Opinion – politicians should stop trying to be celebrities
Constant media coverage kickstarted the personalisation of politics, where leaders aren’t seen as representatives but more as ‘personalities’ that the public tries to know, relate to, and measure their own values against. Is this damaging? Yesterday, the wiser half of Britain collectively scoffed and eye-rolled after learning that its former...
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Kevin Spacey has won lawsuit against Anthony Rapp
The jury’s decision marks a difficult turning point in the #Metoo movement. This week, as a jury concluded actor Kevin Spacey was not guilty of molesting Anthony Rapp – an assault that Mr Rapp alleges took place when he was just 14 – Spacey dropped his head in relief. Hugging lawyers...
Alex Jones to pay $965 million USD for Sandy Hook defamation
Infowars founder and right-wing conspirator Alex Jones has been ordered to pay nearly $1 billion USD in damages to the families of Sandy Hook victims, after years of abuse and harassment from his followers. Right wing conspirator and commentator Alex Jones has been ordered to pay $965 million USD...
Opinion – ‘Kim, there are people that are dying’ is a toxic mindset
The popular phrase has become a default when we – or others – complain about trivial things in our lives, but could this thought process be damaging? We live in the era of heightened global awareness, with the ability to know what’s going on in virtually any part of the...
Scooby-Doo writers finally confirm Velma is gay
After years of speculation, ‘Scooby-Doo’ has officially confirmed Velma is gay. If that news seems both obvious and overdue, that’s because it is. In the new straight-to-TV film ‘Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo’ – the thirty-fourth of the series – show runners decided to give fans what they’ve been waiting for. A now viral...
Does Netflix’s ‘Dahmer’ drama trivialise real tragedy?
Ryan Murphy’s drama adaptation of the Jeffery Dahmer case is a huge hit for Netflix. Despite seemingly well-intentioned studies of racial tensions throughout, the show still glamourises Dahmer and reduces real tragedy to convenient social media one-liners. Currently sitting at the top of Netflix’s home page, ‘Dahmer’ dramatizes and...
Caleb McLaughlin opens up about racist ‘Stranger Things’ fans
McLaughlin’s experience proves one thing: that whether young, old, or wildly successful, even those who seem untouchable still face racism. We’re all guilty of mystifying Hollywood stars. We immortalise them, so much so that the death of a mainstream actor feels like the loss of a loved one. Their wealth feels untouchable – their fame endless. Of all celebrities, perhaps none are more beguiling than the child star. The ability to achieve...
Meg Thee Stallion launches mental health platform
The program, called ‘Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too’ provides an expanse of resources for therapy services and mental health helplines. It also showcases organisations offering advice for Black and LGBTQ+ communities, with the hope of improving access to mental health care and removing the stigma around asking for help. Houston rapper and Grammy-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion practically invented the popular phrase ‘hot girl summer,’ which encouraged women everywhere...
Opinion – why Halle Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel is so important
The new trailer for Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid features a Black actress in the title role. Conflicting responses from young children and racist adults prove why Ariel’s new casting is so important. Scheduled for a 2023 release, a live-action The Little Mermaid has created buzz since it was first announced in 2016. When Halle Bailey, a young Black musician – and five-time Grammy award winner alongside her...
Why is queerbaiting often a misunderstood term?
From Noah Schnapp to Madonna, accusations of ‘queerbaiting’ have been the source of controversy and debate across social media, but the term has often been misunderstood and misused. Just last week, Heartstopper star Kit Connor deleted Twitter after accusations that he had been ‘queerbaiting’ by playing a bisexual character in the popular Netflix show. Pictures of Connor holding hands with his co-star in the upcoming film, A Cuban Girl’s Guide to...
