Bournemouth University has made a diversity video with only white speakers

People argue it has failed to promote equality

9 years ago

Holly Sawyer | News

A Bournemouth University video promoting equality has faced backlash, as it contains no BME speakers in it.

The video, released in mid January, set out to show the uni's work towards a welcoming and diverse community.

But it has been ripped apart by students this week, who have noticed a lack of racial diversity and minorities throughout the video, saying it "failed to acknowledge" achievements that minority students and staff worked towards.

So a video has been posted by our university promoting equality and diversity but has failed to include any students of colour in the video, even when talking about black history month.. Please share so we can make a difference and change this. https://t.co/n2khCT7RlJ

— Bournemouth ACS (@BU_ACS) February 9, 2018

The actual video features a white male presenter for its entirety, who talks about mental health, people of colour, the LGBT+ community and other events and societies within the university.

SUBU President Daniel Asaya spoke out on the lack of representation:

Black staff/students do a lot e.g the #BMEAwards which had over 300 attendees from different nationalities. It’s only fair that they get the recognition they deserve just like everyone else. 😥😥We are not a tick box exercise and tokenism solves nothing. @EqualityatBU https://t.co/dUrgr0rSiJ

— Ade Balogun (@SUBUPresident) February 10, 2018

More and more people kicked off, including staff:

https://twitter.com/deborahgabriel/status/962270539539795968

I’ve just realised that three cast members from Celebrity Traitors were in Game of Thrones

The Celebrity Traitors rules explained, as Richard E Grant immediately let slip he’s a Traitor

As Christa Pike’s execution fails, her accomplice boyfriend is living a totally different life

After what we witnessed in that student experience meeting, it gives me the impression BU are institutionally racist, behind closed doors they really don’t care about BME, they don’t care enough to acknowledge it on a piece of paper… https://t.co/sveaoFzoJR

— Geneva (@GenevaGuerrieri) February 10, 2018

It's interesting how diversity and equality is always promoted but somehow forget the inclusion aspect of diversity and equality! This is not ok! https://t.co/lNm9CNvyJv

— SUBU Black Student Campaign (@SUBU_bsc) February 9, 2018

SUBU's Black Student Campaign told The Tab Bournemouth they felt the work of black students and staff was ignored. They said: "We are upset by the lack of diversity within the video and that it failed to acknowledge the efforts made by black students, staff and students, and staff of colour.

"In order to move forward we need to ensure inclusivity is clear and a more diverse representation is needed."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcamyqaFoTG

BU African Caribbean society also expressed their disappointment with the video. They told The Tab Bournemouth: "They didn't include anyone of colour in a diversity video. It didn't mention any of the wonderful events that happened at Black History Month and how successful it was, or include any videos or photos of what we did.

"It also didn't even mention Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Awards and how fantastic the turn out was, not one photo from the BME awards was included.

"But they did get videos, photos for a LGBT & Disability month. They mentioned Black History Month and that was it."

The university has been approached for comment.

Holly Sawyer | News