Newbold College of Higher Education Acknowledge 'Past and Present Wrongs Perpetrated on Racial Grounds'

This week, on Wednesday 17 June, Newbold's Principal John Baildam, published a bold and comprehensive statement addressing racism that he acknowledged has been evident at the College of Higher Education in the past and in present times. Prior to John Baildam's statement, the Newbold website begins with the words: "Racial Injustice: No More. We have shown our solidarity. Now, we have a job to do. It is time to apologise. It is time to hold ourselves accountable. It is time to vow change for a better future."

John Baildam's statement in full can be seen below: -

Official College Statement

Since the ‘Black Lives Matter’ statement which I made recently in the light of the killing of George Floyd, we have been shocked and disappointed to hear from current students, staff and alumni of unacceptable incidents of racism and discrimination at Newbold College of Higher Education. I am grateful to those of you who have so courageously and bravely taken the time to communicate your feelings of pain and hurt with us. This has been no easy thing to do. We have let you down, and we will strive to put things right.

The current watershed has given us all pause for ongoing thought as we reflect on your distress and suffering, which we wish to recognise openly and properly. While we cannot re-write our College’s history, together we can all help to shape its future. We acknowledge past and present wrongs perpetrated on racial grounds, while reiterating that racist or discriminatory behaviour is not in harmony with God’s ideal. We are sorry for all failures in this regard on the part of the College, and we ask for forgiveness for every heartache or anguish caused or felt.

Elie Wiesel stresses that “what hurts the victim the most is … the silence of the bystander”. We promise to ensure that black lives really do matter on our campus and we ask you to help us to make this an everyday reality. We have already called a meeting for next Monday of a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Audit and Strategy Panel. Chaired by our Chaplain, Pastor Alastair Agbaje, this group will comprise a number of students and staff. Now is the time for us to listen, and so – difficult though this may be – we ask you to find the strength to voice your experiences so that together we can find the practical solutions needed for change. There is a lot of work ahead of us all, but we are ready to change things for the better. Do look out for further initiatives, which will include a virtual open dialogue session.

As an ethnically and culturally diverse Senior Leadership Team ourselves, my colleagues Mrs Abigail Wright (Chief Financial Officer), Ms Serena Santona (Academic Registrar) and I, as Principal, are proud of the rich multi-ethnic and multi-national heritage of our College students and staff. We wish to serve as examples of justice and equality. We concur with Ellen White, who reminds us that “when the love of Christ is cherished in the heart … no difference will be made because of the colour of the skin”. Racism, prejudice and intolerance of any kind have no place here, and we are committed to working intentionally to eradicate any traces of such.

Newbold’s campus must be a safe and welcoming place for all, regardless of race, colour, culture, tribe, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, disability or ability.
We know that whatever we say may never be enough, but we thank you for giving us the chance to right any wrongs.

John Baildam (Principal), Abigail Wright (Chief Financial Officer), Serena Santona (Academic Registrar)
Senior Leadership Team
Newbold College of Higher Education

We are your Senior Leadership Team, and we are here to listen.

------------------

This welcomed statement reflects a very good beginning for Newbold College and we look forward to the developing steps that will emerge from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Audit and Strategy Panel.