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Why 14 black male Cambridge students posed for this photo | Why 14 black male Cambridge students posed for this photo |
(about 11 hours later) | |
"Young black men don't grow up thinking they'll make it here. They should." | "Young black men don't grow up thinking they'll make it here. They should." |
This was the intended message behind a photo of 14 black male students from Cambridge University that has been liked more than 2,000 times on Facebook. | This was the intended message behind a photo of 14 black male students from Cambridge University that has been liked more than 2,000 times on Facebook. |
The group posed for several images that were shared in a bid to encourage more black students to apply to the university. | The group posed for several images that were shared in a bid to encourage more black students to apply to the university. |
The post on Facebook said: "In 2015, only 15 black, male undergraduates were accepted into Cambridge. | The post on Facebook said: "In 2015, only 15 black, male undergraduates were accepted into Cambridge. |
"However, it is important that despite their underrepresentation, we let young black people know that this is something that they can aspire to." | "However, it is important that despite their underrepresentation, we let young black people know that this is something that they can aspire to." |
Of 3,449 students accepted into Cambridge during the 2015/2016 academic year, 38 defined themselves as black, a proportion of just over 1%. This figure did not include any students who defined themselves on their application as mixed race. | |
Folajimi Babasola, 20, who is studying engineering and appeared in the photo, said he wanted the image to challenge the "stereotype" of a Cambridge student. | Folajimi Babasola, 20, who is studying engineering and appeared in the photo, said he wanted the image to challenge the "stereotype" of a Cambridge student. |
He said: "The aim of the picture was really to encourage more black students to apply here because many people get discouraged by a particular image or stereotype of a Cambridge student that they have in their mind, thinking that they won't fit in or be accepted." | He said: "The aim of the picture was really to encourage more black students to apply here because many people get discouraged by a particular image or stereotype of a Cambridge student that they have in their mind, thinking that they won't fit in or be accepted." |
He said he wanted to show others "there are people very much like them here and if we can get here, they can." | He said he wanted to show others "there are people very much like them here and if we can get here, they can." |
William Gore, 19, who studies English, said he felt "really lucky" to be involved in a photo that has gone viral. | William Gore, 19, who studies English, said he felt "really lucky" to be involved in a photo that has gone viral. |
He said he wanted to send out a message that black students should "apply" to Cambridge, adding: "You don't need to change who you are to get here. | He said he wanted to send out a message that black students should "apply" to Cambridge, adding: "You don't need to change who you are to get here. |
"There are people here at Cambridge from different backgrounds, who don't fit the stereotypical image of what a Cambridge student looks like, doing their thing and killing it." | "There are people here at Cambridge from different backgrounds, who don't fit the stereotypical image of what a Cambridge student looks like, doing their thing and killing it." |
Dami Adebayo, who studies engineering, said there needed to be more black role models for men to aspire to. | Dami Adebayo, who studies engineering, said there needed to be more black role models for men to aspire to. |
He said growing up he had aspired to be like actors, artists and sportsmen such as Lebron James, Will Smith and Jay-Z because "that's how I perceived success". | He said growing up he had aspired to be like actors, artists and sportsmen such as Lebron James, Will Smith and Jay-Z because "that's how I perceived success". |
He went on: "Barack Obama is probably the first black role model I had who made it 'cool' to be 'book smart', and that was by the time I was 11, that's crazy." | He went on: "Barack Obama is probably the first black role model I had who made it 'cool' to be 'book smart', and that was by the time I was 11, that's crazy." |
Mr Adebayo said he applied to Cambridge University because he "knew he was capable" but was unsure if it would be the "right place". | Mr Adebayo said he applied to Cambridge University because he "knew he was capable" but was unsure if it would be the "right place". |
"But with a mindset like that, these types of institutions will never be the right place for people like me. | "But with a mindset like that, these types of institutions will never be the right place for people like me. |
"Every student from a diverse background who applies and gets in here is a step towards changing that." | "Every student from a diverse background who applies and gets in here is a step towards changing that." |
Cambridge is one of 27 universities that are currently members of the Race Equality Charter (REC) - a scheme designed to address the representation of staff and students from ethnic minority backgrounds. | Cambridge is one of 27 universities that are currently members of the Race Equality Charter (REC) - a scheme designed to address the representation of staff and students from ethnic minority backgrounds. |
In March it said it was applying for an REC bronze award - which are given to universities that have a "solid foundation for eliminating racial inequalities and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff and students". | In March it said it was applying for an REC bronze award - which are given to universities that have a "solid foundation for eliminating racial inequalities and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff and students". |
Professor Eilis Ferran said: "The university is committed to creating an environment where students and staff can realise their potential regardless of their ethnic, racial or national background." | Professor Eilis Ferran said: "The university is committed to creating an environment where students and staff can realise their potential regardless of their ethnic, racial or national background." |
The Cambridge University African-Caribbean Society, which was behind the shoot, said the purpose of the photos was to "remind young black individuals that Cambridge is for us". | The Cambridge University African-Caribbean Society, which was behind the shoot, said the purpose of the photos was to "remind young black individuals that Cambridge is for us". |
It said it hoped to see developments in the representation and inclusion of more black students at the university. | It said it hoped to see developments in the representation and inclusion of more black students at the university. |
The students involved in the main image are (top row L-R): William Gore, Bez Adeosun, Peter Adefioye, Judah Aiyenuro, Joseph Adikwu, Dennis Mubaiwa, Dami Adebayo, Ife Adepegba , Donte Nembhard, Baba Bob-Soile, Daniel Oluboyede. | The students involved in the main image are (top row L-R): William Gore, Bez Adeosun, Peter Adefioye, Judah Aiyenuro, Joseph Adikwu, Dennis Mubaiwa, Dami Adebayo, Ife Adepegba , Donte Nembhard, Baba Bob-Soile, Daniel Oluboyede. |
Bottom row: Michael Samuelson-Beulah, Folajimi Babasola, Ade Omisore. | Bottom row: Michael Samuelson-Beulah, Folajimi Babasola, Ade Omisore. |