Category: Play Hard Work Hard

Tirion Davies’s blog

The Children’s Story

 

When Our Children Tell Their Story, They’ll Tell the Story of Tonight

Being a teenager can sometimes be terrifying. But when we say terrifying, we mean being terrified of showing up to a party severely overdressed, or earning a bad grade at something we believe we ought to excel at, or even being terrified of stress and our own mental health. We never mean being terrified of being shot at our place of education. That is a fear which should not be reserved for anyone, especially not the youth of today.

I’m not American. I’ve never experienced gun-violence. But it doesn’t stop my compassion from throwing itself in aid of my fellow teenagers across the pond. I mean, Eliza Gonzales and the revolutionary teens storming America and conducting the ‘March For Our Lives’ seem to be handling the battle. But, they shouldn’t have to be. It’s not a fight they should have to be a part of. They shouldn’t have to continue making speeches and urging the adults in Congress who should be looking after them to stop gun violence. They should be terrified of falling on their face in heels, in the same way we fear in Britain. They shouldn’t have to be fighting for their lives.

I’ve spoken about gun violence before. The fact that I’m having to re-iterate so soon afterwards is a sign in itself that America is struggling. They shouldn’t be having an annoying Welsh girl telling them how to run their country. They should be aware of the many thousands of children who have died in mass shootings in schools across the US. They should be aware that by not doing anything, they are enforcing a death sentence on the many who only wish for an education.

Although I was not marching, my solidarity is with all those who did. To those not only in America, but all over the world. To those in London and Edinburgh and Belfast. To those in Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Israel, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Ghana, Mozambique, Puerto Rico and Canada: I stand with you.

There’s not much more I can say, except I hope they hear you and make a change. It’s too late for those who’ve lived through it, but maybe a change can protect those lucky enough to know nothing of American school shootings.

Maybe being lucky shouldn’t be the default. I know one thing for certain: I love the fact that I am part of such a strong generation. That when I look at the news I see the strong character you could only write about in films that are my age. My hope is that this has paid off. But I can only wish that those affected can finally get protection.

Protect kids. Not guns. Please.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

 

 

International Women’s Day

 

This International Women’s Day I had the incredible opportunity to be on BBC Radio Cymru with some of the most incredible young women. Speaking about a subject so close to my heart in my native language is a high I feel I can’t come down from. But more importantly, the women I got to speak with on the radio all have incredible personalities and views, and I can’t wait to see what they do.

I missed blogging on International Women’s Day, but I felt like I couldn’t express how important it was to me then – I was too caught up in seeing the ways women were uplifting other women and men were taking the time to thank the women around them. But now I know what it means to me. It means a future filled with possibilities and hope. It means that maybe by the time I come to have children, I can tell them how the women I was surrounded by helped to change the world, in a similar way to the Suffragettes 100 years ago.

This International Women’s Day I want to celebrate all women. Women who have expressed themselves enough and are strong enough to come out to the world. Women who accomplish the phenomenal even when those around them limit them due to their race. Women who own their femininity and those who choose not to. Women who have to fight with the world to be seen as women. Women who don’t

let disability stop them from achieving the extraordinary. Women who are survivors of domestic abuse or sexual assault. Women who are bosses and run countries and empires. Women who have to battle every day against their mental health. Women who support other women.

I can’t help but be in awe of the young women I am surrounded by and see on the news. The girls I see every day breaking stereotypes and controlling their own destinies. The young women who inspire me every day. The young women I see supporting men and women when they feel down. The young women I see in school, achieving their goals and owning it. The young women in the media like Zendaya and Tavi Gevinson and Emma Gonzalez creating a path we didn’t previously think existed.

This International Women’s Day I was grateful to be surrounded by incredible women. And incredible people, in general. I was grateful for my brother always encouraging me to chase my goals, and grateful to have parents who work tirelessly every day and prove the importance of hard work. I was grateful for my sensational friends who support each other under all circumstances. I was grateful for a family who is always there to listen. I was grateful that the women I am surrounded by prove the impossible is possible (I’m not grateful that I’ll have to follow in their footsteps, however!).

Time’s Up is still a movement which is incredibly important, and with the UN Women working against child marriage and for equal reproductive rights for women, a change is imminent. With the age of marriages being raised to at least 16 in many countries, a change is clearly possible. We need to keep this change on the up-rise. This International Women’s Day I came to appreciate that the women who inspire me every day don’t simply have to be the women I see on my newsfeeds. They’re the women I see day-in and day-out. The women who are going to blow us all out of the water.

Who knew the world was filled with dozens of Wonder Women?

By Tirion Davies

 

 

The Internet and Social Media

 

Growing up in an age of social media makes it all the more sad when people abuse their followings. Recently, a YouTube personality named Logan Paul uploaded a vlog where he was walking through Suicide Forest in Japan. I’m sure many of you would have heard by now about the disappointing video, as he and his friends appear to find a body in the forest. I must say that despite for the most part being raised with technology and social media, I am consistently aware of what I post, who it might offend and why I’m doing so. It baffles me then, that someone with such a following – a following of young people I might add, would be so ignorant to others’ emotions that they would film a dead body, and upload the video in which they move closer and closer to the body with their camera; a body of a man who has suffered some form of hardship so terrible it drove him to suicide. It honestly disgusts me how you could be so ignorant to then turn the camera on to yourself and begin to speak about mental health as though it is a matter you care about. Once you have filmed someone who has possibly suffered a mental health disorder (and film them with no remorse) and further have the hypocrisy to beg others to check their own mental health, you are not an ‘influencer’. You have given yourself over as someone who cares more about the amount of people who watch your videos – not those who do. Even though you have blurred the man’s face out (to comply with YouTube’s new rules by the way; YouTube, you too made a big mistake with not reviewing this one) it does not blur the hurt his family must feel, having you, Logan Paul, edit and yet still upload such a video.

As I said, I am the generation raised with the internet and social media. I was thirteen when I got my first social media profile, but even then and even now I think about everything I post. Every outcome, every reaction. If I were a YouTuber, I’d do exactly the same, because people seem to look up to YouTubers. They have found fame in the digital age and should be respectful that their voice is important. Many take this responsibility and use it wisely to speak about matters close to their own hearts; such come to mind are people like Gabbie Hanna, Liza Koshy, Lilly Singh, or Carrie Hope Fletcher, Giovanna Fletcher and Joey Graceffa who take responsibility for their online following and use it to raise awareness on important topics.

It baffles me how someone like Logan Paul (and for that matter, his brother) can understand their demographic is young people for the most part, and yet still disregard their emotions in order to gain ‘views’. My attempt is not to be ‘preachy’ but to ask why? How has a hobby for so many, and a career for millions, become for the sole purpose of feeding some people’s narcissistic tendencies? Logan Paul has argued in his original apology that he did not upload the video for ‘views’ because he claimed “I already get the views”. His ignorance overshadows that of incredible people truly trying to enlighten and empower young people; take Meghan Rienks, a YouTuber who also hosts her own podcast as a sort of sister/agony aunt to young girls. She is using her own influence and comedy to provide help and guidance for young girls; her videos are fun and uplifting, and most importantly – she thinks about the way her video will be perceived before she uploads it!

Logan Paul’s video is inexcusable in my opinion; it was not a live stream which would be unable to be edited. He had walked through the forest, and made the decision himself to film the man. He later went home and edited said video. He had all of the time whilst editing to easily come across the massive fault in his video; many continue to support his video and claim it to be “raising awareness”, and find it acceptable, seeing as “he did blur the face”. Which, you know, makes it okay? Nope.

At almost eighteen years old, having run my own blog since I was almost sixteen, I know what it is to review and have to think through your content before you post. Why then can’t Logan Paul, who has been on this Earth longer than I have? Ignorance is bliss, I suppose.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

Have A Merry Christmas

 

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

 

Christmas will be different this year. It seems everything this year has challenged us with means we deserve a new future, a new year to cap off the disastrous 2017. But with it comes a desire for a better 2018, one with less tragedy and less worry, one I’m highly doubtful we’ll be graced with. As you attempt to track through the awful past year, too many tragedies appear; but thankfully, some good has come out of this year, too. Perhaps the definition of 2017 is Time magazine’s Person of the Year being the men and women who stood up against their abusers this year, an ongoing battle I wish to see more of; but with Donald Trump taking second place. A year of wins, sprinkled with losses, too.

As we review this year, we need to take note of the good things. All too often do we dwell on the bad – remember the solidarity of women standing together at the Women’s Marches, and the world banding together in light of the numerous terror attacks, to prove we will not our futures be defined by the ugliness of these attacks. When you think of this year – although it’s so hard – try not to think about the ludicrous fact that Donald Trump (practically a five year old) is running America; daydream about his impeachment and Bernie Sanders storming in with a new Congress to pass the bills for free healthcare and re-instating Planned Parenthood. When you think of the Harvey Weinstein cases, don’t waste time on him and his supporters, educate yourself on the victims who finally allowed themselves a voice.

Following 2016 murderous rampage practically of celebrity after celebrity dying, we were graced with 2017’s own tragedies of sexual abusers. As one user on Tumblr aptly put it – last year you worried if your favourite celebrity was trending in case they were dead, this year you’re worried they are an abuser. Which then is worse?

Take the time this year to think about your successes this year. This year I passed my first year of A Levels without too much hassle; have applied to Universities and gained offers; have passed my final LAMDA examination; have (finally) passed my theory test; have gained multiple opportunities to expand my future, and have further gained stronger friendships. I’m grateful that I’m sure there’s more I could say about this year, and am more than grateful that I don’t know what I want for Christmas. Maybe the one thing I want for Christmas is impossible to have – an even better 2018.

When I sit watching the Christmas specials flood my screen at Christmas, and enjoy the feeling of having my family around me, I’ll realise I’m grateful for this year.

Because despite how awful it appears to have been on the outside, it’s allowed me to expand my horizons, and realise that my future is quickly shaping to be better than I’d hoped. For Christmas this year, I just hope that everyone else feels that they can call themselves stronger for having overcome a Millennial’s Year from Hell.

 

By Tirion Davies

Always On

Growing up in a time where the internet and danger is available at the touch of your fingertips is an interesting life. In some ways, some would argue I was lucky, considering technology was around when I was very young, although the tablets and smartphones did not become available to me until I was around 10 years old. These days, I am constantly seeing articles branding parents as ‘unfit’ for allowing their children to have tablets from the age of three.

I love my phone. I know it sounds so ‘millennial’, but it’s true. I think it’s so fascinating that you can do anything from a computer on a small screen without much effort. But I’m not one to argue that it’s only young people who are addicted to their devices. My tadcu loves his computers and since I can remember, has loved playing with them, uploading images from his much-loved camera, or sending funny memes he’s seen online to the family via email; he bought an iPad within the past year or so and so far, without fail he has been the first to find you an answer on the internet using it. My parents, (who both work in IT, so obviously!) enjoy using their tablets and phones and my Mam in particular has a deep love for her Kindle which I don’t think we’ll ever be able to compete with! My brother, just like me, loves his tech, because it’s just so easy for him to read his seventeenth book of the week (okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but he reads a lot) on his Kindle or phone via app.

It doesn’t make me any less capable of speaking to people in real life. But, I suppose you must be careful because a screen gives you a false sense of confidence which is unexplainable to anyone who’s never used a computer. It’s the ability to often submit an online comment which is controversial or wrong, but because it’s anonymous, it’s this sense that no one will ever know. I’m aware of this – more than some of my peers possibly. Because I write these articles – either for my own online blog, or for the What’s On, but they’re always sent via email or put up online. But I’m always careful. And I always make sure that whatever I say online is my own opinion – and one I’d have no problem reiterating in real life.

That’s the biggest issue I have. The fact that what you see online is almost never what the full picture is. That ‘Instagram models’ make you feel inadequate because of the visage they try to convey online which never truly matches up to their own personalities or looks. I’ve never hidden the fact I’ve had body positivity issues, but surely filtering your photos into oblivion makes them all the more fake and gives the wrong sense of your true body? I’m lucky that I was slightly older joining social networking sites like Instagram (mainly because when I was very young, none of it was around – I mean, Facebook was, because Facebook’s always been, just… there) because I can only imagine what young girls think about themselves now. I’m still rather impressionable, but at almost eighteen, I have the knowledge that these images are created to give a certain image, but if I was still nine and looking at a girl without any bones on her body, I might think of it as being somewhat normal. And maybe I’d try to copy those kinds of images.

I’m not saying these women – or men – should stop posting pictures of themselves. We all try to look good, but my argument is that they shouldn’t be editing their photos so heavily, because if you still caption it ‘mirror selfie!’ but look alien because your waist is the size of a pinkie finger, it becomes more cartoon-like, and young girls and boys start believing that’s what they ought to look like. But I also don’t think that every one of every age should be on social media. And at age three, I think it’s odd for you to be able to use an iPhone, but not be able to speak. I know it’s hard to say that, because the world is filled to the brim with new technology, but maybe there’s a point when technology should be a treat for very young children, not a normality.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

Mad World – Gun Control

Mad World

I have witnessed many horrible events happen in my lifetime, and as an aware young person living in today’s society, being kept from the horrors of the world is impossible. I follow the news. I am on most social media platforms. I have watched as tragedies occur, and seen them happen time and time again.

Recently, there was yet another mass shooting in America. And yet, the gun control laws held in the US has not wavered. American gun control laws have caused the death of millions upon millions of people in the US – perhaps a quarter of these statistics have been relevant to my lifetime. Think of that. In almost eighteen years, the news headlines have continuously had to revaluate situations as ‘The worst mass shooting in modern American history’. As the number of shootings increase, the many who have died grow with it.

Gun controls need to be tighter – I cannot stress this enough. By owning a gun, you have the potential to take a life. If you have a gun you need to stop simply saying ‘they wouldn’t give a gun to someone dangerous’ because everyone who owns a gun in America has the potential to be dangerous. You just don’t act on the potential. But someone does. Someone always does.

My point is that nothing changes. Americans still have guns. People’s reactions don’t change. A woman whose family member had been murdered in the Las Vegas shooting had said she did not want to change gun laws. How? How could you witness first hand a mass shooting and have a family member die and still see no problem with the war on gun control? More and more people buy guns in America every day. You can buy guns in supermarkets there.

Yes, I understand that these might be America’s problems, but you can’t deny that universal tragedies cause pain and suffering to more and more people every single day. Everyone is a part of that. Universally, we are more and more connected with America through our media and our global alliance. Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents and even sons and daughters are lost because someone decides they have the right to take a life. Telling us to not think too much about it is the same as telling us we’re heartless if we follow your instructions. Because these people could be us. Although they are across the Atlantic, they should still be important to Britain.

Why must children – the future of our world – die and yet nothing changes. The Sandy Hook shooting happened and dozens of children were killed. But even that didn’t stop the Americans from continuing to sell guns. If anything, the number of people with guns increased. It’s remarkable to me how a ‘travel ban’ on 6 Muslim-majority nations can pass through the US Congress but even after so many have died at the hands of Americans, the Congress cannot remove the laws that are in place in regards to guns.

This isn’t Britain’s battle to face. But equally, it feels like some Americans don’t see it as their own battle. But it is. Because if there isn’t a change soon, there won’t be any Americans left to fight gun law. There won’t be any Americans left. It should be a Universal problem because maybe someone from Britain can describe to an American just how dangerous and ignorant they are if they do not fight gun control.

We shouldn’t be afraid to live our lives – American or British. Speaking as a British citizen, if you are American and you don’t understand why there needs to be tighter gun controls, or even none, please educate yourselves on the stories of those who have died at the hands of guns. Read about those involved in the Pulse Orlando shootings, or the Virginia Tech shootings, or the Binghamton shootings or both of the Fort Hood shootings or even the Texas and Columbine shootings. Look at their photos and read their stories. Read about Claire Wilson James, or Noah Pozner or Isaiah Shoels or Stanley Almodovar III and Lisa Romero-Muiz.

Then try and tell me why civilians ought to have guns.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

There always needs to be a balance

 

Last year, I wrote my first article for the What’s On reviewing the balance of work and play. School’s back in and suddenly this had become all the more relevant yet again. The dread and panic about this final year has yet again cropped up and I won’t lie – I’m terrified. This will determine the way the next four years of my life pan out. I don’t think I’m ready for that responsibility – I’ve only just learnt to be able to order my own food in a restaurant (ok, that’s a hyperbole, but you get the gist)!

In the (barely) two weeks I’ve been back in school, my stress level has begun to gradually increase. It feels odd to go back and have to do so much when I’ve so wanted to remove the stress I felt during my exam period. Also, last year’s results are making things more difficult. In order to earn the grade I want at the end of this year, I’m planning on resitting a paper (one which unfortunately does not correspond with this year’s course) making the ever looming stress of revision feel closer and closer day by day. It’s somewhat illogical – I don’t think I have any exams until Spring of next year, but the thought that it all counts more than ever this year is making my heart skip erratically and I’ve barely made it to the end of September yet.

I know there needs to be a balance. There always needs to be a balance. But it’s how that balance ends up working – you need no more no less of both. I suppose my problem at the moment is it’s either too much work or too much play. My balance is off, and it’s putting me off for the rest of the year. It’s easy to misjudge the amount of work you have in Year 13 but remember – if you don’t think you have any work, it’s probably best to check; you might have an essay due in tomorrow…

People will tell you that working too hard will burn you out. It’s true I suppose, but my issue is that if I don’t work above my natural motivation, I don’t make the grade. But equally, it is easy to burn yourself out if all you do is work, and this is why you need something to take your mind off too much stress so that you don’t panic about having too much work before realising it’s doable. Drawing has always been a hobby of mine, and to take a moment to doodle is just a quick way of releasing enough worry to clear my head enough.

I don’t work well under pressure, so taking the time to colour (I’ve acquired multiple colouring books over the past year for this purpose) relaxes me, so that I can work out a plan of action for the work in front of me.

I want to tell you that it gets easier, but to be honest you’ve just got to get on with it. It’s horrible I know. But find the balance and work at it – it will make everything that more bearable.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

Why I’ve Learned Welsh

 

Up until this year, I primarily considered Welsh to be a nag from teachers, an unnecessary complaint to get me to listen. Of course, I always understood that there was an element of importance in my ability to speak Welsh. I’ve been learning Welsh words between English sentences from when I could first speak – but it wasn’t until I was about to embark on primary Welsh education that, at three, I began learning the language the way I would by the time I began school for real.

Of course, there were questions “Why do I have to learn this language? I get told off for speaking English! Isn’t that the language everyone speaks?” Over time the questions slowly stopped coming, and by age thirteen they stopped altogether. I began seeing the importance of the Welsh language and my pride in being able to speak it began to swell.

Yet, my GCSE years in the subject of Welsh were dire. To be honest, some of the things we did bored me, because they were either not in enough detail or because there was no discussion. It felt as though sometimes we were being taught things just as a way of passing an exam – and the work of Saunders Lewis (Blodeuwedd) went unnoticed, because there was no time to have a discussion on the matter. But because Welsh was a subject where the first language students had harder work, everything felt rushed, and eventually I stopped enjoying the subject.

We went on a trip to North Wales at the beginning of our second year of GCSEs with the Welsh department. At the time, it felt normal to be underwhelmed because that was just the way the rest of the previous year had been. We read and learned poems, but it never felt like we could delve into much more context than what we were given on the revision sheet. Looking back now, I would love to return to North Wales on the same trip, because my appreciation has greatly improved and I now understand the importance.

I’m not sure what possessed me to decide to study Welsh for A Level. As you can probably tell, my enjoyment in the subject at GCSE obviously hadn’t sparked a lot of enthusiasm. Yet within the first week of studying the subject it quickly became my favourite subject, and the best decision I would make this year.

As soon as I’d gotten used to the lessons, we began studying the poems. Similarly to GCSE, there are twelve poems on the A Level course. But by the time it came to the exam (the second half being grammar – a weakness of mine in Welsh) I enjoyed myself. You need context when you study any sort of poem for an exam (I’m also studying English Literature and Language – poems involved – and History) and unlike GCSE, the context used on these poems gave it a new light and thus it became more and more apparent that Welsh was a subject I valued. I’ve always enjoyed History, but this context felt more personal because for some poems, for instance ‘Gwenllian’ by Myrddin ap Dafydd, they speak of our Welsh past – a past forgotten mostly in South Wales and anglicised.

 

By studying Welsh in the way that I have done this year, it gives you so much more interest in your culture and makes you value being able to speak Welsh. I also studied the film ‘Hedd Wyn’ about the poet who’d died in the Passchendaele war (of which it recently commemorated 100 years) but had died before knowing he’d succeeded in his life-long dream of winning the Gadair at the National Eisteddfod. The film is available on YouTube for anyone who wishes to watch it (it has English subtitles). It shows the way Hedd Wyn’s work overcame the war, and is still just as beautiful even today; also, the film was nominated for a Foreign Language Oscar so… worth the watch.

My favourite part of this year was doing another of Saunders Lewis’ plays, Siwan. This time in such great detail. I had never realised how much our own Welsh history interested me until we studied the play. Surrounding the lives of Siwan (Princess of Wales) and her husband Llywelyn Fawr (the first of the Llywelyns and Prince of Wales) during the 1200s, in my everyday life I’d only vaguely remember studying such a period in Year 7. Yet, I knew so much and remembered things I never realised I even knew.

It’s weird, I know. For those who know me, you’d know that my Welsh GCSEs were riddled with complaints. But because of my decision to study it this year, it’s opened my eyes to so much more. This year I wrote my first Welsh language, full-length article for my coursework. And then I wrote a speech in Welsh for my coursework. And then I sent that speech to ‘Hacio’, and had it published. I Edited and produced two editions of my school’s newspaper this year, ‘Môr a Mynydd’.

And I’ve realised that if you have a passion for the language, no one will stop you from continuing to study it. Yes, I don’t believe that second-language Welsh speakers should be taught words like ‘popti-ping’ but you can’t change the whole world, right? I’ve realised that there are far more opportunities available for Welsh speakers getting involved in Journalism. It’s terribly hard to start out in Journalism, but if I do get the opportunity to study Welsh and Journalism at Cardiff University as I hope, by the time I move up the ranks, I’ll have more experience because there was more experience available to me.

If you teach Welsh effectively, you’ll get a good response. This year, we started our class with 5 members, but one person had moved from Biology to Welsh, having heard how good the course is. And so now, I’m doubtful that any of the six of us is willing to give up the subject next year – and even if we lose a member of the class, it’ll have been because there was no other choice. We’ve all enjoyed this year because of the passion and determination the teachers have. The interest they have in the subject sparks interest in their pupils because nothing is rushed. Thank you to them, I think above all else.

By Tirion Davies

What’s In The Headlines?

 

What’s In The Headlines?

For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be like my brother. He is not older than me – in fact, he is a minute younger than I am. But because of his writing talent, and due to his impeccably hardworking nature, it always seemed as though he could do no wrong. His praise was (obviously, correctly) sung all over for his immense talent for creative writing. A talent it didn’t seem had also been passed on to his female counterpart. I tried my best, and yet it was ever more apparent every time I tried that I could not express such beauty and imagery through my words in quite the way he could always, and continues to be able to do. I thought I’d better move on to a different hobby and leave the writing to him – I tried everything; I was never exceptional at anything in the same way he was at conveying emotion through a story. That is, until I reached my final year of primary school and it seemed a door had opened to finally give me such opportunities as his natural talent had given my brother.

When you’re eleven, a shy child who doesn’t think they know enough about the world to question a teacher on such matters, you generally go unnoticed. Which – if you were anything like I was – was a great thing. I would get on with my dodgy story writing and hope I wasn’t laughed at for my ludicrous attempts at an enjoyable story.

I don’t remember how it came about, or how it was me who was chosen, but one day I was summoned into my teacher’s class, amongst a crowd of about seven others, and pitched an idea about the school newspaper. I hadn’t done much factual work, but what I can remember, this idea appealed to me. But then the strangest thing happened. I was recognised for once. For – believe it or not – my writing abilities, and was asked to be the sole Editor of the newspaper. Sgoop only ran for one edition, but it gave me a version of writing I somehow succeeded at. And by the time I’d made it to secondary school (after that same teacher had told my brother and I he wanted to be reading my brother’s tenth novel in front of the fire, with me reading the news on the television in the background) I had no idea for the first three years that eventually I’d be doing something like writing for the What’s On? and writing my first Welsh language article for Hacio.

Around Easter of 2016, I had launched my own blog. I read about Tavi Gevinson and the way she took the plunge and just wrote about anything and everything – it inspired me to do the same. I had gotten from being this shy girl who would never want to challenge the rules, to a (still quiet) girl who’d read enough to know she had an opinion. My blog was my first step to being where I am now.

As soon as I’d made my decision on my future career plan, it was go time. Once I’d finished my exams and I’d gone back to school, I was starting to work on a new project. Another school newspaper. But one that I this time, had so much more pride in. Because – although I had to make up an IT design (never really a strong point) – it was solely mine. Our next edition comes out at the end of term. If I didn’t think I would want this, I wouldn’t have put myself out to ask Hacio if they’d consider my work; I’ve never had enough self-confidence, and when I sent my article for the Welsh S4C-owned website, I had no hope that it would ever be published. Yet my first email back from the correspondent I’d been speaking to (after a few days, which felt like weeks, I might add) said that he’d liked the article and already uploaded it. A shock and a half for the person who continues to miss the mark on story-writing.

Journalism is a field which is probably stereotyped as being filled with cocky know-it-alls, and to be honest, I hope I don’t fit that mould. But I think it’s also about being different and having a talent for writing, and enjoying what you write. I’m not sure if you would call what I have talent, but I’m willing to work until it is.

I think I’ll probably always envy my brother. His work still continues to blow just about everyone away. But I think now, I have my own writing style. One which won’t be stepping on his toes (though, as he’s practically a genius at writing by this point, it might just be the one toe) and one which helps to define us even more defiantly as individuals.

I love my brother’s work. But I have stories of my own to write. And this time, I hope I’ve not missed the mark.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

 

Superman Got Nothing On Me

 

I recently saw Wonder Woman and in all honesty, these are the films we as women deserve. The notion that both genders were equally represented as being capable of looking after themselves, yet also being aware of their right to ask for help was inspiring; often feminism may seem like the belief that women ought to not ask for help lest they look weak, but this film expressed both genders’ right to ask for assistance when needed.

I love how they were unafraid of giving Diana (Prince – Wonder Woman’s given name primarily on Earth) a romance; it seemed so real and because of their care for each other, a relationship which didn’t feel forced, which is often the case. There weren’t moments of ‘I don’t believe you’re strong enough’ from Steve Trevor, but rather ‘what do you need me to hold whilst you hit this man in the face’, which was an interesting and different dynamic to what we’re used to with the unsuccessful female-led superhero films of the past.

True to its setting, the fact that Wonder Woman is a woman played a major role – set in the height of the First World War, before the Representation of the People Act (which allowed women over the age of 21 the vote), it wasn’t an embarrassment to be saved by this woman – but rather an appreciation by all in the film that women of the time were in need of far more rights.

Director Patty Jenkins used the theme of love in the film’s climax as a driving force, and for once, the portrayal of her realisation got to me. Because it was unlike the usual forced-love-being-the-driving-force plotlines in these kinds of films – Patty Jenkins’ beautiful cinematography and Gal Gadot’s (Wonder Woman) stunning acting made sense for this to be part of the plot.

Of course there was the occasional derogatory comment, but it was great to see these comments such down for being derogatory in relation to the more-common-than-not ‘lads will be lads’ laughing attitude. And will all due respect – Gal Gadot truly is stunning; yet isn’t that another argument I’ve seen? Why is Wonder Woman so gorgeous – can’t she just look ‘normal’? I would argue that although this film is a giant leap for women, it’s unusual to see a ‘normal-looking’ woman in any role in a Hollywood film which doesn’t include them being the geek-turned-chic. A clear sign of change, yet an acknowledgement that change is still yet to come.

I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anyone mention the character of Chief in such articles about the film, a Native American who helps Diana Prince, Steve Trevor and two others on their mission. He tells Diana Prince something about Steve Trevor along the lines of “the Germans took their land” whilst also mentioning “his people took mine” – a clear acknowledgement of an otherwise overlooked American past – the character of Chief being played

by actor Eugene Brave Rock, of Native American roots, I might add.

And what about Gal Gadot herself, the Israeli actress picked to play Princess of Themyscira – she mentions that between her winning audition for Wonder Woman and earning the role, she had only made films in Israel or those where she was unknown, prior to winning ‘Miss Israel’ and taking part in ‘Miss Universe’ as a teenager in the early 2000s. A ‘gamble’ some might state; one which most definitely paid off, however.

The same has been said about Director Patty Jenkins; that it was a ‘risk which paid off’ casting a female director to head Wonder Woman, with the expectation clearly being that a relatively unknown female director cannot make a film about a woman, for women successfully. This however being the same director who helped Charlize Theron to win her Academy Award for Best Leading Actress on Jenkins’ own debut film. In actual fact, far more ‘risks’ ought to be taken on female directors. Wonder Woman was incredibly shot cinematically, as well as its well adaptable themes. Next time, Hollywood – pull in the big guns. Give Patty Jenkins a call.

Wonder Woman truly is ground-breaking. The first successful female-led superhero film, which made $103,251,471 in the US alone on its opening weekend, and to also be interactive with today’s problems. I understand this post sounds like a review – and to some extent, it is. Because I think it’s important I document my beliefs of this film because this is a once in a lifetime kind of film. Hopefully, it’s only up from here.

Even so, Wonder Woman earns a solid 10/10 from me. We’ve glimpsed into the future with this film (figuratively, it is set within the Great War) – and it’s beautiful.

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