The conversations around racism and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) are often complex, multifaceted, and highly politicised. This is evident in how different media platforms portray these issues. The three videos I engaged with—produced by The Telegraph, Channel 4, and a TED Talk, illustrate sharply contrasting perspectives. Although each claims impartiality, their underlying biases are clear. The Telegraph, a right-wing outlet, is critical of D.E.I. initiatives, framing them as ideological overreach (The Telegraph, 2023). In contrast, Channel 4 presents a more progressive lens, actively highlighting structural inequalities (Channel 4 Entertainment, 2022). The TED Talk remains more neutral but offers a reflective stance on the necessity of open dialogue, even when the rhetoric is uncomfortable (TEDxTalks, 2020).
The texts I’ve read reinforce how deeply racism is embedded within institutional structures. For instance, in Racism Shapes Careers, the argument is made that the UK’s institutional landscapes are rooted in colonial histories. These structures perpetuate whiteness as the cultural default, shaping the environments in which individuals are expected to succeed (Garrett, 2024). This perspective suggests that racism is not merely individual or occasional but systemic, woven into the fabric of what we perceive as “normal.”
Critical Race Theory (CRT) furthers this understanding by examining how academic institutions often struggle to engage with race-related issues. There is noticeable anxiety around free speech and academic freedom, especially when it comes to implementing D.E.I. policies (Bradbury, 2020). This tension was made visible when a group of Cambridge professors rejected the AdvanceHE award, citing concerns about censorship. Moreover, there’s unease about the perceived “Americanisation” of British academia, where student-led demands for social justice are often seen as disruptive rather than transformative.
The 2021 Sewell Report, which controversially concluded that there is no systemic racism in the UK, adds another layer of complexity. With a panel largely composed of right-leaning figures, the report was widely criticised by scholars for reinforcing a narrative that dismisses lived experiences and historical realities (Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, 2021). The Telegraph echoed the report’s tone (The Telegraph, 2023), while many institutions failed to push back. For instance, UAL (University of the Arts London) as an institution neither challenged nor discussed the report publicly. This silence to me can be seen as performative, a responsibility to D.E.I. in words but not in action.
On a personal level, as a London-born individual of Latin-American heritage, I have encountered racism first-hand. One memory stands out: a teacher once told me, “Omar, why don’t you go back to Chile?” While not traumatising to me, this moment demonstrates how racism manifests in everyday academic settings. These experiences, often silenced or ignored, reflect a broader cultural issue. D.E.I. is essential in confronting this, but it must also be critically examined. Policies meant to foster inclusion should not suppress open dialogue. As the TED Talk speaker suggests, even contentious challenges can hold value, provided they encourage growth rather than harm (TEDxTalks, 2020).
As bell hooks writes, “Stories help us to connect to a world beyond the self.” By telling our stories, we uncover others, weaving a fabric of shared understanding (hooks, 2010). The TED Talk echoes this, affirming that dialogue is the bridge between difference and empathy (TEDxTalks, 2020).
Bibliography
Bradbury, A. (2020) A critical race theory framework for education policy analysis: the case of bilingual learners and assessment policy in England, Race Ethnicity and Education, 23(2), pp. 241–260. doi: 10.1080/13613324.2019.1599338.
Channel 4 Entertainment (2022) Big Boys: Jack Rooke on identity, masculinity and mental health. [YouTube video] 18 May. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I3wJ7pJUjg (Accessed: 14 July 2025).
Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. (2021) Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities: The Report. London: HM Government. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-report-of-the-commission-on-race-and-ethnic-disparities (Accessed: [insert date]).
hooks, b. (2010). Teaching critical thinking: Practical wisdom. New York. Routledge.
Rhianna Garrett (11 Feb 2024) Racism shapes careers: career trajectories and imagined futures of racialised minority PhDs in UK higher education, Globalisation, Societies and Education, DOI: 10.1080/14767724.2024.2307886
TEDxTalks (2020) We need to talk about race: Understanding privilege | Ben Lindsay | TEDxFolkestone. [YouTube video] 1 May. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR4wz1b54hw (Accessed: 14 July 2025).
The Telegraph (2023) Britain’s woke nightmare: How anti-racism became a Trojan horse. [YouTube video] 26 January. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRM6vOPTjuU (Accessed: 14 July 2025).