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Seeking asylum from the past

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, …

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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 …

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Responding to Runnymede

The opinions expressed and observations below are those of a number of Muslim students at SOAS, whose responses to the points 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 believe …

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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 …

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Hidden Eyes and Lowered Gaze

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 …

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The world of multiple choice

When bad moods get you, what can you do? I’ve slammed my head in the door before. When flinging your boots across the room doesn’t work and you’ve sliced open the salt container with the kitchen knife, decapitated your flatmate’s Spice Girls and left their poster in tatters, it’s time to get creative. You’re about …

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Victimisation

“Humanity’s single most important role,” Said the man with no hair, “Is to claim Victimisation. You, Mr. B, 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 …

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The Polished Floor

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 …

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Eat Food

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 …

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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 …

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Tim. This is Mimi. Um. I came across a quote today that I think, I think you should hear. And the quote is, “In a world of comparisons and conformity, make your own statements, honour your own truths, have the courage to be yourself, risk speaking your own thoughts and claiming your own emotions. Share …

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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 …

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Questionnaire

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 …

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Hiding my head

What if I wanted my life to be private? Would you let me be silent? Would you let me hide away and stay away? On days when I do not want the world to see me, I wear a black hat to hide my head and my long coat. I know that it does not …

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Deleted

I wanted to hide away And be anonymous. I wanted to hide away: Delete my face. I wanted to be hidden, I wanted a private world, I wanted to be in my world. I wanted to hide away. I wore a black hat, Though the sun was hot, For it covered my head And I …

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