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The director of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London has accused critics of “politicizing the issue” after being criticized for using the n-word in a video call with students.
Adam Habib, who is of Indian descent, uttered the insult during a webinar discussion with students in response to concerns about teachers historically speaking the word without facing repercussions.
During a short clip that circulated on Twitter, the 56-year-old said: “The problem around that is… in the first place, even N **** r, someone making that accusation… I don’t know about the case. . This is the first time I’ve heard from him. “
When a student is offended, Mr. Habib is heard replying, “Do you? Well, I really don’t. I come from a part of the world where we actually use the word (…). Context matters. ”
One student commented: “You are not a black man, you cannot use that word. You have not faced the trauma and oppression of black bodies that we go through 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the last 500 years.
“You do not embody our history, therefore you cannot use the word.”
The student continued: “Many writers, including our own students, have written about why (peers, non-black peers) shouldn’t use the n word because when it comes from that perspective it means a completely different story than when it comes from our own. own perspective, which is autonomy, agency and the recovery of our own history. “
Mr. Habib later apologized “if he caused an offense.”
However, Habib has since justified his use of the insult in a 17-part thread posted on Twitter on Friday, accusing critics of trying to “politicize the issue.”
“The question is why after this apology, some continue to politicize the issue?” he wrote.
“So why didn’t I think it was problematic to use the word when I did? Well, because context matters and I was advocating for punitive action. You cannot impute a defamed intent without understanding the context. Do I think only blacks can verbalize the word? No, I do not know “.
Mr. Habib said The independent: “In fact, a student raised a question that SOAS did not respond to anti-black racism and suggested that a staff member who used the word is still on the payroll.
“I actually used the floor and said the following: ‘If someone uses the floor against another staff member, then it would violate our policy and the case should be brought to my attention.’ I also said that this is the first time I have heard of the incident.
“Another student objected, arguing that only those who were ‘black’ (or what I in South Africa would describe as ‘black Africans’) could verbalize the word. This puzzled me because the case was being discussed without any understanding or explanation of the immediate context.
“I said I am surprised by the reaction because I could easily have made the same statement in the same context at home without provoking this reaction.
“I then apologized saying that it was not intended to offend, and again I said that if the word was used by a staff member against another human being, then it would be a disciplinary offense as it would violate our policies.”
He added: “I did not say to use the word in South Africa. This is a deliberate distortion. “
The independent You asked what Habib meant on the tape when he said the insult is used in the “part of the world” from which it comes.
The director was born in South Africa and was appointed director of SOAS in January 2021.
Economic Freedom Fighters, a campaign group based in South Africa, has called on the University of London to fire Habib.
In an email sent to SOAS staff and students, Habib later apologized.
“As many of you know, there has been a controversy that emanated from yesterday’s student meeting where I mentioned the n-word after a student inquiry about a case in this regard,” he wrote.
“I want to unreservedly apologize for doing so. Now I recognize the pain and anguish that has been caused and will continue to listen. “It may be helpful to explain the context in which the statement was made.
“During the meeting, a student questioned SOAS ‘responsiveness to anti-black racism and suggested that a staff member had used the word without consequence. I replied that: ‘If someone uses the word [n-word] against another staff member, then it would violate our policy and action would be taken. ‘
“I apologized, saying that no offense had been attempted, and reiterated that if the word was used against another person, it would be a disciplinary offense as it would violate our policies.
“However, I recognize that despite the context, many in our community were offended and hurt by the term. And for this I unreservedly apologize.
“I am sorry to have caused this controversy, and I look forward to working with the entire school to address the issues that will enable SOAS to achieve its mission in both the national and global community.”
