At home, my family and I love going to the cinema. A few weeks ago, my parents traveled to London to visit. Coincidentally, the new Creed movie, Creed III , was released in theatres days before they arrived. Although we traveled a lot, we made time to go to the theatres while they were in London. We went to the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square . It was a great experience; however, it was very different from the United States. There were three main differences between the cinematic experiences, one of which was the prices. The standard ticket price for the theatre in London was approximately 16 pounds. Once you factor in the exchange rate, the ticket would be around 19 US dollars. In the theaters in my hometown, our tickets range from 10-13 dollars. But even though the tickets here cost more, the concessions were cheaper. Two drinks, popcorn, and candy cost around 10 pounds which translates to 13 dollars. At home, it would cost 5-10 dollars more.  The next difference was the theatre in general. When I saw the theater, my jaw dropped. The ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London had multiple floors with an escalator, concession stands on each floor, people waiting in front of the theatre rooms to look at tickets, and more. At home, it is the complete opposite. There is only one floor to the theatre, you scan your ticket on the way in, and there is only one concession station. In addition, the screen room in the London theatre left me speechless. It was at least two to three times the size of the theatres in the United States. I estimate at least 200-300 seats. However, in the United States, the seats at many theatres recline, which makes for a more relaxing experience. The ODEON Luxe Leicester Square did not have reclining seats. The theatre lacked in this area.  The last main difference between the theatre in the States and the one in London was the food. As stated previously, the concessions in London theatres are cheaper. But I was surprised to learn they do not butter their popcorn in London. The choices were either sweet or salty popcorn. I chose salty because I expected the saltiness to help with the lack of butter. I was wrong. It tasted like bland popcorn. In addition, they didn’t sell candy that I was familiar with. There were no sour patch kids, M&M’s, Skittles, etc. The concessions were probably the most disappointing part of the entire experience.  Even though the concessions and lack of reclining seats were a letdown, the overall experience was great. During the movie, it felt like I was at home, sitting on my couch watching a movie. The surround sound in the theater, the screen, and the comfortable seats enhanced the experience. Creed III was also a good movie. The audience was captivated the entire time. The audience was quiet until the movie ended, and everyone started clapping. I rate the experience an 8/10. All in all, I recommend the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square. By: Chloe Franklin

Attending Ayaan Mohamud’s book launch for “You Think You Know Me” was truly inspiring. Waterstones bookstore in Turnham Green, London hosted this lovely event. Guests were welcomed with a cupcake display with candied book copies as toppers, finger snacks, and soft beverages. We had some time to socialise, heard moving speeches and were able to have our books signed. There were lots of smiles and happy tears. My favourite aspect of the event was witnessing Ayaan’s genuine appreciation for her loved ones. You could also see how proud they were of her. You Think You Know Me is Ayaan’s debut novel. The purpose of this book was to shine a light on the truth of Islam beyond the mainstream media headlines. She wants to empower the voices who feel repressed by society and help young children realize that their differences should be celebrated, rather than a reason to hate. Ayaan approaches this feat by painting a lovely picture of Hanan and her friends in the schoolyard. The novel continues to follow Hanan Ali and her journey combating Islamophobia whilst fleeing Somalia’s civil war. It is truly riveting. Her publisher, from Usborne Publishing, gave a very moving speech during the reception. She read the prototype, “I physically could not put it down.” Usborne is a top children’s book publishing company and receives loads of books to review and decide whether or not to publish. Lindquist said that Usborne decided to publish You Think You Know Me because of Ayaan’s outstanding writing, as well as the compelling message the book represents. Fritha said when they asked themselves what messages they want future generations to be reading, Ayaan’s novel became a no-brainer. Ayaan started the writing process in July 2020. She claims the initial draft was hardly recognisable from the final. Although the path was not linear, the aspect of writing which gave Ayaan the most joy was watching Hanan’s character blossom into someone that people could relate to and somebody who Ayaan was incredibly proud of. In tackling an issue like Islamophobia, Ayaan reports “there were a lot of roadblocks …but what made it easier was knowing that I was writing a girl named Hanan to the page.” Ayaan wanted to create a character who didn’t fit the stereotype of the current media. She wanted to extend media representation to allow more people to experience a relatable figure to help young readers truly comprehend the power of their voices. Ayaan’s passion for writing is clear and genuine. I am thrilled to see where it takes her. I’d rate You Think You Know Me and the book launch event five stars all around.

The greatest thing about meditation is that it provides a tool for allowing you to become more you. But, what is meditation? The definition has a lot of gray areas. According to Dr. Andrew Huberman, most scientists agree meditation occurs when someone employs certain methods to develop mindfulness, though there is no precise definition of mindfulness. Most scientists agree it is about being present and conscious of your state of mind. Its purpose is to create a healthy gap between you, your thoughts, and your emotions. A common misperception about meditation is that it is about clearing your mind and having no thoughts at all. That is not true. If I told you to not think about something–like a hyena devouring a hot dog–you will inevitably do so. Instead, mediation is allowing thoughts to come to you, while refraining from analyzing, judging, or assigning meaning to them. A psychology course I took taught me that an emotion only lasts for around one and a half minutes. The thoughts we attach with the emotion prolong the time we experience it. We can learn more about our emotions through meditation, including how to simply acknowledge them and let them go. This detachment has significant practical benefits. For example, people have reported increased productivity in the workspace and a decrease in general anxiety and even ADHD symptoms. Further, meditation can be a wonderful tool for combating addiction by raising awareness of your triggers, detaching from those urges, and ultimately enhancing your self-control through refocusing your attention on a different, healthy grounding stimulus. This process breeds discipline, which cultivates self-trust. A big reason why meditation has astounding stress-reducing benefits is the wealth of advantages that extend to the physical plane. This one blew my mind: Harvard researchers conducted a study where they analyzed brains for an eight-week period, during which their subjects were meditating regularly. To measure progress, the researchers conducted frequent MRI brain scans. The results showed meditation actually slows the cells on a genetic level, therefore slowing our biological clocks. Further, meditation significantly reduces inflammation in the brain, which is critical for minimizing damage to other bodily systems. Finally, one of the most important aspects of meditation is that it connects you with your higher self. The idea of the “higher self” refers to an everlasting, omnipotent, conscious, and intelligent being that is one’s true self. By getting in touch with your higher self, you can access better awareness for your gut feelings, detach from your anxieties, and develop on a pathway aligned with your highest good, or your self-actualized self. There are also techniques that allow you to rewire your subconscious to get rid of your limiting beliefs, such as repeating positive affirmations. Together, these benefits allow you to shine brightly and align yourself with the path that is intended for your highest good. If you are interested in meditating, it is simple to implement into daily life. I normally spend ten minutes a day using a YouTube guided meditation. Even five minutes would be a great place to start for most people. Morning is the preferred time to meditate because your mind is clear and peaceful at that time. You can set your intentions for the day and start your day with gratitude. Meditating later in the day is also beneficial, particularly before a stressful situation. The most important thing is to find an approach that works best for you.

In high school, I first learned about power posing from a TED talk by Amy Cuddy. She describes how implementing this simple, couple-minute-long exercise can transform the ways you think about yourself and how others perceive you. According to Cambridge Dictionary, power-posing is a confidence-improving way of standing, intended to make you look and feel more confident. The idea is to make your body as big as possible because your brain associates this with confidence. The best part: it only takes two minutes, and you can perform it in front of others while appearing entirely natural, composed and confident. I ran cross country in High School. I was part of a nail-biting rivalry. Before each race, I would stand at the start line, staring down the first one hundred meters of the course with my hands on my hips and thinking confident affirmations. Power posing transformed my anxiety into the energy I utilized for the task at hand. I would enter each race with a profound sense of confidence which led me to win State Championships and compete at the national level. The National Library of Medicine states the power of the mind-body connection has been repeatedly demonstrated. The underlying tenet states your physiology influences your psychology. This is because various brain regions are activated during particular physical activities. Your brain interprets physical expansion as confidence. The trick: your brain cannot tell the difference between the confidence you are experiencing and the confidence you are practising. Both have the same physical results. Your testosterone levels rise and your cortisone levels fall significantly simply by expanding your body. Bonus points are awarded to those who smile as well, because your brain releases additional happy hormones. The best time to practice power-posing is before any function or task that requires your utmost confidence. I always power pose before races, exams, or other novel, rigorous events. But really, it can be used whenever you feel you need a little confidence boost. You should hold your preferred stance for about one to two minutes, and think positive, empowering thoughts while doing so, my personal favourites being “I’ve got this, this is easy” and “I can achieve anything I want.” Before you enter your next rigorous event, give power-posing a go. Enter the arena feeling ready to show them who you are.

About ten years ago, I was diagnosed with a gluten allergy. After being diagnosed, my life dramatically changed. Thankfully, I didn’t have Coeliac Disease . “Coeliac disease is a condition where your immune system attacks your tissues when you eat gluten. This damages your gut (small intestine) so you are unable to take in nutrients,” (Coeliac UK). I have a gluten allergy, which is very different than Coeliac Disease. “ Wheat allergies , like hay fever and other allergies, develop when the body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to something in the environment – in this case, wheat – that typically causes no problem in most people,” ( Wheat & Gluten allergy: Symptoms & treatment ). As a result of my gluten allergy, my shopping habits had to change. Grocery shopping and eating out were difficult in the beginning. There were limited options. I didn’t know what I was looking for or where to look. Finding good gluten-free options in grocery stores and restaurants can be challenging in the United States. But, being in London, the possibilities seem more advanced. Overall, London is very inclusive when it comes to dietary restrictions. Certain coffee shops will not charge extra for alternative milk because of allergies or preferences. A restaurant near my apartment, Honest Burger, doesn’t charge extra for gluten-free buns. Plus, their onion rings are naturally gluten-free. Where I live in the United States, this would be rare to non-existent. Even the grocery stores are better here. The gluten-free bread looks and tastes normal. Overall, there are more options. Plus, it is way more cost-efficient. Overall I have found it easier to be gluten-free in London than in the United States. Ever since landing in London, I noticed the city tried to be inclusive of dietary needs. Even the tube station has advertisements encouraging people to become vegan. London started a Gluten Free Accreditation Scheme 10 years ago in 2012. The goal was to create an easier and more accessible eating environment for gluten-free people. They do staff training and use a GF trademark that is unique to others. “When you see our unique GF trademark , you know a venue is committed to gluten-free food safety. Being part of the scheme and using the trademark means the venue and its staff have been through strict audits and extensive training to ensure they meet our gluten-free standard so you can relax and eat out in confidence,” (Coeliac UK). There are no gluten-free schemes like this anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Today, there are approximately 3,000 accredited establishments in the country. Some hospitals and schools have accreditation through the scheme. Overall, London is committed to providing safe spaces for gluten-free people. The gluten-free options are better than my home state of South Carolina and other states in the US. This level of commitment helps people allergic to gluten feel more comfortable and included when shopping and eating out and has made my time here in London more enjoyable.  Works Cited Coeliac UK. (n.d.). Celebrating 10 years of commitment to gluten free food safety! Coeliac UK. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/living-gluten-free/the-gluten-free-diet/eating-out/ . NHS. (n.d.). NHS choices. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/ .  Wheat & Gluten allergy: Symptoms & treatment . ACAAI Public Website. (2022, April 13). Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/food/wheat-gluten/ . By: Chloe Franklin

I am Chloe Franklin, an African American college student from Rock Hill, South Carolina. Upon graduation from university, I aspire to attend law school and become a medical-malpractice lawyer and a legal correspondent for national news. Growing up, I was heavily involved in sports and committed to excelling in school. I was a competitive gymnast, a part of the student service council at my high school, and began my first job at 15 years old. These experiences taught me discipline, determination, organization, and much more. Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, my education was writing-focused. By high school graduation, I had fallen in love with writing. Therefore, I decided to attend Elon University in Elon, North Carolina, where I am a junior majoring in Journalism. On campus, I hold three jobs and work for our news organization. But, I knew I wanted to study abroad during college. So, this semester, I am studying in London. A lot of things drew me to the city of London. There is no language barrier, and many aspects of London remind me of the United States. In addition, it is a diverse city and is somewhere I have always wanted to visit. Studying abroad was a step out of my comfort zone. However, I am over halfway through my experience and have adapted well. Initially, I struggled with directions, and riding the tube confused me. But now, I am confident taking public transportation and guiding people through London. Although I have grown familiar with London, there is still much more to see and learn. I have also been taking advantage of traveling to new places. So far, I have had the opportunity to travel to Barcelona, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Paris, and Edinburgh. I never expected to be able to travel like this. Even though traveling is a great opportunity, the deciding factor for studying abroad in London was participating in an international internship. About halfway through my program, I learned I would be an intern at You Press. Once I learned more about the organization and my role, I was excited to get started. You Press’ dedication to helping underrepresented groups and young people find their voice drew me to the organization. You Press holds functions, supports people to be creative, gives community members a platform to share their talents, and more. I currently mentor two individuals back home. I am happy to learn more about helping young people and having the opportunity to implement skills I have already been cultivating. In addition, I hope to assist underrepresented groups in the future through law and journalism. You Press believes this is important work and that people should have a voice and others should listen. I agree. Any opportunity to help others is fulfilling and good training for my future. By: Chloe Franklin

With TikTok’s fast emergence as one of the world’s leading social media platforms, the content and creators featured on the app have gained a very prominent grasp of today’s youth and their outlook on consumerism. The app has altered the landscape of various industries, such as marketing, news, politics, and fashion. Although TikTok has brought many new opportunities for companies to market their products, users do not feel the immediate effects of the app and how it has influenced far more than what shoes they decide to wear or what makeup trends they decide to follow: it has majorly impacted the health of our environment. The addictive nature of TikTok has been achieved through the inner workings of the app’s algorithm and is what has contributed to its large-scale success. The user base has grown from 500 million users worldwide to 1.53 billion users as of 2023. It works very closely to cater to each and every viewer to lead to a more customized, smoother scrolling experience for the user. The algorithm is tailored to TikTok users’ interests and hobbies, taking note of what type of content is most interacted with. Products─whether they are clothing, makeup, or gadgets─are placed in sight of thousands of consumers most likely willing to buy them. TikTok practically does the shopping for you: choosing items that seem to be appealing through using the information on who you follow, what videos you like, and links that you click. This ease in shopping has led to a humongous wave of “microtrends” that have begun to take over the mainstream fashion scene. The concept of “microtrends,” clothing or products that rise rapidly in popularity and then fall even faster, is undoubtedly a product of social media, with TikTok being at the forefront of all platforms. Despite how eye-catching these trends might be, it’s taking a toll on something considerably more critical in the grand scheme of things than updating your closet: the environment. Viral microtrends are able to become so popular because they are produced by vendors on Etsy, SHEIN, and Amazon, as well as others for a very cheap price tag. The problem is that these companies do not promote or promise any type of sustainability in the mass production of these products that more prominent companies can. The fast nature of these trend cycles means that the faster the fashion cycle, the more waste is produced that heads straight to landfills. Once the popularity of a trendy item dies down, people begin to discard them and never look back. This has led to an extremely devastating impact on the environment; waste is being produced considerably faster than it was ten, or fifteen years ago simply due to the emergence of fast fashion and the implications of social media, especially TikTok. So, the next time you find yourself scrolling on Instagram or TikTok and in the process of being persuaded to buy something trendy, think about the planet. Think about the impact you, as a consumer, can have on this environment simply through a credit card transaction. By: Maddy Adler

My name is Maddy Adler and I’m a 20-year-old college student born and raised in New York. This semester, I chose to study abroad in London to immerse myself in a culture significantly different from what I have grown accustomed to since childhood. I saw this as a chance to push myself to experience new things and grow my independence as my college career starts to come to a close. Although graduation is still a year away, it’s only a matter of time before I’m thrown into a new reality of my adult life. It’s been hard to come to terms with the fact that I can no longer have the comfort of college as a transitionary period and will soon be entirely independent. Living in London has undoubtedly been one of the most exciting things I have experienced. So far, it has been a pleasure getting to know the intricacies of British culture, and will remain a pivotal part of my adulthood. As a political science student, I have learned a lot about the current and historical political climate in the United States. With a large emphasis on reading, writing, analytical thought, and critical thinking in my classes, I hope to take these skills I’ve learned from my studies in undergrad and put them to use in law school and an eventual career in the legal field. Although my interests within types of law vary and I’m unsure of exactly which one I’d like to go into, entertainment, copyright, and immigration law are all at the forefront of my mind. I see the chance to intern at You Press as a way to sharpen my professional skills and gain familiarity with work environments which can help pave the way for my future career endeavors. Aside from my studies, much of what I’m passionate about has been related to the arts and writing. I have had a strong affinity with photography for much of my childhood and teenage years, and have attended programs that have versed me in both digital and film photography. This has led me to work with many different cameras and equipment. I, too, have had an interest in graphic design and layout work and enjoy tapping into my creative side when I have the opportunity. I have also done a lot of writing during my college years at HerCampus, a female-owned and operated publication where I curate articles on current events, lifestyle, and wellness. I have since been promoted to section editor there, where I manage the progression of staff articles from submission to publication. Many of my passions–both academic and personal–align with my idea of You Press and its mission as a social enterprise, which is what I believe makes me a great fit for interning here. I can resonate deeply with its emphasis on giving young creatives a platform, as there can often be a gap in connecting youth talent with an audience. It’s wonderful to be able to pinpoint a passion for the arts, but discouraging when you feel like your talent isn’t reaching its potential. You Press gives people a vessel to be heard: a thing that everyone deserves.

Founder of Coffee Arik – Abdi Hassan turns underused community spaces across London into environments for youth to do activities and express themselves. Since it was founded in 2018, Coffee Afrik has made community development its top priority. “In very simple terms — We are hubmakers,” Hassan said. “We have designed and produced and curated six hubs across London in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Enfield, Harrow and Newham.” Hassan is from Somalia and he takes pride in involving his culture in the work he does. “For us, as Muslims, we are here to serve. It’s of service. We’re of service,” Hassan said. “So connecting with our community, honouring our community, honouring our culture, honouring our arts, honouring our ancestors. It’s very important, especially when you think about all these models of healing and community work.” Coffee Afrik is a community interest company, also known as a CIC, meaning all the planning happens around the needs in the community. Its thriving hub in Tower Hamlets served over 150 youth in just eight sessions. “We are all experts by experience, which means we honour our knowledge, our practice, and we’re very much focused on building spaces that are focused on healing and focused on liberation,” Hassan said. The mission of Coffee Afrik was to make spaces for Black people by Black people. Hassan noticed this need and founded the organisation with that goal. “It’s also a challenge because the work we do has depth. You can’t do this work superficially. You can’t do it in a light touch way. It is very much focused on healing and healing takes a lot of emotional time and depth” Hassan said. The future of Coffee Arik is bright and Hassan is ready for the change that will come as the organisation grows. “I’m very proud of that impact and I really hope that it inspires other grassroots, particularly Somali-led and black-led organisations, that it is possible to make and create good travel and good noise and still be sustainable, but it’s hard work.” To get involved with Coffee Afrik, visit their website at www.coffeeafrique.co.uk/get-involved . By: Naomi Washington, Creative Writer and Digital Media intern

Action for Race Equality is a charity with the mission to confront the institutions around them that are inherently discriminatory and racist. Deputy Chief Executive Tebussum Rashid immerses herself in this grassroots initiative and she has for almost 30 years. She got involved with the organisation after migrating to London from Pakistan and wanting to make a difference in the community. “I think the politics of the country keep me going in the sense that it’s hard work because we constantly get that pushback,” Rashid said. “But recognizing that if people like us or organizations like us weren’t in this space, the discrimination would be worse.” Just a year ago, the organisation rebranded to become a Black training enterprise group to focus specifically on policies concerning people of colour. The feeling of injustice is all too familiar to Rashid from her childhood. “One of the things that has shaped me and in terms of what I do and my passion behind the work is a situation that I was faced with at quite a young age that stems back to the prejudices within communities and the social norms that I grew up with.” In Pakistan where Rashid grew up, it is customary for young girls around age 17 to get married and not be educated. However, she was determined to break that cycle. “I remember my resilience. Everything was against me, but I was determined,” Rashid said. “I was so wanting to pursue education and I loved reading.” Not only did she pursue her personal education but she also passed her driving test at 17, which was rare for girls in her position at the time. Action for Race Equality is another way for Rashid to make change in the world. So far, it’s been successful, but like many other organisations after the pandemic, they are short of staff members. “We can only be in so many places at one time,” Rashid said. “As much as we need to be in those spaces, we can’t because of our capacity, which directly links to funding.” With more funding in the future, Action for Race Equality will move into more spaces and lend a helping hand to even more communities in London that are in need. Outside of Rashid’s work, she finds her own personal freedom through riding a motorbike. “It is my main form of commuting into London. It’s my little world and I absolutely love it.” Rashid is a changemaker in Central London. With more people like her, the world could be a better place. To donate to Action for Race Equality, visit their website www.actionforraceequality.org.uk/donate/ or participate in the cause on social media using the hastags #TimetoTalk and #TimeforAction. By: Naomi Washington, Creative Writer and Digital Media intern

The Scribers Hive exhibition was the result of perspectives on social issues impacting people all over the world. The multimedia project used journalism articles, graphic design, podcasts, videos and art. At the Culture House near Shepherds Bush, people from the community gathered to enjoy the display on December 14th from 5:30 PM to 7 PM. This group travelled to Athens, Greece earlier this year in May to start the project and part two took place here in the United Kingdom in Luton, London. Scribers Hive was created in 2018 and was supposed to start in 2020 but it was pushed back to this year because of the pandemic. Founder of You Press Farah Mohammoud created the methodology for the idea of Scribers Hive years ago, and with the help of connections he made with leadership at Momentum World , the project came to life. “Scribers Hive is a very special project for me because it represents giving community members a voice that wouldn’t normally be able to express themselves,” Mohammoud said in the Scribers Hive project introduction video. Ben Holland is a youth development leader and Paul Oxborough is the founder and creative director at Momentum World. “It’s about discrimination. It’s about womens’ rights. It’s about humanity. There’s so many words coming out here that are powerful,” Paul said in the Scribers Hive project introduction video. The work featured in the project comes from youth spread across five different countries: Ukraine, Jordan, Greece, Armenia and the United Kingdom. The exhibition features art with the social themes war, climate change, education, mental health and women’s rights. *Meet some of the Scribers Hive artists from across Europe: Kateryna is from Ukraine and she made artwork about social media in society. Social media is an “iminate problem,” according to Kateryna. She’s a graphic designer and this display of her work is another step in her journey. She hoped that people would enjoy it because she put a lot of work into it. Gabriella Rudenko is also from Ukraine. The intercultural evening was the most memorable part of the trip for her because everyone shared their traditions and food with one another. “It’s our network where we can share creative ideas and memories together,” Rudenko said. Zhenya Ter-Vardanyan is from Armenia. She discovered Scribers Hive through the organisation she works with. “My most favourite thing is getting to know different people from different cultures. We get to talk about social issues that are impacting us in our own countries which is a part of the networking,” Ter-Vardanyan said. Vasilia Valourdou, Joanna Papadopoulou and Nikos Koutsouris are from Greece. Together, the three of them wrote articles and produced videos about war and sexual education. “It’s interesting because sex education in others countries is normal but in our country it’s not,” Valourdou said. Reflecting on social issues going on in Greece was not easy for these three students, but they are glad they did it. “I enjoy the challenges because we work as a team and everyone works together. I know the result is going to be amazing,” Koutsouris said. Emmanuel Otunla is from the United Kingdom. He works at You Press and took the role of programme manager for the Scribers Hive Exhibition event. “I’m feeling happy. I’ve seen a lot of hard work from my coworkers and I and it’s nice to see it all come together tonight,” Otunla said. These individuals are not the only ones who helped with assembling art pieces and planning for the exhibition. Performers graced the Scribers Hive stage as well! Ali, known as “Nomadic Libaax” performed spoken word poems about Somalian identity through a historical perspective and confidence. On stage, he said he felt this was a good topic to perform at the 2023 Scribershive Europe Exhibition because his global perspective fits in well with the theme of the project. Followed by this performance, Marianna Zappi, who runs The Collective programme at You Press, played her guitar and sang two original songs she wrote. The response from the crowd and passion for the songs overwhelmed her with emotion by the end. René Bossman, an alumni of The Collective programme, also performed at the event. He sang a song called “I do.” His work is a product of working hard on his music independently after experiencing good training from The Collective years ago. To wrap up the event, Farah Mohammoud returned to the stage to give final remarks and thank everyone for coming. “We believe that when people tell their story and own their story, change happens,” Mohammoud said. The impact of the event in a single night was incredible. Attendee Altino Barradas is from Portugal and he came to the Scribers Hive Exhibition to hear people’s stories. “It was a very big impact because it was a result of two weeks of work. It’s incredible that the team put all this together in such a short amount of time,” Altino said. The story that stuck out to him the most was about two girls’ experience from Jordan. This Scribers Hive project concluded with the 2022 exhibition event but, there might be another Scribers Hive project in the future. In the meantime, you can check out the six podcast episodes from Scribers Hive Europe on the You Press YouTube page. Also, follow both You Press and Momentum World on social media for updates on when the 2022 Scribers Hive Exhibition will be posted online! By: Naomi Washington, Creative Writer and Digital Media intern

In 2022, over 600 mass shootings occurred in America , according to the Gun Violence Archive . The number of mass shootings and gun-related deaths increases each year. A shooting is considered a mass shooting when four or more people are shot, this includes deaths and non-fatal injuries, according to the Gun Violence Archive. It feels insensitive to refer to deaths and injuries as statistics rather than acknowledging them as lives, but these terminologies were created to best categorise these tragedies given how often it occurs. I’ve been studying this semester at London Foundation for International Education in South Kensington since the beginning of September. Through this experience, I’ve explored sites across the city and traveled to different countries in Europe as well. During my time here, I’ve been surprised by the safety measures in the United Kingdom and how rare gun crimes are here. Although it is annoying sometimes to have my purse checked before entering a restaurant or tourist site, I remember that it is for my own and others’ safety. I’ve grown to appreciate the level of security and I often wonder if fewer mass shootings and crimes would happen if America adopted these practices too. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed the impact of gun violence through the people who are close to me personally. It hurts to watch communities go through an unimaginable amount of grief, sadness and anger. If mass shootings continue at this rate, almost every person in America will know what it’s like to be present at a shooting. Mass shootings can take place in schools, grocery stores, concerts, religious places of worship and local streets. These acts of violence are carried out by people with dangerous, targeted motives and poor mental health. Innocent people die because guns are easily accessible to people in America. It is difficult to be in another country watching the aftermath of mass shootings in America. Also, seeing how often mass shootings are happening is unsettling and it makes me nervous to return home. American protestors and activists do not go unnoticed by our government officials and the president. In a statement on the White House website, President Joe Biden implemented new gun restrictions in America “…requiring young people ages 18 to 21 to undergo enhanced background checks…” (“The Biden-Harris Record.”). While I believe this is a great start to solving the problem of guns getting into the wrong hands, a greater step would be the ban of aggravated assault weapons in Congress. How many more innocent people will have to be killed before our U.S. elected officials can come together to restrict the accessibility of guns?