Educating the young UK electorate

We all know about the problem of voter apathy but I think it's rather ridiculous that there is more discussion over whether we should lower the voting age to 16 than how we should educate the young electorate. Many young adults as well as adults alike do not know much or anything at all about the voting system or what each party stands for. They don't know about their manifestos or their history. Many of my own friends had told me that in the most recent election, they knew so little about politics that they just voted for what their parent's told them to. This is infuriating to me! I'd rather people not vote at all if they don't even know what they're voting for...and I am extremely set against not voting. Blindly voting is a serious thing and should not ever be done. We need to start looking into ways we can educate young people about politics so they are better prepared for the very important task of voting when they are 18. Lowering the voting age would not be so controversial if we were more confident in our youth's voting abilities. 

And so, from the age of 16 it should be compulsory for every student to learn about Government and Politics. I believe it should be a mandatory GCSE in order to get young adults more politically involved before they vote so that by the time they do vote, they have had a few years of learning and engaging in politics. This would decrease the amount of voter apathy and increase the amount of political activity amongst the youth vote, and then ultimately the adult vote. This would change the voting game completely. There would finally be a more representative outcome of elections. 

Personally, I did not actually become engaged in politics until I chose to do Government & Politics as an A level. One cannot blame a young person for not knowing about something until they are taught it in an efficient, informative and unbiased manner. I believe from 16 and above, young adults should want to read the news and form political opinions of their own but it is getting them to want to do this that is the issue. With the push of compulsory education, we could see more young political activists helping to shape British politics as we know it. 

I wonder if this hasn't been done yet because of reasons somehow counting against it (time, effort, money, excuses etc.) or the fact that there could be a subsequent rise of  liberalism counting against the strong Tory vote. Either way, it is a shame that both the Conservatives and Labour have not been putting enough public support into ideas like this. Frankly, I'm surprised at this as it would show them to actually care about child education- which is always a winner with the crowds of course. The British education system is something I have found (since Primary school) insanely flawed and even corrupt at times- but this is another matter completely and requires deeper explanation in another blog...

I hope that this issue gains wider attention and support and an open discussion over how it will be taught and included into the curriculum is started. 


xx



 

'Cultural Appropriation' in fashion..its not all racist

This issue has come to my attention through the circulation of more and more articles on the matter in recent times. Now, I understand that exploiting the religious and sacred items of clothing or accessories from a culture to set fashion trends can be insensitive to some. However, I know so many who own clothing or jewellery with crucifixes, the hand of Fatima (hamsa), yin and yang, the evil eye or Buddha's head on it. Religious/cultural jewellery became a huge thing and is being sold in many high street stores such as River Island or Urban Outfitters. Is this exploitation of religious/cultural images OK but when it comes to race it is not? It is odd to me when people show me tattoos or bracelets they have of these images and yet have no clue what it means, what it is or where it originates. This I disagree with, however if they do know what it means and just enjoy the beauty of it as well as the meaning too, then what is the harm in that? I think as long as they are respectful towards the culture it originates from then there is no harm done.  

Now race. When a person of another race likes and appreciates the fashions of other cultures, this is a wonderful thing! I love seeing women in saris when they are not actually Indian. Or when people wear bindi's at festivals. Or cornrows on people who are not black. Chop sticks in a lovely sleek bun and many many more. Whether these things have a deeper meaning or not, most have been created as a fashion within the respective culture. It seems pretty paradoxical to say that some races cannot do the same things as other races. In my eyes, wearing and enjoying different cultural styles is an amazing thing. Fashion transcends across all cultures, ethnicities and races. I want to try braids in my hair because they are beautiful. This is the same reason I like Chinese or African style jewellery also. It is wrong of me and others to recognise the beauty of other cultures and races and wanting to share it with them? Fashion from other cultures is stunning and is something that has always fascinated me. I love to read about where it has originated and for what reasons. I love knowing that when a friend of mine likes Indian, Middle Eastern etc fashions (who is not of those cultures), they see the sheer beauty of it. Isn't that all part of living in a more equal, multi-cultural and tolerant society? As long as people are wearing these different cultural things because they think it looks amazing and are appreciating the beauty of it, and are not wearing any of it in a mocking or disrespectful sense, then what is wrong with that? Fashion should be shared by people of all colours and cultures, not just solely to the people it came from. Its not like people are 'stealing each others identities', its that people are admiring the skill, beauty, value and history of these cultural or racial fashions.

I am an atheist and am half Trinidadian (of Indian origin), a 1/4 Pakistani and the rest is English and Irish blood. I only really identify myself as British. But I love looking at and wearing beautiful pieces of clothing or accessories that have originated from other cultures than my own. Turbans have become a fashion now but are altered to look more like a knitted headband rather than the actual religious head piece. Is it wrong of designers to take inspiration from the fashion of different stunning cultures and religions to create new breathtaking pieces we can all wear and appreciate? As long as it remains tasteful- sexualising a Burka  is disrespectful and should not be done. As well as wearing a whole turban if you are not Sikh. Religious clothing is not meant to be worn for fashion purposes but for religious reasons only. But pieces that are made for FASHION reasons by certain cultures/races should be allowed to be shared and enjoyed by everyone. This is the equal treatment of all people and encourages people to explore and discover more about different people, as well as allow them to respectfully value the beauty of other cultures, ethnicities, races and religions. 




xx

Fashion Trends that need to die, now.

another man's opinion, some of which I agree with- some I dont

Fashion is amazing. Ever changing and innovative. It is art. However, I think it is pretty reasonable to say that some of it is just god damn awful. Disclaimer- These are all just the opinions I hold and I certainly do not have anyone in mind when writing this. All just my own fashion grievances.

In no particular order...

1) Jelly shoes/sandals: Why did this ever happen for adults. These things have been featured on runways and have made it down to the high street into many beloved stores. These abominations are just the slightly more glamorous cousin of the unsightly 'Crocs' that came out in 2002. They are sweaty, slippery childish looking things that are not even comfortable. However, if you enjoy looking like a five year old, these are the shoes for you. Pair this with pigtails and a lollipop and you're good to go.

2) Sliders: NO, just no. Recently a friend of mine told me he wanted some of these for his birthday, I politely declined as I couldn't bear the thought of wasting my money on something I knew he'd live to regret in his later years. They resemble my grandad's tattered, ugly, yet practical 'lounging around' slippers. I even see men and women wearing them with socks. This just adds to the hideousness. I have no problem with wearing these for the purpose of comfort in your own home but when someone thinks these not so new slippers looks 'cool', I just fail to understand. No mate, your shoe game is not on point.

3) All things American Apparel, Jack Wills, Hollister and Abercombie and Fitch: I can admit that there can be the occasional original and interesting piece or two but overall these stores just scream the dull, dreary clothing one wears whilst being a part of the young bourgeoisie. Minimalist clothing is not my problem. Cheaply made and extortionately priced, boring and basic clothing is my problem. I remember all the girls and boys having these clothes, especially in private schools. I think because it was an effective way of looking like everyone else and fitting in with every other ordinary person...oh with the added bonus of having expensive clothes. Coming to school decked out in your finest tracksuit from Juicy Couture or one of the places I stated above is not trend setting or cool. It is pretentious and quite frankly, ugly. I have no problem with tracksuits however if you are parading yourself as better than others because your tracksuit is from Hollister and someone else's is from Sports Direct, you have to get over yourself. The mere fact that in order to work at one of these stores you must be attractive puts me off completely. Plus the fact that it only really caters to really skinny people however it is advertised as something every young middle class child needs to look good. It all looks the bloody same! All painfully plain and unoriginal masqueraded as cute casual clothing for every teen. I remember feeling the pressure to fit in in year 9 and so I saved up all my money and bought a £40 basic grey hoodie. It was thin and had the texture of an old crusty towel. I got many a compliment on it but yet I was not happy. I looked like everyone else and was broke because of it. I immediately regretted my decision and went back to my original Primark couture (which I actually got more compliments on until people realised it was cheap).

4) Excessively distressed jeans: I have to agree with the link above here, this trend sucks. A small rip at the knee or wherever is fine. It looks edgy and lived in with a chic casualness about it. However, when there is such an abundance of holes and frays, you might as well be wearing underwear because your jeans are literally hanging off of you. It looks ridiculous. Also, I enjoy the fact that when I wear jeans I don't have to worry about if my legs are shaved...but with such holey jeans, surely then you must make sure the parts of your leg that is on show is smooth. Sounds like a lot of unnecessary hassle. Also, you look like a builder.

5) Booty shorts: These are the denim shorts that barely cover the pink tender cheeks of your arse. It is a style to now show your bare wobbling bum when you walk around. I have especially seen these on young girls which I blame companies like American Apparel for. There is nothing wrong with sexy or alluring clothes when you are of a certain age, however these look trashy and vulgar.

6) Did I mention American Apparel...

7) Overly patterned or bright tights: I think these are just a little OTT in an outfit. It looks far too busy and completely ruins an ensemble. The only time your pins should be the focal point is when they are bare and being proudly displayed, not under some opaque or colourful tights with zigzags all over them. I think colourful tights also come into this category as it just looks odd. Not a good look unless you're an eccentric art/drama teacher.

8) Animal Prints: Now this is the epitome of trashy clothing. This literally beckons 'hello, I'm a cheap hooker, please buy me some meth.' Its certainly eye catching but for all the wrong reasons. The only time this should be acceptable is in drag.

9) The half shaved head: Ladies, what are you doing? This 'off beat, edgy R&B' look is atrocious. I could deal with the cornrows on one side thing (although I still didn't like it) but this is just excessive. Being able to see your scalp on one side, but have a full head of hair on the other is not a cool asymmetrical hairstyle, its weird and brute looking. Fix up.

10) The top knot: This new hipster hairstyle is doing my head in on a whole new level. This paired with the excessively grown out beard makes it even worse- you should not have more hair on your chin than you do your head...you look upside down mate. When you unravel the man bun, you look like you have a mullet on the top of your head. You're living your life around the fate of a single hair band. I don't know how you can commit so heavily to a hair band like this. Men who do this think they're being so incredibly hip and chic...it really isn't as flattering as you think love. Go back to the classic short back and sides keeping it long on top.


xx

My First Blog

Well, where do I start...

I guess I always enjoyed writing (colloquially and without much structure, preferably) but I never thought I'd have the ability or even the courage to start a blog. When I write, it usually doesn't escape a neglected diary page unless to complete the tediousness that is university coursework. 

I have hesitantly decided to try blogging in order to gain some sort of experience in writing to a wider public other than myself and my patient lecturers. I want to be a journalist, ideally a political one however I thought I should also dabble in other areas to give wider range and ability. I supposed blogging would be a good way to start this process...well I hope so at least. I predict my blog wont gather much attention but is merely there for me to practice writing about various topics BUT of course it would be wonderful if it was read by a few other people other than myself. Here's hoping!

I enjoy reading and discussing politics, fashion, film, literature and general current affairs. So, I doubt my blog will ever have a main focus connecting all of it together. Whether one likes to read easy going frivolousness or about more serious issues- I will probably cover both. Oh and I've been known to rant. A lot. So apologies in advance if I come off a little...aggressive. I just call it passionate, however others may call it a little too intense at times, but what is a good read if not a little intense at times huh? 

Ultimately I hope to gain the ever sought after and transcendent 'experience' that seems to follow every young person around like an annoying, responsible, adult-like shadow that continuously reminds one that there needs to be more to you than meets the eye. There was once a time you could leave university with an average degree and get a job reasonably easily. That is all but vanished. Left now is this crippling feeling of never being enough to attain a good, well paid job that you enjoy. A career is looming and I definitely don't feel prepared. I know one things for sure, the more experience you have, the better. Tis a shame my CV still looks like an application to work at Mc Donald's. I have a lonnnng way to go and this is just the beginning!

Thanks for reading folks! 

xx


p.s no offence to any Mc Donald's employees, you are amazing.