The SU council has passed a policy to decolonise language used in the Students’ Union and around the university.
The policy aims to change phrasing in the SU, avoiding the use of ‘BME’, ‘ME’, and ‘BAME’ when referring to students of racialised backgrounds.
Kiara Delgado Derteano, BAME students’ Councillor, proposed the policy and spoke for the motion in the SU Council’s February meeting.
She said: “The purpose of the policy is important and we need this change now.”
The council said using “BAME” is not inline with the SU’s goals to celebrate ethnic diversity, as it separates the diverse community from the general population.
The policy states it will replace ‘BAME’ for ‘Ethnic Diversity’ in SU titles, a phrasing which the council said better integrates everyone in the student community.
Kiara added: “The whole point of liberation is to bring us closer together, and this would help do that.”
Chukwunwike, Law Councillor, said he is against this policy.
He said: “Changing the terminology is superficial and a placeholder.
“At the end of the day, it’s separating people and I don’t see the need for this.”
A student spectator in the meeting said they take issue with the title of the policy itself, using the term ‘decolonisation’ to fix a linguistic microaggression.
They said: “It shows a mismatch between what the Council is doing and what true decolonisation is.”
The policy was passed after 33 councillors voted in favour, 7 against, and 5 abstained.
The minutes for all SU Council meetings can be found on the SU website.
