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The New European •

Apparently I hate Winston Churchill

I walked in, iced coffee in hand, to be told, “Sorry you can’t drink that in here”. My first summer job was at this place when I was an awkward 16-year-old who loved history. Now, I’m an awkward 23-year-old who still loves history, but is perhaps a little more cynical nowadays. I finished my coffee off in the reception area, and went upstairs.It was my birthday, which is traditionally a time of year when I wander around, picking up books I don’t need. But this year the weather was lovely, so I t...
A Rabbit's Foot •

Blood & Blues: how Sinners uses music to reflect the history of the oppressed

If you dance with the devil, you’d better hope he doesn’t follow you home.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is receiving widespread praise for its exceptional story and performances. Sinners is a supernatural period drama set in 1930s Mississippi, following twins Smoke and Stack, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, as they return home after making a fortune up north in Chicago. Their plan is to open a juke joint, but they face danger in the form of vampires. While vampires are an intriguing part of the story,...
The New European •

Who will blink in Birmingham’s battle over waste?

The refuse collectors here in Birmingham have been on strike for weeks now. The stench of old rubbish is terrible. A cat nudges at a torn bin bag and stalks away. Even strays have standards – not even they will touch three-week-old leftovers from a bin that has turned rancid in the sun.When I walk down to the massive waste bin, it’s already full. The pile of rubbish that has built up around it is now two weeks old. I’m sure my bin bags from last week are in there somewhere. And the week before t...
The Independent •

Kanye’s KKK costume proves Black men aren’t immune to being radicalised

Oh, Kanye West. It seems that nearly every week, the once-genius rapper seems more focused on being in the news for everything else but music. Last night, for an interview with DJ Akademiks, he wore a swastika necklace before changing into more formal wear – a black-coloured klan robe, that is, hood and all.We are almost used to his bizarre behaviour by now. But getting onto a stream with a Klan uniform – and not for the first time, given he posted an image of a person wearing a white KKK hood,...
Black Ballad •

Michael Jackson, Malcolm X & Our Need To Constantly Review Our Heroes' Legacies

Perfectionism will not save us, but neither will idolatry. Every year, we find out that figures in the Black community are awful. Between R. Kelly, Diddy, and other numerous men who have used their fame and power to abuse, there is the question of how do we reckon with this?I recently read Neverland by Vanessa Kisuule. The book is a look at why we are so fascinated with famous musicians and why it is so hard to accept that famous people are, in fact, human beings capable of being awful.Few examp...
The New European •

Women’s voices in a world that still questions them

I can’t help people-watching. To my left are two men – typical city workers. They’re discussing shares and I find myself almost immediately tuning out. Two young women are giggling over their drinks, and I smile. I have always found comfort in the sight of other women enjoying themselves. March has finally arrived, and with it, the sunshine, but there’s still a chill in the air. So I put a scarf over my lighter jacket and head out into the Birmingham city centre lunchtime rush. I find a place an...
The New European •

The hypocrisy of Kemi Badenoch

The leader of the Conservative Party has long confused me. As a minister in the previous government, she has always drawn headlines for her anti-migrant and anti-feminist statements, such as her belief that maternity pay has gone too far, her transphobia and her belief in mass deportation. If anything, she sometimes sounds like Enoch Powell’s successor but I don’t know how welcome the man would have been to taking orders from a Black woman who is the child of Nigerian immigrants. Last month, Kem...
The New European •

The hypocrisy of Kemi Badenoch

The leader of the Conservative Party has long confused me. As a minister in the previous government, she has always drawn headlines for her anti-migrant and anti-feminist statements, such as her belief that maternity pay has gone too far, her transphobia and her belief in mass deportation. If anything, she sometimes sounds like Enoch Powell’s successor but I don’t know how welcome the man would have been to taking orders from a Black woman who is the child of Nigerian immigrants. Last month, Kem...
The New European •

Robert Jenrick: exploiting the victims of sexual abuse for his own political gain

Posting on X on Saturday, Jenrick tweeted: “The rule of law was abandoned to sustain the myth that diversity is our strength, destroying the lives of thousands of vulnerable white working-class girls in the process.Robert Jenrick is still trying to score political points, this time using the victims of sexual abuse. No, he’s not doing anything remotely useful.“This appalling affair is the final nail in the coffin for liberals who still cling to the argument that Britain is an integration success...
The New European •

Farewell to 2024: a stupid, awful year

In 2024, governing parties across the world lost vote shares, while populist parties benefitted from the growing disillusionment with mainstream and traditional parties. The Reform party, Germany’s AfD and the Chega Party in Portugal have all made steady gains in membership.2024 was quite a ride – 2025 could well bring an entirely new sort of madness, given that Donald Trump will return to the White House, France and Germany’s governments have collapsed into dysfunction and Georgia seems to have...
The New European •

Farage, Trump and abortion

So when Nigel Farage argues that a debate on abortion limits is needed, he is taking advice from the numerous Americans he hangs out with when he’s not in his Clacton constituency.Since the ’80s, the religious right has been growing in influence in US politics and working to overturn Roe v. Wade, the legislation that assures women access to abortion. From fear-mongering claims that abortion is more dangerous than childbirth to arguments over the width of corridors in abortion clinics, the US ant...
The New European •

Farage, Trump and abortion

So when Nigel Farage argues that a debate on abortion limits is needed, he is taking advice from the numerous Americans he hangs out with when he’s not in his Clacton constituency.Since the ’80s, the religious right has been growing in influence in US politics and working to overturn Roe v. Wade, the legislation that assures women access to abortion. From fear-mongering claims that abortion is more dangerous than childbirth to arguments over the width of corridors in abortion clinics, the US ant...
The New European •

The lesson Gisèle Pelicot teaches us all

Even with the heinous nature of the assaults against Gisèle Pelicot, the staggeringly low prosecution rates for rape and sexual assault not only in France and Britain, but across Europe, made me wonder how many of the men on trial would escape justice.The guilty verdicts in the Pelicot case were so satisfying to hear. My reaction was mixed – relief and surprise came before satisfaction set in. I was not sure how it would go.Rape is an objectively awful crime, all men will agree – but some of the...
The New European •

The lesson Gisèle Pelicot teaches us all

Even with the heinous nature of the assaults against Gisèle Pelicot, the staggeringly low prosecution rates for rape and sexual assault not only in France and Britain, but across Europe, made me wonder how many of the men on trial would escape justice.The guilty verdicts in the Pelicot case were so satisfying to hear. My reaction was mixed – relief and surprise came before satisfaction set in. I was not sure how it would go.Rape is an objectively awful crime, all men will agree – but some of the...
The New European •

Why young men vote for the hard right

When I think of some of the people I met, my brain goes, “Well, they were nice apart from the slight sexist and/or racist remark”. It reminds me why those relationships did not go further, and also why I decided that my generation would not be the one to save the world. I wasn’t shocked by the US election result, or by the data showing the number of people in my age group who are shifting right. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes at commentators who seemed surprised that some young people...
Naked Politics •

Gender Z: The Growing Divide Between Young Men and Women

The growing tide pulling young men and women further apartMichaela Makusha“Your body, my choice” Seeing the online chants of ‘my body, your choice’ by trolls towards women by male Trump supporters and the commentary that surrounded it revealed a widening partition, as men and women in Gen Z appear more politically divided than in previous generations. People in this generation are in favour of LGBTQ rights, and gender equality and support access to abortion, the defunding of police and more. How...
1883 Magazine •

Aoife Hinds - 1883 Magazine

After first gaining attention for her role as Helen in the award-winning series Normal People and portraying Mary Tudor in Channel 5’s bold Anne Boelyn biopic — something she had never imagined she would do as a woman colour — it’s clear that actress Aoife Hinds is not afraid to push boundaries.


Hinds was born in London to actors Ciarán Hinds and Helene Parat, you might presume the decision to become an actress would be straightforward, however, she spent years travelling and studying before...
Black Ballad •

Kemi Badenoch Is Proof That Representation Politics Has Failed Us

The announcement that Kemi Badenoch claimed the leadership of the Conservative Party was met with polite congratulations from all sides. The leadership race had finally wrapped up on Saturday and Badenoch had claimed victory over Robert Jenrick – whose weirdness matches hers so well, I wonder if he will be in the shadow cabinet.But of course, what was part of the celebrations is the fact that Kemi Badenoch is the first black woman to lead a political party in the UK. Inevitably, there was also t...
Shado Magazine •

What do we mean by decolonising the British countryside?

I grew up in Birmingham, but spent half-terms and summer holidays in the Lake and Peak Districts, hiking in the mountains, wandering in the countryside, and horseback riding. As an adult, I still love to go out to the countryside and live out my cottage-core fantasy before returning to the city – but for all my enjoyment of quaint village pubs and sausage rolls eaten on a windy hill, I know there is danger in over-romanticising the countryside. Certainly, my existence in rural England is still c...
Black Ballad •

What Labour Is Getting Wrong About Violence Against Women & Girls

Violence against women and girls has been called a national emergency. According to the study by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing, the number of recorded crimes involving violence against women and girls has surged by almost 40% in England and Wales in recent years. In the King’s Speech, the government outlined plans to halve violence against women in the next decade, with plans for ‘better policing’ being outlined in the Labour manifesto. There are also plans f...
Teen Vogue •

People Shouldn't Be Surprised That Britain is Still Very Racist

There’s a popular image of Britain as a haven of multiculturalism and tolerance. This past weekend shattered that image for those who still believed in it.Riots broke out across the UK, planned and fueled by far-right groups, with reports from Liverpool of far-right rioters setting fire to a library and food bank, and the burning of a hotel housing migrants in Rotherham. The scenes have been heartbreaking — but for Black and Asian Britons, we’ve been unsurprised by the forceful presence of racis...
The Guardian •

‘Sorry, we don’t want lesbians’: Bridgerton’s problem with racism, homophobia and body-shaming

When Bridgerton exploded on to TV screens around the world in Christmas 2020, it was largely applauded as a fantastical re-imaging of Regency-era Britain. It was the frothy medicine we needed – a period drama for the 21st-century viewer. Ballrooms full of black and brown faces enjoying Ariana Grande and Beyoncé songs in multicoloured ballgowns! Anachronisms galore! Sexy encounters on verandas! It felt like the ultimate modern take on a low-stakes Jane Austen fantasy.But there is a dark underside...
1883 Magazine •

Zaria - 1883 Magazine

Combined with her joie de vivre and organic drive, it makes sense that she filmed, wrote and directed her first short film two days after wrapping season 1 of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. She is an artist who hopes to make a positive mark on the world in all she does, whether it’s through her acting, writing or directing or music.


In the new season of the hit HBO Max spinoff, Zaria portrays the intense teen ballerina Faran Bryant who is brought closer to her new friends when they are ta...
Black Ballad •

Hopeless, Hatred & No Trust: How Black Women Really Feel About July’s General Election

Register to vote by Tuesday 18th June to ensure you can vote in the General Election on Thursday 4th July.

Voters in Britain now need to show photo ID to vote in the General Election. You can check to see what form of ID is valid or if you do not have an accepted form of photo ID you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

Rishi Sunak decided that summer was far too joyful and called an election for July 4th. However, the two main parties on the ballot appear to draw apathy and disda
Glamour UK •

Why is society suddenly so scared of a Black Juliet?

Sadly, I wasn't overly surprised at the horrific racist backlash towards Black actor Francesca Amewudah-Rivers after she was announced to play Juliet alongside Tom Holland’s Romeo earlier this year. Growing up and working on social media, I know that it is overrun with misogynistic and racist foolishness – it’s part of the existence of being a woman of colour. Given that X (formerly Twitter) in particular, is full of people who seem to enjoy being loud and wrong, misogynoir rears its ugly head d
1883 Magazine •

Laya DeLeon Hayes

Laya DeLeon Hayes is making big strides in the industry.

At nineteen Laya DeLeon Hayes has a resume some could only hope for.

At nine years old, she voiced the titular role in the BAFTA, Emmy and Peabody Award-nominated animated series, Doc McStuffins. She earned her first Games BAFTA in 2023 for her voice work in God of War: Ragnarok and is nominated for a third NAACP award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture. She currently works alongside Queen Latifah and Lorraine T
Black Ballad •

If Top Boy Is Your Only Reference For Black British TV, You Need To Catch Up!

The announcement of the BAFTA Television Awards nominations and the release of the trailer for Netflix’s Supacell has brought up a conversation about the representation of Black people in television and film.

No, not the usual one, but rather a take that comes up when Top Boy comes up.

“Why is this the only Black show out there?!” is often tweeted, with a sneering undertone. Or, “Finally, a Black show that doesn’t revolve around gangs!” someone says when they see a new trailer for a new Black-
1883 Magazine •

Kevin Morosky

Author Kevin Morosky writes a love letter to Black women in his new book, Black Women Always: Conversations on life, culture and creativity.

An industry-shaping multi-disciplinary creative and film auteur, Kevin Morosky is always immersed in many projects highlighting black and queer identities and emotions. His notable achievements include the award-winning short film Bruce, which aired on Channel 4 in 2021 and was featured at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 2022. Another one of his shorts, Spu
Black Ballad •

Christopher Kapessa's Death Shows That Black Children Still Aren't Safe In The UK

When a child dies, anger, confusion and sadness are normal reactions. But there is an expectation for the family to get justice. But for black children, this does not appear to be the case.

Christopher Kapessa was a 13-year-old boy who died after being pushed into the River Cynon in South Wales in 2019. Initially, the Welsh police labelled the incident an accident as Jayden Pugh, the boy who pushed Christopher, said he had fallen.

The 14-year-old was later found to have unlawfully killed Chris
Black Ballad •

How Black Women In The Public Eye Manage Their Mental Health

It is no secret that black women face scrutiny for breathing. Last year, we saw Nella Rose face scrutiny on I’m A Celeb... despite Nigel Farage being right there and it only fuelled conversations on how black women in the public arena, no matter their career, are treated and the effect on our mental health and wellbeing.

Actress Ruby Barker, known for her portrayal of Miss Marina Thompson in Netflix’s Bridgerton, has been vocal about her experiences with mental health, and being a mixed race bl
1883 Magazine •

Cora Kirk

Cora Kirk is a rising star on both the screen and stage.

Having appeared in numerous theatre productions, from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and recently Of All the Beautiful Things in the World, she made her debut leading film role in the Prime Video, Your Christmas or Mine alongside Asa Butterfield. Your Christmas or Mine follows James (Butterfield) and Hayley, played by Kirk, as they accidentally end up at one another’s homes at Christmas. The sequel, releasing this month, sees a mix-
Black Ballad •

The Girls Won’t Stop Saying ‘Girl Math’ and ‘Girl Dinners’ and It’s Annoying

“Black women, black children, they are not afforded the luxury of vulnerability.” – Roxane Gay, ‘Where Are Black Children Safe?’

In her essay, ‘Where Are Black Children Safe?’, Roxane Gay discusses the incident of a young Black girl viciously attacked by a policeman in her classroom all because she did not put away her phone, and how Black women and children are burdened with a presumption of guilt, and so the innocence of childhood fades so quickly.

This essay, commissioned to celebrate the r
The Bookseller •

Same old stories

Literary retellings of classics have exploded in the past few years, not least thanks to BookTok’s enduring love for Madeline Miller and her feminist takes on the Greek myths. Reworkings and updates of well-known novels, myths and legends combine familiarity and freshness in a way that seems to load the dice for commercial success, from beloved old Bridget Jones (a take on Pride and Prejudice) to A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes, which takes the tale of the Trojan War and gives readers the vie
Black Ballad •

Why Don't Black Women Own Black Hair & Beauty Shops?

The recent incident at Peckham Hair & Cosmetics has reignited conversation about the politics of black beauty supply stores. There have even been calls to boycott non-black-owned hair supply stores due to a long history of bad experiences in hair shops. From racial profiling to toxic hair products, hair shops are often a contradictory place to be in as a black woman.

I have fond childhood memories of going to the beauty supply store as a child. My mum would buy Pink lotion and those hair ties w
The Bookseller •

Calling out toxic romance

The romance genre has always been female-centric. It’s long been a safe space for women to write stories of falling in love, to articulate how they might find themselves through finding a partner, and to celebrate (through the almost invariably happy endings) healthy, aspirational relationships.

Of course, from Bridget Jones to Pride and Prejudice, they’ve also been full of some questionable social biases and mores, depending on the context an author is living in – the self-deprecating body sha
1883 Magazine •

Cassie Clare

Cassie Clare is bringing an injection of life and flair to the fantasy genre.

It is rare to see black and brown women in leading roles in fantasy shows, but Cassie Clare is becoming a wonderfully familiar face in the genre. London-born and bred, she started out in the National Youth Theatre, acting, dancing and singing. You can currently see Clare in Netflix’s The Witcher as the bewitching Philippa. A powerful sorceress and spymaster, she steals every scene she is in. She also appears in Sandma
Black Ballad •

The Allegations Against Lizzo Are A Disaster For Fat Black Women Everywhere

On Tuesday, disturbing allegations against Lizzo and her team came to light and they were shocking to read about. Three former dancers are suing, Lizzo, her company and Lizzo’s dance captain, claiming a hostile working environment that involved sexual harassment, weight shaming, racism and a slew of inappropriate behaviour.

It is flabbergasting to think that someone who was known for being empowering and spreading positivity in the pop industry has been accused of overseeing and contributing to
The Bookseller •

Of bad women and white privilege

Caroline Calloway’s first memoir, And We Were Like, was supposed to be published by Flatiron Books, an imprint of Macmillian, in 2016. Except it never happened, because it was revealed that Calloway had a ghostwriter write the proposal – and that she’d lied about her life too, the one that caused publishers to be interested in her in the first place.

Her second memoir, Scammer – Calloway’s attempt to respond to the comments against her – is self-published. Released to journalists this June, it
1883 Magazine •

Charlie Murphy

Charlie Murphy is becoming a familiar face on British television. The Irish actress contains multitudes, working on Peaky Blinders as the tough trade unionist Jessie Eden to her well-known role as Ann Gallagher in BBC’s hit drama Happy Valley. Now, she stars in Netflix’s new four-part drama, Obsession. Based on Josephine Hart’s 1991 novel, Damage, Murphy plays the mysterious Anna, who is having an affair with her fiance’s dad, portrayed by Richard Armitage. The show has been noted for its take o
Glamour UK •

The Twilight Saga romanticised toxic relationships – so why is it getting a reboot?

Hollywood is clearly in its reboot era and – for the most part – we're not mad. But The Twilight Saga returning as a TV series? Absolutely not.

Lately, we've been spoilt for choice when it comes to complex female characters – from superhero scientists to long-overdue redemptive arcs for unfairly maligned villains. Perhaps I'm being cynical, but there's something disturbing about rebooting such a problematic show – with all its overt themes of internalised misogyny, toxic relationships, and raci
1883 Magazine •

Jack Rowan

With A Town Called Malice, rising actor Jack Rowan is making his mark.

Jack Rowan is a British actor who isn’t just rising the waves of the acting industry — he’s making them himself with his exceptional talent and natural charm. Known for his captivating performances and versatility in projects like in Born to Kill, Noughts and Crosses, and Peaky Blinders, Rowan has quickly become a fan favourite among audiences worldwide. His latest project, A Town Called Malice, is a gripping drama that show
Black Ballad •

Excuse Me, Your Misogyny Disguised As Pro-Blackness Is Showing

Generally, as a society, we are not great at discussing gender dynamics and sexism. This is particularly true online. But there is something transparent in the black community, disguised as pro-blackness, that goes on.

Recently, a few incidents played out – Jonathan Majors, who had been the internet’s newest boyfriend, was accused of assaulting a woman in a domestic dispute and was subsequently arrested by police. Then, not long after, actor and producer Noel Clarke did a bizarre interview with
1883 Magazine •

Cameron Chapman

Rising actor Cameron Chapman might be fresh to the acting game, but his role on Lockwood & Co. proves he’s ready to takeover the industry.

The rising actor’s supernatural action-adventure series Lockwood & Co. is one that keep you on your toes (and make you check your room for ghosts before bed). A lover of all things eerie and eccentric — including an affinity for the play Macbeth — Cameron Chapman trained at the prestigious Royal Welsh College and Drama to the dashing and secretive Anthony Lo
Black Ballad •

Here We Go Again: The BAFTAs, The Oscars... The Award Season Is #SoWhite

Award Season is one of my favourite times of the year because I get to pretend to be a fashion and film expert while sitting in my pyjamas and drinking wine. But it has also become the most predictable time of the year. It’s the time of the year when I get to watch Black people – producers, directors, actors and creatives – get constantly overlooked, passed over or ignored.

Movies like The Woman King, an epic period piece, Till, the story of Mamie Till-Bradley, the mother of Emmett Till, and Sa

Investigative Work

Naked Politics •

Gender Z: The Growing Divide Between Young Men and Women

The growing tide pulling young men and women further apartMichaela Makusha“Your body, my choice” Seeing the online chants of ‘my body, your choice’ by trolls towards women by male Trump supporters and the commentary that surrounded it revealed a widening partition, as men and women in Gen Z appear more politically divided than in previous generations. People in this generation are in favour of LGBTQ rights, and gender equality and support access to abortion, the defunding of police and more. How...
Polyester •

Swarm, Stans and Parasocial Relationships — Polyester

“It’s partly related to fantasy fulfilment. It’s not about the people themselves; it takes them out of their reality. And it's never a sole believer propagating these theories - it’s about community.” Dr Kaidan Pow, a sociologist who looks at online fan culture concerning women and black fandom, tells me. “The propensity for women and girls to discuss these things more - it has a lot to do with the culture of gossip, which is seen as a feminine thing to do and engage with.”

She continues explai
gal-dem •

Students build own support groups as universities fail to act on racism

Content warning: This article contains mention of discriminatory language.

“I feel like it’s so normalised that police won’t do anything, and I feel like my college is basically useless.”

That is how one student at Durham University described why they did not report multiple incidents of racism they faced whilst studying.

Racism is endemic across the UK’s higher education institutions. An investigation by the Guardian in 2019 confirmed the insidious nature of this form of discrimination in un
Grazia •

TikTok ‘TradWives’ Are Romanticising An Era Where Sexism And Racism Ruled

The Tradwife movement is one that has seemingly passed me by. I would occasionally see on my Instagram page pictures of old-fashioned cottages and gardens. Women standing over perfect dinner tables with loaves of homemade bread, but I didn’t become aware of the so-called ‘trad wife’ trend until I saw Stacey Dooley stay with a family who followed the lifestyle, as part of her documentary series Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, and my interest was piqued.

What is a Tradwife? Popularised recently on Ins

Academic Work

Black Ballad •

What Labour Is Getting Wrong About Violence Against Women & Girls

Violence against women and girls has been called a national emergency. According to the study by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing, the number of recorded crimes involving violence against women and girls has surged by almost 40% in England and Wales in recent years. In the King’s Speech, the government outlined plans to halve violence against women in the next decade, with plans for ‘better policing’ being outlined in the Labour manifesto. There are also plans f...
Black Ballad •

The Girls Won’t Stop Saying ‘Girl Math’ and ‘Girl Dinners’ and It’s Annoying

“Black women, black children, they are not afforded the luxury of vulnerability.” – Roxane Gay, ‘Where Are Black Children Safe?’

In her essay, ‘Where Are Black Children Safe?’, Roxane Gay discusses the incident of a young Black girl viciously attacked by a policeman in her classroom all because she did not put away her phone, and how Black women and children are burdened with a presumption of guilt, and so the innocence of childhood fades so quickly.

This essay, commissioned to celebrate the r
DurhamUniversity •

Philosophy at Durham University | Meet our students | Michaela

Get to know our student Michaela and find out about her interest in social constructs and concepts

Find out more about the Department of Philosophy at Durham University: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/philosophy/

Find out more about our undergraduate programmes: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/philosophy/undergraduate-study/

Find out more about our postgraduate programmes: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/philosophy/postgraduate-study/

Go to the Philosophy YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zMD_kTXdjwr8TqqQL1CDorAvudZrb2S

#philosophy #society #concept

Watch more videos about our students:

Eleanor: https://youtu.be/cyDbxSx8y8M

Joseph: https://youtu.be/7lPKXeFSUHM

Linn: https://youtu.be/-h05xXyvKOw

Noora: https://youtu.be/bpVus1SAki4

Tomos: https://youtu.be/DaaxARnezYo

Meet our students: https://youtu.be/f3GLz776isE

In discussion: https://youtu.be/vvr8-3XkrBs
Wonkhe •

Should academics be made to decolonise the curriculum?

Decolonising the curriculum has gone from being a resistance movement to one of those buzzwords that get thrown around many universities.

Some have claimed that it is an effort to erase parts of the university curriculum. This false panic has been exemplified in a recent non-story about Stirling University supposedly getting rid of Jane Austen in favour of Toni Morrison. It’s simply not true – that module changes focus every year with a new author selected annually. Choosing Toni Morrison does
HISTORY IN POLITICS •

Religion and Decline of the Absolutism – The Stuarts

1625 doesn’t sound like a significant year in history, but in fact it is the start of a century of rebellions and revolutions that shaped the political system we have in Britain today.

This is because in1625 Charles I married a Catholic, kicking off a fight against absolutism in Britain.

Religion wasn’t of course the only reason but a key and perhaps the most important reason the country transitioned from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy.

The Stuart dynasty had always been Catholic –

Profiles

1883 Magazine •

Aoife Hinds - 1883 Magazine

After first gaining attention for her role as Helen in the award-winning series Normal People and portraying Mary Tudor in Channel 5’s bold Anne Boelyn biopic — something she had never imagined she would do as a woman colour — it’s clear that actress Aoife Hinds is not afraid to push boundaries.


Hinds was born in London to actors Ciarán Hinds and Helene Parat, you might presume the decision to become an actress would be straightforward, however, she spent years travelling and studying before...
1883 Magazine •

Zaria - 1883 Magazine

Combined with her joie de vivre and organic drive, it makes sense that she filmed, wrote and directed her first short film two days after wrapping season 1 of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. She is an artist who hopes to make a positive mark on the world in all she does, whether it’s through her acting, writing or directing or music.


In the new season of the hit HBO Max spinoff, Zaria portrays the intense teen ballerina Faran Bryant who is brought closer to her new friends when they are ta...
1883 Magazine •

Kevin Morosky

Author Kevin Morosky writes a love letter to Black women in his new book, Black Women Always: Conversations on life, culture and creativity.

An industry-shaping multi-disciplinary creative and film auteur, Kevin Morosky is always immersed in many projects highlighting black and queer identities and emotions. His notable achievements include the award-winning short film Bruce, which aired on Channel 4 in 2021 and was featured at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 2022. Another one of his shorts, Spu
1883 Magazine •

Cora Kirk

Cora Kirk is a rising star on both the screen and stage.

Having appeared in numerous theatre productions, from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and recently Of All the Beautiful Things in the World, she made her debut leading film role in the Prime Video, Your Christmas or Mine alongside Asa Butterfield. Your Christmas or Mine follows James (Butterfield) and Hayley, played by Kirk, as they accidentally end up at one another’s homes at Christmas. The sequel, releasing this month, sees a mix-
1883 Magazine •

Laya DeLeon Hayes

Laya DeLeon Hayes is making big strides in the industry.

At nineteen Laya DeLeon Hayes has a resume some could only hope for.

At nine years old, she voiced the titular role in the BAFTA, Emmy and Peabody Award-nominated animated series, Doc McStuffins. She earned her first Games BAFTA in 2023 for her voice work in God of War: Ragnarok and is nominated for a third NAACP award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture. She currently works alongside Queen Latifah and Lorraine T
1883 Magazine •

Cassie Clare

Cassie Clare is bringing an injection of life and flair to the fantasy genre.

It is rare to see black and brown women in leading roles in fantasy shows, but Cassie Clare is becoming a wonderfully familiar face in the genre. London-born and bred, she started out in the National Youth Theatre, acting, dancing and singing. You can currently see Clare in Netflix’s The Witcher as the bewitching Philippa. A powerful sorceress and spymaster, she steals every scene she is in. She also appears in Sandma
1883 Magazine •

Charlie Murphy

Charlie Murphy is becoming a familiar face on British television. The Irish actress contains multitudes, working on Peaky Blinders as the tough trade unionist Jessie Eden to her well-known role as Ann Gallagher in BBC’s hit drama Happy Valley. Now, she stars in Netflix’s new four-part drama, Obsession. Based on Josephine Hart’s 1991 novel, Damage, Murphy plays the mysterious Anna, who is having an affair with her fiance’s dad, portrayed by Richard Armitage. The show has been noted for its take o
1883 Magazine •

Jack Rowan

With A Town Called Malice, rising actor Jack Rowan is making his mark.

Jack Rowan is a British actor who isn’t just rising the waves of the acting industry — he’s making them himself with his exceptional talent and natural charm. Known for his captivating performances and versatility in projects like in Born to Kill, Noughts and Crosses, and Peaky Blinders, Rowan has quickly become a fan favourite among audiences worldwide. His latest project, A Town Called Malice, is a gripping drama that show
1883 Magazine •

Cameron Chapman

Rising actor Cameron Chapman might be fresh to the acting game, but his role on Lockwood & Co. proves he’s ready to takeover the industry.

The rising actor’s supernatural action-adventure series Lockwood & Co. is one that keep you on your toes (and make you check your room for ghosts before bed). A lover of all things eerie and eccentric — including an affinity for the play Macbeth — Cameron Chapman trained at the prestigious Royal Welsh College and Drama to the dashing and secretive Anthony Lo
1883 Magazine •

Malia Pyles

The Pretty Little Liars series defined a generation with its dramatic cliffhangers and terrifying text messages. HBO Max has created a spin-off that has garnered praise for its refreshing take on the horror genre in a modern show. Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin centres on five teens who are terrorized by an anonymous stalker after the mother of one seemingly kills herself and a classmate dies during the school prom.

Malia Pyles portrays Minne ‘Mouse’ Honrada. But she is not all she seems – l

Reviews

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Album Review: Renaissance: Act I - Beep

Beyoncé needs no introduction. Her very name inspires sheer inspiration amongst everyone. And just when we needed her the most, she returned and shook the whole world to its core.

Act One of Renaissance certainly sets the tone for the album – a revival and rebirth of ballroom music of the 70s and 80s combined with modern rap and beats. Every song is suitable for any venue, from Studio 54 to a family gathering.

Read More: New Music from Beyoncé and Jay Z

The transitions are sublime. This album
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Book Review: Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola - Beep

Bolu Babalola had me hooked with Love in Colour in 2020, a beautiful anthology of love stories and she came back in 2022 with a fun romantic novel that I pre-ordered the first chance I could get.

Honey & Spice revolves around Kiki and Malakai, two students at Whitehall university, a fictional British university.

Kiki Banjo hosts a radio show, ‘Brown Sugar Show’ in which she doles out brutally honest advice to the Whitehall university students. But she’s closed off emotionally, especially to lo
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Book Review: A Thousand Ships - Beep

Natalie Haynes’ retelling of the Trojan War was attractive to me based on the description – a retelling from the view of the women. After reading her book, Pandora’s Jar, I was more than excited to read and she did not disappoint.

We all have heard of the Trojan War – Paris steals Helen of Troy beginning a long and bloody conflict. But we have not read it like this.

Recommended Reading: Book Review: Daisy Jones and The Six

The guide in this story is the muse of epic poetry, Calliope, we are g
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Book Review: Daisy Jones and The Six - Beep

Daisy Jones and The Six is the story of fictional musicians in the seventies. And I very much recommend this book to anyone in a slump or wanting to procrastinate before exams (like me!)

Written in interview snippets we, learn the ups and downs, the good and bad of how the band was formed. There is realism in the details that make you believe you are reading about a real band. I had never read a book in this style before. But the way Taylor Jenkins Reid writes it gives it the feel of watching a
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Book Review: If I Ever Met You - Beep

Mhairi McFarlane’s 2020 novel If I Never Met You has been on my ‘to be read‘ list for a while – and I am so happy that I finally got around to it.

The story revolves around thirty-six-year-old Laurie. She’s a lawyer, one of the best at her firm. Her partner, Dan, dumps her after eighteen years together which throws her off balance. We also have Jamie, a handsome hotshot criminal lawyer.

Laurie needs vengeance. Jamie needs to shake off his reputation to make partner at the firm. Obviously, a fa
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TV Review: Netflix's 'The Tinder Swindler' - Beep

I love a good Netflix documentary – true crime is a guilty pleasure and this one will have you yelling at the screen.

The Tinder Swindler tells the story of Shimon Hayut, who used the name, Simon Leviev, a conman who seduced women on Tinder and conned them out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

He posed as a billionaire diamond dealer’s son, enticed women on the dating app across Europe, and eventually manipulated them into giving him money, sinking these women into huge debts.

We are told h
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Book Review: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood - Beep

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is the latest read from my to-be-read list that has been interrupted by my studies, but we all need a break from Plato every now and then.

I didn’t know what to expect from the book. I don’t read many romantic books, but this was recommended by friends, Twitter, Pinterest and TikTok, so I had to see what the hype was about. I wasn’t disappointed.



This book is so charming! Olive Smith, the protagonist is a shy, intelligent and hardworking biology PhD stu
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Book Review: Such A Fun Age - Beep

Such A Fun Age is Kiley Reid’s debut novel and she comes out swinging with this fantastic piece of writing.

The story focuses on Emira, a nanny for a wealthy family. She’s a young black woman whose life is turned upside down when she is accosted by a security guard in a grocery shop, assuming she has kidnapped the child.

It is a funny, easy read, looking at the dynamics of privilege, racism and sexism from various points of view. There’s Alix Chamberlain, a rich white woman who just wants the
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Book Review: Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé - Beep

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. This book was an unexpected buy, but the premise of the book had me hooked. A Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars-type thriller but with two black leads who are LGBTQ? Sign me up!

In fact, the plot is so much more than I could’ve hoped for. I can see why it has sat on the New York Times Bestsellers list for weeks. The protagonists are from completely different walks of life.

Devon is a talented musician from a deprived neighbourhood, at Niveous High on a sc