University of Exeter
Exeter
Lack of inclusivity for mixed races (diversity)
Hello,
Disclaimer: I am merely sharing my personal experiences thus far at the University of Exeter.
Prior to arriving at the University, students were asked to introduce themselves and state where they are from as part of the orientation process. I found that this only encouraged people to stay within their bubbles. Generally, students were only drawn to others from the same county within the UK or, for international students, those from the same country. Students generally did not step outside of their comfort zones to interact with someone different from them. Students tend to be very clannish and stick within their own bubbles (nationalities).
If students aren't quite sure what ethnic background you are from, they may ostracise you. It is especially challenging when colorism comes into play i.e. being a fair-skinned black person. It is clear that despite attempts to improve EDI, classism and racism is still very much an issue, and it was exacerbated through the selection of orientation activities in Week 1.
The very shallow activities used at the orientation were not the best options to encourage people to interact with one another. Students were actually segregated based on whether they were international or from the UK, and those within the UK were asked to organise themselves from North to South by county. We were also required to find a person in the room with the same "fashion-sense" i.e. style of shoe and interact with them. This only encouraged people to judge others based on appearance alone.
If you don't sound British, then that may prove to be problematic when socialising. I have experienced blatant racism and snobbery, such that people will go as far as turn their back on you when you try to have a simple conversation, rather than engage with you. They don't want to interact in person, let alone connect with you on social media.
When you're of mixed heritage, you're not exactly accepted within the African, Indian, or white circles unless they want you to be. Since they aren't used to stepping outside of their bubbles (from my experience), they aren't very welcoming.
The school is definitely majority white, and certain accommodations may have a SPRINKLE of black/coloured students throughout the accommodation blocks. I'm not saying every accommodation is like this, but in my accommodation, I was never invited to any of their social events held in the kitchen. In fact, those whom my flatmates DID invite, from other accommodations, would give me a look as I entered the kitchen as if to say 'What are you doing here?'. They wouldn't say a word if I spoke to them. However, they didn't hesitate to talk about and laugh at you after you exited the room. They look at you as if YOU don't belong in the flat to which you were assigned. They create the lukewarm atmosphere, and when you decide to treat them accordingly (based on that initial interaction), you are viewed as the problem and they ask each other, ‘why is that person so angry?’.
Disclaimer: I am merely sharing my personal experiences thus far at the University of Exeter.
Prior to arriving at the University, students were asked to introduce themselves and state where they are from as part of the orientation process. I found that this only encouraged people to stay within their bubbles. Generally, students were only drawn to others from the same county within the UK or, for international students, those from the same country. Students generally did not step outside of their comfort zones to interact with someone different from them. Students tend to be very clannish and stick within their own bubbles (nationalities).
If students aren't quite sure what ethnic background you are from, they may ostracise you. It is especially challenging when colorism comes into play i.e. being a fair-skinned black person. It is clear that despite attempts to improve EDI, classism and racism is still very much an issue, and it was exacerbated through the selection of orientation activities in Week 1.
The very shallow activities used at the orientation were not the best options to encourage people to interact with one another. Students were actually segregated based on whether they were international or from the UK, and those within the UK were asked to organise themselves from North to South by county. We were also required to find a person in the room with the same "fashion-sense" i.e. style of shoe and interact with them. This only encouraged people to judge others based on appearance alone.
If you don't sound British, then that may prove to be problematic when socialising. I have experienced blatant racism and snobbery, such that people will go as far as turn their back on you when you try to have a simple conversation, rather than engage with you. They don't want to interact in person, let alone connect with you on social media.
When you're of mixed heritage, you're not exactly accepted within the African, Indian, or white circles unless they want you to be. Since they aren't used to stepping outside of their bubbles (from my experience), they aren't very welcoming.
The school is definitely majority white, and certain accommodations may have a SPRINKLE of black/coloured students throughout the accommodation blocks. I'm not saying every accommodation is like this, but in my accommodation, I was never invited to any of their social events held in the kitchen. In fact, those whom my flatmates DID invite, from other accommodations, would give me a look as I entered the kitchen as if to say 'What are you doing here?'. They wouldn't say a word if I spoke to them. However, they didn't hesitate to talk about and laugh at you after you exited the room. They look at you as if YOU don't belong in the flat to which you were assigned. They create the lukewarm atmosphere, and when you decide to treat them accordingly (based on that initial interaction), you are viewed as the problem and they ask each other, ‘why is that person so angry?’.
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