tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68974070436864815272024-03-05T01:06:44.926-08:00Maelo ManningPreviously known as LibdemchildMaelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.comBlogger271125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-33972782056671661902019-09-26T13:51:00.000-07:002019-09-26T13:51:39.217-07:00Boris' buffoonery is yet another nail in the coffin of democracy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/http%3A%2F%2Fcom.ft.imagepublish.upp-prod-eu.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1cbc9b66-e036-11e9-b8e0-026e07cbe5b4?fit=scale-down&source=next&width=700" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="In this handout photo provided by the House of Commons, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks in Parliament in London, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. An unrepentant Prime Minister Boris Johnson brushed off cries of “Resign!” and dared the political opposition to try to topple him Wednesday at a raucous session of Parliament, a day after Britain’s highest court ruled he acted illegally in suspending the body ahead of the Brexit deadline. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)" border="0" class="n-image" data-image-type="image" height="360" sizes="(min-width: 76.25em) 700px, (min-width: 61.25em) 620px, (min-width: 46.25em) 700px, calc(100vw - 20px)" src="https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/http%3A%2F%2Fcom.ft.imagepublish.upp-prod-eu.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1cbc9b66-e036-11e9-b8e0-026e07cbe5b4?fit=scale-down&source=next&width=700" srcset="https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/http%3A%2F%2Fcom.ft.imagepublish.upp-prod-eu.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1cbc9b66-e036-11e9-b8e0-026e07cbe5b4?fit=scale-down&source=next&width=700 700w, https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/http%3A%2F%2Fcom.ft.imagepublish.upp-prod-eu.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1cbc9b66-e036-11e9-b8e0-026e07cbe5b4?fit=scale-down&source=next&width=500 500w, https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/http%3A%2F%2Fcom.ft.imagepublish.upp-prod-eu.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1cbc9b66-e036-11e9-b8e0-026e07cbe5b4?fit=scale-down&source=next&width=300 300w" style="background-color: #fff1e5; border-style: none; color: #33302e; display: block; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 1px; opacity: 1;" width="640" /></a></div>
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UK politics has increasingly become an impenetrable landscape of chaos. After the supreme court ruling and the debate over Boris' language, it has become almost impossible to keep up with the numerous blunders of the Conservative party. What concerns me most is how young people are being further sidelined by the buffoonery of Westminister antics.<br />
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Whenever I speak to my friends about Brexit or the possibility of another election it is hard to even know where to start or how to get the facts straight. In a time where democracy is already being thwarted, I find it upsetting (to put it lightly) that even an understanding of politics is becoming virtually inaccessible.<br />
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Yesterday morning I was asked to speak on BBC Asian Network's 'Big Debate' on the topic of calls for Boris Johnson to resign in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling. Being on the show only further illuminated this issue to me because it was hard to even focus the debate on a single event or issue. Politics has always been contentious and complicated but I have never seen anything like this.<br />
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I asserted that another general election would simply cater to the political game-playing of the major parties in a time like this. What I fear most is the potential for power grabs by the conservatives.<br />
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What matters now is untangling the mess of Brexit and only this. UK politics is increasingly transforming into an arena of party political agendas and an election would simply exacerbate this issue. Speaking to other debaters on the show I could understand why calls for an election are being made. However, knowing the sheer confusion and misinformation of those around me (including my own), in regards to the current political climate, I believe that an election will only add fuel to the fire of disengagement and misunderstanding of politics.<br />
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What matters most is the political agency of the electorate. When politics becomes so messy that political agency becomes impossible our democracy is almost completely undermined. Young people have had little say on the future of our own country and already find politics off-putting. It is now crucial that we put a stop to this.<br />
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Have a listen to the show at the link below:<br />
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<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0008qs7" style="font-size: x-large;">https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0008qs7</a><span style="font-size: large;"> - I appear from approximately 28 minutes in until 51 minutes. </span>Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-73686007419917688902018-12-22T13:12:00.000-08:002018-12-22T13:12:24.930-08:00Thank you Paddy for inspiring me at age 11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paddy Ashdown inspired my foray into politics. I first met Paddy when I was 11 years old. I was awestruck as a timid little girl but I wanted to say hello to him at the 2010 party conference because I had been watching his speeches and debates on YouTube. I was enthralled by him. The idea of being involved in politics was beyond intimidating to me at that age. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I approached Paddy who was immediately warm and listened to what I had to say. I told him how excited I was to be a Lib Dem. He listened to me with a respect not normally given to kids and certainly not in politics. What he said has always stuck with me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I told Paddy that he was one of my political heroes. His response was to encourage me and then to tell me that he was no hero but was merely a 'pygmy hero'. He said that he was only human. He told me that he himself did not have heroes and but admired 'pygmy' figures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did not fully understand what Paddy meant at the time but have come to understand it in the intervening 8 years. What stayed with me was his humility and his support. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To have a political giant speak to me and tell me that he was excited to see a young girl involved in politics was the reassurance that I needed at that time. Hearing about his death I feel sad but honoured to be able to carry such personal words of encouragement from the political giant that Paddy was. His words shaped my approach to being a young girl in a frighteningly male-dominated environment. Paddy was no pygmy, despite his own words. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I last saw Paddy speak in 2016 at an anti-EU <a href="https://www.libdemvoice.org/what-our-liberal-democrat-leaders-are-saying-about-the-eu-referendum-50868.html">Lib Dem event</a> where he spoke of the detriment that Brexit would bring to my generation and future generations. It was at this event, with other past Lib Dem leaders, that I felt truly proud of the party and their consideration of young people at a time when my generation felt voiceless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">RIP Paddy you will be greatly missed and I wish that I could personally thank you for being one of the first political figures that I saw take an interest in me and other young people being involved in politics. </span></div>
Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-30033281107970970312018-11-13T10:26:00.004-08:002018-11-13T10:28:17.233-08:00Buzzy bee illustrations can't distract from the cruelty of universal credit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I recently began a role as a volunteer advice worker and two-thirds of my training was focused on understanding the benefits system and how to aid with individual applications. The most complex part of the training was understanding universal credit. To apply for the benefit claimants are required to keep up a journal online constantly detailing changes to their situation, have access to the internet, wait at least 6 weeks for payment and change the way that they pay rent. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The welfare system in the UK has been in dire condition for years, to the extent where most people I know find it hard to even keep up with changes and developments to the system. By dire, I don't mean fiscally unfeasible or draining, I mean fundamentally cruel. There has been the introduction of the bedroom tax, the benefit cap, the introduction of the fit to work assessments which saw <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/disability-benefit-claimants-attempted-suicides-fit-to-work-assessment-i-daniel-blake-job-centre-dwp-a8119286.html">disabled suicide</a> rates double, the replacement of DLA with PIP and now, the replacement of six benefits with universal credit. Universal credit is another blow to benefits claimants. This is not only because of how claimants will see their income levels fall but, also, due to the inaccessibility of the system.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The change to housing benefit is perhaps one of the biggest difficulties and complications of the process. Claimants previously had their housing benefit paid to their landlord and are now expected to source this payment from their universal credit lump sum. This may sound simple enough but the BBC <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45893616">have reported</a> that this has caused rent arrears for some to double. The Trussell Trust<a href="https://www.trusselltrust.org/what-we-do/research-advocacy/universal-credit-and-foodbank-use/"> has claimed </a>that only 8% of universal credit users have had their cost of living covered. In my training process, we were told that this change has generated the most confusion and difficulty for universal credit claimants. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Additionally, the assessment period of 5 weeks and the minimum wait of one week for payment means that those making the switch from the old system of benefits have to wait a minimum of 6 weeks to receive any payments. This means 6 weeks without income, of falling into rent arrears and of possibly having to resort to food banks. The above image is advice for claimants on how to handle the changes and the long assessment period from the magazine 'Quids In! guide'. The magazine instructs people to save up for the assessment period to cover living costs whilst also paying off crucial debts and upkeeping broadband payments. Instead of appearing helpful, the image feels like something from a dystopian capitalist world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">It is very easy to dismiss these points and to point the blame at benefits claimants by arguing that they should have knowledge about the system that they use, trust me I have heard this argument many times. But how can an application process that takes days to explain to trainees be something that people are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of whilst also juggling real life? During training, we were told to go home and watch the same video about universal credit several times because the process requires an almost unattainable level of upkeep and complexity. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The film 'I, Daniel Blake', if you haven't seen it, is an excellent illustration of how the lived reality of the benefits system is so much more difficult and arduous than someone can understand through a brief understanding gained from a newspaper or a news report. It's never how it appears on paper. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The welfare system is far from the reach of 'lazy skivers', as the tired argument goes. Universal credit not only complicates claimant's lives it also makes them significantly harder by placing increased financial strain. Its hard for many to even keep their head above water. The cruellest part of this whole upheaval is that it makes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/25/universal-credit-taxpayers-benefits-cuts">very minimal change</a> to government expenditure. It is horrendous that a generation of children are growing up in absolute poverty with their situation only worsening. People are being forced into using food banks, choosing to heat or eat and living off the bare minimum for what? Perhaps it doesn't only look like a dystopian capitalist society, maybe it is.</span><br />
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-20388783964289275142018-06-18T02:24:00.000-07:002018-06-18T02:24:04.115-07:00Sick of your Brexit lies Theresa May<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">May's reference to a Brexit 'dividend' which would fund a £20 billion rise in funding for the NHS is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/17/theresa-may-nhs-funding-budget-rise-brexit">unfounded</a> and it is indicative of an increasing Tory lurch towards populist sentiment. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">In a time where rash claims and 'authentic' political language are grabbing the attention of the masses, the Tories are attempting to benefit from the increasing informality of politics. However, they are not an opposition party trying to garner votes but our governing party who are dealing with the enactment of the most important referendum in British history. After one of the most chaotic weeks in Brexit dealings and <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/7a679910-72c2-11e8-b6ad-3823e4384287">reports that</a> the UK economy is at its weakest point since 2009 it is glaringly obvious that the Tories are ill-equipped to manage domestically and internationally. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Theresa May's flailing on the Marr show is merely a manifestation of growing Tory incompetence. The Tories have attempted to imitate the success of UKIP's capitalisation on populism since 2015. The country has already suffered the consequences of this with the decision to hold the Brexit referendum and then a subsequently ill-informed vote. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">However, at a crucial time such a this it is more than worrying that plans for our health service are founded upon inaccurate claims. This is only symptomatic of wider Conservative incompetence and will be disastrous for the country. Theresa May, stop fooling around with the future of this country's youth, first Brexit, now the NHS and Brexit lies. </span></div>
Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-50126803684926602022018-03-01T12:58:00.002-08:002018-03-01T13:04:55.787-08:00Why students should consider supporting the strike<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Should University students be conflicted over lecturers’ being on strike and cancelling classes? The point of being a student is to be able to engage in wider debate, look at the bigger picture and analyse issues that are beyond our individual concerns. But in an age where so much stress is placed on getting a good education as a route to a good job many students, like me, are panicking over missing lectures for two weeks with exams looming in two months’ time.<br />
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An opportunity to discover the wider debate about the strike presented itself yesterday when I turned up for a seminar.<br />
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I had spent hours preparing for this lesson. At the entrance to university, I was stopped by two lecturers, pictured above, who asked me not to cross the picket line and to lend my support to the strike. I took the opportunity to speak to them. They explained how lecturers often accept lower salaries for the promise of long-term financial security in the form of pensions. This is a deal which they accept over a lifetime. So when pensions are axed it makes the career choice much less financially viable.<br />
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If lecturers are seen as being treated unfairly who, as one of the professors said, would consider becoming a lecturer among current and future students? Academia becomes a rather unattractive choice as a career and current lecturers are likely to search for alternative employment.<br />
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The penny dropped for me. Students need to realise that this strike not only affects lecturers but also has serious repercussions in the long-term for the future of higher education in this country.<br />
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Channel 4's Dispatches programme entitled 'Britain's University Spending Scandal' highlighted to me the disproportionate spending of vice-chancellors on expenses. Obscene amounts were spent purchasing mugs, pillows, expensive wine and lavish dinners. There was even the ridiculous case of the University of Surrey spending <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/university-surrey-dog-vice-chancellor-max-lu-australia-first-class-flights-a8229041.html">more than £1600</a> on relocating their vice-chancellor's dog.<br />
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Why should lecturer's take cuts to their pensions, which form their financial security, when universities refuse to prioritise their salaries?<br />
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It seems that it's not the case that universities do not have the resources to support lecturers' pension but that they refuse to be responsible and fair with their spending. Universities pay ridiculously high salaries to vice-chancellors while lecturers face cuts. Take, for example, Bath University who <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/nov/28/bath-university-vice-chancellor-quits-after-outcry-over-468k-pay">paid the vice-chancellor</a> almost half a million last year.<br />
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It is the same old tired situation of those at the top earning disproportionately large salaries whilst claiming it is necessary to cut pay to employees.<br />
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I have always wholeheartedly supported the right to strike and I now am convinced that students do have a responsibility to consider supporting this strike.<br />
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It should also be noted that the demands the strikers are making force universities to consider students as being more than mere consumers. Education is being monetised in a seriously debilitating manner. It is important that we are viewed as integral and valued members of university otherwise universities view us merely as financial pawns and our concerns will only ever be tackled from a financial perspective. Education is a public service. Lecturers provide a public service. Educated students and lecturers contribute to the skills demands of the country.<br />
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Lecturers who are on strike are not the enemy. We need to move closer to a more beneficial and fairer system of education.</div>
Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-53182733563294799822018-02-24T03:39:00.004-08:002018-02-24T03:41:41.843-08:00Who cares what Kylie Jenner said about Snapchat?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The day before yesterday it was revealed that Snapchat's <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/kylie-jenner-snapchat-tweet_us_5a8f421ae4b01e9e56b9d258">value dropped by</a> $1.3 billion following a tweet by Kylie Jenner, the youngest of the Kardashian family. In the tweet (pictured), she claims that she no longer uses the popular social media app and this caused investors to take note and jump ship from Snapchat.<br />
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Who cares what Kylie Jenner has to say? Young people have been complaining about the recent Snapchat update and how it renders the app virtually unusable for weeks. I cannot believe that investors base decisions on flighty celebrities' likes and dislikes. It is worrying that our generation's collective consumer voice has less effect than the tweet of a single Kardashian.<br />
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This may seem like a trivial complaint yet when you consider that social media is young people's main platform, it does become worrying that we are unable to even influence that. Social media is <a href="http://www.electionanalysis.uk/uk-election-analysis-2017/section-5-the-digital-campaign/from-voices-to-votes-how-young-people-used-social-media-to-influence-the-general-election/">how we politically</a> and socially mobilise. It is responsible for fourth wave feminism, much of our discussion over Trump and Brexit and black lives matter. When the political world is reserved for older generations and our votes seem unable to affect change it's highly important that social media remains as our domain.<br />
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It is a two-way street and by ignoring young people's voices investors are only causing detriment to themselves. We are the primary consumers, not Kylie Jenner.</div>
Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-48642405393881752682018-02-15T14:32:00.003-08:002018-02-15T14:32:31.634-08:00Is Britain Still Racist? What a stupid question...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One of the topics of the BBC's 'The Big Questions' this Sunday was <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09rqy54">'Is Britain Still Racist'</a>. I was sure that the general consensus would be that racism is very much alive in Britain but I was shocked to see so many people, some of whom were people of colour, denying the existence of racism in this country. How can this be when you consider Britain's history - it is a country built on imperialism, <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/economics/2014/04/much-britains-wealth-built-slavery-so-why-shouldnt-it-pay-reparations">slavery</a> and its current political atmosphere is defined by Brexit, a referendum that was largely shaped by racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric. If you apply the concept of 'long-duree'it's clear that Brexit is merely a continuation of racist feelings.<br />
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Not only do I know that racism is flourishing in the UK because of things I see online, some of which is shown below, or because of hate crime statistics, also shown below, but also because of the behaviour that I see white people comfortably exhibit around me because, even though I am half Indian, I am white passing.<br />
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A while ago Lionel Richie's daughter, Sofia Richie,<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/sofia-richie-racism-around-me-black-mixed-race-complex-interview-a7459231.html"> spoke about </a>how people are racist around her because they don't realise that she is black due to her light skin colour. This is something that I have experienced all too often.<br />
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The most common thing that I hear are jokes that poke fun at Indian men for contacting women online. This kind of humour reduces Indian men to mere sexual predators as if they are an inferior species. Whilst I recognise that unsolicited sexual advances online are completely unacceptable the use of jokes such, "show bobs and vagene" (which is supposed to mean show boobs and vagina) implies this idea that Indian men are illiterate, primitive and inferior animals. I have included an image of one of these jokes below, note the caption on the right-hand side.<br />
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Whilst this may seem like a harmless internet joke the frequency of this kind of humour and the fact that is not met with outcry evidences the idea that racism in this country is rampant. I have also had friends tell me that they move away from "Indian or Asian looking people" on public transport because they fear terrorism.<br />
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Only a few weeks ago I was walking down the street with my Indian mother when a white man spat at her from his truck and shouted "scum" at her. What worried me the most about this was that my mother was barely shaken and it is because racism is part of her daily life. People have been moving away from her on public transport for years.<br />
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My white privilege is something that cocoons me from the true realities of racism but my ethnicity has allowed me to see that it most certainly exists, and it is an insidious force in this country. However, my experience barely scratches the surface because my daily interactions are not shaped by race in the same way that it is for people of colour. It saddens me greatly that <a href="https://www.thefword.org.uk/2016/03/that-white-skinned-girl-is-my-daughter/">my mother tells me</a> she is thankful that I am not the same skin colour as her because it means that I will have more opportunities in life. That is just the scary reality of this country.<br />
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In 'BBC Big Questions' I also saw the extent to which the existence of racism is denied. The denial of racism is dangerous because it stops racism from ever being eliminated by preventing people of colour from even having a platform to discuss it. How can something ever be solved if we don't acknowledge that it exists? Racism is an uncomfortable truth but it is one that must be faced.<br />
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I saw this denial of racism come from an Asian woman on 'The Big Questions'. When <a href="https://twitter.com/kehinde_andrews">Kehinde Andrews </a>cited a statistic that 40% of young black men are unemployed an Asian woman on the show replied asking why the other 60% weren't unemployed if racism really did exist. This kind of ignorance amongst both white people and people of colour simultaneously supports the narrative that racism is non-existent and validates racist behaviour. Below I have included some tweets from the debate which angered me.<br />
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This next tweet (shown below), in particular, stood out to me because it reeks of white privilege in that it fails to recognise the truly insidious nature of racism in this country. The tweet refers only to overt and obvious racist acts which are only a minor form of racism. The reality of racism is that it is of a pervasive nature because of its deep historical roots. Racism is embedded in the institutions and mindsets of people in this country and only when it resonates deeply in the psyche of a racist individual does it manifest itself in violent behaviour. Normally, it is a simmering force that oppresses people of colour.<br />
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I, myself know this because of an interaction I had with my mother when I was very young. Somebody was taking a photo of me and I told my mum to take her hand out of the photo because I did not want a brown hand in the photo. I had heard this kind of thing around me at school, I remember a white boy telling a mixed race girl at my school that he did not want to hold her hand because it was brown. I did not even understand the ramifications of what I said but racism had already infiltrated my perspective of society and my white privilege was already manifesting itself. This is the reality of racism and white people have to unlearn this thought process and face this reality head-on if the problem is ever to be fixed. This process of unlearning is still something I have to do everyday because of how immense white privelege is.<br />
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Additionally, the tweet is factually inaccurate because even though racism is often met by retaliation, as it should be, there has actually been <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/racist-hate-crimes-surge-to-record-high-after-brexit-vote-new-figures-reveal-a7829551.html">the highest rise in hate crime ever recorded</a> immediately after the Brexit vote. I recently wrote an essay for university regarding the rise of ethnocentrism in the Western world. All the evidence that I examined, particularly regarding hate crime, showed that ethnocentric ideas and outright racism are only on the rise in the West. The UK <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/652136/hate-crime-1617-hosb1717.pdf">experienced a 27% rise</a> in hate crime in the last year alone. Brexit and the idea that we should no longer be 'politically correct', just like Nigel Farage or Donald Trump who are the opposite of 'politically correct', has validated racist tendencies and behaviour.<br />
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What I am saying here is nothing new. However, the inability of people to even grasp that racism exists makes me feel like we are not even close to making headway on the issue. The everyday racism that I see from unapologetic white people, some happily say the N word around me or use other racial slurs thinking that I will not call them out, as well as the fact that people are happy to go on national television and deny the existence of racism entirely confirms the issue. When this is further evidenced by statistics it is so undeniably clear that Britain is still racist and it always will be until our political climate, language and behaviour do not consistently validate racism. </div>
Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-81344472523746992402018-02-06T15:56:00.000-08:002018-02-07T04:33:50.094-08:00Will women be equal to men in 100 years? - The opinion of a teenage girl<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yesterday the Guardian published <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/06/will-women-be-equal-men-hundred-years-gender-equality-panel">an article</a> entitled <i>'Will women be equal to men in 100 years? The panel verdict'</i> in honour of the centenary anniversary of the Representation of the People Act which marked the start of female suffrage in the UK. The article collates the opinion of 5 women on the possibility of total gender equality by 2118. It addresses a range of issues including the necessity of free childcare in order to ensure equality and the possibility of a rise in "working class feminism".<br />
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The article stood out to me as it considers the possible future of gender equality from the perspective of several women, however, it does not put forward the opinion of a young girl. It is up to my generation to dismantle systematic inequalities and eradicate sexism from daily interactions, I have observed first hand the realities of sexism in my generation and I can see that full gender equality will not be possible in the next 100 years.<br />
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Whilst it is undeniable that significant strides in gender equality have been made in the past few years this progress is undercut by the continual presence of the female body as a marketable and controlled product.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I have been delighted to see the emergence of fourth wave feminism and to see the rise of the gender equality movements such as #metoo. However, we cannot become complacent because we have a long way to go.<br />
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Any claims that gender equality has been, or is close to being, reached are false and this is evidenced by the rise of Instagram body types, the election of Trump and the appearance of the female body as the main mode of capitalist advertisement.<br />
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Young girls are plagued with an unattainable body image from a young age and this is perpetuated through the media and increasingly through social media. It is inescapable and I see it every day. There are countless numbers of girls on Instagram who have thousands of followers simply for having the 'ideal' body type. Whilst I encourage the celebration of the female body the extent of this is beyond unhealthy and becomes a constant template of comparison for young girls.<br />
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What makes this so much worse is that these models often advertise ways to get this 'ideal body' which includes products such as 'FitTea' and waist trainers. These products have actually been proven to be bad for your body with FitTea simply acting as<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3746884/The-danger-detox-teas-Doctor-warns-users-no-idea-drinks-cause-heart-bowel-problems-pregnancy.html"> a laxative</a> and waist trainers<a href="http://www.askfitnesscoach.com/the-dangers-of-waist-training/"> altering the shape</a> of your internal organs. One of the most famous of these Instagram models is Alexis Ren who has almost 12 million followers. Alexis has admitted to having an eating disorder, whilst there is no shame in this, she is hailed as an example of health and beauty and girls compare their bodies to hers in a self-degrading way. This kind of sexism is achieved through the control of women's bodies and it is so embedded in our society that girls self-police. They choose to follow these women and compare themselves, this is something I am guilty of and it is almost inescapable.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.theloop.ca/clothing-brand-flipping-roles-sexist-advertising/">above image</a> was created by the clothing company '<a href="https://apac.suistudio.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-SUIS-APAC-Site/en_CA/Home-Show">Suistudio'</a> and <a href="http://www.theloop.ca/clothing-brand-flipping-roles-sexist-advertising/">offers a commentary </a>on how advertising uses women's bodies as selling points by reversing the typical gender roles. The image may seem unnecessarily derogatory to the male model but it is shockingly accurate. Upon searching the term 'perfume ad' into google the two images below were some of the first results that popped up. These images are strikingly similar to the above picture. Women's bodies have become cogs in the capitalist marketing machine and this has embedded sexism so deeply in our society that men and women alike are conditioned to consider female appearance as their most important characteristic above all else.<br />
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Until this is tackled true gender equality cannot ever be achieved as women will be unable to move beyond this sexualised image and any gender equality achievements will simply be one step forward and two steps back<br />
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Laurie Penny expressed the expected role of women in this society in her fantastic book 'Meat Market' where she writes, <i>"Women are commanded to always look available but never actually be so, where, we are obliged to appear socially and sexually consumable whilst consuming as little as possible".</i><br />
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The election of Trump, an accused sexual abuser who admitted to using women's bodies however he pleased in his famous quote "grab them by the pussy", is perhaps the greatest evidence that gender equality is nowhere near being eradicated. The president of America is often described as being 'the most important person in the world'. When 'the most important person in the world' perpetuates and encourages sexist and abusive behaviour it validates a continuance of gender inequality which will take generations to remedy.<br />
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Please don't even present the argument that the UK is closer to gender equality just because we currently have a female prime minister. Firstly Theresa May is a right-wing white woman and, secondly, she is far from being a champion of women's rights. As Home Secretary, she oversaw the running of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarl%27s_Wood_Immigration_Removal_Centre#Sexual_abuse">Yarl's Wood detention centre</a>, a detention centre for immigrants and asylum seekers, where female detainees experienced physical, sexual and verbal abuse of which May did nothing to remedy. She is just another Conservative agent. The Western world is no shining beacon of gender equality.<br />
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As Polly Toynbee aptly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/06/will-women-be-equal-men-hundred-years-gender-equality-panel">phrased it</a>, "never underestimate the size of the task to reverse all history since time began." My generation has begun the reversal of gender inequality but we simultaneously encourage it. The task of gender equality is humungous and will not be complete by 2118. </div>
Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-3462236092870887732018-01-31T02:12:00.000-08:002018-01-31T14:27:53.975-08:00Young girl, Ahed Tamimi, Spends 17th Birthday in Israeli Jail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Imagine spending your 17th birthday awaiting trial in an Israeli military court <a href="https://972mag.com/conviction-rate-for-palestinians-in-israels-military-courts-99-74-percent/28579/">where 99.74%</a> of those tried are convicted. This is the case with Ahed Tamimi who celebrates her 17th birthday today from an Israeli prison for protesting Israeli expansion near her village. </div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahed_Tamimi">Ahed Tamimi </a>is an extremely brave young girl who has been thrown into an Israeli jail because she stood up to Israeli soldiers. On 19th December 2017 she was arrested after throwing stones at the soldiers during a protest against Trump’s decision to name Jerusalem the capital of Israel.<br />
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The Israeli authorities' claim that their actions were a necessary response to violent protest from the Palestinians seems overly exaggerated as during the same protest they shot Ahed's 14-year-old cousin in the face. How on earth is this a proportionate response when soldiers shoot a 14 year old child and imprison a 16 year old? </div>
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This brutal treatment of children is not an isolated incident of Israeli authorities' actions towards children. Since 2000 <a href="http://www.dci-palestine.org/issues_military_detention">over 8000 </a>Palestinian children have been imprisoned in the same military detention system as Ahed. This system, according to <a href="http://www.dci-palestine.org/issues_military_detention">'defense for children international</a>', is <i>"notorious for the systematic ill-treatment and torture of Palestinian children."</i></div>
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According to Ahed's mother; <i>"When I saw her in court she was pale and shivering, shackled and clearly in pain. I wanted to cry but I couldn’t, I have to stay strong so she stays strong"</i></div>
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Regardless of your stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the imprisonment of children without a fair trial and without the possibility of bail in a system where they face violence is undeniably cruel. Ahed Tamimi bravely stood up for her social and political convictions. It is time that those in the West who frequently boast and insist on freedom of speech actually extend these ideas for more than their own political gain.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please sign the petition <a href="https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/free_ahed/">here</a></span></div>
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-12234493819155334742018-01-16T07:58:00.000-08:002018-01-31T02:23:15.336-08:00My strange visit to Trump Tower<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span> If Trump Towers is anything to go by no wonder the man lives an alternative existence to the rest of us. Gold, gold everywhere and not a drop of substance. It's huge, imposing, gilded and FALSE.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">I couldn't visit the tower without making my own personal stand. I had just bought 'Fire and Fury' from Barnes & Noble and I decided to take out the copy and be photographed with it all over the Tower. The photograph above is my two-finger equivalent salute to Trump and Pence whom I think are odious men.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">Although Trump's election was beyond alarming it somehow always felt somewhat distant from the UK political climate, particularly with Brexit being the UK's focus. BUT there was something about my visit. Trump's ability to remain both financially and politically unscathed by his actions is manifestly evident in Trump Towers. All Trump fans must go there to die judging from the "oohs, ahhs" and "look at this, ahhh" emanating from people drooling over golf gold key chains.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Then there is a Gucci store. But didn't <a href="https://www.gucci.com/us/en/st/sustainability-landing/culture">Gucci claim</a> that they make efforts to champion and support "voices speaking out for women and girls around the world"?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;">M</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">oney talks louder though in Trump's world. Trump's sexual abuse allegations are no secret and even more famous are his comments claiming that fame allows him to "do anything" to women. In spite of all of this stores, such as Gucci who claim to care for social justice, enable Trump's financial</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">advancement and progress his image as a respectable businessman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />Trumpsters or just plain weird tourists were walking around with a puppy like admiring look on their faces. They were posing happily for photos and purchasing his merchandise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Pictured below is the tower's directory where it can be seen that almost everything in the tower is named after Trump and below that is a baby grow that 'says when I grow up I want to be just like Trump'. Just like Trump? a racist, misogynist sexual abuser and genuinely stupid man. How the world has changed. When I was a baby I was put into baby grows that said innocent things like 'Santa's little helper'. Nothing controversial there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">One family even had a collection that they were adding to. I heard the Mother say to her teenage son about fridge magnet: "We should get one to add to your collection". These people genuinely support and admire Trump. We may know better but they think that they know best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">It is easy to think that Trump is universally hated and viewed as a political moron but when I saw this merchandise and people looking impressed by the image of Trump presented by this tower it really hit home that his election was not merely a fluke.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most alarming thing I saw in the tower was NYPD hoodies displayed next to the Trump merchandise. The NYPD has a reputation for being corrupt, there is even a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Police_Department_corruption_and_misconduct">Wikipedia page</a> solely on NYPD corruption and misconduct. This corruption comes in the form of disproportionate racial killings by police, sexual assault etc. It is not only the New York police that are guilty of this as institutionalised racism is <a href="https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/">rife throughout</a> America with 25% of police killings being black people despite this demographic only forming 13% of the population. The link between the racism and sexual misconduct of the President and the institutionalised racism and misconduct of the American police force is obvious but I did not think that it would be so proudly and clearly displayed in the President's personal domain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Another interesting thing in Trump's merchandise store was the display of leisure wear, golf wear and golf related products (see below a golf ball keyring). The president has been criticised several times for spending too much time on the golf course and prioritising it above political matters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2018/01/15/on-mlk-day-president-trump-visits-trump-golf-course/?utm_term=.cc20f72bc5dc">He spent today</a>, Martin Luther King Day, on the golf course instead of honouring the civil rights activist. He takes pride in this sort of complacency and lack of consideration of American history. You can't make this stuff up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Below is another photo of me holding up Michael Wolff's book on the chaos and unprofessionalism of the White House. This felt especially mischievous but scary because I was VERY close to secret service agents who were holding with huge guns. After a second's hesitation I went ahead and thought I would take advantage of that famous American free speech. I had visited the Statue of Liberty a few days before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">The parallel universe in Trump Tower serves as a monument to him. He may dislike Muslims but Trump Tower is the mecca for </span>Trumpsters<span style="text-align: left;">. Trump's ability behave the way he does and still gain admiration from people and endorsement from </span>companies<span style="text-align: left;"> such as Gucci was beyond </span>frightening<span style="text-align: left;"> and I saw it clearly at the tower. </span>I<span style="text-align: left;"> no longer feel the safety of distance from American politics.</span></span></div>
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-51679483988017307992017-11-27T12:47:00.002-08:002017-11-27T12:47:18.140-08:00This budget was a joke and offers nothing to young people<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">This budget offers nothing for the future of young people and it is infuriating. Austerity is implemented for the supposed sake of "of our children" but, after spending days poring over budget analysis I can safely say that children from ordinary homes can only look after to more austerity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Austerity and no hope is what Tories have gifted "our children".</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't have vastly optimistic expectations for this budget anyway. However, the glaring absence of meaningful policy makes me even more pessimistic about our future. The only policies geared towards young people were tokenistic and ineffective</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <span style="text-align: justify;">I cannot possible overexaggerate the effects of austerity on children, which this budget has only served to maintain. I am not talking about an inability to afford a home or to earn a living wage, although these are vital issues in themselves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;">I am referring to the direct harm inflicted upon my generation by the Conservatives. The British Medical Journal </span><a href="http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/1117/161117-austerity-deaths-england" style="text-align: justify;">estimated that 120,000 </a><span style="text-align: justify;">deaths can be directly attributed to austerity. I don't know what the breakdown is for children and adults but, even so, there must be a cumulative effect on family life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The negative effect on children's lives is especially evident when </span><a href="https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what_we_do/our_work/child_poverty/child_poverty_what_is_poverty/child_poverty_statistics_facts.htm" style="text-align: justify;">child poverty figures</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> are analysed. There are currently 3.7 million children living in poverty in the UK of which 1.7 million of these children are living in severe poverty. Tory supporters can tout their usual lines about the need for austerity and hard work equating to financial stability but in the UK 63% of children living in poverty come from in-work families. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span> <span style="text-align: justify;">It is not only the physical health of children that has suffered. Child mental health care is receiving<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/young-people-mental-health-philip-hammond-budget-camhs-services-children-a8070431.html"> less than 1% of the budget</a>. Even without these statistics the death or reduction of quality of life of children is not justifiable for economic gain. The absurdity and cruelty of this situation is only magnified further by the fact that austerity has not created national economic gain. </span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The absence of measures to improve the situation of my generation in the budget was not the only component of the Tory's failing as the efforts made to appease young people were entirely laughable.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The extension of the age criteria for the railcard is indescribably unimportant. What kind of 30 year old would be excited about a slightly discounted railcard? The only answer is one under a Tory government. Andrew Neil's comment along the lines of 'young people won't be rushing on a train to vote Tory' sums up the situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The abolishment of stamp duty was another laughable effort. Many homes cost in excess of £300,000 and the move is predicted to fuel an increase in house prices. Young people are struggling to find well-paid jobs and can hardly afford to save. Home ownership is not even a distant dream</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Conservatives are utterly incapable of catering to young people's needs and this is because they spend all their time sucking up to older voters who are tax dodgers, appeasing Boris Johnson or tolerating Michael Gove. Consider the painful amount of money lost through tax dodging, Lewis Hamilton alone saved over £3 million through buying and leasing one private jet. The budget missed out on savings of <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-philip-hammond-chancellor-tax-avoidance-paradise-papers-budget-a8076716.html">over £700 million</a> in failing to tackle tax dodging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Think of how that money could have been spent on improving school budgets, improving children's mental health care, building homes for children in homeless situations and on youth centres.</span><br />
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-49898374540127367772017-10-22T00:50:00.000-07:002017-11-27T12:48:23.652-08:00Why I didn't apply to Oxbridge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Oxford and Cambridge are always viewed as the ideal English universities. Witness how every time someone mentions that they attended or have applied to study there inevitably the response is always a "wow". I was in thrall too and had always wanted to <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">go to Cambridge. That all changed a year ago. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After attending an open day at Cambridge I was left with a distinct impression that it was just the epitome of white privilege and middle-class snobbery. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every other university open day I had attended had focused on what the university could offer students with a list of reasons of why students ought to choose to study there. </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Quite the opposite at Cambridge. The message was how hard it would be to get a place and the requirements were stringent and inflexible. There was no proper tour of the campus, only a talk on what I needed to do to increase my chances of securing a place and nearly everyone was white. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the end of the open day talk, I was quite certain that I did not want to apply, let alone go there if offered a place. I was extremely worried about what my parents would say because, it seems as if any way, every parent wants their child to go to Oxbridge. I had received all As and A*s in my GCSEs and was predicted the same at A-level and I knew that, because of this, it was automatically assumed by my parents and wider family that Cambridge would be the university I would try hardest to get into. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, my mother who had accompanied me immediately agreed with my thoughts. As an Indian woman, she felt distinctly out of place. For me, that just confirmed my feelings about the day. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Despite this, I did not want to make assumptions based off of one day and I went home to take a better look at the course that I wanted to apply to, which was history and politics. I found that the first year would consist of these modules: </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"In Year 1, all students take Evidence and Argument (a paper unique to this course that brings together key thinking from both disciplines); The Modern State and its Alternatives; and International Conflict, Order and Justice.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Your fourth paper is chosen from the following:</span></i></div>
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<li style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">British Political History 1688-1886</span></i></li>
<li style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">British Political History Since 1880</span></i></li>
<li style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">European History 1715-1890</span></i></li>
<li style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">European History Since 1890" </span></i></li>
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<span style="color: #171717; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/history-and-politics">Source</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It could be argued that this is just building a foundational knowledge of the issues that affect history and politics in Britain but, to me, the Eurocentric focus of this course was just indicative of the elitist British culture that seems to entrench the culture of Oxbridge. I thought this was especially true when I compared it to the Law with History course that I was applying to at Queen Mary that included these modules: </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Race in the United States: Slavery To Civil Rights</span></i></div>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Islam and the West in the Middle Ages</span></i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The World that Jane Austen Knew: Women, Gender and Culture in England </span></i></li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/coursefinder/courses/79886.html">Source </a></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I know that most people already know that Oxbridge and Cambridge are typically thought of as white-dominated elitist institutions but there seems to be an increasing view that the application process and entry into these universities is based solely on merit rather than other factors. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here is an interesting comparative anecdote. Young people, I speak to generally tend to blame on themselves when they don't get into their university of choice. By contrast, I spoke to several Asian girls at open days and every single one of them had failed to secure a place at Oxbridge. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The fact that the issue of race and class being a factor in university places isn't made more of worried me until <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41664459">this article </a> on BBC news entitled "Oxford uncovered: More elitist than we thought":</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Nationally about 31% of people are in the top two social income groups. They are the doctors, the lawyers, the senior managers.</i><i>The data reveals these top two social classes cleaned up in terms of places, with their share of offers rising from 79% to 81% between 2010 and 2015."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i></i>It isn't the fact that Oxbridge consists mainly of the top social classes that shocked me, that would be unsurprising to anyone, but that the dominance of these groups in these universities is actually growing. This clear class divide in Oxbridge also obviously include a racial divide as class and race intersect, this is shown below. Our higher education is enhancing racial and class divides and entry into Oxbridge should no longer be held up as the greatest thing a young person can accomplish. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for oxbridge statistics" height="262" src="https://fournews-assets-prod-s3b-ew1-aws-c4-pml.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2017/08/0.1-Cambridge-admissions-stats.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from channel 4 shows the elitism of Cambridge </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for oxbridge statistics" height="246" src="https://www.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/offer-rates-by-ethnicity-university-of-oxford-2010-2011-v2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from Times higher education shows that, unsurprisingly, this elitism encompasses race </td></tr>
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-64241298081058268772017-08-23T10:51:00.002-07:002017-08-23T10:51:53.534-07:00Things to do the night before results day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZDjAAjXUkOuB1G6zYmd16Sn1gJ-lAUA-sP5Jb_Pcx5wwjEF71sLDJGaw1O5_PTVZyn32qzD80N9ZX1CNwvTZHxa-s2fl9n0gGfrV0tNKBzMtEZh2KLM9vVfYjlAJLrWEPchFQOOXzp8/s1600/GCSE-Results-672x372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="672" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZDjAAjXUkOuB1G6zYmd16Sn1gJ-lAUA-sP5Jb_Pcx5wwjEF71sLDJGaw1O5_PTVZyn32qzD80N9ZX1CNwvTZHxa-s2fl9n0gGfrV0tNKBzMtEZh2KLM9vVfYjlAJLrWEPchFQOOXzp8/s320/GCSE-Results-672x372.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The last thing you do is sit around and mope tonight. I know what I am talking about. I have been through three results days; GCSEs, AS levels and A levels last week. Sitting around worrying the night before just makes matters worse and actually caused me to be physically ill last week.<br />
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These are my tips.<br />
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1. Decide what time you are going to go in tomorrow but don't delay it. On my results day I was tempted to go in later out of fear but it would have just delayed the inevitable. Finding out my results ASAP was actually a huge relief. Even if my results had been lower than i had hoped i would have preferred to have known and come to terms with it and figured out my next steps. At AS i got a grade that was much lower than I had hoped but going in early allowed me to discuss with my teachers whether to drop the subject or not for the A level exam.<br />
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2. Google the grade boundaries. When doing my A levels i found that Googling the grade boundaries actually made me feel better. I knew what i needed, 80% UMS for an A in some subjects, but found that the raw marks needed to obtain that UMS were a lot lower than i had originally thought. This was the best thing I could have done and made my goal grades seem much more realistic.</div>
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3. Think realistically about the range of grades that you would be happy with. On my AS results day I was hoping for 4 As and convinced myself that this was the only positive outcome. I got 3 As and a B and was not happy with my results. I should have realised that this was a great result but because i was so fixed on the idea of 4 As it took my a while to accept this. If I had thought that i would be happy with a range of grades from 3 Bs and an A to 4 As I would have been a lot less anxious and happier with my results. </div>
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4. Remember that whilst GCSE results are extremely important you still have time to develop academically. I only really began to understand and enjoy my school subjects in the second year of A levels because I was studying the subjects I really had a passion for. Revising for subjects like Maths and Chemistry at GCSEs was awful. As a result, of this I did a lot better in my A levels than in my GCSEs. </div>
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Good luck to all the GCSE students tomorrow! Parents should remember to be understanding about results as the pressure on this generation is much greater as we face much higher levels of debt, linear A levels, a more competitive university application process, lesser job prospects and a dire political future with a Tory government, Brexit and Trump. </div>
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Now that you have read the serious stuff just relax and get your mind off of results!</div>
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-28150723543887881862017-06-02T06:55:00.000-07:002017-06-02T07:02:19.978-07:00Theresa May- not so strong and stable when it comes to Trump.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Drum roll please for Tim Farron who accurately </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">called it right during the leaders’ debate when he said this:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #281e1e; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Amber Rudd is up next. She is not the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is not here she can’t be bothered so why should you. In fact Bake Off is on BBC2 next, why not make yourself a brew? You are not worth Theresa May’s time don’t give her yours,” he said.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I am sick of hearing people say they will vote Conservative for the sole reason that Theresa May is 'strong and stable' . Can you hear the whirr of the sound of Murdoch's propaganda machine pumping the robotic PM?</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Theresa May gave one of the poorest performances that I have ever seen in politics in the leadership debate referred to as the ‘Battle for Number 10’. This woman is weak and inefficient and Tory politics are weak and don’t seem to be producing growth.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It astounds me why people are still willing to support a PM who continually lets them down. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Theresa May's policies have been detrimental to women's rights. The Conservative's 38% cut to domestic violence services has seen a 72% rise in domestic violence in London. The cuts to legal aid have stopped women from seeking justice in the courts.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">In a book called ‘The Despot’s Accomplice’, the author Brian Klaas argues that Western governments have been accomplices to authoritarianism; through sins of commission and admission. Cue Theresa May rushing off to see Donald Trump after he was sworn in, holding his hand, refusing to condemn his Muslim travel ban and, this is the straw that broke the Camel’s back, refusing to stand up to Trump NOW when it matters the most.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Today <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40128356">her reluctance to state</a> unequivocally that she condemns Trump's climate change withdrawal once again reveals her as merely a passive recipient. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">May’s foreign policy direction is clear. Screw our EU neighbors. Kowtow to America who will not defend us in times of security problems or any problem for that matter, unless, maybe, if she lets him build a golf course in Hyde Park first.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Leadership is about relevancy and relative timing. All she’s done is travel up and down the country telling people that she is ‘strong and stable’. Theresa May may as well have stood on a soapbox in Hyde Park on a weekend yelling that slogan over and over again for the inane gesture politics that it is.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">When it has mattered she hasn’t been there – not for the people who comprise the 99%, not for the disabled, not for the elderly, NOT for the young people and NOT for the people on low wages.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: medium;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>I strongly urge young people to get out on June 8 and vote this NOT strong and stable Government OUT to show them what we think of their tinkering with our futures</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-91250262514338386682016-12-02T02:44:00.000-08:002016-12-02T02:44:54.200-08:00After Trump and Brexit what can young people do?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brexit vote statistics</td></tr>
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After reading an <a href="http://www.redpepper.org.uk/momentum-kids-the-parental-is-political/">article in Red Pepper</a> about the Momentum Kids idea to launch child care facilities at political events I thought about how young people are excluded from politics. The idea was to enable parents to attend the events and to give the children the space to explore ideas and views in politics. The idea faced a huge backlash online with people comparing it to the Hitler Youth.The term 'brainwashing' was used to describe Momentum Kids and it reminded me of a lot of the challenges that I have faced in being involved in politics. It was only through the child care at Lib Dem conferences that my mother and I were able to attend and my interest in politics grew. In 2010 I began to blog and write more about my opinions and when <a href="http://www.libdemvoice.org/a-childs-perspective-of-the-election-18762.html">I wrote for</a> Lib Dem Voice about my perspective on the elections I first received negative comments that made me think about how my age would affect my understanding and involvement in politics. Several people left comments criticizing what I had written and claiming that they thought my parents wrote it for me or had heavily influenced my opinions. Whilst this can be understood because I was only 10 years old it is this kind of attitude that is so abundant in the political world that prevents young people from showing long term interest. </div>
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Young people are continually mocked for showing any interest in politics. Teenagers are political and I see it in my everyday life when my friends discuss politics and take an active interest in current affairs and on twitter when young people were so outraged by the Brexit vote and by Donald Trump's election. Their interest is curbed by the stigma surrounding young people in politics, their inability to affect change and the lack of education provided for them. This stigma is something that I have seen first hand with countless people telling me that I shouldn't worry about politics and that I am too young to understand the issues, similarly I see young people with valid opinions dismissed on social media constantly just because of their age. There is also this vicious cycle of my generation not being provided with any education or access to basic explanations on political issues but being side lined from political discussion as a result. The political jargon of discussion is off putting and inaccessible.<br />
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In addition to this young people just can't influence electoral change. I was devastated at the election of Trump and the Brexit vote. I took to twitter to see the reaction of young people. I found that many of them had voted for Hillary and to remain in the EU. When i examined the statistics I found that 55% of 18-29 year olds in America voted for Hillary and 65% in the UK had voted to stay. I understand that voter turnout among younger age groups is low and therefore our influence is lesser but when it comes to such profound decisions that primarily affect the future of my generation I cannot comprehend how little sway we have. Even when young people show an interest in politics and turn out to vote they just don't have the influence that they should as the future generation. Trumps election and Brexit were two hugely negative outcomes that will have awful ramifications for my generation and their future.<br />
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This doesn't just apply to teenagers but also younger age groups. The backlash that Momentum Kids faced really shocked me and just showed how young people are prevented from any engagement in political issues. It may be the case that pre-teens and children are uninterested in politics but if they are at least given the opportunity to remove the stigma around their involvement and become educated on the issues then maybe young people will be able to influence decisions that have such far-reaching consequences for them. Don't remove opportunities for my generation to engage with politics and then claim that we are disillusioned with politics.<br />
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As for what young people can do now it is so important to use social media. Twitter has enabled us to voice our opinions and collectively understand politics. It is something that has lessened disillusionment with the political world and enabled further influence. I saw this with the Scottish election where 16 and 17 year olds voice was so large on social media that the press were forced to pay attention to them and a debate was even hosted on TV specifically for this age group. If this carries on and the opposition to Trump, movements like Black Lives Matter and the DAPL protest are communicated about online my generation's influence will grow and next time there is a Donald Trump or a Brexit we will not let it happen. <br />
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Momentum kids is also being maligned because it's a left wing organisation. These kids aren't Tiny Trots but are possible politicians of the future who will help spread the message of left wing politics. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/19/momentum-kids-weird-sinister-helping-women-engage-politics-childcare">Here</a> are some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/20/momentum-kids-single-parents-politics">more articles</a> on Momentum kids.</div>
Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-79203017532058446842016-08-20T06:05:00.000-07:002016-12-01T12:00:35.402-08:00Why the Liberal Democrats are not irrelevant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's coming up to the Lib Dem conference and it's time to take stock of what the party is saying and their progress. Ever since the 2015 election every time I mention that I am a Lib Dem to somebody I am met with a joke about how irrelevant we are and how nobody knows or cares about what we are doing. We may not have been at the forefront of the political world last year after losing 49 MPs but in 2016 we are slowly gaining relevance and could be the only viable option for many people.<br />
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This has translated into thousands of people joining the party. This is not only because of sudden changes within the Labour party and the conservative party that make them unstable but also because of what the party is now offering under Tim Farron.<br />
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The Lib Dems seem most relevant in providing 'remain' supporters with hope after a devastating result in the referendum. The EU referendum result came as such an awful shock to many young people. I witnessed this first hand when I went to school the next day. I spoke to as many students as possible and found only one girl who was pleased with the result. The rest were either enraged or visibly upset about Brexit. <br />
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I noticed the same pattern on social media where many young people quoted the statistic that 75% of 18-25 year olds voted to remain and that the majority of people who voted to leave were the older generation who would not reap the dis-benefits as much as young people. I also believe that the Brexit vote was not understood fully by the British people who would have voted to remain if they had fully understood the issues - the very next day the most Googled term was, 'What does a Brexit vote mean?'. People were alarmed at what they had voted for when the pound started dropping the day after.<br />
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The Lib Dems are the most relevant party in offering 'remain' voters, particularly young people, hope for a stable and connected UK within the EU. We are the only party to have said that it will take Britain back into Europe. Whilst I can see that the democratic nature of this claim is questionable I have also seen how many British voters were wrongfully swayed into voting 'no' against their best interests and have now changed their mind. The Lib Dems are the only party to offer these people options.<br />
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Tim Farron has provided a new start for the Lib Dems. Nick Clegg was, sometimes unfairly, too attached to the stigma of tuition fees and by the majority of young people. I say 'unfairly' because it was Labour who brought in tuition fees and broke the 'free education' concept. University fees are now rising under the Tory government. In fact, the Tories have done far worse through their cuts. People have a short memory when it comes to politics yet the Lib Dems are consistently punished by young people for tuition fees.<br />
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It's time to take note of the party and look at our brilliant progress regarding women's rights, asylum seekers, young people and disabled people.<br />
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Please contact me if you would like any more information regarding these policies!<br />
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-28280969378118390142016-06-23T05:11:00.003-07:002016-12-01T12:12:06.450-08:00A leave vote would be selfish and doesn't consider young people like me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I can't vote in the EU referendum because of my age but I have been hugely affected by this whole campaign and desperately urge voters to choose to stay in the EU today. I constantly hear arguments from the out campaign who speak about the referendum in terms of how it would affect their children but I feel that only the in campaign truly assesses the ramifications of an out vote on future generations. As a member of this group of 'children' and 'the future generation' I am furious that I cannot directly be involved in the outcome of the referendum and even more angry when I hear the argument that my generation would be better off out of the EU when this would close so many doors for us politically, socially and economically.</div>
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One of the main ideas that I hear being parroted again and again by the out campaign is that the EU threatens British sovereignty and pride and that future generations could make Britain a 'great' and independent power . This is a warped idea of sovereignty which fails to recognize that Britain's sovereignty is only enhanced by the EU as our economy and diplomatic international ties are strengthened. Isolation and the threat of losing 3 million jobs which are tied to the EU are a bigger threat to our sovereignty than being involved with an organisation that benefits us and allows to act on an international stage.<br />
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I also find this whole notion too reminiscent of Donald Trump's 'make America great again campaign' and I fear that voters have been too easily seduced by this seemingly easy idea of greatness and British pride rather than assessing the full benefits that the EU brings for us.<br />
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Leaving the EU would lead to a fall in migration and whilst I think that this in itself would be a mistake I am also concerned about the affect that this would have on the attitudes of those in the UK towards existing migrants. My mother is from Asia and she already experiences a fair amount of stigma and hateful racist comments which she says increases during the 2015 general election when UKIP experienced a rise in popularity. UKIP's heavy involvement in the leave campaign frightens me and I have become particularly concerned since Nigel Farage's recent poster came out.<br />
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Leaving the EU would decrease racial tolerance and after seeing how easily racist attitudes are adopted in this country because of political parties and figures, such as UKIP, I am certain that leaving the EU would be a backwards step for our country and would be harmful for migrants who already live here as well as potential ones. This can already been seen to be taking shape with more and more people taking the view that migrants are stealing British jobs and harming our economy without recognising the need for different skill sets in different sectors. Because of our links with the EU and the subsequent migration British families are £38 a week, on average, better off. The whole picture concerning migration and racial attitudes needs to be taken into account when considering a leave vote today and deciding against the EU would be selfish, not only as it would harm the future generation, but also existing and potential migrants.<br />
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I am hugely worried about the results of the referendum and can only hope that the UK makes the right decision to stay in the EU. If we were to benefit from leaving the EU, which I find highly unlikely from looking at the solid and confirmed facts, we could only know this in the distant future and leaving would still put too many people's jobs and income at risk. Our current situation in the EU is certain and brings a multitude of benefits for the UK.<br />
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The leave campaign has evoked a warped concept of British sovereignty, pride and greatness which will leave us an insular and backwards country who will also lose out economically as a result of an out vote. Risking the future of my generation in this referendum is wholly selfish and I strongly urge you to take this into consideration when visiting the ballot box today.</div>
Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-6639891779971933242016-06-09T06:42:00.002-07:002016-06-09T06:42:34.166-07:00What the Liberal Democrats are saying about the EU Referendum <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was delighted to receive the email about the Lib Dem leaders European event and signed up immediately because, frankly, the EU referendum debate has been inundated with arguments that don't always make sense and are often factually ambiguous. I am quite often irritated these days because of this. <br />
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The Lib Dems leaders,Paddy Ashdown, Ming Campbell, Nick Clegg and Tim Farron, didn't let me down and it was excellent to see a united front on display. It felt like quite a historic moment for a young person like me.<br />
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The event took place at the BAFTA offices in Piccadilly. Each leader began with an impassioned speech explaining what staying in Europe meant to him and why we should adopt the same approach. <br />
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My favourite remark came from Tim Farron who said that those who support the leave campaign are "selfish" and should set aside their own prejudices or beliefs for the good of their children's future and how we should avoid being, "insular, isolated, alone or irrelevant". He said that he was not making the decision to vote in as a politician but as a "parent and a patriot". Tim also attacked the out campaign and referred to it as "sheer dishonest elitism". Tim's analysis was spot on because of his emphasis on a concern for the future generations if we were to leave the EU. <br />
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I spoke to Tim afterwards and got a good account about his beliefs. He explained than any young person voting should, "consider educational opportunities, work abroad and most importantly climate change." He sees climate change as an extremely pressing issue for future generations and that we would be "better equipped to deal with it in the EU". He also said that staying in the EU would be a "smart outward looking statement".<br />
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Paddy displayed a similar sentiment to Tim in that he addressed the importance of the EU's help with future generations. Leaving, he said, "would be an act of historic folly which our grandchildren and children would be bound to pay the price". Paddy repeatedly praised the EU and placed emphasis on it's ability to act as a tool for avoiding conflict as he referred to it as, "the greatest peace making institution that we have ever seen". <br />
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Ming also praised the EU by explaining that membership is beneficial to Britain as it holds, "complimentary affiliations" which mean that we are able to work together for mutual benefits. <br />
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Nick conveyed the need for affiliations with the EU by positioning the UK as an international foreign policy player. He said that if we are to act on an international stage "how else are we going to go toe to toe with great superpowers other than doing so with the collective clout that we have through the European Union?" <br />
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I was compelled by these arguments which continually reiterated that we are stronger together and that we benefit from the EU as 3 million jobs are linked to trade with the EU, 89% of businesses back staying in Europe and because EU membership has increased average UK salaries by £1,800. </div>
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The debate then moved to questions from the audience. The leaders were asked about the non factual and unsupported information being put out by the leave campaign. These so-called fact come via those such as Michael Gove who claimed that the NHS would receive £100m more a week in funding if we left the EU. The leave campaign has not only been riddled by false statistics but also by false and harmful sentiments such as Farage referring to sexual assaults by immigrants to stir anti-European feelings.<br />
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Tim and Paddy who noted the appeal of providing simple solutions to complex questions for the general populace rather than solid facts. The help of the EU in dealing with the migrant crisis and the potential of a subsequent Scottish referendum as a result of an 'out' vote were addressed in further questions.</div>
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Nick Clegg also furthered his case by not only addressing the importance of economic benefits from the EU but also the cultural ones by providing a narrative of cultural benefits from the EU and stating that we are, "culturally entwined with Europe as it is a part of our cultural landscape" and that we are, "better for it".<br />
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It was a successful event and if I could vote I would certainly be putting an 'X' beside 'Remain'. <br />
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This article was originally written by me published on Lib Dem Voice:<br />
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http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-our-liberal-democrat-leaders-are-saying-about-the-eu-referendum-50868.html#comments</div>
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-45948098604750524092016-06-07T01:45:00.000-07:002016-06-07T01:45:17.911-07:00Why young people should register to vote in the EU referendum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The 7th of June is the deadline to register to vote in the EU referendum. Whilst I urge everyone to take an active interest in the decision I think that it is of particular importance for young people to fully participate and vote in the referendum.<br />
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Younger age groups have a reputation for being disinterested in politics. The voter turnout is very low at 51.8% for under 25s in 2010 compared to 74.7% for over 65s. In my experience young people are not uninformed or disinterested in politics but rather disillusioned. We are put off by the Westminster bubble. Valid as these reasons are none of this applicable to the EU referendum.<br />
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Whilst I completely understand the reluctance of young people to endorse a political party in the general election this vote is about the future of Britain. It is not about the allure or credibility of individual parties or politicians. The consequences of this vote are just too large to be ignored and the consequences will determine our future job market, economy, migration patterns etc.<br />
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I am, however, extremely pleased to see so many young people actively debating the EU referendum through organisations such as'Bite the Ballot', I just hope that this will translate into votes that will actually make an impact on Britain's future.<br />
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I urge you to register to vote by 7 June midnight. In my opinion, the most beneficial outcome for the UK would be an 'in vote'.Whilst I place primary importance of young people voting in this referendum I do believe that it is in our best interest to <a href="http://www.strongerin.co.uk/">vote stay</a> and I encourage young people to strongly consider the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32793642">arguments</a> put forward by the stay campaign especially in regards to their own future as well as the future of Britain.<br />
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-54167992448603770972015-10-25T12:27:00.005-07:002015-10-25T12:38:41.852-07:00We need more role models for young girls in politics <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As a young girl involved in politics i have always taken great comfort and drawn strength in the existence of feminism and what it can offer girls like me. Yesterday i attended the 'Feminism in London' conference and I can honestly say that i came away feeling rejuvenated.<br />
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In the morning I attended a workshop about the history of feminism which was specifically catered for 12-18 year olds. It isn't just politics that is personal, politics is woven into feminism which makes politics and feminism a potent combination. It got me thinking about the opportunities for young girls in politics.<br />
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The patriarchal nature of the political system is intimidating. PMQs pre-Corbyn resembled a swarm of well educated white men all baying to see who could shout louder. As a 16 year old girl I am constantly frustrated with the lack of gender equality within politics. There are several wonderful organisations that exist to help young people become involved in politics, such as Bite the Ballot, but there is barely anything that aids young girls.<br />
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Entering the political world as a young girl can seem like an impossibility and this is evident when i talk to female friends of my own age.<br />
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Several of my female friends have expressed their confusion over the political jargon used by high ranking politicians the political processes involved. The problem of not having women in politics was addressed in a session called, 'women in parliament' which spoke the gender imbalance within the houses of parliament. This session was hosted by '50:50 parliament which calls for gender quotas to be brought into the British political system to deal with the gender inequality` of 29:71 female to male MPs.<br />
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Whilst i recognize that gender quotas may not be the ideal way forward, for fear of being labelled 'tokenism', i do believe that it could provide many more female role models in politics for young girls such as myself.<br />
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The Lib Dems received very favourable mentions. Although the 50:50 parliament organisation remained politically impartial through out the talk several of the speakers praised the Lib Dems for our gender quotas in the EU elections. Tim Farron will be pleased to know that his approach to gender equality was praised during this conference. . Needless to say I was very proud that the Lib Dems were being presented as the forerunners for gender equality and at a feminist conference.<br />
Even so, there still aren't enough female role models in politics to encourage young girls to take an active interest. A lot more needs to be done. I look forward to having more young women enter politics because being a teenager in politics is an experience that I would commend to any of them.<br />
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-27632626442857454622015-09-17T14:03:00.001-07:002015-09-17T14:03:46.569-07:00Do we want the Blairites joining the Lib Dems?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
According to <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-mps-send-texts-to-lib-dem-leader-tim-farron-after-deeply-distressing-jeremy-corbyn-victory-10505885.html">report</a>s Tim Farron has been contacted by Labour MPs who are thinking of joining the Lib Dems. These Labour MPs are, apparently, "deeply distressed" by Corbyn's victory. The question for our party is do we want the Blairites to be joining us?<br />
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We elected Tim Farron to position the party in the centre left, much away from where Nick Clegg had us. Many of Corbyn's policies align with those of the Lib Dems, such as Trident. Taking on Labour MPs who have ideologically shunned Corbyn's leadership would be contradictory and distort the new image that the party is creating for itself. I don't see the benefit of taking in the Blairites.<br />
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What people need to understand is that there is a generation who will be eligible to vote in 2020. To us talk of Corbyn's ideology being an old fashioned concept is irrelevant to my generation. Corbyn's ideas seem to be the new way of doing things. Anti-austerity does not seem like a recycled notion but rather a refreshing new way of approaching politics. New Labour has been taken over by the Tories and is no longer an electable viewpoint.<br />
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The Lib Dems need to stick to the centre left if we want any chance at regaining relevance in the next election. An acceptance of Blairites and a shift to the right will be destructive for the party. </div>
Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-2912920784296966582015-09-12T13:13:00.000-07:002015-12-21T03:38:52.020-08:00What the right wing press may say about Corbyn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-72464272586945348392015-08-10T03:30:00.000-07:002015-08-10T03:30:28.387-07:00I used a dummy until i was 4 years old and it wasn't a problem <br />
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<img alt="Isn't she a bit old? David and Victoria Beckham's four-year-old daughter Harper was seen walking with her father in West Hollywood on Friday, while holding a dummy in her mouth" height="320" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/08/10/00/2B337FF100000578-3191650-image-m-33_1439162013046.jpg" width="221" /></div>
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The silly season is upon us. What with the Labour leadership campaign, more and more refugees arriving in distress and the closure of kids company the nation has been asked to ponder upon whether Harper Beckham, aged four, should still be using a dummy.<br />
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I used a dummy until i was 4.5 and i protested when i was forced to give it up when my school told me i had to. I don't have dental problems as a result of the dummy and i spoke my first word at 3 months, so my speech was unaffected by it.<br />
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When you're little a dummy serves as security and it's a way for the child to comfort itself. I had a whole collection of dummies all of different colours. In the morning i would choose which one i wanted for the day.<br />
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What right does everybody have to tell the Beckhams how to parent Harper? Why isn't this much passion being used to question the cuts being made that will push children further into poverty? Sometimes i think this nation's priorites are skewed.<br />
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<br />Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-87405049063720292442015-07-09T11:58:00.000-07:002015-07-09T11:58:24.986-07:00George Osborne running scared of Lib Dems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img height="388" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/?ui=2&ik=4ed2b300a0&view=fimg&th=14e6d7f947c4817f&attid=0.1&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ8AC8y-1Dsy_VMdTHXK77vghyH__p1BEjQ3a8Qj9_8ahDaA_3Cfk87H1khomBax2BI0DuufuRBUHlecQU1zrB0XHsY3_bSIWdaw2Po0Tm0n67xI-PvHePAEt-g&sz=w1876-h1140&ats=1436467787898&rm=14e6d7f947c4817f&zw&atsh=1" width="640" /></div>
Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6897407043686481527.post-64938490416190306312015-06-09T12:08:00.001-07:002015-06-09T12:08:34.049-07:00Ian Duncan Smith Donor Card<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Maelo Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12242274225134150402noreply@blogger.com0