interact magazine summer 2013

Travel And Culture Religion And Ethics Skills And Employment Fashion And Beauty And The Rest...

SUMMER 2013

Interact Magazine Summer 20132

This is it. After many months of recruiting and working with volunteers I feel very proud to present the SPRING/SUMMER EDITION of the Interact magazine. I owe a massive thank you to all volunteers, freelancers and mentors that have stuck with this project and made it a success.

Interact UK focuses on intercultural and interfaith action. This team not only worked together regardless of age, occupation, faith and background but melded their ideas to produce a jam-packed edition worthy of publication.This edition has something for everyone. From homemade beauty products to slavery in the modern world Interact magazine successfully blends the serious with the not so serious. We look at the unemployment situation facing young people, society’s perception of alcohol and also focus our attention on the importance of walking..

Spring and Summer are supposed to be about hope, new beginnings and fresh starts. But as a group we found it hard to find topics that would reflect this feeling. The world, not just Europe and the UK, is facing so many issues right now. The economy, unemployment, conflict and politics headline every day. I hope instead that our readers will find this edition informative, interesting and filled with an eclectic mix of articles that have an impact. Whether we inspire you to backpack around Europe, visit the Natural History Museum or undertake some work experience, do so knowing INTERACTION is at the heart of everything.

JESSICA COOKEMagazine Coordinator

EDITOR’S LETTER

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INTERACT MAGAZINE CONTENTS

Travel And Culture

Religion And Ethics

Skills And Experience

Fashion And Beauty

And The Rest...

4 BUDGET TRAVEL IN EUROPE BY BECKY IM 6 ISTANBUL BY MARIYA LINER 8 THEATRE OF HOPE BY AMBER MUN 11 IS WALKING FAST GOOD FOR US? BY BECKY IM 12 IMPORTANCE OF THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM BY TEIJA WILLIAMS14 PICTURE SPREAD BY TEIJA WILLIAMS

16 BUDDHIST TEMPLE BY ALESSIA MAIOLO 19 INTO THE FIRE BY ALESSIA MAIOLOO 20 ALCOHOL AND CULTURE BY JOANA BALL 22 SHOULD WE LEGALISE SLAVERY BY IAN WERRETT

24 SYMBOLS BY SELINA MOSES

26 WORK EXPERIENCE BY SAM TOLLER 28 NEED EXPERIENCE TO GET JOB, NEED JOB TO GET EXPERIENCE BY HARRY READ

30 CAN WEARING FUR EVER BE ETHICAL? BY SELINA MOSES 32 TRY A NEW ROUTINE, THE AYURVEDIC WAY BY SELINA MOSES 34 THE SHOPPING CULTURE BY TEIJA WILLIAMS

36 RECIPES 38 HOROSCOPES

SUMMER 2013

When you ask overseas students why they come all the way to London to study, I believe most of them will answer that London is home to many of the top universities in the world.If you ask me, after spending £500 and 13 hours on a flight from my little hometown in Asia to London, I would say that the opportunity of travelling around Europe during my studies was also a major factor. Here I am going to share some of my experiences and tips for budget travel in Europe. Take Budget airlines Though travelling with a budget airline is not as comfortable as a normal airline, the money you can save from the flight definitely makes it worthwhile. However, there are certain pitfalls that you need to be aware of.

Check the hand baggage restrictions carefully before packing and FOLLOW them. Never hope that the staff will not check. They always do! If your hand luggage is found to be oversized at the boarding gate, they will charge you a heavy fee. This is the way they earn money!

Make sure that all your luggage can fit into one bag. Most budget airlines

only allow one bag of hand luggage per passenger. Even a camera bag is considered as a single bag, so make sure you can pack them into your rucksack.

Hide your handbag or shopping underneath your coat if you really can’t fit them into your hand luggage.

Pack wise, pack lightI guess you won’t want to pay £50 for your extraneous snacks or magazines in your oversized luggage, so here are some tips for packing wise and light before you set off. Do your homework – ask and check. Check the weather at your destination to decide which suitable clothes to bring. Ask the hostel if they provide things such as a hairdryer, towels etc. to avoid bringing things which you can find in the hostel.

Colour coordinate your clothes to pack so that you don’t need to bring lots of different clothes to make things match. A dark colour is a good option as it easier to get items to match and it can also hide stains when you get your clothes dirty.

Wash your clothes during your trip if you are travelling for more than one week. There is usually laundry

MY EXPERIENCE

ONCE WHEN I TRAVELLED WITH 2 FRIENDS WITH

RYANAIR, MY FRIENDS DIDN’T CHECK THE

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE BEFOREHAND. THEY WERE CHARGED FOR

£50 EACH AT THE BOARDING GATE BECAUSE THEIR HAND LUGGAGE WAS OVERSIZED.

AFTER THAT, THEY NEVER STOPPED COMPLAINING

THROUGHOUT OUR WHOLE TRIP

Travel And Culture Religion And Ethics Skills And Employment Fashion And Beauty And The Rest...4

BUDGET TRAVEL IN EUROPE TEXT/PHOTOS: BECKY IM

TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST BUDGET TRIP ABROAD

in hostels. It is worth spending a few euros on laundry instead of bringing more clothes (which could double the size of your luggage!) for the whole trip.

Stay at HostelsStaying at hostels is not only cheaper, but also brings you closer to the local culture than by staying at large hotel chains. Also, you get to meet and socialise with other budget backpackers from different countries!

Check the location when you choose a hostel. You don’t want to end up staying at a hostel that is in zone 6 if you are travelling to central London, do you?

Do not just look at the beautiful photos of the hostel on the booking website. Photos do not reflect the actual conditions of the hostel. Reviews from past visitors who stayed at the hostel before are good guides to help you decide which hostel to choose.

Join Free Walking ToursBy joining free walking tours, not only do you save time trying to find tourist sites, you can also learn a lot about the local history and culture from the tour. I highly recommend it for first time travellers, especially

those who are not familiar with reading a map!

Allow yourself some time to find the meeting point of the tour especially when you are new to the city.

Stay Safe and Enjoy!To me, travelling is a part of life. Each person can gain different things from the same trip ‑ what you gain depends on your attitude. As Marcel Proust said, ‘The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes’. Through travelling, some people have gained knowledge, some have gained friendships, I have gained experience and have learnt to be travel ‑smart.

MY TIPS

I LIKE PICKING A HOSTEL WHICH IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE TO THE

MAIN TOURIST SITES TO SAVE BOTH TIME

AND MONEY. IF NOT, I USUALLY PICK

ONE WHICH HAS AN UNDERGROUND

STATION OR BUS STOP NEARBY

5

Stereotyping can hardly be avoided in everyday life – we all tend to make assumptions about people and places and it takes a while to break those. When I tell people how much I enjoyed my stay in Turkey, I get mocking looks: ‘What is it about the all-inclusive hotels, annoying tourists and the bothersome Turks that you like?’ - is a typical response. Now, let me try to present to you a different side of Turkey, which lies beyond the tall hotel gates of its southern coast, through the vibrant city of Istanbul.

Istanbul is one of those cities one should find the time to see. Paris and London are great too, but why not choose a place as inspiring and culturally rich, yet different? Not long ago Istanbul became Europe’s Best Destination of 2013, and of course there are reasons behind this. Firstly, is there any other city that could compete with uniqueness of Istanbul in bridging Europe and Asia over the Bosphorus? Before my visit to the former Constantinople I was expecting the city to be chaotic and thus fearful; how pleased I was to discover the harmony in the frenzy

of traffic, crowds and events going on there. Perhaps the Bosphorus has a pacifying effect on the hilly megapolis: Istanbul offers you busy central areas full of tiny streets, open-space squares enriched with historical monuments along with lots of greenery, waterside cafes and bars, hidden roof tops giving you the 5 star views. That is the magical trick of Istanbul – you can always escape the fuss without actually leaving the city.

Bonding the West and the East, Istanbul is also a link between Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Hagia Sofia basilica is one of the examples, which represents Istanbul’s duality – the building has architectural features of both religions, Christianity and Islam; this is why tourists from all over the world long to enter such a cross-historical and cultural portal and experience the rich antiquity of space.

One can easily call Istanbul a city that is surrounded by the hype of today. It catches your attention by the number of cultural events taking place throughout the year. IKSV Festival is among the most significant ones, which gives an insight into the Turkey’s

creative world: music, theatre, film and design. Also Istanbul Modern holds modern and contemporary art exhibitions and installations, which should be included in the traveller’s to-do list. Other than that, the city itself has more sun and

without a doubt is warmer than, let’s say, London. A city that is worth getting lost in to discover its beautiful features, mouth-watering food and welcoming people.

DESTINATION ISTANBUL

NOW, LET ME TRY TO PRESENT TO YOU A DIFFERENT SIDE OF TURKEY, WHICH LIES BEYOND THE TALL

HOTEL GATES OF ITS SOUTHERN COAST,

THROUGH THE VIBRANT CITY OF ISTANBUL.

WORDS/PHOTOS: MARIYA LINER


(...) IS THERE ANY OTHER CITY THAT COULD COMPETE

WITH UNIQUENESS OF ISTANBUL IN BRIDGING

EUROPE AND ASIA OVER THE BOSPHORUS?

(...) ISTANBUL OFFERS YOU BUSY CENTRAL AREAS FULL OF TINY

STREETS, OPEN-SPACE SQUARES ENRICHED

WITH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS ALONG

WITH LOTS OF GREENERY(...)

7

In the multicultural melting pot of Europe, there is certainly huge potential for theatre to open up dialogue between different ethnic and socio cultural groups which can often be surprisingly separate from one another in spite of the proximity of living space. I have been involved in a community theatre group called MUJU, a Muslim Jewish collective based at the Tricycle Theatre, Kiburn, and through our work in devising pieces based on issues close to our own hearts we have learnt so much about both our experiences as individuals and also as members of different faiths and communities. This has inspired many of us to go on to explore our identities and our place within society further, both through the arts and other endeavours. Judging by the feedback from the audience our shows have also helped to broaden people’s perceptions, laying some foundation for greater understanding and co operation within, between, and outside the communities. But to what extent can theatre and performance art be used as a means of inspiring hope and change around the world?

THEATRE OF HOPEAMBER MUN


There was no theatre in Jenin at the time of its establishment in 2006; Juliano’s mother Arna had established a children’s theatre group in the area during the 1990s, but it was shut down when Arna died in the mid90s, and the building was damaged by an Israeli missile in 2002. Following international support for the film, Juliano started the theatre after Zakaria Zbeidi, one of his former students, contacted him together with Jonatan Stanczak, a Swedish activist and Dror Feiler, a Swedish composer. With them Juliano cofounded the Freedom Theatre as a community theatre for adults and children. In 2007, the first acting school was set up in Jenin. However, far from being welcomed, the theatre was met from resistance not only from the Israeli forces but also from elements of the Palestinian community itself.

There was no theatre in Jenin at the time of its establishment in 2006; Juliano’s mother Arna had established a children’s theatre group in the area during the 1990s, but it was shut down when Arna died and the building was bulldozed in 2002. Following international support for the film, Juliano decided a new theatre for change

was needed, and with Arna he co founded the Freedom Theatre as a community theatre for adults and children. In 2007, the first acting school was set up in Jenin. However, far from being welcomed, the theatre was met from resistance not only from the Israeli forces but also from elements of the Palestinian community itself.

Momin, who joined the theatre in 2008, shed some light on the attitude at the time. “There was no freedom. The people had lost hope. They were afraid. All the basic elements of life had been cut. You were struggling against the whole situation.” Nonetheless, Juliano maintained that “hope is there. We have to pour water, pour water, pour water. And that’s what we do here.”

Indeed, in spite of the opposition from all sides the theatre was very successful. Its first production was an adaptation of Animal Farm, and it was performed 48 times in the middle of the refugee camp to mixed reactions. “Some people liked it, some didn’t like it, some didn’t understand it,” Momin recounts. The second show, Fragments of Palestine, toured Germany and Austria. The third show, an

JULIANO MER ‑KHAMIS

A MAJOR FORCE… IN GENERATING

A CULTURAL RESISTANCE, CARRYING

ON ITS SHOULDERS UNIVERSAL VALUES OF

FREEDOM AND JUSTICE

9

adaptation of Alice and Wonderland which highlighted the right of women to choose their destinies, boldly challenged prevailing attitudes towards women within the camp. Momin described the impact of the theatre on the young people involved: “Juliano gave life back to some people who lived here. I could give him my love and energy. He created a space where young people could go and get a break from a high level of violence and rest, and create, and think about their future whilst doing professional theatre. That place was gold. We were fighting on three levels: our society to get space; the Israeli occupation; and our own internal blocks to becoming the best possible actors we could possibly be.”

Unfortunately, the opposition forces from both within the community and outside eventually came to a head, when Juliano was sadly shot dead by a masked gunman outside the theatre in 2011. However, this has not stopped the school from flourishing as what Juliano described as a “political artistic movement”, with the acting school expanding and productions continuing to tour. While there are still problems of acceptance, the theatre has established a worldwide reputation, and the young people involved have

benefited immensely. Currently it is showing an adaptation of Sarah Kane’s 4.48 Psychosis, and it has also established a youth magazine, written and produced by young women and men in Jenin Refugee Camp, Jenin city and surrounding villages, containing articles, feature stories, poems, interviews and photos on issues relevant to young Palestinians today.

Such a legacy is surely testament to the enduring power of theatre to challenge the status quo and to give young people a safe space to think and dream and develop into adults with the power to make a real difference to society. It is to be hoped that, by keeping the channels of communication open through all the tools open to us, the international youth community can continue to collaborate and inspire one another. That is how the flame of hope can be kept alive for all.

www.thefreedomtheatre.org

FRAMES FROM ‘ARNA’S CHILDREN’ MOVIE

JULIANO GAVE LIFE BACK TO SOME PEOPLE

WHO LIVED HERE. I COULD GIVE HIM MY LOVE AND ENERGY.

HE CREATED A SPACE WHERE YOUNG

PEOPLE COULD GO AND GET A BREAK

FROM A HIGH LEVEL OF VIOLENCE AND REST, AND CREATE, AND THINK ABOUT

THEIR FUTURE WHILST DOING PROFESSIONAL

THEATRE.


11

According to an international study commissioned by the British Council in 2007, Singapore has the fastest walkers around the world, followed by Copenhagen and Madrid. The study also showed that the overall walking speeds of urban populations were 10% higher than the previous study in the early 1990s, suggesting that pace around the world is speeding up. So, is it good for us?

Why is it bad?Walking fast may imply an increased pace of lifestyle and the emphasis on efficiency in rapidly developing business world. Quick service and efficient work is required in every single field of work, pushing people to reach their peak and resulting in more stressful life. The increased pace of lifestyle may also cause people to speak and eat quickly, and get impatient easily. These things may lead to adverse effects, especially heart attacks.

Why is it good?Walking is a good means of exercise. A good brisk walk has benefits on health and fitness, including strengthening the heart and lungs,

lowering the risk of stroke and diabetes, influencing weight loss and reducing the problem of depression.

To conclude, while walking fast may be associated with stressful lifestyle, it may also be healthy for us, especially when diseases associated with lack of exercise such as cardiovascular diseases and obesity are increasingly prevalent nowadays. Perhaps we all should really get out of the cars and have a good brisk walk – a free, easy way of keeping fit and enjoying life.

IS WALKING FAST GOOD FOR US?

WHAT IS BRISK WALK?

THERE IS NO CONCRETE DEFINITION

OF BRISK WALK. A BRISK WALK GENERALLY MEANS A PACE WHICH

IS FAST BUT NOT EXHAUSTING, IN WHICH

YOU ARE CAPABLE OF TALKING BUT NOT

SINGING

BECKY IM

1. SINGAPO

RE

2. CO

PENHAGEN

3. M

ADRID

4. GUANGZHO

U

5. DUBLIN

CITIES WITH FASTEST WALKERS

11

DO YOU KNOW THAT THE WORLD IS WALKING FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE?

The museum is a national treasure, a source of education and interest for all ages, whilst providing extensive material for research.

Each year about 160,000 new specimens are added to the museum’s collection. Specimens come from both international and national scientific expeditions, others are purchased or donated from existing collections. However, specimens which are a larger size will often arrive as the result of natural or accidental deaths.

When new specimens arrive they are quarantined; stored in freezers at –30 degrees, killing any pests that may be present, after which it is vital that specimens are stored in a temperature controlled environment which reduces the rate of deterioration.

WHY THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM IS IMPORTANT

22 MILLION PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIMENS ARE

PRESERVED IN ALCOHOL, IN 450,000 JARS. THEY RANGE

FROM 25,000 JARS OF MICROSCOPIC PLANKTON TO LARGE FISH THAT ARE

PRESERVED IN GLASS JARS A METRE TALL AND

WEIGHING 60 KILOGRAMS…NOW SIT ON 25 KILOMETRES

OF SHELVING IN 3,500 CABINETS.

TEIJA WILLIAMS


The store rooms in the Natural History Museum have:‘22 million plant and animal specimens are preserved in alcohol, in 450,000 jars. They range from 25,000 jars of microscopic plankton to large fish that are preserved in glass jars a metre tall and weighing 60 kilograms…now sit on 25 kilometres of shelving in 3,500 cabinets.’

When the museum receives a specimen from a collector/ source the information that often accompanies it can often be as important as the object itself. The labels on a specimen show who the collector was, the time and also the location of the discovery. The names of the particular specimen may be added later. Collectors’ notebooks are often a good source of knowledge and understanding

about the specimen as they are often annotated.

In the twenty-first century collection policies are dominated by conservation ethics and international laws which have been designed to ensure humane treatment of living organisms and to protect species diversity.

As with the need to preserve bio-diversity, the National History Museum is ever evolving, as evident with the opening of the Darwin Centre, a centre to promote research and education.

THE LABELS ON A SPECIMEN SHOW

WHO THE COLLECTOR WAS, THE TIME AND ALSO THE LOCATION OF THE DISCOVERY.

1.

2.

3. 4.

13

PHOTOS BELOW:1. SCIENTIST COLLECTING

NEMATODE WORMS;2. NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM MAIN HALL;3. EXPOSITION ROOM

4. STOREROOM

PICTURE SPREADTEIJA WILLIAMS

This photo spread is a small example of a collection of gelatin silver print Victorian photographs; silver print photographs can last for one hundred years.

Collecting objects and images has become a bit of an obsession for me as a photographer.

Photography is struggling with it’s materiality; it’s physical substance in this digital era and is resulting in the loss of the photographic object.

The relationship that each subject has to the photographer is one of perhaps apprehension; one of almost fear, even the lack

of a relationship between the model and the photographer is interesting. It is an observation into them as a subject. The photographer is an unseen presence that effectively steals the subject’s image.

The photographic gaze is a constant recurring theme throughout photography, the way you present yourself in front of the camera is strikingly different to how you would present yourself to the world.

The differences between the Victorian period being a very serious one, were models were not

encouraged to smile, compared to 21st century society were mostly photographers encourage their subjects to pull a cheesy grin.

The symbolic and significant meaning of a photograph and its relevance to our lives is of great importance; the nature of a photograph as a sign and form of visual communication is an important one in contemporary society. All photographs are now historical documents, whether they were snapshots or images that were set up.


PHOTOGRAPHY IS STRUGGLING WITH

IT’S MATERIALITY; IT’S PHYSICAL SUBSTANCE IN THIS DIGITAL ERA AND IS RESULTING

IN THE LOSS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC

OBJECT.

In London seeing politicians supporting multiculturalism and interfaith initiatives is not new. The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is often on the news for activities like celebrating Diwali and visiting Mosques across the city. Many Londoners question the impact of such initiatives since, over the years, they have had the chance to see how often they are merely symbolic. A reminder is the 20 year anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s death, a young black boy murdered in South East London in a racist attack on the 22 April 1993. His death shook the entire country and led people to put into question the concept of a safe, tolerant and welcoming London, and Britain more in ge neral. According to the Institute of Race Relations, since 1993 there have been 105 deaths with racist or suspected racist causes in the UK, in spite of the many events and projects carried out against discrimination. 85 of those crimes occurred in England, 28 in London.

Such a trend of symbolic social integration initiatives is growing in other European cities. In contrast to London, Rome does not have a long history of migration and multiculturalism, therefore these initiatives are quite new and

THE BIGGESTBUDDHIST TEMPLE IN EUROPE

IN CONTRAST TO LONDON, ROME

DOES NOT HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF MIGRATION AND

MULTICULTURALISM, THEREFORE THESE

INITIATIVES ARE QUITE NEW AND RARELY

CHALLENGED

ALESSIA MAIOLO

16 Travel And Culture Religion And Ethics Skills And Employment Fashion And Beauty And The Rest...

IS ROME THAT TOLERANT AND SAFE?

rarely challenged. In this perspective, this article reports the inauguration in Rome of the biggest Buddhist temple in Europe and puts it in relation to the actual situation of the city in terms of tolerance and multiculturalism. The purpose is to make clear that an initiative like this one has the potential to make a great change, rather than being purely symbolic, but only if combined with other measures: the education, the improvements of the job market for the immigrants, the increase in Rome’s safety, the fight against the exploitation of the poverty of some minorities, especially in times of elections. In particular, this article will focus on the status of the last two issues mentioned.

The biggest Buddhist Temple in Europe rises among warehouses and grey buildings, in the South Eastern Roman suburbs.

The choice is not casual: although Chinatown in Rome has always been commonly identified with the Esquilino community in the heart of the capital, the real China town is actually there, the crossroad for most Chinese goods within Rome. Inaugurated on the 31st of March, Easter Sunday, the ceremony attracted hundreds of believers and monks, especially from the Chinese Community.

The temple certainly is an important step towards the recognition and acceptance of the Buddhist religion and the integration of the Chinese Community. It can be seen as the beginning of implementing the decisions agreed at the end of last year between the Italian Parliament and the Buddhist Italian Union: the recognition of Buddhist parsons, places of worship and religious festivals. Also, the biggest mosque in

Europe is located in Rome, inaugurated in 1995. Gianni Alemanno, ma jor of Rome and representative of the centre right coalition, has financed the building process and stated that this is another proof of Rome being the capital of tolerance. Also, he thanked the Chinese Community that “has been living in peace and harmony with the rest of Rome”.

THE TEMPLE CERTAINLY IS AN IMPORTANT

STEP TOWARDS THE RECOGNITION AND

ACCEPTANCE OF THE BUDDHIST RELIGION AND THE INTEGRATION OF THE

CHINESE COMMUNITY

17

Although the initiative mentioned above is without doubt a great achievement, taking a closer look at it can be useful to review how Rome has been doing in terms of tolerance and social integration. Is Rome really that tolerant and safe? How significant is the impact of these initiatives? The question arises as too many inappropriate policies have been implemented in the city and that, if not changed, are likely to turn great initia tives, such as the celebrated temple, into mere symbols.

Lunaria, a watchdog independent Italian association carrying out research and orchestrating cultural activities around issues such as migration, globalization and justice, reported that in the last few years Rome has been the city witnessing the highest incident of racist crimes in Italy, many towards the Chinese community. Only one year ago the homicide of a young Chinese man and his baby led hundreds of Chinese people to take the streets, in what has been the first big demonstration in Rome

by the Chinese community. On Lunaria website, a database showing relevant figures is available: by inserting time and space coordinates it is possible to get an idea of the concentration of racist crimes committed across Italy. Obviously, these figures are arguable as not all the crimes are reported to the police. In Rome, among the reasons behind such a situation, are not only prejudices, misconceptions and a lack of efficient integration policies, but also a lack of safety and control measures. During Alemanno government as mayor, many police stations have been closed, especially in suburban areas, although safety and control were the main topics in his election campaign.

Rome is now heading into the next mayoral elections and the last episode of racial discrimination happened only few weeks ago, during the primary elections. It has been reported that people from the Romani, Nigerian, Bengali and Moroccan communities in Rome have been paid by the centre

leftist party members to vote for a specific candidate.

In the light of what we have considered, it becomes clear that a valid initiative such as the establishment of the biggest Buddhist temple in Europe does not automatically change the face of Rome. Much more has still to be done towards the transformation of Rome, London, the UK and the rest of Europe into free, tolerant, peaceful and safe communities.


For immigrants and refugees, life has never been more difficult than in this time of crisis, austerity and rising nationalism. Often scapegoats for everything that goes wrong, from the lack of jobs to the decrease in the distribution of public benefits and the absence of a patriotic identity, immigrants are treated with hostility and subject to attacks more and more; Greece has a record in this. Destroyed by the crisis and crushed by austerity measures, the country is the first destination for 80% of the people who leave the homeland to seek a decent life in Europe. These people are trapped in Athens, first in its detention camps, then on its streets, as they do not manage to get the documents and the money needed to cross the airport’s doors and fly away.

Now some of them even aspire to go back to their home country, where civil wars and dictatorships leave no space for human rights. Why? Because Greece is also witnessing a humanitarian crisis, as well as a rise of extreme right wing politics that are engaging a larger and larger section of society, including the security forces.

This is the first time that such a situation has occurred in Europe since the birth of the EU.

Since Golden Dawn’s rise to power in 2012, when it won 18 out of 300 seats in the Greek Parliament, racist violence has become almost institutionalized. The increase in crime against immigrants and asylum seekers committed by the party’s followers has jacked up, often thanks to the help or the indifference of the police. This alarming situation does not regard only Greece. In many European countries there are the conditions for the rise of something similar, and the process has already started. Europe is showing no solidarity to Greece: according to European laws, asylum applications can be made only in the first country of arrival; the EU is doing nothing to facilitate the bureaucratic asylum process in Greece, where the concentration of immigrants is naturally higher because of its geographical position. Greece is not the only country with borders.The need to understand certain dynamics and get the message out is urgent. Reel News, an activist video collective based

in London, has engaged in this mission, and the result is a great piece of activist and independent journalism titled “Into The Fire”. Into the Fire is a powerful documentary, violently shocking without depicting scenes of violence. It unveils a hidden reality, it raises awareness and the need to do something and bring change. To anyone who is affe cted by the misconception that the problem is immigration and supports nationalism; to anyone who is aware that we are all immigrants and that raising fascism in Europe has to be fought back again: watch, understand and share.

The premiere of Into the Fire has been hosted by the School of Oriental and African Studies

on the 29th of April and it is now available on several web

platforms. To publish and share it, please

visit reelnews.co.uk.

19

INTO THE FIRETHE HIDDEN VICTIMS OF AUSTERITY IN GREECE

ALESSIA MAIOLO

19

Alcohol is perceived differently from every angle of society. Be it in religion where it is seen by some as evil and by others as a symbol, or in different cultures where it often forms a strong part of history, everybody has their own opinion as to its significance. But with increasing emphasis on alcohol as a ‘problem’ and the binge drinking culture suggesting a lack of awareness for moderation and responsibility, one must ask if the place of alcohol in our modern age is bypassing any traditional relevance and in fact just imposing huge costs and dangers on everyday life.

RELIGIONBoth Islam and Sikhism condone drinking alcohol. The consumption of intoxicating substances that make you lose sensibility are more evil than good. Whilst this approach could theo retically solve the problem that alcohol has become, it does not fit in with society today, and would be impossible to impose. One only needs to look at 1920’s America and the prohibition era which showed that banning alcohol altogether does not work.

And what about alcohol in Christianity? Jesus used wine to represent his blood. Wine features prominently in the Catholic Communion, and is used at Mass. Alcohol is symbolic, a rite of passage. However, viewing alcohol as a rite of passage to adulthood sets a dangerous notion. We turn away from any religious symbol and begin to debate the legal drinking age, who is responsible for young drinkers and whether under-age drinking is a problem. In Britain from the age of 18 you are officially an adult and therefore allowed to buy alcohol. This sudden per mission following 18 years of prohibition is often what causes the disregard of limits and moderation.

CULTURETraditionally, alcohol was drunk with the consumption of food. Red wine for meat, white wine for fish, the view was that it adds to the meal, makes it more enjoyable and light-hearted. It was also seen as an aid in celebration; a birthday, a wedding, or some great exam results would lead to ‘lets crack open the champagne!’ before a glass was poured. Culturally, alcohol provides a

strong social function. Its cheerful consequences improve the atmosphere or relax a situation. For some countries, it forms part of a strong heritage. In Germany, Oktoberfest is a 16 day celebration of beer, France became what it is today as a result of its vineyards and wine industry and the word vodka automatically makes you think of Russia. Alcohol was part of what made a culture unique. But in modern day life where globalisation and integration overlap, we have adopted too many habits without cultural relevance, leading us to mix our drinks and indulge in excess.

SOCIETYAnd so where does this leave society? A call for minimum alcohol pricing is just one of many recent attempts to tackle our ‘binge drinking culture’. The side which lacks control appears to be increasingly normal amongst young people. Whilst occasional excessive drinking may be harmless to many, we must question what kind of message this is sending out, and in the long run, what happens next? The cost of alcohol problems to the NHS is approximately £3bn

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? JOANA BALL


a year (2009). Liver disease, high blood pressure and throat cancer are amongst alcohol’s hidden harms. Alcohol as a problem is therefore a commonplace consideration in society, although there is very little opposition to its social acceptance. Drinking to forget ones problems, and pre-drinking excessively to save money are some of the ways that alcohol is abused. The government has launched numerous advertising campaigns and in January Cancer Research launched a ‘dryathlon’, to test yourself to not drink in January. But what really is the solution to overcome this point we seem to have reached? It is widely known that a culture with positive drinking habits where responsible drinking is taught to children early in life educates them to become moderate, social drinkers. This needs to be emphasised, remembered, and regurgitated so that drinking excessively is no longer seen as the norm.

CULTURALLY, ALCOHOL PROVIDES A STRONG SOCIAL FUNCTION. ITS CHEERFUL CON-

SEQUENCES IMPROVE THE ATMOSPHERE OR RELAX A SITUATION.

FOR SOME COUNTRIES, IT FORMS PART OF A STRONG HERITAGE

21

The idea of slavery seems draconian and evil, and it is. We are taught about the slave trade growing up, or at least the element of it that is resigned to the history books. We are supposed to view those who played key roles in breaking down slavery as heroes, and we should. But slavery has not been broken down it has just been pushed underground meaning there are more slaves now than when the slave trade was legal, the world knows less about it and there are no rules.

By making slavery illegal, we have no control over it. Yet we still benefit from it hugely. Where would the world’s tourist industry be without young girls coerced into the sex trade? How would the emerging economies of the world compete if they couldn’t benefit from slave labour? China and Singapore both profit from slave labour inside Burma. In the current economic climate, a divine ‘shut down’ of the slave trade could be detrimental to recovery efforts.

SHOULD WE LEGALISE SLAVERY?

MODERN DAY SLAVERY IS BIG BUSINESS, CONSERVATIVE

ESTIMATES STATE THAT THERE ARE CURRENTLY 12 MILLION PEOPLE IN

SLAVERY

IAN WERRETT

LEWIS HINE, CHILLD LABOR


Modern day slavery is big business, conservative estimates state that there are currently 12 million people in slavery. Working with Burmese refugees in Malaysia I met people who had seen their loved ones sold into slavery and I was able to play my small part in freeing a boy who was working as a slave on a plantation. Research suggests that half of modern day slaves are children.

Would we tolerate all of this if slavery was legal? Subject to policy, legislation and international treaties? Something that would be openly discussed and play a role in deciding our vote? If governments had a say in slave labour, we could at least make slave owners get medical care for their slaves, limit the number of slaves and set age limits. These kinds of rules have successfully been implemented in some countries to protect sex workers.

By making slavery illegal we have ethically taken the correct stance, that we oppose forced labour and the ownership of people. However by claiming that we abolished slavery and even having a UN day that celebrates this fictitious achievement are we ignoring one of the world’s biggest threats to humanity? I am not opposed to outlawing slavery but this should have been the beginning of the fight, not a benchmark for celebration but merely a moving of the goal posts. The objective remains to end slavery

and making it illegal is a necessary starting point but much more needs to follow.

Challenging the current political and social inertia may be the biggest obstacle to pushing through the needed reforms and treaties to truly challenge the slave trade. Education could be a fruitful starting point; teaching school children that slavery has not been abolished but has been made illegal would demonstrate the objective clearly whilst informing the young citizenry that it remains a serious issue. Outsourcing of labour can still save companies millions but economically there is nothing more cost effect than slave labour. Perhaps full disclosure of labour sources could be included in trade agreements that would refuse the trading of products benefiting from slave labour. Defining slave labour under law would need a solid international agreement. There is much to be done.

The slave trade is to be abhorred but equally so is the planets lackadaisical attitude towards it; this is what really needs to change.

The argument to legalise slavery is set against the backdrop of political indifference. If slavery continues to be a fringe political issue that affords us economic gain then ruefully there is a moral argument to legalise it again. The real problem is that we could be doing a lot more now; making slavery illegal was the first step. Governments must be pressured to tighten up the laws that allow benefits to be made from slave labour. It needs to be debated, it needs to shape our vote and it should be taught in schools for a true eradication of slavery to even seem possible.

We must use our liberty and rights to fight for those afforded none.

23

No matter where you come from, symbols are easily recognisable. From street signs to recycling signs, symbols make life easy for everyone. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world; the no smoking sign is understandable to all. But how well do you know the origins of popular religious or cultural symbols? These are some of the oldest symbols in history and yet we know them today by different connotations.

1. The upside down crossCurrently known as a Satanic symbol, the upside down cross has been used for various black metal album covers and popular horror films such as Rosemary’s Baby, the Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Most recently it can be found adorning high street fashion. The concern that is can be signified as Satanic comes from the theory that under Satan’s influence, the world turns upside down. However, while it isn’t known exactly when the upside down cross was vilified, it is most firmly rooted in Christian history as the cross of St Peter, the rock of Christ. Like Jesus, he was crucified but requested to be crucified upside down as he considered himself not worthy to be executed the same way. Those who use it as a Satanic symbol to mock Christianity has the joke backfire on them.

2. 666A notorious number, 666 is mistakenly known as a Satanic reference. In the New Testament, in the book of Revelations, 666 refers to Lucifer, ‘the number of the beast.’ Seventh Day Adventists believe that the mark of the beast refers to enforced Sunday worship (they worship on a Saturday). However in the Kabbalah, the figure represents the opposite, the creation and perfection of the world which makes the number 666 appears to be the victim of misinterpretation.

3. The pentagramAnother misrepresented symbol of Satanism is the pentagram. It is easy to draw and has been seen in many cultures, today most commonly used by those practicing Wicca, Bahá’i and Freemasonry. For centuries the pentagram has been perverted into a Satanic symbol, said to resemble Baphomet, a Pagan deity with a ram’s head which the Knights Templar were rumoured to have worshipped. Although it is such an old symbol, the original meaning is about nature. Its 5 points resemble many things; our 5 senses, the number of fingers and toes on each hand and foot and the 5 basic stages of life; baby, childhood, adolescence, parenthood and old age.

THE ROOTS OF POPULAR SYMBOLS

SELINA MOSES

1.

2.

3.


In Islam, there are 5 pillars to observe (prayer, faith, fasting, pilgrimage and charity) and Muslims must pray 5 times a day. Up until the Medieval ages, the pentagram was a symbol in Christianity for the 5 wounds of Jesus on the cross. Even a star jump arranges your body in a pentagram for a split second. The number 5 is a sacred number and the pentagram used to be a sacred symbol.

This last symbol is not of Christian origin and takes the title as the most notorious of them all due to it being so twisted into something unrecognisable from the original.

4. The swastikaEasily one of the most recognised and most hated symbols (bar the Jolly Roger flag which used to be the most feared), the swastika has been perverted to represent one of the ugliest periods in history, Nazism. It is still used as offensive graffiti today. However, the swastika itself is not a malevolent symbol, it is quite the opposite. It is one of the oldest symbols in the world, originating from Asia. The name comes from the Sanskrit ‘suastika’ which translates as good fortune and can symbolise a few things, good luck, a symbol of Brahma and reincarnation. When

Hitler decided on the swastika as the Nazi emblem, it was twisted anti clockwise, the opposite of the Hindu swastika. This can easily interpreted as a sign of corruption as clockwise is considered the natural way of things such as the cycle of life. The Hindu religion in particular still uses the swastika in its purest form.

Symbols are easy to recognise but they are also easily corruptible with the times so next time you see a po pular symbol, think about what it could have meant before.

4.

HINDU SWASTIKA

NAZI SWASTIKA

25

With youth unemployment figures at 2.5 million as of March this year, the future is looking bleak for young people seeking work. 21.2% of 16-24 year olds are unemployed; but whose fault is it? Is finding a job so difficult in this economic climate that 1 in 5 young people are out of work? Or are young jobseekers simply not doing enough to make themselves standout and establish a career? Even if the latter is an unfair modern stereotype, I truly believe that if you are committed to finding work, and willing to put in the extra hours, you can set yourself on the right path towards a fulfilling career.

The first week of my Easter break was spent cramming chocolate and revision. I would usually prolong this harmonious balance for the second week, but this year I signed on to do a week’s work experience with Latimer Creative Media. This involved being the sound assistant for an educational film about young professional relationships, on a week long shoot in various locations around London.

Whilst my friends may have had the joy of doing their work leisurely, I’m sure I spent the time more

rewardingly, and possibly even had more fun. When your ‘working’ in an area that your passionate about, a 12 hour day of lifting, holding, and swinging a microphone precariously close to an actors face flies by, and leaves you with an exhausted but satisfied smile on your face.

The beginning of the week is tough. You don’t know anyone; the fellow ‘volunteers’ are as timid as you are, and you feel as if the professional crew is constantly judging you. But you quickly realize that although stakes are high, and they have the tough time and budget constraints of any production team, you are here because they invited you here, because they are willing to show you the ropes, and because they want to see you develop important skills. By the end of the week all the volunteers felt like part of the crew; I was walking and recording simultaneously, without hitting anyone on the head.

Although I wasn’t paid, the experience was invaluable. It’s all about how much you want to get out of it; when we weren’t shooting, I was asking the crew how they broke into the industry, watching the DOP set up the lighting and listening in

IT’S IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG

PEOPLE TO PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES IN

THEIR DESIRED CAREER TO GIVE THEMSELVES A LEG UP, AND MORE

IMPORTANTLY, A TASTE OF THEIR DESIRED CAREER TO AFFIRM

THEIR DREAMS, AND HOPEFULLY A

REWARDING WEEK OF ‘WORK’ EXPERIENCE

WORK EXPERIENCE

SAM TOLLER


to the discussions between director and producer. My travel costs were covered (important to make work experience accessible for many young people) and there was always enough food to keep me going throughout the day.

The last day of shooting was a mix of relief, sadness and fatigue. But at the end of my ‘work’ experience, I was left with so much. A credit on a short film; free teaching from an industry professional; advice on the industry from volunteers and professionals; a reference for my CV; a week of banter with cast and crew; slightly bigger biceps (I’m sure of it!) and a large network of both industry professionals, who after seeing my commitment said they were happy to help me find work in the future, as well as fellow aspiring filmmakers, whom I’m sure a collaboration with is not far off.

Although my ‘work’ experience was within the media industry, where connections are vital, you will always benefit from staying in touch with people who are on your desired career path. The free advice you will gain is invaluable, especially if you’re getting hands on with the work you’d like to do in the future.

Whether it’s in media, medicine or banking, experiencing it first hand is more satisfying and looks better on a CV than simply studying it. And if you impress during your placement, there is always the chance of future work. The Higher Education Statistics Agency discovered that 21.7% of 2009 graduates that found work within six months, were employed by the companies who offered them their experience placement.

But it’s up to young people to take advantage of these beneficial schemes. Yes, our situation shouldn’t be this dire, but we should be making the best of the existing opportunities rather than wallowing in self-pity. It’s important for young people to pursue opportunities in their desired career to give themselves a leg up, and more importantly, a taste of their desired career to affirm their dreams, and hopefully a rewarding week of ‘work’ experience.

USEFUL ARTICLEShttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/

magazine-10891905http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/

business-21857396

27

In the words of our late, lamented (cough, cough) Margaret Thatcher, “young people ought not to be idle. It is very bad for them.” So, one shudders to imagine what she’d make of this – one of the highest youth unemployment rates in history. She must be rolling over in her grave.

Anywhere you look, the news is grim. The OECD has released figures that show 26 million people between 15 and 24 are “NEETS” - neither employed nor in education or training. And this is a 30% increase from 2007! The International Labor Organization suggests that 75 million young people worldwide are trying to get work. The World Bank surveys report 262 million “economically inactive” youths in emerging markets.

All in all, nearly a quarter of our planet’s young people are unemployed – and not only that, but many of us with jobs are unable to find long-term ones.

The good news is that if you picked up this magazine on a university campus, you should still be able to find an internship or part-time work somewhere. However much we sweated over our exams, however much we swore that algebra was never going to be any use in the real world, someone with a university

degree is only half as likely to be out of work as someone below secondary school level. Turns out all that gut-twisting panic and last-minute revision was good for something…

(And you never got used to it, did you? They should have got easier, but they never did. I don’t know what depraved mind came up with six-hour exams on Chaucer, but there has to be a new tier of Hell being custom-built for them.)

The bad news is that still leaves the repetitive, unrewarding process of getting out there and finding a job. Of all the interviewers I’ve met in the past year, 99% were less interested in how well I could do, er, anything on the job spec than how well I could regurgitate answers to questions so formulaic there must be a master-sheet they’re all given.

Where do you see yourself in five years time? Can you tell us what you hope to gain?Where do you want to be years from now?What’s your ambition?Can you tell us when you had to overcome an obstacle?

Important warning: do not expect these questions to bear any relation to your actual CV. What you’ve done is of shockingly little importance

EVERYONE - INCLUDING MY LOCAL BARBERSHOP - IS ON TWITTER NOW, SO SIGNING UP CAN ONLY

HELP

NEED EXPERIENCE TO GET JOB, NEED JOB TO GET EXPERIENCE

HARRY READ


compared to the imaginary mold they try to fit you into.

Do you have any experience working in a team?Have you ever had to work in a team?When did you have to present an idea as a group?

The more it sounds like you rehearsed until the words lost all meaning, the better. It will take very little time to feel like a trained dog… Or a robot…or one of those toy dog-robots that were all the rage about ten years ago when their best trick was a really wobbly somersault. Important warning two: job interviewers rank only slightly below politicians and city bankers in terms of evasiveness. If they say they want to shake you up and meet the ‘real you’, expect them to criticize your lack of prepared answers halfway through the talk.

Do not expect to receive any feedback, positive or negative, even if you ask. If they say they’ll get back to you, don’t hold your breath. If they say they need to see your passport, the odds are better than even that they’ll have forgotten by interview day. This applies especially if you only remembered five minutes past the front door and made a mad dash back to get it.

How well do you take constructive criticism?What do you do if you don’t understand what you’re writing about?What do you do if you know your boss is 100% wrong?

Important warning three: get used to rejection. Unless you’re unspeakably lucky, you’re going to amass a whole collection of “apology” emails. Honestly, the ones that congratulate you on making it to the shortlist are just rubbing it in. Close, but no cigar

– though do feel free to try again.

We had a number of strong candidatesWe had a really strong set of candidatesThere were other candidates that more closely matched our criteria

Important warning four: don’t give up. However tired you get of hearing the same lines and reading the same letters over and over, roll with them. It’s easy to tell yourself they’re looking for experiences you’ve never had, but you might surprise yourself. Don’t start with the premise ‘I can’t answer that’, start with what you can say and work from there. If you’re one of those swots – er, super-organized chaps who’ve already got a job lined up for September, good for you. If you needed all your focus just to get a decent result (like me), don’t despair; I’ve had a few experiences, paid and unpaid, in the nine months since my graduation.

Everyone - including my local barbershop - is on Twitter now, so signing up can only help. The same goes for Facebook. Sorry, linguistic snobs, you aren’t going to survive this market. No one wants you to care if Simon Pegg liked Jack Reacher, you just need to know the difference between a hashtag and a tic-tac-toe sign. Sorry, that was the best Twitter joke I’ve got, moving on...

When I started writing this, I felt, as you might surmise, pretty gloomy about my prospects. I’m now in the middle of an internship with another two lined up afterwards. The odds are never as bad as they are in our heads.

DON’T START WITH THE PREMISE ‘I CAN’T ANSWER THAT’, START WITH WHAT YOU CAN SAY AND WORK FROM

THERE

NEED EXPERIENCE TO GET JOB, NEED JOB TO GET EXPERIENCE

29

In the past few years, ethical shopping has soared. Swapping online and buying from charity shops has never been so easy for something previously thought of as uncool. I’m a big fan of swapping and I’ve been shopping at charity shops since I was a teenager as it made my few spare pounds go further. Plus I’ve always enjoyed rummaging around the rails and getting a thrill of a great bargain.

Recently I’ve become interested in the idea of wearing fur, something that has never affected me before. Growing up I believed that wearing fur was essentially ‘bad’ but without it being fully explained to me, I never knew why.

PETA and its supporters are against the industry because of the horrific way animals are trapped and stripped for fur. Animals are

skinned (sometimes alive), shot or beaten to death. With all of this going on, no wonder people are against the manufacture of fur. But there is more to the issue than how the industry is supplied with fur; the condemnation about a hint of fur is always present.

When I think of fur coats, I think of Siberia and the Inuits. But why do we balk from wearing furs for the winter in less frozen and snowy climes? Up until a few decades ago that wasn’t a problem but now people no longer rely on sumptuous furs to keep them in style and be the envy of society. Fur became a fashion statement instead of a necessity. That is what separates fur from leather. Leather is the best material for a shoe, a sofa and many other things. When animals are used for leather, every bit is used; they are not killed exclusively for leather the way they are for

CAN WEARING FUR EVER BE ETHICAL?

SELINA MOSES


fur. The meat is consumed and the skin is tanned, reducing the waste. What we forget is that indigenous people who live in freezing climates have been trapping animals for fur and meat for thousands of years as a livelihood (ethical) but since it became fashionable to wear fur, the production of it has been murderous. Since then it seems, everything has been laid to waste, akin to animals being targeted for their tusks and certain body parts, the poachers having got what they wanted, leave the animal to die. Fur rugs have appeared to fall out of fashion since British colonial days, with today’s market focusing on sheep, alpaca and lamb wool instead of the tiger skin rugs often shown in period films. Today, Harrods is the only establishment in England left to continue to sell real fur items.

At first glance it seems like the only ethical way to wear something fluffy is to wear faux fur. But even then I think that the market for real fur can be overhauled to make it ethical once more. Wearing fur isn’t bad; it’s the way it is manufactured that is. Wearing fur is a hazard if you want to avoid the paint throwing protesters

but considering there is so much old fur hanging around in dusty corners, why not wear that? A new fur coat poses all kinds of ethical problems in comparison to a vintage fur, an item so old you can’t blame it for anything. There are plenty of real fur coats that you can get in a charity shop or second-hand shops and alter if you want, for a fraction of the price of a newly bought item. Recycling old items will render the market for new fur unnecessary. If companies that currently manufacture new fur garments switch to recycling old fur instead, altering them and selling them as vintage attire, wearing fur need not be an ethical dilemma and your grandmother’s fox fur left to you in her will need not be so creepy.

Swapping online is easy and fun. There are some great websites out

there such as www.bigwardrobe.com,

www.swapz.co.uk, www.swishing.co.uk,

www.swaptreasures.com www.swapstyle.com

WHAT WE FORGET IS THAT INDIGENOUS

PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN FREEZING CLIMATES

HAVE BEEN TRAPPING ANIMALS FOR FUR AND MEAT FOR THOUSANDS

OF YEARS AS A LIVELIHOOD

31

Spring is a time for new beginnings and what better way to start than to refresh your beauty routine? (I can see the guys rolling their eyes) For a while, shops that sell products exclusively focused on natural and vegan ingredients have been popping up all over the place like magic mushrooms. But as tempting as a shopping spree in Lush is, impoverished students like ourselves can’t always hope to afford everything that we’d like so here are a few cheaper alternatives for you to try at home. While this sounds hippy-like, using ingredients you can scavenge for in the kitchen for is an old Asian concept called Ayurveda. All of these are tried and tested products from yours truly so you can be assured that these ones work.

• Brown sugar - Coarse salt and coffee granules. Not just handy seasonings and instant drinks but natural exfoliators for your face and body.

• Honey - A natural antiseptic, honey is useful for all sorts of things.

• Olive oil - This ingredient anyone

IMPOVERISHED STUDENTS LIKE

OURSELVES CAN’T ALWAYS HOPE TO

AFFORD EVERYTHING THAT WE’D LIKE SO HERE

ARE A FEW CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES FOR YOU

TO TRY AT HOME


TRY A NEW ROUTINE, THE AYURVEDIC WAY

SELINA MOSES

can use, including the guys. • Lemon - Another natural

antiseptic. • Coconut oil - It is one of those rare

beauty items, suitable for everyone. • Vinegar - Especially apple cider

vinegar which is the best type for beauty treatments, something that sounds difficult to get hold of but is easily found in the supermarket.

• Bicarbonate of soda - A natural teeth whitener.

I’ve given each product a mark out of 10. Here is my list:

• Body/face scrub - Combine salt or sugar with honey to make a gentle ex-foliating mix. Mix coffee and sugar or salt to make a useful body scrub. I give this one a 4/5 especially the body scrub which is vigorous without being harsh on the skin. The face scrub needs to be more gentle but does the trick.

• Face wash - All you need is honey and bicarbonate of soda. Leave the mixture on your face in the shower and wash it off after to get the best effect. I give this 3/5 as it doesn’t

seem to make a huge difference but your skin does feel a little bit softer and fresher in the morning.

• Spot and pimple blaster - To blitz these, dab a mixture of honey and a drop of lemon on the spot/pimple and secure it with a plaster, leave it on overnight and repeat for 2-3 days for a blemish free complexion. You don’t need organic anything for this; plain economy honey will do the trick. I give this one 4/5, it takes a few days but it is worth looking like Winnie the Pooh to zap spots.

• Moisturiser - Something for all hair and skin types, coconut oil is a magic ingredient that can be used on its own as a moisturiser for skin and hair. I give this one 5/5 as it works even for my oily skin and leaves it refreshed for almost the whole day.

• Dandruff treatment - Apply a diluted mixture of water, lemon and apple cider vinegar in your hair after washing. The acidity of the vinegar combats the dandruff over time and doesn’t smell as strong as you might think; the scent vanishes after 15 minutes or so. Ditto with beer, if vinegar doesn’t appeal to you. I give this one 3/5 as it reduces the dandruff but doesn’t get rid of it completely.

• Athlete’s Foot killer - While apple cider vinegar doesn’t eradicate Athlete’s Foot, it does attack the fungus that causes it. A 5 minute vinegar footbath every night is soothing for your feet as well as dealing with foot fungus. It isn’t a quick cure however; use it as well as ointment or powder. I give this one 3/5 as it keeps the fungus in check but isn’t a miracle cure.

• Shaving cream - Or rather, shaving oil. Olive oil, to be precise. This tip sounds expensive but you only need to apply a few drops of oil for a close and neat shave. If you don’t have olive oil, try vegetable oil. I give this one 4/5 as it gives a nice smooth finish although the razor

can get a little clogged up so clean it well after each shave.

• Teeth whitening - No need to spend money on teeth whitening kits, dip your toothbrush in bicarbonate of soda, layer it up with toothpaste and brush. It tastes revolting but continue it twice a day and you’ll see results. If you need extra sparkling teeth for an event or presentation, this is a great quick-fix. I give this one 4/5 because it works but it is only temporary for a few hours.

• Deodorant - A necessity for everyone. Shop deodorant has all kinds of chemicals in it and if you’ve ever wondered why your underarms string like crazy when you put deodorant on after shaving, it’s the alcohol. The healthiest deodorant you can ever use is one you make yourself so you know exactly what goes in it. In fact, you only need 2 ingredients; coconut oil and bicarbonate of soda. Sounds stupid? That’s what I thought until I tried it. Bicarbonate of soda neutralises body odour and coconut oil moisturises. You can always add some anti-bacterial essential oils such as tea tree or lavender for scent. This simple mixture will protect your underarms for up to 24 hours, reduces sweat patches (always a bonus), leaves no white marks (unlike aerosol deodorant) and doesn’t dry out your skin. I give this one 5/5 as it is simply the best deodorant I have ever used and I feel better knowing that I am not applying too many harmful elements to my body. For all of the benefits above, this is one product I will never give up; shop deodorants have had its day!

Changing your beauty routine sounds trivial but looking after yourself is a lifelong necessity. Start refreshing yourself with these simple and natural products.

USING INGREDIENTS YOU CAN SCAVENGE FOR IN THE KITCHEN FOR IS AN

OLD ASIAN CONCEPT CALLED AYURVEDA

33

Even in tough times people continue to shop without the means to re-pay their debts. Shops have picked up on this with the introduction of the store card. The high interest rate ensures that those who are unable to settle their bill quickly accrue increasingly higher levels of interest each month.

Shopping has turned into a lifestyle, for the consumer it is akin to a leisure activity, a way to pass the time. With 21st century society working longer hours, often shifts, there is less free time. Shopping has now been incorporated into everyone’s weekly agenda, whether it is for basics such as food, browsing the internet or window shopping on the high street.

Barbara Kruger’s work in 1987 untitled ‘I shop therefore I am’ has a sociological message about the way society consumes products.

The different types of shoppers play a large role in the industry.

• The social customer who shops almost to keep up with the peer pressure of wanting must have items such as UGG boots. Some items are bought without prior intent (window shopping) and are often regretted later; which may

be returned to the store, or just left to collect dust in a cupboard. ‘I want that dress now’ rather than ‘I will have to pay for that later’.

• The loyal customers are concerned with value for money and practicality; these people are rational decision-makers and have established a good relationship with the bank. This group of people could be stereotyped as middle aged members of society.

Brands have started speaking for us. People refer to themselves by what they own, the concept that ‘I am what I own’.You often hear people say ‘I was wearing my UGG boots’ rather than saying ‘I wore boots’. Brands have become an anchor, which help some know where they are within society.

Industries are targeting the public and trying to sell us a lifestyle; ‘Selling a product is dead. Long live selling a lifestyle.’ This sense of happiness is always short lived as a new product is always just around the corner to make the public ‘happy’.

What the public buys is part of our throwaway society and we should think more about what we buy and what we invest in.

THE SHOPPING CULTURE

TEIJA WILLIAMS


BARBARA KRUGER’S WORK IN 1987 UNTITLED ‘I SHOP THEREFORE I AM’

HAS A SOCIOLOGICAL MESSAGE ABOUT THE

WAY SOCIETY CONSUMES PRODUCTS

35


Want to impress people in a potluck but cooking sounds a bit too complicated to you? Let’s consider making drinks instead of cooking for your friends at the party! Here are two recipes, one for alcoholic drink and another one for alcohol-free drink, for you to “wow” your friends at your end-of-exam party.

PARTY DRINKS RECIPES

DECORATION: GLASS RIMMING

INGREDIENTS: ½ CUP SUGAR, 1 ORANGE

METHOD: ZEST THE ORANGE AND

COMBINE IT WITH THE SUGAR IN A SMALL

BOWL. RUB THE SUGAR AND ZEST TOGETHER WITH YOUR FINGERS

UNTIL FRAGRANT. RUN AN ORANGE SLICE

AROUND THE RIM OF EACH GLASS. DIP EACH GLASS IN THE SUGAR

AND COAT WELL.

BECKY IM

ALCOHOL-FREE: APPLE AND STRAWBERRY CUP (SERVES 6)

It is an easy-to-make fruity sparkling drink for strawberry lovers. Alcohol-free, best for spring and summer.

Ingredients:500g very ripe strawberries, hulled2 tablespoons caster sugarJuice of 1 larger orangeSparkling apple juice for topping upIce cubes

Method:Put the strawberries in a bowl and bruise them with a wooden spoon. Sprinkle caster sugar and orange juice on the strawberries. Cover the bowl and leave the content to stand for 1 hour. Pour the ingredients into 6 glasses. Top up with sparkling apple juice and ice cubes and serve.

FEELING SPANISH: WHITE WINE SANGRIA (SERVES 4-6)

Sangria is a wine punch typical of Spain, Portugal and Argentina. The ingredients of sangria vary. For example, you can use either red wine or white wine, and you can add other types of fruits you like. Here I’m going to show you the recipe of the white wine version

Ingredients:1 bottle of white wine 1 lemon, cut into wedges1 apple, chopped150g strawberries, sliced2 oranges, cut into wedges1 shot /45ml brandy (optional)Club soda, for topping upIce cubes2 tsp sugar

Method:Juice one orange into a large pitcher. Chop the remaining orange and other fruits and put them into the pitcher, discarding any seeds or pith. Add the sugar to the fruits, pour the white wine and brandy into the pitcher. Chill overnight. Fill each glass with a few ice cubes and pour the sangria over them. Top up with club soda and serve.

37

Preparation time: 20 minutes Bake time: 10-12 minutes

CINNABREAD FLATMATES

TEIJA’S BANANA CAKE RECIPE

TEIJA WILLIAMS

Ingredients:90g golden syrup60g caster sugar35ml water15g butter225g plain flour1 pinch of salt3 tsp cinnamon

EquipmentBowlSpoonRolling PinBaking TrayGreaseproof PaperCutters (Wilkinson’s are currently selling people shapes)Preheat oven to 180 °C

Ingredients:2 ripe bananas170g caster sugar170g self raising flour170g soft margarine3 eggs

few drops of vanilla essenceyou can add roughly 60g of walnuts if desired or chocolate chips

Step 1 – Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl

Step 2 – Using a rolling pin, on a floured surface, roll out the mixture to approximately 5mm thick and make shapes using your cutters (not your dance moves)

Step 3 – place spaced apart on a tray lined with greaseproof paper and bake in the oven for 10 – 12 minutes, the longer you bake them for the crunchier they will be. When they look golden, remove from the oven and leave to cool, preferably on a wire rack.

Step 4 – When cool, go crazy with your decorating. I’ve stuck on sweets using icing tubes bought from a supermarket.

Then – share them out with your mates and enjoy!

Method:Pre heat oven to 160cAdd all ingredients and blend in a food processor until well mixedPour into lined loaf tinBake for 1hourCool and enjoy

HOROSCOPES (AS CHOSEN BY YOU)

ARIES

No matter how angry you are this week, don’t head-butt any of the following; a lamppost, a fence or anyone taller than you. You will not win.

CANCER

This week practise your crab moves, you will perfect it.

VIRGO

Wear a flower crown and prance around in a nightie in fields of corn. It’s the only way you can get rid of all of those unwanted suitors.

SAGITTARIUS

Take archery lessons, you might find yourself better at it than you thought.

CAPRICORN

Stop feeding those goats. I mean it. Once you have no more food left for them they will go for your sleeves and then your shoes and you’ll be left looking stupid.

AQUARIUS

The thrill of the moment may make you feel carried away. Beware! A wave might sweep you off your feet.

PISCES

If you find yourself at a bit of a loss this week, get a couple of goldfish. Name them Barney and Lola. You’ll spend countless minutes being slightly less bored than before.

SCORPIO

Take particular care this month not to offend those around you, a powerful sting may have serious repercussions.

LIBRA

Balance your diet with a cake in one hand and a salad in the other.

LEO

This is the week you should gate-crash any of the following; a house party, an amateur dramatics production or your grandma’s tea party. Misbehave, entertain and then leave with a trail of destruction in your wake.

TAURUS

The colour red will be of significance. Make sure you interpret it as a traffic light rather than a bull in front of a rag.

GEMINI

You will receive blessings from a lot of people and gifts from people who are close to you this month. It is because it will be the month for Gemini the time this magazine is released and read by you – yes, so Happy Birthday to you!


39

AMBER MUNFreelance Writer

My name is Amber and I’m currently doing a course in Devising Theatre and Performance in London. I love dancing, writing and travelling, and hate ice cold weather and early morning starts.

HARRY READWriterMy name is Harry, and (as anyone who knows me at all will affirm) I’m a chronic procrastinator who understands social graces about as much as I do biochemistry. I like Doctor Who, Angela Carter books and people I can air-guitar the Red Dwarf theme with.

SAM TOLLER Freelance Writer

LIKE: Acting, Cinema, Music.

DISLIKE: Exams, Idleness, Restrictions.

BECKY IM Writer

My name is Becky. My brother chose this English name for me when I was young because it sounds similar to my Chinese name, and he thought it was cool to have a name which sounds like Beckham. I like travelling and spending my tea time relaxing in a café. I hate reading sad stories or watching sad dramas.

ALESSIA MAIOLOFreelance Writer

She is a media graduate from SOAS, University of London. She is keen to write about current affairs, culture, art and cinema, has a special interest in investigative journalism and documentary production, and a passion for the Asian world.

JOANA BALLWriter

LIKE: Running, ice cream, the sun.

DISLIKE: Queuing, ketchup, stories with sad endings.

IAN WERRETTFreelance Writer

My name is Ian, I have spent 3 years working with vulnerable children in Malaysia and conducted research for UNICEF. I love those who don’t shy away from the truth and hate the phrase ‘I’m not racist but…’.

PETER WHIDDONGraphic Designer

LIKE: Architecture, photography, cheesecake, sustainability, caving.

DISLIKE: Cinnamon, marzipan, Radio 1, people who stop on the tube.

peterwhiddon.com

MAGDA HORANINGraphic Designer

LIKE: Travel and meet other cultures, late night chats, llamas with funny hairstyles.

DISLIKE: One sided judgments, wake up early, potato cakes.

SELINA MOSESWriter

LIKE: Testing out IKEA showrooms, the idea of having a pet dragon and lipstick marks on cups.

DISLIKE: When there is no cake left in the tin, evil bunnies and every sport ever invented.gingerchestnut.blogspot.co.uk

DIGPAL SINGHMedia Mentor

MA PhotographyDirector - Patron productionLead Photographer Alifestyle magazine

JESSICA COOKEMagazine Coordinator & Editor

LIKE: when I stand at the overcrowded bus stop and the driver stops right by my side.

DISLIKE: wasting too much time on procrastination on soundcloud.

MARIYA LINERWriter

LIKE: when I stand at the overcrowded bus stop and the driver stops right by my side.

DISLIKE: wasting too much time on procrastination on soundcloudflickr.com/photos/marialiner

TEIJA WILLIAMSWriter & Photographer

LIKE: collecting musical instruments, the beach and avocados.

DISLIKE: puppets, mascot animals and the idea of my feet being touched.

teijawilliams.carbonmade.com

MEET THE TEAMAre you aged 16-25? Got something you’d love to tell people about? Why not write for our magazine? We’d love to hear from you!

Send a covering letter and 200-300 word example of your writing to Amber at [email protected]

For more information go to interact-uk.org.uk

interact-uk.org.uk

interact magazine summer 2013

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