Eurovision 2012: Annual Treasure or All Politics?

Courtesy of Eurovision 2012 website 

This post is pretty late considering the Eurovision Song Contest was on the 26th May but I was in the middle of exams so please excuse the lateness! Eurovision is literally my favourite time of year, I get more excited about than I do for my own birthday and Christmas. I enjoy it due to the diverse music and cultural show you're given as well as those absolute classics you know will never win (Dustin the Turkey anyone?). However, due to the disappointing placing of the United Kingdom this year, there has been much debate whether we should continue entering and funding this competition. Quite frankly, the day that happens is the day I'll stop paying the License Fee. There is much more to the contest than people give it credit for.

One of the biggest misconceptions is the idea that the Eurovision Song Contest is purely political and the UK's lack of a win is Europe's way of punishing us. How much more narcissistic do you want to be? It's not political, it's cultural. Countries vote for the song's which they enjoyed the most. Wanna know why the Eastern block always vote for each other? Their chart music is the same, if not very similar - of course they're gonna vote favourably! Why do you think we voted Jedward so favourably? WE FOUND THEM!

Russia has been very successful the past few years, with much support from neighbouring countries. These countries used to be under Soviet Russian control, desperate for their independence. If this was about politics, do you REALLY think Russia would be gaining those votes? Of course not!

Germany are another country that have had a hard time politically over the years with the World Wars and the Cold War. They won the competition in 2010. No gimmicks. No fireworks. Simple song with a good singer. They're also one of the big five countries who fund the show.

The Eastern block previously had their own version of Eurovision which was just as glitzy but they chose to join the 1956 established show because they respected it. If they wanted their own contest, they'd have it.  

Do you want to know the secret behind the UK's abysmal results. We do not show off the true talent our country has. Bringing singers out of retirement (Englebert and Blue to name a few) and allowing has been song writers (Pete Waterman: never again) free reign isn't going to get us in the top spots.

In recent years, our best position was 5th due to the efforts of the remarkably talented Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jade Ewen. Why we didn't continue down that train of thought astounds me. It's not always possible for our best well-established performers like Jessie J and Professor Green purely because they are the best - they have tour dates, albums to record, multi-million pound deals they have committed to. To dedicate the time required for a great song and performance may put those at risk. Quite frankly, the money and passion for the contest must be prevalent for them to even consider the gig. I for one do not want one of our best singers to give a half arsed performance. Gimme someone who loves the contest and their country and wants to do well. 

Whereas other countries have their best current performers to represent them (Dima Bilan for Russia and Loreen this years winner) which has led to their first place placing. I'm not saying we have to force Rizzle Kicks or Ed Sheeran onto stage, but if we're going to give a relatively new singer the opportunity, make it an amazing song which represents the UK and choreograph your stage accordingly.  

It always aggravates me each year when people bad mouth Eurovision. I know they do have some quite frankly terrible and cheesy performances some years, but some of these countries have invested real money and real time on their performances and it shows. I've yet to watch a show and not fall head over heels in love with at least one song and play it continuously.

If the BBC wants results then give us some credible acts to show off! We know we have it, we see enough of these talented and eager singers on television enough to know we have the ability. Just get your finger out and do something about it!

And hurry up...I'd like to see us hosting the competition at least once in my lifetime!

xoxo 

Multiculturalism and the UK

I feel like this is something I need to address considering how popular this topic has been on Channel 4 recently. It is clear that we are a multicultural country yet racism and prejudice is still rife. The degree of segregation and integration is highly controversial and debatable. However, in the 21st Century this sort of behaviour should have been eradicated years ago. However it is clear we still have a long fight ahead of us.

I have an African mother and Irish father yet I was born and grew up in England, along with my younger brother. How I identify myself hasn't changed from the moment I was born. On forms I consider myself Mixed African-Irish and I am proud of my heritage. However, I am incredibly integrated in the British way of life and I never deny being classed as British because I was brought up in this country and I have active involvement in my community. My family have been very lucky that we have never had an issue of feeling segregated from the wider community and I have a wide variety of friends from different cultures and creeds which has left me with a great tolerance and interest in them. I have often referred to myself as the United Nations! I have fallen victim to racism in the past by uneducated young boys at school however, I am proud of my colouring and my heritage and I have never let it affect my confidence or self worth. I was brought up to be a strong individual who will fight for my right to be equal in every element of my life. It has played a great part in my choice to read law at university and has let me embrace my right to be heard (just don't get me in a political debate because I won't back down and it'll be a looong day for all involved!).

However, there are some individuals who don't share my pride or confidence, as well as individuals who feel they have the right to make others feel inadequate in comparison. Clearly the latter are wrong in doing this, however they do have a right to voice their opinion, even if I don't agree with it. Personally I believe anyone who treats another in a derogatory manner because of their race or religion should be treated with the utter contempt they deserve. If you don't agree, ask yourself whether you would appreciate being treated like that? How would you feel if someone spat on you as you walked passed them purely because of the way you look? You wouldn't take that sort of disrespect would you? So why show that to any other human being?    

To define what is 'British' has been under much debate for years so until the day comes that we have a universally agreed upon definition, noone has the right to declare another not British. As long as they contribute to society just as much as everyone else, they are well within their rights to refer to themselves as British.

RANT OVER.

xoxo

Rant: Women's prerogative

The first of many rants! This is an issue I have to address because it is incredibly unfair to those involved. Women are often given the role of being (excuse my french) a cocktease. There is the depiction of good looking girls leading on boys then dropping them but the women's view is never taken into consideration. That ends now.

If a girl is wearing make up, dressed nicely, wearing heels, flicking her hair around THIS IS NOT AN INVITATION! She wants to feel good about herself and she is well within her right to do so. If she also doesn't want to plaster her face with make up, it's her choice! This is no indication of how 'open' or 'easy' she is. What makes it worse, women are attacked by strangers according to what they are wearing. The worst attitude some people have is that women 'bring it on themselves' or they have 'given them the impression' that their intentions have changed. This is how sexual deviants justify their behaviour.  

This is an unacceptable and medieval attitude to have. If a girl is being nice to you and having a joke with you, she feels comfortable enough to act naturally around you. The moment you make her feel uncomfortable, irrespective of what or how you did it, you've lost her. If she decides to back away and take time for herself, LET HER HAVE IT! Don't persistently contact her. Respect her space. If you don't, you will annoy or creep her out and lose any respect she previously had for you. If you do this to multiple girls, you will gain a reputation.

In most instances, this is where one person does not respect or know their boundaries. However, this is important to realise to avoid any awkward communications between the two of you. In some cases, a woman has been leading on someone because they like the attention. This is also unacceptable as it is toying with another person's emotions which is inexcusable. If that is the case, there is nothing to stop you from contronting that person to find out the truth, but be careful, as you may have gotten the wrong end of the stick. However, if shes honest, then move on. You won't change her mind. Find someone else who appreciates you.

This is not exclusively female vs male. This works for male vs female, male vs male, female vs female. Regardless of who it is, respect of boundaries and the other person's feelings is important and should not be compromised. If a person likes you, they will tell you eventually. Just respect each other. 

Rant over. If you want more information, look at http://www.slutwalktoronto.com/ to see what others are doing about this.

xoxo