End of Black Studies at BCU + Jason Arday Witch hunt
Make It Plain PodcastPlay episode
Show notes
Kehinde starts off by delivering the news that he and two other colleagues are now off the books at Birmingham City University. Thanks to everyone who singed the petition and supported the campaign but university management decided to go ahead with their vandalism. He will spill all the tea in the coming weeks but for now just know that there are plans ahead to build on Black Studies outside of the confines of the university....but we have to hold to account those who pretend to be for racial justice and Black staff and students but then make decisions like cutting Black Studies and letting go of staff members. Yes, we are looking at you David Mba (Vice Chancellor) and Marcia Wilson (on the university executive team) who refused to meet or even acknowledge the myriad of problems with the way staff and students have been treated.
Kehinde unpacks how Jason's rise to become one of the youngest Black professors at Cambridge is met with a racist smear campaign fueled by centuries of institutional bias. While the media pushes exaggerated claims, the real scandal lies in how Black success is undermined and devalued. Discover how deep-rooted racism shapes narratives around Black scholars, and why this matters for all of us fighting for equality. You'll learn about the systematic mechanisms that keep Black academics marginalized — from the false allegations to the selective scrutiny that White colleagues rarely face. Kehinde dives into the broader implications: how these campaigns threaten diversity, silence Black voices, and uphold a racist hierarchy in academia. This episode isn't just about Jason — it's a urgent call to recognize the subtle, systemic ways Black achievement is dismissed.
If you're committed to justice, diversity, and dismantling systemic racism, this conversation is essential. Plus, Kehinde highlights why Cambridge and institutions like it are emblematic of a bigger problem, and how Black studies can be a vital tool in resisting these attacks and building independent spaces for Black scholarship. Whether you're an academic, activist, or curious supporter of racial justice, this episode will challenge your perceptions and inspire action. Join us as we expose the racism behind the headlines and learn how to stand up for truth, integrity, and Black excellence in education. Support Jason Arday. Sign the petition. Demand accountability. And remember — systemic racism only persists when we remain silent.
Petition to support Jason Arday: https://goodlawproject.org/petition/stand-in-solidarity-with-jason-arday/ Read the public letter and sign the petition in support of Black Studies at BCU https://c.org/hnpyKBCX7X
Join Harambee OBU: www.blackunity.org.uk
Written and hosted by: Kehinde Andrews
Edited by: Kadiri Andrews
Artwork by: Assata Andrews
