The Independent: SOAS students call for ‘white philosophers to be dropped from curriculum’
8 January, 2017
by Lucy Pasha-Robinson
“Students at University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) are calling for white philosophers to be largely removed from the curriculum to better represent the university’s focus on Asia and Africa.
“As part of the student union’s ‘educational priorities’ for 2017, students outlined ways to “address the structural and epistemological legacy of colonialism within our university” as part of an initiative that aims to ‘decolonise’ SOAS.
“One suggestion was to ensure the majority of philosophers taught on university courses come from the Global South or its diaspora.
“The students also said if white philosophers were required, their work should be taught from a ‘critical standpoint’, to acknowledge the colonial context in which many of their works were written.
“Dr Deborah Gabriel, founder of Black British Academics, said the students were clearly seeking to engage in a more culturally diverse discussion that was reflective of the university’s focus, and interrogate the links to colonisation held by the institution.”
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