Arrests after racist abuse in Nottingham Trent University halls

Two 18-year-old students have been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences, following an incident of racist abuse in halls at Nottingham Trent University (NTU).

Last Wednesday, NTU student Rufaro Chisango tweeted a video which featured people chanting “we hate the blacks” outside her room at university. She has since been offered alternative accommodation.

Rufaro also tweeted: “Yoo I’m fuming, the way people in the same uni halls as me are chanting ‘we hate the blacks’ outside my bedroom door.”

“Words cannot describe how sad this makes me feel, in this 2018 people think this is still acceptable.”

Rufaro stated that she reported the incident to reception staff but did not receive a response for days.

The University’s deputy vice-chancellor, Professor Eunice Simmons, commented: “There was a significant delay in dealing with this incident and that is completely unacceptable. We have apologised to the student concerned and are looking at how this could have possibly slipped through the net.”

“This kind of vile behaviour will not be tolerated at NTU.”

Commenting on the incident the Warwick Anti-Racism Society (WARSoc) President and Education Officer Larissa Kennedy said: “What happened at Nottingham Trent is an absolutely disgusting display of white supremacist violence, and the lack of response from the university was appalling.

Yoo I’m fuming, the way people in the same uni halls as me are chanting ‘we hate the blacks’ outside my bedroom door

– Rufaro Chisango

“It is, however, easy to sensationalise these instances that catch media attention without realising that racism at universities, and the lack of provision for students of colour is a systemic issue – this case is not uncommon, and is not in isolation.

“Every week, WARSoc receives reports of students of colour being removed from university property without due cause, facing discrimination within their halls and seminar groups, and enduring racial slurs walking through campus and Leamington Spa. WARSoc has written a report on racism on campus, which we have presented to our Vice Chancellor, and we look forward to the prompt implementation of the consequent recommendations.”

Ilyas Nagdee, who is the National Union of Students officer representing students of African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean descent, labelled such occurrences “common”.

“We’ve seen examples of incidents like the racist writing on bananas at Warwick, the Confederate flag at Manchester and now shouting through the door in Nottingham.

“These are just the stories that go viral over social media. But unfortunately this is the day-to-day experience of students of colour across the country and it has been going on for decades.

“I’m contacted at least a couple of times a week by students asking me for help after experiencing racism.”

Ilyas’ comment concerning Warwick refers to the racist incident that allegedly occurred in the Rootes halls of residence in April 2016. Faramade Ifaturoti, who was in her first-year at the time, accused her flatmates of writing racial slurs on her bananas.

Alongside a photo of the bananas, she tweeted: “Just entered the kitchen and look at what one of my flatmates has done. I am extremely disgusted.”

The two Nottingham Trent students accused have since been released pending further enquiries.