5 avsnitt
Unfortunate Oxfordians Silas Gray
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- Samhälle och kultur
My name is Silas AKA S!lecta. I was born and raised in East Oxford, which I am very proud of. Since I left Oxford, however, I have battled with my identity as an Oxfordian, after having to tirelessly enlighten people about the alternative Oxford that isn’t represented in popular media. People just don’t seem to see the Oxford I see and know.
Students of Oxford and Brookes University make up only around 20% of the population yet seem to contribute more to the stereotype of a young Oxfordian.
In fact, the Oxford I see boasts the third highest ethnic minority population in South-East England. The neighbourhoods in Oxford I’m most familiar with are amongst the 20% most deprived in England where 1 in 4 children live below the poverty line and 22% of adults have little or no educational qualifications.
I wanted to talk to people who are from the same place as me and have gone on to do great things with their life and see how they have explored their identity as an Unfortunate Oxfordian
DISCLAIMER: I am aware a person from Oxford is known as an Oxonian, however, Unfortunate Oxfordian just has a better ring to it!
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5: Bemi Shaw
Episode 5 of Unfortunate Oxfordians features Stylist and Writer from Oxford, and now residing in London, Bemi Shaw.
I moved to London to pursue a career in radio production post-university and was somewhat felt dragged to London to do so. There have been a few people I know of who also have been dragged to London to persue careers in creative fields. One of which is Bemi Shaw. Me and Bemi went to middle school together and somehow her Mum knows my Dad (still haven't worked out how). She left Oxford to study fashion at University in London and never looked back. From keeping up to date with what she has been up to via social media and brief meetings at various events I was intrigued to see what she is up to know and how she has got here post growing up in Oxford.
Check out www.BemiShaw.com (https://www.bemishaw.com/) to find out more
@BemiShaw (https://www.instagram.com/bemishaw/?hl=en) -
4: Rauni Barros
Episode 4 of Unfortunate Oxfordians features Film Director and 'Third Culture Kid', Rauni Barros.
The podcast has taken a short hiatus in the last few months, however, I am happy to say it’s back. In the past few months, I have become fascinated with the concept of Third Culture Kids. As of this, I thought It would be great to get someone who wasn’t born in Oxford but spent the majority of their years growing up there. Better yet, someone who then left Oxford once they became an adult, travelled some more and then came back to embark on an exciting career as a film director.
I and Rauni are the same age and went to middle school together during a time where he had not long arrived in Oxford from Brazil. We went to 'rival' upper schools on either side of the Cowley Marsh.
Following school Rauni, pursued his interests in film, attending University in Leeds before travelling and returning to complete a masters at Bournemouth. He now resides back in Oxford focusing on his own film production company, True Vision Features. He shared with me his story and the struggle to hone his identity along the way
Check out @truevisionfeatures_ on Instagram! -
3: Dora Baker
Episode 3 of Unfortunate Oxfordians features University of Bristol Graduate, poet, singer, model and so much more, Dora Baker.
Me and Dora went to school together although she was about 2 years younger. Dora is one of the few students I am aware of that went to a Russell Group University after attending our school. She went from being ostracised for being 'posh' at upper school to being ostracised for not being posh at University. She chose to go to Bristol which many Unfortunate Oxfordians seem to do, including me. I wanted to see if there were patterns between the two cities and if the move is a 'natural progression' for a young person. I also wanted to find out what Dora has been up to since she left Oxford and if she ever thinks about moving back.
Chek out [@dozzexplorer](www.instagram.com/dozzexplorer) on Instagram! -
2: Maya Francis
Episode 2 of Unfortunate Oxfordians features Freelance videographer & editor Maya Francis.
I and Maya have known each other since we were 5 years old and have both benefitted from some of the community projects based in East Oxford. I wanted to discuss how these projects have benefitted us as well as ask questions about her ethnicity and sexuality that I have never asked before!
Visit [Maya Francis Film](www.mayafrancisfilm.com) -
1: Tazer
Episode 1 of Unfortunate Oxfordians features DJ and producer Tazer. Tazer grew up a few doors down from me in Falcon Close, Blackbird Leys.
Although we didn't hang out much when we were young we have ended up in similar industries. I wanted to find if Tazer has experienced similar judgement as I have, being a 'black guy' from Oxford!
Follow [Tazer](https://twitter.com/Tazer_Official)