theorist: bell hooks
The Big Issue is a magazine which aims to give voices to the voiceless all around the world targeting those affected by social issues mostly such as homelessness, mental health, politics and hidden news.
bell hooks argues that there are other reasons people may be discriminated against for and class is one of them. The Big Issue revolves around homelessness and poverty and attempting to redeem lives surrounding that. Through showing the vendors stories with a positive tone and enlightening those with stories of redemption, we do not get the stereotypical sob story usually presented when homelessness is a key theme. Instead the homeless are represented as higher than celebrities through the copy "plus THOUSANDS & THOUSANDS OF VENDORS!" This is in a larger bolder font and a yellow colour rather than the same repeated smaller white font listing celebrities. This divide between the two shows that the Big Issue respects and values the vendors selling their magazine and sees them as a core member to their brand. bell hooks would see the representation throughout this issue of the magazine as positive as not once does it discriminate or oppress someone for their class but instead empowers those less fortunate.
Race is another reason why bell hooks thinks people are discriminated against. Our main vendor within this issue is Donato, an older Italian vendor, with a whole feature at the back. The Big Issue identifies him as an individual and a person rather than someone who's homeless. They give a voice to the voiceless by telling his story to the world but also mention his hobbies and interests.
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