Diversity Officer Bans White People and Men from “Equality” Event

Goldsmiths University student union have been slammed after refusing to allow anybody that isn’t a non-white female to attend the event – organised to protest against inequality and celebrate racial unity. [7] The ban on men and white students is surprising, since the organisers claim to promote ‘zero tolerance’ for ‘all forms of prejudice, discrimination and oppression’. [2]  The event at the University of London college, claimed to be “challenging the white-centric culture of occupations”, “diversifying our curriculum” and building a “cross-campus campaign that puts liberation at the heart of the movement”. [7] She also insisted that her request [for certain groups to be excluded] was not meant to be discriminatory. But some of the other students thought otherwise. [8]  A senior Student Union society president, speaking on condition of anonymity, slammed the event and organiser Bahar.  Speaking to student newspaper The Tab, they said: “For Bahar to have the nerve to write this is patronising beyond belief.  “She has made it very difficult for white cis males on campus who feel like they can’t say anything for fear of retribution.  [12] “The irony that she thinks that they are diversifying the student community in the name of feminism and multiculturalism is laughable.” [7] In her web profile, Ms Mustafa says she organises Feminist Society events for “all genders”. The college, part of the University of London, said: “We do not tolerate racism, sexism or any other form of bigotry. We have written to the Students’ Union to express our concern.” But the SU defended its hosting of “spaces where specific groups talk about overcoming prejudice”. [7] The students’ union also advocated its support for Bahar Mustafa, the welfare and diversity officer at Goldsmiths University, London. [15]

A video of Mustafa’s overall vision for a “diverse university” follows:

The Student’s Union Forced to Backtrack ont the Event Following Outcry

Goldsmiths Students’ Union has been forced to backtrack over the event, following public outcry. The event, which was a meeting to follow-up the occupation of a university building at the end of March, was held on the ground floor of the London student union’s building. Bahar Mustafa, Welfare and Diversity Officer for Goldsmiths SU, initially said in a Facebook post on April 15: “This is a BME Women and non-binary event only.. Don’t worry lads we will give you and allies things to do.” [15]

Bahar Mustafa

Mustafa and the other hosts of the event, including Education Officer Sarah El-Alfy, were forced to change their position on excluding potential attendees. After growing outrage on campus, Mustafa appeared to back off on the supposed ban, and later issued a notice declaring: “Allies Are Now Welcome”, [8] , though the SU refused to clarify what they meant by ‘allies’ when contacted by HuffPost UK. [14]  She defended her original position, however, by saying that “occupations [especially in higher education] are too often dominated by white, male, and heterosexual people”. “Our educational system was initially very white [and male] and therefore deterred minorities and women”, Mustafa said. [8] “The dynamics, however, are now changing because of the hard work of minorities and women, and our efforts to challenge the white-centric culture. For these reasons it’s important for us to organize around the issues which affect women and minority students particularly”. [8] A spokesman for Goldsmiths University insisted it was not involved in organizing the event and said it’s “proud of our diverse campus community”. They said: “The Students’ Union is an independent body run by elected student officials and we have no involvement in their decision making or the programs they offer. “We are proud of our diverse community and do not tolerate any form of oppression, including racism, sexism or any other form of bigotry.” The spokesman also said that “the original banning of whites did NOT appear to be discriminatory… And that “white students need to get over it and move on”. [8]

The event attracted much criticism, with a blogger for The Spectator asking how “division along racial lines” could be deemed acceptable at a British university. [14]  The Oxford English Dictionary defines racism as: “A belief that one’s own racial or ethnic group is superior, or that other such groups represent a threat to one’s cultural identity, racial integrity, or economic well-being; (also) a belief that the members of different racial or ethnic groups possess specific characteristics, abilities, or qualities, which can be compared and evaluated.” [16]

In a statement posted to the SU website, the Goldsmiths officer team apologised for the “misunderstanding”, saying: “Goldsmiths Students’ Union places huge importance on equality and diversity. It is in this vein that we host spaces where specific minority groups who experience similar discrimination can talk together confidently about overcoming the structural disadvantages and prejudice they face in society. [14] “These types of initiatives are the norm across the student movement and within Students’ Unions in the UK. The National Union of Students has full-time officers and campaigns for students who identify as women, BME, LGBT and disabled as they too see the need for these spaces.” [14] .