Last month, the duke and duchess of Cambridge visited Pakistan, in what seemed to be a step forward for Pakistan, and also a very respectful visit by the couple. They were highly praised by many people, especially by Pakistanis for the way they dressed and behaved during their visit. Although the visit seemed perfectly fine, we should never forget what these people represent. The British Royal family represent the British Empire. The empire which caused many social and economic disasters in the whole region of South Asia. South Asian should never forgot the impact the empire had on the region.
I don’t like to judge people based on the actions of their predecessors. However, when a person continues to benefit from their actions, then I have a problem. On top of that, when nothing has been done to acknowledge the crimes of the empire, then my disaffection for them furthers. People forget that this family were once the emperor/empress of India. They were the face of all the terrible things that happened in British ruled India. Crimes committed by the empire continue to this day, with stolen gems such as Koh-I-Noor under the possession of the Royal Family.
Dry Bland Unseasoned
Last night the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium was one of the most toxic it has ever been. So much was going from VAR to Xhaka’s substitution. With all this drama, one thing must not be forgotten. That’s the football being played by Arsenal.
Dry, bland and unseasoned. That is how I describes the way Arsenal are currently playing. There is no creativity and no flair. Frankly, I just don’t know what type of football it is. Are they an attacking side or a defensive side? Are they meant to sit back, soak up pressure and then attack on the counter? Are they meant to build pressure by keeping the ball and try to break down the opposition? Are they a pressing side, pressing from the front and then attack directly, when winning the ball? I just don’t know. There is nothing to Arsenal. There is only one man that can answer these questions, and that's Unai Emery.
Dry, bland and unseasoned. That is how I describes the way Arsenal are currently playing. There is no creativity and no flair. Frankly, I just don’t know what type of football it is. Are they an attacking side or a defensive side? Are they meant to sit back, soak up pressure and then attack on the counter? Are they meant to build pressure by keeping the ball and try to break down the opposition? Are they a pressing side, pressing from the front and then attack directly, when winning the ball? I just don’t know. There is nothing to Arsenal. There is only one man that can answer these questions, and that's Unai Emery.
The Decline of the Natural Body
The surge in people seeking plastic surgery has reached an abnormal level. Normality has become engorged lips, miniscule waists and disproportionately sized buttocks, typically enhanced by a face full of makeup. Now, don’t get me wrong; people making choices about their own body isn’t any of my concern, and I wouldn’t advocate attacks on these people seeking or undergoing surgical treatments. People make their own choices about whether it’s something they want to change on an aesthetic level or to correct a medical issue, and ultimately it hardly affects me in a direct manner. There’s no need to ridicule people or question their sanity, even if they appear to have gone overboard with procedures; I personally condemn any sort of body shaming, and the aforementioned bodies fall under this premise.
However, the popularity of these aesthetic treatments proves to be of great concern, as younger and younger people are undergoing procedures, sometimes in great haste. The influence of social media, celebrities and current trends is blatant; the tabloids and reality shows are continuously showing us the latest looks, and bodies are constantly scrutinised. This has become a given in our self-obsessed society and forms the basis for a lot of conversation. Despite trends evolving regularly, our fixation on appearance is a concept that remains embedded in public discourse. In our modern world, where scientific advances are rampant, the possibility of excessively altering appearances is entirely possible. The connection is therefore made: what was once unattainable, such as the ‘perfect nose’, can now be acquired.
However, the popularity of these aesthetic treatments proves to be of great concern, as younger and younger people are undergoing procedures, sometimes in great haste. The influence of social media, celebrities and current trends is blatant; the tabloids and reality shows are continuously showing us the latest looks, and bodies are constantly scrutinised. This has become a given in our self-obsessed society and forms the basis for a lot of conversation. Despite trends evolving regularly, our fixation on appearance is a concept that remains embedded in public discourse. In our modern world, where scientific advances are rampant, the possibility of excessively altering appearances is entirely possible. The connection is therefore made: what was once unattainable, such as the ‘perfect nose’, can now be acquired.
Failures of the Human Race – Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Whatever your belief may be as to how the universe and our Earth came into existence, the various subtle hierarchies existing within the human race are undeniable. Whether it be in the form of slavery, the caste system or specific oppressive forces attacking minorities, an underdog has continuously been established and punished throughout their lives, simply for existing. A category of people to consider as under attack include those without access to shelter, food and water, or those living in poverty.
I’m sure the assumptions and stereotypes are flowing erratically now. How all homeless people scavenge for money to spend on alcohol and drugs, how they steal – which is barbaric! How dare they steal for survival! How immoral! – how they could fix their lives if they just stopped being lazy and got a job.
I’m sure the assumptions and stereotypes are flowing erratically now. How all homeless people scavenge for money to spend on alcohol and drugs, how they steal – which is barbaric! How dare they steal for survival! How immoral! – how they could fix their lives if they just stopped being lazy and got a job.
Colourism in South Asian Dramas
A typical evening for my parents has almost always consisted of tuning in to their latest Pakistani dramas with a hot cup of tea resting in their hands as they follow along the story line. Shows concerning marriage, infidelity, betrayal, love and heartbreak are created, over and over, with subtle changes and nuances to steer the same audiences in. Whilst the premise of most South Asian dramas are similar, which surprisingly doesn't deter audiences, one aspect in particular is alarming to see become a normalised, even admirable asset. This aspect forms the normalised notion that has contributed to the damaging societal view I have lived with, as well as other young brown people, in turn affecting our outlook on ourselves.
Glorification
Trigger warning: mention of suicide.
Art is a powerful form of expression that plays a big role in society. It can motivate people to join a movement and do something worthwhile or even do something terrible. We now live in a society where terrible things are constantly happening. Instead of actually tackling these issues head on, society continually attacks different forms of art, for their role in glorifying such actions.
As the new Joker movie is being showed worldwide, the biggest talking point from the movie is not about the story line or the acting. It was in fact the role the movie plays in society. Critics of the movie say it glorifies violence and the Joker, who is one of the most evil fictional characters. We constantly see the media attacking different forms of art on their role in glorifying the story, to such an extent where they would like to censor it. What these people fail to see is that other factors play a much bigger role for these terrible actions.
Art is a powerful form of expression that plays a big role in society. It can motivate people to join a movement and do something worthwhile or even do something terrible. We now live in a society where terrible things are constantly happening. Instead of actually tackling these issues head on, society continually attacks different forms of art, for their role in glorifying such actions.
As the new Joker movie is being showed worldwide, the biggest talking point from the movie is not about the story line or the acting. It was in fact the role the movie plays in society. Critics of the movie say it glorifies violence and the Joker, who is one of the most evil fictional characters. We constantly see the media attacking different forms of art on their role in glorifying the story, to such an extent where they would like to censor it. What these people fail to see is that other factors play a much bigger role for these terrible actions.
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