Liberation through a magaZINE

"Putting out a zine, any zine, is a political act. Whether it's the high school kid who does a zine about Sloan, or the collective's newsletter advocating environmental awareness, both are reclaiming what was essentially theirs to begin with."
- Hilary Clark


Politics - I can’t help but imagine a man in a very gray suit, exaggerated expression on his face, standing at a podium enthusiastically bashing his opponent at the next “anything” elections. I always feel like elections never end, like they’re on the repeat cycle, lawns covered in foreign faces all claiming to be the “best man for the job.” Push the image aside and insert Hilary Clark’s quote for some serious thinking. And then it hits me, she’s absolutely right! A zine is a statement; of appreciation, of anger, or even about yourself. It never occurred to me as I sat downstairs on the floor in the comm area of my high school that my assignment was actually a form of expression. With two friends, a pair of scissors, a glue stick and my thinking cap, I took part in a political act!

Being a youth in today’s world can be rough. I can’t complain, I haven’t experienced being young in another decade, but one thing I’m almost positive about is that it often feels like you can’t be heard. After learning about zines, and then getting the opportunity to produce one, the feeling is most liberating. The unfortunate part is that not too many students know what a zine is, or they may falsely believe they can’t produce one. Being able to speak out; speak freely and send a message out in the world without fear of getting into trouble is something new to me and maybe for many others also. As youth, we need to reclaim our right just as Hilary Clark states. It’s our time to shine! (Of course all in good fun, emphasis on the good.) Maybe I don’t speak for everyone, but I speak for myself when I say I feel sheltered, controlled by fear to speak my mind on most days. Putting together a zine is liberating, probably more so when you’re not doing it for the grade! So I dare you – speak up, scream out, put it all down on paper and liberate yourselves!

♥ aykay

Talk about realism...

I'm no social butterfly, but I can still relate.
This is my June.

♥aykay

Unrealistically Inspi( RED)

The world is ruled by consumerism. Being a first class “shop-a-holic” I know what it is like to spend every penny in the bank for useless things I have one too many of or don’t even need. If you think about it, millions of dollars are spent through North America daily and the proceeds do not help anyone but the big guys at the top of the corporate ladders. Bono’s “Red Campaign” with the various multi-million dollar companies can pave the way for making one’s shopping addiction beneficial for everyone. While the idea of charity should not be tied to the consumption of material goods and benefits for the general public, Bono's idea works. When a person purchases one of the (RED) products from, the companies that are involved in the campaign, a certain percentage or amount goes towards the purchase of medication for mothers and their children who are infected with HIV/AIDS.

The world today, especially North American and major cities are central to the idea of wireless communication. Cellular phones, which were at some point heavy brick-like boxes, have evolved and become a common necessity for almost everyone. My nephew who is only 7 years old owns a cell phone so his dad can call him at any time during the day. While I don't approve of this, it does show the extent of the use and the demand for changing times and changing technology. Everyone wants the latest technology and the most advanced features, this usually means it will also cost you the most money. By purchasing a Motorola(RED) cell phone you are able to “hit two birds with one stone”; you get your brand new cell phone and someone in Africa living with AIDS gets a dosage of hope for their future. With the idea that you could potentially save someone’s life by buying yourself brand new things for the same price you would any other products, it is a wonder why anyone would want to buy anything else.

I worked at the Gap when product(RED) was first launched and its success rate was astounding. It is likely that everyone has seen a Gap advertisement in a magazine or on television and when Gap(RED) was advertised on the Oprah Winfrey show, we were sold out of all items by the end of the week. The Gap(RED) shirts cost the same amount as the other Gap shirts, the only difference was 50 percent of the proceeds would go to help buy medication for a women and children fighting AIDS in Africa. It amazed me how unwilling some were to purchase the $1 pins on sale at the front counter that would actually provide about a week's worth of medication for one woman suffering from aids. What amazed me more was the way in which people spoke about "Africans living in poverty with AIDS." To some, the very thought that their purchase would benefit someone other than themselves was enough for them to turn away from the RED section altogether. The reality of the situation is consumerism is only continuing to grow and while this idea of charity through consumption is more of a quick fix than a permanent one, it is none the less a way to help those struggling with the disease. Some aid it better than no aid!

I'll admit it worries me, that humanity would only want to help the suffering and the less fortunate if they get a t-shirt or a cell phone in return, but the reality of it is that not everyone is willing to donate for the cause of true charity; 100% self-less. A bribe must be placed above ones head, lingering with the reasons why they should help and what they will in turn receive for doing so. What ever happened to lending the shirt off our backs? What ever happened to reaching out a helping hand? It became, "I'll give you my shirt, IF, I can get another." Bono's idea of charity goes out to helping the less fortunate and diseased. He is not hung on the idea that one must give completely, he is looking towards the possibility of saving lives regardless of the lack of true selflessness. In the end, it is ultimately the lives of so many that hang in the balance and if the only way to get the self-induced society that we have become, is to purchase items with the idea that we are being charitable, then I'm all for it!

♥aykay

P.S. Think about how many students at Mary Ward alone own an iPod. Now Imagine if they all had RED ipods, how many people it may help in Africa. Just something to think about...