Category: Social Justice

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Social Justice Opinion Piece

The Problem With ‘Cancel Culture’

cancel cancel culture twitter

In a time of socio-economic and political upheaval when accountability is valued by young people above all else, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of ostracising and condemning those we see as wrongdoers. But amongst the blur of the #XIsOverParty hashtags and blacklisting, is it possible to find the line and self reflect on our transformation into narrow-minded moral absolutists? Do we always have the correct motive in mind? And is the lawlessness of social media responses opening the conversation to bigots who crave a way to invalidate the fight for social justice?

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Palestine Politics Social Justice

The State of Israel and the Annexation of the West Bank

free palestine art

While it may come as no surprise to you that this annexation, which officially began on the 1st of July 2020 but has since been revealed to be delayed until late July, is extremely bad news for the Palestinian populace, it may also come to be a surprise that this move is also politically bad for Israel, but before we can delve into why this may be an ill-thought out move on behalf of the Israeli nationalists, it is important to take a look at what the annexation actually means.

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Social Justice Politics

It’s Time to Talk About the Libyan Slave Trade

In the wake of the CNN film recording slave auctions in Libya, there has been a rightful surge in alarm of the thousands of Africans suffering in dehumanising detention centres. After years of failed diplomacy and solitary support, it looks like the world is ready to talk about the humanitarian crisis in Libya.

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Social Justice Covid-19

COVID-19 and Clothing Brands: Pandemic Leads to Surge in Modern Slavery

Urban Outfitters Storefront
Financial District, NYC

The notion that corporate accountability and workplace safeguarding have become standard practice is deeply fallacious. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled the empty promises made by brands claiming to protect the well-being of their employees and exposed corporations’ willingness to engage in poor business practices during periods of economic hardship.

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Black Lives Matter Education History Politics Social Justice

A Brief History of the Civil Rights Movement in the UK

UK Black Panthers

What do you think of when you hear the words ‘Civil Rights Movement’? Probably Martin Luther King Jr’s civil rights marches? The Montgomery Bus Boycotts and Rosa Parks? I would guess that what you think of – and what you have learnt at school – took place in the United States. Robin Bunce and Paul Field’s biography of Darcus Howe argues that in the history we learn in the UK, the narrative is that “Britain is the utopia of fair play” and therefore the civil rights struggle in the UK are dismissed in the school curriculum as it does not fit into this vision.

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Social Justice LGBTQIA+ Literature

Should I Burn My Harry Potter Books?

burning open Harry Potter book

JK Rowling’s transphobic comments contrast starkly with the moral of the story which made her famous. Despite claiming to have researched the transgender movement thoroughly, Rowling’s 3600 word delivery of her views fundamentally misunderstands many facets of trans thought. From the dirty furore that ensued, old questions about how to reconcile creative appreciation with immoral creators arose.

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Yemen Politics Social Justice

11 Things You Need to Know Regarding the Yemen Conflict

yemen conflict

Yemen has been devastated by war and is suffering the worst humanitarian crisis in history. Here is a short timeline of events to help you understand the conflict, its consequences, and what you can do to help.

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Black Lives Matter Social Justice

Black Lives Matter is a Movement, not a Moment.

1024px-Black_Lives_Matter_Protest

Following the brutal murder of George Floyd, yet another African American man’s death as a result of police brutality, the injustices of the centuries-long lynching of black men in America are no longer concealed or hidden from the public eye. With the power of social media, people around the world from Auckland in New Zealand, to Mogadishu in Somalia, are standing in solidarity with the protestors in the US to ensure that the message is clear: Black Lives Matter.

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LGBTQIA+ Social Justice

Poland’s LGBT ideology-free zones

The conservative Polish Gazeta Polska magazine is including "LGBT-free zone" stickers inside its weekly edition amid rising tensions between LGBT activists and a conservative Christian movement supported by the country's right-wing ruling party.

Most people are aware of the danger the LGBTQIA+ community faces in Russia, the recent ban on trans people serving in the US military forces, or the transphobic discourse currently overtaking twitter – but there is nary a mention of the ticking time bomb that is the introduction of Poland’s ‘LGBTQIA+ ideology’ free zones. It is time to change that.

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History Politics Social Justice

Winston Churchill: Saviour or Satan?

Winston Churchill
A demonstrator holds up a sign next to a statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square during a Black Lives Matter protest in London, following the death of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis, London, Britain, June 7, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Following the toppling of the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol, Churchill has been at the centre of debates highlighting divisions over his legacy. Several historical accounts demonstrate his racist ideology which makes a compelling case that it may finally be the time we have a reckoning with the problematic history of popular figures in Britain.