The Bad Edition by RAZZ Magazine

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Hi everybody! This is my final note as print editor and I have to say it’s bittersweet. On the one hand, I have loved being your editor this final year and seeing all of your incredible work. Whether it has been illustrations, pitches, articles, you have all raised the bar every single time and I am so immensely proud to have been a part of it. On the other hand, I am incredibly excited to see where RAZZ goes from this point onwards. Your new Print Team is so exciting and talented that I am almost happy to take a step back and watch them go. I say almost happy because RAZZ has been tremendously important to all of us this past year and letting go will certainly be hard. This issue celebrates all things bad. The negatives in life are often positives when seen from a different perspective. My final word to you all would be embrace being bad. Embrace new experiences, exploring taboos, embrace bad fashion choices and dodgy crushes. As long as you are being true to yourself - and not harming those around you - nothing is ever truly bad. Over and out, Emma Ingledew xoxox Hi guys, Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our second full print magazine of the year! Even though our print magazines have had to be published online this year, there has still been so much love, attention, and care that has gone into every article and the design of the magazine. In a year that hasn’t been good, we thought that we would use the idea of things being bad and take advantage. From bad girls and boys to having a bad sleep schedule we want to make you rethink the meaning of something being bad. Ultimately, I hope that this edition makes you smile and provides you with a bit of escapism, because that is the core of RAZZ as a society. Remember that even a bad year can be turned around. 2

Hannah Judge x

CONTENTS 4-6

14-15

BAD BOY QUIZ

BAD LABELS

8-9

16-17

BAD HABITS

BAD BOYS

10-11

18-19

SELF-DOUBT AT UNI

BAD ADAPTATIONS

12-13

20-23

FASHION NO-GOES

BAD GIRLS

24-25

26-27

BODY BEHAVING BADLY

28-31

ACCENT STIGMA

IT’S DEBATABLE 3

which TV bad boy are you? You’re trying to win your S/O back after a big fight, do you… A. Hide in the woodwork for a bit and then perform a big romantic gesture. B. Buy them all of their favourite things, no matter the cost. C. Be their knight in shining armour until they’ve forgiven you. You wake up after a heavy night drinking to a stranger naked in your bed, do you… A. Wake them up to find out what the hell happened. B. Go back to sleep. C. Leave, and hope they’ve gone by the time you come back. 4

You find out your friend is being blackmailed, do you… A. Confront the blackmailer face on, you know you’re probably smarter than them. B. Find out some dirt on the blackmailer so you can turn the tables. C. Threaten the blackmailer, you know you’re more than capable of making them stop. You’re thinking about getting a tattoo, what do you get… A. A quote from your favourite book. B. A crown. C. A dagger. You’re accused of vandalizing a building, but it wasn’t you! Do you… A. Cover up your hurt with sarcastic comments until it all blows over. B. Take the blame, you don’t care what people think anyways. C. Get defensive, your honour is on the line. You have an assignment due tomorrow that you haven’t started, do you… A. Rush it in the morning, it’ll be fine! B. Chill out, you’ve already paid somebody to do it for you. C. Not bother, you’ve more important things to worry about. You’re at a party with your S/O and things start getting heated, do you… A. Take it somewhere a little more private. B. Keep going, who cares who sees?! C. Find a dark corner to get busy. You’re meeting your S/O’s parents for the first time, do you… A. Show up and try your best (even though you don’t want to be there). B. Get drunk before you leave so you don’t have to remember it. C. Be the perfect gentleman - nothing is more important than your S/O. 5

If you got mostly As: You’re Jess Mariano! You’re a little feisty and like to do things your own way, but you have a habit of putting people’s needs above your own, even if you don’t always go the right way about it. Like Jess, you’re a bit of a hopeless romantic deep down, and whilst you like a little mischief, you haven’t fooled anybody into thinking you don’t care. Your head might be buried in a book, but your heart is always in the right place and you’d make anybody an excellent confidant, adventurer and partner in crime. Mostly Bs: You’re Chuck Bass. You prefer the high-life: lavish restaurants, parties and wild nights in the casino are right up your street. You have a close group of friends you’re loyal to, but you have a strong sense of success and inclination to make sure number one comes first – you definitely wouldn’t be afraid to throw somebody under the bus if you needed to. You’re a hardcore flirt and love to be the centre of attention, knowing that somebody pretty special needs to catch your eye before you’ll share your spotlight. Like Chuck, you love a scandal (as long as you’re not involved in it), and with the right person on your arm, you could make a truly killer team. Mostly Cs: You’re Damon Salvatore. You don’t let yourself get too close to anybody because you’re scared of getting hurt, which means when you let somebody get past your walls it’s a big deal. You have a taste for danger that some people find unnerving, but you also aren’t big on caring about what other people think. Whilst it’s clear nobody would want to end up on the wrong side of you, your impulsivity gives you an appetite for adventure even the most exciting of partners would find impressive. Like Damon, you have a bit of a dark side, however, when you do let somebody past your hard exterior, you’re the most loyal of partners and worship your S/O like the true romantic you are.

Illustrations on right hand page by Valentine Naude

i’m the

AM bed time RAZZ writer Sophie Selvey shares her attempts to break her bad habits.

It all spiralled from that fateful week at the beginning of the academic year, where I watched, for many successive nights, countless Keeping Up With the Kardashians compilations on YouTube — literally keeping up with said Kardashians until the very early hours of the morning. Although I’m no longer such an extreme night owl, here I am, months later, writing this intervention piece the day after promising myself a “reasonable night”, only to find myself at approximately 3.28 AM in the depths of an obscure subreddit. Oops. Since I sleep “like a brick”, I don’t permit this bad habit to tire myself out, but instead, as designated “me time”, where I can temporarily forget my mountainous workload. This involves indulging in what occasionally turns into a spontaneous solo rave, or ‘80s disco, blasting “Club Tropicana” through my Airpods while miming George Michael’s lyrics and performing theatrical upper-body dance moves. However, these AM Airpods parties, and goodness knows what else, are probably doing me more harm than good. Sleep is vital to maintain optimal physical and mental health; in the 18-25 age category, 7-9 hours are recommended per night. Additionally, an AM bedtime causes tiredness, resulting in

zombified mornings from fewer hours of sleep, or otherwise, lieins. For a busy student, this equation results in lower productivity, and thus, higher stress levels.

“...these AM Airpods parties, and goodness knows what else, are probably doing me more harm than good.” Since setting my intentions to overcome this bad habit, I’ve made one initial key change to my weekday night routine. After my housemates and I have finished yet another load of Sex and the City episodes, around 11 PM, I’m going to complete any last-minute scrolling and messaging, and then set my morning alarm(s). Immediately after, I’ll place my phone on charge, away from my bed — which is a life-changing tip for any fellow serial snoozers out there. I’ll do this before completing my night routine: going to the bathroom, brushing my teeth, and doing my skincare, etc. Upon returning to my bedroom, I will get straight into bed, and either read for a short while, if I’m feeling quite awake, or simply turn out my (beautifully ambient) lighting and go straight to sleep. Voila! How hard can it be? 9

Overcoming SelfDoubt at University RAZZ writer Senthur Shanmugarasa talks about selfdoubt at university and where you can go if you are struggling. Escaping the shackles of your parents, living on your own and studying something you actually enjoy, university is often seen as a chance to start afresh, marking the beginning of adulthood. But university is often a difficult place to navigate and for some, can lead people to question themselves and their self-worth.

Personally, my university experience has been full of ups and downs. I’ve had some really wonderful times (shout out to Exeter Indie Soc) but I’ve also had some real low points which I thought I wouldn’t recover from. I think the root of my problems stems from the fact I just simply expected too much. Secondary school wasn’t great and I thought the moment I moved into Exeter everything would fall into place and automatically get better. Naïvely, I thought making friends would be really easy. Everyone else around me seemed to have good social lives as well as good grades, yet I seemed to have neither. It led to me ques-

tioning if I was doing everything all wrong. Of course, the pandemic, and its restrictions and lockdowns meant these problems got worse as socialising ground to a halt. So much for the idyllic portrayal of university I had been hoping for.

“I think the root of my problems stems from the fact I just simply expected too much.” Luckily, (for now) I have overcome these negative thoughts and learnt to cope with them. One day I met with a friend at the pub and we chatted about the problems I had faced and he recommended I fill in an online consultation from the Student Health Centre. The next day a GP phoned me and we went through the potential routes to overcome these issues. No matter who it is I’d recommend speaking to someone you trust and realising that you’re not alone. I can assure you it will get better. Below are some links for help/outlets for support.

Mental Health Drop-Ins Well-being Services at the University offer drop-in sessions with information and advice. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing/mental_health/mentalhealthdrop-insessions/

Mental Health Appointments Well-being Services also offer appointments to discuss your mental wellbeing. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing/mental_health/appointment-request/

Exeter Student Nightline A helpline that is open from 8pm to 1am every night during term time, running an instant messaging service. The service is run by students for students to talk about any issues you may be facing, and is anonymous and confidential, promising to “listen, not lecture”. Their phone number can be found on the back of your student card, or you can find Skype or Instant Messaging service links on their website. https://exeter.nightline.ac.uk

Online resources The University offers advice for self-help in addition to peer support. https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/support/self-helpandpeersupport/

FASHION NO-GOES

RAZZ writers Katie Legister, Ellie Down, and Lottie McGrath explore some of the fashion trends they wish stayed in the past. Illustration by Millie Green.

KATIE LEGISTER

JUICY COUTURE Don’t get me wrong, I am a massive fan of the Y2K fashion comeback. I love that the Juicy Couture tracksuits have returned; however, I can’t say that I back the collaboration with Urban Outfitters. I appreciate the idea of revamping the signature tracksuit, yet they have a different shape to the originals. They just don’t look the same as the ones that Paris Hilton and co wore. A large portion of teenagers and young adults seem to be rather keen to don these outfits, but I just do not understand

the appeal. Not only are they rather pricey, but do you really want to be wearing the exact same outfit as a large percentage of the population? Maybe you do, but I think the whole concept of the Juicy tracksuits is to enable expression of personality. I feel buying an original from Depop or eBay may provide more satisfaction and authenticity than simply joining the army of Juicy Couture X Urban Outfitters wearing youths.

LOTTIE MCGRATH

MICRO BAGS Phones are getting bigger and so, logically, like all fashion trends, bags are

getting smaller. Micro shoulder bags are making their comeback; another sign that Y2K is not yet done with us. As a ‘Lelli Kelly-esque’ item of ridicule, the micro bag is unwelcome in the ranks of sophisticated fashion. I concede that practicality isn’t, and never has been, fashion’s greatest concern. But in a time when “keys, wallet, phone” has become “keys, wallet, phone, mask, hand sanitizer”, the micro bag is not up to the job. It belongs in a 00s fashion exhibition and nowhere else. 12

ELLIE DOWN

LOW-RISE JEANS

Low-rise jeans; a staple of every 2000’s wardrobe. These trousers are making a comeback, but I would argue that they should be left within the confines of our cupboards. Donned by the it girls of the Y2K era, these trousers are arguably designed to fit a particular figure. Most women however, don’t have supermodel thin long legs or a perfectly flat stomach and so these jeans do not necessarily offer the most comfortable fit. For those of us who are more insecure they highlight the lumps and bumps that make us who we are, but in doing so they can make us feel uncomfortable. Most would agree that clothes should allow you to be confident whilst these jeans do the exact opposite. They lead you to comparison and the constant worry that your underwear or perhaps even your butt crack is on display for the world to behold. Let us all agree. Low-rise is better left behind.

Bad Labels RAZZ contributor Lotti Norman uncovers what product labels actually mean. Illustrations by Emma Fry. The journey to the supermarket used to be pretty straightforward, fulfilling your weekly shop with the same old products you’ve always bought. Yet the shelves of 2021 look somewhat more complex. Products are littered with labels such as ‘Organic’, ‘Fair Trade’, ‘Cruelty Free’ or ‘low-fat’ and ‘healthy’. Today, consumers are almost neurotically aware of their consumer ‘reputation’, our need to present a favourable image to our peers overwhelms us. We persist in blissful ignorance, thinking that we are doing the right thing on behalf of the planet and on behalf of our own health by choosing the ‘better’ option. However, if I asked you, what the word organic, fair-trade, cruelty free meant, what would your response be? The answer 14

is often clouded in ambiguity. Firstly, some labels, such as ‘Organic’, should be given credit for the absolute position they have taken. The UK government has stipulated that no food will appear with an organic label unless at least 95% of the ingredients of agricultural origin are organic. This is unwavering and not open to interpretation. The iconic ‘Fair Trade’ label also offers us an explicit definition: trade between companies in developed countries and producers in developing countries in which fair prices are paid to the producers. Yet if we delve deeper the explicitly clear waters seem to become somewhat murky as major concerns with the credibility of such claims are called into question, Fair Trade organisations often engaging with highly unethical companies, driving corporate profit.

Labels such as ‘cruelty-free’ and ‘all-natural’ are often also misconstrued by brands looking for an opportunity to maximise their capital with consumers. Evidently government regulations have not yet caught up to the marketing trends utilised by brands who are using the “cruelty-free bunny” label to represent the end result of their product, yet do not speak for their constituent ingredients. The ambiguity behind such labels is clear, so where do we go from here? This is where the issue of brand manipulation needs to be highlighted. The lack of decisive understanding of such labels preserves our ignorance towards how brands are acting and provides us with false comfort. Without calling them out we serve to perpetuate their marketing endeavours. We blissfully jump on the bandwagon of health drives and green initiatives without second thought. What we must ask ourselves is what do these labels actually mean to the brand and their purpose. Majorly popular brands such as Oatly have been synonymous with the sustainable health craze over the past year. Oatly’s manifesto can be found as one that advocates for healthy products that don’t reck-

lessly tax environmental resources. They proudly bear the label ‘FSC’, Forest Stewardship Council, advocating for sustainability. Yet last summer Oatly faced backlash as it was made public that the self-professed sustainable brand had secured investment from companies who had strong ties to rainforest deforestation. It appeared to have sold-out to corporate investment, and in doing so, caused a wave of mistrust amongst its consumers. Brands mustn’t be allowed to utilise labelling ambiguity to better promote their product. So, educate yourselves, research the brand behind the label, and do not allow them to pull the ‘cruelty-free’ wool over your eyes. As consumers we can mobilise, now more than ever in an era of social media, to hold brands accountable. As a collective we have the capability to ensure that companies that are true to their word profit more than those who propose a fake front. In a fast moving, critically aware society, brands need transparent purpose to survive and thrive. Whilst the certified labels can be reassuring, the purpose and the consciousness of the brand is what we need to scrutinise. 15

RAZZ writer Caitlin Barr answers the age old question: ‘why do we love a bad boy?’ He’s tall, his cheekbones could grate cheese, and there’s probably a cigarette dangling from his lips – he’s a bad boy. Chances are, you’ve known many a bad boy in your lifetime, whether real (the one who wore non-regulated trainers and smoked behind the bike sheds at school and who’s name inevitably began with a ‘J’) or fictional (J.D. in Heathers, Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter, Robbie Rotten in Lazytown). But why are we so undeniably, against all sense and reason, attracted to them (I’m looking at you, Robbie)? Perhaps it’s because they’re ‘forbidden’, and we’re bored. It’s no wonder Draco Malfoy TikToks became so popular in lockdown – what better to do than stay home, save lives, and fantasise about running your 16

fingers through his blonde, greasy hair while he regales you with his brand-new dark mark tattoo? Science tells us that being told something isn’t good for us can actually increase our desire for it, which may explain why bad boys can be so addictive. Coupled with the sexual repression many women experience growing up, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for some rebellion – we actively go after what we’ve been told is no good for us. Of course, a bad boy in a trench coat on your screen isn’t going to actually fulfill your desires, but at least he’s not going to leave you broken-hearted. Real life bad boys’ appeal may be explained by what happens in our brains – dopamine hits us harder when we get sporadic reinforcement of rewards. In other words, your brain is a masochist.

Or maybe bad boys are so alluring because we feel the need to fix them – if you’ve ever found yourself thinking ‘I can change him!’ as your friends beg you to see reason in a Wetherspoons bathroom, this might be your poison. Our perpetual quest for validation, whatever our gender, can lead us to sticking with bad boys because we think we’ll be the ones to unlock the deeply buried part of them that wants to reciprocate our affection and treat us like human beings. Like, maybe J.D. wouldn’t have attempted to blow up that school if I’d been there to give him the hugs his mother couldn’t! In both the media and our personal lives, bad boys stick out as projects to be moulded to our needs, while still retaining their thrill-factor. Movies and TV, I believe, are partially to blame for this belief. 10 Things I Hate About You’s Kat inspires Patrick Verona to sing ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’ to her from the bleach-

ers, Bender punches the air to Simple Minds because he’s got the girl, and Blair melts Chuck’s heart. Bad boys in media are often redeemed by their female love interests, who in turn tend to compromise themselves either subtly or radically in order to gain more respect (think Sandy changing her image entirely for Danny at the end of Grease). The trope is well-worn and yet still manages to thrill – perhaps precisely for the reasons outlined above. Whether you want to cosy up to Damon Salvatore or Flynn Ryder, there’s no denying that there’s something appealing about a man who lives dangerously. Sadly, it’s highly unlikely that the man who’s currently ghosting you is going to sweep you off your feet with a display of undying love, however good his cheekbones are. Maybe it’s best to stick to the movies.

Bad Adaptations

Film and TV adaptations can be a mixed bag, especially when your favourite books are on the line. Katie Garvin and Caitlin Barr discuss the film adaptations that disappointed them the most.

Katie Garvin

Rebecca (2020)

When I was seventeen, I wolfed Daphne du Maurier’s 1939 Gothic novel Rebecca and subsequently the Hitchcock adaptation. The psychological thriller documents a young woman’s impossible task to fill the shoes of her husband’s late wife and is acclaimed for its ability to induce a chronic state of suspense. When Rebecca was released last October on Netflix, directed by Ben Wheatley, I had to see how the story would unfold through a different lens. I had my suspicion that it would not stand up to the novel or its previous adaptation, and unfortunately I was right.

Throughout, something just didn’t sit well. Perhaps it was the casting: Armie Hammer, playing Maxim de Winter, has a golden boy appeal lacking the air of mystery and isolation. I just can’t believe this is a man struggling with the turmoil of a repressed secret. Lily James, playing Mrs de Winter seems to

make scenes of conflict and love uncomfortable, as if she is trying to emulate a 1940s melodrama but without conviction, resulting in acting that seems absurd. Wheatley had to deliver the notorious plot in an original way, but similar to James’ acting, it was attempting to be something I’ve already seen. Scenes dipped into different styles, such as the dream sequences, which felt random and clichéd. The aesthetic is generally smooth and glamorous until the party scene, the climax of our protagonist’s torment. Here, the garish palette and camera shots feel like a recreation of a Baz Luhrmann film I’ve seen before, perhaps to make it very, very clear that she feels overwhelmed. Sadly this Rebecca doesn’t unsettle me like it should. I struggled to lose myself in the secrets and horror we are supposedly plunged into. Instead I found it, disappointingly, to be a flashy film without substance.

Caitlin Barr

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief was a book I treasured, having had it handed down to me by my older sister after she’d read it. We both devoured the whole series, and when I discovered a film had been made, I eagerly plonked myself down on the sofa to watch it. I’m not sure if disappointment had ever hit me quite so hard before. Gone were the awkward tweens, replaced by attractive 16-year olds, leading to an accelerated romance plot that had taken an entire 4 books to develop. Percy was less sardonic, Annabeth far more arrogant, and Grover’s shy nature was replaced by confidence. Of course, it is far easier to communicate specific character quirks and traits in a book, when inner monologues and observations can be utilised, but these changes were fairly drastic in the films. And then there were the huge and uncalled for plot alterations. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover go on a formulaic journey to find pearls, with

each pearl meaning a fight against a monster. In the book, the monsters appear far more organically – the reader doesn’t feel patronised in the same way they do when watching the film. The book doesn’t feature a fight between Percy and its surprise villain, leaving that until the end of the second book of the series. However, the film has this mystery antihero reveal themselves half-way through the film, with a not-so-epic showdown far too soon. This takes away so much of the tension and thrill the books fostered, as did the decision to introduce monsters and storylines that appear far later in the book series. It’s unclear what the makers of the movie thought they would have left to incorporate – no wonder they cancelled the franchise after just two book adaptations. However, Disney+ have announced a new TV series based on the book series, with author Rick Riordan actively involved – all I can do is hold out hope that I’m not left wondering whether anyone actually consulted the source text!

RAZZ writer Maggie John explores the double standards faced by women in the media. Bad boys have always been seen as sexy and irresistible, often depicted as having a nice boy lying dormant inside, waiting for a girl to ‘fix’ him in popular TV shows and culture. However, women who possess the same characteristics are not treated with such liberties and

G I R L S

B A D

are instead scrutinised relentlessly. Women are often criticized for the amount of booze they drink, how many sexual partners they have, their temper and much more, while men are praised or congratulated for it. It’s completely unfair. Even in 2021, a woman’s behaviour and appearance is more often than not central to public attention and debate.

Of course, this is not a new concept, at all. Take Bridgerton as an example as highlighting the incredibly high standards forced upon women. The male characters are free to do what and who they please, yet the mere rumour of a girl being alone with a man could ‘ruin’ them forever. In some ways, this sense of being ruined, is still very apparent now and women often suffer much more severe consequences than men. I think an interesting example is the media’s approach to men with addiction problems compared to their approach to women suffering with addiction. After looking through several articles on Google, men were often said to have ‘struggles’ whereas the language used for women was far more critical. “Boys will be boys” is often used to defend the actions of bad boys but there is no such defence for girls – even in 2021. Society is still very guilty of it and in many ways the situation is the worst it has even been if you are a so called ‘bad girl’ in the eyes of the tabloid press, who seem to always be ready to pounce and destroy. Take Miley Cyrus for example, a notorious ‘bad girl’ of our generation. Even as recently as today there is article after article by the tabloid press criticising her. The Daily Star

were aghast that she went out in a “totally see-through top”, whilst The Sun declared that she “leaves little to the imagination”. Who cares? Can’t she wear what she wants? The incessant scrutinization of people like Cyrus is exhausting, but she’s certainly dealt with worse. The Daily Mail headlined an article with “Miley Cyrus keeps her clothes ON for a change”. After Cyrus released Wrecking Ball in 2013, she was torn apart. She now claims Wrecking Ball is her “worst nightmare” and that “she’ll never live it down”. She’s being tarnished with the same brush nearly seven years after its release. Unfortunately, women aren’t at liberty to make mistakes in the same way as their male counterparts. The reaction to Cyrus after her performance with Robin Thicke at the VMAs demonstrates this. Whilst she was deeply criticised for twerking on him in latex underwear, he was not. It is unbelievably hypocritical. It’s frustrating because the tabloid press is often more obsessed with women making mistakes, rather reporting on their monumental achievements. Cyrus is right, once you’ve been donned in a certain light, it does become almost impossible to move on from it.

But this obsession with ‘bad girls’ can go two ways. Take Zoe Ball, deemed the ladette of the 90s. Although the media were obsessed with her partying, it doesn’t appear as though her press was necessarily negative, compared to other women doing the same. Unfortunately, the incessant obsession of not even necessarily bad girls, but women, in the public eye who make a mistake can have devastating consequences which we witnessed with the tabloids’ evil fascination with Caroline Flack. No one is claiming that all these women are perfect. Who is? But there is no justification for the treatment of these women at the hands of the tabloid press. No one is held accountable and it happens time and time again. It does make you wonder, if men were facing the same treatment, would people’s reactions be stronger?

“It is completely unjustifiable for the media to continue their scrutinisation of not just ‘bad girls,’ but women in general.”

Even though society has changed in so many ways and we are most certainly living in a different society to fifty years ago, even ten years ago, the general approach to how women behave is still somehow warped. It is completely unjustifiable for the media to continue their scrutinization of not just ‘bad girls’, but women in general. We have seen the fatal consequences it can have.

“It’s frustrating because the tabloid press is often more obsessed with women making mistakes, rather than reporting on their monumental achievements.” Women cannot continue to be criticised for doing things that men are often praised for. There is no exception or difference. We must encourage change. Whilst everyone enjoys celebrity gossip, it shouldn’t be at the expense of these women’s mental health. We need to be more aware of what we engage with.

My My Body Body Doesn’t Doesn’t Behave Behave An anonymous RAZZ writer explores the unexpected difficulties of anti-depressants. From, “What do we feed these starving French peasants Marie Antoinette?” to “Do you mind if I mention you in this rap song Taylor Swift?”, history is littered with terrible questions. Yet none remain so terrible, yet so ubiquitous, as the awkward little “Did you cum?”

“SSRI’s...are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and I was put on them early in my second year of university.”

I’m not necessarily against this question. The key to good sex and a healthy love life is honesty and communication. As society shifts to an ever more sex-positive stance, the messaging for women now is to speak out and own their bodies and their sexuality, which is something I 100% agree with. But in practice, owning my sexual desires often feels

a bit embarrassing. Part of this is the fact that as a cis, queer, woman, I’m still unlearning years of teaching that sex is not something to want or enjoy. The other half of it is the fact that my body is reliant on medication that entirely halts my sex drive. I’m talking about good old SSRIs. SSRI’s (or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and I was put on them early in my second year of university. The list of side effects was around a mile long and explained very clearly to me by a lovely GP, and I felt a lot of them (nausea, heartburn, insomnia) almost immediately. All of that was worth it for the sense of normalcy and control they gave me. The one thing I wasn’t expecting was the complete loss of my sex drive and how that would affect me. Anti-depressants saved my life, but they also stopped sex from being something that was empowering for me and turned it into something that made me feel ashamed.

Sex and mental health are already highly stigmatised topics and the area where the two collide only exacerbates the problem. One-night stands and hookups transitioned from fun casual flings into uncomfortable experiences where I was forced to have in-depth conversations about my mental health in order to explain the awkwardness of my body remaining stubbornly uninterested. All sex comes with some degree of opening up to another person, but having to say, “My body may not respond to you in the way I would like it to because I’m mentally ill,” feels like an extra degree of vulnerability I’m often not prepared for, especially when it’s somebody I’m only just getting to know.

“Anti-depressants saved my life, but they also stopped sex from being something that was empowering for me...”

“Depression is fundamentally telling me that my body doesn’t behave in the way I want it to, and the loss of my sexuality is yet another way that I experience this.” It also feels very petty to complain about sex when so much of my life has been markedly better by starting anti-depressants. Before I could barely roll over in bed, let alone willingly invite somebody to share it with me. But as an adult woman, I also feel a strange sense of loss for my sex drive. Depression is fundamentally telling me that my body doesn’t behave in the way I want it to, and the loss of my sexuality is yet another way that I experience this. My body was once a vessel I had complete control over and is now something I have to bargain with, constantly. It’s better than the alternative, but it’s still something I miss.

ACCENT STIGMA Eleanor Down explores the judgement and discrimination faced by some for their accents. “We sound the way we do for a whole range of reasons – cultural, emotional, social and we tend to judge other people’s accents on the same basis”, according to Professor Sophie Scott from UCL. This judgement is often the source of prejudice and discrimination, but why? A study carried out by ITV discovered that 28% of the UK felt they had been discriminated against for their accent. These results indicate that Received Pronunciation (RP) is thought to be the most intelligent sounding in the UK, with Liverpool accents ranking at the least. I have to admit, I am writing from a point of privilege regarding this topic as I am someone who uses RP. However, it is absurd that people’s intelligence should be merited on the way that they speak. My Grandfather is the smartest person I know, and he is from Somerset. Should I regard him as unintelligent simply because he does not speak with RP? We do not remember John Archer, the 26

first black mayor of London, as unintelligent and he was from Liverpool. Why then do we perceive some accents as less intelligent? Stacey Dooley is one of the BBC’s top television presenters, yet she has recalled struggling with the pre-conceived judgements she faces simply because of her Luton accent. In an interview with the Independent she noted how people are ‘obsessed’ with her accent and that she is often thought un-intelligent because of the way she speaks. However, if you were to watch one of her many documentaries you would understand that she is far from unintelligent. For many, this prejudice has led to discrimination at work. ITV’s study highlighted that 80% of employers admit to discriminating against people because of their accent. This statistic is horrifying. It is not only people with regional accents that suffer due to this prejudice, but also those with accents not native to the UK.

s ’ w o h , i g r l n a i o g it Hoo’ s ya fett le? Sakshi Udavant, journalist for the Independent, wrote about her struggles as someone whose voice carries a hint of her Indian heritage. “Are you really capable?”, “from your accent you don’t seem experienced”. These degrading comments are some of those that have been made throughout her career. As a competent woman, it is unjust that she should suffer because of her accent. Shocked by this, I asked students at the University of Exeter whether they had experienced discrimination because of their accents. Many had not experienced any. Is this because the student population of Exeter are largely from the home counties and London? Are people with these accents faced with less prejudice? It

in the UK. Their study concluded that people over the age of 40 perceive those with a ‘regional working-class accent’ as less employable. I would argue it is not the accent, but the pre-conceived judgement of class that follows it. RP is often associated with middle- or upper-class members of society, whilst accents regarded less highly are predominantly associated with working-class regions, such as Liverpool and Birmingham. The UK has created a hierarchy within society based on class that is unfortunately inescapably linked to people’s accents. It is shocking that there is so much prejudice against accents within the UK. The biased favouring of RP in many circumstances is unjust and we should not assume that simply because someone does not speak in a certain way that they are any less intelligent, competent, or of a lower class. It is evident that classist attitudes towards certain regions of the country are embedded in British culture even if they are not accurate.

r e Y er y f f a d i he

seems

the

answer

yes.

Those that felt they had been discriminated against were not from these parts of the country. One student said that a peer had claimed she could not be ‘smart because [she’s] from Wales’ and another student from Liverpool said he had been told his accent made him sound ‘cocky’. Why do these students experience prejudice when others don’t?

The naïve part of me hopes that this can change, but in order to do so we must leave behind the prejudice we have simply accepted.

Research from Queen Mary’s University London reported that there is a subconscious hierarchy of accents

IT’S DEBATABLE: New Year’s Resolutions

FOR

Millie Jackson explores how New Year’s Resolutions can be changed for the better. If there’s anything that Bridget Jones has taught me, it’s that our capacity to make resolutions is matched only by our inability to keep to them. Too often have I forced myself, hungover and bleary-eyed, into the uninviting chill of an early morning on the first day of January for a half-hearted jog with the aim of transforming into a fitness queen. Yet by the third day of the month, I will no longer even venture past my threshold for fresh air, the time for self-improvement sadly passed.

Spurred on by influencers and motivational Instagram accounts telling me that ‘this year is your year’ - every year I find myself furiously scribbling down a list of things that I must do to become a better person. Find emotional fulfilment through meditation and reflective journaling.

“Ludicrous and hopeless as it all might seem, I do believe that there is some merit behind our drive for personal improvement.” Acquire a killer wardrobe. Impulsively sign up for a dance class and become proficient in tap and modern. Read at least three scholarly articles a day in order to impress friends with my sparkling wit. Ten press-ups before bed (read: do one, collapse, pretend it never happened). Stop eating digestive biscuits like some horrifying episode of Secret Eaters – “not another one?!”. Drink water, not wine. Donate regularly to charity. Stop online shopping as if your HSBC overdraft was money you actually own.

This last one has been a particular coping mechanism of mine during our joyous pandemic – the shame of contribution towards global warming and fast fashion couples with being on a firstname basis with our friendly neighbourhood postman. Ludicrous and hopeless as it all might seem, I do believe that there is some merit behind our drive for personal improvement. The turn of a new year brings us a moment to pause and reflect, revealing the spirit of human optimism, our capacity for growth. Resolutions also serve as a marker of progress. Instead of a never-ending, ridiculous list of things I want to change about myself, I was very careful when writing this year’s resolutions. Instead of ‘lose all fat and become skinny legend’, I wrote about fitting into a pair of jeans that have always been too tight. Instead of ‘no sugar, no carbs, no joy’, it’s eating

three balanced meals a day. Resolutions only serve to depress us when they are unrealistic, enormous pledges requiring huge lifestyle changes. Start small and attainable – if you’re anything like me, going without Dairy Milk chocolate would be akin to climbing Everest. But eating two rows instead of half a bar, that’s manageable (unless I’m tired or sad, at which point the whole thing is sacrificed in the name of emotional eating). And maybe for exercise, just trying the couch to 5k or forcing myself into the murky Exeter streets once a week. The endorphins do wonders for cabin fever. So make your resolutions, read them back in a year’s time and congratulate yourself for the ones you have achieved, and forgive yourself for the ones you haven’t - there’s always next year.

AGAINST Erin Zammitt argues for the abolishment of the New Year’s Resolution.

“2021 is the year to bin the new year’s resolution”, argues Vogue’s Brittney McNamara, and I’m inclined to agree. That’s not to knock those who happily set goals at the beginning of each year, intent on transforming their life in various ways. Sustained, positive change should always be celebrated and should never be discouraged. However, success is not the case for many who make these goals. Studies suggest that only 8% of people achieve the resolutions that they set, with the rest falling by the wayside in the days, weeks and months after Auld Lang Syne is sung.

nation of the New Year, we are swept up in the hype of setting intentions for the next twelve months, forgetting that we don’t magically become new and improved versions of ourselves when the clock strikes midnight. This pressure to succeed is internal and personal, yet it becomes external and public when we discuss our goals openly with those around us. Issues of accountability, combined with feelings of failure if we don’t stick to our goals, mean that our New Year’s Resolutions can lead us away from a healthy mindset, instead of towards one.

“There is too much pressure surrounding the idea of changing “Studies suggest that your life overnight.” onlu 8% of people Of course, there is something apachieve the resolu- pealing and indeed motivating tions that they set...” about the notion of ‘new year, There is too much pressure surrounding the idea of changing your life overnight. Without a smooth transition between the indulgence of the festive period and the rejuve-

new me’. But this mantra is romanticised so much that the other 364 days seem to be forgotten.

Just as it is popular to start a health kick on a Monday, New Year’s Resolutions are often created with an ‘all-or-nothing’ mentality: we tend to view breaking a resolution as a failure until we try again the next year. You could take up running in June, or stop smoking in October, the significance of the new year traps us in a vicious cycle.

to get us through a difficult time.

Hindsight is 20/20, and there is perhaps no better example of this than the year 2020. When we pledged to cut down on sugar or alcohol or takeaway consumption last January, we had no idea that in a couple of months we would be confined to our houses, with little more than food and drink for solace. Our circumstances changed in ways we could never have imagined, and it’s understandable if resolutions were forgotten during lockdown. We shouldn’t see this as failure, instead we should view it as doing what was needed

So, this year has put me off new year’s resolutions for good – at least in their current form. It doesn’t mean I didn’t spend January 1st thinking about what I’d like to achieve in the coming year. But 2020 has taught me that we don’t know what the future will hold, and therefore we shouldn’t judge ourselves against a set of goals made by effectively a different person.

“You could take up running in June, or stop smoking in October, the significance of the new year traps us in a vicious cycle.”

And, if we had to make one resolution for 2021, it should be to be kinder to ourselves.