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Silence settled; I held hushed fear. Fear of sins returning to haunt. You changed, rearranged, but like heaven and hell, your mark remains in that gruesome book. No forgiveness or recognition, because they never saw your deconstruction and the reconstruction that followed. I saw the reflection of myself in characters passing by; exploitative, consumptive bodies, [...]

It’s true (if you believe me): lying is the best policy. Why tell the truth when you know that the truth will only hurt? Question everything, but don’t tell anyone. When you’re on that journey of yours, never confess that you’re completely lost. Just smile, grin, and bear it. It’s going to infuriate you, but [...]

The opinions expressed and observations below are those of a number of Muslim students at SOAS, whose responses to the points (left) were mixed. Despite the differences in views, however, there was a general consensus that discrimination on the grounds of religion does exist. While some agree that it is an extension of racism, others [...]

Is discrimination a challenge for us all? You can see the colour of a person’s skin, but you cannot see their soul. To some, religion is a creation of the mind, while for others it is as much a part of them as the eyes in their head. But to be discriminated against on the [...]

Have you ever read the polished floor? I read it every day when I see you. There are words on the polished floor, invisble to your eye, but I read them. Beyond a hidden world, there’s something there. I try to look out, but the words on the floor say, ‘No’. I say, ‘It’s not [...]

“Humanity’s single most important role,” Said the man with no hair, “Is to claim Victimisation. You, Mr. Bowes, are claiming it all the time.” I looked up at him. I felt like a victim. He was singling me out From the two thousand men, filling the tent. “You are always complaining,” He continued, “That people [...]

Have you ever read the polished floor? I read it every day When I see you. Is admiration wrong? Because I admire, But it is nothing more. There are words on the polished floor, Invisible to your eye, But I read them. Beyond a hidden world, There’s something there. And I wish I could share [...]

The Neurocentic’s invaluable guide to life in the big smoke. The question is, can you live without it? Eat food, that’s my advice. When you’ve done your monopoly board trail of London it’s time to get started on your snakes and ladders. The supermarket, that’s a great place to start, because there you discover ultimate [...]

When the thunder clattered and the rain lashed the ground, the power went off and SOAS library’s computer network ceased to function. There was no rain in Tanzania, the power went off, but it was more than the computers that suffered. Michael Franti of Spearhead fame, the hiphopster on a mission of musical literation, would [...]

Hi Tim, it’s me. Um. I’m just calling to see if you’d already left for, er, Third World First, but I guess you did. Um, I. I don’t think I can go, like, like this weird thing came up and like, it’s like so last minute and like, I feel real bad, because I like [...]

There were lines in the palms of my hands. I have to be careful from now on; in what I do, I mean. People want to find out what’s inside my head, but I never find out what’s in theirs. I’ve made mistakes telling people things that are too private, too personal. Things I shouldn’t [...]

If you’re with your other friends, Will you deny my existence? If the time is right, Will you laugh at me? If the pressure is on, Will you reject me? If the sky is blue, Is the sea blue too? If you want power, Will you reach out to me? If you’re feeling vulnerable, Will [...]