Thursday, November 21

Politics

The Female Persuasion – Meg Wolitzer
Politics, Reviews

The Female Persuasion – Meg Wolitzer

A narrative largely centred around power, The Female Persuasion explores the moral balance between those who hold and control it, and those who bear it, and inherit it. As the title suggests, the novel follows several main characters on their journey into adulthood, and places them within a generational evolution of female empowerment. However throughout the book, feminism is used not just as a political lens to analyse their motives, but rather to highlight their individual and respective struggles of self vs society. Greer Kadetsky Initially cast as a studious but shy college student, Greer finds herself tossed into a whirlwind of social life no longer solely entwined with facts, but also opinions, ethics, and uncertainty. This effect is accentuated as she navigates her wa...
Framing Exclusion – The story of Behrouz Boochani
Politics

Framing Exclusion – The story of Behrouz Boochani

Australian PM Scott Morrison recently visited the University of Queensland in order to witness the development of a COVID-19 trial vaccine. I did not know this until a number of hours later however, as I had initially assumed his visit was in relation to the recent budget announcement that degrees in the Humanities and Arts would be increased significantly. As concerning as the ideology behind this switch is, I will leave that for another discussion. Instead I want to highlight how the visit was further dramatised by the student protests against our current immigration policies - particularly our treatment of asylum seekers. With 'ScoMo come off it, refugees aren't for profit' ringing across the campus, it was hard not to join in to protest the unjust policies we are currently employin...
Rising Phoenix: Heroes of the Paralympics
History, Politics, Reviews

Rising Phoenix: Heroes of the Paralympics

I was at the London 2012 Olympic Games. I witnessed with dumbfounding inspiration the incredible feats of sporting heroes, as well as the moments where dreams were dawned, achieved, and crushed. As a 12 year old 2020 hopeful, watching Michael Phelps as he received an award for his breathtaking achievements made tangible the thought of one day also swimming in the Olympics. The Olympic games represent something more than just competition, they exist as a checkpoint at which only the most dedicated, talented, and ruthless can reach (as discussed in Exploring Athlete A). This worldwide movement provides the opportunity for nations to come together every 4 years in support of their athletes as they represent the hopes and spirits of their homes. And yet somehow, I had no idea about the e...