January is always a month that is stressful for students. You soon realise that you did absolutely no work over Christmas and that you have numerous imminent essays and exams that make up an unnervingly large proportion of your degree. As well as that, there are housing arrangements to sort out for the next academic year, a new timetable to get used to, and, to top it all off, the dreaded concept of New Year’s Resolutions. However, be reassured, it could always be worse. Look at it this way – Donal Trump hasn’t destroyed the world (yet).
As a newly elected Charities Officer of Exeter’s Feminist Society (Penryn Campus) I feel the need to talk about the incredible Women’s Marches that occurred over last weekend. I am a firm believer in democracy and completely advocate the promotion of human rights so I am so proud (and jealous) of the millions that turned up on Saturday 21st to protest Donald Trump’s inauguration. Frankly, Trump’s behaviour is vile and it is outrageous that he has been given so much power and privilege, however, he was elected, (though hopefully that says more about the failings of the American electoral system than the voters).
I am a firm believer in democracy and completely advocate the promotion of human rights
Nonetheless, just like the UK’s vote on Brexit, America’s presidential election result was exceedingly frustrating. Blatant sexism, racism, islamophobia and homophobia was expressed and covered in the media and millions of people seemed to agree with Trump and his messages of prejudice and hatred. Some people’s opinions certainly need to change.
Now, with Trump’s inauguration behind us and with increasingly offensive and islamaphobic bills (#muslimban) being passed, it appears (sadly) that the worse may be yet to come.
However, there is hope! 2016 is over (thank goodness!) and people are protesting in their millions, whether in the streets as part of the recent Women’s Marches or using their positions
of privilege via social media to express concern and opposition.
So, although January can be an extremely stressful period with essays and exams, take a
minute to think about those affected by America’s new president, and when you do, you will realise that bad grades are not actually the end of the world. Yes, you may have got a 2:2 rather than a 2:1, but, you know what? It could always be worse.
The Pen from Penryn: why January could always be worse
J
January is always a month that is stressful for students. You soon realise that you did absolutely no work over Christmas and that you have numerous imminent essays and exams that make up an unnervingly large proportion of your degree. As well as that, there are housing arrangements to sort out for the next academic year, a new timetable to get used to, and, to top it all off, the dreaded concept of New Year’s Resolutions. However, be reassured, it could always be worse. Look at it this way – Donal Trump hasn’t destroyed the world (yet).
As a newly elected Charities Officer of Exeter’s Feminist Society (Penryn Campus) I feel the need to talk about the incredible Women’s Marches that occurred over last weekend. I am a firm believer in democracy and completely advocate the promotion of human rights so I am so proud (and jealous) of the millions that turned up on Saturday 21st to protest Donald Trump’s inauguration. Frankly, Trump’s behaviour is vile and it is outrageous that he has been given so much power and privilege, however, he was elected, (though hopefully that says more about the failings of the American electoral system than the voters).
Nonetheless, just like the UK’s vote on Brexit, America’s presidential election result was exceedingly frustrating. Blatant sexism, racism, islamophobia and homophobia was expressed and covered in the media and millions of people seemed to agree with Trump and his messages of prejudice and hatred. Some people’s opinions certainly need to change.
Alice Horncastle
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