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What You Need to Know About Impeachment In the U.S.

CheVaughn Starling
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What You Need to Know About Impeachment In the U.S.

Impeachment isn’t a word that was thrown around too often Pre-Trump era. Now, it seems that impeachment is the newest fad that is thrown around just as frequently as “Fake News”. In American politics, impeachment was not a word that people took too lightly. However, since Donald Trump’s election, the impeachment talks have been more frequent. It is no surprised that the Democratic Party (and most of the Republican Party) were not huge fans of the President. Let the media persuade you that they were trying to find ways to get him out since his campaign. More importantly, they thought getting rid of Trump was going to be an easy task. It seems they were in for a huge awakening! 

What is Impeachment? 

Before I get into the minutia of the 2019 Impeachment proceedings here in America, it should be explained how this thing all works. The Founding Fathers of the Constitution established impeachment as a way to accuse a president of a crime and to hold a trial to determine if he (or she) is guilty of that crime. The Constitution has laid out a president would have to be accused of high crimes such as treason and/or bribery, but certainly, if the crime is bad enough and outside the “Oath of Office”, it will fall under the scope of high crimes. 

Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House

In theory, it is not easy getting rid of a president.  The first step in the impeachment proceedings is an impeachment resolution must be introduced by a member of the House of Representatives.  The speaker of the House must then direct the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary to hold a hearing based off the resolution to decide whether to have the entire House vote on said resolution and when to conduct said vote. If the resolution passes (by majority vote) in the Judiciary Committee, it will move to the House floor.

Simply put, if the majority of those present in the House approve an articles of impeachment, the president is impeached.

Sounds simple, right?

Nope! Remember American Congress is comprised of two sides: House of Representatives and the Senate. Once the House approves impeachment, it will move on to the Senate for the actual “trial”. Please note, there is no criminal proceedings to come from an impeachment trial. The basic notion of impeachment is removing said president from office. The procedure in the Senate trial is directed by the Senate Majority Leader. Members of the House will serve as “Managers” in the trial, which is a fancy term for prosecutors.  The chief justice of the Supreme Court presides of the trial while the Senate hears the evidence presented by the House. Once evidence is heard, the Senate retires to deliberate on whether the president is guilty of a crime or not. The Senate will then conduct a two-thirds majority vote. If the president is guilty, then the president is removed from office and the vice president is sworn in. In the history of America, there have only been two trials, which both ended in acquittals: President Andrew Johnson and President Bill Clinton. 

Bill Clinton

Trump and the Impeachment Shenanigans

How does this tie into the impeachment proceedings of today? The Democrats have been trying to impeach Trump for a while now. Members of the Senate and House have called for impeachment inquiries since before the Mueller report even began. The new series of investigations begun with the Ukraine Scandal, where Trump allegedly pressured Ukraine’s president to investigate Joe Biden while he was Vice President. It is not completely suspect for a president to question another leader of the motives of another political official. What is suspicious is the manner in how it was conducted. From an outsider looking in, the transcripts (read it here) sounded real mafia like. It almost sounded like bribery, and that is the questioned being asked amongst many Democrats and some Republicans:

How far did President Trump go? 

There are high odds for the current President to be impeached with a Democrat majority; however, the chances of Trump being removed from office due to an impeachment trial? There are a higher chances of hell freezing over than Trump being removed from office with a Republican majority Senate. Although it would only take 34 of the 54 senators to find Trump guilty, it is very unlikely that Mitch McConnell’s Senate will vote him out of office. At this point, something drastic would have to happen for Trump to be out of office via impeachment such as a series of events similar to the Watergate Scandal and President Richard Nixon.  Nevertheless, there is no real possible way to predict that outcome. 

So Why Go Through With It? 

The Democrats know the likelihood of getting rid of Trump is a pretty slim margin; however, the one thing that will come from this is public perception of the President, which could possibly help them in the 2020 elections. There is no surprise that the Democrats are playing into the field of the media perception, and they cannot be blamed from doing so. If roles were reversed, the Republicans would do the exact same thing.

Truth of the matter is that the opposing team wants to WIN. Whether the public or politicians want to admit it, the election of Trump was a HUGE surprised that shocked the world. In many ways, the Democrats are desperate to take back the White House, but they need to be careful of this desperation because the Republicans can play into this as well. Media perception can be a good influence, but sometimes it can have the opposite effect on public opinions as well.

The public could look at this as a quick gimmick to take back the White House. In many ways, if a President is corrupt and not taking the Oath of Office seriously, they indeed need to be reprimanded. Nonetheless, it is very interesting to see how the next few months will unfold and if the Democrats can prove their case. 

Jesy Nelson’s Odd One Out: The Horrifying Consequences of Online Trolling

Flora Barker
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Jesy Nelson’s Odd One Out: The Horrifying Consequences of Online Trolling

Little Mix, the X Factor winning girl band, are beloved by fans all over the world. The group have sold an estimated 50 million singles and albums worldwide, with a further 6 sell-out tours. The chart-topping pop stars were the first group act to win X Factor UK, and one of a handful of the reality show’s alumnae to make it globally, alongside One Direction and Leona Lewis. Adored by teenage girls everywhere, the singers have been praised for the big sister type roles they have taken on over the years, inspiring confidence and self-acceptance in adolescents all while pumping out empowering tunes such as Shout Out to My Ex and Power.  

Despite the international success of Little Mix, the unbelievable level of attention the four women have received has not been without its downsides. BBC viewers have been left saddened at Jesy Nelson’s recent documentary, Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out, in which she reveals that she attempted suicide after receiving relentless online trolling. The 28-year-old Dagenham native painfully unveiled how being known as “the fat one from Little Mix” and being constantly criticised for her face being “deformed” led her to believe her life was no longer worth living.

Jesy Nelson reflects in Odd One Out
Source: HITC

On the night Little Mix won the X Factor, Nelson opened Facebook to find the first message sent to her which read “You are the ugliest thing I have ever seen in my life. You do not deserve to be in this girl band. How on earth were you ever put in this girl band? You deserve to die”. In the documentary, Jesy describes how on the following day, what should have been the best day of her life, she felt like “the whole world hated me”. Her mother recalls how strangers would send the aspiring star pictures of her face on a monster’s body. It is easy to see why being in the limelight resulted in Jesy developing depression and eating disorder, partly fuelled by Katie Hopkin’s tweeting “Packet Mix have got a little chubber in their ranks. Less Little Mix. More Pick n Mix”.

Other members of the group have unveiled their own struggles as a result of being under public scrutiny. Perrie Edwards has openly discussed suffering from anxiety, while Leigh-Anne Pinnock felt “invisible” as the only black member of Little Mix, pointing out ongoing racism within the music industry.  All four members have previously suffered from bullying growing up, with Jade Thirlwall having been racially tormented while at school in South Shields. These collective experiences led the band to be at the forefront of BeatBullying’s ‘The Big March’ anti-bullying campaign in 2014.

The X Factor days
Source: 8Tracks

Sites like Instagram and Twitter provide a platform for the public to directly message individuals with hurtful insults that can lead to devastating results. The parents of Sian Waterhouse, a teenager who tragically ended her own life after online bullying, feature in Odd One Out. Jesy Nelson observes that “It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the public eye or not. You cannot get away from social media, and it’s ruining a lot of people’s lives”. The programme bravely discusses the neglected issue of cyberbullying, the phenomenon of which has meant that the all too commonly experienced secondary school bullying carries on past the school gates, leaving victims powerless. A study has shown that cyberbullying “makes young people more than twice as likely to self harm or attempt suicide”.

As anyone who has experienced any form of bullying can affirm, there is nothing more isolating, belittling or self-esteem destroying than being targeted for personal attributes that are often intrinsically linked with your identity. What makes Jesy Nelson’s story so harrowing is the fact that she was specifically targeted for her looks, and her gruelling schedule and global success meant she felt she did not have the option of voicing her pain or even taking a break. The aesthetically targeted nature of the trolling reveals not only a sexist, but an endemically fat-phobic, British society.

View this post on Instagram

6 months ago this girl was someone I just wanted to forget. I wanted to erase her from my mind and everyone else’s memory. I didn’t see her as Jesy I saw her as “the fat one from Little Mix”. Up until now I hated her not because she’d ever done anything bad but because I was made to hate her by endless amounts of trolling. Since filming my documentary for @bbcone and @bbcthree I’ve learned so much more than I ever expected to. Thanks to all the inspirational people I’ve met on this emotional journey, I now love the girl in this photo. I’ve made this documentary for 2011 Jesy and for anyone who might be feeling like she did. I refused to speak about how I was feeling for so long. I was embarrassed and scared to. But I was so wrong to feel that way. Please if you are feeling how I did, SPEAK ABOUT IT. Talk to your family, speak to your friends, there’s always help out there. If you’d have told that girl one day you won’t feel sad anymore, I’d never have believed you….and here I am. Now when I look in the mirror, I don’t see Jesy the fat one, I see Jesy the happy one!

A post shared by @ jesynelson on

Nelson points out in her documentary that before X Factor, she had “never looked at myself and thought that I was abnormal looking”. While the public gathered together to condemn Jesy as larger than her bandmates, in hindsight it is clear that the star was never an unhealthy weight to begin with, simply made to feel so. Whether someone’s weight is genuinely affecting their health or whether they are simply being made to feel unattractive because of the perceptions of others, Nelson’s story illustrates how shaming and bullying lead to negative coping mechanisms such as eating disorders and depression.

It is therefore not surprising that Cancer Research’s recent obesity campaign, which compared being obese with the personal choice of smoking, caused outrage over the summer. Commenting on the campaign, the NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) states “Stigma is a highly ineffective way of reducing obesity” and that “the campaign reinforces the deeply held belief that weight management is entirely within an individual’s control, and therefore everyone has a responsibility to maintain a ‘healthy weight’. The trolling Jesy Nelson received demonstrates a society determined to outcast individuals who do not conform to Western body ideals, which the campaign arguably encourages.

“Stress caused by fat shaming – being made to feel bad about one’s weight – by public health campaigns, GPs, nurses and policymakers, often leads to increased eating and more weight gain.”

The BBC reports on new findings that fat shaming is ineffective in propelling weight loss.
The Cancer Research obesity campaign
Source: Third Sector

It is clear from Jesy Nelson’s documentary that the public scrutiny she faced had life threatening consequences. Concerningly, her case is not isolated, but merely symptomatic of a British society embedded in prejudices that social media has provided a platform to air. Young girls in particular are facing the same sexist expectations of a perfect physical appearance, albeit on a smaller scale to Jesy. We have seen the devastating effects this can have on both celebrities and normal teenagers. With technology ever-expanding, it is nearby impossible to regulate cyberbullying.

As a society, our next steps must be to change the cultural conversation with regards to weight, appearance and mental health, so that bullying can be stopped earlier. With hope, the issues exposed in Odd One Out will make young social media users think twice about their behaviour online and deter larger organisations from oversimplifying the incredibly complex issue of obesity.

Boris Johnson Is Morally Bankrupt

Mike Omoniyi
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Boris Johnson Is Morally Bankrupt

There was a time when playful rhetoric and the ability to entertain was an endearing quality only the best politicians possessed. A time when President Obama’s poetic prose would leave audiences in an awe-inspired stupor, when John Prescott’s candour would engage those most politically disenfranchised. This is not that time. Our current political climate is one of high-emotions gridlocked at fever-pitch. Despite this, we have a Prime Minister unbothered that his language and his rhetoric might spur others onto acting in very real and dangerous ways. 

On Wednesday the 25th of September 2019 during a period of intense questioning in parliament, Boris Johnson was repeatedly challenged over his use of the word “surrender” (as well as other offensive language), to describe legislation passed earlier in the month which aimed to block a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.

Ms Sherriff, the Labour MP for Dewsbury, told the Commons that the Prime Minister had “continually used pejorative language to describe an Act of Parliament passed by this House”.

Pointing to a plaque in the chamber commemorating Mrs Cox, who was murdered by a right-wing extremist, she said: “We should not resort to using offensive, dangerous or inflammatory language for legislation that we do not like, and we stand here under the shield of our departed friend with many of us in this place subject to death threats and abuse every single day.”

“They often quote his words ‘surrender Act’, ‘betrayal’, ‘traitor’ and I for one am sick of it.” Ms Sherriff continued,

“We must moderate our language, and it has to come from the Prime Minister first.”

Her statement was well received by other members who acknowledged the message with nods and murmurings of “hear, hear”. She went on to speak about the real-life implications of Johnson’s words in such a politically charged atmosphere. As often seen in politics, what leaders allow for, followers do in excess. Female MP’s were eager to show the Prime Minister the connection between words and actions. After the statement, the Prime Minister had his chance to respond. This was a chance for Boris Johnson to show some moral leadership, to attempt to cool the political climate and restore some order to what BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg described as an “absolute bear pit”.

Like much of Johnson’s premiership, when presented with the opportunity to demonstrate some real leadership, he absconded and doubled down on his earlier comments.

In response, Mr Johnson said: “I have to say, Mr Speaker, I’ve never heard such humbug in all my life.”

The speaker John Bercow went on to respond: “Order. I appeal to the House as a whole to debate these issues calmly. I can see the gesticulation from colleagues, and I am not— [Interruption.] Order. Mr Linden, please; allow me to respond. I am not unmindful of the purport of that gesticulation. I have reminded colleagues across the House of the very long-established precepts of “Erskine May” in relation to the conduct of debate. I must simply say that nothing disorderly— [Interruption.]“

The Prime Minister’s statement rallied many more people against him a feat many thought impossible. He chose to be divisive and provocative rather than model the kind of moral leadership the Country craves at this juncture. The SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon said there was “a gaping moral vacuum where the office of prime minister used to be”.

Jo Cox’s Memory

Tracy Brabin, who was elected as MP for Batley and Spen after Mrs Cox was murdered, also urged the Prime Minister to moderate his language “so that we will all feel secure when we’re going about our jobs”. To this, Mr Johnson replied that “the best way to honour the memory of Jo Cox and indeed the best way to bring this country together would be, I think, to get Brexit done”.

Mrs Cox’s husband, Brendan, later tweeted he felt “sick at Jo’s name being used in this way”.

Invoking the death of a beloved MP to make a political point in this manner is frankly below the office of Prime Minister and is something we should not see from the highest office in the land. At a time where so much is at stake, people can be expected to say colourful things, however, historically, it has been the Prime Minister’s role to set the tone of debates and modal disagreement without disagreeableness. 

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson said the Prime Minister was an “utter disgrace” for his response to the questions on his language and the calls for him to moderate.

She told MPs: “I today have reported to the police a threat against my child. That has been dismissed as ‘humbug’. This is a disgraceful state of affairs and we must be able to find a way to conduct ourselves better.”

A Chain reaction 

Labour MP Jess Phillips – who asked an urgent question about political rhetoric and the safety of MPs – says a man has been arrested after calling her a “fascist” and trying to “kick the door” of her constituency office.

“I’ve only just heard about it myself but my staff had to be locked into my office while the man tried to smash the windows and kick the door,” Phillips told London radio station LBC.

“I don’t know what I can say because the man has been arrested,” she added.

Phillips has spoken frequently about abuse she has suffered as an MP. Earlier on Thursday, she criticised Boris Johnson in the House of Commons after the Prime Minister dismissed concerns about lawmakers’ safety.

“We all get abuse, and I’ve had a death threat this week that literally quoted the Prime Minister and used the Prime Minister’s name and words in a death threat that was delivered to my staff,” she told Parliament.

I won’t be bullied

Johnson spoke at a meeting of the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs the morning after being branded a disgrace for dismissing concerns about his inflammatory language in light of Cox’s murder by a far-right extremist.

The Prime Minister addressed some of the criticism, saying there was a need to moderate violent language on all sides of the debate. But he was reported to have told Tory MPs on Thursday that he would continue to use his language about the Benn Act (formally called the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019) to stop a no-deal Brexit. He dubs it the “surrender bill” despite criticism that this paints his opponents in parliament as traitors guilty of betrayal.

Tory MPs said the mood of Johnson’s meeting had been “largely supportive” but others sighed or raised their eyebrows when asked how he had performed. 

Faced with so much criticism and calls to apologise, the Prime Minister seems unwilling to concede that we may have gone too far this time. A leader unwilling to apologise and recognise his faults is one that lacks the ability to be reflexive. This is a most crucial skill in a time many are blinded by ideology. 

Bankruptcy

When Johnson came to office, there was much talk about unity. He spoke about unifying leavers and remainers, unifying his party and unifying the country around a common cause. The only thing he seems to be unifying is the opposition against himself. Whilst many before could tolerate his moral shortcomings because it was often tempered by his good humour and cheer, the gloss is wearing off.  What the world can now see is a morally bankrupt leader more worried about winning the argument than actually bringing about the change of which he speaks emphatically. 

Black History Month is Outdated, Its Time We Had a Black British History Month.

Shaun Flores
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Black History Month is Outdated, Its Time We Had a Black British History Month.

Throughout the month of October, black existence, freedom and contributions of black people are highlighted. This time is known as Black History Month.

Image result for black history month uk

Black History Month is significant and very popular in the United States. Contrastingly it is a smaller affair in the United Kingdom where prominent figures: Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela, have become the main figureheads that have saturated the British curriculum. Black History to many begins with these figurehead and slavery leading to racism ending when they achieved their calls for equality.

Because of the lack of a focus on Black British Heroes, Black History Month needs a geographical reinvention i.e. a celebration of the ‘Black British’ contribution to world history, “A Black British History Month.”

Where did Black History Month Begin?

Historian Carter G.Woodson who created the American Black History Month

In the US, Black History Month was formed by historian Carter G. Woodson, aiming to challenge preconceptions at the time that “the negro has no history”. In 1915, he also founded The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History which encouraged scholars and historians to research and preserve black history and culture. 

Woodson in February 1926, created Negro History Week.

It was decided that a week was inadequate and, of the back of the civil rights movement and the Black Power Movement, Black History Month in 1969 was born.

Ghanaian-born Akyaaba Addai Sebo, a special projects officer at the Greater London Council, founded the UK Black History Month in 1987, after visiting America in the 1970s.

In the UK, we have a Black history month that is not centred around Black British Heroes, instead all we see are African American Heroes.

Akala

Image result for akala
Kingslee Daley aka Akala, is a British rapper, journalist, author, activist, poet and political activist.

Such contemporary heroes such as Akala who is a British rapper, journalist, author, activist, poet and political activist should be included in the British canon. For years Akala has created a name for himself for being outspoken on black politics.

Alongside his lectures on African history, Akala also released a song called “Maangamizi” meaning African Holocaust, which highlighted the challenges faced by Black people all over the world.

Akala’s company Hip Hop Shakespeare is pivotal as it helps children to engage in subjects that are otherwise mundane, outdated and typically racially and class-exclusive. Black British heroes like Akala in our present-day need celebrating.

Sislin Fay Allen

British Black female heroes of the past also need highlighting.

The first black woman officer was Sislin Fay Allen who served in the police force from 1968 – 1972. An achievement that deserves more recognition in a time where being black alone was a barrier, doubled that with being a woman. Allen made the gender and racial ceiling a very possible ceiling to break.

Sislin Fay Allen
The first black woman officer Sislin Fay Allen who served from 1968 – 1972

Claudia Jones

Another inspirational Black British figurehead that remains relatively unknown is Claudia Jones, from Trinidad and Tobago. The tiny island populated with only 1.3 million people has made a monumental impact in the UK.

Image result for claudia jones
Brixton-Based Claudia Jones, the women who created Notting Hill Carnival

Claudia Jones created Notting Hill Carnival in 1966 to build unity among Black people by showcasing Caribbean arts and culture. Carnival is still a staple in the Black community. It’s an event that is multicultural and is reflective of the diversity of London’s population.

Claudia was also the editor of the first black weekly newspaper in Britain, the “West Indian Gazette.”

Black History Month in the UK needs reinventing

In September 2017 at Birmingham City University (BCU), Professor Kehinde Andrews created the first black studies undergraduate course.

Image result for kehinde andrews black history
Professor Kehinde Andrews of Black Studies at Birmingham City University

In July 2019 it was announced that the UK will have its very first rap degree in attempts to find the’ new Stormzy’, which will be at The Academy of Contemporary Music.

Both courses highlighted the changing academic fields in institutions long regarded as solely white.

Places such as the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton is one of few places that researches and keeps a history of black culture and heritage. They conduct a lot of community work to make the general public aware of black contributions, but most importantly Black British contributions to British history.

Image result for black cultural archives
Black Cultural Archives located in Brixton

As illustrated on their website “Black Cultural Archives is the only national heritage centre dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating the histories of African and Caribbean people in Britain.”

With a collaboration between Black academics and Black professionals in varying sectors and fields, institutions like Black Cultural Archives and other Black-led networks reinforces the plethora of richness that is blackness. Black History Month in its reinvention will be glorious. The darker the roots, the greater the fruits the tree bears.

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture are like a tree without roots.” – Marcus Garvey

Black History Month in the UK should be British centred. A month that challenges the discourse and creates an unquenchable thirst for British Black knowledge.

Space Tourism: the Future or Fraud?

Hajra Tahir
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Space Tourism: the Future or Fraud?

With the future looking progressively more dystopian as a result of the toxic impact of climate change; simmering socio-political rivalry and widespread consternation regarding the national security of assets – commercialised space travel seems to add a more positive dimension to this sci-fi narrative.

A technical breakdown of the layers that a commercial spacecraft needs to penetrate in order to travel beyond the Earth’s atmosphere

A previously unthought of, almost fantastical concept has now become a reality as Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic pledges to commercialise flights going into space. Following severe scepticism and doubt regarding the technical capacity of such an industry – the company managed to mitigate this public reaction by successfully launching the first suborbital space flight on 13th December 2018. Virgin Galactic continues to corroborate their vision as they expand their fleet of VSS Unity spacecrafts and has even established the world’s first commercial spaceport.

The VSS Unity on 13th December 2018
Snippets of the new state of the art interior of the world’s first space port.

The space odyssey has been remarketed as a leisurely activity that aims to reinforce “planetary unity” and broaden the horizons of those utilising the services, as opposed to being a predominantly scientific venture.

Allegedly the service will be available from 2020 and will cater to regular individuals with no scientific qualifications or background albeit they will need to undergo some physical training.

Despite the initial cost being an astronomical $250,000 per seat, Richard Branson envisions that this will be reduced to $50,000 in the next decade. The commercial promise of the industry has prompted other visionary entrepreneurs to emulate Branson’s approach. SpaceX and Blue Origin are subsequent space tourism start-ups initiated by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.

As the industry continues to gain traction however, many people also grow increasingly concerned.

Safety and Technical Doubts

When one thinks about space tourism, the idea doesn’t immediately register as pragmatic. A definite dubiety regarding the science and technology behind such a venture has precluded many industrialists in the past from even attempting to push the notion forward – despite the existence of commercial potential.

One may argue that the overt risks of participants not following their pre-flight fitness regimes may compromise health and stamina of tourists when they leave the Earth’s atmosphere. What is more, a lack of professional scientific training may also result in participants contracting lunar diseases or allergies – a similar scenario to what happened to Caribbean tribes who lost 90% of their population as a result of new diseases emerging from when European settlers came to explore the region.

However, quite possibly the most serious of risks includes the actual method of exploration and how reliable intergalactic apparatus is; more simply, will the VSS Unity Spacecraft actually work?

Despite several tests, humans are historically renowned to view all supposedly ‘impossible’ feats with incredulity and mistrust. After the death of various daredevil pilots such as Leon Delegrange in the 1900s, similar doubts arose regarding the future of aviation.

Aviation in our current day and age is an industry like any other; the stigma that momentarily surrounded the industry at the time is now almost non-existent. Emerging technological cynicism regarding space tourism may therefore also be a futile point of contention when evaluating the cons of this new industry.

The Climate

Another concern for many, is the impact that commercialised space travel will have on the environment once it becomes mainstream.

The main environmental issue here stems from how spacecrafts gain their initial momentum – this happens through burning rocket fuel. Unlike in a car engine, rocket fuel is burned directly and is needed in bulk to last the duration of a mission. This means that 95% of the rocket’s mass is actually fuel – resulting in a plethora of bi-products including Water Vapour, Carbon Dioxide, soot particles and Alumina.

Although the effects of Water Vapour won’t compound the greenhouse effect and is infinitesimal in comparison to other sources of green-house gases, the same cannot be said for Carbon Dioxide, soot particles and Alumina. Unlike in the Troposphere, when soot particles and Alumina accumulate in the Stratosphere, they cannot be washed away and dissolved by the rain. Instead they absorb energy from the sun and in turn neutralise the effects of global warming by producing a cooling effect that reduces the heat radiating off the Earth’s surface.

It should be noted though, that the Ozone layer is thought to bear the brunt of this partially positive development resulting in an increase in harmful radiation from the sun – consequently causing a spike in conditions such as skin Cancer.

The question then remains, can we bring life to another planet at the expense of debilitating the health of our own? Is this a feasible notion considering we have no planetary alternative to Earth? Conversely, intergalactic exploration may also help countervail the threat of our deteriorating planet by gradually introducing regular humans to new environments and resources, that can be utilised to prolong sustainability on Earth. Climate uncertainty therefore underpins the dispute revolving around whether Elon Musk’s pledge to send 1 million people to Mars by 2060 is a sustainable promise.

Explores in more detail the effects of rocket fuel on the environment.

Contradiction and Inequality

The last of this three-fold package of concerns, is whether this new service will impact quality of life on Earth. As mentioned previously, the starting price of the service is extortionate and unaffordable for the masses.

Even if over the years the value of space tourism decreases and it becomes an increasingly regular commodity, just what percentage of the population will be able to participate in this interstellar experience? It almost seems as though space tourism will eventually become another business endeavour that will inevitably deepen and further entrench socio-economic inequality; somewhat contradicting the planetary unity and perspective it aims to promote. Notwithstanding this possible fate, the industry could also perhaps create a plethora of new jobs and provide more opportunities in the market for people to gain a foothold in an increasingly profitable enterprise.

All this being said, it is unclear what the general consensus regarding space tourism is and how it will affect individuals on a domestic level. What is clear is the revolutionary impact that the success of this project will have on generations to come.

H&M model makes a hair raising introduction

Shaun Flores
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H&M model makes a hair raising introduction

H&M has raised a hairy debate after a young black girl was left with her natural hair pulled into a ponytail, with her questioning why her hair was ‘messy’ and ‘untidy’.

Image result for H&M black girl
Snapshot of Black female model with her natural hair regarded as ‘messy’ and ‘untidy’

The above photo has ensued a huge b(l)acklash in the call for representation, the black girl has been front and centre of this argument.

View image on Twitter

On Friday 20th September H&M responded: “We truly believe that all kids should be allowed to be kids. The school-aged kids who model for us come to the photo studio in the afternoon after school and we aim for a natural look which reflects that.”

Stars such as Vernon Francois a British celebrity hairstylist who via Instagram has spoken openly of his disapproval at the hairstyle.

“My heart breaks imagining yet another girl from my community sitting in front of a mirror being ignored by the team around her, left to her own devices because someone didn’t know how to handle her texture.”

View this post on Instagram

It’s essential that we have a conversation about this photograph from the @hm_kids campaign.  Before I begin, I do not have the facts, nor have I seen any statement by #H&M or the team who worked on this. This post is just an assessment based on all my years of seeing situations like this happen time and time again.  And its got to stop. This beautiful young girl’s #kinky hair appears to have had very little to no attention yet all of her counterparts have clearly sat in front of someone who was more then capable of styling other hair textures. My heart breaks imagining yet another girl from my community sitting in front of a mirror being ignored by the team around her, left to her own devices because someone didn’t know how to handle her texture. As if that’s not bad enough…. Prior to this campaign appearing this photograph will have been seen and APPROVED by countless ‘professionals'. Lets say conservatively 50 people. It’s breathtaking to me that not one person looked at this shot and had the same reaction that the internet seems to be feeling since the campaign broke.  THAT IS AN ISSUE.  We must do better.  Our girls, our young women deserve better.  Let this be a moment of learning. #Education is key #wehavetodobetter #vernonfrancois #Ignorance #blackgirlmagic #allhairisgoodhair

A post shared by Vernon François (@vernonfrancois) on

Due to the lack of diversity in the fashion industry black hair remains one that only specialists are capable of styling. The fashion industry needs to be taught how to deal with black hair, it will take more professionals like Vernon to teach the stylists. Perhaps then the issue surrounding this young black girl could be diminished.

However, the ‘untidiness’ is a reflection of the girl’s hair in its natural state. There are other models who also have their hair in ‘untidy’ states. Twitter user Rigaud @ashliberal agrees: “It’s very telling that you lot plucked the black girl out to ridicule her hair when all the other kids on the H&M site look like this. Says a lot about you tbh.”

This is not the first time H&M has had a knee-jerk reaction by social media when trying to go ‘woke.’

In January 2018, a little Black boy in a sweatshirt that read “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle” was featured on the site. After accusations of racism, eventually, H&M removed and discontinued the sale of the shirt and issued an apology. The luxury brand Gucci, has also been accused of racism.

Blackface Has Found Its New Successor In Gucci

After the racism accusation (with the coolest monkey in the jungle t-shirt), H&M hired Ezinne Kwubiri as its head of inclusion & diversity, stating that he was a “seasoned international expert who previously served at a major Fortune 500 company for 11 years in the fields of diversity, inclusion, and change management”. What work has the head of inclusion and diversity actually done in the organisation if racist statements are still being released?

The black hair care industry in the United States of America is valued at more than $2.5 billion, but that statistic doesn’t include products such as hair accessories, wigs or electric styling products.

While representation of young black children with natural hair is important, there is something to be said about the way in which major companies profit off of representation. H&M’s desire is only to increase profit without comprehending the complexity of black hair rooted in power, autonomy and choice.

Support for natural hair

Whilst some have been outraged by the state of the young model’s hair, others are more infuriated by the singling out. Twitter user Myles E. Johnson @hausmuva puts it well: “I hope the beautiful black girl in the H&M ad has parents that can properly explain why people are outraged by what naturally grows out of her head, and that it has nothing to do with her, her body, her beauty, or her hair. It has to do with things too ugly for her to fathom.”

Another user Trys @trysannebailey said: “H&M really said “it’s not us it’s you Every other child is disheveled as hell but y’all crying edges for the only black girl. Picture every other child just simply taking a picture but them needing to “fix” just her. We as a people really still have a long way to go smh.”

The policing of black women’s hair has long been an issue and will continue to be an issue. Hair for black women is a political space that holds deep-rooted, kinky, curly and nappy residence. It is hair that defies gravity.

H&M however, should not have entered into this political sphere as they do not have the cultural intelligence to handle this with the care and sensitivity deserves. H&M is best understood through the tweet by Clay Routledge @clayroutledge: “We are living in an era of work capitalism in which companies pretend to care about social justice to sell products to people who pretend to hate capitalism.”

Image result for clay routledge capitalism twitter

Let the black community handle our own means of representation rather than jumping on issues to seem like a caring company.

Can Black People Only Speak Up If They Are Saying Liberal Things?

Richard Bolton
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Can Black People Only Speak Up If They Are Saying Liberal Things?

The American comedian has once again ruffled feathers with his latest special show ‘Sticks and Stones’. Many have been offended by the comedian despite it being his job to tell jokes.

His jokes have been accused of fuelling hate speech and Dave Chappelle has been labelled a figurehead against LGBTQ+ persons. Comedians talk the truth as they see it, often angry people channelling their anger in a funny way. But just how offended should we be and should we #canceldavechappelle?

The Chappelle Story

Dave Chappelle is an American stand-up comedian. The recipient of numerous accolades, most known for iconic and acclaimed satirical comedy sketches. His jokes confront social taboo, confronting the ‘speech police’.

He is from a different time when comedians could be as offensive or gross as they pleased without fear of reproach. In the age of the professionally offended, careers like his wouldn’t have taken off.

The Speech Police

For some time now, the speech police have been found mostly in the secular, “progressive” left.

Chappelle has shown there is an open market for mocking the speech police with comedy, with his sell-out shows and status having grown off the back of it.

The progressive thought police is every bit as controlling and puritanical as the religious right some years ago. Comedy lovers want to see moral authoritarians mocked until they disappear for good, and from this stems the demand for this brand of comedy. Chappelle has left no stone unturned, trying to break every single progressive taboo.

The special boycotted

A quick Google search will bring up no less than a dozen articles boycotting the special because it was ‘not evolved with the times’, the new way of saying something is ‘problematic’.

Woke culture versus reality // Rotten Tomatoes

‘THE ALPHABET PEOPLE‘

The LGBTQ+ community found poor taste with Chappelle’s smear “alphabet people” who have “claimed 20 per cent of the alphabet for themselves”.

“Whatever pronoun you’re comfortable with…” was to show how being trans is ironic. He explained this through supposing he was a “Chinese person in a n**ger body” and feeling confused when people attacked him despite it being “this is how I fweel (sic) on the inside.”

What do the LGBTQ community think?

If a joke offends someone, it is not a joke! Why should comedians get special rights?

LGBTQ+ supportive viewers thought he was punching down, targeting people who historically haven’t been given a voice in comedy or society at large.

Those groups in society who feel personally attacked by his special believe a growing allegiance of far-right Chappelle fanbase are putting him on a pedestal as a frontman for their toxic ideologies. And Chappelle will return to reclusion until hitting the road to do it all again, without having to justify himself.

He made the same joke in 2017 about a black woman born in a white woman’s body – Rachel Dolezal. LGBT people think rehashing the same joke with the same premise leading to same punchline but using the caricature of Chinese people is lazy material for a hack comedian.

Chappelle’s entire reputation as a legendary comedian is built on race. Race has been his strongest material, and outside of this he has been confused and not with the times.

In Defence of Dave

At the end of the special he clarified that anyone he made fun of was done so because he relates to them. He is married to an Asian woman and openly supports LGBTQ+ people. So the real story has been twisted and misinterpreted.

All considered, Chappelle, as always, was breaking taboos to speak his truth, his opinion from his perspective. These are his thoughts on different issues. Sometimes, that may offend some people.

Cancel culture and celebrity hunting season as career-ruining backlash trip wires waiting at any outrage misstep // Michael Jackson // Lossy

It makes it hard for any movement to be taken seriously when people like and support characters like Jussie Smollet as victims without waiting for the legal system to decide, despite Chappelle’s remark all blacks were silent because they knew he was guilty. Those overreacting need to check themselves. Yes comedians are often angry people channelling their anger through humour, but they are also good bastions of free speech to diffuse social taboos and off-limit subjects.

“You’re gonna be finished. Everyone’s doomed. Michael Jackson’s been dead for 10 years, and this n**ga’s got two new cases.”

Dave Chappelle, Sticks and Stones, 2019

Chappelle does not victim blame, for instance, instead calling himself a victim blamer. That’s him making the joke before anyone else can chip in.

A comedian’s job is to observe, so in a way, he’s providing visibility to a group of people whom are ignored constantly, especially in the LGBTQ community (which was the underlying truth in his ‘car’ sketch.

To frame the conversation about him in the aftermath ignores why his comedy is so popular. There is the bigger issue of a lack of representation of marginalised voices in comedy. Given a bigger platform, their art could express itself and be an active counterpoint to comedy people feel is problematic.

Whether one agrees with Dave or not, today’s audiences are reactionary over the smallest infringement on acceptable narrative. Act now ask questions later.

How is anyone to know who has been through what ordeal. Regular conversation does not single anyone out, but people will act as thought it is about them however tenuous the association.

As Chappelle said to the woman in his epilogue, “It wasn’t your fault you got raped, but it’s not mine either.” A blunt remark making light of the nuance in how hypocritical we are as a society.

Comedy As A Safe Space?

There are comics out there who are trying to be offensive all the time. They usually don’t have fresh material so they use offense as their crutch. If you listen closely, you’ll hear the nuggets of truth in Dave’s’ thoughts. To appreciate the creative genius of the Chappelle among us requires seeing that he acknowledges his flaws just as we all are flawed as humans.

Ultimately, comedy is not a safe space, it’s a mirror used to reflect ourselves. These think pieces attacking Dave Chappelle and other provocative comedians miss taking the time to appreciate and understand the art. Freedom of expression and self-reflection should always come first. Repercussions, if deserved, can come after. That’s part of the responsibility we lend to individuals with such a projected voice.

One may be able to pin-up arguments expressing how Dave’s words supply vitriolic ammunition against sub-sections of society. This would take some real digging into his last 3 specials and selective interpretation.

All Sticks and Stones was, was a continuation of what he has continued to say. He is fairly unambiguous and consistent in his analytical extractions of modern society, especially facets he finds extraordinary or ridiculous.

Dave is a man out of time, distanced from the now. From the first special to the latest. His lens is one of a man speaking purely from an observational standpoint. The ignorance that has been so eloquently tabbed is the genius behind the jokes.

He is exploiting himself for what he doesn’t grasp. He is the mouthpiece for a generation of people that are essentially being scrubbed from existence.

He doesn’t take up the side that is right or wrong or even forcing his opinion on others. He does not associate or condone behaviour pedestalling him as a far-right icon or a hate activist.

He speaks from a point of caution. He highlights the main issue facing western society’s prosperity today noted by great thinkers of the past century: that we have rallied around the idea that

“If they don’t think like us then they are against us…”

That goes for liberals, leftists or ring-wing alike. In all actuality, it is the difference in opinion that formed and made the western nations. In retrospect, Dave Chappelle is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing. And we should continue to thank him for it.

John Bercow: What Is His Legacy?

Maisie Barker
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John Bercow: What Is His Legacy?

John Bercow this week announced his resignation as Speaker of the House of Commons. His ten-year reign was marked by his charismatic personality, criticism from both sides, and his immense “memeability.“

He has noticeably clashed with the government over their failure to progress with Brexit. A difficult figure to pin down, we look back at his political career.

What is the Speaker?

Parliament is in many ways an archaic beast, full of ceremony and strange roles (Black Rod anyone?) but the role of Speaker is rather straightforward. In essence, they determine who speaks in Parliament and steps in to maintain order when the debating MPs gets too rowdy. According to custom, no-one can speak unless given permission by the Speaker. The Speaker is also responsible for ensuring all debates follow constitutional and legal precedent.

Upon accepting the role, the Speaker must renounce their party affiliation to ensure an unbiased, non-partisan Parliament. John Bercow formerly served as a Conservative MP but has been very popular with Labour supporters and has routinely criticised politicians on both sides. 

Speakers are selected from serving MPs who vote them into the role. A Speaker is elected either after a general election (at the start of a new parliamentary term) or if the current Speaker resigns or dies in office. 

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 21: Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, David Leakey (R) walks with Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow (L) across the Central Lobby of the Palace of Westminster after listening to the Queen’s Speech during the State Opening of Parliament on June 21, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. This year saw a scaled-back State opening of Parliament Ceremony with the Queen arriving by car rather than carriage and not wearing the Imperial State Crown or the Robes of State. (Photo by Niklas Halle’n – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Who is John Bercow?

Born in Edgware in 1963, Bercow attended the University of Essex where he graduated with a degree in government. Whilst at university he was involved with a right-wing student group known as the Conservative Monday Club where he published a manifesto on ‘assisted repatriation’ of New Commonwealth and Pakistani immigrants. He left the club two years later claiming his views then were ‘bone headed’. He has since then condemned his participation of the club, later supporting a ban on MPs joining the club.

After university, he was involved in Conservative politics, including the Federation of Conservation Students and the Conservative Collegiate Forum. He worked in banking before joining a lobbying firm. 

He was elected as Conservative councillor for Lambeth in 1986 and then won his first election in 1997 when he became MP for Buckingham. He was reelected in 2001 and 2005. 

In 2001 he rose to Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Shadow Minister for Work and Pension in 2002.

In 2002, he defied the Conservative whip which attempted to undermine a Labour move to allow unmarried gay and heterosexual couples to adopt children.

He was appointed to the role of Shadow Secretary of State for International Development in 2003 but was sacked less than a year later after clashing with then Tory leader Michael Howard.

Rumours about his defection to Labour circulated for a while. In 2007 Bercow joined a Labour review of support for children with special needs, however, he did not join the party.

Bercow was criticised in the wake of the expenses scandal after it was found that he had avoided tax on the sale of his second home and claimed £172 for a journey of only 0.7 miles. He was accused of aiding in the cover-up of parliamentary expenses after it was found that authorities had destroyed evidence of MP expenses claims from before 2010.

His willingness to contradict the Tory whip meant he had many supporters in the Labour cabinet, leading to him being elected Speaker by a large number of Labour votes. He won the position of Speaker in 2009 (after the resignation of his predecessor Michael Martin) and in general elections in 2010, 2015 and 2017.

Bercow has faced allegations of bullying, which he has denied. His former private secretary alleged he was bullied by Bercow and told to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement). He set up an independent body to investigate harassment in 2018 but faced the resignation of three Tory MPs who claimed it was in protest at Bercow’s handling of bullying allegations. 

He has been notably vocal on Brexit, criticising the repeated attempts to get similar deals through Parliament as contravening parliamentary convention. He has frequently conflicted with Boris Johnson, particularly over his controversial proroguing of Parliament, as well as other hardcore Brexiteers.

A handout photograph taken and released by the UK Parliament on March 27, 2019 shows Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May (2L) passing Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow (R) as she arrives for the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) question and answer session in the House of Commons in London. – Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday pledged to step down if MPs back her EU divorce deal, in a bid to break the Brexit deadlock in Britain’s fractured parliament. Her dramatic gambit came just two hours before MPs started a flurry of votes seeking a last-minute alternative Brexit plan to replace her deal. (Photo by JESSICA TAYLOR / various sources / AFP) / EDITORS NOTE THE IMAGE HAS BEEN DIGITALLY ALTERED AT SOURCE TO OBSCURE VISIBLE DOCUMENTS – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NO USE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, SATIRICAL, ADVERTISING PURPOSES – MANDATORY CREDIT ” AFP PHOTO /JESSICA TAYLOR/ UK Parliament”

Voting History:

(note: because the role of Speaker means they cannot participate in votes, Bercow’s voting history features many absences. A full list of his voting record can be found here.)

  • his voting on LGBT rights has been varied. He voted in favour of the Equality Act in regards to sexual orientation, yes on Civil Partnerships Bill, yes on the Gender Recognition Bill (which would allow marriages to remain valid if one member gained a gender recognition certificate). He voted to repeal Section 28 – a Thatcher law which banned ‘the promotion of homosexuality in schools’. However, he voted against equalising the age of consent between heterosexual and homosexual relationships.
  • voted yes on the 2008 Climate Change Act – which aimed to ensure the net UK carbon emissions by 2050 is at least 80% lower than in 1990.
  • he consistently voted for UK support in the Iraq War but also voted in favour of inquiries into the war. He voted in favour of the renewal of indefinite detention for those accused of terrorism charges
  • has voted both for and against UK membership of the EU
  • voted in favour of considering a Parliamentary Bill to reduce the voting age to 16
  • twice voted against increase in university tuition fees 
  • twice voted in favour of reforming the House of Lords to be made up of elected officials
  • voted in favour of the privatisation of Royal Mail

It’s not hard to see why people have found it difficult to pin down John Bercow. During his reign as Speaker he has voted for both Conservative and Labour motions, been an iconic figure in Parliament and, on many occasions, shared our frustration at the lack of Brexit progress. After ten years in the role it’s time for him to stand down. No doubt he’ll be missed.

It’s Time To Talk About Post-Graduate Depression

Afoma Andrea
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It’s Time To Talk About Post-Graduate Depression

For a number of students, the month of September has induced a feeling of excitement and anxiousness.

Ecstatic to finally explore life outside the walls of their parents house, incoming first years have flocked to social media to express their excitement for the approaching Freshers week. Like proud aunties and uncles, we gave these students guides on where to get the cheapest booze and sent them off with our best wishes as they embarked on a new chapter in their life.

This week, many young adults will finally move out of their nests and get their first taste of freedom. At the sametime, another group has already moved back in with a sense of bittersweetness.

Universities proclaim that the majority of their graduates land entry-level roles into their dream profession straight after graduation, yet it has become apparent that this is not the gospel truth.

For many graduates, the taste of adulthood has left them in a state of confusion and despair.

“Post university depression has hit me hard,” an anonymous sufferer, tells The Common Sense Network “For years from primary to university, everything has been structured. Now that I’ve finished, it’s hard to adjust to not having that structure anymore”

Indeed similar sentiments have been shared by other new graduates. University is the perfect blend of the freedom that adulthood offers and the stability that comes with student life. You may not have to wake up everyday at 8am for class but your routines in university are still very much structured.

49% of graduates report that their mental wellbeing declined after leaving university

Student Minds

Thus when numerous adults leave university and finally take their first steps into the unpredictability that is life, they are quickly thrown into a state of shock.

The constant rejection emails and the financial uncertainty that follows, is enough to severely impact one’s mental health.

In a survey co-produced with City Mental Health alliance, Student Minds found that 49% of graduates believe that their mental health has declined after leaving university, while a further 40% reported feeling socially isolated.

How to manage Post-Grad Depression

Currently research on post-graduate depression is lacking thus it is not surprising that 87% of students and recent graduates alike are calling for more awareness.

In the meantime, those experiencing post-university depression are encouraged to:

  • Talk to others – whether it be a friends and family or a counselor. Discussing your issues regarding the transition from university to the real world with someone, can oftentimes relieve the feeling of loneliness.
  • Maintain a routine – it is helpful to establish some kind of structure to your day, wake up at a the same time, factor in daily exercise and healthy eating into your lifestyle.
  • Take regular breaks from social media – It is easy for us to fall into the trap of comparison when our feed is clogged up with celebratory posts by our friends and family. This can be further detrimental to our well being thus taking a step back from social media from time to time is a must!

Be resilient and kind to yourself, adjusting to life after university is difficult but it is important to remember that it won’t last forever.

Racism In Football Not Going Anywhere Until Governing Bodies Wake Up

Thomas Kingsley
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Racism In Football Not Going Anywhere Until Governing Bodies Wake Up

In the midst of public uproar at racial abuse received by black footballers in recent weeks, Vincent Kompany has boldly come out pointing the blame at the lack of diversity in football governing bodies.

Why is Kompany upset?

On September 1st the new Inter Milan signee, Romelu Lukaku, was subject to racial abuse from Cagliari fans in what was only his second game in Italy.  After scoring the goal which gave Inter a 2-1 lead over the Sardinian side, Lukaku was met by monkey chants from the home fans.

Lukaku’s former Manchester United team mates, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford have also been subject to racial abuse this season after missing costly penalties. Europe’s top five football leagues are less than a month into the new season and already have a lot to answer for in addressing what looks like increasing racism in the sport.

Lukaku responds to racial abuse from Cagliari fans.

Football associations need to step up

In an interview with Sky Sports, former Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany spoke on the incident involving his compatriot, Lukaku, singling out football governing bodies as the real culprits to the ongoing issue.

Lukaku listens to racial abuse from Cagliari fans. Source: Al Jazeera

“The real racism lies in the fact that none of these organisations have representatives who actually understand what Romelu is going through.

That is the real problem. There is a lack of diversity in the governing bodies of UEFA, FIFA, the English or Italian Football Association. If you don’t have diversity in places of power such as boardrooms, then you will also not receive the correct penalties. It’s that simple”

Looking at diversity in football associations across Europe, Kompany makes a strong case. Over half of England’s 23-man senior squad for last summer’s World Cup were of black or mixed background, but yet only 13% of the FA’s coaching stuff and 5% of people in leadership roles were from a black or ethnic minority background.

Additionally, a 2014 report from Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare) found that across European football 0.6% of senior governance positions were held by ethnic minorities, and 0.4% of senior executives roles were filled by ethnic minorities.

It’s all well and good that powerful European football governing bodies such as Uefa can launch campaigns like #EqualGame, promoting equality and inclusion, but when the time comes to take a stand against racism, nothing is done.

Uefa launches #EqualGame initaitve to promote equality. Source: Uefa

This is not the first time Cagliari fans have racially abused black players. In April 2019, Former Juventus striker, Moise Kean was also subject to monkey chants from Cagliari fans, only for Serie A to decide not to sanction the team.

Fast forward five months, the same fans have committed the same offence. The responsibility greatly lies on football associations to band together and ensure proper penalties are given and a precedent is set that racism will not be tolerated in football. So much can be done, deduct points from a team, play home games behind closed doors, let players boycott games – the penalty must send a clear and scathing message that football, and everyone involved in it from the players to the managers and executives, are vehemently against racism. Otherwise, the only message that can be perceived is, ‘racism isn’t that bad’.

Moise Kean also faced racism from Calgiari fans last season. Source: BBC

Vincent Kompany is right, that football governing bodies need to have more diversity to tackle racism. Initiatives like the English FA’s For All project to improve diversity and inclusivity by 2021 are a step in the right direction.

The For All initiative plans to tackle lack of diversity in the FA by 2021. Source: The Football Association

However, in the immediate term, those in power must use their position to take a strong stance against discrimination. Otherwise all other efforts will be in vain.

Media’s role in killing racism in football

In addition to the lack of diversity in football governing bodies, football punditry, especially that in the UK, plays a crucial part in perpetuating racism through unjustified villainising and scapegoating of black players.

Sky Sports pundit and ex-Manchester United legend, Gary Neville is renowned for his excessively harsh criticism of Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku over the years. From commenting on Pogba’s various hairstyles and social media ‘obsession’, to Romelu Lukaku’s ‘professionalism’.

Neville recently called Pogba selfish and embarrassing after a missed penalty, explaining that Pogba stole the penalty from teammate, Rashford. However, after the game United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, said he was happy for either of the players to take the penalty.  

Neville has been called out for his harsh Pogba criticism. Souce: Daily Express

Andy Cole, Neville’s former teammate, was also taken aback by the overly personal criticism of Paul Pogba.

“I get on well with Gary Neville, but when people start talking about treachery and all that… come on, this is a sport. Let’s get real. We love football but when we start talking on those levels, he left me scratching my head a little bit.”

Andy Cole, Manchester United. Source: Caught OffSide

Gary Neville defended his comments saying Pogba was the leader of the team and will stand up and take the brunt of criticism. However, there is an interesting absence of this kind of criticism toward non-black players. For example, Liverpool captain and England international, Jordan Henderson is also a central midfielder: Last season he scored 1 premier league goal and made 3 assists compared to Pogba’s 13 goals and 9 assists in only 3 more games.

Pogba had the third highest number of passes last season. Source: JOE

The disparity in performance between these two players is not matched in the criticism they both receive, and as a result black players like Pogba are increasingly villainised by the media making them easy bait for racial abuse and scapegoating.

Much is being done by players and coaches to stand up against racism in football, but it’s fair to say that efforts at a top level have been disappointing. Until this is adequately addressed by those in power, we can only expect racial abuse in football to continue.

Lampard’s Fairytale Chelsea Return Turning Sour?

Jireh Antwi
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Lampard’s Fairytale Chelsea Return Turning Sour?

Former Chelsea legend and now manager Frank Lampard has had a rocky start as his tenure at Stamford Bridge. The club legend who scored 210 goals being the clubs leading goalscorer, assisted 150 times and won 11 trophies including 3 Premier League titles, was appointed as manager on 4th July 2019.

Rocky beginnings at Stamford Bridge


Chelsea have played 4 games so far in the Premier League and have managed to draw 2 against Sheffield United and Leicester, winning one game against Norwich and losing 4-0 to Manchester United in the opening game of the season which was the biggest defeat a Chelsea manager suffered in their first game since 1978. Chelsea are currently sitting 11th in the table.


In their preseason they haven’t looked the best with a crop of newly inserted young talent being put in the mix: for instance newly promoted number 9, Tammy Abraham, and highly rated midfielder, Mason Mount who got his first England call up. These players have all come from the prolific Chelsea Academy. Another addition in Emerson is proving to be a quality player on the flanks, already proving Lampard may have the right tools at his disposal to do well at Chelsea

On the other hand, Lampard has an equally bad crop of players who need to be ushered out of the team, in the likes of Azpilicueta, Batshuayi, Zouma, Marco’s Alonso . With David Luiz forcing a move to London rivals Arsenal it has also left him with a centre back problem. Luiz was arguable their best defender especially in big games. Chelsea this season have already conceded eleven goals in five games.

Lampard in the deep end?

This is only Lampard’s second tenure as a professional manager. Having managed Derby in the Championship last year where he brought them 6th which is a playoff spot and took them all the way to the playoff final against Villa to eventually lose on penalties. Though he had one of the best teams in the league that year and should have seemingly gotten that vital promotion to the Premier League for Derby. The question is was Lampard appointed too soon?


Even though fans would be delighted with his initial appointment, some fans would have liked to see Lampard with a bit more managerial cache under his belt before coming to the big club that Chelsea is.

With all the top competitions on his hands, it is going to be a rollercoaster ride for Lampard especially when the Champions League comes round and games are coming in thick and fast. The level of difficulty has ramped up tremendously for Lampard and it’s really time to put his coaching badge on show. It’s all well and good learning on the job but some things require experience especially in game management.

Frank Lampard was an incredible player and was a very intelligent footballer but seeing the game from a managerial viewpoint and adjusting appropriately is a level he hasn’t mastered yet.

This we can see with OGS at Manchester United and even though he originally went on an amazing winning streak that came crashing down he’s now faced with the reality of nursing a wounded United back to it’s former days of glory.

Lampard’s club legend status will buy him time and patience with the fans but a poor run of results into the second half of season will prove problematic even for the most loyal Lampard fan.

A problem of tactics?

So far Lampard has been sticking with his 4-2-3-1 formation which works relatively well when his team is at full strength but it is evident that it currently isn’t working as it doesn’t provide enough protection to the back line.

On the other hand, having Mason mount and Barkley further forward allows for more creativity in the final phase of the pitch. However, it’s not enough to warrant the downside effect its having. Lampard is resilient on making the formation work when a 4-3-3 would be more appropriate having Jorginho in the sitting position which he’s well known for this would free up Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek a bit more and definitely make fans happier. His main concern now is trying to find a way to win and do it convincingly. One day in the future he might become a great manager but at this present time there’s not sufficient evidence of that.


If Lampard can take Chelsea to the top 4 then he most likely deserves the manager of the year award for such great achievement. There’s already odds on which new manager will get the sack first.

Controversy Without Consequence: Can A YouTuber Make Mistakes And Still Be Accepted?

Flora Barker
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Controversy Without Consequence: Can A YouTuber Make Mistakes And Still Be Accepted?

Swedish YouTuber PewDiePie married his long-term girlfriend Marzia Bisognin in Kew Gardens, West London on the 19th August. PewDiePie, real name Felix Kjellberg, is one of the most successful ‘creators’ on YouTube, with 100 million subscribers to his channel. He shared these pictures over Twitter:

https://twitter.com/pewdiepie/status/1163778709268176896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1163778709268176896&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cosmopolitan.com%2Fentertainment%2Fcelebs%2Fa28759257%2Fyoutube-pewdiepie-marzia-married-wedding-photos-instagram-twitter%2F

Surprisingly for the Swede, Kjellberg’s success seems to be unflinching despite several media controversies over the last few years. People magazine reports that “He came under fire in early 2017 when he posted a video that featured two men — whom he’d hired for the stunt — holding up a sign that read, “Death to all Jews.” The video, which was criticised for being anti-Semitic, was dismissed as a joke by Kjellberg. PewDiePie explained in a Tumblr post that he was “trying to show how crazy the modern world is, specifically some of the services available online”. He was subsequently dropped from his partnership with Disney after a Wall Street Journal investigation into his videos found antisemitism and Nazi imagery in nine of his videos.

The anti-Semitic sign
Source: YouTube (Vharixce)

Concerningly, it seems that this anti-Semitic video prank has not hindered Kjellberg’s success in any way, with PewDiePie reportedly being worth $30 million (£24.7 million). Furthermore, his wedding received positive attention from mainstream media. This is despite the YouTuber previously being associated with white supremacist viewers, The Guardian reported he “has been embraced by far-right figures including the Christchurch shooting suspect”.

Kjellberg and Bisognin’s wedding
Source: Business Insider

PewDiePie caused further uproar after labelling fellow YouTuber Lilly Singh a “crybaby” in December 2018, after she called out the lack of female representation on The Forbes list of richest YouTubers and the disparity in earnings for high profile members of the digital community. Shockingly, in 2017 Kjellberg uploaded a gaming video (the likes of which propelled his channel to success) where he called his opponent a “a f—— n—–”. This disgusting use of the ‘n-word’ was not the first time the YouTube star has been caught out using racist language or imagery in his videos. Defended by his legions of fans, it seems that despite several serious mistakes, the YouTuber will always be offered a second chance.

PewDiePie
Source: Yesofcorsa

Regulation and YouTube

Social media platforms such as YouTube are frequently praised for opening up the opportunity for anyone to have their voice heard. Creators have more control over the content they are associated with, making the world of entertainment a more democratic sphere. However, unlike television, online spaces lack the presence of regulators such as Ofcom. This means that what can and cannot be broadcast on YouTube is largely decided by public consensus, and it is easy for offensive videos, such as PewDiePie’s, to slip through the net. The sheer scale of YouTube, reportedly the second most visited website in the world, means that complete regulation is virtually impossible. In this terrifying TED talk, James Bridle explains the dangers of the lack of regulation and artificial intelligence for kids on YouTube:

The enormous scale of YouTube might mean that total regulation over the site may never be possible. However, is YouTube evading responsibility as a broadcaster by refusing to reliably police YouTube sensations such as PewDiePie, whose audiences reach millions? The popularity and worldwide interest in his marriage suggest that PewDiePie has faced little consequences for his poor moral choices on youtube.

British YouTube star Alfie Deyes caused controversy filming a video entitled “Living Off £1 For A Day”, which was criticised for making a game out of poverty. Although this caused a backlash, similarly to PewDiePie, the video has made no real indent to Deye’s success. The boyfriend of UK YouTube queen Zoella still has 3.9 million subscribers on his main channel. He released this apology video:

Deyes’ explanation
Source: YouTube

While it is amazing that YouTube has formed an accessible platform for creators across the globe, we must also condemn the mistakes of those who have found success through it. In the case of PewDiePie, the sound of wedding bells must not drown out his bigoted past mistakes.

Rebels With a Cause

Maisie Barker
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Rebels With a Cause

Frankly, it’s been an astounding week in British politics. Boris Johnson, supported by his hardline Brexiteers, affirmed his plan to push forward with Brexit on the 31st October even without a deal. His decision to prorogue Parliament was met with controversy – with House of Commons Speaker John Bercow declaring it a ‘constitutional outrage’.

Johnson is now facing a war against Parliament, with politicians opposed to No Deal launching a legal campaign to wrestle control back from the PM. His response to Tory rebels was to threaten them with having the party whip withdrawn – barring them from standing at the next general election. Johnson said he would respond to the rebellious Commons vote to take control by bringing forward a motion for another general election. 

But in the last 24 hours we have seen enough Conservative MPs defect to take away Johnson’s majority, including some big Tory names: Sir Nicholas Soames, Philip Hammond and Kenneth Clarke to name a few. The moment MP Phillip Lee crossed the floor to sit by the Liberal Democrats was met with both cheers and boos but it was obvious that the Tory party is being shaken to its core. 

Ex-justice secretary David Gauke argued that there was a point where ‘you have to judge between your own personal…and the national interests, and the national interests have to come first’. This argument goes much, much deeper than party lines.

These defectors will have had more of an impact than the likes of Anna Soubry joining Change UK. Kenneth Clarke has been a Tory MP since 1970, held most of the biggest posts (Chancellor, Home Secretary and Health Secretary for starters) and has long been pro-EU. His departure will raise a lot of flags for the more moderate, socially liberal Conservatives and force Johnson supporters to answer a lot of difficult questions. Clarke attacked Johnson’s cabinet, describing it as ‘the Brexit Party, rebadged’. Indeed, Nigel Farage supported the expulsion of Tory rebels, saying it would be ‘an act of real leadership’. 

We are now finding out just how far Johnson will go to push through Brexit. For all his criticism of Theresa May he is giving her a run for her money in terms of leadership failures and loss of support. Whilst hardliners like Jacob Rees-Mogg will almost certainly support him to the bitter end, he may continue to lose Tory MPs as the leave date gets closer. 

Labour has rejected calls for a general election unless No Deal is taken off the table. This seems unexpected since they have repeatedly challenged Johnson to face off in the polls but it makes sense during this turbulent time. By rejecting a general election, Labour will force the PM to follow through with his threat of a no-deal Brexit – this will leave him vulnerable to legal challenges brought through the courts. 

It’s hard to predict what will happen next as the political upheaval continues. The defection of such big Tory names will certainly ruffle some feathers and may persuade others to cross the floor. But if Johnson is determined to cling to power he will be supported by the most fervent Brexiteers. And there’s still the fact that a large population of the country will still want to leave the EU regardless of deal or no deal. It’s difficult to juggle this with the increasingly dire consequences being touted as a result of a potential no deal.  The one thing it is safe to say is that the news will continue to move at this breakneck pace for at least another few months. 

Slavery museums do not stop racism.

Shaun Flores
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Slavery museums do not stop racism.

As Black history month approaches, many platforms have started conversations about racism and race relations. Talks of challenging racism through creating a British Slavery museum is the new conversation.

The Socialist Group Fabian Society published a report by Capital Gains. The report said: “Unacceptable levels of racism towards London’s black and minority ethnic population could start to be addressed with a new British slavery museum to commemorate the country’s colonial past.”

In response to an article from the BBC “Slavery: Could a new museum stop racism in London?”

Racism is a social disease that is inherent in the hearts, minds and souls of humans. In a social justice generation, racism is a victim that keeps on being bullied out of the mainstream discourse and relegated to the minority. New ways to challenge racism are being unearthed.

Many know the symbiotic relationship between slavery and racism. “The mission civilisatrice” in English “civilising mission” was a rationale for colonization, and the spread of ‘civilization’ used mostly in relation to the Westernization of indigenous peoples in the 15th – 20th centuries. To become civilised the argument was that indigenous populations needed to become like the western colonizers.

Slavery was a system we best understand as Europeans taking 400 million Africans from their lands and enslaving them under inhumane conditions, for the purpose of making them slaves to work the plantation fields of tobacco, sugar and cotton to serve the needs of capitalism. Slavery was a system that ruined lives, destroyed homes, incinerated cultures but worked like a well-oiled machine to keep the industrial capitalist system of the 19th century running. Its effect is long-held today.

The British transatlantic slave trade ended in 1807. It did not end in all countries under British rule until 1834. The abolition of slavery empowered the companies and not the slaves.

The British government paid £20m to compensate up to 3,000 families that owned slaves for the loss of their “property” when slave-ownership was abolished in Britain’s colonies in 1833. This figure represented 40 per cent of the Treasury’s annual spending budget and. Today’s that would be around £16.5bn.

Museums do not challenge slavery, rather they make it more clear what happened in Britains hidden past, but racism is something we can never truly be rid of. Museums are a band-aid off the wound that racism continues to leak. However, it is a step.

What Part does the media play?

The Media are otherwise known as the ‘fourth estate’ in the UK are a primary tool of socialisation. Conditioning and shaping our minds to view the world around us. In the information age where we are saturated more than ever with visuals that are inescapable, the medias role is even more significant in how we challenge to challenge, accentuate and escalate racism in society.

Representation matters, as typically black people in the media, are often portrayed in one-dimensional fashions. Criminals, thugs, single mothers and drug addicts. Overrepresented in some facets and underrepresented in others. In media industries that do not reflect the audience it serves, which could be key to this issue.

The modern-day conversation has challenged these popular attitudes of blackness which in turn has cast a new light on racism, prejudice and discrimination.

Movies such as Black Panther and Hidden Figures have shown that racism doesn’t limit the power of the creative imagination and the power three black women had in world-renowned NASA. This highlighted the innate diversity of black leadership outside of the common understanding of what black women are. Black Panther challenged the African American identity alongside other themes, masculinity, culture and imperialism. Bringing the conversation from the bottom to Hollywood’s top.

Image result for hidden figures
Hidden Figures movie about three African-American women at NASA — Katherine Johnson Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)  far left (Taraji P. Henson) middle, Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) far right.

Racism can truly be challenged by media representations as it is such a powerful tool in society.

Racism begins at childhood socialisation

Racism starts as early as childhood, where children are unconsciously taught black is synonymous with dirty and unkempt and white is in alignment with holy, clean and glorious. A prime example being the Dove advert.

View image on Twitter
Dove Advert where a black woman after using the soap she became a white woman.

Racism in Football

Racism knows no bounds, money only makes it more sophisticated and nuanced in its delivery and application. Racism has remerged in football in its polar opposite with succinct precision. Football is largely regarded as a religion of sorts and religions are supposed to know no colour, yet football shows its true colours.

Famous stars such as Manchester City footballer Raheem Sterling and most recently Chelsea Striker Tammy Abrahams have faced racism. A museum will not cure racism, the continuing strength of athletes and other stars in the media fighting out against racism will.

Image result for tammy abraham racism
Chelsea Footballer Tammy Abrahams and the racist faced online.
Below the response from his partner.

Raheem Sterling’s speaking out against racism he faced whilst playing at Chelsea Stamford Ground football clubs ground earned him recognition from global company NIKE.

Image result for raheem sterling racism
Manchester City Footballer Raheem Sterling: “Speaking up doesn’t always make life easier.
But easy never change anything.”

NIKE highlighted by taking on Sterling’s outspoke attitude against racism, proved that racism is profitable. Racism is a continuing emerging market that reinvents itself in an intelligent manner, however, the term has become dangerously diluted to the point it holds not much meaning. Racism against footballers is a very real and imminent threat. Speaking out does not challenge racism, it merely reinforces its toxic existence.

We have to stop racism or attempt to nullify its effect from the grassroots levels in society. It will then equalise the rest of the society that it permeates. Preventative measures have to be put in place.

A museum does not challenge the age-old views of racism, rather it cements it. If a museum is created then an honest conversation is needed about racism and slavery.

Like quicksand, we submerge deeper into the slippery slope of racism. The only way to cure racism is to teach kids to view equal beauty in different races. How can this be achieved? Representation

Image result for george santayana
Writer and philosopher George Santayana said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Writer and philosopher George Santayana said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

History is being repeated because of the UK’s continuing denial of the abhorrence of slavery, its effects and the continuing issues that have birthed out of the structure.

A collective display of incomprehension is accelerated by a national curriculum and a popular culture which teach us mere breadcrumbs about the long history of British colonialism and Transatlantic slavery that laid the foundations of structural racism in the United Kingdom. We are condemned to repeat the same mistakes in the UK, as the government continues to have selective amnesia.

The museum is an ailment, but to defeat diseases you have to prevent the factors that lead to the damage. Let us tackle racism from early on in the lives of humans and the structures that perpetuate this societal disease.

History classes teach all types of children that the history of blackness is from slavery. Imagine a class trip to the ‘slavery museum’, it only teaches one part of a history that is repeated every single year. As we approach Black History Month, we need to study history before slavery to understand slavery in its entirety. Let’s think of the richest man that ever lived Mansa Musa. Maybe then we can truly wear a sword and shield to battle racisms long legacy of the black community as nothing more than slaves who fought for nothing more than freedom and false senses of equality.

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