Page 7 - HGS Suburb News 143 - Summer 2020

Our female Give it Up for the Sisters !

role models usic, for all of us, can be an industry setting up examples for other releases a song, it is thought there is
M escape, a way to relax for us to industries. Many musicians are another writer behind it but when a
My role model is Mary Shelley. She was an enjoy ourselves and express our recognising this issue and artists such man releases is a song, it’s thought that
author and famously wrote Frankenstein. emotions. Nowadays, with apps such as Ariana Grande are paving the way he’s the one who wrote it. Artists
She inspires me because her work broke as Youtube or Spotify, all your favourite for a more equal playing field, using sharing their personal experiences of
the Victorian stereotypes of female songs are available at a touch, making more female producers and writers to sexism in the music industry is important
writing. Her work is so well thought out music more easily accessible. Artists help create songs, which in turn helps because by speaking out they can
and contains so many modern and are now able to gain traction with viral more people discover these amazing influence change and garner respect
relevant messages. MADHU K songs and amass a large following writers and producers. for these artists and women in general.
quickly, gaining large platforms. A really big issue within the music Slowly, but steadily, women are
My role model is Luciana Berger, ex-MP. However, with popularity comes its industry is how female artists are torn getting more and more recognised for
I admire her for her unwavering integrity problems, especially for female down for just simply standing up for their talents and contributions within
and the way that at every point in her musicians who are constantly shamed themselves and not staying quiet. A the music industry. Just this year, at the
political career she chose to stand up or treated poorly, for things such as great example of this comes from one Grammys, Billie Eilish (below) won not
against injustices faced by her constituents being open and honest with their of my favourite artists, Beyoncé, who only album of the year but also record
and even herself, even though it would music. With music being such a key throughout her career, had been of the year, showing, no matter what
part of most of our lives, it is important
be easier to stay silent. to acknowledge the gap between male criticised for not being ‘lady-like’ and your age or gender, it’s possible to
ROSA B
being bossy, with many people
and female artists within the music deciding to label her as a ‘diva’, a word succeed and follow your dreams.
Whilst the music industry still has a
My role model is Mindy Kailing, who is an industry, whether it be through sexism with many negative connotations. long way to go, problems are being
actress but also a writer and producer expressed in popular songs or the lack Instead of ignoring these claims, she
for other TV shows. She works hard of representation for women. Equally, it decided to own the title, spinning it on recognised and changes are continually
being made. Through the pioneering
for proper South Asian representation is as important to recognise women its head, releasing a song called ‘Diva’. efforts of many women, the music
in the movies and shows she works on. taking back their power and creating a In the chorus, she states that ‘a diva is a
She shows that you can work well on more diverse platform for artists. female version of a hustler’, showing industry is starting to become a place
screen as well as behind the screen to Women make about 51% of the that to her, being called a diva means where women can freely
create change and eliminate harmful stereotypes. world’s total population however, when she works hard and is confident and express their feelings and
KAYA H be themselves.
looking at the top 600 songs from 2012 strong. Beyoncé took ownership of KAYA H
My role model is my mother. I admire her for to 2017, only around 22% of the songs the word, and took her power back,
never giving up on finding her dream job, were from female artists. Out of the showing women that being sure of
and for not being afraid to change 2,767 writers who were credited on yourself does not mean you
career as many times as it took for her those songs, only 12.3% of them were are rude. ‘Diva’ is
to feel professionally fulfilled. I also look women. From interviews with various now considered to BEN HOUDIJK / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
up to my mum because of her steadfast female songwriters, over 40% of be one of the most inspiring
belief that hard work always pays off: if she respondents admitted their colleagues female empowerment songs
wants to get something done, she will not stop until she has dismissed or discounted their work or of all time.
achieved that which she set out to achieve. What willpower! skills and 39% have experienced Just like Beyoncé, musicians are
ALLIE G stereotyping with 25% of women speaking out about the unfairness
having experienced being the only they’ve faced in the music industry.
My role model is Alison Balsom, a very woman in the recording studio. Taylor Swift notes that when she started
gifted female trumpeter. She inspires Highlighting these gender differences out as a singer and song-writer, she
me because I also play the trumpet is vital as it shows the lack of female was not taken seriously by her male
and it is a very male dominated representation and resulting pay gap counterparts, and Dua Lipa brought
instrument and brass is a very male in the music industry, an influential awareness to the fact that if a woman
dominated orchestral section. Alison Billie Eilish
Balsom is overcoming expectations and
stereotypes, and is also an advocate for music funding in
schools for disadvantaged children. JOANNA C Annabelle’s litter project

My role model is Amal Clooney – an JONATHAN BENTATA
international law and human rights
lawyer who frequently advocates
education and freedom of the media.
She’s an inspiration to me not only
because of her stunning fashion
choices often overshadowed by her
outstanding career; but also because of her determination,
confidence and sense of justice. Despite marrying world-
renowned actor George Clooney, she wasn’t obscured by
his fame. I admire her as a strong, independent and
accomplished woman in her own right. ISABELLE H

PHOTO CREDITS: CHRIS MCANDREW (LUCIANA BERGER);
DFREE / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (MINDY KAILING);
TANIA VOLOBUEVA / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (AMAL CLOONEY)

Ella’s tie-dye t-shirt

fund-raising project

Suburb resident turned her house and garden into a
A tie-dyeing production line over the summer, all to King Alfred School
benefit children who don’t have enough
to eat. Ella Hazell, 11, got the idea from her
Scout leaders in the 1st Finchley pack, Open Events
who dropped off a t-shirt and some dye
so that they could all show off their
shirts at the next Zoom scout meeting. Where every student is treated as an
She researched the cost of t-shirts individual and given the freedom,
and dye, decided how much to ask challenge and support to thrive
per t-shirt and set up a website VE DAY academically, emotionally and socially.
and Just Giving page. It’s the 75th year
Proceeds will go to the Give a big cheer We welcome students from Reception to
Felix project, a charity which It’s time for celebration Sixth Form—visit us to find out more.
collects surplus food that Think of those who died
would be wasted and redirects it And fought for our lives For dates and to register
to schools and other charities. And bring together our nation for Open Events visit:
Orders came flooding in and Ella,
who also has a regular Suburb Put up decorations kingalfred.org.uk
News delivery round, made over Talk to those relations
70 t-shirts, raising close to £1000 Who lived through WW2 The King Alfred School,
for the charity. We’ll bake some cakes Manor Wood, North End Rd,
London NW11 7HY
Thank you to everyone who has To celebrate admissions@kingalfred.org.uk
supported her. And lift our spirits out of the blue 020 8457 5285 / 5170
TEAH S (aged 11)
TONI HAZELL
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