The Faculty restates its commitment to anti-racism on the anniversary of the death of George Floyd

As the world marks the first anniversary of the death of George Floyd, the Law Faculty restates its commitment to the elimination of racism and discrimination, and to the creation of equal opportunities. We share some recent events and initiatives that shed light on a range of persisting and grave injustices. Our postgraduate students, including students in the newly founded Oxford Law Black Alumni Network, have been integral to the design and delivery of these events and initiatives, and we acknowledge this with gratitude.

Recently the Faculty, in collaboration with the Oxford Law Black Alumni Network, held a panel discussion featuring Matthew Ryder QC and Dr Eddie Bruce-Jones on ‘Institutional Racism and the Criminal Justice System’, chaired by BCL students Seun Matiluko and Sfiso Benard Nxumalo. Today we have published the recording of the event.

You can also watch an interview conducted by Samuel Bailey and Josiah Senu (BCL students) with the Rt Hon David Lammy, again on the theme of institutional racism.  In the video, which is available to watch on the Faculty website, the students ask David for his reflections on what it means to be “truly English”, his views on the recent report released by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and more.

The Oxford Human Rights Hub last year launched their Black Lives Matter podcast series. The series aims to amplify the voices of Black and Brown scholars, activists, and practitioners, and to address a breadth of issues including police brutality and the decolonisation of academic settings.

The Faculty restates its commitment to anti-racism and will continue to pursue its race equality action plan.