This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/uk/537153-cecil-rhodes-oxford-statue-plaque/

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oxford university new plaque at condemned Rhodes statue describes mogul as 'committed colonialist' & exploiter of Africans Oxford university new plaque at condemned Rhodes statue describes mogul as 'committed colonialist' & exploiter of Africans
(8 days later)
A new plaque has been unveiled at a statue of British colonialist Cecil Rhodes at Oxford University, noting his exploitation of others and how his actions caused "great loss of life," after demands that the monument be taken down.A new plaque has been unveiled at a statue of British colonialist Cecil Rhodes at Oxford University, noting his exploitation of others and how his actions caused "great loss of life," after demands that the monument be taken down.
Last week Oriel College, Oxford erected a plaque for a statue of Cecil Rhodes which sits on the main façade of the college building. The explanatory panel has been added to the statue after its existence came under threat last year during a spate of BLM [Black Lives Matter] protests in which some demanded the monument to the imperialist be torn down.  Last week Oriel College, Oxford erected a plaque for a statue of Cecil Rhodes which sits on the main façade of the college building. The explanatory panel has been added to the statue after its existence came under threat last year during a spate of BLM [Black Lives Matter] protests in which some demanded the monument to the imperialist be torn down.  
The plaque read that Rhodes was a "committed British colonialist" who "obtained his fortune through exploitation of minerals, land and peoples of southern Africa. Some of his activities led to great loss of life and attracted criticism in his day and ever since."The plaque read that Rhodes was a "committed British colonialist" who "obtained his fortune through exploitation of minerals, land and peoples of southern Africa. Some of his activities led to great loss of life and attracted criticism in his day and ever since."
It adds that Oriel College had wished for the statue to be removed but on legal advice, they elected to keep the statue. It also notes that the statue became a focus of debate amid the protest movement.It adds that Oriel College had wished for the statue to be removed but on legal advice, they elected to keep the statue. It also notes that the statue became a focus of debate amid the protest movement.
Some commenters have been unimpressed by the plaque, claiming it is neither balanced or measured.  Some commenters have been unimpressed by the plaque, claiming it is neither balanced or measured.  
Earlier this year, Oriel received the backing of an independent commission for removing the statue, but the college's governing body decided it should stay, citing it would cost too much and take too long to pull it down.Earlier this year, Oriel received the backing of an independent commission for removing the statue, but the college's governing body decided it should stay, citing it would cost too much and take too long to pull it down.
More than 150 Oxford dons also joined the debate in June, stating that they would not teach Oriel undergraduate students over the college's decision to keep the statue. In response, some said the academics were trying to "blackmail" the college into removing the statue.  More than 150 Oxford dons also joined the debate in June, stating that they would not teach Oriel undergraduate students over the college's decision to keep the statue. In response, some said the academics were trying to "blackmail" the college into removing the statue.  
To many, Rhodes is the ultimate expression of colonialism. The mining magnate-cum-politician developed a near monopoly of the global diamond trade and also served as prime minister of Cape Colony (a British territory in modern day South Africa) from 1890 to 1896. His British South Africa Company founded the southern African territory of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia), naming it after him.To many, Rhodes is the ultimate expression of colonialism. The mining magnate-cum-politician developed a near monopoly of the global diamond trade and also served as prime minister of Cape Colony (a British territory in modern day South Africa) from 1890 to 1896. His British South Africa Company founded the southern African territory of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia), naming it after him.
Rhodes' will also contained instructions for the creation of a scholarship programme from his estate. It is the oldest and perhaps most prestigious graduate scholarship scheme in the world, bringing students from all around the globe to Oxford University. The scholarship was awarded to numerous world leaders in their youth, including former US president Bill Clinton. Rhodes' will also contained instructions for the creation of a scholarship programme from his estate. It is the oldest and perhaps most prestigious graduate scholarship scheme in the world, bringing students from all around the globe to Oxford University. The scholarship was awarded to numerous world leaders in their youth, including former US president Bill Clinton. 
If you like this story, share it with a friend!If you like this story, share it with a friend!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.