Issue 99 (January 2021)
Inside Issue 99 of The Stag, you can find beautifully designed articles on everything from coverage on important issues, handy tips to get through socially distanced learning, sustainable content and so much more!
All Articles
Offensive Posters Comparing Black History Month Events to Segregation Placed Around University of Surrey Campus
Peter Ferguson reports on the offensive and right-wing adjacent posters seen across the University of Surrey Stag Hill Campus.
Pride and Prejudice, And A Pandemic
Rosie Willoughby reflects on Jane Austen’s timeless classic and explains what makes its readers always return for more.
‘Blackfishing’: Why Jesy Nelson Has Caused A Stir
Karim Acolina discusses the controversy surrounding Jesy Nelson’s new music video and explains why ‘blackfishing’ is problematic.
Sarah Everard: A Woman’s Reflections
Today Wayne Couzens was sentenced to a life in prison over the murder of Sarah Everard. Betsy Goodfellow shares her thoughts.
My Queer Book Club: Recommendations That Make Me Feel Seen
Rachel Quick recommends three pieces in the media that, in her opinion, raise the voices of the LGBT+ community.
The Escape We All Need Right Now: BASTILLE’S New Single
Maisie Holcombe reviews Bastille’s 2021 single ‘Distorted Light Beam’, considering the importance of uplifting music in a challenging time.
Why ‘Work Hard, Play Hard’ Is A Lie: A Compassionate Lens on Student Wellbeing
Anton Barnwell highlights the prevalence of poor mental wellbeing in students, and explores the options that are there to ease the pressure.
Don’t Be An Idiot, Avoid Bitcoin
Joel Parr examines the common misconceptions surrounding the money-making system Bitcoin, and the risks that come with using it.
How James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad Has Reinvigorated The Comic Book Movie
Kieran Loughlin reviews James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad (2021), considering its place and distinction within the superhero film genre.
Mental Health Awareness: A Reminder Of The Support Available To You
Luka Dehnbostel marks Suicide Prevention Day with a reminder of the mental health support available at the University of Surrey.
The Phantom Of The Opera, and A Review of The Theatre Post Pandemic
Betsy Goodfellow reviews the timeless Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, The Phantom of the Opera, and her first theatre experience post-pandemic.
Passing the Gauntlet: Black Widow and the Future of the MCU
Rosie Willoughby reviews Marvel Studios’ Black Widow (2021) and discusses the value of female-led superhero films.
AS I SEE IT – Gwyneth Paltrow’s BreadGate: Why Women Don’t Need Another Excuse To Punish Their Bodies
Hannah Gravett criticises The Guardian’s response to Gwyneth Paltrow’s panic over consuming carbs.
Surrey Decides: Question Time Night Three Roundup
Maisie Holcombe and Isobel Kavanagh provide a roundup of the final Question Time covering the Voice Zone and the Presidential debate.
Surrey Decides: Question Time Night Two Roundup
Rachel Quick provides a roundup of Monday’s Question Time covering all areas of the Activity Zone
Surrey Decides: Question Time Night One Roundup
Betsy Goodfellow and Charlotte West provide a roundup of Sunday’s Question Time covering the Community and Support Zone
HIV/AIDS Stigma in 21st Century Britain
Harry Moreby looks at the historical stigma against people with HIV and AIDS in light of Channel 4’s new hit drama ‘It’s a Sin’
AS I SEE IT – The Kardashian Paradox: THAT Khloe Photo that Broke the Internet
Hannah Gravett looks at the recent Khloe Kardashian scandal, arguing that by defending the exposure of her natural photos she is further perpetuating the damaging desire for perfection in young women.
REVIEW: WandaVision – Why I’m Excited To See More of Wanda Maximoff
Rosie Willoughby reviews Marvel’s first tv series on Disney+, WandaVision, discussing the way the show handles grief and its presentation of female characters within the Marvel Cinematic Universe
After Atlanta, Confronting Anti-Asian Racism Is Long Overdue
In response to the anti-Asian mass shooting in Atlanta, Russell Sherrard-Smith explores the racism against Asian people and the prejudices we continue to believe.
AS I SEE IT – Is TALA’s Collaboration with ASOS Undermining their Sustainability Efforts?
Following the announcement of TALA’s collaboration with ASOS, Yasmin Norvill examines whether this partnership has undermined TALA’s sustainability efforts.
AS I SEE IT – It’s Okay to Be Anxious About the Easing of COVID Restrictions
Maisie Holcombe explains why she believes the easing of restrictions will be difficult for some people.
Sarah Everard – British Women and their Collective Grief for a Life that Could Have Been our Own
Reflecting on the disappearance of Sarah Everard, Hannah Gravett examines what it means to be a woman in Britain today, highlighting the painful experience of communal grief and the heartbreaking statistics of which we have become numb to.
Sustainable Space Travel: Is it Possible?
Neelam Bhohi investigates whether our attempts to explore space are negatively impacting the environment and questions the future possibilities of sustainable space travel.
Top 5 Audiobooks for the Insomniac
Hannah Gravett lists her top audiobooks to help you sleep, from childhood favourites to a political biography
Find Your Fire, Just Don’t Get Burned Out On The Way
Gigi Bushell describes her recent experience of burnout and offers her tips for dealing with it in the future.
AS I SEE IT – LGBTQ+ Rights in a Post-Brexit Britain
Harry Moreby analyses the risk to LGBTQ+ rights from Brexit in light of the anti LGBTQ+ comments from the Prime Minister and members of the Government.
This Is Just The Veganning: I did Veganuary this Year and Here’s What I Found
Gigi Bushell reflects on her experience eating a vegan diet throughout the month of January and debunks the mistruths about being vegan on a student budget.
A Collection of Poems by Luana Vasconcelos
Poet Luana Vasconcelos shares a collection of Haiku style poems touching on themes of the beauty of nature and the comfort found within poetry.
AS I SEE IT – Debating ‘Beanz on Bix’ in the House of Commons Isn’t Cute: It’s an Embarrassing Insult to the Thousands Lost to the Virus
Following Weetabix’s viral tweet last Wednesday, Hannah Gravett argues that the politicians’ engagement with the debate is inappropriate following their repeated mistakes during the pandemic.
Dreams: Making Sense of the Nonsense
Isobel Kavanagh discusses the significant meanings of our dreams
AS I SEE IT – Why Taylor Swift is a 21st Century Feminist Icon
Betsy Goodfellow argues that, by using her platform to discuss issues of politics and misogyny, Taylor Swift becomes an important feminist icon.
It’s Lockdown 3 and I Think We’re Scared of Hope
Following the dominantly negative discourse surrounding the pandemic, Charlotte West offers some reasons why we shouldn’t let go of hope.
Generation Z and 2021: A Chance to Change
Kasia Ozorowska discusses why she believes Gen Z struggle so much with their mental health compared with previous generations
AS I SEE IT – The Golden Age of Children’s TV and Why it Means So Much to the Older Generation
Rachel Quick takes a deep dive into the Golden Age of children’s television and reflects on why it resonates so deeply with the older generations.
The Masters I Had Never Planned on Doing and Why You Should Consider One Too
Gigi Bushell opens up about her decision to return to university for a postgraduate course and gives her advice on retraining in a different field.
AS I SEE IT – Why Influencers in Dubai are a Problem
Following the discussion on ‘This Morning’, Maisie Holcombe contributes to the debate surrounding influencers ‘essential’ trips to Dubai, arguing that it is an insult to workers on the frontline.
AS I SEE IT – Why Giving Vulnerable Families an Additional £20 Shouldn’t Be Up For Debate
Hannah Gravett argues that the government’s resistance to extend the temporary £20 weekly rise in Universal Credit is a disgrace, and insists that for many across the country £20 is a lifeline.
AS I SEE IT – Are OBE’s Outdated? The Celebratory Remains of Britain’s Colonial Past and the Celebrities Who Decline Them
Hannah Gravett looks at past celebrities who have earned OBEs, arguing that Britain’s imperial past affects the reception of this prestigious award.
AS I SEE IT – Why You Should Befriend Your Nearest Racist
Laura Gainor argues that we must rethink how we engage with racists and better seek to deradicalise them through conversation.
AS I SEE IT – Twitter Locks Trump’s Account: Why Social Media Defying the President is Too Little Too Late
Following Twitter’s suspension of Donald Trump’s account last week, Hannah Gravett argues that the decision comes too late, as the damage has already been done.
AS I SEE IT – Understanding the Fallout of Confronting a Family Political Division
Amber Penter shares how recent political events in the US strained her relationship with members of her family.
COVID-19: the Virus Undermining Attenborough’s Sustainability Efforts
After watching Sir David Attenborough’s latest documentary “A Life on Our Planet”, Alice Brooks reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic is reversing global sustainability efforts
AS I SEE IT – Don’t Be Scared to Visit a Hospital During the Pandemic
Leon Lynn recounts his recent experience in a hospital and reassures that they are taking sufficient precautions during the pandemic.
Why The Muppets is the best version of A Christmas Carol
This festive season, Betsy Goodfellow articulates why she believes The Muppet Christmas Carol is the best adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved novel.
Just Relax and Accept the Crazy: Job Hunting Advice to Help You Hustle in the COVID Era
Gigi Bushell gives her top tips for students and graduates job hunting during the pandemic.
AS I SEE IT – The Impact of COVID-19 on Women in STEM
Neelam Bhohi reveals the factors that have disproportionately effected women during the pandemic and argues for there to be an investment of support.
As I see it – Teachers deserve so much more support
Luka Dehnbostel writes about the lack of support for teachers and the options to better help them and students
I’ll Be Ho-Ho-Home for Christmas Markets This Year
Gigi Bushell shares six of the best virtual Christmas markets this year.