Why I have beef with Fifty Shades of Grey
I have beef with Fifty Shades of Grey. There, I said it. I haven’t even read this diatribe of poor writing, and I have no intention to, so feel free to correct me where I’m off base. From what I know, Fifty Shades of Grey is a feminist nightmare…nay, a women’s nightmare. Forget that, it [...]
Art or pure perversity?
“Art should provoke, disturb, arouse our emotions, expand our sympathies in directions we may not anticipate and may not even wish.” – Joyce Carol Oates. Generally, I would agree with Joyce Carol Oates but recently I found myself arguing against artistic freedom. The discussion was provoked by two German Art students from the Berlin University [...]
Trying to get my head around the jungle and theatre of contradictions that is the garment industry in Bangladesh
After my first three weeks as a project manager with the goal of improving the social labour conditions for female line-operators in the garment industry in Bangladesh by providing them with free training and skills-upgrading to become supervisors and move up the hierarchical gendered ladder of highly exploitative factory work, I have been faced with [...]
I’m not a feminist but…
I am often asked if I am feminist. Hence this question crops up, it is usually asked by males, and is often accompanied by a smirk. ‘The Smirk’ signifies the knowledge that a trap has been laid, a trap of admittance to some seemingly militant, lesbian, bra-burning, dungaree-wearing, man-hating sect. It’s a difficult question [...]
Women’s rights, Sexual freedom and Islamophobia – A feminist’ dilemma
“But you’re a feminist, surely you should be against immigration into Denmark? Surely you are against the way women are treated in Islamic culture?” Personally being exposed to questions like these, is only one of the many demonstrations of how women’s rights, sexual freedom or the freedom of expression and association for lesbian and gay [...]
Restricted journalism
Exchanging stories is fundamental to human existence. Especially when civil rights movements are underway at home and abroad as the effects of unnecessary cuts start to hit home. We can see this in the all too many links to interesting stories posted by friends via social networking sites. With the speed and ease of communication [...]
Different Shades of Brown
Skin colour is a touchy subject in the Indian sub-continent. .The fairer the better is the ideology that is frequently promoted. But how did this obsession with lighter skin come about? And what effect does it have on people? The two Artistic Directors of British Asian theatre company Caste Away Arts share their views. Reena [...]
Starbucks? I’d rather support local business thanks
The British local business is in decline. As I walk down the high street I see a Starbucks on every corner, a MacDonalds on every block and a Walmart backed supermarket on every other street. I go in, I stand on a conveyor belt of impersonal corporate-training-taught customer service and I collect my cup of [...]
