Why the Internet is potentially a dangerous thing

I like the internet, its expressive, weirdly wonderful and can sustain boredom no matter where you are around the globe. But it is useless thinking this could relate to a better kind of human being. I try to remain reserved in my opinions of news articles (specifically on the web), however some artless go a bit too far. 

Return of Kings, 2014

THIS came up on my news feed this morning on Facebook after one of my friends shared it in outrage that it even exists. And I agree. 

An eating disorder is not something to laugh at, it is not something to use against another human being, it most definitely is not a defining factor of a relationship and if you agree with anything that article says then you most definitely deserve to rot. 

I have had friends with eating disorders, luckily enough I have never suffered from the illness myself.  However this article makes my skin crawl. One of the '5 reasons' is suggesting that when a woman is feeling vulnerable THAT IS A GOOD THING. 

I can't even outline how pissed this article made me. With all of the positive response after Emma Watsons #HeforShe campaign, I'd have thought the waves of feminism was defining a new chapter for the human race. However this article has only proved to me how wrong I am. 

Finally, the last defining part of this article is the other publications this author has covered...

Many of those publications are all for the gender equality, so why they have supported this mysogynistic arse is beyond me... and possible something that needs to be addressed? 

Not only this article, but Return of King's seems to be an amalgamation of high and mighty men who still believe women are beneath them? I can only hope this website is made of satirical (yet still badly written) content however some of these articles have me second guessing myself... 

Feminism is on the Retreat

The Major Flaw in Taday's Perception of Domestic Violence

Laci Green is Trying to Censor Youtube- Without Consent

And my personal favourite and an article I have already mentioned...

Jennifer Lawrence is not a good role model.

What scares me is the heaps of comments of people who agree with this, men from around the world seem to be using these misleading and bollock's filled articles to support casual sexism. 

Spread this blog post, around the internet and make these people realise that what they are publicising is wrong! This needs attention as quite frankly these articles are no different to a hate crime in my eyes! 

G x

Journalism & my hometown

This is something I hold very close to my heart. I was born in Weymouth & have lived there the majority if my life. Before you start reading what I have to say; i'd love for you to read these two articles which have been in national news this week;

The Guardians Response; 

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/29/why-locals-love-weymouth

The Observers report. 

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/22/sun-sea-inequality-social-crisis-britain-resorts-weymouth

I really do hope you've read these, because otherwise what i'm about to say will appear completely out of context. 

I love Weymouth, but I am not blind to its flaw, my childhood was made up of running along the beach, idle stares from begrudging middle class mothers because I was raised by a single man, having my school bus route cut meaning I had to walk 50 minutes every morning to primary school, underage drinking, the beginning of my now prominent work ethic and determination to gain something better than what this lovely seaside town can offer me. 

Its true, the pregnancy rating of Weymouth has soared, on average in every shool year through secondary school there was at least one girl who fell pregnant... But from what I have seen each of these mothers are doing a better job at raising there child than the average 30-odd woman whose chatting to her mates as her child screams in her pushchair complaining about how hard her life is. (Without being judge openly by people in the street) 

I've witnessed street fights, been bullied, cried over lost love, seen grown teachers have mental breakdowns due to the relentless torture of our science class, and yet come out of it head girl of my school, visited Ghana on an exchange programme  and then later  student president of my sixth form. 

In the class system, most likely dictated by a journalist in a swanky office in London;  I should be considered working class. However I now study in London, have passed my first year of university, become vice president of the climbing society, gained a decent student job as a mentor AND done all this proudly representing my heritage.

 None of this could have been possible if I hadnt of been pushed by underpaid teachers who did their best to give every student the best options possible. 

I have friends who decided against leaving weymouth & have stayed, one is now an assistant manager of a public house on Weymouth's beautiful harbour side.  She is eighteen. No journalist can argue that she is wasting away in a town of poverty when she helps run a resturant that hits up to 300 covers a night in summer. 

Although I will proudly protect Weymouth, I agree there is work to be done, the town is slowly being enveloped in hundred of resturants and any shops are disappearing; Brewers Quay was a thriving part of Weymouth community, made the town's 'Victorian night' special and fun, it hosted childrens partys, had a sweet shop alongside supporting the work of independant weymouth artists. 

It was shut to be converted into a hotel complex before the 2012 Olympics which never happened. It is now a antiques l emporium(more appropriately named between my friends as a thrift shop) ran by volunteers desperate to renew  Weymouth back to its glory days. 

In conclusion to this rant, I can guarentee I've supported and challenged both articles you have just read, but supposedly I am the result of poor education and one of the hundreds of people The Observer have deemed aspiration-less. But all i will say is Tracy Mcveigh,  I understand you were probably told to write about the worst parts of Weymouth and completely ignore any good, but if there is one thing the average Weymouthian can do... Is remember a name. Bad luck for taking that bullet, as you are now no longer welcome.... But hey... What do I know? I'm not part of the 21st Century?! 

G 

My entry into the Depths of Perception 2014 Competition

To find out more about the competition or wnter yourself please visit: 

Depth of Perception Contest