When college students Jemima Sofini and Elizabeth Adelanwa reported a racist photo shared around campus, they expected quick action. But three months later, they felt nothing was done and shared the picture online in hopes of getting a response. Two days later they were suspended and, as they say, felt themselves to be the perpetrators.
In March, Jemima and Elizabeth heard a rumor about a picture circulating around their university campus. It showed a white student with a racial slur and a swastika drawn in red lipstick on his chest.
When Jemima finally saw it, she was shocked and hurt.
She found out it was recorded at a party: “It seemed like everyone was using the excuse of being drunk. They decided what they were doing was funny,” she says.
She’s still annoyed that she’s talking about it now.
Jemima and Elizabeth were in their final year at the University of Central Lancashire. With only a few months until their graduation, they wanted the university to investigate as soon as possible.
“So I decided to take it to someone who had the power to take care of it, and they had assured us it would be done quickly,” says Jemima.
Two people were suspended after Jemima’s complaint, and Elizabeth says the university has reassured them that the suspension is the first step in a lengthy disciplinary process. Both women expected further action to follow soon.
But as time went on, the two acting students felt that the investigation was dragging on. They complained that they were not informed, ignored and not given enough support.
In early June, as frustration mounted and graduation neared, Jemima posted the picture to Instagram.
“I felt like our voices weren’t being heard where they were supposed to be,” she says.
“I felt like if we leave and they still haven’t taken care of it, then what was the point?
“My concern was that the longer it took them, the less important it was, the less meaningful it was to them, so I felt like I had to do something.”
Elizabeth also shared the picture. She describes waking up two days later to emails from the university saying they had both been suspended for “harassment, bullying by students at the university and also by teachers.” She says they have also been accused of discrediting the university in a disciplinary proceeding.
“At the beginning of the investigation, we had a feeling that because the people involved in the photo were suspended, they would take it seriously. But the quickness with which they suspended us seemed like they were on their side,” she says.
“All we got was backlash and we kind of felt like a perpetrator for bringing it up,” adds Jemima.
They are still unaware of the outcome of the other students’ investigation and say they are unlikely to find out due to confidentiality rules.
Listen to the latest If You Don’t Know Podcast to learn more about this story.
Also, TikTok star Ehiz opens up about his homelessness and the truth about how much he makes.
The women’s suspensions were lifted in time for graduation, and both received first-class degrees.
But the experience has left Jemima and Elizabeth disillusioned and frustrated with the authorities, who they believe have not listened to them and failed to support them when they needed it most. They say all they wanted was an apology, an acknowledgment of what had happened and acknowledgment of the stress it caused, but they haven’t had any of it yet.
“This university should have – and I hate to use that word – ‘woke up’ and it just felt so backwards throughout the process,” says Jemima.
“I feel like the way they talk about how they run their institution is not where they are.”
- “I thought being black meant I couldn’t get skin cancer”
- “So much black beauty comes from your hair”
The University of Central Lancashire confirmed to the BBC that the investigation into the other students is now complete, but said: “As we have maintained the confidentiality of this investigation at all times, it would be inappropriate for us to comment on the outcome.
“We conduct an independent review of our grievance procedures and also conduct a comprehensive internal racial equality review to identify weaknesses in practices and procedures, or areas where additional training and support is needed.
“We remain committed to improving the university culture for all staff and students.”
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and youtube.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 on weekdays – or listen back here.
Add Comment