Systems and student experience
As our latest FACE campaign See My FACE and accompanying data reveals, Black and Brown students are routinely unsupported through their learning and carrying the further burdens of isolation and harassment in a white-centric culture.
Our recent Community talk brought this home when FACE member Ricardo Barker, presented his award-winning, short film - Re:Tension. This film follows the character Thapelo, a bright and capable university student, on a day where he is unwittingly forced to question the judgements of his tutors and peers, and delve deeper into his own actions, choices and beliefs.
I felt compelled to make this dramatised film to provide ‘form’ to the daily actions that go unnoticed
“After analysing statistical data that highlighted the unexplained dropout rate of BAME students, I felt compelled to make this dramatised film to provide ‘form’ to the daily actions that go unnoticed and draw attention to the micro-aggressions, unconscious racial harassment and institutionalised race barriers that can impact someone’s sense of belonging,” says Ricardo.
Ricardo continues, “I was keen that the film didn’t resort to lecturing the viewer on what is, and what is not, appropriate behaviour – but instead enable the audience to reflect and provide their own answers to what remains a pervasive scourge within our culture.”
Audiences can reflect and provide their own answers to what remains a pervasive scourge within our culture.
Specifically for white learners, Ricardo and colleague Syra Shakir; both from Leeds Trinity University, have also created the Aftermath workshop and tool-kit.
“There is always so much great conversation after the film,” says Syra, we are very straight forward in the way we follow up and investigate the obvious discomfort audiences are feeling in acknowledging their own complicity.”
This excellent initiative delivers a vital insight that white learners cannot look away from
The workshop and film presentation is available to all academic institutions now. Attending staff will receive tools for progress and amplified learning. Just as importantly this excellent initiative delivers a vital insight that white learners cannot look away from. Motivation for all academic audiences then, to step up and CHANGE this race-unequal system NOW.
The toolkit also includes a 6-month follow-up session, which provides a space for discussing any targets that have been met, or perhaps not met, and providing ideas of ways to move forward with their plan.
Ricardo Barker is a filmmaker & music composer residing in the north of England. He worked for ITV in the UK as a single camera television director before becoming a Freelancer of short-commissioned documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4. His passion lies in the cinematic portrayal of narrative drama. He is a Senior Lecturer in Film Production at Leeds Trinity University.
With over 100 attendees, here is a small selection of comments from our ZOOM chat.
The challenge for Black and Brown students is often the stress of having to self-monitor to placate others.
This level of emotional labour that Black and Brown colleagues are expected put into the education of white learners is clear white entitlement
White-centricity has anaesthetised white people
The dichotomy of universities asking why more Black and Brown students do not apply, when its very structure inculcates bias
The film is so clever and moves you to action. And each time I’ve watched, I notice something different. It points out the need for more imagination time and sensitivity in staff and it really should be shown in all unis and schools. It’s a brilliant piece of work.
Exactly, multiple viewings reveal additional layers…
The beauty of anti racism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be anti-racist. Ijeoma Oluo
I’m listening in from New York and the problem here starts way before higher education. Middle school and high school is where the problem lies if not earlier.
Some of what needs to be taught must come from different voices. We discussed yesterday in another forum that “culture” is so important and plays a vital part to developing our understanding and psyche.
Thank you, the film will stay with me and motivate me
The mental health burden on people of colour laid bare
Your film Ricardo says everything I can’t explain, because it’s more than just words… which is why people get so confused with the term racism… it’s most of the time unseen
Thank you everyone for speaking so insightfully and honestly. I’ve really enjoyed listening and hearing to everyone’s point of views. I’ve sent on the Ricardo’s film link to several people in my network.
Thank you everyone, I will take the discussion back to my University. It’s been illuminating.
Text Caryn Franklin
With thanks to Beatrice Newman for bringing this film to our attention.
Read our recent blog on low attainment with stats here
See our next Community talk details here