Author’s Note: I cannot openly or authoritatively comment on the case of the Cambridge Professor – other than to say that Cambridge “cheats” all the time and this explains “why” and “how” they keep winning the Boat Race (look it up). Oxford is a beautiful place – although I cannot talk for Cambridge – as I have never been there. All I know is that Sir Isaac Newton – of “Gravity” fame – spent the last 30-years of his life trying to prove the “Bible” literally correct. Needless to say, this theological work has been suppressed by Cambridge as it might damage the University’s reputation. I once wrote a published article about “William Whiston (1667–1752)” – Newton’s designated academic successor at Cambridge – who was sacked by the University for daring to suggest that “religion” and “science” might share a common (and unifying) foundation. He was also tried by the Church of England for exactly the same assertion (although he was found “Not Guilty”). As he was completely “cancelled” from any and all meaningful employment – he had to return to his home village in his mid-40s (1711) after be dismissed as a Professor for Mathematics and Theology. He lived for another 41-years with nothing to do but immerse himself in his own study. His book on “Comets” is still considered superb even today. He was made a “Professor” at Cambridge in 1702 – when only 35-years old. This Professorship was withdrawn in 1710 – just before his expulsion. His treatment today is viewed as being rather shoddy. Newton, after making huge breakthroughs in material science – then sunk into a religious morass – but due to his fame was molly-coddled by the University kept in a life of privilege and opulence. Not so for Professor Whiston! So you see, the British media, being essentially racist, only shows you what it thinks you should know – to prove the point it is conveying.
The problem I see, at least first and foremost, is that it is “class” that excludes within the elite Universities. It is not “race” per se. People of all and any skin-tone, if they are working-class, will be (a priori), excluded from all things bourgeois (we are subject to the same exclusionary ideology – are we not?) Every so often, the bourgeoisie – that is, those who control the means of production – will allow a “token” non-bourgeoisie into their ranks, a type of class “pet” if you like. Of course, within the exclusion of the general working-class, “race” will play its part – but it is NOT the only part. This will be another layer of discrimination which the bourgeois will use to prevent the working-class from penetrating the bourgeois-world and gaining power and influence.
I was born in Oxford (Hitler bombed my mother’s family out of working-class Lewisham in 1940) – and I love the history and “learning” associated with the place (I can walk around with a book about Marx on open display and no one bats an eyelid). I did attend Oxford – but I paid to do so – as I could not attain a place due to my own limitations when I was young. It just so happened that my intellectual abilities matured at the same time when I experienced a decade of wealth. Although Oxford does discriminate, I “paid” to access a “Philosophy of Mind” course – which I passed despite not fitting-in (I was in my late 30s at the time and was surrounded by BBC executives, Guardian Reporters, and UN employees – but my family was proud). However, I was told a story of a young woman who was born into a poor working-class family and brought-up on a housing estate.
Despite all the disadvantages she experienced (her colleagues did not want to learn and bullied her for a) trying, and b) succeeding), she excelled as a teenager and scored the highest marks in her GCSE, “O” and “A” Levels. In-short, she qualified through merit at 18-years old to apply for Oxford – which she did. On her interview days – she passed with flying colours. She was “Declined” on the grounds that the University believed that the working-class professions of her parents, (the father was a builder and the mother a hair-dresser), did NOT prepare her for the rarefied atmosphere of Oxford’s ancient halls. Although never mentioned as a contributing factor, this woman was “White”. Whilst she was being “Rejected” – Oxford made a big deal of a number of non-White students “chosen” to enter the University even though they possessed none of the access qualifications.
This was presented as Oxford’s contribution to “fighting racism”. Many White working-class people feel this is an unfair advantage. White students with qualifications were rejected for class-issues – whilst non-White students with no qualifications gained what amounted to “free access”. I earned my way into the University of the city I was born into (indeed, the fact that I was born in Oxford, or so I was told, granted me a positive mark in this process). I was not young and had built-up my own life despite all the problems and issues I experienced as a White (Celtic) working-class man, with multicultural involvements (Irish and Chinese). Of course, during the 1980s, I had spent four-years in Hereford pursuing a College education – but that is another story.
Indeed, one of my martial arts students in Sutton, a White (English) middle-class grammar school boy, actually got into Oxford at 18-years old. Due to this, and other reasons, I have been in and out of various Oxford colleges (as a “guest”). I know that the place is full of hundreds of non-White students whose rich parents have “paid” very high fees for their presence (although some are from the UK – many others are from abroad). I knew someone who got into Oxford and attended for just one-term before bailing-out. He said that because “Oxford” was on his CV – he NEVER had to attend a formal job interview – and was literally handed well-paid employment. He moved between these jobs like a fish swimming through water – by-passing all the arduous and difficult job interviews all the other candidates had to attend.
Is this fair? NO – it is not – but it is a fine example of how the bourgeoisie feathers its own nest. Is the system racist? Undoubtedly, “YES”. Having said this, the White Lumpen Proletariat are sick of seeing unqualified and unworthy individuals promoted merely as a “token” due to the hue of the outer layer of their skin. This is NOT true of all non-White people – but it is true of some. I have been lucky because I directly benefitted from British Socialism which gave me a second chance as a child in 1970s Britain. It has been a long journey – and I would not change a thing. I have been took-in by non-White people and benefitted from their kindness. I also saw the other side of life – and now understand both sides.
This is why I am an “Internationalist” and firm supporter of Lenin’s “Third International”. All I can say, without being too specific, is that we live in dangerous times, and things may not be on the surface the way the government is instructing the Press to report stories. I very much peaked physically during the 1980s concerning, running, weightlifting, and martial arts practice. I started formally teaching gongfu in Sutton in 1994 – after my teacher – Master Chan Tin Sang – passed away a year earlier (Hereford prepared me for my later life and success in London). A Black UK Professor I always respected – is Paul Gilroy. He wrote a magnificent book entitled “There Ain’t No Black in the Unon Jack!” – one of the battle-cries heard on the British streets during the 1970s – during “National Front” marches! Think for yourselves – and never stop the process of self-building to think for yourselves!
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 