Loughborough University freshers' week 'slave night' outcry
- Published
The organisers of a freshers' week "slave night" have apologised following outcry from fellow students.
A committee from Faraday Hall, at Loughborough University, planned the student night to take place in October.
However, the Loughborough African & Caribbean Society said it was "appalled" by the activity scheduled to take place during Black History Month.
Faraday Freshers apologised for any offence caused by the "unacceptable and racist title" of its event.
The Loughborough African Caribbean Society said: "We as a society and community of African-Caribbean students are appalled that such atrocities could be condoned.
"To make matters worse the event was scheduled to take place during our month of black appreciation."
Students also expressed their anger about the event on Twitter.
Kim Emenike said she was "deeply offended".
#DearLSU please explain how you allowed @FaradayHall to want to host a 'slave party ' in black history month . I am deeply offended . pic.twitter.com/opGPUkKe67
— Emenike, Kim (@kimEmenike_) September 13, 2017
Chanelle Thompson said it was "ironic".
#DearLSU It's 2017 and @FaradayHall want to host a #SlaveAuction during #BlackHistoryMonth the irony 👀#BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/GPvOK0Zktu
— Chanelle Thompson (@ChanDizzi) September 13, 2017
However, Kevin Hodgson said he had a good time at slave night in 2015.
#DearLSU here is my in 2015 having a wonderful time at slave night, notice how 'unsafe I feel' #growup pic.twitter.com/o5OTlSp1XN
— Kevin Hodgson (@khodgson22) September 14, 2017
Faraday Freshers issued a statement on Facebook which said: "Slave night is an unacceptable and racist title.
"As a committee we are deeply saddened to realise that we have caused offence and regret that entirely."
The statement added that the committee would rename the event to something "more appropriate".
However, the apology received a mixed response from people posting on social media.
Isatu Kamara said it was "very insincere and simply trash", while Christina-Oyinkansola Akintoye said it was "unacceptable".
Denzel Johnson said "racism towards black people will never be tolerated."
A spokeswoman for Loughborough Students' Union said: "The union cares about all our students. This is why we are investigating this issue, in partnership with the university, as a matter of urgency."