Professor Gus John takes a stand
On Wednesday 7 June, Professor Gus John addressed a full audience at the Graduate Centre, when he spoke about social justice, economic competitiveness and social order in Britain. The lecture was the final component of the department of Applied Social Science (DASS) Public Lecture series, and was chaired by the Head of department Professor John Gabriel. Professor Gabriel closed the lecture by saying: ‘we may feel empowered, enraged, or simply enlivened by his talk, but one place we will not remain is on the fence.’ Based on his book Taking a Stand, published in April 2006, Professor Gus John delivered a talk defining Britain’s status as it faces mounting pressure on the home front and the international stage.
In light of the recent legislative changes proposed for the education bill, Gus John spoke about the possible implications of these changes on the black youth of Britain today, whilst keeping the wider issue of equality in mind. By examining the correlation between social exclusion and youth offending, particularly amongst young Africans, Professor John urged parents not to occupy the sidelines whilst changes are being made.
What ensued from the talk was a lively and thought-provoking debate from the audience. Professor Dhirendra Sharma, who had given his own lecture as part of the new DASS Public Lecture series on 10 May, re-asserted his stand by stating: ‘Exclusive identity based on race or religion has no place in the post-modern scientific civilisation, what counts in life is one’s blood group - not their colour, race or religion.’
Shiraz Durrani, senior lecturer in Information Management from the department of Applied Social Sciences, was present at the lecture and he commented: ‘It is indeed appropriate that Gus John chose to speak in an academic environment to challenge educators to help create a just social order where issues of race do not decide whether one ends up excluded from education, or from society as a whole.’
The evening also consisted of some music by Femi Martin and a poetry reading. Gus John has actively sought to bring racial equality and social justice to the fore in Britain since 1965. Former Director of Education and Leisure Services in Hackney, Gus John is currently an international management consultant and Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde.
The DASS Public Lecture series will resume in the new academic year.
