tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63771962849194452872024-03-05T06:19:57.043-08:00The System Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02811367955730032884noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377196284919445287.post-90699123426365522512015-06-18T12:25:00.002-07:002015-06-18T12:32:09.772-07:00Humanity in Politics<div class="MsoNormal">
When approaching any debate, people will often judge you for
speaking about a topic ‘emotionally’, and this has always confused me. On The Big Questions last weekend, a man in favour of
nuclear weapons criticised his opponent for speaking ‘emotionally’ about the topic, but surely this is necessary. Once we take emotion out of a debate, what
are we left with? Politics and Big Business has become a chaotic intertwined establishment, failing to meet the needs of all people.We have become insensitive, trapped in a bureaucratic
machine that does not consider the consequences of policies implemented, on
the lives of the very people targeted. Over time we become more empathetic. Yet I find compassion and empathy, two traits so intrinsic to
being human absent in the very institutions they’re needed most.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The reason why many young people are disillusioned by
politics is lack of representation. To
solve or offer a solution to any issue faced by the most vulnerable in our
society, it is essential to first understand the causes of the problem and how
it affects members of the community. The Conservative government cannot do
this. In 2014, 54% of Tory MPs were privately educated. Yet David Cameron ( a
lineal descendant of King William XV) , who was privately educated ( surprising ) said in February this year that he will cut funding on schools by 10%, is this how he repays the people who voted for him? <span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">In 2005, shortly after becoming leader of the party,
Cameron said: "We will change the way we look. Nine out of ten
Conservative MPs are white men. We need to change the scandalous under
representation of women in the Conservative party and we will do that."</span>
The representation of women in the party has barely improved (in the 2010
election, the party had 46 female MPs, and 256 male). I’m going slightly
off track, but the point is the conservatives are failing to provide for all members of society, not out of malice, but because they simply do not understand
the people they are supposed to help. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only this, but
there are few attempts to go into communities on an individual level to discuss
problems with people, human to human on how best to help. The over reliance on
data leads to unhelpful assumptions by politicians who have never once
experienced any of the problems they’re trying to solve. It is dangerous to make policies based on data;
it relies on the ridiculous notion that all people are the same. It forces policy
makers to see these people as numbers on a sheet, rather than human beings who are complex and deserve to be treated as such. For example, when looking at the rate of teenage pregnancy, we should look to the words of David Brooks, "A pregnancy...isn't just a piece of data in a set. It came about after a unique blend of longings and experiences. Maybe a young woman just wanted to feel like an adult; maybe she had some desire for arduous love, maybe she was just absent-minded, or loved danger, or couldn't resist her boyfriend, or saw no possible upside for her future anyway. In each case the ingredients will be different. Only careful case-by-case storytelling can uncover and respect the delirious iconoclasm of how life is actually lived". Politicians
have a duty to go into these communities and learn about social issues such as teenage pregnancy, rather than middle aged men guessing at the causes (which often ignores the role of the teenage boy, and leads to the penalisation of young girls). <o:p></o:p></div>
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In order to make significant change in politics that helps all
members of society we need to revolutionise the whole system, not simply evolve
what already exists. Before the industrial revolution, no such bureaucracy existed
as only people on local levels had the information needed to provide for their
people – and it worked. The centralised planning system cannot recognise individuals
for who they are, politics has lost its humanity. Capitalism places monetary value
over human value, and distributes wealth unequally. We need to return to a
moral centre which underpins political and financial structures. Find your
humanity! Embrace your emotions and use compassion to effect change. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02811367955730032884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377196284919445287.post-28836407491797191822015-05-16T11:43:00.001-07:002015-06-05T08:01:57.344-07:00Love in Wuthering Heights <div class="MsoNormal">
Wuthering Heights was published in 1847, and since then has
been analysed by hundreds of critics in attempts to draw meaning from a disordered
and frenzied story. When originally published, it was rejected by society because
of its unapologetic disregard for all things proper. Its transgression of love,
and crucially religion forbade Victorian readers the chance to emerge
themselves in the story, and take part in the roller-coaster of Heathcliff and
Catherine’s tempestuous love affair. 168 years later, is it still shocking, if
yes, why?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From an ethical view point, there are countless questions to
be raised concerning Heathcliff, and why history has made him a romantic
figure. He’s violent, merciless and
abusive to all who encounter him. Even Catherine, the soul he most loves and
desires is hurt by him. To me, it is a work of unintentional genius on behalf
of Bronte. Her depiction of torment, and then a love so overwhelming is what
the reader clings on to as a means of redemption for Heathcliff. Modern and contemporary readers will differ
in what shocks them. To a contemporary reader, it is the senseless love affair
itself that is abhorrent. Heathcliff is a victim in their society because he is
illegitimate, and Catherine a victim as she is a woman. To a modern reader, Catherine’s betrayal of
herself and love for Heathcliff is what becomes most shocking. Wuthering
Heights explores different ideas within morality, one being authenticity- that
of being true to one’s self. Catherine’s marriage to Edgar therefore is an act
of bad faith, which in turn precipitates all subsequent tragedy and evil. The
power of love and its destructive nature is epitomised through their
relationship. Not only do they destroy and kill one another, their love ruins
the lives of all people surrounding them in its wake. This is not romantic. In
fact, there is nothing romantic about Heathcliff and Catherine. Bronte’s
intention may have been to create an epic tale of self-destruction; to explore the
power and force of love as a human emotion, but their relationship cannot be
one we strive to emulate. So why are we attracted to the story?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is undeniable that as individuals, Catherine and
Heathcliff are not good people. However as a pair, they become something else
entirely.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” </i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What makes Wuthering Heights the greatest
love story in literature is exactly why it was disliked. In Catherine and Heathcliff’s world religion cannot
stop them, society cannot stop them, they have nothing but their love and they
need nothing else. Their love transcends earth, heaven and hell, Heathcliff
confirms this himself.<br />
<br />
“<i>Nothing that God or Satan could inflict would have
parted us”. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The largest and most heart-wrenching irony of the novel is that it
is Catherine who causes their separation. It is Catherine who causes the
torment and years of misery for Heathcliff (and the reader) in marrying Linton
and preventing their souls from being one. For when Catherine has died and
Heathcliff remains on earth, his life is empty.<br />
<br />
“<i>The entire world is a dreadful
collection of memoranda that she did exist, and that I have lost her”. </i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alas, once dead they are finally free of
society and can be with each other as spirits. Do these same restrictions on
love exist today? Perhaps not the same, but love is, nevertheless restricted.
Whether through law, religion, or simply geographical means it seems that love
does not always find a way. In light of this, perhaps what the reader takes
from Bronte’s creation is that love is only what you make of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02811367955730032884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377196284919445287.post-48205238065123876142015-05-10T12:43:00.000-07:002015-05-10T12:44:47.299-07:00The Election<div class="MsoNormal">
Like many others, I was devastated with the result of the
general election. I can see why the Conservatives appeal to the rich, and even
the aspiring middle class. However, what astounds me is the number of working
class people who will continually vote for people who cannot, and will not ever
represent them or attempt to help them. The
fact that David Cameron, George Osborne and Boris Johnson were a part of the
Bullingdon club is surely the biggest insult to every hard working person in
the UK. <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It is the
perfect illustration of British class privilege, i</span>nitiations into the said
club included burning a £50 note in front of a homeless man. Do the less privileged voters of the UK know
this? And if so, why vote Conservative? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only response I have to this is that politics is about
unification. The Conservative election campaign emphasised the glory of
Britain, working together and a ‘brighter future’ for all. Aware that after five years his record has
not borne out the promise to the people, Cameron spent many interviews talking
in grand generalisations about the economy and keeping on the same path; even
abstaining from some of the leader’s debates. However, people are always more
inclined to find comfort in a simplistic message. In comparison, Labour was tackling
education, the NHS, social housing, tuition fees, and the huge inequality that has
increased over the last 5 years. Unfortunately for Labour, the details and
complexity of the issues they were tackling in the elections never got through. In addition, the press has a biased coverage.
Many people were influenced by the right wing newspapers that strive to shape
public opinion rather than reflect it. The impression is created that the
Conservatives can offer the working man or woman a way out in life but what is
not disputed is that under this last government, <span style="background: white;">Britain’s
billionaires have seen their net worth more than double since the recession,
with the richest 1,000 families now controlling a total of £547bn. Since the
Conservatives won their unexpected narrow majority, it is widely believed, even
among their right wing media friends that a new Cameron government will waste
no time in implementing massive benefits cuts. Who will bear the brunt of that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">One particular fear for the
next 5 years is the Tory promise to repeal the Human Rights Act. It was
announced that Michael Gove, with no legal experience or training is to become
Justice Secretary. The same man who advocated the return of hanging, and the
death penalty.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Mr </span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gove wrote that abolishing
the death penalty “has led to a corruption of our criminal justice system, the
erosion of all our freedoms and has made the punishment of the innocent more
likely”.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">He further argued that “Hanging
may seem barbarous, but the greater barbarity lies in the slow abandonment of
our common law traditions. Were I ever alone in the dock I would not want to be
arraigned before our flawed tribunals, knowing my freedom could be forfeit as a
result of political pressures. I would prefer a fair trial, under the shadow of
the noose”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">Mr Gove quickly became a
controversial figure after his reckless handling of the education reforms. He
was eventually removed after </span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Union_of_Teachers" title="National Union of Teachers"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">National
Union of Teachers</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(NUT), unanimously passed a
vote of no confidence in him. The future is bleak if Mr Cameron plans to repeal
the Human Rights Act. The rights protected by this Act are listed below. Which
of these would any right thinking person want to be rid of?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Right to life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading
treatment<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Right to liberty and security<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Freedom from slavery and forced labour<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Right to a fair trial<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->No punishment without law<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Respect for your private and family life, home
and correspondence <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->8)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Freedom of thought, belief and religion<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->9)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Freedom of expression<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->10)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Freedom of assembly and association<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->11)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Right to marry and start a family<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->12)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Protection from discrimination in respect of
these rights and freedoms<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->13)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Right to peaceful enjoyment of your property<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->14)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Right to education<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->15)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Right to participate in free elections<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02811367955730032884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377196284919445287.post-18554206465201738852015-02-23T14:48:00.000-08:002015-02-24T10:48:44.432-08:00On Law, Belle, and other things <div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb20QE-H7Bh-H9e2J7AAua5gNnFviZf7kkmA74MfaTcDhEYA3ol3Rm9RxuncVpc1O1_zCZ-3MLuh3JIoUI8zyfUbBcmJbUqHaZ7gik4j6_504fZbYmYTREAs626c35XFcNRCJ4lLJPMzE/s1600/belle_poster-620x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb20QE-H7Bh-H9e2J7AAua5gNnFviZf7kkmA74MfaTcDhEYA3ol3Rm9RxuncVpc1O1_zCZ-3MLuh3JIoUI8zyfUbBcmJbUqHaZ7gik4j6_504fZbYmYTREAs626c35XFcNRCJ4lLJPMzE/s1600/belle_poster-620x350.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord Mansfield - ‘Let justice be done, though the heavens may fall’</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Despite the cheesiness of starting with a quote, it is these words that
inspired this blog post. It explains that we cannot at any point be afraid to
do justice, we cannot be afraid to do right just because of the consequences.
Yet these are all vague statements that may mean very little, but represent a
sense of hope and philosophy by which I try to live. I recently watched the
film Belle, which follows the story of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Dido
Belle, a mixed-race woman raised as an aristocrat in 18th-century England, and
the social problems that entails.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Yet
on a broader scale, the film explores the theme of law and how it is
implemented in society.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Incredibly, the film is based on a true story. Rather than describe the
film (which I strongly recommend you watch) I will briefly discuss the point of
climax. In which the Chief Lord Justice decides upon whether or not to allow a
firm to claim insurance on its lost cargo, which were slaves. At the end of the
film we see him do right in denying the insurance, but more so- he goes on to
denounce slavery as the disgusting barbaric trade that had supported the
country for so long. As one of the most influential men in the country, he put
his position in great risk- yet he did what is right, and that is what we must
learn from.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From watching the film, I feel certain in my view that the law is not
doctrine that is to be aimlessly set out when seen fit, but rather interpreted.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Law is a constantly evolving concept
as it must reflect the changing morals and ideology of society. This seems
obvious, yet I feel law is constantly perceived as a black and white view of
what we deem right, and ultimately wrong. The practise of law reflects the
history, values and other peculiarities of society. In the UK, recently we have
witnessed the unveilings of horrific acts of indecency in institutions such as
the BBC. However this can be seen to represent the development of our
society. I am not suggesting that at the time these acts were deemed
acceptable, but rather a culture existed in which they were frequent and,
therefore uninhibited by the lack of impotence to counter authority. The law in
many ways is the foundation of any society, and so has a duty to progress
morality. Perhaps that is another blog post entirely, and I seem to have
wondered off.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In terms of doing what’s right, I aint callin’ myself no Mother
Teresa, <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>¯\_(</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ツ</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">)_/¯, But I do think
we all have a social responsibility to try and elevate each other to the same
standards of living and prevent the exploitation the weak. You know what, screw
it! I am Angelic, and I believe that if everybody
just tried to be a little more angelic in their day to day life the world would be
a better place. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jokes aside, I am aware that this is a blog that only I read, (shout out
to Patricia though!) and I hold no social influence, these are merely my
opinions. Peace out!</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02811367955730032884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377196284919445287.post-54105090193396146102014-12-22T13:09:00.001-08:002014-12-23T11:15:37.014-08:00Social Justice As A Concept<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Social justice cannot be exclusionary. We must be outraged about
every tragedy, we must be angry about every injustice in every country, it is backward
and obstructive to be selective. When horrible events happen around the world,
there is a trend that involves people attempting to draw parallels between each one, in order to create a somewhat overall understanding of the situation. However the problems of these worlds do not fit together in that way, each situation is unique in its idiosyncrasies and attempting to apply solutions or interventions from one to another is an almost offensive oversimplification. It is a cruel generalisation of the historical context and different social, religious, and cultural issues that exist. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
You cannot fight in the name of social justice, if you were
not equally outraged by the attack in Peshawar, as you were the events in
Sydney. Liberalism is not limited to the West, by fighting for human rights we
have to fight for every human, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, religion,
age or sexual orientation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This applies heavily with feminism, particularly women who
are anti-feminist. Women in the western world who wear their ignorance with a
somewhat pride or honour need a wakeup call. Despite the issues that exist
here, (pay gap, domestic abuse, objectification,), surely it is worth
supporting feminism for the women and girls without rights/education in other
countries? Even if<i> you</i> feel you don’t
<i>need</i> feminism, (although just because
you have not experienced something, doesn't invalidate its reality for many) it
is crucial to recognise it is much bigger than that. Moreover, the so called
feminists who <i>don’t</i> speak about these
issues need to broaden their priorities, rather than dictate their own self-proclaimed ideals of feminism. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The image of social justice much like feminism has been
contorted to mean something it does not. It is for those who are ‘easily
offended’ and ‘overly politically correct’ – but this is belittling and
insensitive to what the whole movement stands and fights for. Social justice is
broad and complex with millions of people striving to find what is right, naturally
therefore people disagree. However there is a cause, its definition is ‘<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the view that everyone
deserves equal economic, political and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>social<span class="apple-converted-space"> rights
and opportunities.<span class="apple-converted-space">’. Is that not worth
fighting for? </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02811367955730032884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377196284919445287.post-12564644201396872462014-12-22T12:58:00.001-08:002015-05-16T12:34:42.457-07:00Internalised Misogyny <div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">‘Girls are
so bitchy!’</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">‘I hang
out with guys because they’re less drama’</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">As a
woman, if you hear other women repeating statements similar to this, or you say
this yourself, it is important to consider why. Why you believe it, and why you
feel the need to be exempt from that category. If you have no credible
answer, (which is most probable) then I’m afraid you have encountered the
clutches of internalised misogyny.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">What is
internalised misogyny?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Internalised
misogyny is the hatred of women by women themselves. It stems from the
issue of sexism being nullified into satire and therefore loses its seriousness
in young women, resulting in the statements as seen above. It is strongly
linked with slut shaming.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">One of the
most obvious examples of this would be to claim ‘I am not like other girls’.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Other girls</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>as in those who<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>like pink, young adult novels,
fashion, or other stereotypical “feminine” interests. As a culture, most things
perceived as ‘feminine’ are mocked, the whole conception of fan girls,
screaming and crying after their idols is an obvious example. Is this not the same
in football? Are there not men screaming and crying over their football teams?
Why is one more acceptable than the other? Fan girls are grouped together
and stereotyped as unstable, and frenzied – thus making their opinions/voices
insignificant. It is ironic that celebrities will fear the ‘fan girl’
without recognising the power they hold. They make celebrities who they are,
the power they hold should not be underestimated.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Let me
stress the fact that it is almost completely unavoidable. Sexism is ingrained
in our culture to the point that it is almost inevitable for everyone to hold
sexist views. Part of being young is that you want to feel accepted and
attractive. However to achieve this by disassociating yourself form your own
gender is harmful. It is not only hurtful to all the women in your life but it
isolates you because it forces you to assume a certain role in life – a limited
one.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Internalised
misogyny is widespread but rarely discussed or addressed. Women have to
stop hating, judging and competing with each other. I should not feel
challenged when meeting a beautiful woman, I should not consider the beauty of
the women I encounter as a threat to me, or an attack on my person hood,
their beauty does not detract from mine. Yet I struggle with
this frequently - we need to love and encourage each other, not envy and
demean. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02811367955730032884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377196284919445287.post-45745754594620240652014-11-28T14:30:00.001-08:002015-02-24T10:47:15.148-08:00North Korea on Ferguson. <div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
North Korea
has condemned America for its abuse of Human Rights in the Ferguson case. This
is unbelievable. North Korea cannot be an advocate for human rights when it is
one of the worst offenders in the world. This post is in <i>no way</i> a
defence of America with regards to the Ferguson case. The American judicial
system is corrupt and racist, <i>that </i>is why people are
protesting. Darren Wilson the white police officer who shot dead Mike
Brown walked away completely free and this is unjust. Yet I’ve seen people
online, with a somewhat praise/admiration for North Korea because of this
action. I deem it necessary to remind people of the atrocities North Korea
commits, and highlight awareness for the brave survivors who’ve come out to
share their stories with the world. Kim Jong-Un assumed power after his
father’s death in 2011, yet there has been no noticeable improvement in human
rights. The government practices collective punishment, torture and inhumane
treatment, executions, political prisoner camps, and restricts the freedom of
information and movement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
”See!
Even North Korea says the USA is wrong!!!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Stop.
North Korea has merely recognised the international criticism of America, and
has released this statement in an attempt to appear just and righteous in
comparison. North Korea has no moral authority with this. This is
politics and propaganda, North Korea does not care about the oppression of
people in America, in fact it has its own dangerous view of racial supremacy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“<span style="background: white;">The Security Council should follow up by referring
North Korea to the International Criminal Court to investigate the long list of
crimes against humanity.” – Kenneth Roth, UN.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white;"> It is ignorant to blindly accept this statement of ‘support’ from
North Korea, with the mentality that ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’.
Moreover, careless comparisons between the North Korean regime and the US are
gross trivialisations of the terrors that exist in North Korea. <i>Yes </i>oppression
exists in America and <i>yes</i> it must stop, however it is
imperative to this discussion that we recognise that there is no freedom of
speech in North Korea, there are no protests. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white;">How can we help? It is not impossible! There are many ways in which we
can help, but the most important;</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Raise awareness
about human rights in North Korea!As you may have done for Ferguson, for
Mexico, for China. Do not let the voices of the oppressed go unheard.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Donate to the
causes that exist! Many organisations work with refugees, helping them
reach safety and freedom!</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Put pressure on the
international community to actively engage.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
No one
deserves to be deprived of their human rights. Watch this incredibly brave and
moving description of Yeonmi Park's experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufhKWfPSQOw"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufhKWfPSQOw</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Organisations:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
http://www.libertyinnorthkorea.org/<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/north-korea<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
http://www.helpinghandskorea.org/?ckattempt=1<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02811367955730032884noreply@blogger.com0