymous), college and a brief outline of your experience.
The Student’s Union Advice Service
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his easy-to-navigate service offers free, confidential and imparital support to all University students. The trained advisors have a wealth of experience dealing with student
problems: and have information for dealing with a large list of more specific issues, than the college welfare staff might have. Based in the CUSU building, they are accessible to all and are open to discussing anything, regardless of how initially trivial it might seem. This service is notable for the fact that it can be used for issues beyond those that are directly health related, such as money or academic problems. Book an appointment via the phone or on their website, or go to a drop in session on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-2pm, if you’re experiencing subject or disciplinary related issues, homesickness and culture shock, or personal issues such as disputes or bullying. More information can be found at: http://www. studentadvice.cam.ac.uk, or by calling 01223 746999.
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03 October 2017 • The Cambridge Student
College Watch
Images: Jessica McHugh
Clare
Homerton
Queens’
Jesus
A Clare College common room has been closed after being damaged, allegedly by members of a drinking society. In an email sent to the student body, Clare’s Estates Manager Stuart Baker said that the “Common Room in Memorial Court has now been closed temporarily due to an incident involving damage to the room . [...] “I will send an update once the situation has been resolved. Your access cards will no longer work on the Common Room door.” Two students, thought to be members of a Clare drinking society, have apologised publicly for the closure of the Common Room, which they trashed after they had been drinking. They said they had offered to clean the room themselves, but were informed by the Head Porter that the damage needed to be dealt with by the College’s maintenance department. Until the room has been restored, library staff and porters will not be able to give students access to the Common Room. The Crabs and the Bears are Clare’s male drinking societies. Khushali Dodhia
Homerton bops are “on the line” after “significant damage” was caused to the college, according to Homerton’s Union of Students (HUS). In an email to the student body, HUS noted that, “after the last bop, there was a huge amount of litter and significant damage done to the flower beds. HUS, on behalf of the small number of students responsible for the damage, have been fined £500 to cover the costs.” The email acknowledges that this is not the first time the College’s bops have come under threat, continuing: “This is so frustrating as we worked really hard to get bops back this year, only to have them on the line again.” They were banned for a period from last February to the beginning of this academic year, due to the “noise and damage caused by some students, including excrement, urine, and vomit found across several residences” caused by one particular bop. To prevent them from being cancelled again, HUS have asked students to “look after your friends and behave responsibly.” Khushali Dodhia
Changes have been made this year to the Queens’ College ballotting system. Students will no longer be able to ballot with friends in groups of four, six, or eight. Room allocation will instead be on an individual basis. Other changes have induced complaints from students who will not be able to track the ongoing allocation of rooms. In fact, the College has warned that any attempt to publicise room choices could result in exclusion from the ballot. The prevention of disruption and the promotion of greater integration between years have been cited by the College as reasons for the changes since last year. Speaking to The Cambridge Student, a fresher expressed her annoyance: “The only way you can be sure you’ll be near your friends is to share a set which really isn’t for everyone.” Pointing to the sense of betrayal evident among second-years, she added: “Obviously, it isn’t the end of the world, but it definitely has made the process fare more stressful than it needs to be.” Abby Watson
The John Hughes Arts Festival (JHAF) took place this weekend at Jesus College, and was directed by former TCS editor, Amelia Oakley. According to event information, the festival “sprang from an email inviting undergraduate members of Jesus College to suggest ways to remember a beloved friend, teacher, priest, and son”, in celebration of the late Dean of the Chapel, Revd. Dr. John Hughes. After an opening speech by BAFTA-winning playwright David Hare, events included a comedy smoker, jazz brunch, open mic night, and life drawing class. The array of events concluded with a Sunday night formal with the theme of ‘Enlightenment’, which quickly sold out. Speaking to The Cambridge Student, Amelia commented that the festival was “a huge success” which was “warmly welcomed by students, staff and visitors alike”. “JHAF received its largest ever number of sumbissions to our open gallery”, the launch of which was a “fantastic occasion”. Joanna Taylor
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The Cambridge Student • 03 October 2017
News
Stephen Toope becomes new University Vice-Chancellor Noella Chye Deputy Editor
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year, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. Master of Jesus College, Professor Ian White, headed the Search Committee for Sir Borysiewicz’s successor, and commented, ‘Professor Toope has impeccable academic credentials, a longstanding involvement with higher education, strong leadership experience and an excellent research background.’ In his farewell reception delivered in July this year, present ViceChancellor of the University, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, reflected on both the progress of the University since he took office on October 1st 2010, and what remains to be done. He noted the need for more diversity in the undergraduate student body, and remarked ‘There is still much work to
be done, and we will continue to work closely with MPs and Ministers on these issues.’ Speaking of his appointment, Professor Toope commented, ‘I am thrilled to be returning to this great university. I look forward to working with staff and students in the pursuit of academic excellence and tremendous international engagement – the very mark of Cambridge.’ He went on to expresss his love of the city, remarking to those at his official installation ceremony on Monday that he experienced Cambridge’s ‘thriving’ nature during his time as a PhD candidate. Toope also referenced the ‘anxiety’ of modern politics, that Cambridge had to be at the forefront of tackling a ‘distrust of institutions’ by ‘breaking down barriers’.
tephen Toope, a professor of law, was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge on September 26th last year, and took “Strong office on 1 October, replacing Sir Leszek Borysiewicz. leadership” Professor Toope was appointed the 346th Vice-Chancellor of the University — its principal academic and administrative officer — after being nominated by the University Council, and Regent House, consisting of more than 5,000 academics and senior administrators. A scholar specialising in human rights, international dispute resolution, international environmental law, the use of force, and international legal theory, Toope holds degrees in common law (LLB) and civil law (BCL) with honours MILAN ILNYCKYJ from McGill University (1983). He graduated from Harvard with a Bachelor of Arts in history and literature in 1979, and completed his PhD at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1987. He went on to serve as first the dean of McGill University, then president of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, an education foundation. Other roles include president and vice-chancellor of the University of British Columbia, and representing Western Europe and North America on the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances from 2002 to 2007. He took on the role of Director of the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs in January 2015. That Professor Toope was appointed the 346th Vice-Chancellor of the University and began the r this week
Get involved with TCS this term! The Cambridge Student always welcomes new individuals who are interested in getting involved with the paper All years and all applicable skills welcome! Contact us at editor@tcs.cam.ac.uk
NEWS BULLETIN Petition launched for May Ball sustainability officers A petition was created four weeks ago to put a sustainability officer on every May Ball committee. Cambridge student Hattie Hunter, who started the campaign, has garnered 331 signatures at the time of writing. In 2016, the Clare May Ball was the first ever completely carbon-neutral May Ball to be held. Hunter’s campaign takes inspiration from this feat, which was achieved with the help of two sustainability officers on its committee, who were responsible for keeping the environmental impact of the May Ball to a minimum whilst preserving the traditional May Ball experience. Behind Hunter’s campaign is the belief that the environmental impact of May Balls is often forgotten in light of its grandeur.
Jamie Laing cancels event at the Union The Union’s first speaker of the term cancelled his event at the last minute as his business partner, with whom he was scheduled to speak, was stranded in Bali due to the growing risk of a volcanic eruption. Mount Agung in Bali has been a cause for concern for weeks now, with growing risks of its eruption. The neighbouring Balinese town, named Amed, has been evacuated and emptied of its usual hoards of tourists as officials monitor the situation. The star of Made In Chelsea featured in a video shared on the Union’s Facebook page, apologising for the lastminute cancellation. The video shows Laing travelling in a car, explaining that he cannot attend the event without his business partner, as he had ‘really, really wanted to be there for it.’
Cambridge tops Times’ Good University Guide again cont.
The table states that Cambridge has the highest average degree completion rate of any UK university, with just under 99% of graduates seeing their course through to the end, with just over 92% of those achieved ‘good honours’. The top ranking of the University by this guide was preceded earlier last month by a decline in the QS World University Rankings. Cambridge was placed fourth in the 2016-7 rankings but dropped to fifth for this year’s new order. The universities that trumped Cambridge at the top were those in the USA – some of the famous ‘Ivy League’ colleges. MIT, Stanford, Harvard and Berkeley respective;ly held the top spaces, with Oxford missing out on a top five place, coming in at sixth.
Student favourite Afternoon Tease to close
The owner of the cafe located at 13 King Street in the centred of Cambridge announced that her cafe would close after 4 years of operation. Jo Kruczynska said she did not take the decision lightly, but that she “just [felt] ready for the next adventure”. She thanked those that had given her custom over the years and said that, despite the fact that she had had increased footfall in recent months, she did not “want to become one of those disenchanted people working in a job that they no longer enjoy.” The cafe will remain open for a few more weeks and her blog promises that the cafe will “go out witth a bang.”
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03 October 2017 • The Cambridge Student
Features
Are we on the brink of the Golden Age of podcasts? James Daly
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ollywood’s Golden Age, also known as the 30s through the 50s, saw cinema’s cultural dominance thrive. Radio had a solid run in people’s kitchens too, leading up to the last couple of decades when TV took over, which is widely considered the Golden Age of television. Even musicals had a golden era in the middle of the last century… So, naturally, it’s time for the podcast. Long dismissed as the domain for niche interest, or Radio 4 listeners catching up on The Archers or Desert Island Discs, podcasts are not exactly part of day-to-day conversation. Most people – by which I mean most young people – don’t even know where the podcasts app on their phone is. But there has been a surge in the last year of people of all ages being drawn into podcasts in some form or other. So, what exactly is it about these portable (and free, might I add) radio shows that people are suddenly enjoying so much? There is a correlation between society’s busy-ness and how we consume culture. In the 1940s, 60% of the US population went to the cinema weekly. Now, it’s just over 10%. A cinema trip involves organising a group, travelling there, and then spending around 2 hours watching the film. Not to sound like a lazy millennial stereotype, but who has time for that every week? The era most of our generation is most familiar with, probably due to our complicity in its proliferation, is the Golden Age of TV. Television
Laugh at Jacob ReesMogg, not with him Will Bennett
was the perfect response to people having less time to go to the cinema, offering not only shorter content, but the luxury of not having to leave one’s home (I am not helping my lazy millennial image). This has gradually been condensed and made even more easily accessible, from Netflix, to the dawn of YouTube series… This shift online also struck the print newspaper off its throne for providing pop culture features and news commentary. In the world of constant commuting, running errands and packing our lives with as much as is humanly possible, sometimes there simply isn’t time to sit down with a book or a newspaper, or go to the cinema, let alone be in any one room for enough time to merit putting the radio on or sitting in front of the TV for half an hour. And so, here we are. So busy that we consume our culture on-thego. Podcasts are the drive-through takeaway of newspapers and radios… a lazy millennial’s dream! Something else I hear more and more is that with podcasts you are never alone. This is the most tragic but also relatable thing ever, but is podcasts’ provision of constant stimulation symptomatic of modern society’s deep-seated fear of loneliness? Are we so afraid of being alone with our thoughts that we must drown them out with constantlyavailable-to-download journalists’ voices. In many people’s lives, the only real free time alone they have is travelling from A to B, which used
to be the perfect time to zone out or reflect. But now, this is the prime domain of the podcast… Are we so culturally greedy that we must fill every waking moment with new thoughts and stories? Or are we victims of the surge of cultural production, as the means of creating content are so much more readily available? The sheer wealth of commentary and narratives advertised to us instigates a pressure to consume as much as possible; I am certainly guilty of whinging to my friends that I am drowning in podcasts. All that said, I think podcasts are certainly a sign of progress; it is just like reading a magazine for people who don’t have the time or money to buy and read one. It is also clearly how people want to take in certain content now: for example, This American Life’s S-Town was downloaded a record-breaking 10 million times in just four days. So, prepare yourself, and your phone’s storage, for the Golden Age of Podcasts is nigh… Podcast recommendations to get you started: To laugh: The Guilty Feminist To be gripped: S-Town, and when you’re done binging on that, its predecessor, Serial To learn: This American Life For funny pop culture chat: The High Low
CASEY FIESLER
Y
outh turnout in the recent snap election reached its highest for 25 years, with 63% of 18-29 year old voters preferring Corbyn. The Labour leader coloured his campaign with interviews by rappers and other Vice-inspired strategies, attracting a vast number of young voters. However, since his appearance at Glastonbury, Corbyn has had to share his popularity among Britain’s youth with the bumbling Jacob Rees-Mogg. It is hard to imagine many Tories supporting a potential leadership campaign, but we should be startled by ‘Moggmentum’ and his following. Politically, the two are polar opposites but they share a cortege of Millenials who seem only interested in the pair’s seeming incompatibility with politics. Corbyn was celebrated for getting younger generations more involved in politics but we may just discover that we prefer giggling at the inane to voting for the astute. Perhaps we don’t just like Corbyn because he has promoted progressive policies that look to be in the genuine interests of young people - our next favourite voted 9 times against legislation to help the young and unemployed find jobs. We celebrate Corbyn and Rees-Mogg because the media encourage us to perceive them as ‘unelectable’. Apparently, they are far too embarrassing to be politicians and it is exactly that quality, that has engaged us. They are party rebels of very different causes. Rees-Mogg would resurrect 19th century social standards in defiance of the Tory party line while Corbyn would merrily centralise the economy. For a typical student, Rees-Mogg offers little and we should be wary of assuming that the charisma obvious in both is a symptom of benign politics. Rees-Mogg is not a Conservative in the 21st century, listening-to-the-people mould, he is deeply conservative in the most regressive sense. Notorious for outmoded social views and an infatuation with Latin, the North East Somerset MP was a little-known backbencher before the birth of his latest son, Sixtus, whose name has captured the online imagination. It is difficult to detect what Jeremy ‘the absolute boy’ Corbyn and Jacob Rees-Mogg have in common besides a knack for the bizarre. Although Rees-Mogg’s class of politicians are close to extinction and he probably wouldn’t have a hope against more evolved Tories in a leadership contest, we should laugh at him guardedly.
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03 October 2017 • The Cambridge Student
Features
Top tip: ‘Avoid Gardies and don’t worry’
Getting involved when
Ellen Skipper
I
f there’s one thing Freshers’ will never be short of (and no, I’m not talking about free pens), then it’s advice. Within about ten minutes of first contemplating applying to uni, you probably knew that you should try as many societies as possible and not let anyone pressure you into anything you’re not comfortable with. And while those tips remain as true as ever, I’m here to try to give you some Freshers’ advice you’ve only heard once or twice instead of several hundred times. Be the one to instigate events. Every other Freshers’ you meet would almost certainly love to be invited to a coffee break/pre-drinks/dinner out/ punting trip. Unfortunately, somebody has to be the bold initiator of all these activities, if they’re ever going to happen. Fortunately, there’s no reason why this can’t be you. Turn those acquaintances into friends and make yourself known as the friendly one. Van of Life is better than Gardie’s and that’s a fact. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either deluded or has never actually been to Van. Don’t be intimidated. The Cambridge impostor syndrome is a classic that must be avoided: but beyond this, don’t let nerves stop you from doing anything at uni. S Societies might feel tight-knit and exclusive; there might be that one group who have already pronounced themselves BFFs after Freshers’ Week. You might not be sure whether or not you’re physically capable of pole-dancing. It’s inevitable to feel a bit lacking in confidence every now and then, but almost everyone you meet will be
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extremely welcoming and keen to help you settle in. And anyone who seems like they’ve got their life completely sorted is just pretending. On the inside, we’re all just surprised that we made it this far without a nap. Choosing a club can be a struggle, but it’s made easier if you know that a) Lola’s is the only place you can get drinks under £2.50, and b) there’s no good reason to go to Fez. Ever. Don’t stop making friends. Your Freshers’ friends might be some of the best you ever have, or you might never speak to them again after the turmoil of your first bop. Either way, don’t let them be your only friends- talk to other groups in college, talk to people on your course, talk to that one randomer you met at Freshers’ Fair and friended on Facebook in a giddy moment of optimism. Cambridge is completely full of interesting people and First Year is the perfect time to make the most of this. It’s totally acceptable to go to Van of Life at any time, including when sober. (Yes, I really love Van of Life. No, this article is not being sponsored by them.) Don’t worry! Ultimately, this is the most important piece of advice I can give. Hopefully, you’ll settle in straight away and never have any doubts about your uni life, but unfortunately for many people this won’t be the case. But first year is designed for people who’ve never been to university before: this is the time to find your feet. You will conquer that insurmountable pile of work; that one supervisor who has it in for you is just trying to help you
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FLIKR
achieve your best. Plenty of people need to take some time to feel properly at home at university, and some don’t even feel completely comfortable until second year or later. But there will be a solution to your problem out there, and there are literally hundreds of people out there who are keen to help you find it, even if it’s through having a chat.
From Anubis to Armageddon: Lockhouse Escape Room thrills Sophie Dickinson Editor in Chief
F
irst time puzzlers?’ asks Michael Brown as we cautiously enter Lockhouse Games, a new escape room near Downing on Regent Street. Inspired by the ever-popular European escape rooms, two Cambridge-based entrepreneurs opened the rooms in spring, and are obviously full of energy about their business. The two are certainly characters, even without the scientist/ explorer/ spy outfits that are donned throughout our time at Lockhouse. Micheal is enthusiastic, especially (as a Pembroke alumnus
himself) for students to get involved. ‘It’s open 9am-11pm’ he says at multiple junctures, and stresses that the (literal) escapism the business provides from degrees has already proven popular. The building houses three escape rooms with varying different levels of difficulty. The attention to detail was clearly paramount – from the smallest room fitting in the Secret Agent room, to the genuinely impressive space-race vibe of Armageddon mission. We were chaperoned (without irony, but with jaunty ‘Englishman-abroad hats’) to the Egyptian tomb room, where the task
was to move through five rooms solving puzzles in order to escape Anubis (who was chatting away to us via a tannoy/ some spiritual power). Again, the design of the rooms was genuinely impressive, with sand-beaten walls and innovative, on-theme passages making the rooms worthy of a visit in themselves. Whilst the plastic snakes weren’t exactly embraced by my fellow puzzler, and despite some cynicism at the threats of an Egyptianthemed death, the 59 minutes and 47 seconds spent in the escape room were genuinely a lot of fun. For fans keen to spend more time at
Readers get 20% off at Lockhouse Games if you take this article with you!
Lockhouse, the foyer at the front of the shop doubles up as a board game cafe, complete with indie strategy games, an electronic palm reader, and VR headsets. Michael gushed about termtime games nights, and a Halloween week with immersive experiences involving specialist horror actors. Whether you’re a ‘first time puzzler’ or an experienced European escaper, a visit to Lockhouse is a much needed alternative group night out in Cambridge. They are currently offering 20% for TCS readers, so take this article along, and pick your room!
The Thursday Magazine
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03 October 2017 • The Thursday Magazine • The Cambridge Student
Welcome to the first issue of The Thursday Magazine this term. For Fresher TCS readers, The Thursday Magazine is the culture section of the newspaper, covering Lifestyle, Food & Drink, Fashion, Film & TV, Sex & Relationships, Books and Music. In this issue, we have the wonderful images of Sam Beddel, the winner of our summer photography competition: find them on the front cover, and page 4. In a rush? flick through our Gig Guide on page 9 to get the best music news, quickly. If you’re a Fresher keen to get involved in theatre, Carina Harford’s Guide to Thespianism on page - is perfect for you. Interested in modelling? The second edition of The Thursday Magazine will include a photoshoot- so models of any size, experience and gender are encouraged to get in touch. The shoot should only take a couple of hours, and models will get to wear exclusive clothing previews from Cambridge brands. Our new creative writing section launches with this issue, too. Our editors want your short stories, notes and poetry, to feature on the back page of the magazine and online.
Website: tcs.cam.ac.uk Twitter: @TCSNewspaper Instagram: @TCSNewspaper Facebook: The Cambridge Student Email: culture@tcs.cam.ac.uk Find us at: 17 Mill Lane Cambridge CB2 1RX
03 October 2017 • The Thursday Magazine • The Cambridge Student
So you want to be a Cambridge thesp?
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Carina Harford Theatre Editor
H
ello to the theatrically-minded! Welcome to the slightly muddled world of Cambridge student theatre, where everyone is ‘doing like a political commentary comedy show but with a twist, you know?’ and the ADC can’t stop bankrolling Shakespeare. There is so much to get involved with, and so many different roles to apply for. Here’s a bit of a breakdown of what these roles involve. Directing: Freshers’ plays need directors and assistant directors. The shows will have already been chosen by the ADC team, so all you need to do is find the one you like best and apply. You’ll be helped by someone with more experience than you, and given all the guidance you need to make the show amazing. After first term, you’re in with everyone else, applying to do your own shows, so be interesting please. I’ve had enough of watching The Importance of Being Earnest. Alternatively, you could strike out on your own – you’ve got to start somewhere. Acting: Camdram is your friend, so is the Cambridge Theatre Facebook page. Hunt about and find the kind of roles you’re looking for, and then audition. The audition process is nearly always straightforward and nice, so try not to worry about it too much – you’ll be great, and on the off-chance you’re not, the rejection emails are always very sweet. Go be the thesp you’ve always dreamed of being. Lighting/Sound: Apply for Freshers’ Plays or just hunt about on Camdram - lots of shows explicitly state that you do not need previous experience. Lighting and sound are so important, and a good technician is highly sought after. Set: There are three main different set roles: the set designer (draws up pretty plans and occasionally paints something), the technical director (makes it all happen, builds things), the set builder (you won’t always have one of these, but they do just that: build stuff). Again, apply for a Freshers’ play, or just hunt on Camdram. Usually no
experience is required and you can learn as you go – it’s not as hard as they all pretend it is. Costume: Costume design is great. Clothes. Everywhere. Doing costume is a relatively lowcommitment theatre role and can be a lovely creative outlet when the academic hamster wheel is spinning too fast. The ADC has a large costume store which is available to ADC shows, and on top of that you’ll have a budget for buying or making costumes. Again, look at Freshers’ shows or Camdram, and remember that you’ll be highly sought after! (Especially if you’re, like, good at it). Stage managing: A really fun role that allows you to be involved with both the cast and crew. You’ll be backstage every night, in charge of props, help with scene changes and keep an eye on all the general goings on. You also get to make the announcements over the speaker system telling the audience to get to their seats and such – a dream come true, no? Publicity: Publicity is so important. An empty theatre is embarrassing and depressing for all involved. That pitiful dilemma can be avoided by a person with creative flair and social media badgering skills – if you think that’s for you, then go for it. Producing: Producing, to me, seems like scratching at your eyeballs with a cheese grater, but other people seem to like it. Producing involves running all the administration of a show, from initial meetings to final production. It requires a lot of commitment, but, I’ve heard, it can be deeply rewarding. Reviewing: We love people who review. Reviewing theatre is a great way to a) see shows for free and b) become wildly popular as people begin to bribe you for good ones. If you can string a sentence together and be scathing in an amusing way, then reviewing is for you. Stewarding: Stewarding is the other way to see theatre for free. Sign up in the ADC for stewarding slots, pop on the hideous t-shirt, scan tickets (they’ll show you how
to do this, it’s not particularly challenging), then see whatever you want for free. A pretty sweet deal. Useful information: ADC introduction events (all held in ADC Theatre Bar unless otherwise specified): • Freshers’ Friday: Friday 6 October, 4pm-7pm (ADC Theatre) • Female/Non-Binary Techie Drinks: Saturday 7 October, 8pm • BAME Freshers’ Drinks: Tuesday 10 October, 8pm • Footlights Drinks: Wednesday 11 October, 4pm-7pm • Get Involved Drinks: Thursday 12 October, 8pm • Musical Theatre Social: Friday 13 October, 8pm • Applications Drinks - How to pitch your show: Wednesday 18 October, 8pm You can find out more information on the ADC website: https://www.adctheatre.com/get-involved/freshers/ and also at https://www.camdram.net KIM FYSON
Album Roundup: The three biggest releases from last week James Mackay Music Editor Protomartyr – Relatives in Descent Protomartyr’s latest is a dense, crushing album which churns with anxiety and dread. As unlistenable and pretentious as I’ve just made it sound, it’s also an often catchy listen, with plenty of great melodies to be found in amongst the noisy, concrete slab riffs. ‘Corpses in Regalia’ features a spritely bassline which betrays its gothic title, while ‘Caitriona’ is a brief gem that recalls Guided by Voices. Meanwhile, frontman Joe Casey’s literary writing shines on songs like ‘A Private Understanding’ and ‘Here is the Thing’, his lyrics propelled by the relentless compositions which accompany them. Granted, it’s not an especially progressive album for the genre – but it does what it does so well that it’s easy to forgive the lack of experimentation. Relatives in Descent is one of the best post-punk albums of the year, the perfect soundtrack to your less-than-cheerful Cambridge days. Kamasi Washington – Harmony of Difference You sometimes see Kamasi Washington get stick online for being overly fashionable, a creator of Pitchforkapproved jazz for people who don’t actually know anything about jazz. For some, he’s a musician who’s gained disproportionate recognition for his collaborations with mainstream stars like Kendrick Lamar, thus stealing the
limelight from more deserving artists. While it’s certainly true that there’s a serious lack of detailed jazz coverage in the independent music press, that’s a fault that lies with myopic blogs rather than with Kamasi Washington himself. He’s an important artist, though having mounted that defence, Harmony of Difference probably isn’t the record that will convert his detractors; it’s a useful entrypoint rather than a definitive work. Thirteen minute closer ‘Truth’ is lovely, but it’s the standout piece amongst a loose collection of songs which sometimes feel underdeveloped. ‘Humility’ sounds worryingly like a game-show theme tune, though I think it dabbles in kitsch knowingly, in a way that’s reminiscent of Brainfeeder label mate Thundercat’s Drunk. I find the album enjoyable all the way through, but it’s an inessential release for an artist not shy of making grand statements. Wolf Alice – Visions of a Life I’ve always been a Wolf Alice apologist, without ever having been a committed fan. They’re a cut above the swathes of bands in Britain’s vast indie landfill, but they’re not yet anything really special. Wolf Alice are a band doomed to be overrated by the majority of the British music press, whose pining for a time when guitar bands ruled the charts sees them consistently overhype any
group that flirts with competence. Indeed, in spite of the perfect scores it’s received from the NME, from DIY, and from Drowned in Sound, Visions of a Life isn’t a masterpiece, and it’s probably not the album that’s going to bring them the mainstream success they could well be capable of. Very little of this new material has enough pop appeal to get rinsed at indie discos, and the record lacks the depth to make up for its lack of obvious hits. Ellie Rowsell’s lyrics are still decidedly hit and miss, sounding like bad sixth form poetry as often as they sound engaging. It’s largely a decent release though, a step on the road to maturation for an obviously ambitious band – one who are increasingly winning the right to be taken seriously. Best of the rest – Albums worth trying that our sleep-deprived Music Editor didn’t have time to write about: Ibeyi – Ash [art-pop/soul], Four Tet – New Energy [electronic], Benjamin Clementine – I Tell a Fly [singersongwriter/art-pop], Injury Reserve – Drive It Like It’s Stolen [hip-hop], Iglooghost - Neo Wax Bloom [electronic].
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03 October 2017 • The Thursday Magazine • The Cambridge Student
S
am Bedell is the winner of the TCS Summer Photography Competition. We asked for readers’ best snaps which they took over the summer vacation to be sent in to us. Sam has won a £50 voucher which can be redeemed at the Pint
Shop, and his winning entry, Bench milky way, is on the front cover of the Thursday Magazine. The photo above is another of Sam’s entries entitled Sunset, Godrevy. The two other photographs on the adjacent page were taken by the runners-up: Aaron Kilercioglu and Eilidh Thompson. Thank you to all those who entered the competition.
03 October 2017 • The Thursday Magazine • The Cambridge Student
Runner-Up: Aaron Kilercioglu – The Heat
Runner-Up: Eilidh Thompson – Early evening on Loch Tay, Scotland.
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03 October 2017 • The Thursday Magazine • The Cambridge Student
Six Gyp-Friendly Dinner Recipes
Finley Kidd Food and Drink Editor
I
t’s important to try and make sure
you’re eating well and often at university, even (and especially) when things get busy or stressful. Food is vital for nourishing our bodies and our souls, but feeding yourself properly can be challenging, especially if you’ve never done it before. To help with this, we’ve created a recipe finder that features
five main meals adapted for various moods, budgets, and kitchen facilities. All of these recipes are to feed one person, but include tips on how to use leftover ingredients. Most are also vegetarian (but still fulfilling and delicious), and can be adapted to a wide range of diets. So… Take our quiz now to get that food baby rolling!
The Cambridge Student • The Thursday Magazine • 03 October 2017
Parsley, Lemon, and Avocado Pasta (10 minutes) Ingredients: pasta, 1 avocado, some parsley, olive oil, 1 lemon, half a clove of garlic, salt and pepper
Brown Rice Stir Fry (20 minutes) Ingredients: 1 portion of brown rice, 1 chicken breast or quorn chicken pieces, 1/3 of a red pepper, a handful of mange tout, 1 small carrot, ginger, tamari, chilli flakes, 1 egg
Sweet Potato, Kale and Lentil curry (45 minutes) Ingredients: half an onion, 1 tsp of ginger, 1 large carrot, 1 sweet potato, 1 clove of garlic, salt and pepper, 1 1/2 tsp curry powder, 600 ml of vegetable stock, half a cup (100g) of green lentils, two cups (120g) of kale
Leek and Potato soup (45 minutes)
Ingredients: a knob of butter, 1 clove of garlic, 2 leeks, 2 average sized or 1 very large baking potato, 1 vegetable stock cube, salt and pepper
Feta and Broccoli Fritters (20 minutes) Ingredients: 60g of tenderstem or purple sprouting broccoli, 25g of spinach, 1 tablespoon feta, 1 tablespoon parmesan, zest of 1 lemon, salt and pepper, 2 eggs, olive oil
Roasted Chickpea Salad with Potatoes (35 minutes) Ingredients: 1 can of chickpeas , 1 baking potato, salad leaves of your choice, a bit of red pepper, a bit of cucumber , olive oil , salt , cumin, paprika
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1. Put the pasta on to boil for whatever amount of time it specifies on the packet. 2. In the meantime, heat up a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a small pan on a low heat and fry the garlic until it starts to go brown. 3. Take the pan of oil off the heat, zest your lemon, finely chop your parsley, and add them both to the pan. 4. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add the oil mixture. Chop up the avocado into small chunks and stir in. Then, squeeze about half a lemon’s worth of juice into the pasta and season with salt and pepper to taste. If the pasta seems dry, add more olive oil.
1. If boiling, put the rice on to cook. If using the microwavable variety, you can do this just before adding it later on. 2. Mince the ginger, and chop the pepper and mange tout into small pieces. If using chicken, also chop this into chunks. Peel the carrot. 3. In a medium-large pan, heat up some oil on a medium heat and add the chicken or quorn pieces, frying for several minutes, or until they are cooked all the way through. 4. Next, add the ginger and fry for about 30 seconds, until it starts to brown. 5.Add the pepper and mange tout, and then grate the carrot into the pan. Sprinkle some chilli flakes over them. Then, coat everything in tamari, and fry all together. 6. In the meantime, heat up some oil in a small pan, on a medium to low heat, and start frying the egg. 7. Once the mange tout and pepper is starting to soften or brown you can add the rice and more tamari so that the rice becomes darker and richer in flavour. 8. Fry all together until the egg is crispy and the white is solid. Serve on top of the stir fry in a bowl. You can use up mange tout by blanching it for 40 seconds in a pan of vigorously boiling water, and dressing it with olive oil and salt and pepper, to make a versatile side. 1. Dice the onion, mince the ginger and garlic, and chop up the carrot and potato into cubes. 2. Heat some oil in a sauce pan, and add the onion, ginger, and carrots. Season with some salt and pepper and cook for about three minutes, until the onions have gone soft. 3. Add the garlic and potato and fry in the pan for another four minutes, before adding the curry powder and frying all together for a further couple of minutes. 4. Then, add the vegetable stock and increase the heat. Once at a low boil, add the lentils and reduce the heat to simmer. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, uncovered, until the potatoes and lentils are tender. 5. While it cooks, remove the ridges from your kale and roughly chop. 6. Taste the curry and adjust seasonings accordingly – you might want to add more curry powder, or salt and pepper. 7. In the last couple of minutes of cooking, add the kale and put the lid back on the pan, so that it steams until tender. 1. Slice the leeks, dice the potatoes, and mince the garlic. 2. Heat up the butter in a saucepan on a medium heat and add the garlic, gently frying it by itself for about thirty seconds. 3. Add the leeks and continue to fry for another few minutes, or until they’ve become soft. 4. Add the potato and mix all together, before pouring in just enough water to cover the leek and potato. 5. Add your stock cube, and season generously with salt and pepper. 6. Turn up the heat and bring to the boil, then turn it right down and let the pan simmer for about half an hour, until the potato is soft all the way through. 7. Use a hand blender or food processor to blend until smooth, then serve with bread or crackers. 1. Finely chop the broccoli and shred the spinach, combining in a bowl. Then, crumble in the feta and add the parmesan, as well as the lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper. 2. Now, just crack the eggs into the bowl and whisk with a fork, combining all of the ingredients together. 3. Take a large frying pan and coat with oil on a medium heat. You want to be really generous with the oil here. 4. Once the oil is hot, spoon out the mixture into the pan and flatten it out to form three patties. 5. Fry the patties for a couple of minutes on either side, until the egg is completely cooked and they go golden. 6. Serve with rice, salad, or potatoes.
1. Turn on the oven to 200°C/Gas mark 6. 2. Chop the potato into two or three centimetre cubes (they will cook faster) and put them in a large baking tray. Coat the potatoes with oil and add salt, along with some pepper and mixed herbs or rosemary, if you have them. 3. After about 20 minutes, check the potatoes. They should be beginning to go soft, and if they are, you can drain the chickpeas and add them to the baking tray. You’ll want to drizzle some more olive oil over them and season with salt. They also taste great with cumin and paprika, so sprinkle some of that over if you have it, but don’t worry if not. 4. Whilst the potatoes and chickpeas roast, make the salad. This is a simple job of cutting up the pepper and cucumber and chucking it in a bowl with the leaves, but you can exchange different ingredients according to what you like or have in the fridge. 5. After a further ten minutes, check that the potatoes and chickpeas look crispy and have gone soft inside. Once they’re cooked, add the chickpeas to the salad, and have the potatoes as a side.
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03 October 2017 • The Thursday Magazine • The Cambridge Student
A Girl and A Gun:Women on Film Rose Aitchison Theatre Editor
I
recently spent an extremely enjoyable August at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Between rolling from the Mile down to George Square and back to Cowgate, including a thoroughly regrettable trip to Hive (for the uninitiated, Cindies with more lone, middle-aged men, and a more overpowering odour of unidentified bodily fluids), a couple of incidents really engaged the brain cells I hadn’t yet killed via late nights and £6 pints. For one, I saw Louise Orwin’s incredible A Girl and A Gun. This is a beautiful piece of theatre, which plays on Jean-Luc Godard’s assertion that these two elements are all that is needed for a film to be created. Taking place in an old anatomical lecture theatre, Orwin’s play is a thoughtful and harrowing dissection of the insidiousness of hypersexualisation of women in films such as Godard’s. Before each performance, Orwin asks an unsuspecting man to play the part of ‘Him’, reading his lines and stage directions from a screen beneath the camera which projects an alternate view of the action to the audience above the stage. The play is split into more than a dozen sections, some recreating typical tropes and scenes you might expect from such films (boy meets girl, girl dances to Nancy Sinatra song, boy teaches girl to shoot extremely phallic gun, etc.), and some taking the suggestions these films make and taking them to their natural conclusion. One of the many difficult tightropes which this production walks so well is pushing each performance’s ‘Him’ further and further, and seeing how far he will go to conform to the expectations set out before him on the screen, in the minds of the audience, and in the films he is replicating. The ‘Him’ of the performance I saw seemed shy at first, and keen to emphasise how he was up for the performance, but that he was really a Nice Guy™, who was only playing along and didn’t really believe any of it. However, as the performance went on, you could see him watching the audience less and less, and you could see
him becoming sucked into the onstage world of plastic guns, sex and masculine glory. It was at once interesting and horrifying to watch this transition, as he went from looking nervously at the audience to check if it was okay for him to dance close to Orwin, to kissing her hard almost spontaneously, to waiting for about 15 seconds of horrified silence before slapping her repeatedly and simulating forced oral sex with a plastic gun at the request of the screen.
She feels someone watching. She wonders if it is the audience I brought along a friend of mine who is passionate about theatre and film to the show, who was about as viscerally shocked as I was by some of the scenes. He seemed on the brink of apologising to me for about half an hour after leaving the theatre for what his gender had done to mine. Even being particularly filled with feminist rage as I was at the time, I wouldn’t have been able to find it in my heart to blame this man in question, a close friend of mine of several years, who I know holds deep feminist convictions which he demonstrates in his life and in his art, for what I had just seen. But it did leave me wondering about the people who watch these films, and their moral complicity in the continuing demand for films like this to be produced and shown, often at arthouse theatres, and with an accompanying array of twee merchandise and endlessly re-usable stills and GIFs to bring cultural capital to your Instagram feed and your coffee table. These films are often enjoyed by people who might consider themselves relatively aware of issues relating to gender, race, sexuality and so on, but some fringe media is still guilty of the accusations of problematics more
often levelled at more mainstream media, despite being criticised in this way less often. Maybe this is because it’s easier to write off films like Fast and Furious as having little artistic merit, which seems to mitigate the problematics of films like Bande A Parte and Pulp Fiction in the minds of those who proudly hang the nicely designed posters on their walls alongside their ‘I’m With Her’ stickers. The media that we consume does affect how media is produced, and mass divestment is a powerful tool. I should point out, however, that I’m not advocating complete ideological purity. I could hardly bring myself to read reviews of Grindhouse, let alone watch it. But I still find myself admiring Reservoir Dogs as a very well-made film, even if it only has one speaking black character, and its only female characters are wordless waitresses, terrified bank tellers and sexually objectified bystanders. In a flyer I clutched sweatily after emerging from Summerhall as I wandered around in a daze, Orwin says that: ‘This show is a challenge to Godard, every other film that star[s] girls and guns as plot devices, and the audiences that watch them. It is also an admission and manifestation of ambiguity: my own confusion, as a woman, at being simultaneously repulsed and attracted to the kind of misogyny and archetypes the show explores.’ So, then, like the third of vegetarians who eat meat when drunk on a night out, the people who watch these films and retweet Owen Jones face a kind of moral queasiness. I certainly felt a bit queasy and uneasy afterwards. But I also felt disappointed that this was the Fringe’s last performance of A Girl and A Gun. You can find out more about Orwin and her work at www.louiseorwin.com
10/10
Fringe Review: Certain Young Men Rose Aitchison Theatre Editor
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eter Gill’s Certain Young Men was undoubtedly one of the most memorable and most groundbreaking shows put on at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by a Cambridge company. Gill’s 1999 play falls somewhere between the kitchen sink and a comedy of manners, and follows the relationships of eight gay men. In order to get to the venue, I had to walk down one of the many medieval closes in Edinburgh’s Old Town, underneath blue lamps and through freezing and tragicomically-heavy rain, at the end of what was for me a very long day. But once I was inside, I felt like I was being welcomed into the collective living room of the cast and crew, sitting in an enormous armchair with a cup of tea while we waited for the previous show’s get-out. This feeling of intimacy was, for me, one of the defining features of this production. The company almost seemed to emit warmth and companionship on a cold night in an old building. Members of the cast and crew have since founded the Cambridge University Queer Players, a move that is unsurprising to anyone who was lucky enough to see this show. Gill’s script is beautifully and wittily written, and the
directorial team of Sophie Leydon, Rachel Kitts and Isaac Jordan have done a fantastic job in realising Gill’s vision. One of their most interesting directorial decisions was in my opinion their genderblind casting, particularly given the quote from the play used heavily in publicity for the show. Because of this genderblind casting, some of the couples consisted of two men actors, some of two women actors, and one of one man and one woman actor. This was a really thoughtful decision on the part of the directorial team, calling into question the very nature of what a ‘queer relationship’ is as opposed to a ‘straight relationship’.
What are two grown men doing living together, faking all the stupidities of a fake straight relationship? Does it all just depend on the individuals involved? Or does being in a queer relationship present challenges which being in a straight relationship doesn’t—like the character in Gill’s play who hides the real nature of his relationship with his ‘flatmate’ from his mother because he
hasn’t come out to her? Certain Young Men was a sensitively rendered, beautiful production, and I’m really excited to see what Cambridge University Queer Players have to offer to the ADC.
8/10
JOHANNES HJORTH
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03 October 2017 • The Thursday Magazine • The Cambridge Student
Term time favourites: Peep Show Top Cambridge gigs not to miss
Lydia Sabatini
A
re you perennially socially awkward but ready to go to hideous lengths to hide your true boring nature at all costs? Are you a reckless hedonist at heart and its merely your utter incompetence which prevents you from becoming truly cool? Or are you, in fact, not a sitcom character and therefore contain a mix of such attributes? Whichever of these options best represents you, you will find plenty familiar in the adventures, embarrassments, and many, many failures of flatmates and reluctant best friends Mark and Jeremy (David Mitchell and Robert
Webb). Freshers’ Week is an intense social crucible, and the genius of a show where you can hear the characters’ thoughts and compare it with what they say can help show you that actually, you are not alone feeling utterly awkward and out of place in the strange new social situations you are placed in. Relate, laugh, then feel better, because actually, however your term is going, you are still doing better than these two. Every episode is available on All Four too, totally free of charge.
James Mackay Music Editor WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
PEEP SHOW VIA YOUTUBE
The Corn Exchange: Dizzee Rascal (13th October), Sleaford Mods (7th November) The Cambridge Junction: The Horrors (26th October), Jeremy Underground (4th November), Spoon (9th November) The Portland Arms: (Sandy) Alex G (25th October), Weaves (13th November) Fez Club: Francis Inferno Orchestra (16th October)
What’s special about the Cambridge fashion scene? Miriam Balanescu Fashion and Beauty Editor
T
he first thing that people usually comment on when they walk into my little room in college is the sheer number of clothes that I own. Ten pairs of sparkly tights, two red velvet playsuits, a zebra-print headband and a gold pleated skirt; these are things that I would probably never wear at home. But I take them to Cambridge knowing that of all places, the chance to wear them would be there. It seems that at most universities, there are opportunities to put together outfits that you wouldn’t dare to wear back home. The range of events, from Freshers’ Week socials where people strangely decide to dress as Smurfs to jungle-themed Ents, puts stress on our wardrobes to find the most obscure of items. Fancy dress is taken very seriously, maybe because we know that this is one of the last returns to childhood that we are allowed before we head off into the world. And then there’s Arcsoc, where there is a complete sense of freedom in the way that people can use fashion. If you are not dressing with imagination and creativity at these events, you become the odd one out. But the particularly unusual thing about the Cambridge fashion scene, I think, is the fact that so often we have to wear formal clothes. All those smart dresses and suits will go unused, probably, throughout summer, getting nibbled away by moths and sitting in dust. It is probably the case
that spending on formal wear is higher at Cambridge (and Oxford) than at other universities. We spend so much money on May Ball gowns but for most of the year we leave them on a clothes hanger. There does seem to be a massive pressure to find new clothes for each event, to find something new for every photo that is taken, meaning the amount each student spends on formal wear must be pretty high. What will be the purpose of these fancy dresses after graduation? Will we keep each glamorous outfit as a memento of our past life at university, shed a few tears onto velvet, embroidery and our matriculation photos? SPINCambridge have begun rectifying this with their ‘Tinder for dresses’ app; helping students make money from selling their formal wear to each other. Nonetheless, the clothes we are expected to wear for such formal events becomes part of the Cambridge bubble; the Cambridge fashion scene is part of a life that doesn’t really exist outside of the city. Despite that, there is a certain freedom to fashion at Cambridge. Maybe because it is a relatively small place and during term time is dominated mainly by students, often anything goes and no one would look up from their desks and their books to question it. Cheesy as it sounds, Cambridge is the perfect environment for fashion experimentation, bustling with young people working out
their identity and finding new creative ways of expression. I personally have always been interested in fashion, but in the last two years this interest (and obsession with online shopping) has dangerously increased. I blame this on Cambridge, which, though my home in London has a great fashion scene, is the place where I feel most comfortable trying on eclectic new clothes. Of course there are trends in Cambridge, but it somehow feels easier to break fashion rules when away from home. QIUYING GIULIA LAI
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03 October 2017 • The Thursday Magazine • The Cambridge Student
Get writing in Cambridge
How not to battle adult acne
Ellen Birch Books Editor
Shehr Hassan
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assionate about poetry? Keen to get involved in student journalism? Want to channel your creativity? Cambridge has a huge variety of student-run publications which want to hear from you – here are just a few of them. The Cambridge Student is always eager to receive your creative submissions too, as well as your more journalistic ideas, and you can get involved by joining our writers page on Facebook or signing up for the mailing list on our websit. Happy writing! Gender Agenda is the women’s campaign zine. A zine is short for ‘magazine’ and, as a form, zines have their roots in political, punk, and riot girl cultures. We are different to other publications in Cambridge because we want to encourage taking up creative space without any pressure to be perfect. Imperfect grammar? Poems written all in capitals? A bunch of nudes you want to publish yourself? Gender Agenda is the space for it. We accept almost every article, short story, poem, collage, art piece, collection of tweets that gets sent to us, either via our Facebook page or email (genderagenda@cusu.cam.ac.uk). As a branch of the women’s campaign, we accept submissions from self-defining women and non-binary people. Our website takes submissions on a rolling basis and the physical zine gets printed once a term. This term’s theme for the printed zine is “NEW BEGINNINGS” and the deadline for submissions is Friday 10 November. Don’t let Cambridge tame your creative heart! (Written by Claire Sosienski Smith)
Staunch is a feminist zine that publishes a range of content: comment pieces, reviews, art, photography, creative writing, poetry and more. We are always looking for new contributors and would love to hear from you! To get involved check out our Facebook @staunchzine or email us at zine.staunch@gmail.com. Notes is a creative community which provides a platform for people to share writing and visual art of all forms. The Notes team produces a magazine issue every fortnight in Michaelmas and Lent, and a micro-fiction edition in exam term and we provide constructive peer feedback on every submission. Each issue has a launch event, which allows people to meet other members of the Cambridge creative community, usually with live music and drinks available – the events are for everyone, whether they have submitted work or not. We also aim to run one-off events such as workshops, and collaborate with other groups, both student and within the local community. Anyone interested in being creative in Cambridge should chat to us at the Freshers’ Fair or come along to the first launch. Blueprint is a magazine which focuses on mental health. It publishes articles, art, photography and creative writing, and is particularly interested in documenting the experiences of students who define as LGBT+, working class, ethnic minority and/or disabled. To get involved, email zineblueprint@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page to message a section editor directly.
Considering thespianism? Carina Harford Theatre Editor
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orld-famous and incredibly bewildering, the theatre scene is a pretty big part of the social and cultural life of Cambridge University. Getting involved in theatre can be a deeply rewarding distraction, and whether its set design or stand up, there’s something for everyone. If you’re champing at the bit to get stuck into all that the ADC has to offer, here are some things you should know: 1. Shows are time consuming! No matter how ‘low commitment’ they pretend to be, they will always take more time than anticipated, so prepare to be rushing about and not getting enough work done – or to be rapidly reeling off an essay backstage in full drag. 2. They are really fun! Theatre is an amazing way to meet new people, try new things, make friends, climb social ladders, and fall off them again when they reveal to be flimsy or non-existent. 3. No one is an expert – there is a feeling that some students are ‘professionals’ because they live in the ADC and have worked on every panto ever and know all the theatre managers. Sure, they have a couple years of experience on you, and they know ‘everyone’, but they are not experts. There is always a new or different way of doing things, and theirs is not necessarily right – so try not to be intimidated by all the bravado. 4. There’s loads more to theatre than just acting. There are so many roles required to make a show happen, and they are all equally as important as the acting.
Directing, lighting, sound, set, costuming, stage managing, publicity and producing are all really interesting things to get involved in, and, because fewer people tend to want ‘technical roles’ or ‘admin roles’ (or really anything that’s not acting) you have more choice as to what you work on, and will be in high demand! 5. You don’t need previous experience! You can apply to do anything, and there will be someone to show you how to do it. All you need is an interest and a willingness to learn. In my first month at Cambridge I learned how to use power tools and started hacking a set together, having never touched a hammer in my life (I will admit this was a mistake – I signed up to the wrong list – but it was nonetheless an excellent experience, and weirdly stress relieving in first term. What can I say, turns out I like giant saws.) 6. There is a Facebook page for everything. Join and enjoy the relentless posts. 7. Freshers’ plays – do them. They’re great, a team of older students is assigned to each one to help you, and it’s a really good thing to do in first term to keep you busy and productive and all that. This term, it looks like your options are Peter Barnes’ The Ruling Class (‘edgy’ class commentary with comedic German psychoanalysts), Nina Raine’s Rabbit (modern women and such), and Shelagh Stephenson’s The Memory of Water (women and death and family tension). I can’t say I know anything about any of them, but you should check it out.
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cne doesn’t feel like a small problem. What starts off as a few spots in your teens swells up into something much bigger, and suddenly you find yourself doing double takes in the mirror before leaving the house, or cutting bangs to hide your face. Acne is stressful and disheartening: many of us have been there. As a teenager with acne, I began a ritual of layering foundation and cancelling plans. I constantly put energy into treating my acne, but failed. My failed efforts only made me more self-conscious. Tiny pimples ironically took up a massive amount of brain-space. I would spend no less than three hours every day in front of the mirror, picking at scars and covering up under concealer. It was exhausting. Then my mother suggested I use coconut oil rather than the make-up wipes I was buying from shops. Because of its anti-bacterial properties, coconut oil is better at cleansing the skin, whilst shop brands had been leaving make-up behind. It was my first successful attempt at treating my acne and quickly became a permanent part of my routine. She recommended turmeric, garlic and Fuller’s clay as natural alternatives for masks that often contain harsh chemicals. I have her to thank for the improvement of my skin.
Tiny pimples ironically took up a massive amount of brainspace My skin was healing, but my self-esteem still needed a lot of work. So, I made a pact with myself to only look in the mirror if I absolutely had to. No more poring over the slight changes on my face, no more hours struggling against blemishes. Going out was no longer a chore. Soon, I began to appreciate other things about myself. With less time spent obsessing over acne, I could spend more time appreciating actually going out. Supportive friends also helped to soothe my acne-related anxiety, providing an underrated remedy: reassurance. I don’t consider dealing with acne as a battle. ‘Battle’ implies the impossibility of a truce. I used to think of my skin as detached from me, an alien that I was being forced to live with. But really, your skin is yours and it won’t go away. Realizing this, and growing to become happy with my skin, was as just as helpful to me in overcoming my acne problem as any skin tip or herbal remedy.
BEATRICE OBE
03 October 2017 • The Thursday Magazine • The Cambridge Student
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Places to work: Cambridge coffee shops Katherine Whitfield
U
nderstandably, Cambridge has many a space specifically engineered for work: college libraries, subject libraries, the phallic monstrosity that is the UL. Take your pick. However, it’s easy to develop a Stockholmsyndrome style relationship under their grasp. On the one hand, they are comforting and aesthetically pleasing (selfselecting books that work well with your carefully curated room interior will only get you so far throughout the year); on the other, they can be panic inducing and even the soothing tunes of your chosen playlist can’t drown out the persistent hum of impending essay deadline doom that lingers in the air. If you need to spice up the scene alongside the helping hands of caffeine or the warming comfort of tea, these are some good options: Café Nero Sadly unoriginal but the coffee does the job, the Cloud Wi-Fi is free, unlimited and more reliable than eduroam and Nero dominates at least three retail spots in Cambridge so you don’t have to feel guilty about setting up camp. Get yourself a loyalty card so every 9th coffee is free, or abuse the Fresher’s offer on UNIDAYS: make multiple email accounts and you can drink coffee for weeks without paying a penny. Once you run out of msn-era inspired email addresses and you’re cheeky, broke or both, you can skulk upstairs
in the Nero next to TKMaxx, nestle into the reclusive armchairs or corner table spots hidden from view and work for hours without purchasing a drink at all. Can currently confirm that whilst writing this there are at least 5 people including myself doing exactly that. There is also a Nero on King’s Parade that is often heaving but has nice relatively quiet workspaces in the back, and near the Grafton centre if you fancy a jaunt. Hot Numbers With two Hot Numbers in Cambridge, you’ve got a nice selection. Closer to the centre, the first is a perfect quick break for HoA students (just opposite the faculty buildings) and it’s nice combined with a visit to the Fitzwilliam museum- the Moore sculpture in the grounds outside is only there till the end of 2017 so make a trip before it leaves! Measured by ounces, their speciality coffee is ethically sourced, roasted on site and always looks pretty: the 8oz option is perfect for milky but strong. This is more tailored to a relaxed reading session than hardcore squatting: Wi-Fi is limited to 30 minutes before you need to start paying up and polite notices nudge you to the shared work bench (however lovely it is) rather than hogging the independent tables. The courtyard is lovely in the sunshine and sheltered from the Siberian winds. Alternatively, take time to cycle in to the beautiful more
relaxed residential areas of Cambridge and visit Hot Numbers numero 2 just off Gwydir Street, Mill Road. The same great coffee, a selection of seating - more comfortable seating at that - and a great selection of live music, charity events and art exhibitions in the evenings. Check their website for timetables: http://hotnumberscoffee.co.uk/ Indigo Affordable, comforting and mugs as big as your head, Indigo is bang on central and sits just off King’s Parade yet somehow avoids the city-centre mania. They have a big selection of great homemade food on offer – the daily soup options are always lovely- and it’s good value. There isn’t much seating, but the spots available are comfy and private. Another great option for some reading outside the confines of a library, though no Wi-Fi: download e-books and articles before you arrive and you could quite easily settle in for a good few hours hidden away upstairs in the window seat. Also, a note before you arrive: they don’t accept cards! However, if your hard cash is lacking and you have either a trustworthy or severely stressed face they may let you wander off in to the ether on the premise that you will once again return (obviously not advisable but it says something about the vibe). Lovely.
Peter Capaldi Peace and plunder of reading Shameera Lin Film & TV Editor
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omewhere deep in the recesses of my imagination, the Twelfth Doctor will end his run on Doctor Who with the phrase ‘fuckity bye’. This is, of course, due to Peter Capaldi’s portrayal of the brilliantly acerbic Malcolm Tucker on The Thick of It. A biting, apt satire of the chaotic mess that is the British political scene (Malcolm Tucker is partly based on former Blair administration spin doctor, Alastair Campbell), there is no comedy quite as depressing yet obscenely hilarious as this. Filmed using a shaky handheld camera to magnify the pseudo-documentary cinematography, some of the directorial decisions made by Veep creator Armando Iannucci are nothing short of ingenious. And if you are anything like me, the unadulterated frustration and anger will feel cathartic when Week 5 of Michaelmas rears its ugly head. After all, who doesn’t want to emulate Glenn Cullen’s ‘I am a man’ moment after writing three essays? Favourite quote: ‘You’re a fucking omnishambles, that’s what you are. You’re like that coffee machine, you know: from bean to cup, you fuck up.’ TOPS TURNER VIA YOUTUBE
in Cambridge Hannah Dyball
I
t’s no secret that life at Cambridge involves a substantial amount of reading. At some point during our degrees, almost all of us will have to do battle with at least one gargantuan tome in our eternal quest for enlightenment and (please, God) employment. This combative approach to academic reading in no way detracts from the love we feel for our subject and it would be a grave injustice to assert that reading for our degree is not enjoyable, at least most of the time. However, the enjoyment that we feel when we complete a piece of reading for study is a very different kind from that which can be derived from its more leisurely counterpart. There’s a certain degree of ruthlessness intrinsic to reading academically. As my DoS stated at the beginning of my first year, one does not simply read these books: you must raid them. In this spirit, academic reading has become the Dark Souls of literature; you must carefully consider your approach, make your decisions wisely and be prepared to suffer numerous setbacks before you emerge, at last, victorious. It reminds us that these books are not to be read, but to be beaten. Amid the frantic buzz of a city perpetually drenched in term-time tribulations, the vacation period and its vast mass of unallocated time can appear to be the
only period available for us to delve into the world of reading for pleasure. Nevertheless, it is worth finding time to experience the softer side of Cambridge and reading within its limits as reading for the purposes of entertainment also allows for some respite from our usual course of breaking spines and spilling ink. Even if it is simply a case of setting aside a tiny pocket of reading time every day or two, dedicating an entire evening once a week to literature, or even taking a break between the texts you have to read for your degree to relax, it is worth finding a way to squeeze in a little cathartic perusal during term-time. The occasional change of pace that reading for pleasure offers will open your mind to new ideas and possibilities and it will also preserve the odd satisfaction gleaned from striking fear into the heart of your reading list.
WALLY GOBETZ
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03 October 2017 • The Thursday Magazine • The Cambridge Student
Retrospection Eugenia Jacenty begins The Thursday Magazine’s creative writing section with her poem Last night, I dreamt they gave me your possessions A dark brown sweater-shirt And black notebook Fragments of a life so yet unlived But loved like no other. I live for both of us. In all I do I am Embedding Your voice, your hair, your touch You are becoming me and I You (Though I do not deserve this honour) I know you would tell me otherwise And it is this knowledge that keeps me; Holds me in the darkness of the sickness of death And tells me I am able. You are my everything, And so I will live for you. -Dressing in your sweater-shirt, I wrench shards of inadequate rhymes Into notebooks only I can now open, And trace your handwriting, So childishly permanent, Across the swathes of history that bridge between us.
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The Cambridge Student • 03 October 2017
Features
studying at Cambridge HOSEA LAU
Unexpectedly proud to call Cambridge home Sophie Quinn
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here is a certain shame in being truly in love with your very middle class, slightly elitist university city. I often find myself defending it to my friends from home (“we have the most thriving brunch scene”, “I don’t even know anyone from Eton”). Try as it might, Cambridge is not edgy like Manchester, or vibrant like London, and it took me a little while to start saying words like ‘bop’ and ‘plodge’ without a hint of irony. Yet, somehow, it has earned a label of home in my heart. Having moved around a lot growing up and hosting an Airbnb in our house has meant my concept of home is fairly fleeting and fragile, always packing up and moving houses and rooms and cities, but Cambridge fulfilled that distinct notion effortlessly. While I have cumulatively spent just over half a year physically there, comfort and familiarity settled into my bones more easily than any place before. This feeling was completely unanticipated and certainly seems incongruous when I consider that, in reality, it has been the greatest period of change I have ever experienced in such a short amount of time. Not to mention that I spent a relatively high proportion of my time stressed, anxious or straight up terrified. But perhaps it is because of these formative, new and intense experiences that my bond with this place and the people in it formed so naturally.
It is not necessarily, as one might think, because of the hallowed halls and looming buildings that my sense of wonder remains. It is not the coffee shops or cobble stones themselves that fuel my longing for the city. But it is their image that brings a strong sense of not-quite-nostalgia, reminding me of times spent working, cooking, dancing, crying and essentially growing up in the midst of people who are now the most familiar to me. To the credit of the college system, this is largely facilitated by the communal accommodation of first years and a particular boarding school vibe that most other university halls miss out on. Being minutes or even seconds away from one’s closest friends and eating, sleeping and working together day after day is bound to foster a sense of togetherness that is undoubtedly conducive to settling in quickly. But I have no doubt that for some, it takes much longer to find the right people and routines to feel comfortable and find solace in the inevitable difficult times. I feel fortunate that my fears of isolation were short-lived. This, undeniably, is because of the people I found here. This particular feeling of affinity and support, living in a world that does not stretch further than the River Cam, is one I miss each and every time I leave. The ‘bubble’ is a clichéd truth in my experience, but even when it is time for me to roam beyond it, I will always carry that feeling with me.
Having ‘first year fears’ even in the second year Caithlin Ng Features Editor
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was sitting along a canal in Amsterdam a few weeks ago when a message slid into my DMs – sitting at the top of my Hermes inbox was an email from my Director of Studies, detailing the workload of the coming term. From feeling that all was at peace with the world – a feeling inevitably evoked by the piping hot churros in my hand and the unhurried, comfortable thriving of the city around me – I was suddenly overwhelmed by flashbacks of first-year anxiety. Three months away from Cambridge had dimmed most memories of academic and social stress alike, of frantic essaywriting until six am, and of rushing to supervisions trying to recall what I had even written during said six am essay sessions. Surviving first year had felt like an achievement to me, enough to warrant shelving away thoughts of the upcoming academic year in my mind so as to enjoy lazy summer days instead.
This is a familiar return and an exciting new start
But now, with phrases like “start of term DoS meetings” and “important information about Michaelmas teaching arrangements” lurking in my inbox, I was suffused again with the same feelings of unpreparedness and inadequacy. Watching new first years roam my college, as curious and unfamiliar as I had been myself a year ago, made me acutely aware of how uncertain I myself still feel. It seemed incomprehensible that there could already be new students even as I felt that first year could not be over yet. Being a second year feels like I should be armed with greater knowledge and confidence this time around, but the nearer the start of term looms, the more I remember there is still a long way to go. The paths through our colleges and the walks to our lecture sites may have become familiar to us, but Cambridge life is still, in many ways, as shiny and unknown as it was when we started out as apprehensive freshers. How many new people will we meet this
year, and what more will we come to learn in the next few terms? What challenges will the year bring to us, and how changed will we emerge at the end of it? The term “returning student” might not have the same novel connotations as “fresher”, but the start of second year can be as much of a new beginning as the start of first was. A summer of leisurely wading through the reading list will probably make the forthcoming academic pace a bit of a shock, but there is so much more here too that will keep us going through all of it. As I mournfully consoled myself with my churros, memories of poring over old texts and consecutive essay crises began to be replaced by those of incredible friends and warm comfort. The latter moments had characterised my first year at Cambridge just as much as the workload and course had themselves. Freshers are often given advice on the importance of starting university at their own pace, of looking after themselves
even as they navigate a new landscape and find a place within it. This advice does not become any less true or valuable for the rest of us returning to university. This is both a familiar return and an exciting new start, so embrace the apprehension, uncertainty, exhilaration and anticipation all at once. A friend recently said that although they had resolved to become more organised and hardworking this year, they were also sure they would fail to keep to these resolutions – perhaps there really is nothing wrong with this after all. And even as I write this in my halfunpacked room back in college, the sun is setting over the lawns and trees outside my window, and the sky is steeped in shades of blue and pink (made all the more romantic by Spotify’s “Your Favourite Coffeehouse” playlist) – if this doesn’t feel like a promising beginning, then I don’t know what does.
The Cambridge Student • 03 October 2017
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Science
Astronomers successfully trace shape of the ripples in space from black hole collision Noella Chye Deputy Editor
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stronomers have successfully detected the shape of the ripples in space from the collision of two black holes 1.8 billion years ago. They began by detecting a change in the signals picked up by Ligo, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, which signalled a ripple in spacetime. The collision is expected to have taken place between two black holes with masses about 31 and 25 times the mass of the sun, the collision of which produced a newly spinning black hole with about 53 times the mass of the Sun. The result comes as a product of a feat of international collaboration, using findings from the Ligo and Virgo gravitational wave detectors, located in the United States and Pisa, Italy respectively. It was only through using detectors in different locations that a three-dimensional picture of the ripples could be pieced together. “It’s like if I give you just one slice of apple, you can’t guess what the fruit looks like,” said Prof Andreas Freise, a Ligo project scientist at the University of Birmingham, to the Guardian. “This is just the beginning of observations with the network enabled by Virgo and Ligo
working together,” Ligo spokesman David Shoemaker of MIT told the Guardian. “With the next observing run planned for [autumn] 2018 we can expect such detections weekly or even more often.” UK science minister Jo Johnson said: “The latest detection of gravitational waves is an excellent example of international collaboration, which was only made possible due to the breakthrough work undertaken by UK scientists and engineers,” the Guardian reports.
It was only through using detectors in different locations that a threedimensional picture of the ripples could be pieced together The discovery comes just in time for the announcement of the winner of this year’s Nobel Prize for Physics, which will be revealed later this week.
Three American researchers win the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on circadian rhythms Noella Chye Deputy Editor
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he 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to three American researchers, Jeffrey Hall from the University of Maine, Michael Rosbash from Brandeis University, and Michael Young from Rockefeller University for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm earlier today. Life functions according to the rhythms of the Earth’s rotation — we are awake for the sixteen hours of light every day, for example, and asleep for just about eight (or so we hope) when it is darker, because of the complex processes of circadian rhythms and sleep homeostasis which our bodies have evolved to parallel the daily light-dark cycle of our external environment. For years now, we have known that there exists in our bodies and those of other living organisms an internal clock which carries out three steps in order: first, detecting changes in our external environment, then organising and timing our bodily processes accordingly, and afterwards using mechanisms such as timed hormone releases to regulate them. Yet there remained unanswered the question of how plants, animals and humans detect, then adapt, their biological rhythm so that it is synchronized with the
Life functions according to the rhythms of the Earth’s rotation... Yet there remained unanswered the question of how we adapt our biological rhythm such that it is synchronised as such we how biological
Earth’s revolutions. Hall, Rosbash and Young discovered exactly that. Using fruit flies as a model organism, this year’s Nobel laureates isolated a gene that controls the normal daily biological rhythm. They showed that this gene encodes a protein, named PER, that accumulates in the cell during the night, and is then degraded during the day. Subsequently, they identified additional protein components of this machinery, exposing the mechanism governing the self-sustaining clockwork inside the cell. They went on to show that a sort of feedback loop was responsible for varying the levels of PER over a 24-hour cycle. The mechanism at play involves a second body-clock gene, which produces a protein called TIM. Young discovered that when TIM proteins come across PER proteins in cells, the two stick together, move into the nucleus, and shut the PER gene down. The quest to understand how our bodies keep time began in 1971, when American neuroscientist Seymour Benzer and his student Ronald Konopka noticed that a batch of mutant fruit flies appeared to have faulty internal clocks, which they then traced back to a gene mutation. Sir Paul Nurse, director of the Francis Crick Institute, who shared the Nobel prize in 2001 for research on the cell cycle, spoke to the Guardian about why the work deserved the prize.
They isolated a gene that controls the normal daily biological rhythm by encoding a protein that accumulates in the cell during the night, and is degraded during the day
‘It’s important for the basic understanding of life. Every living organism on this planet responds to the sun. All plant and also animal behaviour is determined by the light-dark cycle. We on this planet are slaves to the sun. The circadian clock is embedded in our mechanisms of working, our metabolism, it’s embedded everywhere, it’s a real core feature for understanding life. ‘There’s a second reason. We are increasingly becoming aware that there are implications for human disease. With the modern technological age we get more and more divorced from the circadian rhythm, as we are able to travel across time zones and disturb our circadian rhythm. We can now live in light-dark regimes that are nothing to do with the circadian rhythm. This is leading to conditions like jet lag which are disturbing and may in turn also lead to other consequences that we don’t fully understand about the human condition. One Nobel committee member described the discovery as one of ‘a fundamental mechanism underlying very important aspects of physiology: how our cells can keep time.’ The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is the first of six prizes awarded by the committee annually. Winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry and Literature will be announced tomorrow on October 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.
13
The Cambridge Student • 03 October 2017
Features
The Long Read Changing perspective: “We grow up in landscapes”
A tried and tested guide to the LGBT+ dating scene
Lewis Thomas
Jack Thompson
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e grow up in landscapes. The world is quiet at 9 a.m., the two hills hidden from view by the forest which surrounds the car-park. I’m standing between the Lomond Hills, bang in the centre of Fife and, after a fashion, the centre of the view I always associate with home. There is a school of thought which states that home is wherever you make it: that through the construction of our own spaces and relationships, we can make home a movable feast, proceeding through life like a great psychological caravan of gifts and memories. I don’t disagree with that view - I have been studying away from home since I was sixteen, and have formed attachments to the places I stayed during the course of that. When I am in England, I grin involuntarily whenever I see the chalk ridges of the Downs appear through a train window, and I have a fierce affection for the Surrey Hills (there’s a badger sett near Godalming I’ve been keeping an eye on since I was sixteen - last time I checked, its occupants were still digging away). This attachment extends to Cambridge over my first year, I saw the town at all hours and in all weathers, whether it was leafletting at 5am on a June Morning, crossing Orgasm Bridge on my way to a February 9 a.m., or climbing a rooftop to watch the Trinity Fireworks during the first deep snatches of a
May Week night. These are all landscapes I’ve become attached to, and think of as having special significance. Sometimes, these places become superlative - as far as I’m concerned, the best sunset I have ever seen was on a June evening in 2015, as I descended the Downs on a walk from Rodmell to Godalming. It broke over the walkers, with shades of blue, yellow and red smashing and blurring between the wooded plain to the North and the blue strip of the channel to the South, with the chalk ridgeway stretching ever Westwards. But, for all the merits of these places, none of them can inspire (for me at least) the affection and sense of belonging that Fife does. The Lomonds are a case of spectacular geological processes descending into farce. Picture this: millions of years ago, Scotland was an uninhabitable hellhole, with great volcanoes spewing ash into the atmosphere. Eventually, two volcanic vents hardened, leading to two volcanic plugs emergingthese now form the East and West Lomonds. At some point during the Ice Ages, a glacier moved over these plugs, grinding down the sandstone ridge that connected them and further defining the hills. As a result, Fife is dominated by a pair of hills that, if you squint a bit and want a cheap laugh, look a bit like a pair of breasts (hence their nickname - “the paps of Fife”). Geologically, they
Over my first year, I saw the town at all hours and in all weathers
LEWIS THOMAS
are outliers in the county, the rest of which is made up by rolling hills in the north and a coastal plain in the south, sloping down towards the Forth (another remnant of that glacier’s run to the south). As humans emerged, we occupied the summits, building Hill Forts on both and farming the surrounding land - this area was the final frontier of the Roman Empire, with the tribes beyond Fife disappearing into the Highland mist (if you believe Gibbon, so that they could chase deer naked, genitals boldly flying loose in the Northern chill). Their geography and history, however, is nothing compared to their spiritual significance - to me, they are the view that tells me I have arrived home; the London to Aberdeen line passes by their base, and it’s possible to make them out from the train as it pulls into Edinburgh. For three years, I have come home at intervals dictated by
term dates, and whether it is watching from a car window or a train, the sight of those hills will always remind me that the home I grew up in, with its familiar smells, people and sights, is less than an hour away. From the summits, I can see the country of my youth stretching before me; there is Edinburgh to the south, with its memories of day trips to the Castle and solitary wanders around the city; to the north, I can make out Dundee, the squashed and rain-soaked city I know from childhood; and to the east, nestled behind a hill and on the last ridge before the sea, there is my home village. And even then, looking to a horizon I know I cannot see beyond, I will find more places, more sites of triumph and experience. From the top of those hills, I sometimes feel as if I can see my life in map form. People change buildings rise and fall, society adapts and morphs. But geology?
I can make out Dundee, the city I know from my childhood
That takes far too long to change for it to be witnessed by us. In time, other volcanoes may erupt and change the hills - the ridge may be ground down some more, the land between it and the Tay may be reclaimed by marsh. But for the moment, they remain a symbol of home. A sign that I have arrived back in the land I grew up in and that no matter what happens, there will always be some inviolate spots. People change. Fortunes change. But in spite of all this, the birds will still circle over the Lomonds, and the sunsets will still break over the Downs. We grow up in landscapes - they shelter us, define us, and give us a background. And in return, we live in their grip. And it has just started to pour with rain. I said my Fife’s a beautiful county - I never said the weather was nice.
I sometimes feel as if I can see my life in map form
C
ompared to my suburban town on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, Cambridge often resembles a glorious sanctuary for LGBT+ people. Playing host to countless events dedicated to queer students and allies alike, the University makes it immensely easy to find other LGBT+ students and immensely difficult to avoid awkwardly bumping into five of your Tinder matches on the way to lectures. Though I am no guru, there is some personal wisdom I can share to make Michaelmas term as fun, queer and relaxed as possible: Firstly, Tinder. The app is great – though maybe lacking in some areas of inclusivity – for meeting other LGBT+ people. Though matching with someone in your college, especially in one that is small, is a recipe for an awkward disaster, such bold measures have produced success stories. Nevertheless, no matter how big it seems when you arrive, Cambridge will ensure that you constantly bump into those you have been trying to avoid. Especially in a small, congested aisle in Sainsbury’s. Secondly, running for LGBT+ Officer. This is a fabulous way to get involved with the Student Union at a less daunting level and to meet other college reps. Organising events within College is, by far, a more relaxed way of meeting queer students across the University. Alternatively, if student politics isn’t your thing, CUSU LGBT+ has put together a brilliant term card for Michaelmas, resplendent with inclusive events for drinkers and non-drinkers. Finally, the two club nights. New this year is the Tuesday LGBT+ night at Revolution, which will take place on the same day as Glitterbomb at Life (Kuda). With its really cool top-floor terrace, Revolution will most likely allow a lot more conversation than Life. The club nights will be great, safe spaces for LGBT+ people to come together, but by no means are they the only and best way to have queer fun.
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The Cambridge Student • 03 October 2017
Interviews
Xelia Mendes-Jones on balancing Cambridge with catwalks Gabby Koumis
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ey Xelia, so how did you get in to modelling? I was scouted at Strawberries and Creem at the end of my first year. I then met with the agency a few weeks later, followed by some test shoots over the summer, before signing in late August. It was definitely unexpected though. I had a chance meeting with Rankin and he suggested I gave it a try. My mum got over-excited afterwards and had me going round every agency in London one summer, only for me to be instantly rejected by every place. Your mum sounds super sweet. The fashion industry is known for being ridiculously brutal. How are you navigating that now you’re in it? Fashion week is certainly one of the hardest times – you find yourself in a stairwell in
Bermondsey with thirty girls who are all taller, prettier, and skinnier than you and you wonder whether your agency has made a mistake sending you along to the casting! It can be a tough week: sometimes there would be up to fifteen castings a day, scattered across London, which might all reject you. In general, though, the experience for me hasn’t been negative. I’m lucky that my agency is concerned with the model’s experience. As long as you set yourself up for the expectation that you will be treated as a coat-hanger/slab of meat/ whatever cliché model “synonym” you want to pick, it is fine. I guess that is also what coming to Cambridge for the first time feels like, except academically. That means you’re involved in two very intense environments. I was wondering what wizardry you use to balance them both? I actually found my secondary school a far more toxic
environment for that than Cambridge. I only work for MiLK part time though which gives me leeway to reject castings when I need to, and be away from London when I need to be too. I have neglected my degree really, which has certainly frustrated supervisors. I’m also really used to the hectic balancing of extra curricula from years of playing for Spurs and doing athletics to quite a high national level while doing GCSEs and A-Levels. Seems like you’re well cut out for the juggling act of Cambridge. It’s your final year right? Planning to change rhythm? Yeah, this year will be tough. I never really enjoyed academic study and certainly not focusing on it. I applied to Cambridge for the theatre as I want to act when I leave, so that inevitably dominates my spare time. And then any modelling I can squeeze in will be an added bonus. I know that
crunch time for Cambridge work doesn’t really come until Lent holidays, and with my degree the workload actually significantly decreases in third year. It’s so true, that Lent holiday is crucial. You don’t want to go in to modelling full time after graduating then? It’s an option, and not one I’m throwing aside – it’s all dependent on where final year acting takes me. My agency are aware that my preference is acting, and they push me forward for jobs which might get me vital contacts for that. We spoke a little bit earlier about the problems and pressures of the fashion industry. It is also hardly known for its inclusivity. Do you personally find that an issue and would you consider using yourself and your body as a platform? At the moment the frustration for me is that mixed race models are virtually unheard of. I am half
Indian and I met very few models of any mix let alone Indian descent in over forty castings this year. However, I personally don’t feel like making a song and dance over it. It’s a far bigger problem in other industries like theatre. I feel more like my “look” isn’t in fashion right now, and hope that by next fashion week it will be! My Instagram stalk tells me you walked at LFW for Emilio De La Morena & ASAI. What was the funniest moment? They were both very fun and different experiences. Emilio’s dress was fabulous but the funniest experience was probably my fake nails for ASAI – I had a full ten on my fingers, but three on my toes that peeped out of my thigh-high Perspex heels. The MUA was as stressed as I was that every time I stepped they would pop off. Luckily that only happened. You can read the full interview at www.tcs.cam.ac.uk JAMES WALDEN
‘Offbeat campaigns make a big difference’ - Oxfam Cambridge Will Bennett Interviews Editor
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limate change affects everyone” Miriam asserts as we begin to talk. She establishes quickly that Oxfam Cambridge doesn’t just campaign to prevent world-wide devastation – the image conjured in most minds by this kind of adage. It directs a lot of its resources to the more pressing concern, that climate change threatens the lives of the “poorest in society” every day. That we could render the Earth uninhabitable is a well-rehearsed line. We are prone to forget the people whose lives are ruined before that point by increasingly freakish weather. It strikes me early on in our conversation that lots of us see global warming as a descent into one big cataclysm. Miriam reinforces that it is a daily threat to millions of livelihoods.
Climate change is a daily threat to millions
Around Cambridge, Oxcam is carving itself a niche with ‘fun campaigns’. Activism can be boorish for spectators, but Oxcam have turned it into a performance. Miriam tells me about an event last term; she had eight members don the garb of city bankers, and engage their Wall Street swagger. She describes a parade mimicking the eight richest people in the world, who own the same wealth as the poorest half of the world’s population. They peep at the masses from their alcazars for just a moment, perhaps for as long as their moral capital allows them. Miriam has made sure that this type of offbeat campaigning is what defines Oxcam. “Sitting down with a blank piece of paper, doing some doodling and seeing what they come up with” is her team’s favoured method. She dissects immense issues with eloquence as we discuss Trump’s growing global entourage of climate
change deniers. She remarks that there is indeed an “increasing minority of loud voices speaking against climate change’” but they haven’t yet convinced the silent majority. “We [students] are in a particularly privileged position” to help steady the consensus, she adds. Oxcam’s message that anyone and everyone can get involved to real effect comes through regularly in our conversation. On the topic of participation Miriam diligently delivers the old aphorism: “small changes can make a really big difference”. Climate change was Oxcam’s focus last term, and this Michaelmas it will be refugees. The thoughtful nature of the group’s objection to the poverty of refugees is self-evident. The plight of all those fleeing their homes is critical to Oxcam, and not just the hordes from concentrated areas who make the headlines. After the delicately rhymed
We students are in a particularly priveleged position
‘Stunt on a Punt’ seized Cambridge students’ attention last term, Oxfam Cambridge is putting on a refugee themed play, Rights of Passage, this Michaelmas. The society’s fondness for word play is clearly only rivalled by their commitment to fighting inequality. The performance will be shown at Corpus Playroom between the 17th and 21st of October. It details the odyssey of three refugees; a Ugandan woman, an Iranian man, and a Malay man. As described by the event organisers, “they are all asylum seekers, they are all LGBT+, and their stories are all true.” Oxfam Cambridge will be at the Freshers’ Fair at Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre on both Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 October, and more information about the student society can be found by emailing oxfamcam@outlook.com.
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03 October 2017 • The Cambridge Student
Comment
Why we must not forget the plight of refugees Holly Platt-Higgins
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ith a summer full of increasingly terrifying current affairs stories, (Trump, missiles, floods), it appears both concern and conversation about refugees has faded far into the background. We know refugees are people forced to leave their country due to war or natural disaster and that they seek asylum, protection granted by the state. However, we know very little about this process and the difficulties people face when seeking asylum. With a year of cuts and changes to immigration rules, Home Office Caseworkers and Legal Aid Caseworkers, along with many others in the public sector, feel the strain of being without adequate resources or staffing; but, it’s those seeking asylum that suffer the most. Many refugees wait years to be granted asylum and having risked their lives are left in detention centres only to be put on a return flight. The recent government statistics, for the year ending June 2017, revealed that, of the 38,517 asylum applications received by the UK in 2016, only 9,933 were accepted. This becomes a desperately shocking statistic when we consider that, of Austria’s 39,860 applications, 30, 370 were successful.
Over 5 million have fled Syria. Recently, the number fleeing South Sudan reached 1 million. Even more recently, abuse claims against G4S staff from Brook House, an immigration centre near Gatwick Airport, reached the headlines. Unlike most European countries, there is no limit to the amount of time a person can be detained in the UK. As MP Stuart McDonald commented, some of the most vulnerable people imaginable are “simply being detained for the convenience of the Home Office, without committing any crime.” It’s interesting that political dramas like The State, documentaries like The Refugee Diaries and the recent photography exhibition, MIGRATE, which captured journeys of refugees, have gained such popularity. Why is it that we’re willing to engage with refugees as a concept rather than an aspect of our reality? I entirely believe in the power and importance of creative mediums: these are some of the most influential avenues through which we can communicate ideas and discuss significant issues. However, shouldn’t we be concerned by our eagerness to consume the drama? There seems to be an uncomfortably large gap between our interest in refugees’ lives,
their stories and their struggles, and our willingness to grant asylum, share our homes and live alongside them.
Of the 38,517 asylum applications received by the UK in 2016, 9,933 were accepted
CHARLYGUTTMAN
University done a Juliette Bretan
Language is not a banner for patriots to walk under Will Bennett
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hile abroad a few months ago, I was chivvied by a local artist to buy his paintings. Following some small talk, I asked him what language he spoke with his family. ‘English’, he answered, slightly peeved that this was not something he could sell to me. He then asked me what language I spoke at home, in the knowledge that I come from the UK. He realised that the name of the globe’s second most popular language is not really any longer a nod to the people who happened to press it upon other nations, many years ago. Different iterations of English are indeed central to lots of cultures and not just our own. George Bernard Shaw once joked that language is what separates the UK and the USA. His jest rings true in that English is not simply ‘our language’ in all the corners of the world it is spoken. Of course, my friend spoke English very differently to me, and some of my snottier countrymen might lament that few Anglophones speak the Queen’s English. Recently, this movement to protect England from the various alleged ills which ‘pollute’ both our culture and language has reached a crescendo. However, to preserve language
and culture by arresting its development is to stagnate it. This clumsy passion for posterity (see Brexit) is embarrassing. A letter (February 11th 2017) was sent to The Economist concerning their treatment of the words ‘data’ and ‘agenda’ as plurals (as they are in Latin), although ‘datum’ and ‘agendum’ are long out of common usage. We now have a diminutive data form, a ‘bit’, the smallest data value on a computer. The linguistic progression to bit was a natural one; it better suited the way we think about data. It sounds gawkish when pedants explain otherwise. We would be sadly mistaken to think English is the UK’s language to control, or that conserving its purity is a worthy cause. After all, middle-class speakers who might think they speak ‘proper English’ are known to be dreadful adherents to the dialect’s grammatical constraints. We would serve ourselves better to acknowledge the fast-evolving nature of language, which allows it to sparkle with eloquence. For example, literature written in Black English Vernacular can express a precision that Standard American English cannot. BEV distinguishes ‘he be working’ and ‘he working’ suggesting an extended and single moment of work respectively.
This clumsy passion for posterity is embarrasing
I
t always worries me, this time of year, that freshers might actually be perusing the wealth of material churning out of newspapers and social media on ‘The University Experience’ and believe what is written as a manual on how to negotiate the workings of the institution. Such content is devised by those who may or may not have even attended university; and yet it is taken to be concrete guidelines for your first few weeks: ‘Ten things freshers must never do!’; ‘Make sure you do these five things as soon as you arrive at Uni’; ‘How to move away from home successfully’. The trouble is that such pieces fail to run a disclaimer that the target of success so vehemently supported in all reality depends on individual experience. These articles are not reflective of everyone’s feelings, the atmosphere and experiences inside the universities across the UK can be as different as chalk and cheese – but the expectation that there is a step-by-step way ‘He is working’ does not make this to survive moving to university remains, delicate distinction. Language and all its giving an impression that everyone else idiosyncrasies must be allowed to thrive in seems to know what to do. Believe the all the directions it is taken. words of such reports, and you’re made to feel like the only one left floundering in EXPLORINGYOURMIND incompetence. ‘Does everyone really know what to expect already?’Perhaps, if older siblings have already made the move – but it is, of course, different for everybody. ‘Do you suddenly have an epiphany of University expertise in second year?’ Definitely not. We’re all still learning – maybe those of us with a year or two of experience under our belt know our way around the college buildings a little easier, and can find our way to lectures (or decide not to go to them without feeling guilty) – but we’re not oracles. Second and third years still struggle from time to time too. ‘University is a major life event, and reports explicating just how you must experience it do no favours: we will all have an individual perspective on the occurrence, and this will never be in black and white. The prospect of going to university, for me, was one filled with dread from a young age; and, as soon as I was plunged into my GCSEs, and realised my inevitable plunge into the unknown gloom of Moving Away
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The Cambridge Student • 03 October 2017
SIENNA COLLEGE
Comment
Natural disasters cause colossal damage: It’s time to change our behaviour Ben Tatman
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at your own pace From Home was rapidly approaching, I became terrified. I bought every saucepan recommended, was equipped with the best bike £20 could buy, and had décor galore decorating my room, and yet I still flirted with intermission in the first few weeks; spent more time sobbing in my room than socialising, and convinced myself things would never get any better. They did, in the end, but I still flashback to that terrible period from time to time and find myself again consumed by a helplessness I thought was permanent. I’m telling you this because, later, I found many others had felt the same; but the lack of communication between us meant we all lost out on a support network that would have helped us move forward. That’s not to say we didn’t – we progressed beyond the barrier of fear and actually started enjoying our time away from home, but it would have been so much easier had we spoken to each other. I think we all thought our university experiences were so far away from the assumed norm that we could not bear to reveal how divergent we were feeling. It mortified us that we were not having ‘the best time of one’s life’ that had been promised, and were instead suffocating in agony; I just wanted to feel the ecstasy of moving away that everyone else seemed to be experiencing. But, in retrospect, I can see so clearly that they weren’t; that things may have been better for others but they still weren’t ideal, meaning that we all were having vastly varied reactions to the event. In all that time, I just wanted someone to say to me: “there is not right or wrong way to experience university; just do things at your own pace” – but they didn’t, and I was left feeling like I lacked some major maturity skill. But I didn’t lack anything except such advice as this. Learn things your own way, for goodness’ sake – take your time, make sure you’re comfortable, and don’t rush to say goodbye to your old life. Give yourself time to settle in, too, and be aware that, if things really aren’t working out, there are other options. After all, moving to University is hard enough without others telling you how you must experience it.
he recent flooding wrought by Hurricane Harvey and monsoons in South Asia are some of the largest humanitarian disasters occurring at the moment. However, much of the news coverage regarding these disasters has been almost entirely focused on dealing with the symptoms as opposed to treating the underlying disease. Both the monsoon floods and the hurricane are some of the largest of their types – and the severity of these have only been increasing year on year. Similarly, 16 of the 17 hottest years on record have occurred since the year 2001. As temperatures rise, and they will continue to do so, the humidity in the air increases, increasing the impact of these disasters. Climate change is the disease, and yet the majority of world governments seem ill prepared and generally incompetent to deal with this major issue. Over the pond in the US, for example,
The promise to ban petrol cars is both too little and too late
the decrease in funding for both the NOAA and EPA has restricted the ability of these organisations to attempt to begin to deal with the issues they are facing. Dumping the Paris Agreement has likewise negatively impacted the ability to respond to these changes, meanwhile the President, a notable climate change denier is hardly even paying lip service to one of the largest issues facing the world today. Back at home we aren’t much better. I’m sure most will remember how disliked Michael Gove was as Education Secretary, and yet he has been made the new Secretary of State for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs. The recent promise to ban on petrol and diesel cars in 2040 is both too little, and far too late. The dissolution of the Department of Energy and Climate Change demonstrates the lack of respect the current government has regarding this issue. Simultaneously, the government is pressing ahead with fracking in spite of both local council’s rejecting it, and protests. It appears that our government
has chosen to completely ignore the will of the people and the earth for money. This is further shown in how both refugees and migrants are being portrayed as scapegoats for terrorism and the increasing strain on our public health services, while the government is continuing to send arms to Saudi Arabia and selling off parts of the NHS. Theresa May is sitting on a report about funding of extremists which is believed to implicate the Saudis, while also selling arms to these other governments in an attempt apparently to make up for the loss of trade we are likely to face with Brexit; it appears that in the Brexiteers’ attempt to isolate ourselves we’ve instead ended up in bed with a government embroiled in a war in which war crimes are a daily occurrence. Yet again, we are being reactive as opposed to proactive. At some point we have to ask how far this has to go, how many people have to die in terror attacks and in climate change assisted natural disasters before we, both decide that enough is enough and it is time to act. BANKSY, CREDIT: OOGIBOIG
Why artists should make political statements Guillermo Íñiguez
A
lot of Hollywood is living in a bubble. They’re pretty out of touch with the common person.” Following actors’ open support for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg attacked celebrities, who should “keep their political opinion to themselves”. A year earlier, Martin Freeman, who had campaigned for the Labour Party in the 2015 election, declared actors could be “too pompous” and “overestimate their importance”, and that his life “would be over” if he posted his political views on social media. This came after his fellow Sherlock co-star, Benedict Cumberbatch, finished a Hamlet performance by delivering a crushing speech on David Cameron’s government. For decades, artists have used awards ceremonies, aired on live television and widely commented on social media, to criticise governments and stand up to politicians’ actions. Yet this has not been without its controversies. Should artists,
whose works are in many cases inherently political, be able to make political statements at awards ceremonies? Is it their role to shape other people’s political views, or should they stick to more orthodox thank-you speeches? Martin Freeman’s point is obvious: being famous does not mean one is well-informed or has anything interesting to say - as Barbara Ellen writes in The Observer, being good at something or having performed a political role does not automatically give actors gravitas: many of their ideas can be uninteresting or even wrong. The notion, however, that, as an “elite” they cannot have a say in public affairs is as wrong as it is dangerous: not only do they have the fundamental right to voice their opinions, but the platform and social influence to make a difference. It could even be seen as a responsibility of people enjoying such living standards to speak up against injustices, as has been done in the past few years. Actresses such as Violeta Davis, Patricia Arquette or Emma Watson have held speeches which
Being famous does not mean one is wellinformed
have been crucial to raise public awareness on gender violence, wage inequality, and discrimination towards women of colour, issues traditionally regarded as taboos. Transparent creator Jill Soloway accepted her Emmy award with the words “we have a trans civil rights problem.” Most recently, Macklemore used the NRL grand final in Sydney to call for equality ahead of the marriage equality vote in Australia. Even before his performance, columnists were speculating about the impact of such a statement. Artists’ politicisation of awards ceremonies is nothing more than a further example of the media’s traditional role as scrutinisers of the government, something which becomes increasingly relevant in countries in which they are viewed by their presidents as an “enemy of the people”. After all, as George Clooney told Trump earlier this year, artists attacking the powerful is harmless: it is “when the powerful use their position to bully others” and no one stands up to them that “we all lose”.
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03 October 2017 • The Cambridge Student
Comment
Regeni case continues to show Egypt’s contempt for human rights
Aisha Raja
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ecent reports that Egyptian security have raided the headquarters of The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms is a serious cause for disgrace. The Commission was acting as the legal defence team for Giulio Regeni – a Cambridge PhD student who was tortured and killed last winter in Egypt. His murder is widely suspected to have been the work of the Egyptian police as the injuries he sustained were akin to others targeted by the force. The government, however, has failed to cooperate in investigating Regini’s case further and instead actively thwarted attempts to seek the truth; the attack on the commission being the most recent. Disgraceful, yes, but hardly surprising. To put it plainly, Egypt’s record on human rights is abysmal. Though the Constitution has promised to protect freedom of speech and various Presidents have purported to support the rights of Egyptian citizens, the reality could not be more starkly different. The 2011 Egyptian revolution ended with the country lifting the 31-year long state of emergency. Triggered by issues such as lack of freedom of speech, police brutality, and economics, the revolution, at least on the surface, appeared to have been somewhat successful – President Mubarak was ousted, and democratic elections were instituted. But despite this progressive shift for Egypt, little has been achieved in ensuring human rights by successive governments since. Key characteristics and purposes
of democratic societies – significantly, freedom of speech and the right to a fair trial – have been stifled under consistently repressive regimes. In Egypt, there are two key tools of repression used by the state: the security forces and the courts. Both are used to suppress any perceived threats to the government. Currently, there is an extreme climate of suspicion around foreign visitors in Egypt. The fear is, of course, that they could return to their countries and disseminate information that puts Egypt’s government in a negative light and damages their reputation. It is ironic, then, that Egypt’s response to this potential threat is to respond in a way that could do only that. Anyone who is unfortunate enough to catch the suspicious scrutiny of the state will likely end up either being tortured and
killed, or forced through a show trial where their fate will lie in the hands of a judge who has been pre-picked by the state. The latter of the two will likely be the fate of international human rights lawyer Ibrahim Metwaly. Metwaly, who is acting as a defence lawyer for Regini’s family, has been detained by Egyptian forces and is awaiting trial. The charges against him are typical of Sisi’s regime and include claims that he was ‘managing an illegal group, spreading false news… [and] cooperating with foreign organisations’. The ensuing trial will likely be a complete travesty of justice. It is hard not to assume that the outcome for Metwaly will be bleak. But it is important to remember that while the instability of the Egyptian government more often than not
leads to clamp-downs, it sometimes leads to the opposite. More recently, the incumbent President Sisi has responded to both international and national pressure to reverse some of the repressive action his government has undertaken. Though he cannot intervene in judicial processes, he has issued pardons. In June 2017, he pardoned 502 prisoners, many of whom were political prisoners. The Detained Youth Committee is meeting this Tuesday (3rd October) to discuss another upcoming list of youths who will be released from prison to return to their studies and work. Is there hope that Metwaly might too receive a pardon? I say that there is hope. Adding pressure to the Egyptian government can sometimes produce results. Amnesty International has responded
to Metwaly’s plight, offering sample letters that you can address to the Egyptian government calling for the fair treatment and release of Metwaly. There is much to be said about Metwaly’s decision to go to Egypt. The most important thing to say is that in his pursuit of justice, he risked his life. In doing so, he reminds us all the very important truth that human rights are not automatic - they first have to be fought for, and once they have been won they require constant diligence to ensure they are upheld. Writing to the Egyptian government is necessary diligence. It can mean that every once in a while, Egypt’s contempt for human rights can be overcome.
M SOLI
When you try your best but you don’t succeed – Cambridge and activism Emrys Travis
O
ne of my closest friends matriculated while I was a JCR LGBT+ rep. John’s at the time, despite its size, had about five queer people in total (it has VASTLY improved since), and I was hoping for enough new LGBT+ freshers that the events I tried to run might involve more people than just me and my college husband sharing a bottle of wine in my room. I did my part of the JCR freshers’ talk wearing a basketball shirt that said GENDER IS OVER in big letters. The second or third time I met this friend in person, they told me that seeing me in that shirt had been the first big sign to them that Cambridge was a place where they, as a queer
non-binary trans person, might find a community of people like them. In between the genuinely emotional moments like this – the moments where you realise that, even in a small way, you really have made a difference for someone – activism is fucking hard. It can be especially hard at Cambridge, where a big portion of the stuff that needs to be changed in people’s day to day lives to make the uni accessible and welcoming to them as marginalised students has to be changed thirtyone separate times. The things that can make the biggest difference – gender neutral toilets, wheelchair access – are often those that affect fewer students, and so can often involve a long and difficult fight
for something that doesn’t end up widely celebrated, or even noticed. One of the most important things I’ve learned in three years’ worth of Cambridge activism is that the most thankless work is often the most important. I read The Politics of Everybody by Holly Lewis over the summer, in which she criticises certain kinds of activism that put the majority of their resources into ‘awareness campaigns’. My instinct was a knee-jerk defence of the various campaigns, such as Make No Assumptions, that have been my babies over my years at Cambridge; but on reflection, I saw her point. Awareness campaigns are important for opening conversations, but people talking
doesn’t necessarily equal effective action. Peeling open the boxes of badges and zines you’ve designed is a lot more fun than meeting with endless committees (sometimes hungover, at 9am, during May Week…) to push through a change that, even if achieved, leaves you with very little immediately tangible result. But both are necessary parts of an activism seeking to change both social perceptions and material conditions. How do we deal with the knowledge that sometimes things we put days of time and energy into will yield neither recognition nor results? I’ve met people who are genuinely so well-adjusted that they seem to manage on the self-sustained inner
glow of knowing they’ve made an effort towards positive change. I’m not. I’m insecure, frequently bitter, and more than a little vain, and before I can rationally collect myself and analyse what the weak points of my efforts were and how future activism can be more effective I need someone to tell me they’re proud of me, damnit. I need to hear that my work is valuable, even if it doesn’t always work out as well as I dream it could have. And I want to reassure everyone who feels the same way that that’s not an unreasonable need. Aggressions, micro and macro, will always be around to invalidate who we are and what we do. It’s ok to want - and ask - to be validated for a change.
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The Cambridge Student • 03 October 2017
Sport
Cryptic Crossword by Cameron Wallis
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Pigskin, Dolly and Take A Knee: Politics in Sport Lewis Thomas
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Across
1. Pompous, explosive, arsenic twitch. (9) Across Down 4. Explain, u delicate confusion. (9) 7. Hiding whore, main derivative of surplus. (9) 1. Pompous, explosive, arsenic twitch. (9) 1. Out of focus Shakespearean protagonist in past. (6) 10. Musical canines at war in the sky. (8) 11. Another word nymphs. (7) 4. Explain, u delicate confusion. (9) for concealing phantasy; no2. Serious commercials mix-up. (3) Down 7. Hiding whore, main derivative of surplus. (9) 3. I’ll never tell primary resident from a foreign 1. Out of focus Shakespearean protagonist in past. (6) 10. Musical canines at war in the sky. (8)mix-up. (3) country. (3) 2. Serious commercials 3. I’ll never tell primary resident from a foreign country. (3) 11. Another word for concealing phantasy; 5. At the end of a surprise attack comes help.5. (3) At the end of a surprise attack comes help. (3) 6. Volatile, sounds somewhat arousing? (7) no nymphs. (7) 6. Volatile, sounds somewhat arousing? (7) 8. Fan glows, camoußaging English origins. (5) 9. Sony, I mixed up roisterous. (5) 8. Fan glows, camouflaging English origins. (5) 9. Sony, I mixed up roisterous. (5)
Sudoku
by Thomas Prideaux Ghee
Solutions from Volume 18
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port is not inherently political. In simple terms, it’s a mechanism by which we engage in physical activity and feed our competitive instincts, deriving a degree of pleasure in the process. Sport acquires a political role through its prominence it’s the job of athletes and supporters to leverage that role. The most immediate example of this leverage is the #TakeAKnee movement rumbling through the NFL, as players and owners protest during the National Anthem by either getting down on one knee or standing with arms locked. The protests are having an effect. By dominating news coverage of the NFL, they are broadcasting the problem of racism in the US to a global audience, and ensuring that it is harder for Americans to avoid confronting the problem in their midst. Sport has been politically relevant in the past - it must now be again. On September 1968, Tom Cartwright - a bowler for the English cricket team - dropped out of aplanned tour of South Africa due to injury. In his place, the team called up a South African born Cricketer named Basil D’Olivera – “Dolly.” On the face of it, this would be a simple substitution – a player gets
injured, so another is called up at short notice. However, D’Olivera was mixed race, and had left South Africa to escape Apartheid. The South Africans kicked up a fuss, demanding that he be dropped from the tour. He stayed, and the tour was cancelled. The D’Olivera affair led to the exclusion of South Africa from International Cricket until the 1990s, with only a few “Rebel tours” going in the face of international protests. The affair demonstrates how, if sport can be used to make a political point, it can shape the narrative and make a difference - by blocking the tour, the South African regime suffered a public-relations disaster. It became more isolated on the world stage, and showed itself to be more focussed on the colour of a man’s skin than on his sporting skill. Sport can have a political effect, but should it be political? Yes. Politics dominates our lives - our governments have the power to lock us up, decide our fate, and define our society. It’s our duty as citizens to pressure those governments. If that involves bringing politics onto the pitch, then so be it. Remember Dolly, watch the NFL, and Take A Knee. KEITH ALLISON
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03 October 2017 • The Cambridge Student
Sport
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Take a knee:
The politics of protest and sport → p. 19
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/sport
CLEMENT CHAN
Great Expectations: Captains’ Season Previews Finn Ranson Sports Editor
James Coxon – Men’s Athletics Daphne Martschenko & Rachel Chloe Allison – Women’s Elwood – Women’s Rowing Cricket The men of Cambridge University Athletic Club (CUAC) showcased many brilliant performances last year despite the disappointing Varsity loss in May. Perhaps the club’s best accomplishment was by Rasmus Kisel, who was selected to represent Estonia in the European U23s. Also on the track Phillip Crout defended his England U23 5000m title, while Kaesi Opara backed up his Varsity sprint double victories with the same feat in our Universities Invi-tational Match. In the hammer Tom Parker enjoyed another dominant year, throwing his way to victory in the Harvard/Yale Match of the Transatlantic Series alongside his Varsity title and BUCS medal. With himself and a few other high profile throwers graduating in the summer, CUAC’s men’s squad will need to recruit well to fill their (rather large) shoes. The CUAC squad has benefitted from a fantastic training programme to make many individual improvements over the season. Drop by our stall at the Freshers’ Fair to learn more about the club, and find out how to earn selection for the Freshers’ Varsity match on Sunday 5th November.
Coming off the back of our most successful Boat Race campaign in 20 years, CUWBC has had a great start to the season. We have a large squad coming from a variety of backgrounds, including returning Blues, college athletes that have come up from our development programme, junior rowers, and internationals. Preseason is always a busy and exciting time for the squad, working towards the British Senior Championships in October and then further to our first race on the Tideway in London at Fours Head in November. These events are a good learning opportunity and some brilliant racing experience for the squad. But our overarching focus is always on our lightweight Boat Race in Henley on March 18th, and the 4 miles and 374 yards that we will line up to race Oxford on the 24th March 2018. Talk to your college boat captains too if you want to meet new people and get fit at the same time – no experience neccessary!
CUWCC is looking forward to building on last season’s success. A highlight of the 2017 season was a very convincing, 9-wicket victory over Oxford in the T20 Varsity match. We are also hoping to avenge defeat in the 50over Varsity, which we are lucky enough to play on the Nursery Ground at Lords, the home of English cricket. We have lost only a couple of last year’s first XI and we already have a good number of new players expected to challenge for places. We have different sessions that cater for players of all levels, from complete beginners to seasoned pros, and anyone interested in joining the club should either get in contact with me or come along to our first open session of the term on Friday the 7th of October, 5-7pm at the Fenners Indoor Cricket School (entrance via Tennis Court Road). I can be contacted at ca415@cam.ac.uk. Your sport not featured? More Captains’ previews can be found on the website.