Tag: Race

When reading this interview article with a Senior Academic at UAL, conducted in 2018, I couldn’t help but envision certain colleagues I have encountered as the anonymous academic being interviewed. Little information is given about the demographic of the academic being interviewed; however, it’s implied that they are female, white, and potentially someone of an older generation, considering they are in a senior administrative position.

My most striking takeaway from this article is that the responses are rife with stereotypes of white individuals who are unaware of their positionality and unconscious bias. I’ve always believed everyone should experience equality and equal opportunity; however, in 2018, I may have responded similarly to some of the questions Aisha asked, specifically relating to the people in my surroundings or awareness of racism and discrimination at UAL. This article echoes some points Josephine Kwahli made in her 2016 UCU “Whiteness Unconscious Bias” interview she participated in in 2016, explicitly surrounding the benefits of responding to the inclusivity zeitgeist that benefits the white middle-class women in charge, more so than the underrepresented and marginalised individuals at the centre point of the discussion.

Another notable point was the interviewee’s statement that all their colleagues are white, yet discussions about race, ethnicity and whiteness come up only “in relation to students’ numbers and experience”. My programme-wide role at Central Saint Martins was created with funds from UAL to bring awareness to social and environmental justice within the curriculum. In this role, I have repeatedly experienced conversations regarding student diversity, and in most instances, as an urgency to counteract the overall whiteness of the courses. As a Caucasian-European individual, I have experienced other white staff members stating “they have to be PoC” when recruiting for new job roles, for example. I have given more detailed references to this in my reflective essay about my teaching artefact. However, as Sustainability Lecturer, I must convey the historical and cultural connections to the global south and sustainability as a harmonious way of life from most cultures other than Caucasian Western. Being a white man, I recognise my limitations in this regard. Therefore, I am in a position where it’s essential to use this opportunity to create an open and honest dialogue where this acknowledgement is known to both students and staff members.

Towards the end of the article, Aisha Richards says, “I would love to interview you again in 18 months to see and hear of any changes?”. Out of interest and intrigue, I’ve looked for a follow-up article but have yet to find one. SoN’s resources since 2018 have been more resouce-driven, providing brilliant academic references; however, they have not continued publishing journals in similar formats.

Bibliography

Richards, A. (2018). ‘White Academia: Does this affect you?’ Peekaboo We See You: Whiteness. [online] Available at: https://shadesofnoir.org.uk/graduate-case-studies/my-shades-experience-mica-schlosser/ [Accessed 27th July 2023]

In the UCU “Whiteness Unconscious Bias” video, Josephine Kwahli describes her experiences and definition of “unconscious” bias. She questions how the persistent racism and biases experienced, despite countless anti-racist measures implemented by educational institutions, could hardly be termed ‘unconscious’. It is a compelling reminder of the challenges felt by marginalised individuals, particularly in identifying and combatting unconscious bias within academia.

While my experiences as a gay individual have undoubtedly shaped my understanding of prejudice and exclusion, I will never fully understand how Kwahli’s account feels first-hand. Khwali’s recalled accounts of racism, aged four, force me to reflect on the early moments of realisation in my own life about my sexual orientation and the segregation I felt throughout my childhood because of a trait I had no control over. Though different in context, these systemic biases towards any individual, other than the heteronormative cis white individual, are still present in our workplaces and every day.

Recognising Kwahli’s dual identification as both Black and a woman offers a deeper understanding of her intersectionality. Her perspective is a critical reminder of the continuous journey of compassion and learning that we must undertake to make all spaces genuinely inclusive. Kwahli’s critique of institutions rings particularly true here. If a young child can recognise and internalise racial biases without structured teachings, why are academic institutions positioning themselves as advocates for change when the beneficiaries of that change are primarily white middle-class women? As a gay white man, I am considered a majority demographic within the fashion industry, historically praised for dressing this demographic of Caucasian women. Kwahli’s mention of progress benefiting predominantly white middle-class women makes me question the fashion industry’s default beauty standards. Trends and inclusivity gestures often target non-white demographics when present in the zeitgeist; otherwise, these underrepresented groups are left excluded.

Kwahli’s insights remind me to utilise my privileges by giving space to less-represented people. As part of a marginalised societal group, I must leverage my understanding and platform to support and uplift others and ensure that inclusive dialogue and representation are present within my pedagogical approaches. It wasn’t until the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020 that higher education institutions began proactively verbalising racial biases, especially towards Black and minority women or the working class. Apart from these, your essay does a commendable job of juxtaposing your experiences with those expressed in the video and shedding light on the systemic biases prevalent in academia and the fashion industry.

As diversity, eurocentrism, and nepotism become more open discussions within fashion academia and the industry, we should encourage environments where these varied voices can coexist. We must decentralise away from European fashion Universities such as Central Saint Martins being looked to as spearheading the future.