British University Hosts ‘Anti-Racism’ Rally; White People And Men Asked Not To Attend
A university in London is facing sharp criticism after hosting an “anti-racism” rally in which men and white people were asked not to attend, Huffington Post U.K. is reporting.
In a Facebook post that has since been deleted, Goldsmith University’s Welfare and Diversity Officer Bahar Mustafa promoted the anti-racism rally but told men and white people that the event was not for them.
“Also if you’re a man and/or white PLEASE DON’T COME just cos [sic] I invited a bunch of people and hope you will be responsible to respect this is a BME women and non-binary event only.”
The backlash to the “whites need not attend” anti-racism rally was swift and intense, with several Goldsmith students pointing out the irony in holding a racism event but asking members of a certain race not to be there.
Bahar Mustafa, Welfare & Diversity officer for Goldsmiths SU is unrepresentative and damaging http://t.co/Oa9Ew28mLM #goldsmiths #racism
— Kathryn (@kitty_trix) April 22, 2015
@goldsmiths_su @myGoldsmiths Any reason why elected representatives promote diversity by excluding members from their own union events?
— sam humble (@shumble91) April 22, 2015
A Goldsmiths University student, who asked to remain anonymous, told the student news paper The Tab that banning whites and men from an anti-racism rally is typical for Bahar Musafa, who has made a career out of demonizing men, whites, and straights.
“She (if that is her preferred gender pronoun) has made it very difficult for white cis males on campus who feel like they can’t say anything for fear of retribution. the irony that she (or they) think that they are diversifying the student community in the name of feminism and multiculturalism is laughable.”
Goldsmith’s faculty were quick to point out that the rally was an entirely student-led event, and the university had no part in it; further, they’re “concerned” about an anti-racism rally that excludes members of a certain race, according to The Standard.
“The Students’ Union is an independent body run by elected student officials and we have no involvement in their decision making or the programme of events that they offer. We have no involvement in the appointment of the student representatives. We are proud of our diverse community and do not tolerate any form of oppression, including racism, sexism or any other form of bigotry. We have written to the Students’ Union today to express our concern.”
Do you think it’s fair for a university to host an anti-racism rally and exclude whites and males? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
[Image courtesy of: Shutterstock/Filipe Frazao]
