Student union’s ‘equality’ event that banned all men and whites

A STUDENTS’ union has been accused of racism and sexism after banning white people and men from an event to promote equality.

Those studying at Goldsmiths, University of London, were invited to the students’ union meeting to discuss ‘diversifying the curriculum’.

But they were shocked when an organiser told white people and men ‘not to come’ as it was only open to BME [black and minority ethnic] women.

The union eventually backed down after a backlash from students, one of whom described the exclusive policy as ‘patronising beyond belief’.

The event, held on Wednesday, was organised by welfare and diversity officer Bahar Mustafa, who said she hoped to persuade academics to broaden courses to include more material relating to minority groups. She wrote on Facebook: ‘Invite loads of BME Women and non-binary people!! Also, if you’ve been invited and you’re a man and/or white PLEASE DON’T COME just cos i invited a bunch of people and hope you will be responsible enough to respect this is a BME Women and nonbinary event only.’ Non-binary is a term used to describe people who do not consider themselves exclu-

Bahar Mustafa, Goldsmiths diversity officer

sively male or female. Miss Mustafa, 27, added: ‘Don’t worry lads we will give you and allies things to do’, followed by a wink. The event’s online page said it was open to ‘self- defining BLACK and ETHNIC MINORITY women and non-binary people with gender identities that include “woman”.’

The ban on men and white students is surprising, since the organisers claim to promote ‘ zero tolerance’ for ‘all forms of prejudice, discrimination and oppression’.

A senior union member told student newspaper The Tab that Miss Mustafa’s actions had made it ‘very difficult’ for male students.

He said many white men felt they ‘could not say anything for fear of retribution’, adding: ‘ For Bahar to have the nerve to write this is patronising beyond belief. The irony

‘Patronising beyond belief’

that she thinks that they are diversifying the student community in the name of feminism and multiculturalism is laughable.’

The event sparked a fierce backlash on social media, with one user writing: ‘Isn’t this racism – and why wasn’t she prosecuted?’

Another said: ‘Hypocrisy of the left ... When will people see it.’

Organisers later appeared to back down on the rules, with the statement ‘Allies now welcome!’ added to the meeting’s Facebook page.

Miss Mustafa recently graduated from Goldsmiths with an MA in gender and media studies.

She is understood to live with her mother Nursen, 55, father Ismail, 57, and sister Ipek, 23, in Enfield in a £450,000 three-bedroom terrace.

A spokesman for Goldsmiths said the university had no part in the decisions of the union, adding: ‘We are proud of our diverse community and do not tolerate any form of oppression, including racism, sexism or any other form of bigotry.

‘We have written to the students’ union to express our concern.’

The union said: ‘Goldsmiths Students’ Union places huge importance on equality and diversity.

‘It is in this vein that we host spaces where specific minority groups who experience similar discrimination can talk together confidently about overcoming the structural disadvantages and prejudice they face.

‘The accusation that we discriminate is one we refute wholeheartedly.’

The Daily Mail tried to contact Miss Mustafa but she was not available to explain the comments apparently posted from her Facebook account.

If you’re a man and/or white PLEASE DON’T COME ... I hope you will be responsible enough to respect this is a [black and ethnic minority] women event