Rhodes will fall...Oxford college bows to pressure
THE heads of an Oxford University college have bowed to public pressure and announced they will recommend the removal of Cecil Rhodes’ statue.
As part of the long-running “Rhodes Must Fall” campaign, thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters gathered in the city last week to demand the figure of the 19th century colonialist is taken down from Oriel College.
They were angered when Oriel described the statue as “contested heritage”.
But yesterday college chiefs reversed their decision to defend the statue as well as a plaque marking Rhodes’ former home. A statement read: “The Governing Body has voted to launch an independent inquiry into the key issues surrounding the Rhodes statue.
“They also expressed their wish to remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes and the King Edward Street Plaque.
“Both of these decisions were reached after a thoughtful period of debate and reflection and with the full awareness of the impact these decisions are likely to have in Britain and around the world.
“The Commission will deal with the issue of the Rhodes legacy and how to improve access and attendance of BAME undergraduate, graduate students and faculty, together with a review of how the college’s 21st century commitment to diversity can sit more easily with its past.”
It went on: “The commission is intending to draw upon the greatest possible breadth and depth of experience, opinion and background.”
Rhodes was a businessman seen by many to represent colonialism and racism.
The 4ft statue of him stands above a doorway on the front of the Rhodes Building, which faces Oxford High Street.
Earlier yesterday Universities Minister Michelle Donelan called the campaign to remove it “short-sighted”.