Opinion – Page 26 of 27

2Nov

By No Comments

Opinion

We can’t stop at LSE

By now I’m sure you’re familiar with the goings on at LSE. The (former) Rugby club distributed sexist and homophobic leaflets to Freshers all across their university, which resulted in many students calling them out, with the internet backing up those who did, and their club being disbanded for the year. This is an unfortunately perfect example of how harmful lad culture can be at university. But it doesn’t stand alone, and shouldn’t be treated as though it does. We’ve got one university to take action against the promotion of this lifestyle; what about the rest? Take Nottingham University, for example. Only now are we beginning to hear about the chant from Nottingham university’s fresher’s week, despite it being over a month ago. The words to this were incredibly misogynistic and rude,...

1Nov

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

Opinion

The Mona Lisa Re-born?

It’s a miracle like no other. The Student’s Union of Royal Holloway has seen a truly remarkable rebirth. It’s the return of the Mona Lisa, widely criticised to have a smile so true to life it’s almost as if you only had to step into a room and grin at yourself in the mirror to merely replicate it. A smile, which has kept many an art historian busy for centuries, that is so completely between innocence and invitation that the distinction is beyond reckoning. Such a miracle can be found, miraculously, on the latest Student Entertainment posters advertising function nights at the SU throughout October including one, hastily replaced on the 13th October, publicising Come in Your Kit. They are NOT a true representation of our student body, as they are, and particularly not of women in sport....

30Oct

By No Comments

Opinion

Whose Life Will You Wear?

Watch What You Wear This Halloween. It’s coming up to that time of year again, where we have an excuse to get dressed up in a range of costumes, go out, and have a great time. House parties will be thrown and alcohol will be drunk. And let’s hope that this year, no one will be offended by what you choose to wear. Cultural appropriation gets talked about more and more each year. It’s the practice of taking parts of other people’s culture, usually less privileged groups, and exploiting them. For example, the headdress has become a popular adornment to wear at festivals this year with few people understanding its significance in Native American society. The headdress is a piece of attire that men earnt throughout their life, that is restricted to people who have the honour of having ach...

28Oct

By No Comments

Opinion

The New Faces of Feminism

The 19th century saw the creation of the Seven Sisters colleges in the Unites States that provided higher education for women, Emmeline Pankhurst led the way for female suffrage in the early 20th century, Patti Smith rocked the 70s in her boyfriend jeans and leather jacket, the 80s were all about Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’, girl power exploded into every home from London to Los Angeles as the Spice Girls enjoyed unrivalled fame in the 90s and the 2010’s are all about the rise of intelligent, funny and proactive women. The Times columnist and author Catlin Moran, screenwriter Lena Dunham and Rookie Mag founder Tavi Gevinson’s have all topped worldwide bestseller lists with their recent feminist literary releases. 'The Mindy Project', '30 Rock' and 'Parks and Recreation' (all written and c...

28Oct

By Abbie CheesemanNo Comments

Opinion

The Zombie Bride

If you have seen Mean Girls, or rather, if you are a woman (the two are close to interchangeable) you will know that “Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girl can say anything about it.” While an apparent lack of clothing sadly has it’s derogatory undertones, the general idea that halloween is a time that girls tend to wear less, despite the inevitably cold english weather, is an accurate perception. When I sat down to write this article I was sure that my standpoint was going to be “why do girls dress up like this, you’re only conforming to the patriarchal system that sees women as objects, rather than people with brains and feelings”. But then I realised something. I am one of these girls. I am far more likely, on halloween, to dress u...

28Oct

By Laura DowseNo Comments

Opinion

Relieved to be a Returner

Are you a returner, suddenly faced with the realisation that you most definitely are no longer a Fresher? Are you filled with horror at the fact that you are quickly growing up, and soon need to become a ‘proper’ adult? Do you find yourself repeatedly telling first years to ‘make the most of it’? Trust me, I know how you feel. As a third year (scary!) I began this term feeling jealous, envious and even hateful towards the new students, who get the excitement of beginning university. “Why can’t that be me?!” I found myself crying (in my head, of course). However, once I calmed down, I realised that life as a third year is pretty great! Here are a few reasons why we should be relieved to be returners. I hope that I have saved money. I have let the first years enjoy the SU (which I k...

28Sep

By Laura DowseNo Comments

Opinion

Royal Holloway, University of London?

As I’m sure you’ve guessed by now, you aren’t in London. However it’s much faster, easier and more impressive to nod along when family, friends and strangers assume that you are. Either that, or tell them that you live next door to the Queen in Windsor. Even though we aren’t in London, we are only a stone’s throw away. A short walk to Egham train station, hop on a train to Waterloo, and you’ll find yourself in the capital in under 40 minutes. A word of warning; the 20 minute walk to Egham train station may sound like a doddle now, but as you become accustomed to student life that walk seems increasingly too far! Nevertheless, some of you will use this opportunity to explore London, and it’s something that I strongly encourage. If this is your first real exploration of London, I’ve pu...

Explicit media, scandal or criminal offence?

28Sep

By No Comments

Opinion

Explicit media, scandal or criminal offence?

Dozens of celebrities, including the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton and Ariana Grande, have been subjected to a hacking scandal via the forum 4Chan which has led to nude media being posted of them online without their consent. This is an issue that crops up so frequently in the media that we may not even register surprise at it; from Kim Kardashian's sex tape leaked by her ex boyfriend Ray-J to Vanessa Hudgens nude photos in 2007 (which Disney made her make a formal apology for). We have become so desensitised to the severity of this issue that some feel it's a topic to be joked about. Take Ricky Gervais's tweet as an example; "Celebrities, make it harder for people to get nude pics of you from your computer by not putting nude pics of yourself on your computer". This perp...

18Aug

By Laura DowseNo Comments

Opinion

Post Exam Stress Trauma

Congratulations! You made it. You survived. You can finally say that exams are over. Depending on your personal revision style, the months, weeks or days of revising have come to an end. But what happens now? It is likely that you could experience some form of ‘Post Exam Stress Trauma’, and I’d like to offer some support during this potentially confusing time in your life. You’re about to go through many changes, and I don’t want you to be scared. Whilst I am not a doctor or medical professional, I want to use my personal experience to help you through this. Exams may be over, but your journey is not. During the first stage of the disorder, you are likely to experience emotions that can only be described as joy, ecstasy and pure relief. Regardless of your future grades, the soul-dest...

27Feb

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

Opinion

The F Word

OED Definition of Feminism: Pronunciation: /ˈfɛmɪnɪz(ə)m Noun [Mass Noun] The advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. A simple enough concept. So why is there still a problem? It goes without saying that women have been, and continue to be the victims of a patriarchal society, oppressed and restrained throughout the world to varying degrees. This is an unfair and unacceptable status quo and something that needs to change. For this reason feminism is one of the most important movements that exists today, directly affecting half of the world's population; so why is the concept so misconstrued? Recently, in conversation with a friend, the question was asked as to whether she considered herself a feminist. She replied that she didn't, as she likes men and ...