University course to make global contribution to debate over race
RACE RELATIONS in the UK have been thrown into turmoil following the Windrush scandal.
The outcry that followed revelations about the Government’s “hostile environment” policy eventually led to the resignation of Home Secretary Amber Rudd, with her replacement Sajid Javid promising to “do right” by the people affected.
Now, a groundbreaking course at Leeds Beckett University will examine global racism in the modern world, including the position of people of African descent in a post-colonial world.
The MA in Race, Education and Decolonial Thought is the first of its kind in the UK, and aspires to have far-reaching effects.
Professor Shirley Anne Tate from the university’s Carnegie School of Education said: “It has become increasingly important to raise awareness of racial inequality as it is still affecting people across the globe.
“Whether the discussion centres on racial inequality in the UK, political developments in South Africa or the #blacklivesmatter movement in the USA, debates relating to race, racism and decolonialisation are ever-present in society today.
“The Windrush scandal is a current example of the continuing importance of examining the attitudes towards people of colour who were and are British citizens.
“This example illustrates that racism is still relevant for UK society today as much as it was during British colonial times, from the 16th century.
“It also makes us ask what can be done to remove colonial ideas and actions which perpetuate racism within contemporary society.
“This is basically what decolonialisation is about – the wish to finally bring about a long-awaited racial equality which we know has still not been achieved even in the 21st century.
“Although Sajid Javid has made a pledge to support the Windrush generation, we might wonder how long it will take and what has happened to those who have been deported or denied re-entry to the country as a result of the “hostile environment” policy.”
Leeds Beckett intends the new MA in Race, Education and Decolonial Thought to provide a focal point in higher education for examining race and racism, and to highlight the continuing need for decolonisation and social justice in many parts of the world.
“This course will deepen understanding of the contemporary debates on race and racism and the need to think on a global scale about decolonialisation,” said Professor Tate.
“When the MA was externally validated, it was deemed to be ‘unique in the world and globally significant’. We believe the course has the potential to make a significant contribution to race debates on a world scale.”
The MA in Race, Education and Decolonial Thought starts in September and will be available through full-time, part-time and distance learning. Two full-time fully funded scholarships will also be available.