Hi everyone, I am Vicki. I have just started my PGCE in Secondary English after I graduated from Edge Hill with a BA Hons in English Literature this July, and it is good to be back! I love reading, I have an eclectic taste in literature from the classics to contemporary with a deep affection with Sylvia Plath. I spend majority of my free time with my husband, children, and dog and updating my ‘bookstagram’. I also work as a student assistant in The Catalyst. You get the gist – I like books!
I joined The Quack as I wanted to contribute to the voice of the mature students at Edge Hill. I want to ensure that mature students realise how valued they are on campus and to provide perspective and experience, as a mature undergraduate. I would love to offer help, advise or just an ear to anyone too, so please get in touch!
Q&A
Where is your favourite place to visit in Ormskirk?
There are many places to eat in Ormskirk. The Cricketers, and Piri Piri are lovely and if you were to venture further afield, I would recommend the Heaton’s Bridge Inn: A Canal side pub. I also love the charity shops in Ormskirk. The Freshfields RSPCA shop is an Aladdin’s cave for literature students!
What is your favourite book?
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. This was a text from one of my undergraduate modules and it really touched me. It was a book that begged to be discussed and explored. It is a lengthy read but it is worth every page turn. Eugenides tackles incest, intersexuality, homosexuality, binary gender inequalities and abuse. It is a fascinating and heart breaking text. Please, everyone must read it!
What is your favourite film?
Silence of the Lambs! Anthony Hopkins is such a talented actor. I cannot begin to remember how many times I have watched it, but I think the thing that truly fascinates me is how I get drawn into feeling compassion for Hannibal Lector.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to an Edge Hill Fresher?
I would say to everyone to smile (difficult under a facemask!). Even if you are not feeling very smiley, the chances are everyone around you will be feeling the same apprehension over the first few weeks.
Also, the charity shops I mentioned – before you start ordering your reading lists on-line and paying over the odds, do have a rummage. Many graduates take their texts to these shops! Also check out the library, you may only need a text for a short time, so borrow it.
Special note for the lovely mature students – bear with it. You may feel like a fish out of water, but your experience, skills and grounding influence will shine through. You will also learn so much from your cohort: Get to know them!
Hello, I’m Lydia! I’m a third-year English Literature student here at Edge Hill. I love reading and I’m always up for trying out new genres and authors. I love my course as it enables me to study what I’m passionate about whilst also challenging and encouraging me to look critically at novels. In the future I hope to work in the publishing industry, particularly in the editorial sector. I’m also interested in journalism too, I’m excited to see where my degree takes me! In my free time, I love going out for drinks with my friends and family, and when I’m home you’ll probably catch me going on walks with my dog Murphy in the countryside. I also love fashion and have a slight shopping addiction, so catch me at Primark getting all the best bargains!
I joined The Quack because I have always wanted to write non-academically for fun! I also wanted to gain more experience with editing and writing my own pieces at degree level as it will help me with my future career endeavours. My role here at The Quack is to help with the editing side of things and writing some pieces of my own too.
Questions & Answers
Do you have any nicknames?
A few of my friends and family call me Lyd or Lyds 😊
Where is your favourite place to visit in Ormskirk?
My favourite place to go for drinks is probably Lime Tyger, I love the atmosphere in there and they have a variety of cocktails depending on what you like! You also can’t beat a cheap and cheerful night in Spoons.
My favourite place to eat is probably Barnyard because the food never disappoints and is also reasonably priced. A notable mention is also Mandrakes café if you love Harry Potter like me and is also very Instagram-worthy.
What is your favourite book?
I would say that my favourite book at the moment is Normal People by Sally Rooney, it’s such a lovely book which depicts relationships in an authentic and raw way. I ended up reading it in 2 days because it was so good! It also deals with issues such as class and gender brilliantly too. The TV adaptation is also wonderful, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones play the roles of Connell and Marianne beautifully.
What is your favourite film?
10 Things I Hate About You starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. I’ve watched it so many times and never get bored of it, it’s my go to when I need a pick me up.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an Edge Hill fresher?
I would say the best piece of advice would be to not over pack when moving to Uni! If you’re like me and own too many pairs of shoes I would say only bring the things that you wear when you’re at home day to day. Also, a notable mention- bring a door stop! If your door is open, then it makes it easier for others to pop in and have a chat and socialise.
As a (soon to be) third year university student on a tight budget, maintaining a sustainable lifestyle can be quite hard. Whilst I am not perfect and there are still many ways I want to improve; I have tried hard to incorporate small changes into my lifestyle that make a big difference to the environment. The journey to become sustainable can sometimes be quite daunting, especially when it is so easy to compare yourself to those on Instagram who appear to live perfectly this way. Whilst being fully sustainable is great, everyone has to start somewhere, and introducing small but impactful changes can make all of the difference. With this in mind, and the fact that the new term year is just around the corner, I’ve compiled a list of easy ways to practise sustainability as a student.
1. Using A Reusable Shopping Bag
So first up is purchasing a reusable shopping bag. These are easily sourced as most shopping centres/bargain stores sell these for around a pound, making them a more environmentally friendly and cheaper option than constantly buying single use plastic bags. These are also perfect for student life as they are multifunctional. As well as coming in handy when doing your weekly shop, you can use them to carry your washing to the laundrette or storing cleaning products etc in your room.
2. Using A Reusable Water Bottle
Not only are these basically an essential for students, they’re also environmentally friendly! They’re useful for lectures and library study sessions, as you can shove them in your bag and stay hydrated on the go, and they save you from spending your loan on countless plastic water bottles that end up littered all over your room (we’ve all been there).
I’ve inserted some of my current favourites below, but reusable water bottles can be found in most shops now, and for the most part, are super affordable!
Charity shops are rising in popularity recently, and rightly so. They’re home to many hidden gems, and if you’re lucky enough, you could kit yourself out with a new wardrobe for a fraction of the original price. The Waste and Resources Action Programme has estimated that a whopping £140 million worth of clothes ends up in landfill each year. Purchasing from a charity shop when possible, means that you’re not only contributing to organisations in need, but you are also actively reducing the amount of reusable material that is being wasted each year. On the same note, donating your old belongings instead of throwing them away is also a lovely step you can take towards a sustainable lifestyle. You’re once again helping the charity in question by providing them with goods to sell, whilst also not contributing to the increasing amount of clothes that end up in landfill.
There are multiple charity shops in and around Ormskirk, and if you fancy a trip to Liverpool, there is an even greater selection.
4. Eating Habits – Cutting Down on Meat
Now this one doesn’t apply to everyone, but where possible, try and reduce your intake of meat. As the demand for meat rises, the space needed to keep livestock increases, as well as the amount of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. By swapping meat for plant based substitutes when possible, you are not only beneficially impacting your health, you are beneficially impacting the environment.
There are many tasty recipes online, including those from REAL+VIBRANT (https://realandvibrant.com/plant-based-recipes-for-beginners/), that are simple to make but use plant based substitutes. Get together with your flatmates and see what you can cook up!
5. Recycle!
Finally, the issue of recycling! If you live on campus, Edge Hill allocates special bins for different recyclable materials, making it easy to separate your waste. Check the packaging of what you’re throwing away and see if it can be better placed in somewhere other than the general waste bin. It is such a small change to incorporate into your daily life, but if you’re consistent with it, it makes such a big difference. If you want to go a step further, avoid buying plastic packaged items where possible.
As mentioned above, these are by no means radical changes. However, by actively trying to incorporate these small steps into your daily lifestyle, you are contributing to a better world! The great thing about these is that they aren’t costly or time consuming – so the swaps are relatively easy to make! We’d love to hear your sustainability tips down below in the comment section and we look forward to seeing you around campus soon! 😊
It’s important to remember why we are able to celebrate Pride, which is why we have decided that to end our week of posts dedicated to Pride Month we would look back at its history and what it was that began the annual celebrations.
Although June is now a time that thankfully many people are able to celebrate their identities and sexualites freely, this was a very different story not too long ago. Looking back it seems absurd, but in the 60s it was common for police raids to take place at gay bars and clubs. Club-goers would often be warned by a change in the bar’s lights that a raid was about to happen – at this point they would separate from dancing with members of the same sex and as the police came in, they would be forced to line up and reveal their ID. The people wearing feminine clothing would be taken by officers to the toilets where physical checks would take place and if men were found to be wearing more than two pieces of typically female clothing, they could be arrested. This was unfortunately all too common, until one night, during a police raid things went very differently.
In the early hours of June 28th 1969, officers raided the Stonewall Inn – an LGBTQ+ friendly bar in New York. It became clear that this would not go to plan for the police that night when immediately, patrons of Stonewall Inn refused to show their ID. Tensions rose and the people began to fight back for the first time – initially started by trans women of colour and drag queens. It is reported differently by several sources however, it is known that Marsha P. Johnson played a vital role that night. The black, transgender woman helped to lead the protest against the police on June 28th, when members of LGBTQ+ community came together and fought for their freedom with riots leading to the officers barricading themselves inside the Stonewall Inn. When word spread of the protests, people in their thousands returned the following day to continue the fight against the authorities – with rioting reportedly lasting for six days.
In 1970, one year after what was then known as the Stonewall riots, the first Pride march took place in New York. From then on, June has been known as Pride Month to honour those who began the revolution 51 years ago, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are able to use the time to celebrate their identities. Unfortunately, although as mentioned, this is usually a time for celebration, the fight is still not over. There is still a long way to go until equality is achieved globally. Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or you are an ally, it’s important to remember to be constantly standing up for what is right. You can do this by not assuming someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, speaking out against homophobia, transphobia and other discrimination, being supportive of people who choose to come out and constantly educating yourself!
We have compiled a list of some organisations’ websites that you can visit to learn more about the importance of Pride Month and what people of the LGBTQ+ community are still fighting for today – we hope you find them useful and informative!
Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts chronicles the tumultuous journey of Brian Firkus’ drag persona (Trixie Mattel) as she rises to fame. Mattel found fame following her participation in the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars. Mattel’s career, since her meteoric rise to fame, focuses on comedy and country music.
As a massive (borderline obsessive) fan I was already armed with trivia about Trixie’s journey into drag and her subsequent achievements. Prior to the documentary’s release I knew that the film was produced by her boyfriend (David Silver) and that the director (Nick Zeig-Owens) often slept on Mattel’s sofa in order to capture her journey as authentically as possible. Yet, I eagerly anticipated a new perception of Trixie and how she reached this point in her career. Before the documentary aired I had accepted that, behind the scenes, life may not be as glitzy and glamorous as the TV screen led us to believe, yet I was unprepared for just how many dark moments would be explored.
Trixie reflected on the childhood abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepdad. She was called a ‘Trixie’, as an insult, for displaying ‘feminine’ behaviours. The abuse climaxed when he threatened to kill her aged fifteen and she was moved into her grandparent’s home by Child Protective Services. Brian has since reclaimed this word as her drag name and uses it to bring so much positivity and success. This act of reclamation reinforces the underlying strengths of Brian and how his character differs yet underpins that of Trixie.
The documentary also portrayed the difficult and negative side of accomplishment. Moving Parts showed Trixie winning All Stars (which is essentially the drag equivalent of the Olympics) and the overwhelming reaction from her loyal fanbase. However, others disagreed with the win and she received a lot of online hate. Simultaneously, close friend and Co-star of ‘UNHhhh’ and ‘The Trixie and Katya Show’ Katya Zamolodchikova (Brian McCook) was battling with drug addiction. Katya’s addiction lead to some extremely difficult moments within their friendship and the writing of the song ‘Heavy Crown’. The song explores the notion that, just because one thing in life is going well, it does not mean deeper problems disappear. Regarding their friendship, Trixie said: “It was never about getting famous enough so that you can survive on your own. I preferred surviving with her”. This was a moment in which I had to pause the film (partly to cry) and really think about the impact of this issue. It also made Katya’s recovery and rebuilding of their friendship even more heart-warming. It was a reminder that recovery from tough times is possible.
Lighter moments were also present, with Trixie looking through gifts from fans, ranging from emotional letters to an Eminem t-shirt and a reusable Starbucks cup labelling her with an… interesting nickname. The meet and greet and audience interview moments of her ‘Moving Parts’ tour highlighted how she is an important figure for so many young people, especially those within the LGBTQ+ community. The simple ending of Trixie playing the guitar and singing a cover of ‘Keep On The Sunny Side’ by The Whites encapsulated the brighter moments of her life and left a feeling of optimism. If you are a fan of Trixie’s then this is a must-watch, though, I think those non-familiar with her or the world of drag would still find this an interesting insight and I highly recommended it!
Fun fact: For a while, the working title was “Six Foot Two”, mimicking Lady Gaga’s documentary “Five Foot Two”
Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of Call Me by Your Name, based on the best-selling novel by André Aciman, is a must-watch for lovers of independent films. Based on the beautiful love story that occurs over the course of a long Italian summer, Elio and Oliver’s relationship is undeniably and authentically raw.
Set in an idyllic location “somewhere in Nothern Italy” in the year 1983, Call Me by Your Name feels like a place lost in time. The film begins when Oliver (Armie Hammer), a graduate scholar visits the house of a prestigious academic for the summer, and meets Elio (Timothée Chalamet), his son.
During Oliver’s stay, he spends his days working on translations and papers for Elio’s father, lounging around in the hot sun, and exploring the area with Elio, who becomes his guide to the local area. As the long summer days draw out, Elio and Oliver gradually develop a relationship, which at first the two boys try to dismiss, but eventually have to confront. Elio eventually admits his feelings towards Oliver during one of their many trips into the town, telling Oliver “if only you know how little I know about the things that matter”. I found this confrontation of emotions to be very raw and honest, as both Elio and Oliver could not find the strength to deny their feelings for each other any longer.
After this confession, Guadagnino shows the journey of falling in love, the boys becoming closer and closer as the days go by and summer draws to an end. However, this moment is bittersweet, as the Oliver and Elio realise that soon Oliver must return to America and know that they aren’t likely to see each other again. When Oliver leaves, it is an upsetting but heartfelt ending to their short but profound relationship. Heartbroken, Elio talks to his father who gives him a piece of ernest advice, “we rip out so much of ourselves that we go bankrupt at the age of thirty”. For me, this is the message of the whole film, that although Elio and Oliver had only a short time together, they understand that their connection wasn’t any less meaningful.
Call Me by Your Name is truly a must-watch and should really be celebrated for its portrayal of such a bittersweet but beautiful coming-of age story.
The rainbow flag originated in San Francisco in the late 70s, artist Gilbert Baker created the iconic flag as a symbol for the emerging Gay Rights Movement to rally around. Baker’s iconic rainbow flag design ‘not only filled a void’ but continues to be recognised universally as the emblem of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer pride.
Due to current circumstances with the Coronavirus pandemic, at least 75 annual Pride events and parades have been cancelled and postponed across the globe. Pride month is as important as ever during lockdown, I asked three Instagram makeup artists whose work I admired to create a commemoratory makeup look for the movement. Unsurprisingly, the results were bright and beautiful, displaying the iconic Pride rainbow flag. Scroll down to see the results, including a list of products used by @abbiejane_makeup, @willclarkemakeup and @lailamaimakeup.
Abbie’s look
Abbie Holt is a self-taught makeup artist based in Bury and Manchester. She created this amazing look using the products listed below.
“When asked to do a look for Pride month, I knew it had to involve COLOUR. What is a pride without rainbows! I always like to search Pinterest before starting any makeup look to gain some inspiration, spot the new trends or just generally find ideas that I love! Taking inspiration from other creators on social media platforms is also a fun way to share ideas. When I think of Pride month and the LGBTQ+ community, I think of how far the whole movement has come and how it shines in our current society. This idea inspired me to add some glitter to my eyes, making the colours of the pride flag pop even more. Last minute, I also decided to add rainbow faux freckles and a rainbow on my cheek, just to tie the whole look together. I had so much fun with this makeup look.
Products used:
Brows
– West Barn Co Soap Brows
– Nyx Micro Brow Pencil in the shade Brunette
Face
– NYX Born To Glow foundation in the shade True Beige
– NYX Can’t Stop Wont Stop concealer in the shade Natural
– Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder
– Barry M All Night Long foundation stick in the shade Hazelnut
– Doll Beauty bronzer in the shade Medium
– Doll Beauty highlighter duo in shades Shine Bright and Like A Diamond
– Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray
Eyes
– P.Louise eye base in the shade Rumour 2
– Morphe X James Charles eyeshadow palette
– Urban Decay Heavy Metal eyeliner in the shade Glam Rock
– Morphe blush in the shade Provocative
– Doll Beauty lashes in the style Candy
– Mac Strobe Cream in the shade Goldlite
– Peaches and Cream pigment in the shade Prin
Lips
– Peaches and Cream lip liner in the shade Feline
You can find more of Abbie’s work on her Instagram page: @abbiejane_makeup
Will’s Look
Will Clarke is a self-taught makeup artist; he created this amazing look using the products listed below.
Products used:
Brows
-Pears clear soap
-Anastasia Beverly Hills dip brow
Eyes
-Barry M concealer (to carve out the brow and prime the lid)
-Stacie Marie carnival palette
-Morphe 35b palette
-Nyx cosmetics liner
-Peaches and cream pigment – Mermaze
-Tatti lashes – tlmithchell2
Face
-Barry M concealer
-Sleek bronzer
-Maybelline city bronzer
-Eyeshadow from Morphe palette as blush
Lips
-Nyx cosmetics lip-liner
-Nyx cosmetics soft matte liquid lip
-Soap and Glory lip plumping lip gloss
You can find more of Will’s work on his Instagram page: @willclarkemakeup
Laila’s Look
Laila Thomas is a self-taught makeup artist based in North Wales and Ormskirk. She created this amazing look using the products listed below.
By Alice Cattell, Emily Burrell and George Appleton
Alice Cattell
My recommendation for Pride month is very expected, it’d be a crime to not include it in any posts regarding Pride. To somewhat switch it up, however, I’m going to suggest one of Drag Race’s spin-offs, All-Stars.
All-Stars is more enjoyable viewing to me because there are fewer stakes, a lot of the Drag Queens competing are already successful so the sob stories that can sometimes make the show difficult to watch are less common. Couple that with more expensive runway fashion, lip-sync costumes, and better makeup, All-Stars is easier watching during a month that’s supposed to be celebratory. In terms of season recommendations, season two and four were excellent, season five is currently airing, but we don’t talk too much about one and three. Season four and five are on Netflix, the others can be found on Comedy Central.
Emily Burrell
Netflix’s documentary section is always strong. In May 2020 Netflix released A Secret Love. The documentary follows the lives of Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel, a couple who fell in love in the late 1940s and have been together ever since. The film explores the couple’s life, their ground-breaking careers in the first female baseball league and their relationship with their families. Both women talk candidly about their experience of life as a couple in a society that actively condemned them and their reflections on life as they grow older. The film is truly both heart warming and heart breaking.
George Appleton
Élite is a Spanish teen drama (available on Netflix) that is currently on its third season and has already been renewed for another two. The series follows the lives of the students at the prestigious high school- Las Encinas- and the class wars that are ignited when 3 working class students begin attending the school- leading to lives intertwining in a clash of lifestyles, resentments, envy, sexual attraction and murder.
Élite is such a fantastic series and a really top ranking teen drama. The series has a number of LGBT characters, all from various backgrounds and lifestyles. Élite explores what it’s like to be a LGBT teen, also factoring in things like religion, race and wealth- meaning every relationship on the show has its own set of unique ups and downs. The series has such a wide variety of characters and a brilliantly engaging plot, meaning it really is one to watch.
What our readers recommend
‘Watch Circus Of Books on Netflix. The last thing I expected from the long term owner of a gay porn shop was homophobia against her own son and a discomfort around sex toys… Watching it was an experience to say the least!’ – Emily
‘Everyone has to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Adventures of Priscilla,Queen of the Desert’ – Sadie
‘My film and TV recommendations are, Orange is the New Black, Moonlight, Carol, Bohemian Rapsody, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Queer Eye, Grace and Frankie, OneDay at a Time and Gentleman Jack‘ – Jenny
To celebrate Pride month, I’m going to recommend a few books that I have read and loved and are centred around the LGBT+ community. I’d like to add a disclaimer now, I haven’t read as many books as I should that centre around LGBT+ themes, however, the books I have read have all been excellent!
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
So Alice Oseman is going to pop up a lot in this recommendation list! Pretty much all of her books have centred around LGBT+ characters and her upcoming release Loveless will feature an aro/ace main character. Back to Radio Silence however, this story features Frances, a young, bisexual girl with a love for podcasts and art. When her favourite podcast Universe City gets in touch to commission some art, Frances finds that her lifelong dreams of getting into Cambridge may not be all its cracked up to be. The book is full of friendship and finding yourself in a crowd where you are forced to fit in. Radio Silence has long been one of my favourite books and I would recommend it to anyone fancying a quick, comforting read!
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Here she is again! Alice Oseman is just an incredible author for young adults. Heartstopper explores the blossoming relationship of Nick and Charlie as they face high school difficulties and mental health issues. These books are beautiful. They take the form of comics and cover so many issues that young adults may want to read about for reassurance. Her writing of relationships never fails to make me feel so happy and comforted! She has three volumes so far and I think she’s working on a fourth to be released in the near future. I would highly recommend for wholesome, loving content and incredible art!
Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
I think we’ve maybe all seen the adaptation of this book, entitled Love, Simon on Netflix! In the book, Becky Albertalli explores the consequences of keeping secrets and understanding your own sexuality. Simon is a sixteen-year-old who is in an email relationship with a boy named Blue. When these emails are discovered, Simon is blackmailed by a boy named Martin who seems intent on having a girlfriend. Albertalli deals with the pains having your sexuality revealed without consent and does a wonderful job of reassuring readers that it is okay to be whoever you want to be!
This isn’t a huge list of recommendations but these are three stories that I think are wonderful and comforting reads. I hope this encourages you to read more LGBT+ literature and helps you to gain a bigger understanding on different identities!
George Appleton
Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) by L.C. Rosen
Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) follows gay high schooler Jack who has a ‘no strings attached’ view on relationships. Jack enjoys carefree sex and enjoys dating around, so much so that his best friend Jenna asks him to write an advice column for the school paper dealing with teen sex and dating issues. Things take a darker turn however when Jack begins receiving love notes from a ‘secret admirer’ who calls themselves Jack’s boyfriend and wants him to stop sleeping around. Jack tries to ignore these anonymous messages but they get more aggressive, threatening Jack and his friends and family. As the notes get darker and darker, Jack must work out who his ‘secret admirer’ really is, before they can do any real damage.
Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) was a intriguing combination of Simon vs the HomoSapiens Agenda and Pretty Little Liars, looking at life as a gay teenager and the dangers of stalking. Through Jack’s advise column, the book is able to inform readers on both LGBT sex and sexuality and the different ways people experience each, showing that everybody is different. The stalking plot also makes for intriguing read, as the threats get more aggressive in nature, Jack begins to fear more and more for his own safety. The book is both an informative look into LGBT teens and a gripping thriller, an overall great read.
Emily Burrell
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky was written in 1999. There is also a 2012 film of the same name. The novel is written in a series of letters by the narrator Charlie. The narrative portrays how all the characters try to juggle their personal traumas and growing up. The relationship between Patrick and Brad is raw and tumultuous. The novel creates a dialogue about the struggle of coming out, Brad’s relationship with his own masculinity, religion, and his father. The novel also depicts the impact Brad struggles have on Patrick and how Patrick handles their chaotic relationship.
What our readers recommend
‘I highly recommend The Art Of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson’ – Laura
‘I recommend Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg’ – Sionnach
‘I highly recommend They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera’ – Chay
‘My book recommendations are, Picture of Dorian Grey, The Colour Purple, Middlesex, The Price of Salt, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe and Brokeback Mountain‘ – Jenny
By Daisy Lewis, Megan Scott, Chloe Royle and Emily Burrell
The Quack is back from our brief hibernation whilst the team focused on university commitments. We hope all of our readers are doing well and are coping with the new normal that is life in lockdown! We were originally planning on breaking our hiatus with posts from our editors who are sadly leaving us this year, however, we have decided to come back earlier to speak on the important movement you will have seen in the news at the moment. Black lives have always and will always matter and what is currently going on in America and all over the world is devastating. George Floyd’s life was sadly one of many that have been lost due to police brutality – this has to change. Here at The Quack, we have compiled this post to help educate our readers, to inform you of what you can do to get involved in the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and to let students have their say on what their university can do to help.
How to support Black Lives Matter if you are unable to donate – Megan Scott
There are several ways you can show your support and contribute if you are unable to physically donate.
You can still make a difference even if you are unable to donate, by signing petitions and simply watching the videos listed below, you can directly contribute to change.
Instagram Resources
The company @maskhate2 on Instagram donate 100% of the profits from the sale of their face masks to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The ACLU is a non-profit organisation founded to ‘defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person…by the Constitution and the laws of the United States.’3
For every like that @maskhate receive on their post from the 5th of June, $0.25 will directly be donated to the ACLU. By liking the post and sharing it to your Instagram story, you can help support Black Lives Matter.
Prosecute Those Responsible for Death or Another Black Life, George Floyd (Four Officers Accountable; Minneapolis Police Department’s Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng) http://chng.it/c7Cxd5dcsD
There are also a series of videos which are donating all ad revenue to support the cause. You can repeatedly watch these videos, play them in the background or even mute them whilst you do other things.
By allowing the video ads to play, money will be raised to support charities and organisations affiliated with the movement. Make sure that you do not skip any of the video advertisements and that your ad blocker is turned off.
Over the past few weeks, I have become aware of the lack of diversity in my bookshelves. For someone who is such a big reader, I have subconsciously neglected reading books by black authors. This for me is not right and therefore, I have sought to remedy the lack of diversity by filling my shelves with books that I’ve wanted to read, yet never got my hands on. Here I will share some of these books, alongside the books by Black authors that I have read and enjoyed. I hope you will all consider buying and engaging with some of these books as a way to further your education of Black history.
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge
This book discusses the lack of knowledge of Black British history and the behaviour of those who refuse or fail to acknowledge racism in the United Kingdom. The author uses her anger at the privilege of ignorance to discuss parts of history that have been barely focussed upon. She also acknowledges her own previous lack of knowledge and emphasises the importance of understanding Black history. This book is perfect as a starting point for learning about racism and goes into the finer details of what it is like to be Black in the United Kingdom, in the past and at present.
Girl, Woman, Other – Bernadine Evaristo
This book is INCREDIBLE. At first, I was sceptical due to there being numerous points of view but it worked so well! Evaristo writes a novel about being Black, largely in the UK over multiple generations. Families and friends tie together overtime and throughout countries in a way that makes you want to read on forever. I found myself wanting to know more about so many lives! It truly was a wonderful and impactful read.
The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas
Finally, The Hate U Give is extremely relevant now and will always be. The story follows Starr, a young girl who witnesses the shooting of her best friend Khalil, who was unarmed. Starr experiences all of the pain and fear of the unjust murder and navigates how her world has changed. Angie Thomas captures emotions perfectly, making this read incredibly difficult but necessary for everyone. I’d recommend everyone goes away and reads this book ASAP. (Authors you should look into: Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie etc)
TV and film recommendations – Emily Burrell
The following information was sourced from online articles and recommendations. All original sources will be posted below.
13th – Netflix
13th is 2016 Netflix documentary directed by Ava DuVernay. Ava DuVernay also directed Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time and is ‘the first black woman to direct a live-action film earning $100 Million at the U.S. Box Office’1. 13th is named after the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery in the USA. However, the documentary explores the history of race inequality in America and America’s biased prison system.
When They See Us – Netflix
When They See Us is a Netflix Drama based on the true story and is also directed by Ava DuVernay. The series follows the story of five young men who were falsely accused (and charged) with rape and assault following a series of attacks in Central Park in the late 1980s. The story follows their arrest, fight for innocence and life after their exoneration.
The Hate You Give – Now TV
The Hate you give is a 2018 film based on Angie Thomas’ novel of the same name. The film follows Starr Carter, who witness the fatal shooting of her friend by a police officer. The film portrays the reactions and actions taken after shooting and the dynamics and complex relationships within Starr’s life.
Noughts + Crosses – BBC
Noughts and Crosses is BBC adaption of Malorie Blackman’s young adult novel. The show follows a dystopian society in which the UK and Europe were colonised. The show explores a segregated society (mirroring the Jim Crowe Laws) which follows a subverted structure of 21st century Europe. The show follows the perspectives of Sephy Hadley and Callum McGregor as they try to navigate a friendship in a divided system.
Orange Is The New Black – Netflix
Orange Is The New Black tackles many injustices within the American penal system. However, following a storyline in which a black inmate was murdered by a guard due to their use of excessive force, the show created the Poussey Washington Fund to support eight pre-existing no-profit organisations focused on ‘policy reform, immigrant’s rights and those effected by mass incarceration’2.
Black-owned businesses that could use your support – Daisy Lewis
It’s really important right now to support black-owned businesses. With the help of the many resources currently making their way around social media, I have compiled a list of black-owned businesses that you could use as an alternative to high-street brands.
Edge Hill remained silent on the topic for several days and broke their silence with a picture of the main building illuminated purple with the caption, “Our main building on campus is illuminated in purple in memory of George Floyd to support equality and diversity across the world #EHUUnited”. We asked our readers to comment on whether they believed Edge Hill’s actions were adequate and to include additional information they thought would benefit other readers. Here is what they had to say.
“As a university they should be speaking for the people who attend! They should be vocal to support their own black students! … They need to speak up! They need to support this movement!” – Samantha
“The Anthony Walker Foundation would be good for donations. It was set up after the racially motivated murder of Anthony in Merseyside and does great work in supporting individuals, families who experience, witness hate crimes and incidents along with the promotion of racial harmony through education, support, and the arts – https://www.justgiving.com/anthonywalkerfoundation” – Jess
“Edge Hill’s silence on this is so disappointing. As an education student, I spend so much time focusing on how to have a diverse classroom to make all students feel comfortable and loved. Seeing that my OWN place of education doesn’t value what they teach is truly heart-breaking” – Lauren
“I highly recommend watching the recent live videos on Lili Reinhart’s Instagram! Very very informative” – Samantha
“Their silence is disgusting especially the fact that they only posted something on Instagram after everyone wasn’t happy about their silence” – Phoebe
“Something me and my friends have done is email our local MPs. Both at uni and at home – you can do this as long as you’re on the register for both. We have demanded the following things: immediately suspend the sales of British tear gas, rubber bullets, and shields; condemn Trump’s violent and excessively militarised response to US protestors; release the report on BAME Covid-19 deaths; and demand justice for Belly Mujinga and her family” – Charlie
“Would really recommend the 1619 podcast on Spotify!” – Lydia
“I am not a student at Edge Hill but I don’t feel as though the university has done enough to support the BLM movement as they are a mainstream uni and I imagine BME students are probably disappointed with the lack of effort the uni has put in to show they have the backs of their students right now” – Jordan
“If you’re looking for something to watch, try When They See Us, and 13th on Netflix” – Lauren
“The handling of Black Lives Matter movement within our student society has left a bitter taste and a feeling of disappointment. The campus is mostly filled with white staff and students and for the university to not take a stand is extremely disheartening. I have been a proud supporter of LGBTQ+ and feminism rights and I am delighted my university was the same. Why not support the BLM movement?” – Balve
If you have been affected by Edge Hill’s silence on the topic, a petition has been created by Dan Bocharnikov, former EHSU VP Activities. “Edge Hill is an organisation that prides itself on being at the forefront of justice. … We’ve seen a lot of great work in the past but why is it different now?” The petition “Edge Hill University to make meaningful strides to support BLM & fight for justice”, can be found here – https://www.change.org/p/edge-hill-university-edge-hill-university-to-make-meaningful-strides-to-support-blm-fight-for-justice.
In addition to this, a silent protest is set to take place at Edge Hill’s main entrance tomorrow (Sunday 7th June), with protestors meeting at 16:50 for a 9-minute socially distanced silent kneel starting at 17:00.
As always, our emails and direct messages on Instagram are safe spaces for you to message if you have any further concerns about this topic or anything else. Please continue to stay safe – Daisy, Megan, Chloe and Emily.
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