1.2 ARTICLE: Ian Birrell

Question 1

Purpose

Answer 1

• To express his anger towards the spending cuts for disabled people
• To argue that society needs to change and begin a public dialogue around disabled rights
• Personal motivations - Birrell has a disabled child

Question 2

Audience

Answer 2

• Readers of the I + The Independent newspapers
• Fans and loyal readers of Ian Birrell
• Fans of African music/culture, and thus followers of Ian Birrell’s work as a journalist and campaigner
• Those with a general interest in politics and current affairs
• Those with an interest in identity politics, sexuality and/or disability issues

Question 3

Mode

Answer 3

• Newspaper article published online
• NOTE: Many of the online features have been removed from the anthology version, including hyperlinks + comments section

Question 4

Context

Answer 4

• Ian Birrell was the former deputy editor of the Independent newspaper
• Newspaper columnist, foreign correspondent, campaigner, and co-founder of Africa Express
• Africa Express: an organisation which aims to promote African music and brings musicians together from around the world
• Birrell has two children, the youngest of which has profound & multiple learning difficulties/is disabled
• Birrell uses the context of same-sex marriage to contextualise the struggles of the disabled to achieve equality and acceptance in British society - example of struggle for gay rights used to contextualise struggles of the disable, who remain marginalised and badly treated
• Same-sex marriage was legalised in England + Wales in July 2013, came into force in 2014, and in N. Ireland + Scotland only same-sex civil partnerships are possible
• There was overwhelming public support for same-sex marriage from the general public and media following struggle by political campaigners + public to get equal treatment under the law