News / Racism
White supremacist ‘dogwhistle’ posters appear across Bristol Uni campus
The group that represents black and minority ethnic students at the University of Bristol has said it is “horrified” at the appearance of posters across the university campus that say “it’s okay to be white”.
“This phrase seems innocent on the surface, but in reality, it is a popular dogwhistle among white supremacists,” Bristol SU BME Network tweeted.
………………………………
Bristol24/7 relies on your support to fund our independent journalism and social impact projects. Become a member and enjoy exclusive perks from just £5 per month.
………………………………
They added: “The phrase is intended to suggest that there is some sort of ‘attack’ on whiteness, directly implying that there is an attempt to subjugate white people and make them into an oppressed minority.
“The phrase presents ethnic minorities as intruding ‘others’, whose equality, and even existence is detrimental to white people.
“The people who are putting up these posters know what they are doing, and it is part of an effort to steer Western society towards fascism and xenophobia by luring otherwise good people into becoming racist.
“We implore everyone to not take this phrase at face value and to educate yourselves on racism and white supremacy.
“We ask you to stand with us against white supremacy, on campus, and throughout the world. If you see a poster, take it down to show these racists that they are not welcome at the University of Bristol.”
………………………………
Read more: Call for University of Bristol to do more to tackle racism
………………………………
The same words were recently graffitied on a wall in Cliftonwood, with another sprayed on the wall of a house opposite the Lion pub on Church Lane.
A University of Bristol spokesperson said: “The University of Bristol aspires to be a community where everyone should feel safe, welcomed and respected.
“Together with the Students’ Union, we have been working actively with staff and students to ensure that our commitment to inclusion, diversity and equality is reflected in all aspects of our University.
“It appears that the posters have so far only been seen in public spaces – we have not had any reports of them being put up in university premises.
“We would ask that if anyone sees one of these posters on university premises, they take them down and contact security services.”
Photo courtesy of @BristolSUBME
Read more: Conversations about racism in Bristol
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
