Goldsmiths welfare and diversity officer, Bahar Mustafa, hits out at racism accusations, stating ethnic minority women can't be racist or sexist

Bahar Mustafa claims ethnic minority women cannot be racist or sexist

Bahar Mustafa claims ethnic minority women cannot be racist or sexist

First published in Lewisham
Last updated
News Shopper: Photograph of the Author by , reporter

A welfare and diversity officer has hit out at accusations of racism, stating it is not possible for ethnic minority women to be racist or sexist.

Officer for Goldsmith's student union in New Cross, Bahar Mustafa, was previously criticised for asking white males not to attend an event on diversifying curriculum on April 22.

At a meeting of the Student Assembly on May 5, Ms Mustafa addressed criticism on the event and claims that she is racist. Her claims were captured on video by East London Lines.

She said: "I, an ethnic minority woman, cannot be racist or sexist towards white men because racism and sexism describes structures of privilege based on race and gender.

"Therefore women of colour and minority genders cannot be racist or sexist since we do not stand to benefit from such a system.

"Reverse racism and reverse sexism are not real."

Since the diversifying curriculum event received national coverage, Ms Mustafa alleged she had been a victim of a witch-hunt and a character assassination from the "right-wing media".

She said: "This isn't about me and despite desperate attempts to humiliate and denigrate a 27 year-old woman of colour from a working class family, this isn't about my struggle.

"If we consider recent scandals regarding BME people in positions of power in the UK, it cannot be just coincidence that this story has gained huge coverage.

"These attacks on people of colour are politically and ideologically driven on racial lines.

"The thought of people of colour holding positions of power threatens white supremacy."

Comments (11)

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1:28pm Mon 11 May 15

Spurious1974 says...

Bahar Mustafa's comments that ethnic women cannot be racist or sexist shows her limited intelligence and lack of understanding of race issues. Ethnic people can be racist because White people are a 'race' irrespective of where they live. Asking white males not to attend a diversification event is hypocricy in its purest form. How are you being diverse if you ask people of a certain race and gender not to attend?

Being from an ethnic background myself, I am well aware of the 'racist' attitudes that people from Ethnic backgrounds harbour. Ethnic people may not want to call it racism, but by doing so, are only fooling themselves.
Bahar Mustafa's comments that ethnic women cannot be racist or sexist shows her limited intelligence and lack of understanding of race issues. Ethnic people can be racist because White people are a 'race' irrespective of where they live. Asking white males not to attend a diversification event is hypocricy in its purest form. How are you being diverse if you ask people of a certain race and gender not to attend? Being from an ethnic background myself, I am well aware of the 'racist' attitudes that people from Ethnic backgrounds harbour. Ethnic people may not want to call it racism, but by doing so, are only fooling themselves. Spurious1974
  • Score: 70

1:56pm Mon 11 May 15

PaulErith says...

She said: "I, an ethnic minority woman, cannot be racist or sexist towards white men because racism and sexism describes structures of privilege based on race and gender."

That's a load of bull! Sexism, racism, ageism or any other kind of 'ism' can work both ways. It's nothing to do with privilege. For example, if someone were to stop me doing something because I'm a man, then I've been a victim of sexism. The woman that came out with these comments clearly isn't the right person to hold her position.
She said: "I, an ethnic minority woman, cannot be racist or sexist towards white men because racism and sexism describes structures of privilege based on race and gender." That's a load of bull! Sexism, racism, ageism or any other kind of 'ism' can work both ways. It's nothing to do with privilege. For example, if someone were to stop me doing something because I'm a man, then I've been a victim of sexism. The woman that came out with these comments clearly isn't the right person to hold her position. PaulErith
  • Score: 57

2:00pm Mon 11 May 15

just.my.opinion says...

What a silly woman Bahar Mustafa is. Apart from anything else I would love to see the job description for her role! I am guessing she is unable to be sacked from her union role in case she slings accusations of racism and sexism! Being a white English woman married to an Asian man, I have been spat at, verbally abused and sexually assaulted over the years all by Asian people!
What a silly woman Bahar Mustafa is. Apart from anything else I would love to see the job description for her role! I am guessing she is unable to be sacked from her union role in case she slings accusations of racism and sexism! Being a white English woman married to an Asian man, I have been spat at, verbally abused and sexually assaulted over the years all by Asian people! just.my.opinion
  • Score: 52

2:10pm Mon 11 May 15

pointofview2015 says...

Bahar Mustafa.............
an 'ethnic' (cant say minority because I do not believe her background and people are a minority in this country any more) has proved not only the usual 'chip on the shoulder/I can say/do what I like' attitude but a blatant first class sexist and racist person if ever there was one. How on earth did she attain her position?
Firstly to exclude men from a diversity meeting is deemed sexist, and secondly the fact that they are white men, proves she has promoted signs of racism..............
.she should be kicked out...........out of her job and out of the country. We don't need racists like her dictating c.r.a.p.
Bahar Mustafa............. an 'ethnic' (cant say minority because I do not believe her background and people are a minority in this country any more) has proved not only the usual 'chip on the shoulder/I can say/do what I like' attitude but a blatant first class sexist and racist person if ever there was one. How on earth did she attain her position? Firstly to exclude men from a diversity meeting is deemed sexist, and secondly the fact that they are white men, proves she has promoted signs of racism.............. .she should be kicked out...........out of her job and out of the country. We don't need racists like her dictating c.r.a.p. pointofview2015
  • Score: 52

2:45pm Mon 11 May 15

Bambi* says...

"I, an ethnic minority woman, cannot be racist or sexist towards white men because racism and sexism describes structures of privilege based on race and gender." I would of thought that the exclusion of a certain race or gender would be discriminatory, silly me. What was her basis for doing this?
"I, an ethnic minority woman, cannot be racist or sexist towards white men because racism and sexism describes structures of privilege based on race and gender." I would of thought that the exclusion of a certain race or gender would be discriminatory, silly me. What was her basis for doing this? Bambi*
  • Score: 44

3:49pm Mon 11 May 15

goldenbroomboy says...

Bahar should try Latin America, wealthy Hispanic women are not renowned as being good bosses to their servants, many of whom are whiter than their boss. From what I can gather it ain't too much fun being a Filipina maid to a Saudi Arabian mistress either. Come to think of it, being a Nigerian in South Africa is not much fun (and you cannot blame the Boers anymore).

Still, when Bahar, gets a job & travels the world a bit she may realise what twaddle she is currently spouting.
Bahar should try Latin America, wealthy Hispanic women are not renowned as being good bosses to their servants, many of whom are whiter than their boss. From what I can gather it ain't too much fun being a Filipina maid to a Saudi Arabian mistress either. Come to think of it, being a Nigerian in South Africa is not much fun (and you cannot blame the Boers anymore). Still, when Bahar, gets a job & travels the world a bit she may realise what twaddle she is currently spouting. goldenbroomboy
  • Score: 33

5:05pm Mon 11 May 15

ความจริง says...

Some ethnic minorities are some of the most racist people I have ever met.
Some ethnic minorities are some of the most racist people I have ever met. ความจริง
  • Score: 74

5:39pm Mon 11 May 15

Bexleyheath Resident says...

Sounds like something Dianne Abbott would say! All about when it suits. If you truly believe in equality then it's irrelevant whether it black white green or purple! Having one rule for one another rule for others is CAUSING hatred and racism - (just look at any comments about this woman in the past month). You have successful completely failed as an equality officer...just like the rest of them. Equality is for everyone and should be promoted whoever you are -also whilst ranting, by asking what your ethnicity is on job apps I actually find completely undiverse as it shouldn't matter DUHH
Sounds like something Dianne Abbott would say! All about when it suits. If you truly believe in equality then it's irrelevant whether it black white green or purple! Having one rule for one another rule for others is CAUSING hatred and racism - (just look at any comments about this woman in the past month). You have successful completely failed as an equality officer...just like the rest of them. Equality is for everyone and should be promoted whoever you are -also whilst ranting, by asking what your ethnicity is on job apps I actually find completely undiverse as it shouldn't matter DUHH Bexleyheath Resident
  • Score: 19

6:12pm Mon 11 May 15

Bee Jay says...

"Reverse racism and reverse sexism aren't real". Quite right, it is all racism or sexism although this person doesn't mean it that way. Doesn't matter if it is white against black or black against white male against female or female against male it is all the same thing - wrong.
"Reverse racism and reverse sexism aren't real". Quite right, it is all racism or sexism although this person doesn't mean it that way. Doesn't matter if it is white against black or black against white male against female or female against male it is all the same thing - wrong. Bee Jay
  • Score: 15

9:24pm Mon 11 May 15

johnby says...

Good for Bahar!
She is heading for a enior exec's position at either Lewisham or Greenwich Council.
Maybe she will be able to stop anymore of those White British, ethnic minority trouble makers coming to the area!
Good for Bahar! She is heading for a enior exec's position at either Lewisham or Greenwich Council. Maybe she will be able to stop anymore of those White British, ethnic minority trouble makers coming to the area! johnby
  • Score: 3

10:30pm Mon 11 May 15

johnby says...

Lewisham and Greenwich Council are to introduce the first ever " Snow Leopard " crossings to the U.K. because the traditional "Zebra Crossings" are proving to be extremely dangerous 50% of the time!
Lewisham and Greenwich Council are to introduce the first ever " Snow Leopard " crossings to the U.K. because the traditional "Zebra Crossings" are proving to be extremely dangerous 50% of the time! johnby
  • Score: -1
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