Skip to main content

Month: December 2019

Authorised Press Shot

Little Simz: Decade in Review

Written by Robbie Beale on . Posted in Music.

Finally throwing off the narrative cloak of her last two albums (both, in part, concept albums), GREY Area by Little Simz is a stripped back masterpiece and a demonstration of her unmatched artistry as a rapper. It touches on subjects as diverse as gun violence and therapy, with incredible honesty and maturity.

This album has definitely been a long time coming. Rapping from aged nine, briefly acting in teen TV dramas, then gaining a premiere of her debut mixtape on Jay-Z’s website at 19, it’s fair to say that Ajikawo, the brains behind Little Simz, has been prolific. But despite props from the likes of rap-royalty Kendrick Lamar and a collaboration with Gorillaz, the household name status she has rapped about throughout her career has eluded her, whilst her male contemporaries on the London scene seemed to pass her by.

One of the album’s greatest achievements is the way it presents such a broad variety of themes and moods whilst still maintaining its coherence and holding the listener’s attention throughout. No song feels out of place, ranging from emotional rap-ballads such as ‘Pressure’, through chilled vibey tracks such as ‘Sherbet Sunset’, all the way through to triumphant and defiant opener ‘Offence’.

The album as a whole matches the artwork perfectly. No longer hiding behind abstract artwork, GREY Area sees Simz face up to the camera in plain and simple, yet defiant, terms. Accordingly, the album’s instrumentation is stripped back compared to previous efforts. Real drums and bass guitars take the place of digital or sampled beats and bass, whilst it’s the guitars and vocals that provide the hooks. Though less heavy on the sampling, this gives the album a feel of 90s east-coast hip-hop. Much of the credit for this has to go to her longtime friend and producer Inflo.

The lyrics too are almost painfully raw at times, with the opening line in ‘Sherbet Sunset’ being: “It’s hard to talk about something that I don’t believe in, L-O-V-E can you tell me what’s the meaning”. This all makes for an incredible live experience (which I’ve been lucky enough to witness twice), which sees Simz take to the stage with an incredibly tight and talented live band, even playing bass and guitar herself at times. This album, and its accompanying tour, are truly a tour-de-force for Ajikawo.

It remains to be seen whether this 2019 genre-blending gem will propel Little Simz to the heights she deserves to be at. It’s difficult to escape the feeling that had she been a man, her fortunes might be different. Indeed, despite lacking some of the maturity of GREY Area, her 2017 effort Stillness In Wonderland is still an epic of an album, that would surely have put her on everyone’s lips had it come from one of her male counterparts in British rap.

This hasn’t been lost on Little Simz, who doesn’t shy away from tackling the issue of gender. The incredible aggression on standout track ‘Venom’ is directed at the men who have stood in her way. She’s spoken before about her disdain at being labelled a ‘female MC’ first, and ‘artist’ second, but for the first time she really owns that subject in GREY Area, singing “I’m a boss in a fucking dress” on aptly named track ‘Boss’.

Little Simz’s development over the last decade has been clear to see, releasing four mixtapes, seven EPs and three albums that span a journey of growth and experimentation. The result, which will surely become a touchstone of modern hip-hop, is GREY Area – truly a culmination of all her efforts of the last decade. At the incredibly young age of 25, with 3 albums all independently released under her belt, here’s hoping that the next decade is hers as it deserves to be.

Vinyl

Albums of the decade

Written by Bella Fleming on . Posted in Music.

The 2010s have seen some of the best, and maybe worst, music released. From ‘Gangnam Style’ to ‘Thrift Shop’ this decade has given us some of the weirdest and wackiest internet-driven music. We’ve seen The Beatles be overtaken by One Direction as the biggest boy band on the planet, the K-Pop genre unexpectedly dominating global charts, and Miley Cyrus swing naked on a wrecking ball.

The growth of streaming services and social media this decade has made music more accessible for both the maker and the listener. Not only has this connected pop stars and their fans, but it has also helped the independent and DIY scene thrive like it never has before. Software like Garage Band gave us a new music genre in bedroom artists, and the Vinyl Revival helped independent music shops stay afloat.

The 2010s have been especially good for women, who have continuously challenged gender discrimination and inequality in the industry. Toxic and over-sexualised music is continuing to fade fast thanks to a new wave of pop icons such as Adele, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish. At the beginning of the decade, we saw Amy Winehouse bring soul and jazz into the mainstream, and her death in 2011 is still one of the industry’s greatest losses. At the end of the decade, we saw Ariana Grande hold one of the most emotional, yet inspiring, concerts with One Love in Manchester.

To celebrate this iconic decade we decided to ask our music team what their favourite album of the 2010s was. Having grown up in the 2010s, the music we’ve heard in this decade will likely be a huge part of our lives for a long time, and all music lovers can agree it’s been a decade unlike any other.

I think if there’s one thing we should take away from this last decade in music is that it is utterly impossible to predict where the music industry will be by the end of the next decade. All we can hope for is that women continue to thrive, the independent scene keeps growing, and that we hear lots of great more music.

– Bella Fleming, Head Music Editor

Bella Fleming

Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit (2015)

Full of wit, sarcasm and incredible guitar riffs, Courtney Barnett’s first full LP, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, has to hold the crown for one of the best albums of the 2010s. Released in 2015, Barnett redefined what it meant to be a solo woman in the indie punk scene. Her punchy, poetic and brutally honest lyrics shine throughout this album, complemented with shrill guitars and a distinct Aussie twang. The track ‘Pedestrian at Best’  delivers the iconic line: “I think you’re a joke, but I don’t find you very funny”, while ‘Depreston’ sees Barnett singing about the perils of suburban life, and ‘Dead Fox’ looks at the impact global businesses have on the environment. Not only did Courtney Barnett carve a significant international platform for the isolated Australian music scene, but her whole attire and approach to music is also incredibly refreshing. Completely understated in her appearance, Courtney Barnett shows that women don’t have to dress up and wear makeup to sell millions of albums, yet doesn’t make a point about her attire nor use it as a marketing scheme. She is incredibly open and honest, as are the lyrics in her songs. Not many people made a point to sing about changing climates or having feelings of anxiety in 2015, or managed to make it as relatable and poetic, which is why I think Courtney Barnett’s Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit is the best album of the decade.

Alex Cresswell

Danny Brown – Atrocity Exhibition (2016)

To date, there hasn’t been a better industrial hip hop album than this. For an artist to so perfectly articulate, to so perfectly condense the chaos in their own life into a tracklist of 15 songs is a demonstration of Danny Brown’s phenomenal talent as a musician. Despite the conversation surrounding male, and in general, mental health having advanced significantly since 2016, we are still a long way off from where we should be and this alone is indicative of how progressive this album is. Here we see a person at their most vulnerable, not musing about lost love or braggadocio but facing up to their fundamentally troubled existence. This lyrical quality combined with the sublime production makes for an album that is equal parts emotionally interesting as it is sonically. At least half of the tracks are strong contenders for the best on the album and all occupy the niche of industrial hip hop to varying extents — a woefully underrated sub-genre. Danny Brown didn’t pioneer industrial, but in this album he offered it to us in its finest form yet; it has all the makings of a cult classic.

Lily Martin

Arctic Monkeys – AM (2013)

It is indisputable that this has to be considered as one of the most genre-defining albums of the 2010s. Consistently tipped as one of Arctic Monkeys’ greatest releases, the presence of now-iconic tracks like ‘R U Mine’ and ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ have become the anthems of a generation of young people in the indie-rock scene. Arctic Monkeys managed to delve deeper into themselves and their audience eight years after the release of their first album, with AM receiving almost unprecedented acclaim even to this day. A coherent but diverse blend of beautifully tailored tracks have become synonymous with the cult following of the band; this album will remain in the cultural mind frame of British music for decades to come.

Georgina Davidson

Janelle Monae – Dirty Computer (2016)

This stunning album is a culmination of creatively crafted sampled sound and catchy lyricism. It is true that Janelle has had some incredible collaborators over the years but none quite so transformative as Prince. This album was his final piece of producing work before his untimely death and it is a pretty great example of two brilliant minds working in perfect harmony to create something quite spectacular. Highlights include the rousingly anthemic ‘Crazy Classic Life’ which is lifted by the ever-more relevant sampling of Martin Luther King’s famous speech. American producer Grimes flexes her mixing muscles and features on the distinctive ‘Pynk’. The accompanying music video offers enough visuals to dazzle and dizzy, brave in its provocation and freedom of female anatomy. Other collaborators include Zoë Kravitz and Pharrell Williams who provide their individual skill sets to create uniquely textured tracks. If this was not enough the album cover in itself is a piece of art depicting Janelle like a bejewelled demi-goddess under a golden orb. An album of the decade which captures the artist’s style and sound brilliantly.

Reece Ritchie

Chance The Rapper – Colouring Book (2016)

My choice for album of the decade was a difficult one, with so many great projects being released in the past ten years across the many genres I love, I found it difficult to narrow down my choices. However, when I thought of the album that really diversified my music there was no other than Chance the Rapper’s third mixtape Colouring Book.  Following the critically acclaimed Acid Rap this celebration of gospel hip-hop features artists such as Kanye West, 2 Chainz and Kirk Franklin across a selection of upbeat, yet thoughtful tracks that can lift any mood. This album was my introduction to hip hop and the project that allowed me to expand beyond the indie music of my pre-teens, whilst also being the only mixtape and streaming-only project to win a Grammy. Many thought Chance would never surpass Acid Rap but I believe this is his Opus.

Jess Foster

Sundara Karma – Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect (2017)

My favourite, and most memorable record of the decade, is undoubtedly Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect by Sundara Karma. From the religious undertones of ‘Olympia’ posing the question “Is heaven such a fine thing?”, to the guitar-driven indie favourite ‘She Said’, the record truly established the talents of Sundara Karma in the industry. I love the sophistication of their lyricism, but with meaning that can relate to anyone growing up, especially in ‘Deep Relief’ and ‘Be Nobody’. Is it the most experimental record? No. Sundara Karma definitely pushed the boundaries with Ulfilas’ Alphabet, but their debut album captured the hearts of many with its different take on the indie genre. Although their lyricism is often an allusion to thoughts deep and philosophical (‘Flame’), Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect is nevertheless a coming-of-age record, and it certainly defined the last of my teenage years.

Robbie Beale

Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool (2016)

Throughout their lengthy career, Radiohead have mastered vulnerability, experimentation and instrumentation. This album is a culmination of those key qualities, presenting Radiohead at their most fragile. The album’s production was heavily overshadowed by singer Thom Yorke’s divorce with longtime partner Rachel Owens, whilst producer Nigel Godrich (often cited as Radiohead’s sixth member) lost his father on the day of the recording of the orchestra for lead single ‘Burn The Witch’. Indeed, the first and last lyrics on the album are “stay” and “leave”. On experimentation and instrumentation, the album is one of Radiohead’s least ‘rocky’ yet, incorporating Latin shuffles with orchestral symphonies and folk riffs seamlessly. Even amongst these genre-defying, grief-ridden tracks Yorke still finds time to critique Europe’s response to the ‘refugee crisis’. Don’t believe, however, that this album is a depressing one. Its defining characteristic is its innate beauty, which will translate into the next decade and beyond.

Jemma Harris

Glass Animals – ZABA (2014)

ZABA is my album of the decade because after more than five years, I still haven’t heard anything like it. It is a well-crafted psychedelic indie album with subtle hints of hip-hop laced throughout. The vocals are soft yet somewhat powerful, and come across more like another instrument. Some of the samples used in the songs were produced by unconventional methods like pots and pans filled with water. The songs melt into each other with overlaps at the beginning and end of tracks and the album flows seamlessly. While the music is undeniably excellent in my opinion, the album art shouldn’t be ignored. From the colour scheme to the small details that link to some of the songs, the jungle scene perfectly captures the atmosphere of ZABA. It is all of these, and much more, that make ZABA so special.

Brendan Nixon

Ezra Furman – Perpetual Motion People (2015)

Over the past decade, Ezra Furman has established himself as a fierce voice of rebellion, speaking out on behalf of all marginalised, disenfranchised people across the world. In my opinion, there is no better way to do this than by writing what is, essentially, a pop album. With a sprinkling of folk and a recurrent theme of oppositionist rock’n’roll, Perpetual Motion People is packed with catchy hooks and infectious saxophone solos proving that protest music doesn’t always have to sound abrasive and grating. It exhibits an astounding collection of musically diverse tracks tackling issues close to Furman’s heart. Whether the singer is expressing his refusal to be defined by gender, or simply celebrating his body for the way God made it, a striking spectrum of emotion is captured in just thirteen songs. Perpetual Motion People is a fitting celebration of humanity’s inherent diversity which will leave you feeling uneasy but at peace with your discomfort.

Emma Heslington

Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly (2015)

Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 LP To Pimp A Butterfly does not allow itself to be pinned down by genre, industry or society. With elements of jazz and soul incorporated into Lamar’s West Coast hip hop sound, this powerful album effortlessly makes its way into the top 10 of the decade. Following good kid, m.A.A.d. city, Kendrick Lamar returned with the unapologetic To Pimp A Butterfly, entailing a powerful social commentary addressing police violence, white supremacy and black power. Eight days prior to the scheduled release date, 15th March 2015, fans were greeted with powerful reflections of the struggles Kendrick faced throughout his rise to fame and riches. The high energy in ‘King Kunta’ and ‘Alright’ is maintained throughout the album making it an addictive listen, with the drive still being held throughout spoken word elements. The final track ‘Mortal Man’ ends the album with a potent message on Kendrick’s exploration of conscious music, ending with a Tupac Shakur audio feature from 1994, which fittingly concludes the political themes presented throughout the album.

Blake Crompton
Death Grips – The Money Store (2012)
My favourite album of the last 10 years has to go to The Money Store by Death Grips. Being by far one of the best Death Grips albums, the visceral aggression combines genres of all aspects: hip-hop, noise, spoken word, punk, glitchy horror. This record reaches far and rips out deeper than, with each fresh listen showing another side of itself, a feat of any record. Even extending beyond music alone, this album has a worldwide impact with nearly every image and line become a meme. The topics and amazing musical depth are what makes this album by far my favourite of the past ten years.

The best sporting moments of the 2010s

Written by Harry Deacon on . Posted in Sport.

As the 2010s draw to a close, it would be fitting to reminisce all of the unthinkable sporting moments that have taken place over the last decade. However, it is impossible to hark back to every single moment of ecstasy, elation, or devastation. So, instead here is six of the best, picked out by The Mancunion‘s sport reporters.

England’s unbelievable cricket World Cup win – Joey Millington, Sport Reporter

“England have won… by the barest of margins”. Ian Smith aptly summarised a thrilling white-ball finale.

England dramatically won their maiden Cricket World Cup in 2019. Chasing 241 runs, the English top order toiled, until Ben Stokes wrote himself into sporting folklore. His gutsy knock carried England, an 84* including priceless runs from unintentionally striking the ball whilst scrambling to safety.

It came down to the last ball; two to win. England mustered one and a super over followed. Stokes and Buttler set New Zealand 16 to win, as again the final ball proved pivotal. Guptill needed two runs but fell short as England fell in love with cricket all over again.

Leicester’s fairy tale Premier League campaign – Kate Jackson, Chief Sub-editor

The 2015/16 Premier League season gave us the perfect underdog story as Leicester City overcame their 5000/1 outsider status to lift the league title.

They dominated conversation around the country; no-one could imagine that a team outside the top six could keep their form for an entire year. The immensity of the achievement was exemplified by forward Jamie Vardy, who had spent most of his career playing non-league football. Vardy managed to score in eleven consecutive games (a PL record) and was named Football Writers Footballer of the Year.

Plus, their win managed to get Gary Lineker in his underwear on Match of the Day. I’m not sure many sporting moments can top that.

Bradley Wiggins’ historic Tour de France victory – Louis Strappazzon, Sport Reporter

The year was 2012, the biggest year in Bradley Wiggins’ cycling career.

Wiggins won time trial gold at the Olympics, but earlier that year he, with Team Sky (the project of Dave Brailsford) and most importantly Chris Froome, became the first British cyclist ever to win the Tour de France, making British sporting history and becoming an icon whilst inspiring many Brits to love cycling.

Aguero’s unforgettable title winner – Will Stonier, Sport reporter

‘I swear you’ll never see anything like this ever again. So watch it, drink it in…’ uttered Martin Tyler, in what is now as the most iconic football-commentary sound bite ever recorded. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I recount seeing my glasses fly down in slow motion over the heads of the people in front of me to the tier below as Aguero scored that 93rd-minute goal to hand Manchester City the 2012 Premier League title.

This was not just an iconic moment for Manchester City fan, but a sporting moment that relied on a touch of magic and drama at the last possible second to decide a season-long tournament by the finest of margins. It was also the only time Balotelli registered an assist in a Manchester City shirt.

The Patriots’ dramatic Super Bowl comeback – Iwan Hopkins, Deputy Sport Editor 

Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots have been a prominent force in the NFL over the past decade, reaching five of the 10 finals. However, their victory in 2017 was by far the most impressive. Despite heading into the final as strong favourites over the Atlanta Falcons, they went into half-time 21-3 down. A strong second-half tied the game at 28-28 and, for the first time in Super Bowl history, it went to Overtime.

A touchdown from James White sealed the incredible comeback and finished what is commonly referred to as the greatest Super Bowl of all time. A true sporting masterclass from MVP Tom Brady and his Patriots.

The London Olympics’ magical Super Saturday – Harry Deacon, Head Sport Editor

It is the 4th of August 2012 and the eyes of the world are fixed on London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Britain’s rowers and cyclists had lifted the already sky-high spirits of the nation, bringing home gold medals in three separate events that day.

Then it was time for Jessica Ennis-Hill, Greg Rutherford, and Mo Farah to blow the roof off the Olympic Stadium, and almost every house up and down the country. It was the pinnacle of British Olympic history and on home soil too. Oh, and who doesn’t remember the Mo-bot?

Chilean protests: ‘It’s not 30 Chilean pesos. It’s 500 years!’

Written by Anja Samy on . Posted in Opinion.

In Part 4 of the Student Voice: Chilenxs en Manchester series, Denisse Sepúlveda Sánchez argues that the uprising against 30 years of inequality in Chile has awakened greater civil awareness of the inequality suffered by indigenous peoples for centuries.

‘It’s not 30 Chilean pesos. It’s 30 years!’ This popular slogan appeared on October 18th 2019 when the current social crisis started in Chile.

Students began to manifest their discontent with the 30 pesos metro fare price rise, but the demonstration turned into a generalised rejection of inequality and the Neoliberal system, which the majority of Chilean people have deeply felt and suffered under for more than 30 years.

Within this discontent, diverse demands have arisen. Among them, were demands raised by the indigenous peoples of Chile, who have been struggling since the Spanish conquest and colonisation of South America, which started more than 500 years ago.

‘It’s not 30 Chilean pesos. It’s 500 years!’ This phrase represents all the injustices and inequalities that indigenous people have been facing in Chile. This phrase is so important because is a wake-up call against the colonisation process, which still remains in our society.

The people tearing down colonisers’ statues in different locations of Chile – such as García Hurtado de Mendoza in Cañete, Pedro de Valdivia in Temuco, and Cristobal Colón in Arica– perform symbolic events.

These actions have been crucial in destabilising historical narratives and creating consciousness about Chilean history, which was previously represented from the standpoint of people who were colonialists and not indigenous.

In addition, the Wenufoye, the flag of the Mapuche which is the biggest indigenous group in Chile, became one of the symbols of the manifestation and rebellion. It has become more popular than the Chilean flag for many protestors.

This could be a sign that we want to re-build a country that respects and recognises indigenous culture, instead of focusing purely on our European heritage or North American values.

Denisse Sepúlveda Sánchez, graduate PhD Sociology UoM and member of Chilenxs en Manchester – a group of Chilean students at the University of Manchester and Chilean Manchester residents.

Credit: Nicky Rowbottom@Flickr

Staying optimistic with Josie Long

Written by Felix Hanif-Banks on . Posted in Features.

“There’s no point in being pessimistic, just be optimistic instead…try it and you’ll feel better.” I was having a bad morning – everything was late or not working and my head was far from where it needed to be – which made me initially scoff at what seemed an oversimplification of just about everything.

But Josie Long, British comedian with an impressive career spanning film, TV, and radio, really had a point. Her cheery demeanor and wisdom delivered while she was making a cup of tea made her point go down rather easily, and put a smile on my face.

That effect should be natural if it’s a comedian you’re talking to – Josie wouldn’t have had much of a career if she was no good at putting smiles on people’s faces – but this brand of optimism is as infectious as it is necessary at a time where so many feel disillusioned, angry, or just lost.

Josie sees comedy as “as broad a medium as music”, meaning there isn’t “just one function for comedians”. Despite the growth of more political comedy, and her own strong convictions, Josie still wants her comedy to be able to be enjoyed in a “frivolous and disposable way”, providing a form of escapism that still has a more emotional function in “inspir[ing] people and making them feel more positive about the world”.

With a career that has seen so many awards across many mediums, including appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Skins, somehow there’s still been time for philanthropy along the way. Long started her Alternative Reality Tour (ART) and Emergency Arts Service (EAS) in 2011 as a means of showing the public they could make real change and have valuable ideas.

After attending a lot of protests through the years, Josie got the feeling too much of politics was about fighting instead of building constructive change. Projects such as ART and EAS provided a perfect outlet to showcase the world she wanted, creating a “free and unusual atmosphere” that helped shape “people who can change the future and make circumstances better for many.”

Emergency Arts Service, a scheme to help young people in underprivileged access arts degrees, came in response to what Josie described as “the government squandering the future of people who weren’t f****** lords”.

Josie saw great value in arts degrees in helping bring about meaningful, human change from both a social and artistic perspective. It’s this art – and these artists – that can help provoke important conversations and offer new viewpoints in our society, providing some much-needed freshness amongst a depressing amount of stagnation.

Alternative Reality Tour was a venture that similarly sought to transform the way people looked at society. On the topic of celebrity activism, Josie described a lot of celebs as “idiots and pampered show-ponies”, but still not without a function. Celebrity faces can be vital when helping any sort of cause insofar as creating publicity and attracting people’s attention, but the real activism often comes from regular people who haven’t been on 8 Out Of 10 Cats.

ART was Josie’s attempt to prove exactly that, providing an interactive experience unlike much else the public would have seen before. She wanted everyone to realise “we’re just some idiots who have done this, and the audience can equally be people who do similar things.” Accessibility to art has become an awkwardly defined topic in our society, where even though we see any regular person or make a TikTok, there still exists a barrier around creating something tangible and in any sense ‘important’ unless one is an ‘artist’, a very loaded label that usually signifies privilege and a certain distance from ‘regular life’.

Josie sees that democratisation of art as important in creating a society of people passionate about change and progress, as creating and understanding any type of art requires great amounts of that. The profundity and insight Josie had about such wide-scale issues took me back for someone making a cuppa at 10am on a Wednesday, and made an encouraging case for her ability to captivate an audience when she was actually performing.

Describing personal icon Phyllis Diller, an American comedian who performed into her 80s, Josie spoke of the “clear and satisfying” nature of stand-up as a creative outlet. Just as Diller was able to constantly keep her work fresh over her 50+ year career, Josie found the development of her stand-up as her life changed very interesting.

For Josie, stand-up provided an outlet unlike any other, and that opportunity to share your life so readily is one that conveniently offered Josie a lot of comfort. This blend of personal and political is one that so many desperately try to get right but one Josie seems to have mastered. She was quoted in The Independent way back in 2012 as saying “I can’t help writing comedy about the cuts. I’m not trying to hurt anyone.”

Such a quote, coupled with the fact she is still very much writing comedy about the cuts highlights Josie’s optimism as much as it paints a very damning picture of our country. While comedy can indeed be “frivolous and disposable”, at its best it serves a purpose in the meantime. This niche is exactly where Josie Long sits, and her mantra of aggressive optimism and the power of anyone to stand up and make a change should be digested by all as we struggle to find purpose or meaning in this strange society.

Josie Long is touring the UK from January next year, you can get tickets and find out more about all her many pursuits on her website.

Chilean protests – Police violence against women and LGBTQ+

Written by Anja Samy on . Posted in Opinion.

*Trigger Warning: This article covers topics of sexual abuse and rape.*

In part three of our Student Voice feature, in partnership with Chilenxs en Manchester, Marisol Verdugo Paiva discusses the prevalence of abuse of women and LGBTQ+ protestors at the hands of the police in Chile.

Demonstrations in Chile demanding more equality and social justice have been answered with excessive violence by police and military forces. In the past weeks, the National Human Rights Institute Chile (INDH), together with two international organisations – International Amnesty and Human Rights Watch – have claimed that serious violations of human rights have taken place in Chile.

These organisations maintain that police and military officers have injured, mistreated, tortured and sexually abused demonstrators, in some cases specifically targeting  women and members of the LGBTIQ+ community.

These reports have highlighted, for instance, a case of police forces entering a female public secondary school and shooting pellets at school girls. They also have condemned the fact that police appear to be more likely to force women and girls to undress than men, making detainees – children in some cases – to undress fully for searches.

A number of women claim to have been subject to verbal, physical and sexual abuse, and in some cases rape, at the hands of police. Others have been subjected to rape threats, and four men have also allegedly been raped.

The INDH published a report on December 3rd human rights violations carried out by police and the military in Chile  which states that, “In total, 190 cases of sexual harassment/violence have been recorded, of which 171 correspond to undressing.”

Adding to the general outrage is the silence and neglect from the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality regarding these issues.

In response to this, a choreographed performance titled ‘Un violador en tu camino’ (‘A rapist in your way’) was created by the Chilean feminist collective LasTesis.

 

The anthemic feminist chant was first performed outside government buildings across Chile on the November 20th – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It was then picked up by women across the globe.

“And the fault wasn’t mine, not where I was, not how I dressed.

The rapist is you.

It’s the cops,
The judges,
The state,
The president.

The oppressive state is a rapist.”

This battle hymn reminds us that gender-based violence is persistent in everyday life and only further intensifies in states of exception such as protests. ‘Un violador en tu camino’ has become a powerful political demand for social and institutional change.

Written by Marisol Verdugo Paiva, PhD candidate in Social Anthropology UOM and member of Chilenxs en Manchester, a group of Chilean students and Manchester residents.

Chilean protests: Violence and social control

Written by Anja Samy on . Posted in Opinion.

In part two of our Student Voice feature, in partnership with Chilenxs en Manchester, Francisco Espinoza argues that violence is being used by Chilean police and military agents as a means to suppress civil protests against decades of privatisation.

In Chile, demonstrations exploded across the country after decades of social demands being ignored by those in power.

The constant attack on unions, social movements and revolutionary parties, and the stagnated political institutions – moulded under dictatorship and barely modified since then – created a system with no space for integration or political mediation.

We have been left with no other alternative than occupying the streets and, after the indolence of several governments, we won’t rest until we get what is fair.

Protests at their core are fighting against the privatisation of every domain in our social life. Under this accumulation by dispossession model, which centralises wealth and power in the hands of a select few, company profits are fed by people’s lifelong debt.

Healthcare, pensions, schools, public transport or even prisons; you name it and Chile will provide an example on privatisation. Neoliberalism does not propose the lack of a State but makes it play a different role by ensuring the framework for private accumulation. Thus, business greed is not only legal – is the national motto.

It is not that easy to change things, though. After weeks of protests, the government has not made any real change and keeps treating demonstrators as an enemy to be destroyed.

The National Institute for Human Rights Chile (INDH Chile) released figures from observations of demonstrations, police stations and hospitals. INDH Chile reported that 8466 people have been hospitalised during the protests between October 17th and December 3rd, as well as 517 legal complaints of torture.

There are reports that police officers are shooting rubber bullets and other projectiles at people’s eyes and allegedly sexually abusing detainees. INDH Chile found evidence of 241 ocular injuries and 106 legal complaints of sexual violence .

Violent acts such as these are a mechanism for social control, as it appears they are enacting punishment on those that dare to oppose the status quo. These are warning signs, used to deter others from rising up and joining the fight.

Thirty years after the end of dictatorship, people are being violently repressed because we are pushing for radical transformation and changing the country’s history.

If once Chile was the lab for testing Neoliberalism, Chileans will now be the flame to burn it to ashes.

Written by Francisco Espinoza, Francisco Espinoza, staff at Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, (School of Health Sciences) and member of Chilenxs en Manchester – a group of Chilean students at the University of Manchester and Chilean Manchester residents.

Chilean Protests: A history of student rebellion

Written by Anja Samy on . Posted in Opinion.

In part one of our four part Student Voice feature, in partnership with Chilenxs en Manchester, Javier von Marées explains the history behind the ongoing civil protests in Chile.

Chile’s current rebellion can be strongly linked to student organisations and resistance over the past 30 or more years.

Today’s uprising attempts to oppose the neoliberal system that started during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in 1973 and which, so far, has commodified every aspect of our social welfare.

In that period, the students and workers unions were prosecuted and disbanded to avoid any resistance to his rule. However, during the last years of the regime, students started to organise again and march in protest for the return of democracy.

During 2001 they protested against the privatised scholar transportation passes and achieved the implementation of a public universal student pass. In 2006 a big revolution was sparked by secondary students, seizing thousands of school throughout the country demanding a change on the education law and improvements on the quality of public schools.

Education had become a consumer good, where profit was tacitly allowed, and the financial system had captured thousands of students and their indebted families, backed-up by the State.

This same generation organised themselves once more in 2011, leading one of the largest university and school strikes in the history of Chile.

Media attention and massive demonstrations sparked public debate on private providers profiting from several social rights, such as education, health, and pensions. Many presidential candidates acknowledged the student demands and made them part of their agenda.

A demonstration by Chilean students and Manchester residents in solidarity with the current civil protests in Chile. Photo: Chilenxs en Manchester

In 2018 massive feminist strikes organised in universities exposed the systematic abuses, harassment and unfair treatment towards women, also taking over hundreds of educational establishments.

Today, subway evasions by secondary students have ignited the massive protests against abuses of the elite and a neoliberal system that has systematically commoditised our civil rights for decades.

Don’t sleep in front of abuse and self-serving individuals. Fight for the future, stay awake. Chile has woken up and the world is waking up.

Written by Javier von Marées, graduate from MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship UoM and member of Chilenxs en Manchester – a group of Chilean students at the University of Manchester and Chilean Manchester residents.

Photo: Alexas_Fotos @Pixabay

Northerners deck the halls earlier than the rest, study finds

Written by Megan Oyinka on . Posted in News.

A study has found that Greater Manchester residents put their Christmas trees up 30 days or more before the big day, earlier than most of the rest of the country. 

The study by Hillarys, which included over 1,500 people up and down the country, found that 19% of people already have their Christmas lights up, with residents of North Yorkshire and Greater Manchester leading the way. In comparison, people in Merseyside and Nottinghamshire were found to put their trees up much later, with less than 10 days before Christmas.  

The research released around the last week of November stated that 19% of the people polled had their Christmas tree for 2019 up already and a further 6% planned to put it up by the 1st December. That means that 1 in 4 Christmas celebrators had their trees up in the last days of November. 

The survey also showed how nationwide we have a soft spot for the traditional tacky Christmas decorations, with 55% saying that their home decorations were more ‘tacky’ than ‘tasteful’ and 61% confessing that they felt like their living space was more ‘cluttered’ once they had them up.

The study also found that 41% of the public put up outdoor Christmas lights but in comparison just over 1 in 4 only decorate the traditional Christmas tree. In terms of Christmas trees, the study also found that when it came to the real vs fake debate, artificial trees were favoured by the masses (72%), with ‘safer for pets’, ‘safer for children’ and ‘lower-cost’ the top reasons stated for this preference.

Lucy Askew, a spokesperson for Hillarys, said the following:

“With towns and cities having their Christmas light switch-on events fairly early and shops stocking festive items as early as October in some cases, it’s no wonder many people follow suit and can’t wait to get their trees up.”

Pharmacy

Pharmacist service could save NHS £651 million

Written by Elizabeth Openshaw on . Posted in Science & Tech.

Researchers from the Universities of Manchester, Nottingham, and University College London, have calculated that a pharmacy service could potentially save the NHS millions of pounds.

The New Medicine Service (NMS) is a system that allows pharmacists to provide support and advice to patients taking new medication for long-term conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes. The NMS was set up after psychologists found that adherence to new medicines was often an issue within the first two weeks of being prescribed a long-term drug.

A paper published in 2016 showed that 11% more patients adhered to their medication regimen after 10 weeks when they used the NMS. The present study, published in BMJ Quality and Safety, followed up with the same patients after 26 weeks, and showed that an extra 9% still adhere to their regimen when using the NMS.

Professor Rachel Elliott, lead researcher from the University of Manchester, said, “The New Medicine Service has proved to be a simple, deliverable intervention which helps patients and saves the NHS money.

“The NMS workload had been absorbed into busy community pharmacists’ daily routines alongside existing responsibilities with no extra resources or evidence of reduction in other responsibilities.

“As health care professionals, we sometimes underestimate the problems patients face around their medicines. Patients often decide to stop taking their pills when they see no difference in their symptoms, experience side effects, have found information from other sources such as the internet, or can’t afford prescription charges.

“The results of this longer-term follow-up suggests NMS helps people when the medicine is started, and some effect lasts for quite a long time. However, reviewing medicines-taking, for example, every six months, is probably needed to continue the support patients need around taking medicines. And we think clinical pharmacists, now often based in primary care doctor’s practices may be able to integrate NMS, and follow-up support, into their role.”

Between 2011 and 2018, community pharmacists in over 12,000 pharmacies have delivered 5.7 million consultations as part of the NMS. As well as improving the long-term health of patients, the researchers also found that it will reduce overall costs for the NHS – a hot topic for political parties in this month’s general election.

MACfest

MACfest: The festival we need in a divided Britain

Written by Chess Bradley on . Posted in Arts.

When I first met Qaisra Sharaz in summer, I was taken aback with her warmth and generosity. Qaisra, an acclaimed novelist, scriptwriter, and award-winning activist welcomed me into her home like one of the family members and told me about MACfest, the Muslim arts and culture festival, while pouring more and more spoonfuls of rice onto a plate of food she had made me.

It was clear that MACfest is a passion project for Qaisra. The fest was created as a response to the Manchester Arena attack – Qaisra told me stories of hijabi girls and women scared to leave the house, living in fear from the effects of an individual’s actions and the effects it had to Islamic communities. MACfest celebrates communities and solidarity, not just within Islamic communities, but within all the religious and non-religious communities within Greater Manchester and beyond.

The beauty of MACfest is not just showing that Islamic communities are alive, but they are rich with culture. MACfest uses the arts and history to unify Muslim and non-Muslim communities. It demonstrates the variety of different communities within the Islamic community; events like the Manchester Muslim Poets Bonanza demonstrate MACfest’s commitment to showcasing Islamic art from different regions like Pakistan, Bengal, Iran and Somalia. MACfest has also attempted to include everyone, from having largely free events to hosting them in a wide variety of venues. This is clearly important to Qaisra who stated that,

“The festival engages people of all ages and denominations, including school, college and university students and local communities and is hosted in all mainstream venues, galleries, museums, theatres, and libraries. Our mission is to celebrate arts and connect communities and  to spread sweetness and positivity- hence our slogan #SpreadHoneyNotHate.”

There is an exciting variety of events at the MACfest. For non-muslim volunteer, Barbara, “MACFEST is a joy, it’s brimming with fascinating learning about so many aspects of Muslim culture. When I look at the brochure, it’s like a top-class restaurant menu: I want to eat everything listed!”. She’s not wrong- MACfest has everything ranging from art and science to comedy.

The MACfest opening ceremony will be on the 11th of January. Tickets and a full list of events can be found on Eventbrite.

FC United’s late goal crushes Lancaster’s comeback hopes

Written by Jake Egelnick on . Posted in Sport.

“One of the best games I’ve seen at the ground in years.” This was how one FC United fan described his team’s dramatic 3-2 win over Lancaster City, last Saturday. Behind him, the fans at Broadhurst Park could still be heard celebrating their team’s victory after they scored a 94th minute winner.

FC United went into the game as slight underdogs against a Lancaster side who currently sit in second place. However, they made a terrific start, gaining a penalty in the 6th minute after Tunde Owalabi was fouled by the Lancaster keeper while chasing a poor back pass. Paul Ennis then confidently tucked it away, going high and straight down the middle of the goal. Ennis then doubled up merely a minute later, placing the ball in the bottom right corner of the net after a good series of quick passes.

It was a dream start for FC United, but Lancaster began to try to reduce the two-goal deficit, with the first half of the game being evenly contested. However, the two-goal cushion which the team was now sat on, allowed them to play calm and confident football while off the ball and they began to catch Lancaster on the counter.

FC United went into the second half with the same dominance that they had in the first, with Owalabi’s pace making him a handful for the Lancaster defence. His efforts nearly paid off in the 62nd minute, when he had a goal ruled offside. This was not the only time that the linesman gave Lancaster a helping hand, as throughout much of the last half hour of the game a multitude of opportunities were prevented by arguably wrong decisions from the official, leading to a great deal of heckling from the home fans. Regardless of the linesman’s decisions, FC United undoubtedly squandered their chances in the second half and failed to capitalise on their dominance in the final third of the pitch.

Lancaster began to send men forward in the last 15 minutes, with a goal saving tackle from Adam Dodd serving as a warning of what was to come. A good ball across the face of the goal in the 83rd minute, which was easily tapped in by an arriving Lancaster midfielder, was only the start of Lancaster’s come back. It could have been little more than a consolation goal, as FC United hit the post a minute later. However Lancaster were able to equalise in the 86th minute from a looping header which managed to squirm under the FC United keeper.

It seemed as though FC United, who were by far the better team throughout the match, had thrown the game away in the space of five minutes. As the fans looked down at their watches to see that the four minutes of added time was nearly up, FC United once again found themselves in a good attacking position. Then a moment of magic; a looping cross from the left flank found the head of the unmarked man of the match Chris Doyle, scoring the winner in the 94th minute. This sent the 1,900 fans at Broadhurst Park into a celebratory frenzy as they were rewarded for enduring the cold weather.

Although they left it late, FC United undoubtedly deserved all three points, with manager Neil Reynolds saying after the game that his team “had too many chances not to get another” goal. The Reds now move within three points of a playoff place and face a run of three home games, including an FA trophy clash against Kettering town, who play in the league above.

Death Row Dinners: Starring… murderous men

Written by Elena Meritxell Bradley on . Posted in Food & Drink.

This week I thought we’d go factual and true to the Death Row Dinner concept. Actual murderers. So, enjoy – here are some of the most famous, or should I say infamous Death Row Dinner requests.

  • Thomas J. Grasso: Executed in 1995 after strangling an elderly woman with her own Christmas lights.
    • 25 steamed mussels and clams, a Burger King double cheeseburger, BBQ ribs, two strawberry milkshakes, a tin of spaghetti hoops and meatballs served at room temperature.
    • Half a pumpkin pie with whipped cream.
  • Ronald Clark O’Bryan: Executed in 1984 after killing his 8-year-old son with cyanide-laced sweets on Halloween. He did so to claim on life insurance.
    • A well done T-Bone Steak, fries, corn on the cob, peas, a lettuce, tomato and egg salad with an iced tea.
    • Boston cream pie with crackers.
  • Edmund Zagorski: Executed in 2018, known for saying “let’s rock” in the electric chair, Zagorski was convicted for the murder of two men during a drug deal gone wrong.
    • Picked pig knuckles and pig tails (that in itself is criminal).
  • William Bonin: Executed in 1996 following his spree as ‘The Freeway Killer’. He murdered at least 21 young men.
    • Two pepperoni and sausage pizzas with three six-packs of Coca-Cola and Pepsi.
    • Three servings of chocolate ice cream.

(Credit to research by John Barryman in his article for Ranker, ‘The Most Elaborate Final Meals in Death Row History’)

 

 

Photo: Alex Pepperhill @ Flickr

Meal deal rip-offs: Curry mile solutions for a £3.50 lunch

Written by dovidbrown on . Posted in Food & Drink.

I know, I know — you’ve got three deadlines in one week, you left your packed lunch in the fridge and now have to do the walk of shame to Morrisons for a meal deal. Much to your displeasure, the only sandwich left is a ‘just ham’. Your day is made worse.

However, even on a good day, the most attractive part of a meal deal is the discounted smoothie that gives you a feeling of a small Marxist victory.

The idea that a dry falafel wrap or a bland vegetable samosa is enough to fuel a day of studying is simply criminal. If only there was a mile-long road solely dedicated to delivering authentic, inexpensive Middle Eastern and South Asian food just a stone’s throw from the Main Library…

Too many people go their whole undergraduate degree without going for lunch on Rusholme’s Curry Mile and it’s a tragedy. What else is a tragedy is that you’ll often hear students claim that the best kebab in Manchester is from Turkiss in Fallowfield.

So, from kebabs to falafel wraps, here’s a shortlist of the best alternatives to a £3.50 meal deal.

Falafel

A relatively new addition to the Curry Mile, Falafel really lives up to its name, proving that the infamous deep-fried chickpea balls can be so much more than a vegetarian replacement for a kebab.

Freshly fried and smothered with a rich tahini sauce, their wraps will make you realise why falafel is probably the most popular street food choice in most of the Middle-East.

Choosing a falafel spot for this list was a close call though, with the more well known Go-Falafel mainly losing out because of the top class service at the former, whose staff are more than willing to chat throughout the falafel-making process.

Al-Zain

Al Zain (Photo: Vaidehi Naikwade @ https://restaurantguru.com/Al-Zain-Shawarma-Manchester)

Although it’s hard to find low quality shawarma along the Curry Mile, the one place that stands out is Al-Zain.

Known for their legendary £2.50 chicken shawarma wraps (£3.50 for lamb), Al Zain’s prices make them difficult to beat. The quality is also there for all to see, with meat that doesn’t resemble a standard, homogenous Doner Kebab that one would usually associate with a late-night Fallowfield snack.

A complexly spiced shawarma; coupled with a stellar selection of sauces and a freshly wrapped naan break upon order — Al-Zain makes the perfect cheap, Middle-Eastern lunch.

Jaffa

Probably the least well-known item on this list, the fatayer, is arguably the most underrated street food that Manchester has to offer.

A Middle-Eastern meat pie, alternatively stuffed with cheese and spinach, the fatayer has been adapted across Manchester to more closely resemble a calzone. My fatayer of choice is at Jaffa, a Kurdish restaurant half-way down the Curry Mile, where their spinach and cheese version will only set you back £3.

Photo: Dovid Brown

 

It’s served with two different dipping sauces and combines rich cheese and dough. Whilst this does make for a heavier lunch option, a fatayer from Jaffa could easily serve two — which could leave you a couple of quid to complete a levelled up meal deal.

Essentially, this list is barely a prelude to the bargains on offer along the Curry Mile.

And if the options above still aren’t tempting you away from your Morrison’s meal deal, remember that the sandwich you picked up will not only be tasteless and under-filled. but also is stuffing the pockets of wealthy business owners.

 

University of Manchester pays tribute to Jack Merritt

Written by Zofia Gryf-Lowczowska on . Posted in News.

The University of Manchester has paid tribute to their former student, Jack Merritt, who was fatally stabbed at a prisoner rehabilitation conference he was coordinating in London on 29th November.

Jack graduated from The University of Manchester in 2016 with a degree in Law, before going on to study further at The University of Cambridge.

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of Manchester, said the staff were all “shocked and saddened” to learn of the former student’s death, in such tragic circumstances.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time. We are also thinking of all those affected by this appalling incident in London.”

Dr Hannah Quirk said: “I taught him at Manchester and wrote his reference for Cambridge. He was an exceptional student and a lovely young man.”

The event held at Fishmonger’ Hall in London, was partly organised by Jack for the Learning Together organisation, was also attended by some University of Manchester staff who are specialists in Criminology. His attacker, Usman Khan, had attended the conference.

A vigil was held in Cambridge on Monday to pay tribute to Jack and Saskia Jones, the second victim of the attack.

Merritt’s family, from Cottenham in Cambridgeshire, have asked for his death not to be used to justify the introduction of  “even more draconian sentences” for offenders.  Jack’s father has also condemned the politicisation of the attack by the media amidst the general election campaign.

His family said: “He lit up our lives and the lives of his many friends and colleagues, and we will miss him terribly.

“Jack lived his principles; he believed in redemption and rehabilitation, not revenge, and he always took the side of the underdog.

“We know Jack would not want this terrible, isolated incident to be used as a pretext by the government for introducing even more draconian sentences on prisoners, or for detaining people in prison for longer than necessary.”

GMCDP archive photo courtesy of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People

Acknowledging history: talking about disabled people’s activism at GMCDP

Written by Aisha Al-Janabi on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Until the 22nd of December, it is UK Disability History Month  – a month that celebrates and raises awareness of disabled people’s activism and history. We thought this would be the perfect opportunity to head down to the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP) and speak to Linda Marsh, an archivist for the organisation. We were greeted with tea and biscuits and certainly learned more than we can fit into this one article.

Linda explained that:

“GMCDP is a membership organisation which gives disabled people a collective voice and promotes the removal of barriers. GMCDP also offers advocacy support for disabled individuals ages 15-25 living in Manchester as well as hosting some events and workshops for disabled people of all ages. GMCDP signposts people who are outside the age range and/or geographical area for the advocacy project to other available services – despite the diminishing capacities and funding cuts many of these have experienced recently.”

In several areas of Manchester, there are no other networks for issues such as advocacy. Linda recognises the current challenging climate, and the lack of support for many going through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) issues, affirming that the Coalition will try their best to help source support.

Linda provided us with a rich account of the values of the Coalition. She made clear that the GMCDP does not exclude anybody, regardless of impairment or perceived impairment. The organisation operates on a social, rather than medical, model of disability which was developed in the 1970s when the Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS) was formed and began to change how we define disability. This was the beginning of the Social Model of Disability which rejects the idea that the individual should change; instead, society needs to change and remove the barriers it imposes upon the community. As Linda explained: “Disability for us is barriers and is out there in society, we as people don’t have disabilities.”

We discussed the impact that language has and its importance for social change. Linda described how phasing out problematic terms demonstrates that understanding is continuing to evolve and improve. Even when she first got involved with GMCDP 26 years ago, people were still using terms such as “able-bodied” instead of the accepted “non-disabled”, highlighting that some change has been achieved in recent years, although more awareness is still needed.

Since 2016, GMCDP has been working with Archive + at the Central Library, who have been supportive and really value “not just the fact it’s an old piece of paper, but they also value the stories behind the archives”. The collection is often added to through donations which will make this a unique and extensive collection. One example Linda described was a windsock from the American grassroots campaign group ADAPT, from an annual weekend of protests and demonstrations, which has somehow made its way to Manchester and into this collection.

The archive was started in 2005 and holds a variety of artifacts dating back to the 1950s. This includes handwritten planning notes and parking permits from a rally in 1990 in Manchester’s Albert Square which was calling for improved benefits for disabled people. Talking to Linda it’s clear that archiving this history is important for “acknowledging people who campaigned for something as basic as being able to use a bus”. This was something that was hoped to be achieved with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in 1995, however, public transport still needs improvements to be made when considering accessibility. Linda hopes that sharing disabled people’s history will show “someone who is having a difficult time, that we’ve got this history of coming together as disabled people to challenge these negative experiences, I hope that it will give them some self-identity and to start believing in themselves.”

We spoke about how disabled people’s activism has changed over the decades, which in the early days was more specific than it is now. One example of this is Disabled Motoring UK, founded in 1922, after WWI, and was a group of veterans who had been injured. They aimed “to work out adaptations for cars and support each other with information”. In the 1930s, after this group lobbied, the government agreed disabled people could have driving licenses and was one of the first recorded organisation run entirely by, and for, disabled people.

A more recent wave of activism was in the 1970s, focusing on the improvement of living arrangements and involved multiple organisations. At the time there were two options – either living in an inaccessible house with your family, or in a residential home. The first ‘independent living scheme’, based in Derbyshire, had arrangements so that disabled people lived in flats downstairs, and non-disabled people lived in flats upstairs and received a reduced rent for supporting disabled tenants. This informal support takes away control over the assistance individuals receive, so in the 1980s campaigns focused on gaining an independent living.

Following this, in 1988 the Independent Living Fund Scheme was set up to financially assist those who had higher support needs to be able to live independently. However, in 2016 this fund was closed, and was a great blow to individuals requiring finances for full-time care. In recent years, there seems to have been a reversion to residential homes and segregated schooling, which indicates that there are many barriers that remain to be tackled.

Despite the changes and successes throughout history, society still lacks attention and discussions around disability and accessibility. There has also been insubstantial change to society becoming more inclusive despite this being easily improved. “Quite often [being inclusive] doesn’t cost anything”, but Linda explains that people tend to assume it does. Simple things like hosting events in accessible buildings, having quiet rooms available, or a BSL interpreter, are crucial to help break down these barriers.

Linda says there are still two stereotypes confining disabled people: the media’s binaries of either a tragic story or disabled people being heroic or superhuman. The latter was perpetuated in the rare exposure of the 2012 Paralympics, and aren’t representative of the reality of disabled people’s lives, much like the Olympics does not represent every non-disabled person. The current school curriculum has few resources that could counter these attitudes and encourage discussion around disability and accessibility.

And social media platforms have enabled great change for campaigning and activism within many groups, a lot of which intersect with disability. As disabled people are “not a homogeneous group”, participating in other groups and campaigns is inevitable, however, historically disabled people’s groups did not take credit for their contributions towards a variety of causes and protests.

It’s free to become a member of the Coalition which is “a coalition in terms of being an organisation of disabled people and working together”. The events are accessible, and Linda emphasises that it’s a great way to show solidarity. “For me, the most important reason for being a member of GMCDP is because you believe in what we do, you are a disabled person who wants to support other disabled people.”

UK Disability History Month is an annual event, so be sure to look out for it in November 2020, as well as for events put on by the Disabled Students’ Society at the University throughout the year.

Photo courtesy of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Photo courtesy of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People

Plans submitted to make Albert Square bigger and better

Written by Hannah Connery on . Posted in News.

An application has been submitted to expand and pedestrianise Manchester’s Albert Square, developing its role as an ‘international’ public space.

The proposed plans, which will be reviewed by the Council’s Planning Committee in December 2019, are part of the ‘Our Town Hall’ project, to protect and enhance the Town Hall and its surrounding area.

Improvements are predicted to cost £13 million and will increase its current size by 20%. This would be achieved by making the roads around the square car-free, with the exception of Princess Street.

Following the Council’s commitment to accessibility, the plans comprise of a gentle slope, which will allow inclusive access to the Town Hall for the first time. Seated spaces around the fountain and improved lighting are also in the projected plans.

Councillor and lead member of the project, Nigel Murphy, said the approach “has been to accentuate the things which people love about the square while addressing some of the things which currently don’t work as well”.

The safety of the square will be improved and so there will be no need for the current concrete barrier. Resurfacing the square with a granite sett paving, all whilst maintaining the traditional cobbles, will remove any trip hazards.

Olivia Ryan, a Physics student at the University of Manchester, said: “The plans sound like a win-win. Fewer cars and pollution in the area combined with more space will make it a more appealing place for people to meet in the city”.

The square is home to Remembrance Day commemorations, the Manchester International Festival and has been a crowd-gathering area for sporting world cups. Next year will be the first time in 20 years that it does not host the Manchester Christmas markets, as the renovation begins.

Review: All I Want for Christmas is Attention

Written by anamariaortiz on . Posted in Theatre.

Drag icons BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon have crossed the pond once again to bring another Christm– I mean, holiday special.

Following the enormous success of their 2018 play, To Jesus, Thanks for Everything, the comedic duo decided to team up again for a new ho(e)liday production called All I Want for Christmas is Attention.

DeLa and Jinkx bring the true Christmas spirit to the UK and the US with their whimsical show, which combines all the things that make the holidays the best time of the year: alcohol, dishing on traditions, Christmas carols, over-the-top costumes that over-emphasise what we’re celebrating, and drag queens.

What? Every event is made better with drag, that’s a fact.

With parodies of songs like Lorde’s Royals and Lizzo’s Truth Hurts, a pas de deux that would’ve made Tchaikovsky proud (maybe?), and plenty of eggnog, the Seattle legends most likely offended Christians, fitted some relevant political jokes, and made an entire theatre laugh non-stop for about an hour and half. Even making technical difficulties hilarious. Who would have thought that a broken microphone stand made such an entertaining prop? We all did, clearly, since we laughed every time it fell apart.

Without spoiling too much, I must say that the videos in between segments and the Nativity reenactment were probably my highlight. And my only complaint is that I won’t be able to add their songs to my Christmas playlist… unless… @Jinkx @DeLa… Just kidding… unless…

Anyway, I went to the show with high expectations, and I’m happy to say that they were exceeded. Which I guess I should have expected since both Jinkx and DeLa are seasoned artists and comedians. However, I must give a special mention to DeLa, who besides co-writing, co-performing and co-choreographing the show, also produced it, being her first time producing an international tour. And she did it wonderfully.

This is a witty, hilarious and unmissable show that once again proves that drag is a Christmas must, even if your homophobic uncle (who is wrong all the time anyway) doesn’t think so.

Ballon d’Or 2019: A familiar face and USA’s talisman

Written by Will Stonier on . Posted in Sport.

Another year brings another award ceremony in order to celebrate the best footballing talent in the world. It is also the time of year when armchair agitators with Twitter usernames such as ‘ManLikeMoSalah’ or ‘FakeJLingz’ take to Twitter to label immensely talented and committed players ‘frauds’. And, if you are really lucky, you may see these people perpetually making jokes about players diving with the ever hilarious Fallon d’Floor pun bandied around the internet. Yes, it can only be the Ballon d’Or. 

The venue was Paris, France with an audience of beaming football alumni and bureaucratic royalty crammed together like wealthy sardines in a musky Paco Roban 1 Million scented tin. There was not a French DJ in sight to ruin the occasion. 

The women’s award, though, offered a nice refreshing change in the face of the USWNT’s World Cup winning captain: Megan Rapinoe. Though she took the headlines this year for rattling Piers Morgan’s insecurities and starting a war of words with Donald Trump , the 34-year-old led the USWNT to hold their World Cup title, their fourth in total. Though unable to attend the ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Rapinoe was beamed in via video link where she congratulated the other nominees, such as England’s Lucy Bronze who finished in second. Rapinoe said:

“Thanks to my teammates for all the support. You allow me to be who I am on the field and the person I am off of it. There is not enough thank yous in the world for all that you guys do for me.”

The men’s award, though, went to the familiar face: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, who was picking up his sixth Ballon d’Or.

There was much anticipation prior to this, particularly in the British press, as there was a sense of anticipation that Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk could win. He could only manage second place, however. Although the voting was close, with Messi finishing with 686 points and Van Dijk on 679. If the Dutchman had won, it would have made him the first defender to win the Ballon d’Or since Fabio Cannovaro in 2006 following Italy’s World Cup win.

But, much to the delight of Gary Lineker on Twitter, Messi, who had not won the award since 2015, got his hands back on the coveted prize. 

Messi, who has over 700 appearances for Barcelona and 52 career hat-tricks, thanked his family for award and said:

“Ten years ago I received my first Ballon d’Or, guided by my three brothers,” he said. “Today, I receive my sixth, guided by my wife and children.” 

Messi guided Barcelona to the 2018-19 La Liga title, so often digging the squad, and unpopular manager Ernesto Valverde, out of trouble and proving he can still function in a squad without the likes of Xavi and Iniesta.

Virgil Van Dijk came second whilst Cristiano Ronaldo, who snubbed the event, came third. Will this motivate CR7?  Time will tell.

The last prize, the Kopa Trophy for best young player, was awarded to Juventus’ Matthijs de Light, for his Champions League heroics with Ajax. On receiving the award, the 20-year-old said: 

“I just want to say to everybody I’m really proud. You have to enjoy your evening, enjoy those great players while they are still here.”

Art by Charlotte Wilcox courtesy of The Vagina Museum

A visit to ‘The Vagina Museum’ London

Written by Jade Yong on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Situated in Camden’s Stables Market, the world’s first ever Vagina Museum draws locals and tourists alike to learn about gynecological anatomy. It’s the first Vagina Museum in the world, despite the fact there has been a Penis Museum in Iceland since 1997 – it’s certainly about time we celebrate the female body as well. 

The modestly sized space saw a queue stretching far out into the market square, despite it being a Sunday evening when I visited. I saw their exhibition, titled Muff Busters: Vagina Myths and How to Fight Them, which consisted of banner displays that lined the walls of the brick and mortar museum. These banners detailed myth-busting facts about the vagina and were accompanied by an installation of menstrual cycle art displaying red, glittery sculptures of two moon cups and a tampon.  

Art displaying menstrual products at The Vagina Museum. Photo courtesy of Jade Yong

The museum stands as a registered charity, funded by the £50,000 raised during a crowdfunding campaign before its launch in 2017. Such a project remains incredibly important as shocking statistics suggest that vagina-related matters are still considered a taboo. Gynecological cancer charity Eve Appeal found in 2016 that 65% of women were uncomfortable using the word ‘vagina’, while article headlines such as ‘Talking about vaginas? No thank you, we’re British’ reveal how we need to become comfortable talking about vaginas. 

Although the displays were extremely informative, the visit was slightly underwhelming as the space lacked much visual art, which might have been more stimulating for the average museum-goer amongst the plethora of facts and figures. But perhaps it is the duty of the public to engage in learning about this anatomy which our lives literally depend on, no matter how perceptibly tedious. The turnout was impressive; there was a balance of men and women in the space who were all equally invested in learning about gynaecological anatomy. The exhibition also gestured to intersectionality with a banner re-enforcing that not only women have vaginas.

One of the ‘Muff-Busting’ posters displaying an educational piece on the topic of gender.

There wasn’t a complete lack of artwork; artist Charlotte Wilcox’ designs, which were incorporated into the museum shop souvenirs, provided both a fun and celebratory representation of vaginas. There were even guitar picks on sale with an illustration of a vagina printed atop each, something I think could be a great potential gift idea.

A selection of Charlotte Wilcox’ art is featured at the front wall of the museum.

If you happen to be stopping by in Camden and haven’t yet stumbled upon vagina facts, the museum is worth a drop-in. The project is still in the midst of its launch and will hopefully expand and include even more unique features, or at least inspire curators to make vagina awareness in museums a more popular feature.