“Latin American.” It paints a vivid picture, doesn’t it? Sun-drenched beaches, vibrant carnivals, the melodic lilt of Spanish—a melting pot of cultures woven together. But when it comes to education and career paths, the term seems to lose its magic. Here’s the harsh reality: “Latin American” isn’t officially recognised as an ethnic group in the UK, including the national census or the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). This invisible status, hidden beneath broad categories, makes it nearly impossible to track the unique challenges faced by Latin Americans in academia and the barriers that Latin American academics face in advancing their careers.

Salsa Steps and Sunday Roast

Over the past twenty years, in my eyes, London, like many other major cities, has experienced changes and developments in the areas of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). As members of society, each of us contributes to forming a community characterised by respect and inclusivity, where diversity is appreciated and individuals are treated with dignity. Looking back on my childhood, this was not always the case. I recall a persistent feeling of not belonging. Having relocated from Bolivia to the UK at a young age without my family and myself not knowing English, I attempted to come off as confident and extroverted, but let’s be honest – those first few years were tough. Although London has various races and ethnicities, I was just trying to figure out where I fit as those boxes I check off on applications didn’t help. While living in Wimbledon, “Where are you from?”, “What are you?” and “Are you Asian?” are common questions I received from a very young age. Despite feeling out of place in a predominantly white primary school based in a primarily white area, I taught myself to ignore this.

However, looking back, I realise that my secondary school experience was a turning point in my life. I had landed in a school that was unlike any other. It was a melting pot of cultures, backgrounds and beliefs, and it was this diversity that made it so special. Almost every one of my friends was Black, Asian, Latino, and European or the child of immigrant parents. Even if someone’s officially British, born and bred in the UK, there’s this automatic connection to their parent’s home countries—it’s just what’s expected. I’ve never really heard anyone proudly declare, “I’m British,” even if, technically, they are. Everyone was proud of their heritage. And at that moment, it clicked—I finally felt like I truly belonged. 

Our Barriers to Integration

A “recent study” in the UK shed light on the perception of discrimination among Latin Americans, revealing that 69% of them identified it as a prevalent issue. Notably, Bolivians expressed the highest sense of being discriminated against (78%), with men identifying with discrimination slightly more than women (72% versus 66%). The younger demographic was most vocal about identifying instances of discrimination, hitting a rate of 73%. Surprisingly, even among those with British passports, 71% recognised discrimination, hinting at a more entrenched issue beyond legal status. 

The “challenges” faced by the Latin American community in London have become significant obstacles to integration. 

•  50% of the Latin American respondents highlighted language barriers, with 58% pointing to the struggle to speak English as their main hurdle.
•  25% emphasised immigration status, specifically the challenges in regularising and securing permanent residency in London.
• 8%, mainly Bolivians, were particularly stressed about landing decent jobs or higher education. 

One clear takeaway was the strong “demand” for better English language skills, voiced by over a third of the participants (38%), emphasising the importance of improving language proficiency. On the flip side, Bolivians were primarily focused on navigating immigration status concerns.

Beyond workplace exploitation, a significant quarter of respondents also pointed to educational disadvantages. A “survey” delved deeper into university life, exposing that 24% of students from ethnic minority backgrounds reported experiencing racial harassment since the start of their courses. This figure represents 13% of the total student population currently enrolled in British universities, highlighting the ongoing nature of this problem.

Conquering Your Study Adventure at the Univeristy of Westminster

Contemplating the leap to London for your higher education? It might feel a tad overwhelming, but starting your academic journey at Westminster ensures you’re in good hands. With an almost “20,000-strong student community representing 165 countries, teaching and research staff coming from more than 80 countries”, the university forms a genuinely diverse and international community, embodying the core values of Westminster. 

Embarking on my personal journey as a Marketing Communications student at Westminster turned out to be even more diverse than my experience in secondary school. It compelled me to engage with individuals whom I never would before. You will find yourself exploring the various cultural campus societies where you’ll find individuals with similar interests or the same heritage ready to welcome and accompany you on this exciting journey. The professors? They’re not just fonts of knowledge; they’re passionate mentors who’ll ignite your curiosity and push you to reach your full potential.

Going forward – Strengthening equality, diversity, and inclusion

Having identified common challenges, here are four “suggestions” to foster positive change at Westminster and Higher Education:

1. Tackle language barriers: Organising information and advice events in community venues. Consider involving Latin American students or those studying Spanish to act as interpreters.
2. Empowering Latin American students to secure and declare their citizenship status: This may involve guiding families towards pro bono legal assistance or providing support for the child citizenship fee, perhaps through initiatives like the Citizenship Payment Plan.
3. UCAS Recognition: Advocate for official recognition of Latin American students by bodies like UCAS.

4. Ensure visibility of Latin Americans in various roles within Higher Education: Institutions should actively support Latin American academics in building a prominent profile and participating in outreach efforts. This will underscore Latinx individuals’ crucial roles in the UK’s daily higher education operations.

This blog is a call to action. Let’s shine a light on the hidden struggles of Latin Americans in academia. Let’s collect the data, amplify the voices, and dismantle the barriers brick by brick. Behind the vibrant label lies a story waiting to be told so that the path to academic success becomes paved with opportunity, not obstacles.

References 

Imperial News. (2021). Recognition, visibility, and inclusion for Latin America at Imperial | Imperial News | Imperial College London. [online] Available at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/229854/recognition-visibility-inclusion-latin-america-imperial/. [Accessed 6 Jan. 2024].

Mcilwaine, C., Cock, J. and Linneker, B. (n.d.). Servicio por los Derechos de la Mujer Latinoamericana Servicio por los Derechos de la Mujer Latinoamericana. [online] Available at:https://www.qmul.ac.uk/geog/media/geography/docs/research/latinamerican/No-Longer-Invisible-report.pdf [Accessed 6 Jan.2024].

Mcilwaine, C. and Bunge, D. (2016). Towards visibility: the Latin American community in London. [online] Available at: https://trustforlondon.fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/documents/Towards-Visibility-full-report_QqkSbgl.pdf [Accessed 6 Jan. 2024].

Robertson, A. (2019). ‘No Soy Other’ – A Spotlight on Latinx young people in the UK. [online] CfEY. Available at: https://cfey.org/2019/11/no-soy-other-a-spotlight-on-latinx-young-people-in-the-uk/ [Accessed 6 Jan. 2024].

Tackling racial harassment: Universities challenged equalityhumanrights.com. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/tackling-racial-harassment-universities-challenged.pdf [Accessed 6 Jan.2024].

Westminster.ac.uk. (n.d.). Global community | University of Westminster, London. [online] Available at: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/our-university/global-westminster/global-community#:~:text=With%20a%20student%20body%20of [Accessed 6 Jan. 2024].

The post Lost in Translation: The Invisible Obstacles Facing Latin Americans in Academia first appeared on wbsdigital.

Calling all UK students! 

Raise your hand if you’ve ever:

• Scrolled through endless “TikTok hauls”, mesmerised by the latest microtrends.
• Snagged a £5 dress only to see it fall apart after one wash.
• Felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of clothing choices 

If you answered yes, welcome to the fast fashion world! Yes, it can be affordable and convenient and offer variety, but let’s talk about this industry fueling our closets and raising eyebrows.

Confessions of a Fast Fashionista 

My first years of university days at Westminster were fueled by late-night study sessions and an insatiable hunger for new clothes. Every week after lectures, my friends and I would explore Oxford Circus with a need to stay on top of every new trend. A £5 corset top? Sign me up! A £15 co-ord set? Why not? However, the situation worsened with the advent of online shopping. Unboxing a new package from Pretty Little Thing, Shein or Zara felt like Christmas morning. Ripping open the plastic bag, that satisfying rustle of tissue paper, the first glimpse of the clothes – it was a dopamine rush. I’d immediately try everything on, snapping mirror selfies. 

The Dark Reality 

The quality, however, rarely matched the initial excitement. Seams came undone after one wash, fabrics pilled, and colours faded. The clothes I’d envisioned wearing on repeat ended up languishing in the back of my closet. As my online shopping habit escalated, the carefree clicks started feeling heavy with guilt. Being a nature girl, the thought of the mountains of packaging, the carbon footprint of express shipping, and the sheer volume of textile waste impacted the environment due to my addiction was heartbreaking. 

Threads of Disaster 

We, “Gen Z-ers”, top the list of fast fashion culprits, with a whopping 49% of 18-23-year-olds shopping more than once a week! Now, let’s delve into the most common detrimental effects we cause due to fast fashion:

1. Greenhouse gas emissions: Creating these clothes results in a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The fashion industry contributes to approximately “10% of global carbon emissions”. The entire cycle, from material extraction to manufacturing and exportation, plays a massive role in generating these emissions. These gases play a part in trapping heat in our atmosphere, gradually raising the Earth’s temperature and adversely “impacting our climate”.

2. Chemical pollution: The production of fast fashion clothing is so cost-effective that it often involves using environmentally “harmful chemicals”. These substances pollute the air and contaminate water sources, threatening aquatic life. “A study” found 80% of the animals had at least 12 different types of chemicals in their livers.

3. Throwaway culture: “Less than 1%” of clothes get recycled. After a rapid change of trends, the ‘wear it once, toss it’ mentality fuels textile waste, with mountains of discarded clothes ending up in landfills, where they can take years to decompose. Additionally, as our clothes break down, they release methane—a harmful gas contributing to a staggering “one million” premature deaths each year. 

What we can do to Break the Cycle:

It takes work. Ending the fast fashion habit felt like kicking a sugar addiction. But slowly, I started making changes.

Here are ten suggestions to foster positive change not only at uni but for a lifetime:

• Unsubscribed from tempting email lists: Out of sight, out of mind, right? Lowering the moments of temptation, the whispers of ‘just one more’ when you scroll through a tempting online sale.

• Set a monthly clothing budget: This forced me to be more intentional with my purchases. You can also use “budgeting apps” for students if you need a hand.

• Embraced the world of thrifting and vintage: Embrace Charity shops, vintage stores, and “online platforms” like Depop or Vinted offer treasure troves of unique, sustainable finds for a fraction of the price.

• Donate: Many UK charities such as Oxfam, the British Heart Foundation or the Red Cross will happily take your unwanted clothing items and put them to good use as long as they are still in good condition.

• Invested in quality over quantity: Buying fewer but better-made pieces you could wear for years will become your new mantra and save you a fortune!

• Slow fashion: Invest in quality pieces that will “last in fashion”, opting for timeless styles such as a trench coat or a well-fitted blazer over fleeting trends. 

• DIY: Grab your scissors, tie-dye, lace, and whatever else you fancy – it’s time to get creative! Give old clothes a new lease on life by customising, repairing, or repurposing them. Grab your scissors, tie-dye, lace, and whatever else you fancy.

• Upcycling: Don’t limit yourself to repurposing clothes for wearing! If you have a garment beyond rescue or without practical use, why not give it a new life as a cleaning rag?

• Secondhand swaps: Organise clothing swaps with family and friends to refresh your wardrobes without contributing to the fast fashion cycle.

• Support ethical brands: “Research” UK ethical brands committed to fair labour practices and sustainable production. Seek eco-friendly energy resources with low carbon emissions, minimal water usage, and little to no reliance on pesticides and chemicals. Aim for processes that generate minimal excess and waste.

What are the benefits?

• It cuts down on the volume of waste sent to landfills.
• It lessens the demand for production relying on new or raw materials.
• It proves environmentally friendly by decreasing air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• It will save many aquatic animals’ lives.
• It contributes to the growth of small local businesses.
• It imparts a distinctive charm to your wardrobe with unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.

The Journey Continues:

My journey towards conscious fashion isn’t always perfect, and I don’t expect yours to be either. There are still moments of temptation. But the guilt is gone, replaced by a sense of empowerment. Every conscious choice you and I make, every sustainable swap, is a step towards a better future.

References 

Absolutely Bear (2021). Fast Fashion Consumerism – How under 30s’ shopping habits are contribu. [online] Absolutely Bear. Available at: https://www.absolutelybear.com/blogs/news/fast-fashion-consumerism-study.

Club, T.S. (2021). 10 Best Budgeting Apps For Students. [online] The Stay Club. Available at: https://www.thestayclub.com/blog/10-best-budgeting-apps-for-students/ [Accessed 7 Jan. 2024].

Comfort. (n.d.). Different Ways to Upcycle Clothes. [online] Available at: https://www.comfortworld.co.uk/sustainability/from-riches-to-rich-rags-upcycling-clothes.html#:~:text=Use%20unwanted%20clothes%20as%20cleaning%20rags&text=If%20you%20have%20a%20garment [Accessed 6 Jan. 2024].

Manavastore. (n.d.). TOP 10 SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRANDS IN THE UK. [online] Available at: https://manavacollection.com/blogs/news/top-10-sustainable-uk-fashion-brands.

Marine Conservation Society. (n.d.). Chemical pollution’s animal impacts. [online] Available at: http://www.mcsuk.org/news/chemical-pollutions-animal-impacts/ [Accessed 6 Jan. 2024].

Mybest. (n.d.). 7 Best Apps to Sell Clothes UK 2023 | Depop, Rebelle and More. [online] Available at: https://uk.my-best.com/10644.

Nature®, S. (n.d.). Slow Fashion, What is it and What are the Advantages? [online] Slow Nature®. Available at: https://www.slownature.com/blogs/sustainable-fashion/slow-fashion [Accessed 6 Jan. 2024].

Projectcece.co.uk. (n.d.). The Devil Wears… Ultra Fast Fashion. Do You? | Sustainable Fashion Blog| Project Cece. [online] Available at: https://www.projectcece.co.uk/blog/504/ultra-fast-fashion/ [Accessed 6 Jan.2024].

The World Bank (2019). How Much Do Our Wardrobes Cost to the Environment? [online] The World Bank. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2019/09/23/costo-moda-medio-ambiente [Accessed 6 Jan. 2024].

Young, M. (2023). Fast Fashion is a Fatal Trend. [online] Mindless Mag. Available at: https://www.mindlessmag.com/post/fast-fashion-is-a-fatal-trend [Accessed 6 Jan. 2024].

Westminster.ac.uk. (n.d.). Sustainable Development | University of Westminster, London. [online] Available at: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/our-university/vision-mission-and-values/sustainable-development.

The post Beyond the Haul: Unmasking the Truth About Fast Fashion first appeared on wbsdigital.