Not To Be Controversial

In part 1 of a two part series Varsha and Tiara explore how our skin colour shapes our identity. In part 1 they interview Jess Harwood, an Indian-Australian artist and discuss her experience being white passing. 

Jess is an illustrator, communications professional and environmental campaigner living on Gadigal land in Sydney. Initially training as a lawyer, Jess worked on shark conservation at Humane Society International and most recently on climate change communications. Jess uses her art, comics and 'info-toons' to explain and drive people to take action on climate and environmental issues, and has had her work featured by the BBC, ABC and in the Guardian. Jess' artworks have been used in many climate change organisations and campaigns, including the Climate Council, the Fight for the Reef campaign, and by the Gas Free Hunter Alliance.

Get ready for an incredible discussion!

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Instagram: @jessharwoodart

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FEDERAL ELECTION RANTS. Bye bye Sco Mo and hello Dutton? This election we’ve seen more representation than ever but is this really enough? On this ep of N2BC, Varsha and Tiara talk about all the chaos from Keneally losing her seat to the election of Teal independents and Peter Dutton now being the leader of the Liberal party. 

Articles we referred to:

https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/23/teal-independents-who-are-they-how-did-they-upend-australia-election

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/asian-representation-in-parliament-has-now-doubled-but-some-advocates-say-its-not-enough/ezzub39hn

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What is it like being a Trans, non-binary person in India, what about being a POC in Australia? We were privileged to be joined by the incredible Srishti Chaterjee.

Srishti (they/them) is a Bengali non-binary writer, artist, and political organiser. They research and write about technology, protests, and citizenship, and love cooking big meals as a resident mum-friend!

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Why are we all talking about Elon? Aren't we forgetting marginalised narratives? Why is there a massive increase in Indian CEOs in the US? Is it representation or exploitation?

Join Varsha and Tiara as they explore these issues this week!

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Articles referred to:

The Economist is wrong. Brahmins become CEOs in US not because of quotas in India

Why Indian CEOs rock and rule in the US

Quora thread

We’re back with a chill and ranty episode with just the two of us! This week is all about the representation of South Asian women in film and TV. We chat about Bridgerton, Big Bang Theory and Never Have I Ever - have any of these shows actually done representation right?

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This week we chatted to the wonderful Alicia Vrajlal about how to enter the journalism industry, how to deal with the discrimination and dealing with stigma in the South Asian community.

Alicia Vrajlal is an entertainment and pop culture enthusiast and the proud daughter of Fijian Indian immigrants. She's a Sydney-based journalist who is the former Editor at HuffPost Australia and now Culture Editor at Refinery29 Australia. She made her start in the media industry in 2011 when she founded an entertainment blog. Passionate about elevating underrepresented voices through her journalism, she went on to launch the blog Draw Your Box, which focuses on diversity-related stories in Australia and beyond. Known for that one time she conducted red carpet interviews with a hairbrush she bought at Woolies (in lieu of a microphone), she’s equally up for a debrief about The Bachelor as she is a serious conversation about social issues.

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We are joined by Ukrainian activist Liana Spitetsky this week.

Liana talks about her role as the president of the association, provides us with a summary of what is happening between Russia and Ukraine, how we can support beyond donations and how she is keeping her hope and strength.

We have linked organisations you can donate to below.

If you don’t have the means to, please share content that amplifies Ukrainian voices.

We hope you are keeping well, sending our love to each of you.

In solidarity,

V and T

Charities that help the war effort

Save Life: This NGO crowdfunds non-lethal military equipment, such as thermal vision scopes & supplies it to the Donbas front lines. It also provides training for Ukrainian soldiers, as well as researching troops’ needs and social reintegration of veterans. Donbas SOS: This organization helps those who live in the Donbas war zone, those who relocated to other parts of Ukraine, and freed prisoners of war. It offers legal support, accommodation assistance, and psychological aid among other things. Crimea SOS: This organization has been helping internally displaced people from Crimea since Russia occupied the peninsula in 2014. It documents Russian authorities' repressions against Crimeans and advocates for the end of the occupation. Hospitallers: This is a medical battalion that unites volunteer paramedics and doctors to save the lives of soldiers on the frontline. They crowdfund their vehicle repairs, fuel, and medical equipment.

Charities that help children

Tabletochki: This foundation has been supporting children with cancer for 10 years. They procure medicines, equipment, and arrange overseas treatment, among other things. ChildrenWeWillMakeIt: This movement grew out of a campaign that raised $2 million to get the world's most expensive medicine for a Ukrainian boy with spinal muscular atrophy. It now fundraises for the treatment of other Ukrainian children with SMA. Ruka ob Ruku: This is a running club for children with disabilities. The initiative gives children an opportunity to train and take part in races together with their parents and volunteers.

Charities for the elderly

Happy Old: This charity provides older people across Ukraine with groceries and medicine, holds educational, entertainment, and sports events, as well as helps with employment. They even created a modeling agency for the elderly. Let's Help: This charity cares for older people living alone and helps state retirement homes. They also advocate for better treatment of older people by the state, including providing people aged 60+ with easy access to education. Starenki: It’s a charitable initiative devoted to issues of old age in Ukraine. They help lonely seniors by providing them with groceries and hygiene products.

Charities that help women

Women Perspectives: This organization has been helping women who have faced domestic violence, discrimination in the labor market, and other issues. The NGO works with local and state authorities to promote pro-equality gender policies in Ukraine. Marsh Zhinok (Women’s March): Every year, on March 8, this initiative holds a rally promoting gender equality and the protection of women from gender-based violence. Currently, the organization is petitioning for Ukraine to adopt the Istanbul Convention.

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Varsha and Tiara dive into their experiences being “gifted”, what that word even means and the barriers people face in being a “gifted” or “un-gifted” child. Is it even a real thing, are there certain factors like race, class and gender that influence this?

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