“Hooked on identity politics”: King’s College London criticised for its “race-segregated” classes

King’s College London (KCL) has been described by critics as “hooked on identity politics“, urging its students to attend “race-segregated” classes funded by the NHS.

Run by the university, these sessions were introduced under the programme for students on Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, and allegedly ended up dividing white and ethnic minority students into separate groups to discuss issues of race and identity.

While those from racially and ethnically minoritised (REM) backgrounds were attending one type of classes, students “identifying as white” were asked to attend separate sessions aimed at “addressing whiteness“.

Amidst the resulting backlash, a source familiar with the teachings disclosed that the content of the latter included teaching white students that colonialism is “their responsibility”. Regardless of where they come from, these students must therefore accept and personally correct the mistakes of their ancestors.

Such information sparked significant public concern, particularly over the programme’s “wokeness”. Such approach was considered by some to be seeding racial divisions and victimising students regardless of their actual background.

Sir John Hayes, a former government minister and chairman of the Common Sense Group of MPs and peers, argued that the sessions perpetuated a distortion of history. He said: “This is yet another perpetuation of nonsense about white privilege and guilt […].”

After being contacted by The Telegraph over various concerns, KCL insisted that the course was open to students from all backgrounds, and any promotion of such messages was denied.

A university’s spokesman said: “We don’t recognise the scenario described, which is not an accurate account or description of the sessions and does not reflect the multiple aspects or aims of the course.

“These reflective sessions, which are open to all clinical psychology students, form part of our commitment to NHS England and HEE’s action plans which require all universities to help improve equality in access to healthcare and support diversity in the workforce,” they added.

Despite the university’s comment, the situation continues to serve as a precedent for a wider discussion of universities’ role in pushing identity politics into their curriculums.

Prof Alan Smithers, director of education at the University of Buckingham, said: “Universities should be the powerhouses of ideas – why they are hooked on identity politics and on segregating groups for discussion behind closed doors is beyond me. They should be focusing on people as individuals, and helping to ensure they succeed on their own merits, not focusing on race.”