Edinburgh Law Students black up for “Beerienteering” race

Yet another bunch of students decide it would be a good idea to do something that makes everyone angry.

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  • Law society social turns sour when team turn up in face paint as “Somali Pirates”
  • Society are “upset” and “mortified” at the costumes. 
  • Veg Soc, who took the photos, called it “Black and Ethnic Minority oppression”

Edinburgh Uni Law Society saw their annual “beerienteering” race descend into chaos this week as guests blacked up for the occasion.

Teams sign up to race around Edinburgh’s pubs, drinking at each one, with the hopes of winning a queue jump for the Law Ball.

The Somalian team were stopped in Hive nightclub for a photo

This year’s theme was “All around the world” and saw teams dressed up as Frenchmen, boys in Hula Skirts and wannabe-Mexicans in sombreros.

However, one team chose to black up as Somalian Pirates. A picture of them was snapped in The Three Sisters pub by members of the Veg Soc and Amnesty Soc who called them out on their costume.

The societies told The Tab: “This is an image of Black and Ethnic Minority oppression becoming manifested in students “costumes”.

“Racism should be opposed on every level and Edinburgh University and we a a student body should do all within our power to make sure these attitudes are called out”.

The team before heading out for the night

After taking the photo, Veg and Amnesty socs followed the team to the Hive nightclub where they questioned the bouncers about their decision to let the team in.

The doorstaff said those who were offended could “head somewhere else”.

Edinburgh University Law Society is an independent society, not affiliated with Edinburgh’s SU.

In a statement, Law Soc president Keir Gilius said: “The fancy dress theme was “All Around the World”. As a society, we try to arrange our events with innovative and interesting themes leaving scope for attendees to use their imaginations. In no way was this theme intended to incite racism or cultural appropriation, and as a society, we are vehemently opposed to discrimination of any form.

“On behalf of the members of our society, we apologise unreservedly for any upset caused. In response to some of the costumes designed, in the future we will strive to ensure that any fancy dress events will actively discourage the use of any costumes that could be perceived as being offensive; if so, the wearers may be denied participation in said event. As a society, we respect our members’ right to freedom of expression; however, cultural insensitivity is intolerable and this is something that we are completely opposed to.

In light of the ongoing and comprehensive commentary on our Facebook page, I would not propose to discuss any further details.”