Oxford University Criticised For Having Too Many 'dead White Males' On Its Walls.

[anotheoldgit]

/// Two years ago, they demanded Oriel College tear down a statue of the 19th Century imperialist Cecil Rhodes over claims it was offensive to ethnic minority students. ///

And now this:

/// But they said the 20 new portraits would be added to the collection so that more women, people from ethnic minorities, gays and lesbians and people with disabilities could be included. ///

Is the continuing quest at addressing more and more diversity issues, is it now getting all too silly?

[youngmafbog]

Usual PC Nonsense and social engineering at its best.

Would you expect anything different from a right-on Liberal elite establishment?

[Mamyalynne]

//“We're not taking anyone down - but the portraits have been almost exclusively men and we're just beginning to redress the balance,” said the university’s head of equality, Trudy Coe.//

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/oxford-university-portraits-women-ethnic-minorities-dame-esther-rantzen-hilary-lister-ken-loach-a7657606.html


So they are putting up some new and different portraits, not much wrong there, a greater choice to look at.

[jno]

taking down a portrait is social engineering? lol

[Mamyalynne]

Maybe not taking any down is social ungineering?

[RandyMarsh]

mams, I am not sure you grasp the seriousness of the university putting up new portraits of people that their students can relate to.

What will follow?, new curtains, scatter cushions?, a sofa bed?

[jno]

it's enough to make a man sport his oak.

[Mamyalynne]

Have I missed the bigger picture yet again Randy - how remiss of me.;-)

[Mamyalynne]

Don't encourage him Jno.

[Samjenko]

They'd need a picture of Billy Bunter for you rotten scoffers.

[Old_Geezer]

Ridiculous. They oughter have nailed up some live ones.

[Backdrifter]

Thanks mamyalynne for posting that link, now having read it I think many of the replies here are a lot of fuss about not very much. No portraits are being removed, they're just expanding the collection. The list includes women who have made notable/admirable achievements, or are long-standing members of staff. I can't see why that's variously nonsense, social engineering, elitist, silly, demeaning, or proof that intelligence doesn't translate into sense.

[Peter Pedant]

// in the portraits at King's, for example (or any other college for that matter). There was one of Walsingham, chief spy to Elizabeth 1st, and another of Robert Walpole, // (kingsman)

and none of the Cambridge spies ? - I suppose they are on the walls of GCHQ

oops I should nt talk - one was from my college
WE had mainly Jim is right - benefactors. and lots of Lord Chancellors

so when I visited Scone and Lord Mansfield's pile
albino peacocks - that one - stoon of scoon - there

the guide said as he pointed to a painting - that is Lord Mansfield as Lord Chief Justice in 1780 and I was able to reassure him
" that is not the court garb of the Lord Chief Justice in the late eighteenth century"

[solicitor general 1745]

Mansfield ( somersetts case - slavery unlawful at common law) was the one of whom the Great Lord S said in his first case
"when Mr Murray began I thought he was all wrong but now I see he is completely right"

Scots Law Lord and the case was in equity so Mr Murray had an edge on that one - sozza getting a bit technical there

where were we - oh useless pictures on the wall in hall ......

[Peter Pedant]

// Thanks mamyalynne for posting that link, now having read it I think many of the replies here are a lot of fuss about not very much//

jesus another daily AB thread where the poster earnestly and plaintively warbles.....
"and so are ready for this that and the other disgusting outcome?"

and the disgusting outcome is no where on the horizon of the article when you read it
Normal day on AB then

[Mamyalynne]

You're welcome Backdrifter - yes a few new portraits going up.

[douglas9401]

Maybe get a head and shoulders of the new Doctor Who assistant from the production company.
Satisfying three diversities in one frame.
A bargain and frees up space for other worthies.

[Peter Pedant]

// Is there the right amount of diversity shown in their boat crew?//

not enough women rowing you mean
I think they do have girlie coxes.....

my college did vote to rename their boat club-
The Winnie Mandela Boat Club
if that is any help ( it wasnt)

[wolf63]

They should just put up wallpaper like the rest of us - problem solved.

PP - >>>>so when I visited Scone and Lord Mansfield's pile
albino peacocks - that one - stoon of scoon - there

[pastafreak]

I don't see any problem with this. I don't know the accomplishments of those already on the walls,but all of the nominees seem to be top of their fields. And someone interviewed expressed a similar sentiment to the new Dr Who assistant...."It's good to see people who look like you on the walls..." It encourages accomplishment and success.

[Peter Pedant]

I dont think they had nailed any peacocks to the walls
which were white mainly
( so i couldnt really have distinguished)
unless they were alive and squawking .....

really I think we are drifting away from the serious discussion this subject merits