activism – The Orbital

30Jul

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Features

Debrief: Abby King

I first met Abby in a café on campus many months ago during winter term. Naturally, after exchanging pleasantries, our conversation jumped to Labour Party politics and our mutual interests. It’s a similar scenario that plays out today, as we sit in the same café and discuss the next phase of our activism and catch up with life. The weather is brighter this time, and the drinks are much colder. Actually, this is not strictly true- they ran out of ice, so we are stuck with lukewarm coffees. A lot can change in a few months, though. Abby is running to be a Labour Party Councillor of Englefield Green West. A Councillor is elected to represent a party (or independent) in a local council - it’s a good way to be involved in local politics and engage with issues that impact your immediate communi...

Activism Gets A Makeover

Activism hasn’t always been the prettiest or the most aesthetically pleasing activity. The activist activities of marches and sit ins, often complete with their associated ‘grunge’, were not exactly the most photogenic. And whilst this old style activism is inspiring to those inclined to appreciate activists methods and beliefs – the appeal of activism can often be lost on may due to this less than sanitary image. So how do you go about cleaning up activisms image problem? Artivism is the word on every activist thinkers lips, a timely amalgamation of art and activism as though the two haven’t been deeply intertwined for decades that promises to bring us a hip, gentrified and altogether better looking kind of activism. Artivism can range from graffiti to political resistance posters and de...

Veganuary with Vegetarian and Vegan Society

It’s already been a busy year for Royal Holloway’s Vegetarian and Vegan Society; a society comprised of vegetarians and vegans dedicated to creating a welcoming and accepting community focused on animal rights and environmental sustainability. The Vegetarian and Vegan Society have been working hard to educate students on the benefits of a cruelty free lifestyle as well as exposing the harsh realities of the meat and dairy industries. In recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of a vegan lifestyle as the concept of eating clean has exploded into a worldwide trend. At the beginning of November the Vegetarian and Vegan Society joined 2500 others in the EU’s biggest official animal rights march from Hyde Park to Parliament Square. Those involved called for politicians and b...