Issue 82 - March 20

MESSAGE FROM YOUR EDITOR IN CHIEF

MESSAGE FROM YOUR CREATIVE DIRECTORS

Hello and welcome!

Hi everyone!

With last month, we wrapped up the year of our Creative Directors Neil & Helena, to whom I can only say a thank you again for the fantastic visual work throughout, and best of luck for all your next steps! Although still using Neil and Helena’s legacy in the form of this year’s redesign, this issue has already been led by the newly recruited Lisa & Louise, so I am very excited to welcome you to your first copy and hope you enjoy seeing it all around Dundee.

We are excited, albeit a little nervous, to become the new Creative Directors for The Magdalen. Having been reading and designing for the magazine since we began studying in Dundee, it feels overwhelming (in the best way!) to be part of the team, and we have certainly been welcomed with open arms. We’ve had lots of help along the way from Neil and Helena and are sad to see them go. We wish them all the luck in their future endeavours and can’t wait to see where they go from here.

What you can look forward to in this edition beyond the design aspect, though? We hoped to deliver a balanced coverage of IWD / Women’s History Month, emphasising the ‘bloom’ of movements focussed on celebrating women, whilst still looking at wider aspects that the first month of Spring brings.

Arts & Ents couldn’t have left out a discussion of the Oscars dominating Parasite, as well as supplying you with some of Dundee’s creative hotspots. Opinions question the most recent scandal in the Royal family dubbed as Megxit, while Sport debates using animals for entertainment purposes. Creative Writing yet again doesn’t disappoint with an extended Section to include a balance of poetry and prose, and On Campus interviews some of the impressive women our Uni can be proud of.

This Quine’s Work is a Feature by The Magdalen’s Deputy Editor Erin; one which I highly recommend you browse through.

It challenges the importance of accessible archives of women’s work (and the impact of the lack thereof), looking at the Glasgow Women’s Library and its role in the wider community. All the while with a personal twist, relating this Scottish legacy to Dundee in particular.

Most importantly, we hope everyone finds something to enjoy!

Barbara Mertlova

On the topic of ‘thank you’, we have to say a huge thank you the editorial team, writers, illustrators, and photography team for helping us transition into such a rewarding role. It has been greatly appreciated and we’re already excited to get started on the next issue.

This month’s theme is ‘bloom’, centering around both International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. ‘Feisty and Strong Willed’ discusses the reality of International Women’s day, along with a summary on campus’ most women empowering societies. This month’s quiz provides an interesting array of relevant questions to help educate us on the incredible history of women.

We hope you enjoy the first issue under our direction, and we will see you again next month for the last issue of the semester!

Lisa Dyer Louise James

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS EDITOR IN CHIEF Barbara Mertlová

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Alexander Ferrier

SENIOR DEPUTY EDITOR Rebecca Carey

ON CAMPUS Rebecca Johnston

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Lisa Dyer Louise James DEPUTY EDITORS Mae Kinch Erin Mckeown SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHIC DESIGNER Aylish Kelly EVENTS + PR MANAGERS Mariya Radeva Orla Barr PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGERS Domas Radzevičius Arjun Kalsi ILLUSTRATION MANAGER Nico McLaughlin

CREATIVE WRITING Lizzie Husum INTERVIEW Mariya Radeva COMMUNITY Rose Bache CURRENT AFFAIRS Abbey McGrath FASHION Greg Sutherland INTERNATIONAL Daniel Pukkila SPORT Jack Hunter LIFESTYLE Billianna Allen-Mandeville OPINIONS Rose Kendall

COPY EDITORS Craig Robertson Erin Campbell Lauren White

SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY James Dale

PRINTED BY www.magprint.co.uk

PUBLISHER Dundee University Students’ Association

WITH THANKS TO VPCC, Hannah Skye Adams

CONTENTS FEATURE

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

10

ON CAMPUS

18

CREATIVE WRITING

23

INTERVIEW

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LIFESTYLE

32

CURRENT AFFAIRS

38

COMICS

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INTERNATIONAL

44

COMMUNITY

48

DESIGNERS’ CHOICE

52

OPINIONS

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FASHION

58

SCIENCE + TECH

60

SPORT

64

QUIZ

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FEATURE

THIS QUINE’S WORK “The ability to tell your own story, in words or images, is already a victory, already a revolt.”

How does ensuring that women’s historical, political and cultural achievements are immortalised benefit the greater community, allowing individuals to ‘bloom’? Here’s looking to Glasgow Women’s Library, loudly and unapologetically championing the everywoman’s contributions; both past and present.

Had you ever heard of Mary Ann Baxter before commencing your studies at Dundee University?

Be honest? I hadn’t thought so. You may not be alone in this, however, as many students across campus who don’t attend the School of Humanities may still be in the dark as to this woman’s pivotal role in the formation of the University of Dundee.

The wealthy benefactress is infamously known for hosting Mary Shelley on the shores of the Tay, whilst Shelley was recovering from chronic illness as a young sprog; however, Baxter’s historical contributions to Dundee’s culture does not cease at the accommodation of the mother of science fiction. Oh no. Inheriting her family’s jute manufacturing company granted her a plummy salary by historical standards; thus, when the notion became viable to start up an academic institution in Dundee, Baxter offered to assist in its establishment.

She pledged a bomb of £120,000 (approx. £8,000,000 as of 2017) to facilitate the academy.

Such was, however, only under the condition that

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Design by Louise James

the institution would promote the education of both sexes. Both male and female students were permitted to walk through the doors of Dundee University in an era where women were forbidden legally to matriculate, let alone graduate with a certified qualification from any institution of academia. At the ripe old age of eighty, Mary Anne Baxter’s actions created what seems now to be a tiny ripple in a sentient pool of inaction; yet, this tiny contribution attested to many other contributions, which amalgamated into a cascading tide which eventually washed women like me through the doors of lecture halls and onto graduate stages.

Both male and female students were permitted to walk through the doors of Dundee University in an era where women were forbidden legally to matriculate . . .

So why the history lesson? Because we are the lucky ones. Although you could probably lose count of the number of soft, silken scarves or bundyesque rugs I could have fashioned from my hair, torn out in frustrated anguish over Existentialist philosophy and film art theory and Modernist literature, one point still stands: I am glad to be here. I am grateful to be here. Because these doors that I have mindlessly skipped through one day and dragged myself through the next, have been barred for centuries to women like me.

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Our mothers and grandmothers and aunts and cousins all spoke the truth when they badgered us about the importance of education, for power and precedence comes from being able to articulate our thoughts and opinions and the ability to channel them into our everyday lives: from careers and relationships, to passions and hobbies. This has historically, however, only been accessible by those fortunate enough to have access to either wealth, academic opportunities or those from illustrious social echelons. Mary Anne Baxter checks all these boxes, despite her uncanny at recognising her fortunate standing. For most of our world’s recorded history, over half of the population has been omitted from the mainstream narrative, and it is heartbreakingly tragic to consider the testimonies and achievements lost and unvoiced.

Words and images have potent power, especially when conveying the lives and struggles of women; for, as Toni Morrison astutely conveyed, “freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” Through our oral and recorded histories, we can lay claim and breathe life into the tales steeped in female experience.

. . . the GWL is the only recognised museum in the UK wholly dedicated to the lives, histories and achievements of women, and all who consider themselves to fit under such a term.

This is precisely what Glasgow Women’s Library aims to achieve. An enigma within the UK and international archival institutions, the GWL is the only recognised museum in the UK wholly dedicated to the lives, histories and achievements of women, and all who consider themselves to fit under such a term. Originating as a fully formed institution in 1991, the GWL grew from a grassroots project titled ‘Women in Profile’, a broadlybased programme, incorporating all artistic and communicative mediums in order to secure female representation within Glasgow. This was in response to Glasgow being dubbed ‘European City of Culture’ in 1990, to ensure that iconic and hardworking Glaswegian women were not excluded from the limelight.

Despite the lack of funding and complete dependency on volunteers, this band of grassroots activists, academics, students and community artists cradled and raised the community

Words by Erin Mckeown

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programme into a vital testimonial to women across the UK and beyond. People from all sections of the community donated books, magazines, journals and ephemera (items of short shelf life; toys, boxes, car games etc.) and by 1994, the extent of the collection pushed the library to relocate to a larger, more accommodating space.

It has been a long and passion-fuelled journey to its permanent residence in Bridgeton, the East End of Glasgow, where our First (female) Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, proudly opened its refurbished doors to the public and christened it a ‘truly national treasure’. Many vital projects have bloomed on its journey to its present stature, such as a learning initiative targeted at black and ethnic minority women, a women’s heritage walk, and multiple tutoring and educational groups that cater to subjects such as numeracy and literacy, as well as increasingly sensitive topics such as poverty, women’s health, sexuality and surviving forms of violence.

. . . the ‘Lesbian Archive and Information Centre’ [is] the most significant collection of LGBTQ+ documentation to exist within the UK. The rarest jewel in the archival crown is the ‘Lesbian Archive and Information Centre’; the most significant collection of LGBTQ+ documentation to exist within the UK. Comprising magazines, journals, oral histories and various photographic documentation, the collection originated in London in 1984. Yet, after funding was severely cut, the collection was donated to the GWL who adopted it into their ever-growing family. GWL houses its own collection of LGBTQ+ material which has been collected throughout the lifetime of the library.

They boast a large variety of LGBTQ+ contents, which are primarily Scottish in its focus, mainly dating from the early 1990’s to the present. Coupled with their impressive lending library, ranging in topics from Fiction and Poetry (namely Scottish, feminist and lesbian), religion and spirituality,

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history, law and rights, to representations of women in media, this labour of love between hardworking women and the aid of government funding has kickstarted the project from a community based endeavour to a blossoming monument of love to the everywoman.

GWL has no qualms about taking up space in the field of national academia and thus encourages the women in their community to do the same.

Through their educational facilities, projects and hardworking staff, they aim to empower women both within their local communities and nationwide; “GWL is about empowerment. We provide a safe welcoming space where women can access information, find their voice and discover the confidence to embrace new opportunities, take control of their lives and achieve their potential.”

For GWL, education and knowledge are the key components in tackling the gendered gap that contributes to inequalities suffered by women, particularly such focussed in Scotland.

One small way in which they seek to eradicate this inaccessibility to their materials is through their ‘pay-it-forward-policy’, a small implementation for their ticketed events that can make such a difference to disadvantaged women and girls, “We understand that the price of a ticket can be a barrier to some women, and so for these events we operate a Pay it Forward policy on tickets […] these are purchased by members of the public and are then allocated for women who would not otherwise be able to attend.” This level of dedication to accessibility and the promotion of GWL’s facilities solidifies the importance of education to women, affirming that educating oneself on abrasive and immoveable fact is not enough. Exposure to material for and by other women documenting our long-lost heritage, opens our minds to the variable possibilities and opportunities that can be available to us. Only if we have the courage to reach out and reclaim our space.

Learning and development is essential to the GWL, so that the everywoman can achieve her potential and benefit her community; “We affirm

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that we are all learners. We encourage an approach to life based on continuous enquiry, reflection and free expression. We commit to taking this lifelong journey together in spirit of collaboration and equal partnership. We believe this approach is at the heart of supporting the flourishing of individuals, communities and society.” The influence of disadvantaged access to educational resources on women and their wider communities has been repeatedly suggested by human rights organisations such as UNESCO to contribute to higher levels of depression and anxiety in women due to social isolation, poor reproductive health and a lower average level of income per annum per household.

GWL aims to diversify the patriarchal academic narrative women are pestered with since early education, lifting the fog enshrouding diversely brave, infringing, loud and “nasty” women . . .

GWL strives to answer the question: what could women achieve if they had access to positive and reinforcing information about their own sex, outside of the mainstream curriculum? To physically hold her ancestor’s history in her hands, to behold the achievements ordinary women have reached by no means other than her own determination and vigour? GWL aims to diversify the patriarchal academic narrative women are pestered with since early education, lifting the fog enshrouding diversely brave, infringing, loud and “nasty” women whilst championing their achievements, both historical and personal.

For isn’t that the purpose of an archive such as GLW? Yes, we know of our Virginia Woolf’s, our Amal Clooney’s, our Maya Angelou’s, our Martha P. Johnson’s; however, what of the stories of our mothers, our grandmothers, our great grandmother’s? The wives, sisters and political participants of the Red Clydeside era, the Timex strike, the women of the 1984-85 miners’ strike?

Where are their stories in popular canon, in our curriculum? Par non-existent. GWL understands the role of the simultaneously ordinary and unique woman and persists in telling her story despite the white, heteronormative domination of masculinity within our popular culture and curriculum. The common woman deserves to be heralded, and the GWL is a testament to her contributions and achievements.

As a young woman from a working-class, Glaswegian background, education and the importance of its opportunistic mobility was pounded into my skull from a young age, even as I batted its difficulties and responsibilities away.

My grandmother was an incredibly hard-working woman who raised my mother to be headstrong and passionate. A woman who travelled continents before returning home to raise a family with the love of her life; as did my father’s mother who raised five doting aunts and uncles and my empowering, loving and intelligent father. Neither of my grandmothers, despite their worldly experience and emotional intelligence, had the opportunity to chase higher education. Yet they worked hard and feverishly, so their children and grandchildren could.

My grandmothers and my mother have passed their passion, dedication and open hearts onto their children, as I can guarantee multiple matriarchs across Scotland and beyond have onto their own.

Their unyielding dedication, loyalty and nerve deserves to be uplifted and embodied in a safe space which champions their fervour, contributions and-above all-their experiences. Thus, the GWL is not just simply a building, a monument, nor even a testament to the everywoman; it is a love letter.

To get in contact with the Glasgow Women’s Library and find out how you can either contribute to or benefit from their mission, please see: www.womenslibrary.org.uk/ Telephone: 0141 550 2267 Email: info@womenslibrary.org.uk

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Review:

2001: A Space Odyssey Throughout 2001: A Space Odyssey, you will experience a pairing of music and visuals that will astound you. Large portions of this movie are flabbergasting, just by the fact that they have the very audacity to exist. This is also, sometimes, a film you can fold socks to.

I say this because I just rewatched this film, a couple of days ago. And for a long portion near the middle, I decided it would be a good time to fold my laundry. (It’s two and a half hours long!)

And I got most of the way through my folding before I literally had to move aside my socks, clear my entire visual field from distractions, rotate my little bluetooth speakers towards both my ears, and recommit fully to the experience. That’s not something I’ve ever done while watching the Office (maybe during that scene when Jim and Pam kiss for the first time). I think I tend to forget what watching this film can feel like, if I allow it to affect me.

2001: A Space Odyssey is perhaps the most influential science fiction film of all time, having directly inspired filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, and George Lucas. It also inspired large swathes of reality. The film was released in 1968, preceding the moon landing. It predicted the tablet computer, radical technologies such as Skype, and even the humble office cubicle. It has served as direct inspiration for NASA scientists and astronauts; containing one of the most scientifically accurate depictions of space travel in cinema, many of its ideas have been recycled for actual space missions.

Saying that 2001 is the definitive science

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Design by Lisa Dyer

fiction movie would be an understatement. So let me overstate it, 2001 is the only science fiction movie. Let me explain what I mean; Running through all films are thesevessels for emotional release. In comedy films, tension builds during dramatic moments, and is released with the punchline. In action films, tension builds when there’s no action, and is released when we see fighting. In a horror movie, tension is releasedwhen we see something scary, often through a jumpscare. In truly moving films, these sensations are released in a physical way.

We laugh, our heart races, we jump, we cry. We divide our films by genre because it simplifies our choices in life. Which form of tension release provides you with the most pleasure?

“ . . . the film belongs to a genre, a genre wherein the release of tension is the feeling of awe. And this is pure, unadulterated science fiction.“ In 1964 Stanley Kubrick set out with a singular goal, to make “the proverbial good science

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fiction movie.” The result was a film that has befuddled audiences for generations, who aren’t sure quite where to place it. Because 2001 is not an action film set in the future, it isn’t a romance with a technological twist or a horror movie with aliens; or even really a drama with A.I. But the film belongs to a genre, a genre wherein the release of tension isthe feeling of awe. And this is pure, unadulterated science fiction.

It’s often stated that science fiction is a literature of ideas, but I think it’s a genre of awe. At its best, it invites us into a sense of wonder. It allows us to wonder about our past, present, and future. It asks how we will adapt to an ever-changing world. It wonders if we are destined to become more human, or less.

And most importantly, perhaps, it asks what it means to be human.

Kubrick could not have made the “proverbial good science fiction movie” without the proverbial good science fiction author, Arthur C. Clarke. Clarke had astonished the SF world fourteen years earlier with his book Childhood’s End, a which story concerns a benevolent race of aliens who ‘uplift’, or guide humans towards the next stage of their evolution. The very title gives away the ending, though I’m not really spoiling anything. His thesis, one

that ran through his entire body of work, was that humanity’s collective childhood would one day come to an end. We would have to adapt, willingly or otherwise. It’s a frightening idea, but I was astonished that Clarke made no value judgments on the death of our entire species. He does not invite the reader to feel either sadness or joy at the end.

He invites us to look upon it with awe.

The four years of combined work between Kubrick and Clarke ranks among the greatest collaborations in film history. 2001 is a perfect blend of Kubrick’s artistic sensibilities and Clarke’s lofty ideals about the eventual fate of mankind. It was also a perfect philosophical match as both of them enjoyed explaining as little as possible outright. Kubrick’s goal was to ‘hit the viewer at an inner level of consciousness’, achieved through the sparsity of traditional expositional dialogue.

2001 is, at its heart, a nonverbal experience, but it is in no way a silentfilm. You will be left, as I was when I first saw this as a child, with intertwined sound and image blazed into your

Words by Ari Brin

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delicate strings then match cut to a pen floating through zero gravity. A frightening white room is accompanied only by piercing silence. This is an epic film, but it takes its time. I think it is funny to call 2001 ‘slow’ because it contains possibly the only jumpcut in the history of film to span four million years.

However, I do believe that it is a film that rewards patience. A quote from Roger Ebert pretty well summarizes the film’s bravery: ‘This is the work of an artist so sublimely confident that he doesn’t include a single shot simply to keep our attention.’

“ Trumpets blare as a bone is raised into the air, as delicate strings then match cut to a pen floating through zero gravity.“

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In this film, you’ll be introduced to four main acts. And each one asks the same question, in its own way. What does it mean to be human? Does our humanity lie in our human appearance? Is it in our ability to communicate through language and use tools?

Is it in our unique capacity for violence? Or is it in our capacity for empathy and emotion? Let all these questions simmer in the background. I’ll only ask two things of you as you watch it.

Firstly, find peace with mystery, inspect this film like apes

inspecting a monolith. You may want to want to understand it, but it is intentionally placed just beyond human comprehension.

The second thing I’ll ask is to be curious about where in your body this film affects you.

Awe is an unusual, sometimes uncomfortable sensation. I feel awe most powerfully within the first four minutes of the film and in the last twenty. For me, it’s a crushing in my chest, a constriction in my throat, a pang in my stomach. Because this movie bestows a very strange service upon those who allow it; It locates the soul inside of the body.

Whenever the opportunity strikes; allow yourself to feel awe.

Failing that however, you might want to keep some unfolded socks nearby.

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Review: 1917 Sam Mendes’ technically impressive World War One epic is driven primarily by the performances of its lead actors.

It is tempting to add some kind of gimmick to this review. Perhaps write it in one complete sentence to reflect 1917’s much vaunted effect of being filmed in a single shot. That, however, would diminish many of the other important and impressive elements of 1917. The single shot effect (which most certainly is an effect) is impressive and works well in the context of the film’s narrative, but it is not the defining feature of Sam Mendes’ vision of World War One. While the single shot effect is impressive and conveys the immediacy and constant danger that came with life in the trenches, it is the focus on the characters which is what really draws the audience in. The film sees two soldiers in a race against time to alert another battalion that they are walking into a trap. The urgency of their mission is never far from the audience’s mind, especially when a brother is in the firing line.

particular has a fascinating old-young face which constantly reminds the audience of both the youth of those that fought on the front lines as well as the sudden maturity thrust upon them by the trauma and violence of the war. Ultimately it is these young men who are at the heart of this film, their bond and emotions being the driving force of the audience’s viewpoint and far outstripping any effects work, no matter how forcefully it might be presented.

Despite this pleasing sense of urgency and forward momentum, there are quiet moments amongst the action. Some of these are filled with dread; an early trip across no man’s land is a masterclass in rising tension, the silence leaving me alert to even the slightest sound, my heart in my mouth.

Another of these slower moments shows sound used in a different manner altogether. In a genuinely affecting scene of unity, a man sings to an assembled mass of soldiers in a forest, seemingly untouched by the brutalism of the war.

While these moments of peace are appreciated and add meaningful depth to the narrative, there remains a feeling that the audience is simply being taken on an elaborate rollercoaster ride as the film flings its characters from one near death set-piece to another, the moments of peace simply being the uphill climb before the next loop-deloop. Thankfully the performances of George MacKay and Dean Charles-Chaplin are more than up to the task of grounding the film, portraying easily likeable characters who the audience can quickly empathise and engage with. MacKay in

Design by Calum Stevenson / Illustration by Jack Stamp / Words by James Kirkpatrick

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REVIEW: PARASITE The latest outing from South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho, which won the Palme d’Or last year, has impressed critics across the globe.

for. And if resourcefulness wasn’t enough, the mother of the girl he’ll be teaching is apparently ‘a bit simple’.

Parasite doesn’t hold back. At once a funny, bleak, and shocking damnation of wealth inequality in a capitalist society, the seventh feature film from director Bong Joon-ho carefully emerges as one thing before taking a sharp swerve and a sudden drop into something entirely different. Co-written

by Bong and Han Jin-won (Bong’s production assistant on the 2013 dystopian sci-fi Snowpiercer), it’s a rare combination of remarkable cinema and wild, crowd-pleasing entertainment that cements the director as a real master of his craft.

Enter the Parks. Their lavish, aspirational lifestyle is a far cry from the squalor of the Kim household, and so is their sense of the world around them. The father (Lee Sun-kyun) is a high-flying innovator with a personal chauffeur, whilst the mother (Cho Yeojeong) lives an idle existence, being waited upon by the diligent housekeeper Moon-gwang (Lee Jungeun). Their restless young son Da-song, having suffered some kind of trauma, is in need of an art therapist which catches the attention of Ki-woo during a lesson. Seizing the chance, he suggests Jessica, a ‘classmate of his cousin’ who studied applied arts in Chicago – a role which Ki-jeong assumes with even more deceptive ease than her brother. The siblings are able to trick the Parks into hiring their parents for other separate jobs, likewise under false identities. Just as the Kims start to settle into their newfound comforts, however, the sound of a doorbell soon unleashes a nightmare.

The narrative is tied to two mirroring households.

The first is the Kim family, comprising father Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho), mother Chung-sook (Chang Hyaejin), son Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik), and daughter Ki-jeong (Park So-dam), all of whom live together in a cramped, bug-infested basement apartment struggling to make ends meet. One night, after presenting them with a ‘scholar’s rock’ intended to bring good luck, a more privileged friend of Ki-woo’s suggests that Ki-woo pose as a university student and take over from his job as an English tutor for the teenage daughter of a wealthy family.

Ki-woo is hesitant at first, but he’s used to crafting his way into opportunities he’s more than qualified

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The magic of Parasite lies in its intricate set-up, one that unfolds through a brilliant string of comedic montages and unsettling twists. There’s no shortage of inspired directorial and editing choices (particularly in one sequence involving a peach), all of which are amplified by the

Design by Calum Stevenson / Illustration by Jack Stamp

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meticulous production design of the contrasting family homes.

Themes of widening class division and the insidious effects of capitalism form the core of both the film’s satirical humour and its tragedy. It isn’t subtle, but Bong isn’t known for his subtlety.

Rather it is his tremendous command of the form, as well as his nuanced sense of empathy amidst a dystopian landscape,

that allows for an absorbing experience on both a technical and emotional level.

Above all, the talent of the cast can’t be overstated. It’s a truly great ensemble piece, each actor able to balance the tonal shifts the film takes with a perfect seamlessness. Cho is a standout as the gullible Mrs. Park, as is veteran Bong collaborator

Song in a wonderfully layered performance as the downtrodden but affable Ki-taek, who grapples with his family’s escalating plan. When discussing the latter Park’s naivety with his family, for instance, he can’t help but point out that, “She’s rich, but still nice.” But as the world-weary Chung-sook puts it: “Not ‘rich, but still nice. Nice because she’s rich.’” Chung-sook puts it: “Not ‘rich, but still nice. Nice because she’s rich.’”

Words by Samantha King

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DUNDEE’S CREATIVE SCENE: A ROUGH GUIDE We’ve listed some of the City’s cultural hotspots for you to discover.

We all know the university has a great range of societies - and if you’re looking to get involved in the arts they’re probably the easiest place to start. With multiple theatre societies, a writing society and places to be published (including this one, hello!), dance, aerial, music and the university’s Create Space, there’s plenty to be getting on with. But, sometimes it’s nice to get out into the wider Dundee creative scene to escape the campus bubble and engage with the city more - especially to get an idea of the possibilities out there for after uni. So, with all that said, I’m going to attempt to give you a brief and varied overview of what’s out there for you to engage with!

OPEN MICS AND CHANCES TO PERFORM

///Hotchpotch Dundee’s main literary open mic meets one Monday evening a month for a night of poetry, short stories and miscellaneous spoken word performances. The atmosphere is very welcoming and you don’t need to book a slot in advance, so if you’ve never read your work before it’s the perfect place to try!

///Scrieve Scrieve is a fairly new playwriting scratch night that also meets monthly (again, dates and location vary so check their Facebook page).

Unlike Hotchpotch if you want to go along to listen, read the scripts or submit your own script you need to get in contact before the event.

///Icebreaker comedy Dundee’s first dedicated comedy club, Icebreaker comedy runs weekly shows and other events, including a monthly open mic night. The open mic is open for anyone - even complete beginners - but

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you do have to get in contact with the Facebook page in advance if you want to perform.

///Tinsmith’s open mic The Tinsmith’s open mic happens monthly for any musicians who want to give it a go - though book a slot in advance to play! They also host regular music events in general, so keep an eye on their Facebook page if you’re interested in finding things to go listen to.

PUBLICATIONS, EXHIBITIONS AND CONCERTS

///The Queer Dot The Queer Dot is a queer art collective which despite recently starting up has already launched a zine, held an exhibition and hosts regular meetings. Artistic practice of all kinds - from poetry to painting - is welcome and as a group that’s still developing it’s a great opportunity to be part of something new.

///GENERATOR projects This is a non-profit, artist-run exhibition space with membership open to all at just £10 per year for students! As a member you can apply for Take-Over exhibitions, partake in the programming of the creative space, submit work for the annual members’ show and invigilate the exhibition programme. They run regular events and exhibitions so if you’re interested go explore the website.

///Conroy’s Basement If you’re looking for a venue that supports independent artists and promotes the local music scene, this is the place to go. The same group also run ‘Make-that-a-take’ records, a DIY punk label which puts on shows, releases records and now also runs a book club!

Design by Loréna Jurjanz / Photography by Domas Radzevicius

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FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

///Creative Dundee You might be familiar with their crowd-sourced guide of 99 things to see in Dundee, but Creative Dundee also create and promote a lot of events happening around the city throughout the year. If you want to keep on top of what’s going on in the city, signing up to their mailing list is a good idea.

///Festival of the Future This is Dundee University’s own festival of arts, science and culture which by the nature of its broad scope has a varied and diverse programme. Last year it took place in October, but stay tuned to find out when it’ll be this year!

///NEoN Digital Arts Festival This festival aims to celebrate and promote digital and technology driven art, particularly in Dundee. They offer volunteering opportunities to get involved, which are also part of the Saltire Awards if you want to get recognition for your volunteering.

///Dundee Design Festival As part of its recognition as a UNESCO City of Design Dundee now hosts a yearly design festival. Each year they take over a different venue to transform into a space exploring and celebrating the design - in May 2019 they ran in the Keiller Centre.

Hopefully, that’s given you a good idea of what’s out there - and hopefully I haven’t missed anything important! Outside of campus there’s a whole range of different creative projects happening around the city, with new ones cropping up all the time. Finding them, going along and getting out of your comfort zone a bit can only be a good thing; particularly if you want to be involved in the arts after university. But besides all that, they’re just a lot of fun whether you want to be a participant or an audience member.

Words by Mareth Burns

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ON CAMPUS

Fe i s t y a nd St S tro n g W Wii l l e d The women of Dundee’s best kept secret

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Illustration by Nico McLaughlin

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As a city, Dundee has a long tradition of empowering ‘feisty and strong willed’ women. A legacy which, when considering International Women’s day this month (March 8th), appears to be more than safe with the women on our campus.

From our DUSA Executive to the Student Representative Council (SRC) and beyond to our extracurriculars, The Magdalen caught up with the women who work relentlessly for our voices to be heard.

As progressive as it sounds, International Women’s Day (IWD) is nothing new. It was celebrated for the first time in 1911 by just over one million people. Today, the celebration transcends borders, languages, cultures and religions. It’s a commemoration of women’s (overlooked) contribution in history according to the Vice President of Student Welfare (VPSW) Lauren Macgregor and Vice President of Engagement (VPE) Izuin Binti Abu Bakar.

It’s important to acknowledge women’s achievements, as we so often don’t recognise their weight. A habit which Lauren recognises as true, even within the DUSA Exec. From time to time, we all need that reminder and IWD does just that.

Regardless of the positivity it is meant to embody, a day like this is not without its controversy. Leading to an influx of ‘celebration’ days, IWD influx of ‘celebration’ days, IWD will become the new Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, the next Brexit even. The pure message beneath its invention, lost and diluted under useless, overcommercialised tat we didn’t need or ask for.

Maybe it’ll even get its own teatowel?! As cheesy as it sounds, Izuin wants to consider every day as IWD since, if we want to celebrate something, we simply should, rather than waiting a full 365 days until it rolls around again.

So, whether IWD is wanted or needed depends on who you ask. But like it or not, it’s here to stay.

This year’s theme is #EachforEqual; a campaign that aims to acknowledge our unique and diverse personalities, backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. Yet, that’s just it - we are so different - is being a woman enough to bind us together just for the sake of one, increasingly corporate holiday? Izuin seems to think so. Despite growing up in Malaysia, she feels at home in Dundee, although she didn’t always. She has seen first hand how culture is deep-rooted into our society and how we treat women. She warns us against comparing our daily lives and experiences in a western developed economy to elsewhere.

Despite these differences, the reality is that at one time or another, all of our voices have been suppressed. It might have been blatantly due to gender, or the mistreatment may be more subtle, but somehow, it makes the need for an IWD that more incontestable.

In my conversations with Lauren and Izuin, the idea of an International Men’s Day (19th November) was flung about. Did it exist? Why wasn’t it spoken about unless in criticism of its female counterpart? It does exist and it does not get the attention that it often demands, particularly when aiming to raise awareness of men’s mental health. That being said, IWD should not and cannot be considered a threat to it. The two can coexist, quite easily.

The only reason that IWD gets the attention it does is simply due to the history of oppression that women have faced. It was only 100 years ago that women got the right to vote in the UK and even now our voices are still suppressed, on the daily, by society-endorsed ‘mansplaining’ and social media ‘slut-shaming’. We still have to fight to be heard. It simply means more.

“That’s the secret to becoming the ‘feisty and strong willed’ people we all want to be, and the kind of women that Dundee’s streets have seen plenty of” With this in mind, I spoke to some of our Campus’ most active women-empowering Student Societies about what IWD meant to them: Scottish Nationalist “It is no secret that the world of politics is incredibly male-dominated and though much progress has been made in engaging women, there is undoubtedly room for improvement. We currently have two female committee members, one of which

Words by Rebecca Carey

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DON’T SETTLE NO ONE SHOULD SETTLE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP. RECOGNISE THE SIGNS AND KNOW WHERE TO SEEK SUPPORT WHEN YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE IS IN AN EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY OR SEXUALLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

ISOLATING YOU FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS BEHAVIOUR THAT UNDERMINES, INTIMIDATES, HUMILIATES AND DEGRADES YOU PHYSICALLY OR VERBALLY ABUSIVE TOWARDS YOU MANAGING HOW YOU SPEND YOUR TIME AND MONEY ACTING OVERLY JEALOUS, AGGRESSIVE, UNPREDICTABLE OR UPSET TOWARDS YOU PRESSURES YOU TO HAVE SEX MONITORING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA, CALLS AND TEXTS MANIPULATION OF YOUR FEELINGS MAKING YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ALWAYS WRONG AND EVERYTHING IS YOUR FAULT

IF ANY OF THIS APPLIES TO YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT YOU CAN SEEK SUPPORT BY CONTACTING STUDENT SERVICES EITHER BY DROPPING INTO THE ENQUIRY CENTRE ON CAMPUS GREEN, CALLING ON 01382831900 OR EMAILING ENQUIRY@DUNDEE.AC.UK AND TITLE YOUR EMAIL “SUPPORT

Dundee University Students Association (DUSA) Registered Scottish Charity No. SCO16047

ON CAMPUS

has taken on the role of Equalities Officer - a new role we created to ensure that everyone is included and feels welcome and comfortable in our society. We are organising a Women in Politics event here at the university to try and encourage women and girls of whatever political opinion to get involved.”

Feminist Society “IWD does not simply represent a tokenistic nod to the rights that women hold within society but an opportunity to be loud, to use our muffled voices to shout for what we deserve and what we are still fighting against. On our own, we are so strong and empowered. Together, we are an undeniable force to be reckoned with.”

Period Poverty Prevention “IWD is a chance for everyone to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. However, it also highlights that there is still a need to accelerate equality for women. We need events like IWD to allow us to have meaningful conversations and inspire action on period poverty. We hope that one day, no one is prevented from reaching their full potential or held back in life due to their periods.”

Self Defence As figures for gender-based violence keep rising in Scotland, we aim at giving girls and women the tools to fight back. Female empowerment is in our DNA. IWD 2020 is about collective action for a gender-equal world. Each contribution can take our community a step forward and we are ready to do our part… #EachforEqual!

LGBTQ+ IWD reminds us how it’s long been the work of feminism to examine and discredit certain widely held societal misconceptions and generalisations. As feminists today, we need to continue their fight for equality.

Women in STEM It is an opportunity for the world to appreciate the contributions women have made in our society. It creates avenues for women to be inspired by other women despite what situations they are in and what part of the world they live in. It is one step in a list of many that will advance women to where they can be and bring the best out of them!

I understand the reluctance towards IWD, it’s like branding 2018 as the ‘Year of the Woman’. It’s hardly a victory when it took 2018 tries. As Caitlin Kavanagh - the Chairperson and voice of the SRC - points out, it almost seems ‘unfeminist’ to restrict “the celebration of women’s achievement to a single day” and is perhaps “a practice that is best left within the past.”

The trick, as the Feminist Society pointed out is not to make IWD a hollow, tokenistic excuse to dust off our historic white (or society accepted) feminists like Emmeline Pankhurst, Florence Nightingale and Hillary Clinton for a one-night only appearance. The newly elected SRC Women’s Representative Megan-Rose Birdsall sums this up perfectly: “The women who were influential in the past now have modern day counterparts, may that be a character in a book or a member in society.” In other words, we should remember these important figures but only in the context of encouraging women to use their voices now and not just for one day.

Using our voices to make a change on campus strongly resonated with all the women I spoke to. The idea of having a gender-balanced DUSA Exec and proportional SRC is just a question of a fair balance of voice. We might be striving towards a genderless (and even fairer?) world and I can’t say the thought doesn’t fill me with anticipation; an opinion shared by both of our DUSA Execs who simply wish that gender did not dictate the kinds of issues we tackle on campus.

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The introduction of Megan-Rose’s role of a Women’s Representative seems rather contradictory on the surface. A scepticism, initially, I admit I shared but as Lauren reminded me, it presents an opportunity. As in any position in the SRC, a representative is a champion of new initiatives as well as a public face on campus providing a necessary platform for discussion, Cailtin argues. A position such as this is vital for “allow[ing] women on our campus to feel empowered and ensure that there are no barriers to their education.” Removing these barriers requires someone to “inspire a change in society”, Megan-Rose believes. When asking what it was that needed to change, these answers varied from ‘Lad Culture’ to gender-based violence but each issue shared one, troubling reality that we still struggle to speak up. We compare ourselves to others and believe that they are more deserving but as Lauren reminds us, we are just as important as anyone else.

Easier said than done, I hear you scream, and I might have even agreed with you except for one thing; with a campus as active as this, with no shortage of support services, representatives and Societies, there are so many people there to listen.

“Don’t take any nonsense and don’t be scared to give your opinion,” Lauren insists with Izuin agree-

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ing firmly. That’s the secret to becoming the ‘feisty and strong willed’ people we all want to be, and the kind of women that Dundee’s streets have seen plenty of. They reflected on the women who inspire them - the family members, friends and feminist icons that they aspire to be like and their traits that they’ve tried to emulate in their own lives.

Reciting self-confidence mantras or emulating particular traits might be part of the solution, who knows? However, I don’t think it’s the secret. Each of the women are feisty, strong and willful in their own, simply because they refuse to be silenced.

They are standing up for what they believe in and they are making their voices heard. That’s the kind of stuff that legacies are made of.

Make your voice heard: Vice President of Engagement Izuin Binti Abu Bakar: vpe@dusa.co.uk Vice President of Student Welfare Lauren Macgregor: vpsw@dusa.co.uk Student Representative Council Chairperson Caitlin Kavanagh: src.chairperson@dundee.ac.uk Women’s Representative Megan-Rose Birdsall: src.women@dundee.ac.uk

CREATIVE WRITING

Love Blooms Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock The time builds upon my shoulders And weighs heavy on my heart Tension sharp enough to slice boulders As I stare at the days on the chart Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock It’s finally the day, oh, the fateful hourW When me and another are wedlock together The pressure is immense, but I must not cower For the fear is temporary; the bond is forever Bloom, Bloom, Bloom Think of the times we’ve shared Bloom, Bloom, BloomWWW Think of the hardships we’ve bared Bloom, Bloom, Bloom Think of the support we’ve provided when no one else cared Bloom, Bloom, Bloom Think of how the world became right the moment we were paired!

Love Blooms Even when stress looms And when all else is doom and gloom We’ll be each other’s boon So take my hand And march into the spring sunshine To the chime of the bell And let our hearts beat as one!

Ding, Dong, Ding, Dong What a joyous day!

Ding, Dong, Ding, Dong Come what may!

Ding, Dong, Ding, Dong We care not the price to pay!

Ding, Dong, Ding, Dong Let us enjoy this day, hooray!

Illustration by Noemi Gottmann / Words by Luke Perry

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CREATIVE WRITING

When the Sunfowers Bloom I Won’t Be There A red flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, grassstained old jeans, dirt under short nails and hands covered in soil – happiness has taken root and is blooming in my chest. Digging little holes into the ground in the first few months of spring, I sprinkle down sunflower seeds with every step I take.

It all seems impossibly perfect, how the hummingbirds are chirping their songs, their wings almost rivalling the fluttering of my heart whenever I think of summer and everything that is yet to come; how the buds on the old apple trees are just beginning to blossom with a promise of cinnamon and apple pie eaten under the branches of oaks and birches; how the crispness of the winter air is slowly being replaced by the mild sweetness of the bluest spring skies. It wraps me in assurance of new beginnings, second chances and each sunflower seed is planted with whispered promises and dreams that will one day become a field of sunflowers standing proud and tall reaching for the summer sky.

In that moment with dirt under my nails, grassstained jeans and a wide smile playing on my lips as the sun shines down on me, everything is impossibly perfect.

A quarter of the seeds don’t take because of neglect and forgetfulness in my absence, half of them are mowed down by brute strength and the remaining ones are eaten away by careless indifference and harsh words. But a few, enough to make a difference and enough to make me forget about the twinge in the base of my stomach, survive. They convince me that there is a future for the promises and dreams intertwined into the veinlets of every leaf and petal.

One day, when the sunflowers finally bloom like the happiness in my chest and the sun’s rays shine

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Design by Louise James

CREATIVE WRITING

down on them all, I might run my hands down their long stems and marvel at the realised dreams.

Dreams of fields and fields of golden flowers, dusky skies in hues of purples and oranges coated with veil thin clouds, the sweetest of nightingale songs filling the warm summer air.

Instead, sailing across the spring sky, come thunderstorms with heavy, grey clouds and melodic splattering of rain against the soil; they come with silvery words whispered into the cold ground, boots covered in mud after hours of weeding, the tending of shattered veinlets and bruised petals, shivers in rain-soaked clothes and flash floods sweeping away the ground from under my feet.

In the dead of night, under a starless sky without gentle moonlight softening the harsh edges of reality, raging thunder drowns out every mirage and daydream of sunlight and summer and chirping birds. In the cover of darkness, rain pours down, forming new paths in the earth to erase any sense of direction. Lightning dances across the sky, forcing the world awake, cracking and rumbling and breaking everything apart with every peal of thunder. Just before the rain stops pouring, the thunder falls silent, the lighting strikes for the last time and serenity finds its place in my chest, my heart beats hummingbird fast with all its little fractures.

I drive with my windows rolled down while smiling at the wildflowers growing next to the roads taking me further and further away.

I marvel at the flowers on the mountaintops and the valleys of small towns where everyone knows everyone and no one knows me.

I stop to look at the blossoming trees and bask in the warmth of the sun in parks that people have forgotten about.

I line my steps with irises, roses, and bluebells.

Somewhere out there, sunflower seeds were planted full of whispered promises and dreams, made special by everything they meant and what they would one day become. Come winter, they will all wither away just like the words whispered into them, but before that, when the sunflowers bloom and reach for the bluest of blue summer skies, I won’t be there anymore.

Deafening silence follows, wrapping the world in uncertainty and stillness, until the ground under me is solid again and the first bird sings its tune for the dawn of a new day. The sun’s soft rays break through layers and layers of clouds making the raindrops resting in the trees and flowers and fields sparkle in every colour imaginable. The crispness of the air that had been lost in the dreamy haze of a spring full of promises, sweeps over me, guiding me down a new path leading to a different future.

Words by Trude Karolin Hagen

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CREATIVE WRITING

Floraison The smell of coffee filled my nostrils as I left behind the summer rain.

I looked around the bustling café for a face that I didn’t yet know.

A dark stranger moved towards me and yet, he didn’t feel strange.

Nervous laughter. Stolen glances. Unspoken feelings. Floraison.

Coffee and conversations – as though I already knew you – were how we began.

Walks under the dim light of broken streetlamps, and snatched evenings together were how we continued.

The stranger in the coffee shop becoming something more.

Autumn came and loved ones went. Pain and loss took over, but you surrounded me with warmth; pulling me through the winter slowly filling my mind.

We were blown through castles and Scottish mountains as the last leaves fell.

We huddled under blankets in a draughty flat as the air turned colder and the days grew shorter.

Walks along the beach. Candles and clinking beer bottles.

Words scrawled across a page in black ink.

Looking up at your eyes as they skim back and forth over the pages of a new book.

Flowers push through the cold ground. Light returns to the days.

The signs of spring. Floraison.

You are no longer the stranger in the coffee shop.

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Words by Eilidh Henderson / Design by Emma Biggins / Photography by Domas Radzevicius

CREATIVE WRITING

The Red Rose

‘And yet, we must leave?’ He said as he stood on the lawn, gazing at that once great country house. Anne stood back, watching her father. She thought it unwise to say anything. Anne’s spirit had long left this place so she could not share her father’s sadness. Once a gentleman who was held in esteem by society was now as neglected as his house, that once stood as a jewel in these rolling green hills. It was time for a change. She looked upon her father’s frail figure and noticed how deep and ancient the furrows on his face were. Anne’s mind and her own personal sadness was not focused on a house she hadnever much enjoyed.

Her mind moved to an orchard. It bore the sweetest apples she had ever tasted. Once, long ago, she would play there with her brother, during the summer. They would collect the apples in large baskets to take back to the house. Her brother had left for the navy years ago now. These were Anne’s memories of the house and like the house, they were gone.

Her mind moved to the hours spent under the great oaks that could be found scattered across the great green country. She would read for hours under a particularly large one and watch for blackbirds and robins. The last time she had been to the oak tree, a late February morning, she had only seen a single black crow.

And yet, there was one strand of Anne’s heart left in this old place. Deep in the garden, that her mother had once kept so neat and beautiful, there was a flower that bloomed brightest of them all. The upright stem with its thorny sides. The wonderful plumage. It would stand there in the garden as a reminder of who had once been. The red rose.

Design by Helena Lindsay / Words by Andrew Young

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CREATIVE WRITING

THE OLD IS VANISHING

I walk up the stairs in the tower with no walls all around me, the roamers returning to finish this chapter ready to leave, in the passing breeze in which every breath is a conscious one.

I cannot help but weep, and cry for the disappearing lands— myself I gave, sacrifice for all of you, for the beauty that lies in the human nature despite its shadows.

Those who cannot interact are burning the apple trees to bring forth their vision.

I see the old vanishing, the footprints of my ancestors washed awayI should have left as I grew and turned to face the sun as my roots were ripped out and I was finally able to walk but I’m witnessing this for a reason out of my desire sacred decision, I weep, but move on.

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Design by Helena Lindsay / Words by Daniel Pukkila

INTERVIEW

Design by Lisa Dyer

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INTERVIEW

Promoting healthy living and thriving in our local communities.

On Tuesday, January 21, I attended a local tree-planting event in the community garden of Fintry, just northeast of Dundee. I had been sitting about in the library after editing my thesis for a couple of hours, so I was keen for a break. I looked outside the 2nd-floor silent zone window, and felt the warm sun on my face. Without hesitation, I set out to find a mini-adventure.

After a 15-min bus ride, I finally stepped off the bus 33, walked for about 2 minutes, and asked a local for directions to the garden.

The community garden turned out to be just around the corner, and, surprisingly, right next to a primary school.

“The Fintry Community garden is a project that started a littleover a year ago”, shares Brian Webster, Dundee Nursing School President and Fintry Community garden founder and secretary, who, alongside chair Michael Taylor, opened up the garden.

The UK-based charity Woodland Trust donated 420 tree seedlings to this local garden upon petition, which were all bundled-up and placed around the garden area, including the species Elder, Rowan, Hazel, Blackthorn, Crab Apple and Dog

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Rose, waiting to be planted.

Many locals, families, children and university students turned up on what was probably one of the most sunny days January could offer.

How long has the garden been open for?

Michael Taylor (MT): About a year, as a lot of the time was taken up by meetings regarding funding, health and safety. We did not have much knowledge of planting, thus we partnered up with professionals and learned the necessary skills. Everything is about coming together and building a community.

What was the aim and vision behind this event?

MT: Brian discovered that the Woodland Trust was offering the donation of tree seedlings at no cost. The charity is dedicated to combating climate change by planting trees and preserving the woodland in the United Kingdom. We’ve had a great turnout today, and half of the people were young folks, coming along and happy to learn. As Brian said well, gardening has great benefits, such as social, educational, physical and mental health advantages. It is a no-brainer because it’s free and easy to learn.

Tell me a bit more about yourself and how you got involved in this project.

MT: I live locally, just down the road. I have an allotment on the other side of town and I have always liked gardening, but have never been very knowledgeable.

I was impressed by other garden spaces around the city, such as Tayview. The way it was transformed from a bare area, with quite a striking set up, where people come in and paint their containers was amazing.

These are the kind of things we are planning on doing. The first community event we ever held aimed at having the kids come in and help plant some vegetables in the far corner of the garden, which was a great interactive activity.

“we hope for new beginnings and for new projects to bloom” How do you see the community garden progressing in the future?

MT: We are definitely looking forward to having more events.

We are getting a nature classroom, a big hut. It might even go so far that the school implements in their curriculum

INTERVIEW

an afternoon once a week, when the children can come over to the community garden and learn about plants and gardening.

Then, I spoke to Brian Webster (BW), a University of Dundee Nursing student, school president, founder and secretary of Fintry Community Garden.

What led you to start the community garden?

BW: As a nursing student, the idea came from obvious health benefits of gardening. As there are a few gardens around the city, but not in the northeast, we wished to bring together a group of volunteers to start a garden in this area. We were successful in getting this site, and in the process of obtaining a planting permit from the council, designing the main body of the garden, we decided to contribute to the Woodland Trust’s campaign and to the local council’s biodiversity plan by organising this event. Because this is Dundee City Council’s ground, we have fallen under their umbrella, which is good, because we are partly supported and hopefully partly funded, as well. This means more opportunities for resources, like the countryside rangers who have come along today.

How do you feel about welcoming University students like those who are part of societies and clubs to future tree-planting events?

BW: Some of the larger community gardens in the area have scheduled events and timetables for groups of people to come in, contribute and help develop it, so this is definitely a goal for us. It will, also, be great to raise awareness about sustainability and from an educational aspect as well.

A member of The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) came along to the event and alongside Dundee City Council’s countryside rangers, demonstrated the planting of each seedling, by using a spade to dig up a hole in the clayish soil, adequate for the seedling’s size and inserting a stick that will then help direct and reinforce its growth. As a final step, tubes were added to prevent local deer and wildlife from eating the plants.

After the event, two local councillors from the area who attended the event, shared their thoughts on the evening. One Councillor, Steven Rome, stated that “Green spaces are fantastic for people’s health and it’s really great that it’s going so well today

and hopefully will look fantastic in a few years’ time”. Cllr Willie Sawers shared his thoughts on local kids benefitting from gardening activities: “I just think it is great to see the number of people from the local community participate. So many kids from the nursery and primary school, and through this, they can hopefully start getting involved in garden projects and persuade their parents to get involved too, as a great win for the whole community.”

It was amazing to see everyone’s smiles while they were planting their seedlings, and in less than two hours, the 420 seedlings were planted. It was a surprisingly easy activity, with its muddy and fun components.

It was great to observe what we can accomplish when we work together. I had the chance to notice the smell of spring in the air, as we hope for new beginnings and for new projects to bloom, whether this includes coming together through a community garden or focusing our own personal goals on healthier and happier lives with support from our local communities.

Words and photography by Conchita Fraguas Bringas

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LIFESTYLE

Between Perception and Reality

M

arch is a month to celebrate women around the world on an international scale, however, it is also an opportunity to pave the way for injustices that we still face everyday.

Our writer Roxana addresses what we can do as a campus to raise awareness and educate ourselves on genderbased violence.

A friend once told me that she doesn’t like to give relationship advice. Her reasoning was that you can never really know what goes on in someone’s intimate relationship. While I partly agree with this, knowing healthy boundaries and realizing negative infringements within personal relationships is not always a given.

Unfortunately, even though we often naively assume that gender inequality remains in remote spaces of society, women and other minority groups still face a disproportionate amount of sexual violence and emotional abuse. These acts of gendered violence are one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world and Scotland.

“Gender-based violence” is used as an umbrella term to label gendered harm or sexual violence against a person’s will. This includes acts such as domestic abuse, rape and female genital

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Design by Louise James

mutilation. It is essential to highlight inequalities in societal structures that enhance and influence the perpetuation of such issues and cause the vulnerability of certain groups . Whilst it is slowly becoming common knowledge, myths and stigma around “victims” of sexual violence have prevailed in popular perception.

“Contrary to popular belief, gender-based-violence extends far beyond sudden attacks in public places” Contrary to popular belief, genderbased-violence extends far beyond sudden attacks in public places. It is statistically shown to happen mostly in domestic spaces. Being hidden from the public eye makes it even harder for people to speak out and seek help from friends and family, their work environments and community.

The dishearteningly low numbers of successful convictions of sexual violence cases in court can make it difficult and intimidating for survivors to come forward- yet this number is slowly and positively rising.

There are many subtle and covert ways that harm can be inflicted on vulnerable groups in intimate relationships. “Hard

evidence” or a physical component is not always present which can lead to confusion regarding other forms of abuse or violence. Especially in circumstances of emotional abuse or coercive control, any public display of affection and love-bombing can often make it even harder for young women to comprehend the delicate system of psychological manipulation.

Saddeningly, an almost indoctrinated reflex often occurs that tries to rationalise a partner’s damaging actions.

Gaslighting and emotional manipulation may also accompany these acts in order to undermine the victim’s own perception of reality. This can lead to a multitude of barriers that enable people to hold a perpetrator accountable for any abuse caused which can include a feeling of a warped reality, shame around one’s own helplessness and difficulty in untangling events. The common deterioration of the people’s inner voice and own autonomy can lead to further silencing instead of speaking out.

The question surrounding the best way to support and help people who have experienced abuse does not have an easy answer. Often secure social networks and support from a variety of sources can help survivors deal with the immediate and long term negative

LIFESTYLE

physical and mental impacts. While it may feel that most of us as students have neither formal training or resources to help each other on campus, being supportive through listening and showing compassion can be hugely beneficial. By helping survivors access local and national aid organisations, such as Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis Scotland or WRASAC, can be a helping hand in addressing impact and experiences. At the University of Dundee we are rolling out a gender-based-violence training scheme in order to raise further

“At the University of Dundee we are rolling out a genderbased-violence training scheme in order to raise further awareness and education surrounding this issue”

If you have been affected by anything you have read here, the University offers support through its Counselling Service. You can arrange an appointment here: 01382 384164 or get in touch with Sarah Browne - the University’s Student Support Worker at S.Y.Browne@dundee.ac.uk.

For help outwith the University: Dundee Women’s Aid Support Line: 01382 207099 / support@dundeewomensaid.co.uk Rape Crisis Scotland: 08088 01 03 02 / support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk.

Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (WRASAC): 01382 201291 / support@wrasac.org.uk

awareness and education surrounding this issue. It is hoped that training will allow students to educate themselves and be taught how to deliver workshops about gender-based-violence to the broader student community. Hopefully a greater understanding can pave the way towards a broader attitudinal shift in society towards greater awareness of persistent gender inequalities and social risk for vulnerable groups.

Words by Roxana Pollack

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LIFESTYLE

Feelin’ Good as Hell

A body-positive model sounds like the punchline of a tasteless joke. At least it would have been during the 90s and 00s; an era where crippling eating disorders were simply part of the job description. In this Instagram age, a new job has emerged: the ‘Body Positive Influencer’. But is it turning beauty standards on its head?

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Illustration by Nico McLaughlin

Playing Lizzo’s ‘Good as Hell’ might be the first thing I do most mornings and although I should apologise to my neighbours, I won’t. TIME Magazine’s Entertainer of the Year and the Grammy award winning artist has become somewhat the figurehead of the ‘Self-Love’ movement. Her upbeat but heartfelt lyrics have resonated with audiences across the world, all but crowning her the Queen of Body-Positivity.

LIFESTYLE

I’m reluctant to brand it a ‘Movement’. It suggests that Body-Positivity has materialised from nowhere and flipped society on its axis when the truth is, it has done neither.

As talented as Lizzo is (and I would quite happily crown her ‘Queen of Everything’ if I could), she did not reinvent the wheel. Our understanding of beauty and the extremely short yardstick that we measure it by has floated around since the Ancient Greeks with white male philosophers like Plato and Socrates dictating what was beautiful and what was not. With every passing civilisation, the way we perceive beauty has shifted and each time we are made to conform to a new set of ridiculous unachievable standards.

What makes a person ‘desirable’ might as well shift with whatever direction the wind is blowing that day. One decade, a woman must be ‘curvy’ (the ultimate child-bearing machine), an ideal set in Ancient Greece, Italian Renaissance and during the Hollywood ‘Golden Age’. The next, a winter wind could blow her over as in the Han Dynasty and from the 1960s until now. The ‘Heroin Chic’ trend of the 90s - where women aspired to become supermodel thin and almost translucent in skin tone tops them all. You know a beauty standard is unrealistic when society wants you to be a Ghost.

We might have grown up with fairytales and the likes of Roald Dahl telling us that “a person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly.” We’re all told that it’s what is inside that counts but we also know that everyone judges a book’s cover and we judge people by what they look like. Our reality is those unattainable standards. They’re like slow WiFi, annoying but you learn to live with them and eventually, you stop noticing how bad it is.

However, there are an army of people who won’t settle for slow WiFi or restrictive beauty standards for that matter. Lizzo amongst a battalion of ‘lifestyle bloggers’, ‘social media influencers’, media personalities and plus-size models have stormed the Internet to attempt how we perceive beauty.

It’s a people’s revolution with no shortage of demands. They are calling for mainstream magazines to scrap Photoshop and axe

their airbrushing tools. They are demanding more diversity across media platforms but particularly in advertising and infamous pop culture programmes like Love Island.

They’ve launched Body-positive campaigns on Instagram, calling for people to publish #nofilter #bodyconfidence photos, changing the world, one insta at a time.

But blasting Lizzo’s ‘Your Skin’ only gets you so far. Attempting to convince someone to love themselves no matter what seems borderline impossible. You might remember a survey that The Magdalen ran earlier this year of 115 students. It reported that 71% linked their mental health to their body image. When asked what influenced their overall perception of their bodies, 26% blamed mainstream media sources including TV, Film and Magazines and the standards set by public figures including celebrities, models and influencers.

Sure, there are positives that we can take from this survey- only 11% of us always use filters on the photos we post (with 30% of us never doing so). Whilst 76% have never felt pressured to take more extreme measures to alter our appearance (i.e. extreme dieting or cosmetic surgery). All of this suggests that despite our obsession with our looks, we refuse, for the most part, to let it rule our lives.

I’d love to say that that Lizzo was responsible but with only 10% of us taking part in Body-positivity campaigns (at least once) including the likes of #iweigh #bebodykind #whatmakesmebeautiful. I’m suddenly doubtful about the influence that these socalled Influencers have and it seems so are you. Only 3% believe that they are extremely effective with the rest of you leaning towards the skeptical.

Now, this won’t stop my love for Lizzo and I doubt it will stop her from championing her philosophy. Society’s beauty standards are ingrained in us the same way we learn to walk, talk and breathe. They aren’t going to change overnight. So, keep hair tossing and keep checking those nails because we all deserve to feel good as hell.

Words by Rebecca Carey

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LIFESTYLE

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Illustration by Nico McLaughlin

LIFESTYLE

The Chip Witch

Willamina Sutherland was a white-haired witch living on the Ayrshire coast. Every Friday night she would perform some magic, much to her grandchildren’s delight.

First some tobacco would be burnt and diffused into the air, bringing focus to the witch’s mind.

She would pour golden liquid into her cauldron and bring it to boil. Carefully cutting muddy brown roots from the wet west coast soil, they would dissolve and undergo a butterfly-like transformation. Going from wet, muddy and grim to warm, soft and magic.

Carefully placed on a buttered roll, salt, vinegar and smothered in red sauce. This really was the work of a sorceress.

She called this powerful spell a “Chip Roll”.

Going to my Gran’s on a Friday night for a chip roll became a ritual. She was a heavy smoker, could gossip for Scotland and had a laugh like the character Muttley from wacky races.

However, although I was not really close with

her, her ability to make great and earthy food gave me a real sense of comfort; it was familiar and it was family.

Almonds from California, avocados from Mexico and mangoes from India might sound a lot more appealing. A chip roll is hardly going to get the Oscar for best in nutrition but these chip rolls were special as they didn’t travel far to get here. We have become so accustomed to these exotic ingredients but fail to appreciate the best of what we have. Picking the seasonal potatoes up from the local grocers meant that home Grans food represented not only home but a connection to our community.

Unfortunately, I don’t know how to cook chips like my gran and I would love to have her same magic skills. I am making it my mission to research and replicate her success and ability to make anywhere feel like home.

No doubt I will end up finding the recipe in a spell book somewhere in Ayrshire.

Words by Greg Sutherland

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

D

ISCLAIMER: Don’t take this piece of writing as an excuse to help reinforce your negative (prejudiced) views of Asian culture. That would be like me taking a look at Trump and calling all Americans ignorant / racist / misogynist.

I’m going to start by saying that this is a very weird experience for me. I’ve never spoken fully about my issues with my Nepalese heritage before. This is partly because I didn’t think anyone would want to hear about them, but the real, main reason was that I didn’t want people to judge my country based on a few shortcomings it may have.

People are very quick to form prejudiced views, whether they want to or not. It’s just human nature. However, I will admit that typing my own experience out has been cathartic.

I’ve always struggled with what I am. Scottish or Nepali. Being born and raised in Scotland with immigrant parents, it’s always

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Design by Lisa Dyer

been a fight of which culture I feel I belong to: the public one of Scotland or the private world of my home where Nepali culture dominated. But the one thing I’ve always been secure in is the fact that I’m a woman.

Even with this security, I still struggle. Because being a woman in Western culture is completely different from what being a woman is like in Asian culture.

“People are very quick to form prejudiced views, whether they want to or not.”

A couple of years ago I went back to Nepal after a whopping nine years of barely keeping in contact with any of my family there.

However, the scars of being there had remained even after almost a decade of removing myself from the situation. The thing is, I got my period for the first time while at my super traditional paternal Grandmother’s house.

I was scared (as most would be at finding blood in places it had

never been before). My mum was shocked when I told her what happened. But more confusingly, she told me to keep it between us – don’t let anyone on your dad’s side know what has happened, stay in my room, she’ll be right back. She left for about ten minutes and when she came back, she told me to get my shoes on because we were going to my maternal grandparents’ home.

It wasn’t until we got there, she told me what the issue was.

There’s this archaic tradition for girls in Nepal. I don’t know what they call it, but essentially what happens is that when you first get your period, you must spend up to fourteen days isolated from everyone. No touching, no talking, nothing. My mum didn’t want that for me, and knowing how traditional my paternal Grandmother was, she made the decision to quietly whisk me away to my more lenient, maternal Grandparents.

This experience doesn’t even begin to scrape the barrel of

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the problems women face in Nepal. For example, one of the first thoughts I had, when the tickets were booked for my last trip, was ‘I NEED to get skinny’. The reason being is that Asian ‘aunties’ are so quick to comment on your appearance.

It’s not just them, but they are the worst. They won’t hold back on calling you fat. I’ve had multiple friends tell me they’re going on a diet because they’re going back home. It’s beyond disturbing. One thing I’ve always had in my advantage is that I am extraordinarily tall for an Asian – so people tend to focus on that over my waist size. Despite this, it doesn’t mean I don’t have severe issues when it comes to people mentioning my weight, but it could be worse.

“...the scars of being there had remained even after almost a decade of removing myself from the situation.”

A final thing that has always gotten to me is the constant conversation of marriage. I

remember always being asked if I was going to marry a Nepali boy or a Scottish boy. I would always passive-aggressively reply with Scottish because ‘Nepali boys are ugly’. This usually served to annoy whoever asked. A vivid memory I have is of one aunt and my Gran suggesting that (whenever I’m ready) they would find me a good husband.

Nope.

It really rubbed me the wrong way with how constantly they’d ask me this. I’m barely in my 20s and they’re already trying to marry me off. It’s not like they’d ever force me to get married – the majority of arranged marriages are now fully consented by both parties –it’s just annoying that they think that marriage is such an accomplishment. I have ambitions outside of marriage and children but sometimes, I feel like my family only sees me as your stereotypical 1950s housewife. It made me feel undervalued and angry to be a woman – why couldn’t I enjoy my

life without a man? Fortunately, I have managed to get over the anger I held towards these family members (and misogyny in general) but still, not cool.

This all got a little deeper than I had intended so that’s all I’ll say for now. But don’t let my bad experiences form your judgement of Nepal. Bear in mind I’ve not spoken once about the things I love about my culture and traditions, and that my experience is unique to myself – it does not reflect everyone’s story.

Words by Philipa Thapa

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

Deconstructing the Myth of the Universal Woman Feminism is not a “one size fits all” concept.

The academic theory of feminism is often invoked to champion ideas of equality between the sexes. If you support the social, economic and political equality of both women and men then you are a feminist.

Whether or not you feel you ‘relate’ to the word is a different thing. To be an intersectional feminist you understand that there is more than one system of stratification at play such as race, class, sexuality, and religion. All of which affect the livelihood of women everywhere. The intersection can be described as different identities combining together to form a unique kind of discrimination that can only exist if you identify to the two groups.

To understand intersectional feminism, it is best to start at the beginning. Intersectionality was first introduced by legal theorist Kimberlé Crenshaw. Through an analysis of critical race theory, Crenshaw brought to light the experience of African American women in the US and how their experiences ultimately differed from that of white American women. Not only were they marginalised because of their sex and gender but also faced discrimination due to their race.

She further developed her study by highlighting that the two categories, sex and race, often intertwined to create a specific form of sexism which could only target black women, which we now know is called misogynoir (first coined by Moya Bailey).

The reason intersectionality has gained such momentum throughout contemporary feminist movements is because it provides us with an understanding of the current power complexes that exist within our society. After all, what is the study of feminism if not the study of power?

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Illustration by Nico McLaughlin

The theoretical framework of intersectional feminism is vast and was intended to illuminate the dynamics that have often been overlooked by feminist theory and movements in the past.

“what it means to be a woman is culture dependent” intersectionality challenges the idea that ‘gender’ is the primary determining factor of a woman’s fate. It is important to note that hooks is not denying the impact of gender and sex, in fact she is a feminist by textbook definition and by theory.

But rather she highlights the role of other social economic issues which also impact women, suggesting the idea that there is no universal experience of womanhood. Womanhood is a bit more complicated than you instantly imagine it to be.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no universal criteria for womanhood.

Instead, what it means to be a woman is culture dependent. The experience of the western woman is not the same as the experience of women in Arabia. And the experience of a woman living in a middle-class household in Nigeria, will differ than that from a working-class household in the same region.

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To suggest the opposite is a disservice to women everywhere, especially since we know the white, western, woman is often considered to be the default when it comes to analysing gender and sex. This can lead to orientalist imagery of women elsewhere.

When challenging the idea of the universal woman, one example that springs to mind, probably because it affects me personally, is notions of Muslim women. The confidence of those who have never lived in a Muslim majority country, or even experienced their culture beyond an all-inclusive week-long holiday to Morocco or Turkey, to make such bold statements on the lives on Muslim woman is staggering and at most times insulting.

The effects of mass media allow us absorb information so easily and uncritically that their imagery of socially unaware, politically innocent and oppressed Muslim women is considered to be absolute. Without ever questioning how Islamic Feminist movements ever started.

Otherwise, they would know that feminist movements in Iran gained momentum before

the British suffragettes even mobilised. Or that the veil only became a cultural norm in Egypt during the 1970’s as a means of being anti-west and anti-colonialist.

My reason for mentioning Islamic Feminist is because it is to me, the most-clear example of how the experience of women is not universal.

That is where intersectional feminism comes in. “Woman” as a singular category, is just too large. How can one term cover half of the planet? To be grouped together without any consideration for other forms of social stratification does a disservice to the cause. It is up to feminists to advocate for intersectionality, otherwise we are not actually campaigning for the rights of all women, but rather a small select group of women. The ultimate goal for every feminist is to establish a world where everyone is equal; socially, politically and economically regardless of gender. Which by default, must include considerations of social class, race, religion, sexuality and all other strata that can impact the outcome of women’s lives, in order to better the lives of all people, everywhere.

Words by Lujain Beruwien

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COMICS

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Comic 1 - Harri Johnston / Comic 2 - Ellen Forbes

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Comic 3 - Lola Knibb / Comic 4 - Leah Cameron

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INTERNATIONAL

THE STORIES IN LANGUAGES Every language has its own unique stories. They convey the culture surrounding it, the history of the ones speaking it and the mentality they have. Being able to understand these in different languages helps understand the people.

When I was young, I used to tell stories to anyone who would listen. Stories about my day, my thoughts, dreams and hopes for the future. Even more so, I loved to read stories as well. As I grew older, so grew my need to breathe and bond with different stories. Knowing another language meant for me to have access to more stories. Suddenly I wasn’t only restricted to translations or ones written in Danish, but I was able to delve into whole new worlds. Reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in English for the first time after years of reading it in my native tongue felt completely new.

For me mastering a language means being able to tell and understand more stories. Within the stories lay more than simple words, it’s a look into the culture, history and the mentality of the people using it. Of course, a lot of translations exist today, but even the greatest translator will never be able to get the exact meaning across.

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Design by Louise James

I know it’s ironic to say all of this as I’m translating these words into two languages; English not being my native one. Being bilingual means to be able to bloom in more than one language. I believe that knowing more than one language helps us discover ourselves through the things we can say and understand. It is proven that you have a different personality depending on what language you speak in. I wonder if it is simply a different version or an aspect of yourself that you can finally express.

When you become fluent in another language less translation happens and instead of going back and forth you end up flowing between the languages naturally. The humour and culture become a part of you as you speak. In a global world that’s connected more than ever before, being able to understand one another, will not only help us understand ourselves but the world we live in.

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SPROGETS HISTORIER Hvert sprog har dets egne unikke historier. I de historier kan vi finde den kultur der omdrejer sproget, historien af dem der taler sproget of den mentaliter de har. At være i stand til at forstå forskellige sprog kan hjælpe med at forstå mennesker.

Da jeg var yngre, fortalte jeg historier til alle, der ville lytte. Historier om min dag, mine tanker, drømme og håb for fremtiden. Lige så elskede jeg også at læse historier. Da jeg blev ældre, voksede mit behov for at ånde og binde med forskellige historier. At kende et andet sprog betød for mig at have adgang til flere historier. Pludselig var jeg ikke kun begrænset til oversættelser eller original danske historier men jeg var i stand til at dykke ned i helt nye verdener. At læse Harry Potter og De Vises Sten på engelsk for første gang efter år med at læse den på min modersmål, var som at læse en helt ny historie.

For mig betyder det at mestre et sprog, at være i stand til at fortælle og forstå historier. I historierne ligger mere end enkle ord, det er et indblik ind i kulturen, historien og mentaliteten hos de mennesker, der fortæller. Der findes selvfølgelig

mange oversættelser i dag, men selv den bedste oversætter vil aldrig være i stand til at få den nøjagtige samme betydning.

Jeg ved, det er ironisk at sige alt dette, da jeg oversættere disse ord til to sprog; engelsk er ikke mit modersmål. At være tosproget betyder at være i stand til at blomstre på mere end et sprog. Jeg tror på at det at kende mere end et sprog hjælper os med at finde os selv igennem de ting vi kan sige og forstå. Det er bevist, at du har en anden personlighed afhængigt af hvilket sprog du taler på.

Jeg tænker på om det virkelig er en anden version eller blot forskellige aspekter af dig selv som du udtrykker. Når du bliver flydende i et andet sprog, handler det i mindre grad om oversættelse, og i stedet for at gå frem og tilbage imellem to sprog, ender du med at flyde igennem sprogene naturligt.

Humoren og kulturen bliver en del af dig når du taler. I en global verden, der er forbundet mere end nogensinde før, vil det at være i stand til at forstå hinanden ikke kun hjælpe os med at forstå os selv, men den verden, vi lever i.

Words by Lizzie Husum

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INTERNATIONAL

What Is Flight Shaming and What Do Dundee Students Think of It?

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he flygskam movement, as it is known in Sweden, wants to make people aware of the negative environmental impact that flying has and encourage travellers to consider alternatives such as trains and busses. Air travel is responsible for almost 3% of all global carbon emissions. But should we give up flying?

Since I’m from Germany and live in Dundee, I’ve taken a lot of flights. I tend to fly home at least twice a year. About a year ago I became aware of the flight shaming movement. It originated in Sweden in 2017 and its popularity has grown in the last few months with activists such as Greta Thunberg leading the way. Despite its negative effects, should we give up flying? As Mark Twain stated, travel is “fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” going on holidays is good for your mental health and travelling is just plain fun.

I’ve asked friends and students from Dundee, if they’ve heard about the flight shaming movement and if it had influenced their choice of transport.

There were quite a few who hadn’t really heard about it before or weren’t quite sure what it meant. They all

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Design by Louise James

agreed though that shaming people for flying wasn’t a good thing and that it wasn’t the solution. Callista Lim, for example, stated that: “It should be more about empowerment than shaming” and to her “it seems like another one of those movements that make noise without really solving the underlying problem.”

Murray Glen said: “While there is, of course, a good intention in encouraging others to be mindful of their consumer choices, flight shaming is a really unhelpful addition to a climate discourse characterised by division. Air travel is one of the many miracles of our time and to shame people for taking the opportunity to work, travel and learn abroad and travelling home for the holidays, is pointing the finger at those who do not deserve it”.

For many of us, flying is convenient, cheap, fast and sometimes there’s just no other option, particularly for students from abroad. Furthermore, many alternative options are often too expensive. One student explained that she finds it “particularly difficult to have proper options because the UK is an island. That often means that I then take the plane with a bit of a bad conscience.” Amanda Rodrigues summed it up pretty well for those students who are

INTERNATIONAL

here on an exchange for only one or two semesters and still want to see as much as possible of Europe. “I thought about the impact but because we live so far away, we don’t get to see these beautiful countries.

And as students, we tend to look at the cost more than the (impact of the) flight.” Zack Mulekyo points out another common problem with the flight shaming movement and something that advocates of flight free travels are often accused of. He says that: “Part of me feels like some of the people who are anti-flight are the same people who have had the privilege of travelling to far-away destinations in the past, and now they are in a place where they don’t need to travel as much and can lecture everyone else about flying, which I don’t think is fair.”

“Air travel is one of the many miracles of our time . . .”

While many students do see the environmental impact that flying has, they don’t see the flight shaming movement or individuals flying less as the answer. Rory Brook, for example, thinks that: “Maybe, perhaps it is as effective to flight shame as

is to drink from a non-plastic straw. It adds up, but there is no institutional change on the part of public transport companies.” Another student is of a similar opinion and says: “putting the blame on individuals as consumers make it easy to shift the blame away from big companies that actually commit the most carbon emissions and suggest a false sense of agency to people.”

Most students I’ve talked to were aware of the damage that flying does to the environment and many of them tried to be more mindful about their transport options. Another student, for example, says that: “Today I understand that I have to give up on some comfort to pursue a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, but I also would like to visit my family abroad and other places not easy to reach by other means. Therefore the only solution I find is to seek for alternatives when possible — fly less and choose car sharing, bus or train for short journeys.”

I think she sums it up very well, we should all be mindful about the environmental impact our lives have, however, it isn’t going to do any good to shame people for something that they might not have another option for.

Words by Julia Holderer

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We Need a Cultural Revival in Politics Spring is over us, the perfect time to discuss a neglected area of Politics that really needs a blossoming. I’m thinking of culture policy; a vital area enabling us to navigate an ever complex world.

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e’re probably all exhausted with Politics this year after yet another general election in December, the prospect of Brexit entering the next stage and an American election gathering serious pace to threaten Trump’s tenure. We have heard discussions on the NHS, Europe and more generally on trade war and the rickety nuclear agreement with Iran. More so, the continuous effort from Greta Thunberg and the demonstrations by Extinction Rebellion means that the climate crisis remains on the agenda, in spite of leaders not delivering. All this we know and it has been discussed at length. However, there is something we keep skipping in the political debate; culture. Do you remember when the political leaders here or in your home country discussed their culture policies at length and how to strengthen the cultural sector in society? In the UK, we only saw it peep above the surface when discussing funding for the BBC. What do I mean by culture policy? I am thinking of the policy regarding museums, movies, arts, libraries, media and all in-between. It is an abstract area of politics and something that is not taking up a prominent place in our daily life, perhaps because it goes beyond our immediate needs. It is not a

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Design by Lisa Dyer

bread and butter issue that will impact our physical well-being, create growth or save us from the climate emergency and it does maybe seem insignificant compared to these challenges. That much is true. Yet, with that in mind, I still believe it should be one of our top priorities and possibly the most important area in the world we live in. We live in a complex world. A world that’s in a climate emergency, where inequality impacts vulnerable regions and we constantly seem on the cusp of experiencing a major conflict take off.

Identity, by its very nature, holds a different meaning for different people; we live in a time where optimism is difficult to maintain and where divisions are clearer than ever. These deeply layered issues can’t simply be solved by rearranging a few billion pounds, giving out some handshakes and a couple of signatures at another pointless summit in some fancy conference hall. These are issues that make us question our purpose in life and what we as humans stand for. We seek meaning and to open a discussion on how to proceed and in what role humanity needs to take in a fragile world.

“...we need to invest more heavily in the arts and ensure complete artistic freedom to let them bloom.”

This is an area where art can play a fundamental role.

It leads us to question our society, but also spark our curiosity and gives us insight into our differences.

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Therefore, we need to invest more heavily in the arts and ensure complete artistic freedom to let them bloom. Museums can provide the space for this development as well as give us a critical account of our history and what has led us to where we stand today. We need a public media platform, just as BBC or Channel 4 that together with new and innovative media platforms, such as Tortoise Media who pride themselves on a ‘new kind of news’, can compose a common platform where public debate and discussions can emerge. Of course, while holding the people in power to account and exposing them is use and distortion of the truth.

We need libraries that create curiosity and function as free, accessible spaces to explore the fantastic world of literature, but also exist as a base where citizens of all countries can meet and be challenged and enlightened.

A couple of examples to work towards are seen in the new libraries in Helsinki (Oodi) and Aarhus (Dokk1), aiming at exactly this cultural revival of the library.

It is necessary to have attractive

and ambitious public libraries that are available to everyone, no matter who you are. All this is necessary. It does not meet the modern trend of KPIs or New Public Management, but does instead put humans back at the centre. It is necessary for us to develop and be better equipped to navigate in a world marked by complexity that needs bold responses. I hope somebody has the political courage to set the arts free and let culture policy bloom.

Why not start in Dundee? Why not build a cultural hub at the waterfront, where the public library finally could get the space it deserves and where talks and cultural events could take place. At the top storey, cheap and accessible studios could be made available to young artists and students. Of course, it all made in the most sustainable way and designed by one of our architecture graduates. That would make Dundee a cultural hub and work as a role model for the rest of the world, and let Sundee be the place where Culture Policy can be seen in all its glory.

Oodi, Helsinki

Words by Christoffer Nielsen

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COMMUNITY

? n i y a S i Wit Y “O was some Pow’r the giftie gie us. To see oursels as ithers see us! It was frae money a blunder free us.”

In France, you are French and you speak French. In Germany, you are German and you speak German.

In Scotland, you are Scottish but you speak English.

Well, sort of… When nationality and language do not match up it begs the question: how important is language in uniting a society? On the surface, Scotland appears to be a monolingual anglophone nation, however if we traverse through Scotland’s history this is far from the case.

The formation of the Kingdom of Scotland is accepted as being 843, with the crowning of the first King of the Scots, Kenneth MacAlpin. At this point in time, Gaelic was the dominant and most widely spoken language in Scotland. The Gaelic language came from Ireland and at this point in time both Ireland and Scotland spoke what is referred to as Middle Irish. Scoti was actually the name of an Irish tribe where Scotland’s name derives from. As an aside, it’s interesting that Scottish Gaelic is seen as a core symbol of Scottish identity yet finds its roots in a neighbouring land.

Over time the Gaelic spoken in Ireland and Scotland branched off to become distinguishable from one and other, now being considered separate

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Design by Louise James

languages. Gaelic was displaced in the Middle Ages, but not by English - well, at least not the English we know today. Instead, it was an older form of English that was adopted, adapted and acclimatised by the Scots, thus forming another language at the centre of Scottish national identity with roots from a neighbouring land. This form of adapted English is known as Scots and thus Scots became the language of the Scots.

It seems like this would be a good place to stop.

However, language never fails to evolve and change. Through the union of crowns, colonialism and globalisation English spread to become not just the dominant language of Scotland but also of the world. Today Gaelic’s existence remains very much on a knife edge, spoken by less than 1% of the population in Scotland. Scots’ shared roots with English left it an easy victim to globalisation and so has become diluted and far less distinct as a language. For a while now native languages of Scotland have been trivialised and marginalised, Gaelic is considered too niche to be useful and was once considered a language of savages and uneducated people. Similarly Scots isn’t seen as a language of education and hence not seen as having any value, viewed as colloquial and just a dialect. When I got penalised for using ‘wee’ in an essay it made me sad that, even in Scotland,

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perhaps the most widely used Scots word wasn’t legitimate. In spite of this, Scotland retains a distinct sense of national identity. In the last census over 80% of people living in Scotland expressed some sort of Scottish identity. It is therefore no surprise that Burns’ night largely out strips St Andrews in terms of significance when it comes to celebrating Scottish identity; Burns champions the Scots language and by doing so champions the Scottish people.

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that language shapes our world view and experience in life. In Russian, dark blue and light blue are distinguishable colours similarly to how we would consider purple and blue different colours. A more extreme example can be found further afield. Speakers of the Native American language, Aymara, consider the past to be in front of them and the future behind. Even when speaking of the future, Aymara speakers gesture behind them.

Both examples give insight into entirely different outlooks of the world, showing how language means different societies don’t just live in the same world, thanks to differences in language. This theory is called linguistic relativity. Today in Scotland there is talk of a Gaelic Renaissance. With Gaelic medium education increasing in demand and also with the appearance of Scottish Gaelic on the internationally

renowned Duolingo language learning app. 80% of the 127,00 sign ups to learn on the app are from within Scotland itself. Scots is also taught in schools, through Burns and the Broons, and perhaps most visibly, it is embraced in an online capacity on social media sites such as Twitter.

On the level of national identity, In the 80s polls show support for Scottish independence at 20-25%, today these polls sit at 45-50%. Will a revival in the languages of Scotland result in a surge in support for independence? Perhaps. The SNP advocates for civic nationalism, which is essentially nationalism for all the people living within the nation regardless of their ethnicity, suggesting that the argument for Scottish independence is not just about difference in language and culture but about government that works for all. However, the history of language in Scotland and the theory of linguistic relativity offers an explanation as to why national identity remains prominent in Scotland. Languages undoubtedly are important in the formation of national identities but shouldn’t be confined to products of nationalism. All languages should be celebrated, adding to the richness in our ability to express ourselves, to connect and understand others and also understand the world around us.

Words by Greg Sutherland

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DESIGNERS’ CHOICE

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Illustration by Nico McLaughlin

DESIGNERS’ CHOICE

Illustration by Cait Maxwell

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OPINIONS

International Women’s Day For more than 100 years, the 8th of March has been declared as International Women’s Day. On this day, the world unites to shed light on the social, economic, political and cultural issues that women face, in order to inspire, motivate and support women among all fields of work.

While the day is celebrated differently from country to country - in some places as a day of protest, in others as a day to celebrate the achievements of women and advocate gender equality - the day is more than a hashtag.

girls’ education in the face of adversity.

Marie Curie is honoured for her exceptional contributions in both physics and chemistry and Serena Williams breaks continuous records within sports and is a huge role model for young girls. Chimamanda Ngzoi Adichie is acclaimed for her phenomenal feminist outlook whilst space scientist and science educator Maggie AderinPocock paves the way for women in these fields.

In an ideal world, we shouldn’t need a day to remind us of the value of women. The last century has seen great advancement and movement to redress gender inequality. But we still see an ongoing pay gap, sexual harassment scandals, and sexism within power structures. So, even in this day and age, the day is of great significance and we continue to celebrate it because it’s original objective - to achieve full gender equality for all women - has still not come into effect.

The day’s descent can be traced to the 28th of February 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding better pay, the right to vote and shorter working days. On the 19th of March 1911, the first International Women’s Day was held. The inaugural event, which organized rallies and important meetings, was a huge success as 1 million people in Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Austria took part. The date was Some sobering facts about women still chosen in commemoration of the day that the struggling to overcome gender inequality: Prussian king vowed to introduce women’s votes in 1848, a promise he coincidentally failed to keep. And • More than 250 million women today were so the date was then moved to March 8th in 1913. married before their 15th birthday.

• Worldwide, 1 in 3 women will be physically There are endless inspirational women to look or sexually abused in their lifetime. up across the world and coming from every walk • Less than 40% of countries supply equal of life. From the powerful suffragette Emmeline access to education for both genders Pankhurst to the influential voice of civil rights • 200 million women and girls have been Angela Davis, to the brilliant feminist leader subjected to FGM (female genital mutilation).

Gloria Steinem, women have played a huge role That’s more than 3 times the UK’s population. in the progression within justice and equality.

• 45 countries don’t have specific laws against domestic violence.

Frida Kahlo is still considered as one of the • 87,000 women are killed every year just world’s most influential artists and 21 year old because of their gender. Of that amount, Malala Yousafzai fights endlessly to support 50,000 are killed by their male partners

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Illustration by Cara Rooney

OPINIONS

or family members - and those statistics are only the deaths we know about.

111 countries don’t have repercussions for husbands who rape their wife.

The #MeToo movement revealed the true depth of sexual abuse, with thousands of women exposing the experiences they’ve faced - many for the first time.

to their successes, but that is not the experience of all women. It’s a chance to stand in partnership with the threats faced by women of all nationalities, women with all types of ability, and women will all sexual orientations. It’s also a point of solidarity to acknowledge women living in countries where they might not be able to march out of fear for their safety.

“While the day is celebrated differently from country to country - in some places as a day of protest, in others as a day to celebrate the achievements of women and advocate gender equality - the day is more than a hashtag.”

That is why International Women’s Day is a once a year opportunity to unite and get re-inspired or re-charged to stand and support all battles in aid of those who are struggling to stand up for themselves.

International Women’s Day is not associated with any specific group but it ties charities, governments, corporations and women’s organisations together by arranging talks, rallies, networking events, marches and conferences, focusing on the empowerment of women. If you want to get involved, there are lots of events going on around Scotland, many of them taking place in Edinburgh. Eventbrite, The List and CommonSpace has tonnes of events to check out online, and local events like Dundee Women’s Festival 2020 taking place from the 29th of February to the 14th of March has an exciting and extensive programme.

International Women’s Day welcomes everyone, regardless of gender or gender identity. Male allyship, especially when men can use their privilege in support of gender equality, is a very powerful amplification of women’s voices.

Some women might find that they have not encountered any discrimination or harassment, or been confronted with systematic challenges

Remember, feminism isn’t about only improving the lives of women, it’s about taking apart all detrimental gender stereotypes and roles.

• •

Words by Sasha Knudsen

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OPINIONS

Megxit!

Why the Duke and Duchess ofSussex Have Put the Final Nail in the Royal Coffin. (Spoiler, it’s not their fault!)

The start of 2020 was most certainly a turbulent one, offering a bleak outlook. Only a matter of days into 2020 saw Trump attempt to start the third World War with his decision to assassinate General Soleimani (which surprisingly hasn’t led to a nuclear reaction), and Australia blazed bright, with wildfires obliterating innumerable swathes of wildlife and homes.

But, these matters of international interest wereleft behind in the public sphere as a result of Harry and Meghan’s departure from the Royal Family. It was widely reported that this decision was publicised through the media BEFORE any consultation with the Royal Family, or indeed Her Majesty the Queen.

Trumpian foreign policy, the media can forgive.

A huge nation burning, wiping out plethoras of ecosystems, the media can forget. But, to betray the Queen has proven unforgivable.

As this story unfolded, I was rather ambivalent on the matter. I have fairly little interest in the Royal Family and, like the majority of people in the UK, can appreciate that their lives have unique challenges but perfect advantages. I have always been uncomfortable with the amount of money that they garner from the taxpayer. But, for the sake of balance, one only has to spend five minutes at the gates of Buckingham Palace to see the truly international and diverse crowds that the Family draw, which certainly can’t hurt an already fragile economy.

But, when vitriolicpolemics started to appear on my Twitter feed from truly ghastly journalists, my interest was pricked.

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Design and Illustration by Cait Maxwell

There is no doubt in my mind that the British media has rather a long way to go to truly represent the nation with regards to diversity, gender balance and equal entry opportunities for all, as opposed to the nepotistic tendencies found in the offering of jobs at national publications. But, I would find it truly hard to suggest that the media is undoubtedly institutionally racist.

Having said that, weneed only to note a few of the racist headlines levelled against the Duchess of Sussex to realise that her relationship with the British press is born out of a loathing of the unconventional Royal. Helpfully, BuzzFeed News have collated some of the most extraordinary headlines, and compared them to headlines, from the same outlets, that praised Kate: Kate: “Bumping along nicely! The Duchess was seen placing a protective hand on her tummy as she exited the event.” Daily Mail: March 22, 2018 Meghan: “Personally, I find the cradling a bit like those signs in the back of cars: Baby on Board.

Virtue signalling, as though the rest of us barren harridans deserve to burn alive in our cars.” Daily Mail: Jan. 26, 2019 Meghan can’t even enjoy an avocado without being lambasted by tabloid rags: Kate and William: “Prince William was given one of the green fruit –wrapped up in a bow –by a little boy whosemother is suffering during her pregnancy too... ‘He said he’d take it to [Kate] and see what happens –and said good luck for [the boy’s] mummy.’” Express: Sept. 14, 2017 Meghan: “The pregnant Duchess of Sussex and so-called ‘avocado on toast whisperer’ is wolfing

OPINIONS

down a fruit linked to water shortages, illegal deforestation and all round general environmental devastation.” Express: Jan. 23, 2019.

added tourism whilst expanding the Royal family into a cross-Atlantic brand by splitting their time between the UK and Canada.

It is no wonder, then, that Harry and Meghan wish to step back from their roles as ‘senior’ royals, particularly considering what Harry’s mother went through.

Alas, the Queen insisted that they would not be able to carry out public duties without acceptingpublic money, which is truly mindboggling. And, it is this decision that I believe will mark the beginning of the end of the Royal Family.

Public sympathy lies with the young couple, and there has been increased anti-monarchy rhetoric brewing, most notably whilst Buckingham Palace was renovated at a time when food banks were at their most used.

But what truly beggars belief is the Queen’s reluctance to let the Royal couple continue to serve their country without taking public money. It was announced on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s website that they vowed to become financially independent. And who, in their right tax-paying mind, would have an issue with this? Having repaid the public money that was used to restore their UK based cottage, Harry and Meghan had a desire to continue to serve butnot receive, thus drawing in

The Queen has shrunk her family, further alienated her brand, and it would not surprise me if Prince William is the last to take the throne as our head of state before a Republic is formed.

Words by Fraser Briton

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FASHION

Charity’s Not Charity Anymore, It’s Business Charity shops hardly meet the stereotype of little dingy high street shops selling your grandmother’s clothes anymore. They mean business. Big business.

Charity shops bring in almost £300 million in annual income in the UK and have an army of roughly 220,000 volunteers working to organise your pre-loved items. Charity shops rely on volunteers to sort donations; creating trendy second hand stores. There’s no place for stained clothing with broken zips, odd shoes or cracked crockery anymore (although one PDSA shop did reportedly sell a set of false teeth for five quid!).

The British Heart Foundation is by far the front runner, profits wise, making almost double what Oxfam does, who follow in second place. Whilst The British Heart Foundation has designated furniture stores, Oxfam happily fill whole shops with books, giving both diversity from your average clothes and brick-a-brack shops.

The death of highstreet retail seems imminent thanks to late night internet shopping and the impulse buys of unnecessary fast fashion, temptingly packaged with next-day-delivery. High street brands are struggling and charity shops too

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are changing to keep up with the times, as is the way people are using charity shops.

Charity shops no longer run on pity and castoffs, odd sods and pennies. They’re businesses who embrace the vintage vibe, have quirky rebrand names, like the Cattitude Boutique (Cats Protection shop in Edinburgh), flaunt the occasional wedding dress in the window display and have online shops to sell their more unique, designer label pieces (Oxfam online currently stock the likes of Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen dresses for £300-500).

But with popularity and being ‘on-trend’, there is a price to pay. Literally, the price of items in charity shops is going up. This is obviously in line with the quality of donated items and how much the charity believe people will pay. In Dundee, I can happily pick up a going-out dress for £3 (a Miss Selfridges dress I found in Oxfam and wore to a 21st birthday bash), but faced with the selection in shops in Edinburgh, you’d pay more in the ballpark of £7-13.

Still not much compared tobuying something new and full price but more than double the prices in Dundee. This sparks questions about who charity shops are really for and who really benefits. As they become more ‘trendy’, it’s more socially acceptable to shop in one, especially if you might get a bargain or a unique piece. So charity shops are,

Design by Cait Maxwell / Photography by Domas Radzevicius

FASHION

understandably, raising their prices to make larger profits from people willing to spend a little more. In some cases though, this has become problematic for those people who are dependent oncharity shops. The cliche of the poor student, shopping for another fancy dress costume, is set in stark contrast when compared to a family of 5, with parents cobbling together jobs, using the community fridge to see them through to the end of the week, and whosechildren have outgrown their clothes for the third month running. When charity shops increase their prices to cater to those who are willing to pay a little more for something a little different, shops are in danger of outpricing the people they were originally designed to support.

“This sparks questions about who charity shops are really for and who really benefits” With online sites like depop and ebay, and the brand of ‘vintage’, many individuals are capitalising on the fact you can buy a quirky jacket in a charity shop for a fiver and resell it online for five or even ten times as much. There’s obviously some moral ambiguity about this; people arguing that if charity shops are grossly underpricing, people should flag this up and make sure the charity is benefiting

directly from such quality or designer items. The general consensus within the reselling community seems to be though, that if you’ve spotted a bargain, damn right you should go well ahead and make the profit yourself. The charity still gets the money they asked for and you leave, chuffed, with an investment tucked underyour arm -but with no intention of wearing the preloved item, but just to sell it on for a profit. That’s business though; if you’re willing to trawl through rails of shrunken wool jumpers and baggy grey trousers to pick out that striped, glittering, good-as-new, dress with matching clutch bag, then it should be yours to do with as you please!

Threatened high street retail shops also resent this increasing popularity of second hand shops which divert shoppers and put a dent in already falling sales figures. Charity shops also often enjoy reduced rent rates on their shop spaces which riles up full paying retailers. Cut rates ensure that as much money as possible goes to support the charitable causes but this blurs the boundaries between charity and business.

It remains to be seen whether the wave of anti-fast fashion and popularity of people taking pledges to not buy any clothing items for a month or a year will be a positive or negative force for the charity shop.

Words by Rose Kendall

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SCIENCE + TECH

What About Staying on the Opposite Side of the Spectrum?

The changing perception of the roots of depression and poor mental health.

900,000! A large number? This is the number of people in Scotland who were prescribed at least one antidepressant in 2017/18 -an increase of 42.3% compared to previous years.

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a survey in 2017, which showed that women are almost twice as likely as men to be taking medications.

Mental health is a worldwide topic, which deserves attention and strict actions. One of the primary factors that causes mental illnesses is humans’ genetic make-up. Nevertheless, more and more cases show that psycho-social factors are also contributing factors.

The importance of being surrounded by others has been observed centuries ago. One of the first people to do so is

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Design by Lisa Dyer

Aristotle, who saw humans as social animals. It is inour nature to cooperate and participate in society. If they are deprived from group activities, this can lead to serious problems.

Although it sounds simple, there are more and more cases where people have experiences of feeling disconnected and not welcomed in the adult world. Have you ever had such a thought? Social psychology explains this phenomenon as a result of not identifying oneself with the group. Active participation in social activities is vital only to the extent to which it helps building a sense of belongingness to the group members. According to Irvin Yalom, psychotherapy is only effective when patients develop group identification and attachment. If this is not achieved, it can have the opposite effects.

This idea may seem obvious, but in fact not everyone is able to establish a sense of commonality

with other group members and is not aware what an impact this may have to their mental wellbeing. A study of people living with multiple sclerosis showed that fewer patients who are identified with a support group experience depression than patients who are not identified (Wakefield et al, 2013). Results like this suggest that quality of life is dependable on the nature and value of relationships one has with other people.

“It is in our nature to cooperate and participate in society” However, the prevailing models of depression treatment are oriented towards biomedicine.

As a result, an arising problem within women is that they are treated with antidepressants without even reporting depression more often than men.

Most of the time, it is assumed that peopledevelop a disease because of either biological

SCIENCE + TECH

impairment or psychological dysfunction, or a combination of both. Nevertheless, it is evident that social and environmental dysfunction also trigger and maintain depression. Considering this evidence, treatment guidelines should consider gender differences and psychosocial factors.

Mental health problems can interfere with one’s everyday life, leading to inability to work and take care of oneself. Therefore, effective interventions should be available. Dundee based social psychologist Fabio Sani (Sani et al, 2014) found that the greater number of group memberships of an individual, the healthier one’s behaviour. This means that the sense of belonging to a group may improve one’s sense of purpose in life. Consequently, people may experience higher levels of self-care and increased sense of responsibility towards other group members in order to be healthy and fulfil these responsibilities.

A personal account from a person with depression, provided by the Mental Health Foundation in the UK states:

People think the opposite of depression is happiness. I have come to believe the opposite of feeling depressed is feeling connected.

What healthcare professionals should consider is encouraging patients to join or maintain their membership in a group.

Therefore, mentally distressed people should be advised to become part of programmes aimed at helping establish connections with social groups.

Knowing these facts, it will be easier for people to realise the importance of social practices and make a change in their lives.

Words by Mariya Radeva

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SCIENCE + TECH

Wasps

Are Good (Written by a human, not a wasp, in case you were curious.)

This shouldn’t be a controversial statement. It is, but it shouldn’t be. A paper in Ecological Entomology, “Why we love bees and hate wasps”, confirms that even if you’re studying insects, you probably don’t like wasps. I know when I was a kid, I was taught “Bees are good, they’ll only sting you if you bother them. Wasps are vicious bastards.”

But here’s the thing, wasps play a number of important roles in our ecosystem. Our friends the bees are not the only insects that pollinate plants.

Many different insects contribute to pollination, including wasps. In some environments, the western yellowjacket (a North American wasp species) is actually better than honeybees at pollination. So suck it, bees!

Wasps also control the populations of other insects, which can be pests or carry disease. An out-ofcontrol insect population can also have a negative impact on plant life and other invertebrates.

Basically, imagine the seagull situation in Dundee, but on an insect scale. That’s what would happen without wasps!

Okay, so wasps are important and beneficial, but why do we have to like them? Because they’re dying. Just like a lot of other insect populations, wasps are declining as they lose habitat and the climate changes. We need to get over our aversion to them and actually try to promote them the way we promote bees with bee-friendly habitats and other community efforts.

Wasps are good. And they need help.

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Words by Callum Reid / Design by Lisa Dyer

“...imagine the seagull situation in Dundee, but on an insect scale.”

SCIENCE + TECH

How Some Insects Fling Their Pee

Yes, really.

Some sap-sucking insects can “make it rain.”

Known as sharpshooters and leafhoppers, they can fling droplets of pee while they feed on plant juices.

Scientists have finally shown how they create these sprays. The insects use tiny structures that catapult pee at high accelerations.

Unlike the leaves rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins, among the most nutrient poor plant tissues is xylem sap - the lifeblood of the sharpshooters. The pests slurp hundreds of times their body weight daily to obtain enough nutrients to survive, the equivalent of a human drinking 400 gallons of water a day – that’s a lot of pee!

Sharpshooters can do serious damage. In the process of feeding, they can move bacteria into plants that cause disease, and devastate crop lands. Take glassy-winged sharpshooters - they have spread beyond their native range in the south-eastern United States. In California, for instance, they have sickened vineyards. Further afield, they’ve wreaked havoc on the South Pacific island of Tahiti by poisoning spiders that eat sharpshooters.

A tree infested with sharpshooters sprinkles a steady pitter-patter of pee. This can dampen people walking by. Saad Bhamla, a biophysicist and engineer at Georgia Tech commented “It’s crazy just to look at.” The rain of pee got Bhamla and his colleagues hooked on studying how the insects fling so much waste.

The researchers took high-speed video footage of two sharpshooter species - the glassy-winged and blue-green types. The video showed the insects feeding and then hurling their pee. The videos also revealed that a tiny barb on the insect’s butt (technical term, obvs) acts like a spring. Once a drop collects on the barb, called a stylus, the “spring” releases. Off flies the pee, as if hurled from a catapult.

Bhamla argued that tiny hairs at the end of the stylus further increase its flinging power. That’s much like the sling found at the end of certain types of catapults. The rapid acceleration of a cheetah chasing down its prey is slow motion compared with the pee flying out of a glassy sharpshooter. The stylus launches pee with an acceleration 20 times that of Earth’s gravity; that’s SIX TIMES the acceleration that astronauts feel when they launch into space.

It’s not clear why sharpshooters fling their pee.

Perhaps the insects do it to avoid attracting predators. Regardless of the reasons why, Bhamla concluded, “As engineers, we should always turn to nature, because nature has had millions of years to evolve”. “It’s an interesting way to think about how an insect might move really fast without using combustion. It’s non-destructive.”

Words by James Dale / Design by Neil Connor

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SPORT

The Use of Animals in Sporting Competition The use of animals as a form of competitive entertainment is ingrained in the sporting community. Despite its ethical ambiguity, putting £1 each way on the Grand National once per year is a social norm that is rarely questioned.

A

number of substantial factors separate our four legged companions, fuzzy or otherwise from level headed, performance focused sporting animals.

Be it race horses, gun dogs or polo elephants these animals possess a level of focus and athletic ability that often surpasses that of their human counterpart.

In the same way that humans strive for physiological perfection in sport, they see potential in animals’ natural capabilities that far exceed our speed, strength, power and agility.

The use of animals in sport began in an effort to ‘spice up’ the sporting world. People got bored of watching other people jumping three ft hurdles and decided it would be far more exciting to watch a human use a horse to jump a six ft hurdle.

However, much like the gucci gang donning their finest chequered suit for a drunken day at the races with the lads, what lies beneath the facade is often tragic. According to PETA, an average of 24 horses experience fatal breakdowns per week on racetracks.

Off the tracks, underground auction shows exist called under-tacks. These shows, described as “suicide shows” by jockeys, are high value showcases of young, promising horses’ speed and power. In 2011, at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Auction a young colt suffered a ruptured aorta after being made to repeatedly sprint in 90 degree heats. Fatalities at these shows are a common occurrence.

Like in human sports, the use of illegally prescribed performance enhancing drugs is present. In California, it was found that 90% of horses that suffer breakdowns possessed pre-existing injuries. In many unfortunate cases, horses are doped with a cocktail of

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Design by Lisa Dyer

drugs that allow them to race and train through crippling injuries.

In greyhound racing, females are regularly injected with steroids to prevent them from going into heat.

Top level dogs have even tested positively for cocaine.

Dogs are also involved in the extremely popular sport of greyhound racing. Similar to horse racing, dogs sprint around tracks and punters gamble anything from spare change to college funds on one finishing first. It is often the case however that the life of a racing dog is a short and joyless one. Most dogs were found to be caged up to 23 hours each day and only released to race. Since 2008, GREY2K (Animal lobbying group) reported that around 1000 greyhounds have reportedly died on the track in Florida alone. Between 2008 and 2018, they also found that over 15,000 injuries were reported including head trauma, broken legs and broken backs. These statistics are undoubtedly higher, however Florida racetracks are not required to disclose injuries. “. . . these animals possess a level of focus and athletic ability that often surpasses that of their human counterpart.”

Is there a difference between using animals to work by ploughing fields or pulling carriages and using them for entertainment?

Despite massive developments

SPORT

in agricultural and farming technologies, animals around the world are still heavily involved in manual labour and yet this is accepted. Opposition to the continuation of animal orientated sports argue that the animal has no choice but to run, jump, pose... they have not given consent.

Horses enjoy running and being ridden. Much like humans, exercise and healthy relationships make horses happy. I can’t imagine anywhere in a horse’s psyche there is a burning desire to pull a 150kg plough. Within hunting (a controversial topic unto itself) gun dogs can be used to track, control the movement of prey, flush them out of hiding and recover the kill depending on what you’re hunting. A variety of highly intelligent breeds are used for different tasks and many breeds that exist now were purpose-bred for various roles. Cute, inquisitive Dachshunds that dominate the internet in their little hot dog costumes were born as a result of cross-breeding to create an obedient dog, perfectly shaped to

flush badgers out of dens. Dogs are rarely hurt in hunting parties and usually treated as beloved members of the pack during the hunt but otherwise they’re treated as working dogs.

Any equestrian has, at some point, raced a friend and tested how fast their horse can gallop. Any dog owner has thrown a ball as far as they could for their pupper to thunder after it. The difference is intent, a lack of greed. It is greed that makes room for the darker, crueler side of sports. It is by disregarding the moral concept of sacrifice that the bigger picture disappears. In this instance horses and dogs become tools, merely a means of winning money. Sports involving animals, must end the cruelty. Racing should be enjoyable for all, particularly the animals as without them the sport is no more. Only trainers, jockeys, owners with an understanding AND appreciation of the animals should have involvement in their lives and competition.

Words by Jack Hunter

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QUIZ

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH QUIZ 1.

What was the only Winter Olympics event open to women in 1924?

5.

A. Figure Skating B. Speed Skating C. Ski Jumping 2.

3.

6.

7.

Which USA state had Hilary Clinton as one of its Senators between 2001-2009?

A. New York B. Alabama C. North Carolina

Which of the following Agatha Christie novel does not star Miss Marple as the detective?

A. Sleeping Murder B. Third Girl C. The Moving Finger

In 2018, Pixar released a short film called Bao. What makes this short special?

A. First Pixar short to be written by a woman B. First Pixar short to be directed by a woman C. First Pixar short to be composed by a woman

Which country became the first to elect a Female Prime Minister?

A. Israel B. India C. Sri Lanka

4.

A. Joanna Lumley B. Imelda Staunton C. Angela Pleasence

Which USA state was the first to give women the right to vote?

A. Colorado B. Wyoming C. Oregon

In 1999 the BBC made a special Doctor Who episode for Red Nose Day which starred Rowan Atkinson as an unofficial Ninth Doctor.

Who played the unofficial Thirteenth Doctor?

8.

Rosa Parks was a major contributor in the Montgomery bus boycott, but how long did the boycott last?

A. 257 days B. 381 days C. 405 days

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Design by Louise James

QUIZ

9.

Eugénie Brazier became the first female to achieve what in France?

13.

A. Deep Space Nine B. Voyager C. Enterprise

A. Win a scholarship to study Culinary at College B. Sell more than one million cookbooks C. Gain three Michelin stars for her restaurant 10.

Verity Lambert became the very first what at the BBC in 1963?

14.

The femme fatale is an archetypal woman in what type of movies?

A. Action B. Thriller C. Film Noir

12.

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson became the first female qualified Doctor in the UK in which year?

A. 1857 B. 1865 C. 1875

A. Television Producer B. Head Programmer C. Script Editor 11.

Kate Mulgrew played the Captain in which franchise of Star Trek?

15.

Which of the following boy cartoon characters is not voiced by a girl?

A. Bart Simpson B. Timmy Turner C. Danny Phantom

For which country did Carolina Morace score the first female FIFA World Cup hat trick?

A. Italy B. Switzerland C. Hungary

1. A 9. C Words by Benedict Jackson

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2. B 10. A

3. C 11. C

4. B 12. A

5. A 13. B

6. B 14. B

7. A 15.C

8. B

NEXT MONTH’S THEME: ONWARDS

WHAT’S ON? 01 - 31 MARCH

06 MARCH

06 + 07 MARCH

08 MARCH

17 MARCH

20 MARCH

Women’s History Month

International Women’s Day

DUSA Elections Results Night

St. Patrick’s Day

Dundee University Dance Club Show

First Day of Spring