Cardiff University medical student ‘blacked up’ and wore a large fake penis in impersonation of black senior lecturer in end-of-year stage show
Cops were called in after controversial comedy play about Dr T Jeff Allen
A MEDICAL student "blacked up" and wore a large fake penis to impersonate a university lecturer in an end-of-term play.
Cops were called in to investigate allegations of race hate when students portrayed Dr T Jeff Allen as a "hyper-sexualised black man".
The controversial comedy play ended with 32 students suspended from their medical course.
An independent report commissioned by Cardiff University has hit out at the play which sparked complaints of racism, sexism and lack of diversity in their School of Medicine.
Lecturer Dr Allen, 46, said he was left "isolated and worried" - and said the university could have supported him better.
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Two students quit their courses to move to other universities in the race row.
The report said: "There were three performances of the revue in February 2016 in which a medical school staff member was portrayed as a stereotypical, hyper-sexualised black man, wearing an oversized dildo.
"Other lecturers too were made fun of. There were racist, sexist and homophobic jokes and stereotype references.
"The script of the show was not seen or approved by anyone in authority at the university, nor by the Student Union."
There were racist, sexist and homophobic jokes and stereotype references.
independent report
Police were called in to investigate but decided that no further action would be taken. Two students involved in the blacking up admitted a lack of sensitivity.
The report revealed two students who complained about the play had decided to leave and transfer to other medical schools.
The panel - chaired by King's College academic Professor Dinesh Bhugra - found relationships between groups of students in the third year fell apart.
Some students described social life at Cardiff's medical school as "segregated" and said black students were separate from other non-white groups.
It said local doctors and the NHS play a role in perpetuating a "rugby culture" among students in the medical school.
The independent panel, which spoke to 33 students and staff as well as carrying out an online survey of staff and students, has made 13 recommendations.
The report says: "Several staff reported varying levels of what they considered to be racism and sexism at different times during their work in the university."
Recommendations include giving all university staff regular training in diversity including race, gender and sexual orientation and actively discouraging offensive stereotyping of any person or group.
It says Cardiff University should urgently seek external help to bring the two groups of students involved - complainants and those complained about - together "to work out their different perspectives so that everyone can move forward".
Cardiff University takes issues relating to equality and diversity very seriously and is committed to supporting, developing and promoting equality and diversity in all of our activities.
University Vice-Chancellor
Other recommendations are for a clear set of guidelines for dealing with complaints about racism and other forms of discrimination and ensuring the Medical School curriculum addresses issues of unconscious bias and stereotyping.
Professor Bhugra said: "Our report does highlight a number of specific and overarching issues that the University needs to consider and address."
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan said: "Our message is clear: offensive stereotyping of any person, or group of persons, is not acceptable.
"Cardiff University takes issues relating to equality and diversity very seriously and is committed to supporting, developing and promoting equality and diversity in all of our activities."
The student play called Anaphylaxis which led to the complaints raised £1,800 for charity.
A South Wales Police spokesman confirmed no action was taken against any student involved.
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