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FX’s drama portrays a political war between American women in the 1960s & 70s, but can it illuminate how women continue to operate within society at large today? Olivia Humphrey evaluates the series’ more subtle indicators towards modern feminist debate. Whilst watching Cate Blanchett’s command of a drawing room filled with middle-class housewives, each one bewitched by her galvanising rhetoric of internalised patriarchy, I find myself becoming increasingly exasperated. I imagine this reaction was shared by many of those who have been following FX’s historical drama, Mrs America. Sitting alongside my mum as the tirade reached climax, preparing a biting remark, she looks at me and says, “But she’s absolutely right.” Mrs America dramatizes the narrative of the movement to get the Equal Rights Amendment ratified in the US, and the unanticipated counterattack from conservative campaigner Phyllis Schlafly (Blanchett). An illustrious cast, if nothing else, elevates the production’s profile; recurring members include Rose Byrne (Neighbours), Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black), Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games) and Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story), to name a few. Relaying the accounts of the leading women of the era – Schlafly, alongside renowned second-wave feminists, including Shirley Chisholm, Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan – the miniseries investigates how this theatre of war throughout the 1970s and 80s altered the American political sphere forever. Schlafly’s address in question, from the first episode of the nine-part series, is masterfully portrayed by Blanchett, who relays the contemptuous, yet keenly intelligent mechanisms of her vernacular and body language. The result is incendiary, riddled with personal strikes on Freidan and Steinem of the Women’s Liberation Movement. One statement, however, has continued to reverberate around my house: “What is going to happen if you push women out into the workforce, is that they are going to find themselves with two full-time jobs. And they’re going to be exhausted and unhappy, and feel like they’re not doing either well.” The smug resonance holds more truth than is comfortable to admit. At a first glance, this crusade perhaps seems worlds away from my own sphere of existence. As a young, white, female student, living in one of the most affluent cities in the UK, I am able to live a privileged lifestyle. I have access to free healthcare, incorporating sexual health, meaning I have autonomy over my reproductive rights. I have access to a community where LGBTQA individuals aren’t merely tolerated, but celebrated. What’s more, I have been actively encouraged to enrol onto an art degree – an arguably fiscally insecure decision – because I was lucky enough to grow up in a household where our finances were deemed stable enough to support our outlandish ambitions. In short: I have been afforded the luxury of idealism. This is where my mother and I differ – life has moulded her into a steadfast realist. Thrust into a career as a general practitioner by her parents, my mother’s life, up to the age of thirty-two, saw her check all the boxes of a respectable existence: career, husband, children, all whilst maintaining a size 8 waistline. However, throughout the majority of my childhood and adolescence, she functioned as a single mother, essentially balancing two full-time posts. Herein lies her sympathy with Schlafly’s rationale that, when given opportunities to do anything, women are expected to be everything. Herein lies her sympathy with Schlafly’s rationale that, when given opportunities to do anything, women are expected to be everything. It is simple to posit that this expectancy is intrinsic within women at large; that the tension between fulfilling oneself both professionally and personally is built within us, somehow. It’s a view my mother subscribes to. However, to my mind, this perspective seems reductionist and dangerous, and points towards an issue throughout society at large. Glossy magazine covers and diet teas consistently bombard their audiences with the reminder to maintain a certain figure, lest they dare lose their sex appeal, and TV advertising of home appliances regularly situate women in the kitchen. The illusion that perfection can be attained throughout all areas of life is seductive, yet inevitably unfeasible – it immensely endangers mental health by setting impossible standards and actively encourages women to perpetuate misogynistic ideologies. Schlafly’s continued rhetoric illustrates this perfectly. “… [Steinem] is the sort of miserable and pathetic woman they aspire to be… none of them can find a man who wants to marry them.” Moreover, modern ‘hustle’ culture, leaves little room for those who align themselves on one side of domesticity or professionalism; those who dedicate themselves to homemaking are often not taken seriously, and those who choose not to marry or have children are ‘incomplete.’ This apparent motif of women pitting themselves against each other resurfaces time and again throughout the show. There is a facet of the argument that still screams to be acknowledged: the strain of perfectionism would be significantly reduced if the dynamics of marriage and parenthood were allotted equally. This is not to say that the world is devoid of loving husbands and dedicated fathers – far from it. Nonetheless, there lingers throughout society a concept that women are duty-bound to be primary caregivers; a notion that is damaging to men also. In Mrs America, the implication that men be expected to raise children was met by Schlafly’s audience with hilarity, to an echo of “Oh, God help us.” Yet, whilst biology does not distribute the reproductive burden equally between the sexes, men are perfectly capable of emotional labour and the responsibilities of parenthood – to say otherwise is to do them a disservice. Consistently, Mrs America accentuates ways in which the key female players of the era navigated their own conflicts, not always to fruition. Issues concerning POC and LGBTQA characters cast a light on feminism as a movement that has historically prioritised white, middle class women. The political battlefield is represented much as one might expect: bloody, treacherous and duplicitous, and the war amongst women is a tragic narrative. The chronicle didn’t need to happen – women didn’t need to divide themselves, but under inflammatory leadership, did so anyway. It’s interesting to question whether Schlafly herself was truly invested in the lives of housewives, or whether she simply thought it would be a useful tool in increasing her following, to eventually place herself into office with a far-right president. It is widely believed that, had it not been for her opposition, the ERA would have been ratified victoriously; instead, the series concludes with no clear winners. Realistically, a turn through history books would tell me this was to be expected. But, somewhat satisfyingly to the idealist inside me, Schlafly herself discovers the bitter truth to Jill Ruckelshaus’ ominous words. The chronicle didn’t need to happen – women didn’t need to divide themselves, but under inflammatory leadership, did so anyway. “You want to get ahead by climbing on the shoulders of men, Phyllis? Well you go right ahead. Just know, they’re looking right up your skirt.” Mrs America is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Maddie Noton (M) and Kirsten Provan (K) briefly summarise several books, which will be later explored and discussed via a virtual Book Club. Dedicating a portion of our day to reading a mere page of a book has become an almost impossible feat. In an age where instant results seem to incentivise action, reading outside of the assigned reading list for work assignments is becoming infrequent (especially alongside the increasing volume of work!). Amid our busy lives, we often neglect reading anything that does not yield some sort of instant benefit (from acquiring digitally dispensed gossip via Instagram to crossing a tick box off your assignment list). However, this past year has seen a sharp uptake in those, who have decided to take up reading, and there is certainly no shortage of books from which to choose. Genres ranging from horror, fantasy, crime, science-fiction as well as non-fiction autobiographies and informative texts, are all available on multiple platforms: online, offline and even audiobooks. In this article, we have collated and condensed some worthwhile reads, which we believe will offer direction for those struggling to find the perfect book. Image Description: I illustrated this piece in response to a uni project, in which we had to create our own manifestos. I decided to make mine based around my workplace mindset and wellbeing. It’s essentially little reminders for me to work hard, remember to breathe every now and then. Macbeth, William Shakespeare (M) Perhaps a cliché, but Shakespeare never fails to amaze and inspire me. The thrill factor of his work evokes a sense of grotesque intrigue. As we see Macbeth and Lady Macbeth switch between their gender roles, as well as deteriorate in mental stability, Shakespeare appals his audience with scenes of theatrical horror. This sense of darkness, I think, ties in nicely with Edinburgh. Not only being “The Scottish Play”, but also its tales of Machiavellian manipulation and betrayal parallel the city’s dark past. There have been many variations of this work, both on the stage and screen, but if reading is not enough, then I thoroughly recommend watching it. Firstly, and my favourite, the 2015 film with Michael Fassbender as the lead. Filmed on the Isle of Skye, the eerie adaptation is in keeping with the traditional writing (the Scottish moors providing its setting), and Fassbender’s portrayal of the hauntingly monstrous title character merits his overall capabilities as an actor. Another favourite (yet slightly unconventional) version is James McAvoy as Macbeth, ShakespeaRe-told (2005). Released in the second episode as a part of a four-part series of Shakespeare plays, it showcases a Glaswegian restaurant that descends into anarchy after murder becomes the means of obtaining power. The modern setting allows for a wider scope of audience, who may be initially apprehensive at the archaic writing, but its gruesome plot lives up to the text’s gory reputation. This play goes well with a picturesque view of the Scottish Highlands (google images for southerners like me), a foggy night and a glass of brandy (for shock). Conversations with Friends, Sally Rooney (M) Eclipsed by the widespread popularity of its sister Normal People, this book parallels the similar social mundanities and routines of everyday life. However, it’s clever in the sense that we view one rather theatrical and striking character (Bobbi) against a backdrop of regular, every day, normality. I found this read to be strangely freeing, as it details the life of Frances – an introverted, awkward writer from Ireland. Overshadowed by her opinionated and somewhat possessive best friend, Rooney highlights her struggles with identity, sexuality and family. A reserved and partially vanilla individual, she perhaps doesn’t fit the archetype of the traditional protagonist, making her character arguably more compelling. The text does not shy away from political issues such as class, sexual liberation and feminism. Centred around university and student life, it speaks to my own experiences as a student – most notably the undercurrents of wealth division in a city as widely diverse as Edinburgh. This is also especially relevant at a time where we are viewing the repercussions of blind-sighted wealth in our government. This book goes well with a cup of tea, a self-reflective attitude and an appreciation of the Irish. Frankenstein, Mary Shelley (M) Possibly the founder of our preconceived notions around the term ‘Monster’, Mary Shelley continues to enthral readers in her creative construction (and deconstruction) of human identity. Told through the perspective of an ambitious traveller named Robert Walton, we learn of Victor Frankenstein’s devastating and destructive journey in which he seals his demise. His tales of reckless adolescence and relentless Hubris, all in efforts to usurp divine will and restore life to a corpse, are horrifying, harrowing and, yet, somewhat enlightening. What makes us human? The physical attributes of the Monster seem to contribute a lot more to his overall antagonistic character portrayal than his actions. Like any good piece of literature, this text forces us to reflect and question our judgments when faced with similar metaphysical obstacles as fictional characters. Although, I’m not expecting anyone to reanimate corpses in a German laboratory. This book goes best with a stormy night, some scientific understanding (although, I coped fine) and a good Swiss accent. Girl, Woman, Other, Bernardine Evaristo (M) Although divided into individual narratives, the characters in this text are united by their ‘Coming Of Age’ style reflections. Offering us an almost extended-family setting, we hear accounts of their lives and experiences - covering topics such as sexuality, race, education and class. The chronology of this writing also ranges across the century: despite taking place in the modern-day, the stories of these characters stretch back across the years, encapsulating change not only within themselves but also as a part of a wider, shifting society. One particular character, who stands out amongst this impressive crowd of individuals is Penelope, for whom we may feel little empathy due to her archaic ideology. Yet, it is this attitude and this character, which perhaps surprises us the most. Her development seems almost greater than any other, and the ultimate plot twist of this book makes it a heart-warming read. The words of this book encourage us to grow; to change and to mature. But it equally reminds us of our heritage and reinforces the vitality of maintaining our connections to the past. Above all, to our loved ones. To accompany this book, I would recommend a furry blanket, good attention to detail and a nostalgic mood. This Is Going To Hurt, Adam Kay (M) Unlike anything that I have read before, this book opened my eyes to the relentless tenacity and resilience of those who work in the NHS. Adam Kay (having been motivated by Jeremy Hunt’s 2015 attack on junior doctors over a contract dispute) published his documented accounts of his medical training from 2004 to 2010. The most prominent theme throughout this book draws on the improper treatment that the NHS receive in terms of government support. The repercussions of financial cuts, leading to overworked and underpaid staff take centre stage in his writing and offers an alternative voice to that of the front liners on the NHS itself. Alongside governmental neglect, Kay records his interactions with particularly “tricky” patients: interactions that make me feel almost embarrassed to be a member of the British general public. In its flinchingly gory accounts of past patients, this text elicits a holy trinity of hilarity, devastation and rage. Furthermore, despite some altered names due to privacy reasons, this book is far from fictional, making its writing further compelling for readers like me, who entered into reading with no background understanding of the inner workings of the NHS. For some, this may differ, but regardless of your medical knowledge, this writing is assured to gauge your interest. Goes well with a strong stomach, a box of tissues and a deep reverence of the NHS. A Brief History of Seven Killings, Marlon James (K) Anyone who knows me knows Marlon James. I never let a day pass without mentioning him and I refuse to stop. He’s the most refreshing writer I’ve read in recent years; a true individual with a distinct and confident style. A Brief History of Seven Killings, his most famous book, sees those allegedly on the fringes of the attempted assassination of reggae legend Bob Marley step into the spotlight. Throughout the novel, Marlon James explores gang culture; the toxic input of the CIA in Jamaica during the Cold War; and the impact of corrupt, violent, and powerful politicians and policemen. However, it is James’ characters that stand out here, as is true of everything he writes. James has a great knack for turning incredibly flawed, ostensibly unlikeable individuals into utterly compelling and strangely loveable people. He humanises the baddies and demonises the goodies. James’ prose throughout is poetic and lyrical; it begs to be read aloud. The novel incorporates myth, legend, folklore, and the fantastic, combining it all with a history that we know so little about. All this comes together to make a story that, at its heart, feels alive. The Driver’s Seat, Muriel Spark (K) The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark is the kind of book that it’s best not to know too much about before reading. Even the blurb feels like too much information. It follows a woman named Lise who decides to take a holiday, and that’s all you need to know. Spark, the queen of opening sentences, really strings her readers along with this truly bizarre little book. It’s one of the only novels I’ve come across that changes with every read. The first time, you are utterly manipulated by Spark, allowed to feel clever, before the proverbial rug is well and truly pulled. The second read, well, Spark expertly reveals every little thing you missed and everything you took for granted becomes skewed; characters somehow take on whole new personalities. The Driver’s Seat is completely mad, absolutely astounding, and clever at its core; the genius of Spark is out in full force here. It’s a book that destabilises and discombobulates; not once does Spark let her readers in the driver’s seat. Piranesi, Susanna Clarke (K) There’s nothing quite like a bit of escapism while the world burns around us. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke was that book for me in 2020. Clarke’s first novel since the highly-acclaimed Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell graced our shelves sixteen years ago, Piranesi is a quirky little book brimming with imagination, world-building, and mystery. Piranesi, the loveable protagonist, lives in the House, a large, labyrinthine building where forceful tides sweep through the rooms and statues make up most of the population. He and his curious friend, the Other, believe themselves to be the only living occupants of the House, but as mysterious messages start appearing in its vast halls, Piranesi must consider the possibility that they might not be alone. Clarke combines intricate, evocative descriptions of the House with a perfectly paced mystery, making Piranesi an intriguing little puzzle with the power to transport readers to a world blissfully far away from our own. Morvern Callar, Alan Warner (K) Morvern Callar by Alan Warner opens with the fairly gruesome suicide of Morvern’s nameless boyfriend. But far from remaining in a stagnant grieving period, Morvern Callar is a novel about impulsive decisions, action, and the need to always keep moving. Set primarily in an isolated, rather depressing Scottish port town, the novel charts supermarket worker Morvern’s desperate need to escape and the structures of society that make it almost impossible to do so. Strangely for the brusque young woman, it is only with the death of her boyfriend that Morvern’s own life begins. Though she remains lonely at heart throughout and does grieve for her lost love, Morvern moves from Scotland to Spain to London back to Scotland again, seeking pleasure and parties wherever she can. Warner’s portrayal of a solitary but steadfast Scottish girl is deeply skilful and sensitive. She truly comes alive on the page; her tenacity and self-assurance remain charming throughout. Undoubtedly, Morvern Callar is one of those great literary characters that persist. The Nickel Boys, Colson Whitehead (K) Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys is not for the fainthearted. Set in a segregated reform school called the Nickel Academy, the story follows Elwood and Turner, two students, as they try to survive the torrent of abuse they experience there. Moving back and forth between Jim Crow-era Florida and 2010s New York, the novel, based on a real reform school, brings the devastating truth of such recent history to light. Whitehead, a double Pulitzer winner, very sensitively and deftly brings the Academy and all its horrors alive. While Elwood is devoted to Dr Martin Luther King’s peaceful protests, relying on corrupt, self-interested, abusive white men to see reason, by setting a portion of the novel in the present day, Whitehead shows how such abhorrent attitudes are not so easily overturned. It is a harrowing, haunting novel that forces readers to confront the brutality of the all-too-recent past, making it clear that the aftershock of such horrific events is still being felt today. Keep an eye out on our Instagram page (@theedimagazine) for when the book club is going live! Kirsten Provan and Maddie Noton are two students at the University of Edinburgh. This article was edited by Tamara El-Halawani, also a student at the University.

Since the start of February, increasingly horrific stories have come out of Myanmar following the Military’s seizure of power. In recent weeks, many civilians have been brutally murdered whilst fighting for their freedom. In this article, written in the earlier days of the coup, I spoke to my brother, who is currently living in the country, about what he believes we need to know about the events in Myanmar. In the early hours of the 1st of February, the State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi and several other senior officials were detained by the military. The first I heard of this, by admission being someone occasionally out of touch with global affairs, was an exchange on the family WhatsApp group. My elder brother, Bertie Lawson, is currently living in Yangon running a travel business. Understandably, my parents were concerned by the announcement of the military coup and my brother reassured them that he was safe, before relaying his belief that there was no immediate security threat. The viral video of a fitness instructor capturing the beginnings of the coup on camera added an element of humour to the takeover. Alongside the nationwide Civil Disobedience Movement, the first group of protestors took to the streets on the 4th of February, waving banners and chanting, resulting in three arrests. In the early days, the atmosphere seemed almost convivial and marches appeared closer to parades as people from across the country stepped out against the coup. There were flowers, elephants, dancing and food given to the marchers. It was carnival-like. In the early days, the atmosphere seemed almost convivial and marches appeared closer to parades as people from across the country stepped out against the coup. There were flowers, elephants, dancing and food given to the marchers. It was carnival-like. Since then, protests have escalated and become increasingly violent. On the 9th of February, a 19-year-old protester Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing took a bullet to the head and died after 10 days on life support. The death toll on the 3rd of March alone was 38. In total at the time of writing, it is estimated that over 60 people have lost their lives on the streets of Myanmar and over 1500 people have been arrested, including journalists and public figures. Laws that demand court approval before arrest and detention have been dismissed by the junta. The military has begun firing live ammunition into the crowds of protestors, alongside the use of tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets. Internet access and use of social media platforms such as Facebook and Whatsapp are restricted in efforts to discourage protestors. My brother reports that the fear in the capital is tangible; “Some parts of Yangon resemble a war zone”. The internet is also shut off between the hours of 1 AM to 9 AM, paired with frequent, unsettling bangs throughout the night. If you support the Democratic movement in any way, you live in fear of a night-time arrest. It is undeniable that the goal of the security forces is to scare the population into submission. “Some parts of Yangon resemble a war zone”. Despite these troubling developments, the conversation about this amongst my peers has been limited. I find myself having to scroll for some time down the BBC news feed before I find any updates. Amongst the clamour of COVID 19 updates, Brexit aftershocks and spats in British politics, the voices of protest from Myanmar are somewhat drowned. I am in the fortunate, though the currently worrisome position of having a sibling in the country meaning that I was made aware of the circumstances from the beginning. That being said, I was still notably lacking in a comprehensive understanding of Myanmar’s recent political history. With this in mind, I asked Bertie what he believed were the most important things for us to understand about the violent seizure of power at the hands of the military. Myanmar became independent from Britain in 1948. Since then, it has seen a near 50 year period of heavy-handed military rule that came to an end in 2010. During this period protests arose in the 60s, 70s and 80s of which little was publicised to the rest of the world and for which records remain scarce. The moves towards Democracy began in 2010, and in 2015 the National League for Democracy under Daw Aung Sang Suu Kyi won by a landslide. In November of 2020, the NLD were once again voted indecisively, which appeared to take the military by surprise, and they began to protest in “Donald Trump-style” that the election was fraudulent. It was this that inspired their snatching of power on the 1st of February. Bertie emphasises, “the coup was the theft of a country. The smashing of dreams and hopes of over 50 million Myanmar people for the benefit of military generals.” Bertie emphasises, “the coup was the theft of a country. The smashing of dreams and hopes of over 50 million Myanmar people for the benefit of military generals.” Although some businesses have declared their disapproval of the Coup, such as Japanese brewer Kirin, it has become apparent that meaningful change must come from within Myanmar as opposed to the United Nations, action from which has been vetoed by Russia and China. The battle is for the entirety of the Myanmar population, but students, or ‘Gen-Z’ as they are referred to in the British press, have been at the forefront of the demonstrations from the beginning. This is a further reason why I thought it almost nonsensical that there was so little conversation amongst my peers. The younger generation in Myanmar are unwilling to surrender their connection to the rest of the world easily and are showing remarkable bravery and strategy when faced with military aggression. They are being shot at, beaten and murdered and continue to take to the streets in resistance of military rule. They write their placards in English in attempts to grab the attention of the international community. My brother emphasises that these students “Watch the same TV, listen to the same music, follow the Premier League and use Facebook, Instagram and TikTok daily.” They are fighting for freedom; “Freedom to vote in fair elections, freedom not to be harassed in the street by police and freedom to not have their private telecommunications tapped into.” They are fighting for freedom; “Freedom to vote in fair elections, freedom not to be harassed in the street by police and freedom to not have their private telecommunications tapped into.” He finishes by highlighting the importance of keeping yourself informed of the situation for their sakes, being aware of the horrific violence by the junta and engaging in conversations about what is happening. We must support by digging through the COVID updates and updating ourselves about the ongoing aggression in Myanmar. This article was written by Chloe Lawson, a History Student at the University of Edinburgh. It was edited by Tamara El-Halawani, also a student at the University.

After being described as ‘high maintenance’ during an innocent game, the more sinister and frustrating connotations of this term frequently played on the mind of Chloe Lawson, inspiring her to vent her thoughts on paper. This rant was fuelled during a recent round of a novelty card game played at the kitchen table between my flatmates and me. The object of the round was to decide who in the room was the most ‘high maintenance’ and votes were resoundingly cast for me, including my own. This was not something I found offensive at the time and no friendships were damaged. However, since then I have become increasingly bothered when thinking about the phrase and its connotations. In the context of the game, the term was not attached to a particular gender. Yet, it seemed inconceivable to me that any of the boys would ever have been described in that way. A quick search of ‘high maintenance’ on google, delivers high up on the suggested searches ‘high maintenance girl’ and the first result: ‘12 signs she’s a high maintenance girl: Should you date her?’ from a site laughably called ‘The Adult Man’. In the ‘Urban Dictionary’, you also find a definition for a ‘high maintenance woman’ but not a specific definition for ‘high maintenance man’. According to Grammarphobia, the term has been coined since the early 1980s to describe a demanding or needy person, of any gender. The words at a simple level bring to my mind an inanimate object or possession whose upkeep is more trouble than it is worth. Google’s definition of the term is ‘something requiring a lot of work to be kept in a good condition’. This image is problematic, implying an object that is essentially too much effort to be worthy of care. In the Urban Dictionary, ‘high maintenance’ is specifically defined as “a female that requires more than average hair/nail/pedicure/skincare services, the latest trends, name brand clothes/shoes and handbags, and lots of attention”. Essentially, an overly demanding ‘Miss Piggy’ type character or perhaps a botox-filled gold-digging second wife. I am neither of these things and I did not for a moment think that my friends were accusing me of being so. Nevertheless, the phrase does carry these connotations. I felt as though it were outdated, a misogynistic way of belittling people trying to communicate their needs in any relationship, romantic or otherwise. It is unanimously agreed by female writers that it is a phrase coined by men to manipulate and shame women who do not “line up with their subjective expectations” of how they should behave. Fundamentally it denigrates someone for knowing what they do and don’t want. When a man is clear about what he wants, he is never called ‘high maintenance’, but rather applauded. It is not simply a complaint from men; women and girls can perpetuate this idea, unknowingly or not. To describe yourself as ‘low maintenance’ is a conscious contrast to those hysterical ‘high maintenance’ women. This could be described as a ‘pick me’ habit because it implies that the ‘low maintenance’ people do not ask for anything and would be much less ‘hassle’ in a relationship. The women at the ‘low maintenance’ end of the scale are amusingly described on the blog ‘Sandria_Says’ as those who “embody the colour beige”, seeing as they rarely express a definite opinion on anything. In response, I would argue that to not ask for anything in any kind of relationship is not the sign of a healthy bond. Sometimes, it is vital to set boundaries and communicate to prevent or ease difficulties. When a friend or partner is, or is not, doing something that upsets you, it is important to voice these feelings understandably. If doing this is ‘high maintenance’ then let that be ‘high maintenance’. The negative implications disgust me in their potential to prevent anyone from voicing their feelings for fear of putting someone off them, friend or otherwise because they are ‘too much work’. To me, ‘high maintenance’ can be classed with other such demeaning turns of phrase such as ‘very difficult woman’, or describing a girl as ‘psycho’ in instances when she is expressing anger. These are terms that trap people into behavioural patterns to avoid upsetting others. They are used when a woman is acting contrary to society’s expectations. It reminds me of the unnecessary fuss surrounding Jennifer Anniston and the absence of a husband. I have heard it commented that ``she must be really difficult”. Why must she? And what do you know? These phrases have the dangerous implications of acting as potential ‘gags’ to reduce admirable qualities to unattractive vices and invalidate opinions. Why should anyone feel that they can’t communicate their thoughts or anxieties because it might mean they are too much hassle? I do not mean for this to come across as something that exclusively applies to women; anyone could be described as ‘high maintenance’ by someone else trying to put them down. It should not be forgotten that people are, by nature, complicated beings and therefore ‘high maintenance’. In a time when increasing attention is being paid towards mental health issues and understanding of them is encouraged at great lengths, lingering phrases like this must be understood for the connotations that they carry with them. If someone communicates their fears, concerns or boundaries and is met with a reaction that implies they are too much like hard work, they will likely be less willing to repeat the conversation for fear of being brushed aside for a more ‘low maintenance’ model. Of course, this goes both ways. You cannot simply ask and ask and ask and not respond with the same understanding. It is necessary to achieve a balance of reciprocal high maintenance. I have an idea of why I was voted the highest maintenance out of the people sitting around the kitchen table. However, what struck me as I wrote this rant is my apprehension about putting this on the internet. By freely describing myself as high maintenance and aggressively calling for an end to the phrase, I was still afraid that people would think of me as difficult and too much like hard work. I do not believe I am, yet this belief is still prevalent in society. I was irritated that I should feel like this. If anyone feels uncomfortable in a friendship or relationship, they should not feel straitjacketed by ridiculous notions about keeping feelings to themselves for fear of upsetting the apple cart. I was struck by an important thing to remember when writing this: you will always be high maintenance to the wrong people, if they are not mature or emotionally evolved enough to respect and understand your needs. As a Friends fan, I am reminded of Chandler’s words to Monica who has been accused of being high maintenance by Phoebe- “they can call you high maintenance, but it’s okay because I like maintaining you”. Cast aside the whinging babies who aren’t prepared to treat you as you deserve and find the Chandler Bings of this world. References: 1. Sigafus, Joshua; ‘12 signs she’s a High Maintenance Girl: Should you Date Her?’ The Adult Man. Accessed 20/05/2021. https://theadultman.com/love-and-lust/high-maintenance-girl/ 2. The Urban Dictionary, ‘High Maintenance Woman’. Accessed 20/05/2021. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=High%20maintenance%20woman 3. Kellerman, Stewart and O Conner, Patricia. ‘When Harry Met High Maintenance’. Grammarphobia. Accessed: 20/05/2021. https://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2020/04/high-maintenance.html#:~:text=very%20demanding%20or%20fussy%2C%E2%80%9D%20according,%2C%20April%2019%2C%201982). 4. The Urban Dictionary, High Maintenance. Accessed 20/05/2021. 5. @Sandria_Says. ‘What Men really mean when they call you high maintenance’. Accessed 20/05/2021. https://medium.com/@sandriasays/what-men-really-mean-when-they-call-you-high-maintenance-85a51b79e422#:~:text=I%20worry%20about%20doing%20good,to%20comply%20to%20my%20wishes%E2%80%9D. 6. Stern, Abby. ‘Why Calling Someone High Maintenance is so Wrong.’ The Zoe Report. Accessed 20/05/2021. https://www.thezoereport.com/living/relationships/high-maintenance-women-opinion 7. Sandria_Say, ‘What Men Really Mean’. https://medium.com/@sandriasays/what-men-really-mean-when-they-call-you-high-maintenance-85a51b79e422#:~:text=I%20worry%20about%20doing%20good,to%20comply%20to%20my%20wishes%E2%80%9D. This article was written by Chloe Lawson, a fourth year History student at the University of Edinburgh. It was edited by

Identity politics is a blurry and highly contested subject. Though there are compelling arguments for retiring the term altogether, there is little escaping these two words in current discussions across the political and digital landscape. This article by Amy Houghton aims to provide a little clarity on a dizzyingly loaded phrase. Image Description: This year my work has become increasingly political, and I hope to use my practice to project some of my continuing frustrations surrounding our current political climate. I hope to start a public conversation around these issues and to get more young people openly discussing politics, arising questions surrounding our existing systems and institutions. Since its first use, the original meaning has become diluted by both right and left-wing discussion. The term is pretty broad, conventionally used to refer to any case of minority activism whereby people protest against their exclusion in mainstream policy based on their race, sexuality, disability, class or gender. Where all of these groups agree, is that politics are inextricably personal. The Combahee River Collective The label ‘identity politics’ is most often credited to the 1970s Black feminist lesbian organisation, Combahee River Collective. In 1977 the group (which consisted of figures like Audre Lorde) published the Combahee River Statement, now revered as seminal in the development of identity politics discourse. In it they wrote: “We believe that the most profound and potentially most radical politics come directly out of our own identity, as opposed to working to end somebody else’s oppression. In the case of Black women this is a particularly repugnant, dangerous, threatening, and therefore revolutionary concept because it is obvious from looking at all the political movements that have preceded us that anyone is more worthy of liberation than ourselves. We reject pedestals, queenhood, and walking ten paces behind. To be recognized as human, levelly human, is enough.” Essentially, the group utilised the term ‘identity politics’ to assert the right for marginalised citizens to form their political agendas. Their experiences had historically been omitted from US legislation based on how they identified. Thus, it only made sense that their overlapping identities, as Black, as female, and as gay, would be central to their fight for rights and recognition. Left and right In recent years, identity politics have been received with increasing contempt across the political spectrum, from claims that they are destroying democracy; to cries that they ignore intersectionality; to theories that they contributed to Donald Trump’s rise to power. It has been grouped with the likes of ‘wokeness’ and ‘political correctness’ to induce eye-rolls at its mere utterance. Many have perceived modern identity politics as an essential factor in the re-emergence of populism. Indeed former advisor to Donald Trump, Robert Kuttner boasted “the longer they talk about identity politics, I got ’em. I want them to talk about racism every day. If the left is focused on race and identity, and we go with economic nationalism, we can crush the Democrats." The left’s concern with issues of identity- from trans rights to institutional racism- was seen as a distraction from other topics that parts of the American population deemed more important. It meant Trump’s campaign could lay claim to a vested interest in Americans’ economic and financial anxieties, or more specifically, the anxieties of the white working-class. However, while certainly not a minority, is white working-class not itself an identity? Whether they like the term or not, white expressions of patriotism and nationalism are efforts to protect a certain identity, albeit one that is in the least need of protection. As journalist, Gary Younge, points out “The trouble is, not all identities count as equal. The more power they carry, the less likely the carrier is to be aware of it as an identity at all.” On the left, there are fears of divisional consequences of identity politics, particularly in an already deeply fraught environment in the UK and abroad. There is also simply frustration at the way the words have gained a momentum of their own, validating critics’ separation of politics of identity from politics in general. Conclusion The fact is that our world view, and therefore our politics, are shaped by the circumstances we happened to be born in. It is also a fact that legislation passed often benefits certain populations over others as particular identities lack sufficient representation in fields of power. Politics of identity were weaponised against marginalised peoples and informed centuries of gender and raced based discrimination, long before the CRC chose to coin ‘identity politics’ for their agenda. Whilst the term may indeed become redundant, it is likely to be replaced with a new one that may gradually build a very similar reaction of resentment. The personal is political and rather than threatening democracy, this realisation and adoption of empathy will only help to strengthen it. Further Reading: Vox: https://www.vox.com/identities/2016/12/2/13718770/identity-politics Annual Reviews: https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-polisci-050718-033542 The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/until-black-women-are-free-none-of-us-will-be-free Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/identity-politics/ Watch: Gary Younge on 'The politics of identity: from potential to pitfalls, and symbols to substance

Kirsty Thomson investigates the practice of immoral animal testing at Edinburgh University. Despite recent condemnation by animal rights activist groups, the University remains one of the few institutions who continues to use cruel methods for testing antidepressants. In January of this year, it emerged that cruel and unreliable practices were taking place at the University of Edinburgh. The university has been accused of a widely discredited test in which small animals are forced to keep swimming in beakers of water that they cannot escape from. The 'Porsolt swim test' seeks out to assess the efficiency of potential antidepressant treatments News of the testing was first reported by The Ferret, an award-winning investigative journalism platform based in Scotland. In January they explained that animal rights organisations had urged Edinburgh to cease the ‘near drowning’ testing on animals and that how the research was performed lacked any real scientific value and therefore was unreliable and cruel. Their comments came after speaking to PETA who referred to the testing as ‘torment[ing]’ small animals. These organisations have called on Edinburgh University to ban this forced swim test, as already done by College London, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and RochePharma. These groups banned this test after condemnation from Animal Aid who described the experimentation as being both incredibly outdated and chilling. When speaking to edinburghlive.co.uk, the Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind expressed that they believed that the wider public would be shocked and disgusted that such a practice was taking place at the capital’s famous and prestigious university. In response to PETA, Edinburgh University has said that they only use animals in research where no alternatives can be found. They also explained that this practice was justified on scientific, ethical and legal grounds. Furthermore, they detail that their animal welfare and ethical review body will continue to keep this under review, as is the protocol for all procedures. The experiment itself involves small rodents such as mice, rats and gerbils being placed in tanks of water that are heated between 25 and 30•C. The test records the length of time the animal floats in the water and notes behaviours like swimming and attempts to escape. The purpose of the test is to ascertain stress levels; the mice are put in a fight or flight situation which is comparable to a state of panic or terror. In analysing how medicated mice behave in traumatic and stressful conditions, the experiment is said to reveal the practical effects of medication on people. In the past the test has been justified due to the natural buoyancy of mice and rats; the Understanding Animal Research group (UAR) explained to The Ferret that the animals theoretically could stay afloat for up to three days. PETA, however, claims that several animals have drowned during this exact experimentation. Dr Julia Baines of PETA highlights the barbarity of the testing, writing thus: ‘A near-drowning experience teaches us nothing about the complexities of human depression and doesn’t tell us what drugs will be effective antidepressants in humans.’ OneKind’s director Bob Elliot continued this by explaining that the testing must be ‘terrifying’ for the small animals and was frankly barbaric. Due to the ongoing pandemic, there is an emerging need for new treatments for depression and anxiety. Just last month Edinburgh University admitted failings in providing necessary support after a second-year student aged just 21 took her own life. This was outlined in an exclusive piece written by the Guardian which looked at gaps in the support system. Young people are expressing more symptoms of anxiety and depression and feel as though opportunities for help and treatment are few and far between Animals used in testing and research, however, are subject to pain and suffering, all of which is legal. Should that same practice be applied to companion animals it would be considered repugnant, abhorrent and illegal. The emergence of the university using practices such as this has raised serious ethical questions surrounding animal experimentation and grows doubts about these results applying to humans. Kirsty Thomson is a recent English graduate at the University of Edinburgh. This article was edited by Tamara El-Halawani, also a student at the University.

Emma Bayley-Melendez writes about her experiences of imposter syndrome at the University of Bristol and being proud of her working-class background. Image Description: 'Who are you wearing?' is an experimental animation set at a party, it follows the protagonist changing their mask and losing control as anxieties become heightened. Using collage, live action, paint and crochet masks the film reflects on personal experiences of performing identity in an attempt to fit cultural expectations. The animation's portrayal of anxiety due to performing identity ties into the article's intent to debunk the imposter syndrome through a restored sense of pride in working class culture. “You don’t sound very working class”. Yes, someone did say that to me. My response was a mixture of bemusement and discomfort. What’s a working-class person supposed to sound like? Did they forget to deliver me a guidebook when I was born? I find it quite staggering that these kinds of narrow-minded comments still circulate. Being born in the West Midlands (not the North, for anyone that thinks anywhere South of London is Northern), I grew up with a different perspective on class. Wolverhampton (my hometown) is a city that brings me nostalgic comfort but also reminds me of the wider structural issues that seem to persist within British society. It’s an area where drug addiction is certainly not glamorous and education is your ticket out. Imposter syndrome is a very real phenomenon. As a working-class person that lived in the not-so-nice part of the city, my desire to do better for myself was always marred by an inferiority complex that was consistently fought by my proudly independent single Mom from a very young age. If I ever doubted myself or thought I couldn’t do certain things she would always hit me back with, “Well someone has got to do it, why not you?”. Truly, I didn’t realise how much her persistent encouragement helped me till now. My desire to do better for myself was always marred by an inferiority complex that was consistently fought by my proudly independent single Mom from a very young age. When I was seventeen, I was selected by my sixth form to attend a social etiquette event for high achievers from low socio-economic areas. Two students from my sixth form were meant to attend alongside me but they pulled out at the last minute. Though I count myself to be an extroverted person, the prospect of going alone to London and networking at this event, having had no real experience before, was mildly terrifying. As we were pulling into London Euston, I remember playing The Clash’s London Calling– I cringe now but back then this felt like a big deal. For those from similar backgrounds to me, events like this are a big deal and there’s no shame in that. I’m not bitter that I don’t have endless contacts or someone that could have secured a work experience placement for me in an Investment Bank; everything I have achieved has been a result of my efforts. I’m not bitter that I don’t have endless contacts or someone that could have secured a work experience placement for me in an Investment Bank; everything I have achieved has been a result of my efforts. Being the first in my generation to go to university means that everything you accomplish feels like a minor milestone. Conversations with my grandparents whenever I did anything (and I mean anything) turned into virtual awards ceremonies. They may not be able to relate to my academic experiences, but their pride was still palpable. In the days following my Grandad’s death, I frantically scoured through his messages for temporary comfort. Beyond laughing at the gifs he would send I was shocked to stumble across all the photos he had sent family members and friends of me. As an 80-year-old man that was fairly technologically literate, I was overwhelmed to see it all because though we often spoke of what I was doing and achieving, I hadn’t grasped how this manifested. One exchange, in particular, sparked the most emotion. In February (2020), I attended a trip to the EU Parliament with the Young Fabians. My Mom had sent the group photo from the trip and underneath it was his message: “Our girl done well”. You forget how significant those small moments are until it’s all you’re inhaling to find yourself. I can hear his words with the black country twang he had. It feels like home to me. For so long I felt like I was trying to escape the cul-de-sac, the semi-detached home, the estate, the city. Going to university, and a university as middle-class as the University of Bristol, I half-heartedly convinced myself that I was able to turn away from an identity I embodied with a kind of a muted shame. It doesn’t matter how many quinoa salads and ginger shots you have; you will still be from Wolverhampton and getting a degree won’t erase your identity even if you think you’d prefer it to be like that. I would say that I’m being dramatic but when I was younger and told people the part of the city I was from, they would always look surprised and say, “I didn’t think you’d live there”. So, I always had this kind of confused sense of self between what I inherently am and what I want to be. You forget how significant those small moments are until it’s all you’re inhaling to find yourself. At twenty-two, the shame I may have felt about being working class has run its course. I’m proud of my home, it might not be big, but my Mom owns it. I may not like Wolverhampton but it’s the city that gave me the structures and grit I needed to get out. Coming back home after graduating felt like therapy, like I was regressing, but I realise how much I have grown since I left for university. Now I’m working in a school and saving money for when I leave for London. It’s incredibly poignant to see students that possess a fatalistic outlook on their futures, seeing their class and background as a limiting factor. Classes can feel so divisive and the pandemic has massively widened gaps between the haves and have nots. Only in summer, we saw how results could be irretrievably influenced by a postcode. Though the impact was reversed for most, it still perpetuated a narrative that being intelligent isn’t enough when you’re bound to a certain alphanumeric combination. Now more than ever I think owning who you are is essential, even if that means owning the discomfort at times. I am proud. This article is written by Emma Bayley-Melendez. Instagram account: @semidetached_ebm Blog: http://semi-detached-by-ebm.co.uk/ Further reads: What is Imposter Syndrome and how to overcome it? https://www.mindful.org/how-to-overcome-impostor-syndrome/ A fairly short online course on understanding Imposter syndrome which can help you identify patterns of undermining your confidence: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/overcoming-imposter-syndrome Social class in the UK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_class_in_the_United_Kingdom Why Britain's class system will have to change: https://theconversation.com/why-britains-class-system-will-have-to-change-58188 This article was edited by Pranavi Hiremath and Tamara El-Halawani, students at the University of Edinburgh.

Back in March, Amy Houghton spoke to Aisha Janki Akinola following her election to the Edinburgh University Student’s Association, discussing her social media campaign, the link between architecture and mental health, and her incoming #NoHateHere campaign... Aisha exudes dazzling ambition. Months away from pausing her Architecture degree to take on the role as EUSA’s Vice President of Welfare*, she explains to me that such determination stems from natural curiosity. Additionally, a model, a YouTuber, and a founding member of the BlackEd movement, Aisha’s stunning list of credentials reject all boundaries. I ask her where she finds such ambition: “I think, for me, I’ve got this- the word is curiosity. I watch a Youtube video, I think how do they even make this, how do they even edit a youtube video in the first place? And then next thing you know I’ve downloaded Adobe Premiere Pro and I’m playing around with it and trying to actually learn how that works. I think also my age plays a part in it because obviously as one is younger you have that clean slate. I don’t think my slate is as clean anymore, I’ve filled it up with a lot of things, but I think just having that curiosity and that willingness to take risks.” When EUSA elections were announced in December, however, she was just recovering from “the most depressed phase of my university life”. Attributing much of her mental struggles to being stuck in small student accommodation for the duration of lockdown, she explains “I was keen on doing welfare, just because I study architecture, and architecture is a welfare issue. Mental health and architecture, they kind of go hand in hand.” Aisha exudes dazzling ambition. What was it, then, that won Aisha Janki the majority vote? She pauses for a moment before confessing to the amount of research that went on in the months prior- research that decided that her campaign would be social media led. “I was conscious of the fact that, first of all, not everyone was going to read the manifesto, right? That was why my social media presence had to be big, and I had to get as many people to share my candidacy and things like that.” However, her manifesto was, of course, still central to her campaign: “it was straight to the point, it was clear, it was relevant, and it was important.” Moreover, her work with the BlackEd movement further opened her eyes to the students who were desperately asking for help but receiving nothing in return. Urgent change is needed, she insists, recalling the tragedy of a student taking her own life back in April 2020. “[The university] is an institution that has existed for over 400 years now and they’ve got a certain way of doing things, that method that they use tends to take time, and I don’t have time.” Through the screen, Aisha communicates an animated, deep frustration at the lack of tangible action taken so far, a feeling that is shared across the Edinburgh student population. She is aware that getting through to those at the top will be her most daunting challenge: “I don’t want a case whereby I will be frustrated, and drained- emotionally, mentally, spiritually and psychologically- all of the ‘ly’s’- because Professor Peter Mathieson didn’t understand the fact that the student support system needs to be fixed, like right now!” Yet, she remains resolutely determined and unfazed. Under her forthcoming leadership, Aisha intends to initiate a #NoHateHere campaign that aims to eradicate all forms of racial harassment and hate crime on campus. She beams with infectious vibrancy as she tells me that she is most excited about ‘making sure we feel safe, we celebrate diversity, and everyone feels included regardless of their race, their colour, sexual orientation, gender, everything.’ She intends to send the message to incoming students that ‘you are welcome. You are very very welcome.’ She is most excited about ‘making sure we feel safe, we celebrate diversity, and everyone feels included regardless of their race, their colour, sexual orientation, gender, everything.’ As this interview was conducted in March, at the peak of the UK’s second lockdown, I asked Aisha what had been helping her through… To Read? Invisible Women To Eat? DrunkenNoodles (with prawns!) from Thai To Go To Listen To? Stormzy To Follow? @aisha_janki (of course!) *Aisha has officially taken up the position since this interview took place.

Oliver Ellis (he/him) and Kirsten Provan (she/her) explore how damaging it is for Hollywood to consistently cast cis actors in trans roles. They examine the appropriation of trans stories for award show gain and highlight the ultimate importance of including trans people in every step of the filmmaking process. Image description: Drawing inspiration from classic horror posters, this digital collage explores exploitation and othering of trans people that occurs when our stories are retold by and for cis people. While nothing says “welcome to adulthood” quite like a beloved childhood author profoundly disappointing the nation with her intolerance, transgender erasure and discrimination have been prevalent in the arts for a long time. In recent years, cinemas have seen an influx of films focusing on trans stories and yet, instead of being liberating and affirming for the transgender community, these films have somehow become Oscar fodder for famous, cisgender actors. It’s great that people are starting to take interest in trans stories, but if no trans people have been involved in the making of them, we’re forced to ask: who are they really for? Of course, it’s important to get trans stories into the mainstream, but casting cis celebrities in trans roles feels exclusionary. Regardless of the quality of the films, we cannot ignore the context in which they exist. Trans people are not treated as equals in society, and as long as they’re being discriminated against, it’s unfair that cis actors profit off trans stories without consideration for the community. In the last few years, there’s been an abundance of these high-profile, Hollywoodised films about being trans, perhaps most famously: Tom Hooper’s The Danish Girl, Neil Jordan’s Breakfast on Pluto, and Jean-Marc Vallée’s Dallas Buyers Club. All three-star white, cisgender men, and all three received a plethora of nominations at Western awards shows, with Vallée’s film winning big. The Danish Girl, particularly, while it was highly praised, has a lot of issues. The film tells the story of Lili Elbe, one of the first people known to undergo gender confirmation surgery. While she was a real person and a semi-autobiographical account of her life exists, the film is based on David Ebershoff’s novel, also called The Danish Girl, which offers a fictionalised account of Elbe. Her story is therefore doubly appropriated by cis men, with English actor Eddie Redmayne taking the starring role. Likewise, Breakfast on Pluto, adapted from Patrick McCabe’s novel of the same name, follows Kitten, a young, Irish trans woman, as she comes of age. The film has memorable moments, including both Cillian Murphy and Brendan Gleeson being inexplicably dressed as Wombles at one point. However, Murphy is still the cisgender star of this transgender film and received a Golden Globe nomination for his efforts. Moreover, Kitten is named Pussy in the book. The switch suggests an attempt to censor trans sexuality, while serial womaniser and hetero icon 007 remains free to carry on as normal, armed to the teeth with innuendos galore. Thinking about these films, and there are so many more out there, begs the question: why are cisgender men celebrated for donning a dress for a role when society itself remains highly gendered and widely transphobic? It’s a well-known fact amongst the uber-cynical that all one needs to do to win an Oscar is either gain a lot of weight or lose it, case in point: McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club. So, is playing a trans role now just another one of those things that takes a cis actor far enough away from their everyday self to warrant a big gold trophy? Instead of providing representation for a group of people profoundly under-represented on the big screen, films about being transgender have become a further vessel for the cisgender man to commandeer. Even if they are high-quality films with good actors, cis people don't understand what it's like to be trans; research only goes so far, they cannot comprehend the lived experience of trans people. Similarly, more trans writers, directors and producers are desperately needed to ensure a much wider range of trans stories are being told. Currently, the focus often lies on physically transitioning, but when we’ve got huge numbers of trans people on waiting lists, others unable to afford the expensive medical procedures, and many choosing not to undergo them, the fascination starts to become reductive. Focusing solely on the physical aspects of transness ignores so many different facets of trans identity. Trans representation, particularly in film, feels very one-dimensional, something that having more trans people involved would ameliorate. Trans rights are in a precarious place in the UK right now. Trans people are more visible than ever, but there’s been some serious backlash in the media and from the government. That’s one reason why it’s so important that the trans stories we see on our screens are accurate and empowering. Casting cisgender actors in transgender roles is not only insulting, but it also perpetuates incredibly dangerous rhetoric. Being trans is presented as a disguise, a deception, rather than one’s true identity. Many trans people spend their whole lives trying to convince society that they’re not just ‘pretending’, so it’s frustrating to see cis actors being praised for actually pretending to be trans. These stereotypes haunt trans people in their daily lives; they influence how they are seen and how society treats them, which can also affect their mental health and physical safety. With 83% of trans young people having experienced verbal abuse, 27% having attempted suicide and 89% having thought about it; with 65% of trans people reporting being harassed in the streets, and 35% stating that they avoid expressing their gender from fear of being assaulted[1], it’s clear that we need to do better. While we are seeing more trans actors in TV and film now, there’s still a long way to go. As the public becomes more aware of the importance of representation, and with the introduction of a diversity quota at the Academy Awards, progress feels like it could be on the horizon. One thing’s for sure, nothing is going to change if people stay uninformed. Cis allies have a duty to understand what real representation is, and to support the trans people who deserve the roles, both behind and in front of the camera. If anyone is struggling with any of the issues mentioned in this article, here are some great charities you can reach out to: - Stonewall: stonewallscotland.org.uk - Scottish Trans Alliance: scottishtrans.org - LGBT Youth Scotland: lgbtyouth.org.uk [1] All statistics from Stonewall: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/sites/default/files/trans_stats.pdf This article was written by Oliver Ellis (he/him), a Psychology student from the University of Edinburgh and Kirsten Provan (she/her), a Creative Writing MSc student from the University of Edinburgh. It was edited by Tamara El-Halawani, also a student at the university.

Lucy Gavaghan shares her thoughts in an open letter on why we must all care about climate change. Dear Reader, There’s something that has caught my attention, something you may have noticed yourself. That is, how being concerned about the state of nature is often seen as a novel personality trait of some people rather than a universally essential outlook. Perhaps you are one of those people, or maybe you have avoided delving too deeply into certain topics because you know someone else who seems like more of an expert, someone whose passion could feel overwhelming. It is easy to be taken aback by fiery chants of protesters or stark warnings of ‘tipping points’ and ‘crisis’ and ‘collapse’. We are, in large part, detached from the reality of climate change and global warming. This is the message of many activists and feeds into a logical call for a better understanding of the details of biodiversity and climate crises. Not only is there a lack of comprehension of how human activities tragically affect the environment but so many people are disconnected from the natural, wild world in its physical form. Spending time immersed in and consciously appreciating natural environments, like woodlands, moorlands and rivers, increasingly seems to be considered a novelty experience that may not be equally accessible to everyone. The physical presence of nature has been corroded over recent decades and our connection to wild spaces and species has faded in line with this devastation. The environment has been reduced to a tick-off-topic in many business and academic fields… perhaps we are so able to marginalise discussions of the natural world’s state precisely because we have become dissociated from its presence. Of course, there are many explanations for the destruction of nature by certain people, corporations and activities. Money and profit are, more often than not, powerful driver. However, even the most compassionate people may evade conversations that we need to have. Projections of temperature rise and its effects, for instance, are uncomfortable to confront. This discomfort and the sadness felt when we’re told about the pain caused to the planet can lead people to close their eyes to the reality of what we’re up against. Blissful ignorance? Unfortunately not - ultimately, avoiding the facts will help no one. I do honestly believe, however, that when people spend time exploring the natural world in real life and understanding how our wellbeing rests on its health and stability, it becomes harder to turn away. When we realise that we are all a part of nature, meaningful engagement and action often blossoms. David Attenborough's recent documentary, ‘A Life on Our Planet’, is wrenching in a grit your teeth kind of way. It is upsetting and unsettling, yet laced with images and moments of beauty. It’s a reminder that we are part of something unique. Attenborough describes this as his ‘witness statement’. He reexamines his own understanding of the planet and traces the loss of nature and biodiversity throughout his life and career. The clarity of the documentary is powerful; it speaks to several issues in an accessible way. Attenborough describes “a series of one-way doors'' to explain how certain forms of environmental damage lead to irreversible change. It is brutally honest. The narration is raw and startling but far from hopeless. My immediate reaction to the documentary was that it is clear that people go to nature in times of pressure and pain. During these times I feel little pull towards the sputtering sounds of engines or the haze of smoke on a skyline. I am drawn to open spaces and running water and the sound of birds. I am far from alone in feeling such love and need for spending time in nature. It’s incredible to imagine how many humans have found comfort in the same pocket of nature, be it lakeside, a mountain or a wooded stretch of a local park. Often people associate these places with a loved one and we chase that feeling of release that we get in moments of ‘escape’. Taking the time to absorb the intricate beauty of natural life in all forms can be truly blissful. The fact that these natural places are increasingly being seen as exceptional as they shrink in size, health and accessibility genuinely frighten me. The prospect of spaces of uninterrupted naturalness being a luxury and a privilege really is sobering. In ‘The Uninhabitable Earth’, David Wallace-Wells describes a changing climate, not as an occasional shock event or a predictable problem faced by people ‘somewhere else', but as the context in which people live (or will soon live). This framing makes clear that this is something that we need to be educated on. Believing that this is someone else’s problem or job will only drag us further from facing what has been destroyed, what remains and what needs to be done. On that note, it needs to be mentioned that to position ‘humanity’ as a whole as the perpetrators of worldly destruction distorts reality. Nemonte Nenquimo tackles this in her 2020 opinion piece for The Guardian that I strongly encourage you to read. The idea that caring about the environment is much more than a novel personality trait comes sharply into focus once we accept the climate crisis as the context we are living in, rather than an isolated feature of our times. To see thriving natural spaces reduced to shrinking pockets of a concrete world would be a crying shame. Many now hope that concern for the environment weaves its way into all our minds, actions and conversations, to be sounded out in boardrooms and living rooms alike. Some of what I’ve said may feel bleak. However, I have written this letter to start stirring in your mind, something that I think is beautifully simple: a reminder that we are part of the processes of nature, we can draw strength from it, and that there must be space for everyone in the fight for a better world. It’s up to you how you choose to respond. Lucy. This article was sourced by Amy Houghton (Trending: Politics Editor) and the artwork was sourced by Rachel Watkins (Artistic Co-ordinator: Social Media). It was also edited by Amy Houghton and Tamara El-Halawani.

Defining environmental racism within the context of the UK and how its impacts stretch beyond the British Isles by Veronica Greer and Anastassia Kolchanov from The Anti-Racism Alliance (Instagram: @antiracismalliance). The death of George Floyd on 25 May 2020 sparked a much-needed global conversation about systemic racism, complete with protests, reading lists, action plans, and donations. Most of the focus was on the United States, where Floyd lived and was killed (and where police brutality is a topic of continual discussion). However, the global impact of the US protests was undeniable. Many cities around the world held demonstrations in solidarity, some going further than condemning American racism to investigate their relationship with systemic racism. The UK had its share of protests and discussions about the topic, notably bringing about change in the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol [1] and the renaming of the University of Edinburgh’s David Hume Tower to 40 George Square [2]. Despite these positive changes, the wide-reaching effects of systemic racism affect more than monuments and buildings. One particularly insidious case is environmental racism. The term environmental racism was coined in 1982 by African American civil rights leader Benjamin Chavis. The term encompasses how non-white people are negatively affected by environmental policy and pollution, including both being directly affected by pollution due to zoning as well as being denied policymaking positions [3]. A classic case of environmental racism can be seen in Flint, Michigan, USA. In 2014 the city decided to switch their water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River to save money. The combination of Flint River’s corrosive water, ageing water pipes, and the city’s failure to properly treat the municipal water system led to widespread lead exposure. Flint’s majority low-income Black population went without clean drinking water for over four years despite widespread outrage, and the city’s water contains traces of lead to this day due to lack of action [4]. Had the city’s population been more white and economically privileged, the crisis would have been averted (or at least ameliorated faster). We can also see instances of environmental racism manifesting in the UK, although research on the link between race and environmental inequality is scarce. A 2016 study for the Mayor of London looking at exposure to air pollution found that Black, African, and Caribbean communities are exposed to higher illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide than the percentage of the population they account for [5]. It is important to note that the correlation is difficult to establish, especially within the context of London’s diverse population. There is, however, a more concrete connection between areas of greater deprivation and higher levels of air pollution. These residents are typically more exposed to illegal levels of air pollutants, in particular nitrogen dioxide [6]. Of course, high levels of air pollution are experienced by urban white British communities. However, white British people are more likely to have resources that can alleviate the stress of urban life, such as having access to green spaces. Meanwhile, BAME Britons are more likely to live in areas with a deficiency of access to green spaces, disproportionately increasing the effect of environmental stressors on physical and mental health [7]. Unfortunately, there have been few attempts to discuss the implications of environmental inequality in the UK in the last 5 years. The British environmentalist movement had been largely devoid of minority voices until the late 1980s with the creation of the Black Environmentalist Network. The predominantly white middle-class movement has been primarily concerned with wildlife and countryside preservation [8], not environmental justice. As a result, the environmental agenda is not seen as an issue affecting BAME and/or working-class communities. The consequences can be seen today with the lack of information, research, legislation, and initiatives targeting environmental racism in the UK. The effects of environmental racism impact the entire planet, but even focusing on the UK’s postcolonial reach reveals a massive footprint, both ecologically and racially [9, 10]. The global nature of neoliberal capitalist business, which depends on extracting resources from around the world, has been particularly damning. Companies such as H&M, Marks & Spencer, and Zara, which source viscose from China, India, and Indonesia, have been definitively linked to pollution of their factories and water sources [11]. UK companies have also been linked to illegal deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Although the UK government has implemented a fine for these companies, it applies to relatively few of them [12]. Resource mining in Africa has, in general, “generated big profits for foreign companies, with little local benefit." [13] The UK mining company Vedanta Resources and its subsidiary Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) faced legal pushback from communities near Chingola, Zambia where they severely polluted the water, leading to hospitalisations [14]. Vedanta settled in June 2020 with no admission of wrongdoing, sidestepping any legal precedent that could have been set about “duty of care.”[15, 16] Whether direct or indirect, the effects of global supply chains reveals a larger story of resource extraction in former colonies and the global south, leaving locals with pollution or destruction or both. These cases, while not always clearly linked to race, have roots in colonialism and a history of white supremacy that lead European countries to have power and influence in the rest of the world. Many of these companies, under UK laws, either get a light slap on the wrist (such as a fine) or face no repercussions whatsoever. This lack of responsibility extends to a public image as well, as companies will often ‘greenwash’ themselves to garner support from consumers who don’t want to support companies that are bad for the environment, but such campaigns are just another form of omitting responsibility [17]. Such global imbalances were brought to stark black and white when COVID-19 hit; not only are Black and Minority Ethnic people in the UK and the US more likely to contract and die from the virus but countries in the Global South are also being hit harder due to pollution and lack of infrastructure due to economic hardship (itself affected by neocolonialism) [18]. Although racism is not technically a defining factor of capitalism, it is very much integral to its development [19]. Capitalism became a world system because of the anti-Black racism that defined the transatlantic slave trade. The creation of a racial hierarchy reinforces ideas of class domination and as well as the economic imperatives of capitalist expansion. At its core, racism is a system of power that is, among others, a long-standing pillar of capitalism. Knowing that racism is baked into today’s capitalist society means that it plays a role in all areas of life. As explained by Kimberle Crenshaw, racism can intersect with a variety of other social and political identities which can subsequently manifest into other forms of discrimination [20]. Environmental racism illuminates one version of this intersection, with race, class, and socioeconomic mobility playing key roles. What actions can you take? As people living in countries that benefit from exploitative systems of power, we have access to those in key decision making positions. Education is always a great first step; a list of resources in the form of books, articles, podcasts, and people to follow is below. Contact your MP to ask about their stance on environmental policy in the UK and abroad. Groups such as Friends of the Earth Scotland are working to change legislation [21]. Research action being taken in your local community—some sources will be listed below. Remember that, while individual action isn’t the end goal, it can still have an impact. Resources for readers: Race and climate reading list | Climate Action Reading list looking at the ways race and climate intersect How to Unite the Fight for Racial Equity and Environmental Action Steps you can take to actively fight for racial and climate justice Environmental Justice Reading List Environmental justice reading list from the Environmental Law Institute Environmental Racism: Why Does It Still Exist? Article diving into the intricacies of environmental justice in the UK Further Reading: What is environmental racism and how can we fight it? An in-depth discussion of environmental racism, detailing several examples, as well as ways to get involved. ‘We need to be heard’: the BAME climate activists who won’t be ignored BAME climate activists discussing BAME people’s central role in climate activism and how the movement is often whitewashed Climate justice is a black and white issue – so why isn’t the environmentalist movement? In-depth article on the lack of diversity in the environmentalist movement in the UK Intersectionality, explained: meet Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term An article detailing Kimberle Crenshaw’s development of the term “intersectionality” and its subsequent impact How our colonial past altered the ecobalance of an entire planet Article discussing how colonialism has impacted the environment 5 black activists you should know An article highlighting 5 Black environmental justice activists and their work How environmental racism is fuelling the coronavirus pandemic Article looking at the ways environmental racism has affected COVID Also, check out our works cited for more academic papers on environmental racism Organisations + Platforms to Support Intersectional Environmentalist A US-based platform highlighting issues in environmentalism, ranging from fashion to agriculture, through an intersectional lens Climate in Colour An education platform for talking about the intersection of social justice and climate science founded by Cambridge PhD student Jocelyn Longdon Climate Reframe Organisation amplifying BAME voices in the UK environmental justice movement Environmental Leadership Programme (via Uprising) Charity encouraging young people across Britain to develop and run their social action campaigns Friends of the Earth A grassroots environmental campaigning community fighting for climate justice, environmental justice, and social justice in the UK and globally Platform London Organisation combining art, education, and research to create projects driven by the need for social and ecological justice Voices that Shake! A project that seeks to develop creative and sustainable responses to social injustice by bringing together young people, artists, and campaigners Environmental Justice Foundation UK based organisation dedicated to shining a light on environmental and human rights abuses References: 1 (2020, 8 June). Edward Colston Statue: Protesters Tear down Slave Trader Monument. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52954305 2 (2020, 13 September). Edinburgh University renames David Hume Tower over ‘racist’ views. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-54138247 3 Beech, P. (2020, 31 July). What is environmental racism? World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/what-is-environmental-racism-pollution-covid-systemic/ 4 Campbell, C., Greenberg, R., Mankikar, D., & Ross, R. D. (2016). A case study of environmental injustice: The failure in Flint. International journal of environmental research and public health, 13(10), 951. 5 Vaughan, A. (2016). London’s black communities disproportionately exposed to air pollution – study. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/10/londons-black-communities-disproportionately- exposed-to-air-pollution-study 6 Goodman, A., Wilkinson, P., Stafford, M., & Tonne, C. (2011). Characterising socio-economic inequalities in exposure to air pollution: a comparison of socio-economic markers and scales of measurement. Health & place, 17(3), 767-774. 7 Collier, B. (2020). The race factor in access to green space. Runnymede Trust. Available at: https://www.runnymedetrust.org/blog/the-race-factor-in-access-to-green-space 8 Taylor, D. E. (1993). Minority environmental activism in Britain: from Brixton to the Lake District. Qualitative Sociology, 16(3), 263-295 9 McKie, R. (2018). How our colonial past altered the ecobalance of an entire planet. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jun/10/colonialism-changed-earth-geology-claim-scientists 10 Wood, L. (2015). The Environmental Impacts of Colonialism. In BSU Honors Program Theses and Projects. Item 119. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/honors_proj/119 11 Hoskins, T. (2017). H&M, Zara, and Marks & Spencer linked to polluting viscose factories in Asia. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/jun/13/hm-zara-marks-spencer-linked-polluting-vi scose-factories-asia-fashion 12 Hughes, L. and Terazono, E. (2020). UK companies face fines for links to illegal deforestation. Financial Times. Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/a600c30b-a0d6-4dde-baa9-bf132be3b2dd 13 Kimani, M. (2009). Mining to profit Africa’s people. United Nations Africa Renewal. Available at: https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/april-2009/mining-profit-africa%E2%80%99s-people 14 Hall, A. (2017). London is cloaking environmental racism in respectability – but Zambian villagers are fighting back. OpenDemocracy.net. Available at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/london-is-cloaking-environmental-racism-in-respect ability-but-zambian-villagers-are-figh/ 15 Hadal, K. (2019). Zambian villagers await outcome of UK mining firm's pollution case appeal. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jan/18/zambia-villagers-await-outcome-uk-mining- firm-pollution-case-appeal-vedanta-resources 16 Reuters Staff. (2021). Vedanta Resources settles Zambia copper mine pollution claim. Reuters. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zambia-mining-vedanta/vedanta-resources-settles-zambia-copper-mine- pollution-claim-idUSKBN29O1EL 17 Dahl R. (2010). Green Washing: Do You Know What You’re Buying? Environ Health Perspect, 118(6): A246–A252.doi: 10.1289/ehp.118-a246 Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898878/ 18 Washington, H. A. (2020). How environmental racism is fuelling the coronavirus pandemic. Nature.com. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01453-y 19 Hudis, P. (2018). Racism and the Logic of Capitalism. Historical Materialism, 26(2), 199-220. Available at: https://www.historicalmaterialism.org/articles/racism-and-logic-capitalism 20 Coaston, J. (2019). The Intersectionality Wars. Vox.com. Available at: https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/5/20/18542843/intersectionality-conservatism-law-race-gender-discrimination 21 Scandrett, E., Dunion K., & McBride G. (2010). The Campaign for Environmental Justice in Scotland, Local Environment, 5:4, 467-474, DOI: 10.1080/713684885 Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/713684885?casa_token=j6RA90yCm3YAAAAA:Jo1JYpFqv Y9NSF5cUphL8vsXEM35wwfuME6o2fOvyayGJMlzIl1EadmaxGKSW3K_TzgOQQmKhz13 The Anti-Racism Alliance is an organisation built by students from the University of Edinburgh who are trying to tackle white privilege in Edinburgh and beyond. This article was edited by Tamara El-Halawani, also a student at the University.

Common People by Pulp was a criticism, not an instruction manual. Class appropriation at the University of Edinburgh by Annabel Wilde. Fashion has always been political and is one of the biggest facilitators of class appropriation manifesting itself in university life. We get it, mullets are back. Let’s not forget though that this is just another instance of posh boys appropriating working-class culture without really understanding the historical context. The wealthy children of suburbia who grew up in comfortable homes with parents who wouldn’t have dared let them wear a tracksuit when they were young are acting out in rebellion when they come to Edinburgh; expressing themselves with grime music and fashion brands which they once called “povo”. The problem is, they’re reusing trends created by the Punks, the anti-Thatcher movement and those marginalised by society due to economic status; trends that belong to the working class. These students don’t even recognise the cultural appropriation which they are partaking. Instead of recognising and appreciating the undeniable privileges that have been handed to the middle-class majority of Edinburgh students, they seem insistent on hiding and denying any money their family so obviously has. “Yes I went to private school but I never boarded so I understand how you feel’, I’ve been told whilst venting my frustration to people about discrimination against state-educated students at university. The number of endless stories I’ve endured from others insisting upon their ‘working-class roots’ because their grandad once saw a coal miner, or eulogising their visits to Wetherspoons or Greggs; I could write a book. It’s as if this is a testimony to their open-mindedness, class-crossing into an alien territory (born in itself of the middle-class confidence to feel entitled to occupy any space they wish). The fact is that it isn’t the same experience that working-class kids have. It’s nowhere near it, not even comparable. Students from low-income or working-class backgrounds would much rather you held your hands up and recognised your privilege (it’s not something to be ashamed of) than try to bring yourselves down to our level, act as if you can relate or lie about your upbringing. It’s insulting and it fetishises the working class. The people who would at one point be shouting “chav” out of the windows of their coach on the way to school as it drove past the local comprehensive have now decided that Adidas and hoop earrings are for them. What were once lower-class uniforms have been gentrified and become costumes for the wealthy to play dress-up in, stand in front of council estate tower blocks and take photos for Instagram. Utilising the homes of hundreds as the background for a social media post as if it’s an artistic tool, or a symbol of an old Britain is not okay. People can wear whatever they want, obviously, fashion is universal etc. etc. But there is an intense need at elitist universities for people to understand the privilege they have in being able to dress this way without the social repercussions faced by those less respected in wider society. The wealthy aren’t oppressed and restricted by the same social and political implications of this fashion, and therefore have a responsibility to be less ignorant. The point is that it’s easy enough for the privately educated, home-counties white boy to cut his hair into a mullet and wear trackies or a chain necklace when it benefits him to seem more ‘down to earth’ within the uni-sphere. It is a fact that the time will come when he reverts to a short back and sides, dons his best suit and waltzes straight into a job at daddy’s investment bank, removing the costume of rebellion he has worn for the last four years. Rich people faking poor is easy. Poor people don’t have the same option when it comes to faking rich. It is much harder for those without money to feign the confidence of a privately educated student in interviews or dress in the expensive labels for prospective employers. At graduation, these students have to watch as their middle-upper class peers peel back the layers of pretence with which they have hidden for the past four years, as they step with ease into the jobs lined up by parents and family friends. Meanwhile, those with less money, led into a false sense of security by the actions of other students during their undergraduate degrees, struggle to secure interviews and grad schemes for lack of contacts. If you received an elite education and are being bank-rolled by your mum and dad through university, own it. Be honest about your privilege and think with extra consideration and sensitivity about the costume you put on around Edinburgh when your parents aren’t there to watch. Because class discrimination and snobbery still exist, particularly within our university, day in and day out. This article was written by Annabel Wilde, a German student at the University of Edinburgh. It was edited by Kate Charlton and Tamara El-Halawani.