On the evening of Wednesday 17th October, The Great Debate Tour 2018 came to the University of Exeter campus. The national event is currently mid-way through its six week long tour and will feature on campuses in over 30 universities throughout the duration of the project.
“a celebration of diversity and heritage as well as a forum for powerful, thought provoking discussion”
As part of the celebration of Black History Month, Wednesday’s event was mobilised by the Exeter African-Caribbean Society, but the debate remains part of a wider network of events organised by the African Caribbean Alumni Network (A-CAN) and in collaboration with Elevation Networks. The event is described by the organisers as “a celebration of diversity and heritage as well as a forum for powerful, thought provoking discussion”, aiming to elevate and amplify young ethnic minority voices.
The event was held in XFI’s Henderson Lecture Theatre and acted as a forum for the discussion on three core topics: Knife Crime, Women’s Suffrage and Race and Identity. Panellists for the debate included two Exeter students — Leanne Sobogun and George Trotter — alongside Dr. Suaad Genem-George, the Chair of Exeter Respect Festival.
Faith Rose Ansah, a representative of Elevation Networks, chaired the event leading the panel and the audience through questions such as why London’s murder rate overtook New York, whether or not Dril music videos glamorising violence, if black women able to be their authentic selves and what success looks like for the black community in 70 years.
The event also touched upon racially charged incidents that have been occuring on university campuses. In particular, the forum discussed the reactions to the Exeter Bracton Law Society Whatapps group messages that were brought to the attention of the public and the University earlier this year.
The event also touched upon racially charged incidents that have been occuring on university campuses.
Ansah of Elevation Networks commented on how a chief concern brought up consistently by student across the UK was that there remains “an unlevel playing field” for BAME students. The Great Debate will conclude with a finale roundtable on November 22. Feedback from the surveys distributed at the end of each event from all the tour stops will be compiled in a report to be presented to the House of Commons.
