Diversity officer in UK - "Women of colour can't be racist or sexist"

se02orqua5xz9v · 14-05-2015 07:35AM #1

“I, an ethnic minority woman, cannot be racist or sexist towards white men, because racism and sexism describes structures of privilege based on race and gender.

And therefore women of colour and minority genders cannot be racist or sexist because we do not stand to benefit from such a system.”

This is what Bahar Mustafa, a students' union diversity officer in the UK, said this week. She had organised an event on Facebook for black and minority ethnic (BME) students, but posted a comment saying.

“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 non-binary event only.”

She was accused of being racist and sexist, and responding with the comment at the top of this post.

I have a few questions about this.

(a) Who decided that racism “describes structures of privileges”? And why are they more of an authority on the subject than anyone else?

(b) What's wrong with the traditional understanding of racism, which is treating people in a different (usually negative) way because of their skin-colour or background?

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 07:38AM

Ronald Brave Nutmeg wrote: »

Who decided that racism “describes structures of privileges”? And why are they more of an authority on the subject than anyone else?

The UN.

'the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin that has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life'

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 07:40AM

Ronald Brave Nutmeg wrote: »

(b) What's wrong with the traditional understanding of racism, which is treating people in a different (usually negative) way because of their skin-colour or background?

Treating people in a negative or positive way because of their race does create structures of privilege.

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 07:41AM

Ronald Brave Nutmeg wrote: »

“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 non-binary event only.”

There are white men there.

MathDebater · 14-05-2015 07:44AM

Translation.

I cannot be a prick to people because I have arbitrarily redefined the word to exclude myself. As such, I can act how I please and you're not allowed to be angry at me or disagree with me, because I said so.

Also, she look pretty fecking White to me! I thought this sort of bollocks was confined to North American but it appears to be creeping over to this side of the Atlantic. Not good.

No_Comply · 14-05-2015 07:46AM

These are the kind of people you get when you make up bullsh1t positions such as 'diversity officer'.

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 07:50AM

Ronald Brave Nutmeg wrote: »

Her comments were branded "laughable" and "patronising" by fellow students.

And Goldsmiths University said it had written to the union to "express concern" at the comments, and added: "We are proud of our diverse community and do not tolerate any form of oppression, including racism, sexism or any other form of bigotry.”

But Ms Mustafa, 27, has hit back in the row, describing the backlash over her Facebook post as "only one in a series of attacks upon minority women on campus.”

It sounds like she was seen as a bit of a kook.

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 07:51AM

No_Comply wrote: »

These are the kind of people you get when you make up bullsh1t positions such as 'diversity officer'.

They are actually a good idea. She should be fired or resign though. She is the opposite of what one should be in a diversity officer.

who the fug · 14-05-2015 07:54AM

So in summary a Mickey Mouse™ official, in a Mickey Mouse™ students union, in a Mickey Mouse™ red brick says something

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 07:56AM

MathDebater wrote: »

Translation.

Also, she look pretty fecking White to me! I thought this sort of bollocks was confined to North American but it appears to be creeping over to this side of the Atlantic. Not good.

Her background is Turkish I think but I'm not certain.

Dravokivich · 14-05-2015 07:57AM

silverfeather wrote: »

The UN.

'the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin that has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life'

But that doesnt say anything about it being a reflection solely on those from a priviledged position within society.

Taxburden carrier · 14-05-2015 08:05AM

who the fug wrote: »

So in summary a Mickey Mouse™ official, in a Mickey Mouse™ students union, in a Mickey Mouse™ red brick says something

That's Ms Minnie Mouse to you :rolleyes:

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 08:10AM

Dravokivich wrote: »

But that doesnt say anything about it being a reflection solely on those from a priviledged position within society.

That's not what I claimed it said.
Racism creates tiers. The upper tier is just as much affected by the racist discrimination only in a positive way. It creates a privileged position.

Uriel. · 14-05-2015 08:10AM

She looks like someone who lives in one of those hippy communes. Despite her long hair she reminds me of the mother from "About a Boy"

smoking_kills · 14-05-2015 08:11AM

Uriel. wrote: »

She looks like someone who lives in one of those hippy communes. Despite her long hair she reminds me of the mother from "About a Boy"

She lives in a half million quid house with he folks! The poor oppressed girl

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 08:11AM

She has more or less been ridiculed by her own peers. I do hope she is removed from that post. She is very ill suited towards it and not very pr savy.

Uriel. · 14-05-2015 08:12AM

smoking_kills wrote: »

She lives in a half million quid house with he folks! The poor oppressed girl

Easier to act the hippy so.

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 08:12AM

smoking_kills wrote: »

She lives in a half million quid house with he folks! The poor oppressed girl

Does she? Jesus!

smoking_kills · 14-05-2015 08:13AM

silverfeather wrote: »

Does she? Jesus!

Apparently!

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 08:14AM

smoking_kills wrote: »

Apparently!

Good fook! Are you sure? Linky??

Sorry don't mean to annoy you I believe you I am just interested.

MathDebater · 14-05-2015 08:16AM

smoking_kills wrote: »

She lives in a half million quid house with he folks! The poor oppressed girl

Hahaha. Yet she claims to be working class. White passing middle class girl pretends to be oppressed working class minority. Would that not be considered 'cultural appropriation'?

DeVore · 14-05-2015 08:17AM

so does that mean i cant be racist because I'm Irish?

suicide_circus · 14-05-2015 08:23AM

When gender studies goes wrong.

who the fug · 14-05-2015 08:24AM

DeVore wrote: »

so does that mean i cant be racist because I'm Irish?

Only against Nordies and Kerrymen

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 08:26AM

MathDebater wrote: »

Hahaha. Yet she claims to be working class. White passing middle class girl pretends to be oppressed working class minority. Would that not be considered 'cultural appropriation'?

Where has she claimed to be working class?

looksee · 14-05-2015 08:26AM

Dealing with diversity by a policy of separation seems a bit counter-productive.

charlietheminxx · 14-05-2015 08:26AM

Taxburden carrier wrote: »

That's Ms Minnie Mouse to you :rolleyes:

Ms Minnie Moustafa I think you'll find :P

I read about this woman before, she's an absolutely head case. She's a self professing misandrist.

Someone who hates people based on their gender should not be given even a nominal amount of power as a representative in a university, that's without even bringing the race issue into it.

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 08:26AM

DeVore wrote: »

so does that mean i cant be racist because I'm Irish?

It would work in the UK.

silverfeather · 14-05-2015 08:27AM

charlietheminxx wrote: »

Ms Minnie Moustafa I think you'll find :P

I read about this woman before, she's an absolutely head case. She's a self professing misandrist.

Someone who hates people based on their gender should not be given even a nominal amount of power as a representative in a university, that's without even bringing the race issue into it.

Yeah I got she was off her head. I don't understand why she is a diversity officer.

suicide_circus · 14-05-2015 08:28AM

looksee wrote: »

Dealing with diversity by a policy of separation seems a bit counter-productive.

It's an industry.

Penny Tration · 14-05-2015 08:28AM

She's an ignorant cow.

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