A prominent civil rights scholar from the United States has called on Birmingham City University (BCU) to rethink its decision to discontinue its black studies program, likening the move to ongoing threats against diversity and inclusion efforts in the U.S.
Kimberlé Crenshaw, a law professor at both the University of California, Los Angeles and Columbia University, expressed her deep apprehension regarding the university’s plan to eliminate the MA in Black Studies and Global Justice only months after its inception.
In a statement posted on social media during her book tour in the UK, Crenshaw referred to the decision as an “escalating assault on black studies” and characterized it as part of an “ideological, extremist-led campaign” that has now crossed the Atlantic.
She remarked, “The systematic dismantling of black studies in the United States is echoed by a troubling parallel in the United Kingdom, where the discipline faces the risk of complete eradication.”
Crenshaw emphasized the importance of preserving and advocating for the truths of the history, contributions, perspectives, and lived experiences of black individuals in Britain and the global diaspora.
She labeled black studies as an “essential space of critical inquiry” and noted that the community surrounding this subject at BCU is “globally renowned.”
The university plans to discontinue the course in September after a review of its postgraduate offerings, citing low student enrollment as the primary reason, with only eight students currently registered.
This decision follows the controversial termination of BCU’s undergraduate black studies program in 2024, raising alarms among academics about the disproportionate impact of budget cuts on black scholarship within higher education.
Crenshaw stated, “This dismantling is not just an institutional rearrangement; it represents a direct assault on the creation of critical knowledge.”
Professor Kehinde Andrews, a key figure in establishing the program, previously told the Guardian that neither staff nor students were afforded a meaningful chance to contest the decision.
An open letter advocating for the reconsideration of the closure has garnered support from various academics, politicians, and cultural figures, including Professor Kalwant Bhopal, Akala, Yomi Adegoke, and Marsha de Cordova.
A spokesperson for BCU had previously indicated that a few postgraduate programs would be cut due to insufficient demand, but existing students would still have the opportunity to complete their courses. The university also mentioned that it was consulting with affected staff and “exploring opportunities for alternative provision.”
