Student rep sparks outrage after vowing to tear down a 'mural of white men'

The president of a university students' union has been criticised for suggesting a mural in memory of First World War soldiers should be 'painted over' because it displays only 'white men'.

Emily Dawes, the head of the University of Southampton Students' Union, provoked outrage when she referred to the university's Rotherstein Mural as a 'mural of white men' and called for it to be taken down.

She tweeted: 'Mark my words - we're taking down the mural of white men in the uni Senate room, even if I have to paint over it myself.'

Both she and the students' union have since apologised for her comments after she was accused of abusing the free speech the soldiers fought and died to protect.

The university's website states that the Rothenstein Mural, which is in the Senate Room of the Highfield Campus, was painted in 1916 'as a memorial to members of the British universities serving in the Great War'.

'It depicts an academic procession and the conferring of a degree on an unknown soldier,' according to the university.

Lucy Carter, the granddaughter of mural artist Sir William Rothenstein, said of Ms Dawes's comments: 'I think it's very sad, people trying to change history. It's sad that people should be overtaken by these concerns. Painting over it would be unnecessary.'

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith, who served in the RAF for ten years, said the SU president's tweet was 'disappointing' considering the soldiers sought to defend the free speech which she was exercising.

He said: 'With freedom comes responsibility, and considering the President of the SU holds a position of authority she has clearly overstepped the mark.

'I hope she will reflect on what she has said and realise it has been conducted in poor taste. Those who know the history of our island are fully aware and appreciate the involvement of black and Asian soldiers against tyranny.' 





MailOnline