It’s time there were more of us in photos like this, say black male students of Cambridge
WHEN they discovered they represented a mere 1 per cent of male undergraduates at Cambridge university, this group of black students decided it was time to make a stand.
But rather than protest at lack of representation, they posed for the picture in the hope of inspiring more of their peers to apply to the prestigious seat of learning.
the image was posted on social media and quickly went viral.
the 14 students, members of Cambridge’s african Caribbean society (aCs), were prompted to act after figures showed how black male Britons are significantly under-represented at the univer- sity. Only 15 – two of black Caribbean heritage and 13 black african – were awarded places for October 2015 out of an undergraduate intake of 1,295 men.
they represent just over 1 per cent of admissions, even though black Britons make up about 3 per cent of the population. Black women fare slightly better, with 23 of the 1,278 female undergraduates admitted to Cambridge in 2015 – just under 2 per cent.
the photograph, inspired by images of young black males at Yale university put on the internet last month, features members of the aCs rather than those who were in the 2015 intake. It was posted on Facebook with the mes- sage: ‘In 2015, only 15 black male undergraduates were accepted into Cambridge. However, it is important that despite their underrepresentation, we let young black people know that this is something that they can aspire to.’
One of those in the photo, engineering student dami adebayo, said: ‘Young black men don’t grow up thinking they’ll make it here. they should.’ another, engineer Folajimi Babasola, 20, told the BBC: ‘ the aim was really to encourage more black students to apply here because many people get discouraged by a particular image or stereotype of a Cambridge student that they have in their mind, thinking that they won’t fit in or be accepted.’
aCs said the picture was meant to be symbolic ‘to remind young black individuals that Cambridge is for us’. Last year david Cameron said some universities may be institutionally racist. His government pledged to ‘name and shame’ those who do not let in enough disadvantaged pupils.
Cambridge university, where ethnic minorities make up around 20 per cent of admissions, said: ‘We welcome this positive studentled campaign. We are also committed to widening participation.
‘We will continue to work hard with all parties to raise aspirations and attainment to improve access to higher education.’
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