University risks lawsuit over ‘blackface’ reaction

A FORMER Cardiff University medic is considering legal action over the school’s handling of a “blackface” show, which saw more than 30 students suspended.

Natasha Chilambo, 25, protested after a medical course colleague blacked up and wore a fake penis to impersonate a lecturer.

More than 30 students were suspended over the play at Cardiff University’s medical school in 2016. Dr T Jeff Allen, 50, was left feeling “isolated” when students portrayed him as a “hypersexualised black man”.

Ms Chilambo was one of eight black students to complain – only to feel ostracised by other students. She is now seeking legal advice over the university’s handling of the row.

She said: “The way in which Cardiff University dealt with the complaints we made was inadequate. It felt and it feels now that the ways in which they handled the procedure of the whole complaints process didn’t really give space to what our experiences were.”

She quit the medical school and finished her studies in London. Following a Cardiff University tweet condemning racism after the death of George Floyd, Ms Chilambo raised nearly £6,000 for legal fees to help improve the future for students.

An independent report commissioned by Cardiff University revealed complaints of racism, sexism and lack of diversity in its School of Medicine. A university spokesman admitted it had failed to “foresee the depth of reaction and feeling”.