Students at Warwick allegedly told ‘black people disadvantage themselves’

A Careers Officer at Warwick University is under investigation for allegedly suggesting black people disadvantage themselves when it comes to job applications.

In a Careers seminar last week, she made a point of "how many days later black candidates hand in applications compared to the average white candidate."

Ikepo Abiru, a second year Law student at Warwick University attended the seminar and has described the incident in a Twitter thread:

She said: "So I'm sat in this seminar and the Careers Officer is talking about the disadvantages of handing in applications close to the deadline.

"She then says that Linklaters did some research into how many days later black candidates hand in the applications compared to the average white candidate, and asks us if we can guess.

"Obviously we stare back at her blank faced. She then proceeds to inform us that it is 38 days.

"She then shares with the class that she had a conversation with another black woman the other day and apparently the woman told her that she isn't surprised because black people are generally laid back.

"She then turns to ask me if it is true that black people are generally laid back. To which I respond asking if she is seriously asking me to speak for all black people?

"The other black girl in the room then asks what exactly her point is.

"At this point, she starts trying to back track as she can tell that we are clearly not having it.

"She proceeds to say how she knows that there is prejudice out there and talks about how women of all races experience prejudice, BUT it is clear that some groups (ie black people) actively disadvantage themselves and as a result it is a double whammy for us.

"The whole time I am just sat there in utter disbelief unsure of how to react and thinking how much of a chance do we really have.

"This white woman just said unequivocally, (to a class filled with other white people) that black people disadvantage themselves."

Ikepo told The Tab: "I can't believe this sort of thing can happen in 2017. I am still shocked."

She added: "I hope the university won't try to bury this incident."

The university spokesperson has stated: “A formal complaint has now been received and an investigation of that complaint will now commence.

“You will of course understand that we obviously now cannot comment further on the circumstances being investigated, or anything that could possibly be contextual to that investigation, until that investigation is concluded.”