Iram Ramzan - The Futures Interview - all that we are (fka the future is beautiful)

Iram Ramzan

Joining our team as a Creative Activist from Manchester is Iram Ramzan – here she takes part in our Futures Interview.

A fully qualified journalist, having just completed an NCTJ course, Iram Ramzan is a writer by heart – the written word appeals to her. She has a keen interest in UK politics and global affairs, and hopes to be a foreign correspondent one day. As a South Asian Muslim woman she has many obstacles in her path due to family background but is hoping to overcome said obstacles and help others to achieve their goals and break barriers. She is a member of the editorial team at The Revival magazine and a reporter for Mancunian Matters.

?!X: What’s The Future You Choose?

IR: The Future I Choose is one where we are treat each other with respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, skin colour, religion, etc. It is one where we are interested in enriching our own lives as well as others, and not simply being titillated by celebrity gossip or how ‘sexy’ we look to the opposite gender. It is one where people are educated, not just in an academic sense but in a social sense – a world where prejudices and stereotypes are overcome; a future where we can think for ourselves and not be led by certain media outlets into believing untruths.

?!X: What’s a ‘think’ to create this future?

IR: The future I choose is of open and transparent democracy, where everyone is treated equally. This Guardian Article (on the phone hacking scandal) inspired me, it gives everyone the chance to know who’s saying what, where and how, with regards to the phone hacking scandal. Never before have we had something as great as this, and this is something that could inspire us in the near future. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece too, by an Egyptian female blogger. I find that it is so refreshing and inspiring to have someone speak out in such a way.

?!X: What’s an ‘act’ to create the future you choose?

IR: To get as many people involved, social media is a great way to achieve this. Facebook, twitter and live blogs I have found are extremely important and a fun and exciting way for people of all ages and backgrounds to participate. And ?!X could help with this, we could have a live blog/section where people are able to upload posts and pics, on our website. We could also do vox pops – with this, we could pick a specific question or topic, and ask people in the Greater Manchester area (or anywhere else too) to answer these. Topics could be light-hearted or serious, e.g. which party do you most identify with and why, if at all. Also, we could create their own podcast and writers on the site could discuss certain topics.

?!X: What’s a ‘vote’ to create the future you choose?

IR: I believe that today’s parties do not represent the voters, especially the under 30s. This is why we should back smaller parties and get their voices represented in parliament. We could also pledge our allegiance to human rights groups such as BIHR, Liberty and Amnesty International so people are aware of what is happening around the world.

?!X: What’s your favourite song and why?

I have so many songs I can’t choose just one! BUT if I HAD to, it would be a Turkish song called Melek Yuzulum by Mustafa Sandal. The lyrics are amazing as is the tune.