Oxford Union condemns itself as racist over cocktail poster

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jun/01/oxford-union-racist-colonial-cocktail-poster

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The Oxford Union has passed a motion condemning itself as institutionally racist after a flyer was posted advertising a cocktail called the “Colonial Comeback”, to be served at a debate about the British Empire.

The flyer, which featured an image of a pair of black hands shackled in chains under the heading “Reparations Debate Cocktail”, prompted an outcry from students and sharp condemnation from the university.

A spokesperson for Oxford University, which has no jurisdiction over the Oxford Union, said: “There is no place at Oxford for the kind of crass and insensitive attitude that the material produced by the Oxford Union suggests.

“While we are confident that it in no way represents the vast majority of Oxford students, racially insensitive comments or behaviour of this or any kind are unacceptable at Oxford and its colleges.”

The poster was produced for a debate last week entitled “This house believes Britain owes reparations to her former colonies”. Speakers included Sir Richard Ottaway, a former Conservative MP; Shashi Tharoor, an Indian politician; and John Mackenzie, a British historian.

Students expressed outrage on Twitter and the matter was investigated at a heated meeting of the union standing committee on Monday. The racism motion is reported to have been proposed by the treasurer Zuleyka Shahin.

One former committee member, a third-year student who did not want to be named, said: “Several motions were passed including one declaring the union institutionally racist. It was very acrimonious.” The union has so far not commented.

Esther Odejimi, the union’s black and minority ethnic (BME) officer, told the student paper Cherwell that she intended to resign. “This ridiculously insensitive poster has been pasted up on the union walls. I’m disgusted at the way they have behaved both towards me and the wider black community. I want nothing to do with them at all,” she was quoted as saying.

Founded in 1823, the Oxford Union describes itself as “the last bastion of free speech” and claims to be the most famous debating society in the world.

Its long and eclectic list of past guest speakers includes Marine Le Pen, Ronald Reagan and the Baywatch star Pamela Anderson.

The university itself will be embarrassed by the incident at the union, which is legally separate and over which it has no official control.

A spokesperson said: “It is a top priority for Oxford to identify and address any ways in which we can better ensure students feel safe and well represented at Oxford, both by institutional policies and the way they are treated by their peers.

“Students have given us a detailed and nuanced account of black and minority ethnic student experiences at Oxford. It showed that while BME students generally thrive and do well at Oxford, there are incidents of insensitivity and some students can feel isolated.

“The university is committed to addressing this, and welcomes the fact that its students can raise these issues in a constructive and co-operative atmosphere.”