Racism and Microaggressions in Higher Education in the UK.

As the number of students coming to the UK for tertiary education has increased, racism has been a factor as to why students feel excluded.

Nicole Chihuri

March 7, 2024

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Examples of microaggressions/ racism that students had reported in the UK Universities (Osbourne, 2022).

Jade: He came up to me and was just like oh what would you say if I said nigger and then he went, “nigger, nigger, nigger, nigger, nigger” and I was just like…. Ok. I was shocked, literally I think I was just kind of like… even now I remember I'm like… that's why I forgot… He just kept saying the word over and over again.

Kemi: I kind of have to have that guard up. Once certain songs come on and I'm surrounded by White students, it's like ok whoever wants to say it, is going to say it. I can't walk around in this room full of fifty people and tell each of them, don't say that word, please don't say that word.

Kofi: I have three flatmates who all used to say the n-word casually. They tried to, one of them as an insult, the others would just say it like in songs, say it in reference to stuff. But it's always like a quotation mark thing like “oh I'm not saying it, I'm just referencing that he said it” or “oh it was in a song”.

Onita: One of the only Black guys we saw, his friend was telling him a joke and said, “oh yeah it must be weird being in [university city], all of these fields, must bring back bad memories” and then he was like “ha, banter!” And no one said anything.

“We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.” - Kofi Annan

As Britain has increased in its population through migration. This has permitted diversity and multiculturalism to occur. Universities in the UK have adapted to the concept of having a more diverse, inclusive environment. But this idea of wanting to have a more diverse learning environment has resulted in issues taking place such as racism and microaggressions.

Racial microaggressions and micro-aggressive behaviors are vital factors as to why BAME students dropout and have a negative experience through the duration of their studies.

Race equality remains an issue as accommodating to different cultures and ensuring that the happiness and well-being of all staff and students are met can be challenging (Arday, 2018).

What is racism and micro-aggressive behavior ?

Racism is the discrimination/ dislike of an individual or community against the people of a different racial group.

Microaggressions can be defined as a brief everyday interactions that send denigrating messages to BAME because they belong to a racially minorities group (Torino, 2018).

How do microaggressions impact student's university experience ?

It can disrupt a student's ability to study
It causes social exclusion and increases loneliness
It can cause harm to a student's mental and physical health

Who and What needs to change ?

Teachers/ Professors
The education system
Curriculum
Peers who do not come from BAME backgrounds and that assumptions.

What is the best way to tackle or improve the experiences of BAME students ?

Educating staff members and peers at universities about different cultures.
Universities can adapt policies that ensure that the well-being of students are met.
Decolonizing the curriculum
Including more diversity in the universities eg teachers, curriculum