Although dead for more than a hundred years, Cecil Rhodes is one of the most fiercely debated personalities in Oxford and the UK. Being one of the greatest benefactors of the university, his role in the exploitation of South African workers raises the issue of whether he should still be commemorated in present times.
The movement “Rhodes must Fall” originates in South Africa and has now arrived in Oxford. Its most prominent achievement was to bring down the Rhodes statue at the University of Cape Town. In 2015, the movement took hold in Oxford. Its self proclaimed goal is to take down the statue of Cecil Rhodes at Oriel college.
To begin with, only a few people do actually see positive effects of Rhodes’ role in Africa (see the video of the debate at the Oxford Union below for example). Assuming his actions would likely constitute gross violation of human rights and international law by today’s standards, should one deny his beneficial role for Oxford University? Should one do this by removing his statue?
(photo: www.bbc.co.uk)
Personally, I am not convinced that there is a significant benefit in removing the Rhodes statue from Oriel College. If one actually believes the statue celebrates and consequently encourages racism in society, removing it would probably not bring about any change at all. After all, only a symbol would be removed. What is really needed, and in this point most people agree I think, is a commemoration of the people who suffered and died.
Unfortunately – but understandably so – the debate is very emotional. As such it is emblematic for current movements at British and American universities fighting symbols of racism. More elaborate and thought-through arguments are given in the video of the very interesting panel discussion hosted by the Oxford Union to be found here.