Thousand’s have backed a petition calling for a U-turn on a decision by The University of Chichester to pull the plug on its flagship African history course without consultation from its teaching staff or students.
Whilst the petition has some legitimate concerns, namely Professor Adi and his staff not being consulted and the fact that Adi had been an employee at the university before this course was formed, it also mentions what is essentially the crux of the problem.
“The rationale of the University of Chichester appears to be based on the premise that the MRes in the History of Africa and the African Diaspora does not recruit enough students to justify the continued existence of Professor Adi’s post financially.” No one wanted to do the course.
It’s also been suggested that market forces have dictated this decision. Not surprisingly, if an employer looks at two prospective candidates for a job in accounting, and one has a business degree. The other has a history of Africa degree, so it’s not difficult to see who they’d pick.
The University of Chichester may explore the possibility of introducing a novel course that examines the notion of pluralism, named “Re-thinking Pluralism”. This course questions whether advocacy for pluralism is always the most suitable approach, as an individual’s identity is shaped by their past and cultural roots. Nonetheless, the feasibility of achieving this objective by offering courses on African History in the southern region of England may require further consideration.
To put it as politely as possible, despite the low popularity of the course, what it aimed to achieve could have been better to begin with. In the professors’ own words, “The MRes in the History of Africa and the African Diaspora course addresses this issue at a postgraduate level. From my experience, it redefines the conception of Britishness and includes Black History as a body of legitimate knowledge.
It is a well-known fact that England does not have any significant historical ties or roots in Africa. Additionally, the African Diaspora has been duly represented in the History of the British Empire, which is now a thing of the past. Therefore, England has no plausible reason to have any stake in the History of Africa.
The course attempts to intertwine the History of Africa and England, yet it needs to be more accurate. Recognizing that the English and African diaspora are distinct groups with unique histories is essential. While our paths may have intersected during the reign of the British Empire, we cannot assert a singular shared history.
Suppose you believe universities should prioritize providing accurate education on historical events rather than presenting a distorted version of the truth. In that case, the Homeland Party is the political party that aligns with your values and beliefs.
Based on my observations and analysis, I offer some friendly advice to Professor Hakim Adi. There is a high likelihood of success for this course at the University of Nairobi – so much so that I am willing to bet my last pound on it.
