The month of November is unique in Britain because amongst the flood of Christmas advertising that seems to commence earlier each year, we also tend to see many people wearing a poppy. The poppy has been used as a symbol of remembrance for military personnel since 1921, originally inspired by the world-renowned war poem “In … Continue reading Keeping the Legacy Alive: The Forgotten Black Soldiers of WWII
Category: Educational
The Cycle of Youth Violence
Greater London’s hidden epidemic. London is a mind-numbing oddity. It desperately wants you to believe that it is a utopia of human civilization, a prime example of capitalism’s potential. Instead, it constantly buckles under its own mirage, struggling to mediate between the lustrous shine of new developments and the old world of its post-war heritage. Loughborough … Continue reading The Cycle of Youth Violence
Five Productivity Myths That Need Busting!
A lot of us have got the wrong end of the stick when it comes to productivity. Productivity is getting the desired results with less time and effort. The problem here is that that’s not the way productivity is presented. It’s seen as early mornings and late nights. It’s seen as ticking off tasks off … Continue reading Five Productivity Myths That Need Busting!
How To Stop Spending Money: Habits To Keep Hold of Cash In Your Wallet
Wondering how to stop spending money? It can be SO easy to find a purpose of new items and create a lifestyle where more is better. But how do we really evaluate what we need and whether it is a necessary purchase? Check out this ultimate guide and simple tips on how to stop spending … Continue reading How To Stop Spending Money: Habits To Keep Hold of Cash In Your Wallet
The Investment Series: Economic Recovery & Inflation
With the global vaccine roll out in full swing and a staggered return to normality in sight, governments around the world are hard pressed on getting their economies back up to pre-pandemic levels of output. The public health catastrophe of COVID-19 has put the economic status of many nations in less than ideal positions, calling … Continue reading The Investment Series: Economic Recovery & Inflation
George Floyd, One Year On
The American dream is a really good story. It’s been told in words, songs and films for centuries, captivating the imaginations, ambitions and dreams of people all across the world. That dream (we’re told) belongs to all, regardless of where they come from. Or, as the framers of the American Constitution put it: “We hold … Continue reading George Floyd, One Year On
The Investment Series: Financial Markets
Welcome to the second issue of The RealTalk Blog’s Investment Series! In this series, we aim to simplify and debunk the mysteries of the financial world to encourage financial literacy for all. If you missed the first issue (we forgive you), click here to read up on our introduction to Stocks and Bonds. In this … Continue reading The Investment Series: Financial Markets
The Investment Series: Stocks and Bonds
You've probably heard of the name Warren Buffett, possibly Ray Dalio and perhaps less likely, Jack Bogle. Each of these men can attribute, partly or wholly, their successes and financial affluence to their investments in the markets. With a current net worth of $85.6 billion, Warren Buffet is one of the most well-known investors in … Continue reading The Investment Series: Stocks and Bonds
How to Write a Great CV
It is currently job hunting season for many people, and you may be facing the daunting task of submitting applications after applications. With the increased uncertainty in the job market and the sheer competition for a job, it is important to be the best candidate possible. The very first hurdle you will have to face … Continue reading How to Write a Great CV
The Green Economy Isn’t Coming, It’s Already Here
Climate change has become one of the most important issues of our time. With increasing demand for change, entrepreneurs and innovators have sprung into action, bringing with them the green economy.
Black Lives Matter & The Fight Against Prejudice [via ssozinha.com]
Black Lives Matter is not a fight against white people. It is a fight in attempt to dismantle the shackles of white supremacy and prejudice, from our feet, our hands, our necks and our futures. When people get offended by the recent, countless calls for 'Black Lives Matter!' and they label it as an attack; … Continue reading Black Lives Matter & The Fight Against Prejudice [via ssozinha.com]
Take Control!
Discipline What I’m about to share is how to become super human, take it in and implement it. Time to take control. To start with, I have some questions for you…are you disciplined? If so in what areas in your life? Are these areas the ones that are most important? Just take step back and … Continue reading Take Control!
To be Black and to be a Slave
RTB DISSERTATION SUMMARY BY EZIPROSE To be BLACK and to be a SLAVE is one and the same is a first class dissertation by yours truly to fulfil the requirements of my Bachelors’ degree in Politics and International Relations. (Yes you read correctly. I said FIRST CLASS because we celebrate our achievements around here, and … Continue reading To be Black and to be a Slave
Not so ‘United’ Kingdom
The year 2016 saw one of the biggest referendum events of a lifetime – the EU referendum. Four years and three prime ministers later, the future of the UK’s European position still hangs in a precarious limbo. But alas, we wait on the looming no-deal Brexit of 31st December 2020 (this my personal pessimistic prediction). … Continue reading Not so ‘United’ Kingdom
Race, masculinity, emotion work and black men in Britain today: A case study of generational change
RTB DISSERTATION SUMMARy BY Israel Enock-Fagbemi Background My motivations for choosing this topic for my dissertation came from my own personal experiences. In 2017, when I heard that my close friend had died from cancer, I just broke down. I have never cried like that before in my life or felt that type of pain. … Continue reading Race, masculinity, emotion work and black men in Britain today: A case study of generational change
Exploring the Experiences of Black Students at Elite UK Universities
RTB DISSERTATION SUMMARY By Rhia Gibbs Introduction Most recently, the impact of Covid-19 has meant that A Level students did not get to sit their final exams. Many students who had wanted to take up places at Russell Group universities may have missed out on the opportunity due to receiving predicted grades that did not … Continue reading Exploring the Experiences of Black Students at Elite UK Universities
What’s Your Credit Score?
People often think that our credit score is irrelevant at our young ages but realistically you could begin to build when you’re as young as a child by being educated on the matter. There’s evidence to suggest that educating kids about money will pay off in higher credit scores later. This topic first came to … Continue reading What’s Your Credit Score?
Comparing Narratives of White-Administered Police Brutality Against Black Adolescent Males in Contemporary American Young Adult Fiction
RTB DISSERTATION SUMMARY BY ASHLEY Fontaine Introduction In an analysis of the current state of literature in The News & Observer, Susie Wilde asserts that in the era of #BlackLivesMatter, the literary world has faced a “‘wake-up call’” (Wilde 2019), and this statement is particularly true of contemporary American young adult (YA) fiction. Following the … Continue reading Comparing Narratives of White-Administered Police Brutality Against Black Adolescent Males in Contemporary American Young Adult Fiction
The Islamic translations of biomedical mental health concepts implemented in practice, by Islamic healers in East London
RTB DISSERTATION SUMMARY BY TASNIA CHOWDHURY Background: The premise of this dissertation was based on my own experiences of always feeling at war with myself when it came to mental well-being and spirituality. Too many times I heard emphasis on the healing power of God's words and the spiritual explanations of mental health symptoms but … Continue reading The Islamic translations of biomedical mental health concepts implemented in practice, by Islamic healers in East London
Inner City Communities: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
What is PTSD & what is Generalised Anxiety Disorder? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. The condition affects roughly 1 in 3 individuals and it can develop immediately, weeks or even years later. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is having regular/uncontrollable worries about a variety of … Continue reading Inner City Communities: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
An analysis on whether women’s relationship status shape their attitude towards housework in the UK
RTB DISSERTATION SUMMARY BY GRACE LANLOKUN I was first introduced to the Sociology of Housework in my first year of my Sociology degree and I was fascinated that something that is done daily, could be studied and reveal so much about the society that we live in. This falls under the umbrella of Sociology of … Continue reading An analysis on whether women’s relationship status shape their attitude towards housework in the UK
Are we really listening? Exploring the Media’s Social Construction of Drill Music Artists in the UK
RTB DISSERTATION SUMMARY BY TIF SHO Abstract Drill music has become increasingly popular in the United Kingdom. With the rise in popularity has come a moral panic due to the nature of the lyrics which often includes themes of violence and drugs. Due to this, not only have the songs been demonised but the artists … Continue reading Are we really listening? Exploring the Media’s Social Construction of Drill Music Artists in the UK
The Silver Lining
Finally, the month of results and graduation is among us. The end of an era, the end of a chapter. Going through the motions of something that feels like it’s never ending makes it hard to take a breather and look at the journey. You kinda get all focused on when it will all come … Continue reading The Silver Lining
The End of a Chapter
Well, where do I start? My university journey has flown by and I can now say that I am a graduate after 4 long years. 2020 has been a particularly weird year for many reasons – Pop Smoke, Kobe Bryant & his daughter, George Floyd, Corona, the cake craze on Twitter and Premier League football … Continue reading The End of a Chapter
What’s Next?
For the first time in 4 years I have no commitments, no coursework, no exams. Literally nothing to do. University no longer has me in a chokehold, and I couldn’t feel freer. I won’t even front and act like University was easy because it wasn’t but graduating during a global pandemic, now that is extra … Continue reading What’s Next?
It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint
2020 What a year to graduate ay? They say graduation should be a day filled with jubilation and ecstasy. A sense of accomplishment should engulf you as your hard work and late nights grafting in the dungeon will all be remunerated when you walk across that stage, shake your dean’s hand and do a little … Continue reading It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint
Run Your Race
Uni complete. Boy has it been a journey. It's been full ups and downs. Periods of depression and self-doubt, periods of excitement and joy and it’s a feeling of alleviation just to be able to say “I am done”. To even really deep that a good few times I really wanted to drop out, I … Continue reading Run Your Race
Existential Crisis
What’s your calling in life? Big question I know. I personally think I know the answer to this question, but life hands you a few curveballs and then you’re doubting myself, like proper doubting yourself. An existential crisis is when an individual starts to wonder what life means, and what their calling or purpose is. … Continue reading Existential Crisis
Where are you going?
So, where are you going? An incredibly ambiguous question right? You might already have some idea of where this blog is headed. In any case, lets progress. I’ll start with an incredibly powerful quote from a book I’ve recently started: “Now I think it’s one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a … Continue reading Where are you going?
Why are 3 out of 4 Suicides Men?
- Progress that has already occurred and solutions - Men and mental health Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45. In 2015, 75% of suicides registered in the UK were men. It’s important that despite all the great progress occurring we continue to push towards tackling this problem within our … Continue reading Why are 3 out of 4 Suicides Men?
A Silence in the Black Community Around Mental Health?
Introduction – the effects of institutionalised racism, wealth inequalities and social structures In all communities within the UK and around the world there is a silence around mental health, it’s a societal and worldwide issue. From research I have done, conversations with peers about experiences, as well as learning about it last year one in … Continue reading A Silence in the Black Community Around Mental Health?
Does University Worsen your Mental Health?
- The education system & wellbeing - Introduction Throughout the early stage of our lives we spend a lot of time, if not the majority, at school. From primary, secondary and all the way to university. 9am – 4pm, 5 days a week, 40+ weeks a year. It’s routine and it’s the way we are … Continue reading Does University Worsen your Mental Health?
Race and Politics – Is there a place for ethnic minorities in the current system?
From FO's Perspectives At the end of Last year, I wrote an article touching on the relationship between ethnic minorities and their voting patterns, highlighting how they tend to stay to the left of the political spectrum due to their voting rational (individual vs community). One of the key premises was that they tend to … Continue reading Race and Politics – Is there a place for ethnic minorities in the current system?
The Economic Impact of Coronavirus
From FO's Perspectives Since coming to our attention in Wuhan, China in November 2019, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has rapidly spread throughout the globe, destabilizing communities, nations, and continents as its impact starts to become more pertinently felt with steeply rising infection numbers and death tolls. Coronavirus is a disease caused by SARS, where the virus … Continue reading The Economic Impact of Coronavirus
Asking for help could kick start your happiness!
*say the below out loud* “I am ready to receive all obstacles and opportunities, required to successfully execute my vision for my life. Aka I’m ready beat 2020’s ass & get what I deserve” – Aaliyah Mckay Ever heard of the saying if you don’t ask you don’t get? Well, this little statement is something … Continue reading Asking for help could kick start your happiness!
So, you want to be a lawyer? | The Commercial Law Path
Having the Direction Choosing to become a commercial/corporate lawyer is easy – pursuing that career choice with the necessary tenacity, energy, and vision, to realise it, is tough. Furthermore, different people can become a ‘lawyer’ – indeed, most City law firms focus on having a ‘diverse range’ of hires, both in their physical characteristics, but … Continue reading So, you want to be a lawyer? | The Commercial Law Path
Meaning over Money?
You meet someone for the first time, smiles are being frequently exchanged and theconversation is flowing like a river on a summer's day. You've talked about interests, life and even those banal, but oddly addictive sitcoms that we often spend time watching in guilt because we promised ourselves, we'd be in the gym this weekend. … Continue reading Meaning over Money?
My Year In Industry
Wow hi - feel like I haven't blogged in ages lool! It's been a while. Just thought I'd do a quick reflection on my Year in Industry and touch on some key things I've done/learnt. Firstly for those that don't know, a Year in Industry is when you (an undergraduate student) takes a year out … Continue reading My Year In Industry
When the Headlines Become your Reality
Dealing with the Death(-by-Knife) of a Loved One (A Young Person’s Perspective) You watch the news and think you’re safe, that your world is a world away from such matters, as if these types of things could never happen to you. London. A place I – like many others – call “home”. A place that’s … Continue reading When the Headlines Become your Reality
Property Picking
How many people can say they’ve got a plan for how they’re going to retire early or how they’re going to buy their first property? I can’t even lie these are questions that I’ve recently been asking myself. Maybe it might relate to you also, but I think we’re currently living in a generation where not … Continue reading Property Picking
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