Stop the Coup Rally - Leeds

Yesterday evening I attended my first real protest. I've always been politically driven and wanted to go to a protest but could never get myself up to join one. Big crowds and tight places really aren't my thing and it drives my anxiety high. However, when I read that a flash protest was going to be held in Leeds against Boris Johnson and his undemocratic coup, I had to attend. I had to use my voice. My presence matters. 

I arrived an hour early and there was literally no one. I thought I made my way for no reason. I waited around on a bench as people started filling up the square. An EU flag here and an EU shirt there, people were arriving to join the protest. Next thing I know the square is full of people, all with one goal: stopping Boris Johnson from pushing through a no deal Brexit. 

Fighting Johnson’s Undemocratic Coup

Politicians continue to play games with the lives of the people of UK. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is the perfect example of a career politician, and not a politician that looks out for the people of this country. His views on Brexit, and every other matter, is like a yoyo. He moves up and down, all around, until he finds a position in which he profits from. His games have led us even closer to a no-deal Brexit by suspending parliament. This is undemocratic and further deepens the constitutional crisis we are in. 

For far too long we have seen the conservative government risk the lives of the poor and less fortunate, just to give themselves a leg up. What we’re seeing right now is not something new. It has been happening for the last decade. Tories acting in the own self-interest and whats best for their friends, whilst the rest of us suffer. This is just a succession of the actions of Tories, as they evolve into this mean and nasty monster.

Men’s Opinions Don’t Mean Shit to Me

I rarely interact with strangers on social media, both positively or negatively. I enjoy taking the time to express appreciation for someone’s talent, but seldom leave comments as I anticipate an influx of bizarre, unnecessary bullshit flooding the comments section.

Negativity spreads like wildfire. A simple response is seen by so many other users and interacted with in turn. The chain never ceases to die down. For uplifting, wholesome additions, this is always a great thing. Humans thrive on compliments and anything that boosts their self-esteem.

The impact of negative attributions, however, is far more powerful. It sticks in our minds so much more, overpowering any joy. To top it off, we’re constantly told that ‘everyone is entitled to their own opinion’ and that anything said against harmful commentary is under the heading of pathetic, whinging, ‘snowflake’ behaviour. This always stirs something in me, as freedom of speech has been translated to ‘let every bigot have a voice,’ which isn’t the intention of the system at all. I can’t help but roll my eyes when I get that reply, especially from a butthurt cis man, as his fragile ego has been threatened so harshly, in their eyes. They’re demanding I listen. I ignore that demand, and hit the block button. 

Dear Liberal Democrats

The Lib Dems are playing a dangerous game with the lives of people in this country. They can no longer call themselves the party for remainers if they aren’t willing to back Jeremy Corbyn’s proposal for a temporary government. The most baffling thing about the Lib Dems is that they say one thing, but their actions show another. What the last week has shown is that they are in fact the party of anti-Corbyn, than the party for remain voters.

Since the results of the referendum in 2016, the Lib Dems have been calling for a second referendum, or a people’s vote on the type of Brexit, against remain. However, a second referendum has not been a realistic option, until now.

Racism in Football

The new premier league season is only two weeks in and we’re already facing a racism crisis. In the super cup final, Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham missed the crucial penalty against Liverpool. On the weekend, Paul Pogba missed a penalty against the Wolves. On both occasions, the players were racially abused on social media.

Just like every other time, people come out condemning what has happened and everyone is up in arms. They can’t believe this has happened in the beautiful game. When Tammy Abraham was racially abused by his own fans, everyone put it down to “well that’s Chelsea fans for you”. Now Paul Pogba has been abused by his own Manchester United fans. The narrative is that it’s not Man Utd fans. It’s in fact people posing as Man Utd fans.