Wednesday, 6 July 2022
  • Login
  • Home
  • LSJ TV
  • LSJ Magazine
  • Siren Radio
  • The Linc
  • Cygnet PR
  • Style Guide
  • Privacy Policy
  • About LSJ
LSJ News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Business
  • Community
    • Education
    • International
    • Viewpoint
  • Politics
  • Science and Technology
    • Environment
    • Health
  • TV
  • Magazine
LSJ News
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Business
  • Community
    • Education
    • International
    • Viewpoint
  • Politics
  • Science and Technology
    • Environment
    • Health
  • TV
  • Magazine
No Result
View All Result
LSJ News
No Result
View All Result
Home Community

Students Respond To The ‘Completion’ of SU’s Five Diversity Commitments

A year on following the death of George Floyd, minority students at the University of Lincoln voice their opinions on the university's sustained response to the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Mustafa Hussain by Mustafa Hussain
May 28, 2021
in Community, News, Politics
0 0
A A
0
Students Respond To The ‘Completion’ of SU’s Five Diversity Commitments
0
SHARES
28
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare via Email

The passing of May 25th marked the one year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, a 46 year old black man, at the hands of those who were sworn in to ‘Protect and Serve’. 

 

Black Lives Matter Protests occur all over America. Photo Credit:Clay Banks

 

Not Long after the haunting video of Floyd’s death surfaced, activists around the world began to mobilise in a fight against systemic racism under the banner of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ Movement.

Demonstrations against police brutality and racism engulfed America, and on May 31st the first Black Lives Matter protests occurred within the UK, taking place in Trafalgar Square.

 

Londoners take a knee in memory of George Floyd. Photo Credit: James Eades

Similar protests were held in various other cities including Lincoln which saw a turnout of around 500 people last June. 

Black students spoke with courage and bravery to voice their concerns about systemic racism with many discussing their own experiences with racism within the city.

Student Leonard Chatonzwa voicing his experience at last years BLM protest Photo Credit:Mick Fox

This united pressure led to a statement being made from the Student Unions Chief Executive, James Brooks, which was later found by the Lincoln Tab, to be copied from Essex University.

“It was just a disgraceful and embarrassing moment for, not just the SU, but the Uni as a whole. there was no justifying it then and no justifying it now” said Jorge Pastor, a third year student. 

A sentiment echoed by Jake Howes, who described the statement as “disingenuous and a clear statement the uni did not care”.

The University quickly realised their mistake and issued an apology as well as a proposal of “five commitments towards Diversity and Inclusivity” which have since been announced as completed.

These commitments included appointing a BAME independent complaints officers, hosting BAME focus groups and introducing “compulsory unconscious bias and race equity training’ for all staff in the SU.

The focus groups consisted of BAME student representatives including BAME Officer, Sade Sekoni as well as both the President of the Jewish Society and ISA Officer. 

Due to the discussions that have taken place within these focus groups, VP of Campaigns and Environment Bailey Marchant stated that the “SU will section a budget for various cultural celebrations in the upcoming year” 

However students also voiced their concerns about the inaccessibility to hate crime reporting as well as the lack of Diversity and inclusivity within other societies.

We spoke to other minority students about whether they were aware of a place to report hate crimes on campus as well as steps they would like the University to take in further ensuring their safety on campus.

Mustafa Hussain · DIversity And Inclusion Questions

As you can see a lot of students are unaware of the newly appointed BAME complaints officer and where to find him with some stumped about where to go if a hate crime were to occur.

“They should make this information more readily available for students. Plaster it on the wall so everybody knows” said Jorge.

The SU aims to solve this issue by adding a link on their mobile app so students can quickly report hate crime.  

It is clear to see a lot of steps have been taken to increase inclusion and diversity within the Uni however “more needs to be done” according to GM Singh Banga.

Students regularly recommended  more contact with minority students as well as a higher budget for societies such as African Carribean Society in order to increase inclusivity on campus.

Photo Credit: African Caribbean Society

The University is yet to respond on how they plan on building on these existing commitments on diversity and inclusivity. 

Although the first steps were satisfactory ones,  it is clear that more definitive work needs to be done to ensure a BAME students feel included at the university.

Previous Post

Lincolnshire PCC outlines plans to tackle fly-tipping

Next Post

Ease of Lockdown restrictions adds a ‘Jolt of energy’ to Lincoln’s Premier Muay Thai team

Mustafa Hussain

Mustafa Hussain

Related Articles

The Queen’s woodlands
Community

The Queen’s woodlands

by Lauren Ryan
May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 14, 2022
0

A historic estate in Lincolnshire is planting a 70-acre wood to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign. Burghley House has...

Where are they? Missing visas for Ukrainian refugees frustrate Lincolnshire communities
News

Where are they? Missing visas for Ukrainian refugees frustrate Lincolnshire communities

by Sarah-May Buccieri
May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 19, 2022
0

Across the country visas for the Homes for Ukraine scheme have been delayed. Since the scheme was established in March...

Love Island star gives Lincoln students valuable mental health advice

Love Island star gives Lincoln students valuable mental health advice

May 12, 2022
Ukraine needs your help – here’s how you can get involved

Ukraine needs your help – here’s how you can get involved

May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 20, 2022

Calorie counting when eating out is now law

May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 19, 2022

Safety at risk as figures reveal not enough doctors to go around with massive patient numbers in Lincolnshire

May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 18, 2022
Next Post
Ease of Lockdown restrictions adds a ‘Jolt of energy’ to Lincoln’s Premier Muay Thai team

Ease of Lockdown restrictions adds a 'Jolt of energy' to Lincoln's Premier Muay Thai team

MORE FROM LSJ NEWS

Lincolnshire hospital wait times almost double other hospitals in the country

May 13, 2022 - Updated on May 20, 2022
The Queen’s woodlands

The Queen’s woodlands

May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 14, 2022
Where are they? Missing visas for Ukrainian refugees frustrate Lincolnshire communities

Where are they? Missing visas for Ukrainian refugees frustrate Lincolnshire communities

May 12, 2022 - Updated on May 19, 2022
Love Island star gives Lincoln students valuable mental health advice

Love Island star gives Lincoln students valuable mental health advice

May 12, 2022

Climate anxiety: Fear of environmental doom weighs on shoulders of young people

May 12, 2022

TRENDING

  • Windmill

    Symbolism of windmills

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • “It’s A Scary Time” A Small Business in Lincolnshire Struggles with a Future of Uncertainty

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Lincoln City’s dramatic rise and their ambition to climb further

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘We would be one of the last to go’ – Lincoln City chief

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • “We don’t think we’re going to find the answer, but it’s really fun looking for it!”

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
LSJ News

© 2021 LSJ News - Part of the School of English and Journalism at the University of Lincoln

Links

  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Arts and Entertainment
  • Business
  • Community
  • Politics
  • Science and Technology
  • TV
  • Magazine

Social Links

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Business
  • Community
    • Education
    • International
    • Viewpoint
  • Politics
  • Science and Technology
    • Environment
    • Health
  • TV
  • Magazine

© 2021 LSJ News - Part of the School of English and Journalism at the University of Lincoln

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.