So I have just submit my FINAL MA Dissertation today.
For those of you who don’t know:
Two years ago… I started a Masters Degree in Critical and Creative Analysis (Sociology) at Goldsmiths College, London.
When I started the course in late September 2016…I had only just finished my last MA at Southampton Solent University. CRAZY… See I had originally chosen Goldsmiths but couldn’t afford the tuition fees so took an offer at Solent, whilst I saved up ( which never works out)…I had also been working as an Intern at Solent … for 6 months … after finishing my BA degree there in the summer of 2014. .
So I have actually been at University for 5 solid years (- minus the 3-5 months away in Autumn /Winter of ’14.
(I have had part time jobs throughout , obviously)
Now…all that time of reading… thinking… analysing… reflecting… writing.. and reading again….I really have NO idea what to do with myself…
So it was a depressing day already, even after years of anticipation as we witnessed Donald Trump sworn into American presidency.
The more positive vibe of today was set when I arrived at Goldsmiths University to find this mural gathering a crowd outside in true anti-trump inauguration spirit. A creative display that summed up the theme of the day.
Inside the university Trump’s inauguration was being played live. Aside from a few disgusted students looking on, there was little interest. As I couldn’t attend the inauguration protest in Southampton, I decided to head to the one outside the American Embassy in Grosvenor square.
I am glad I did because the atmosphere was totally electric.
As I approached the embassy I could hear the music and a crowd already gathered outside with a party in full swing. There was a rousing speech and a festival vibe throughout as everyone shared their defiance of the harrowing developments of the day.
I heard singing and thought ‘that’s nice’ but didn’t realise until the next day it was Lily Allen singing in front of me:
Lily Allen’s new video
Lily used a lot of event footage for the video of her cover of Rufus Wainwirght’s ‘Going to a town. I couldn’t find myself in the vid but everythign loks much better in black and white/
I was only expecting some form of static picket line protest but then within half hour of being outside the embassy, the activist led us into a march that took us through Oxford Street to Piccadilly Circus before arriving back to the embassy.
It was one of the most active marches I can recall and there was strong reception and approval from the passing traffic with the majority of Bus and Taxi drivers honking their horns enthusiastically.
It was nice to feel the unity and realise not everyone had succumbed to that level of backward thinking. I met a few people were happy to be pictured getting involved.
Here’s a link to the complete route we took on the march to give you some idea of the activity. There’s another you can join on 18th March. #DumpTrump
Rant &Rave 