A university Union has been accused of racism and ‘exotifying local culture’ after holding a ‘safari tour’ of fried chicken shops for new students.
Goldsmiths in south east London took freshers to four ‘infamous’ fast food establishments in New Cross as part of its annual Chicken Run.
But the tour backfired and was branded a ‘disgusting joke’ with the institution’s Students’ Union accused of creating a ‘pretentious mess’.
Urging those behind the event to apologise, student Billie Paul wrote on Twitter: ‘Why must you always exotify ‘local culture’ for middle class students to consume?’
Another added: ‘Those who partake in these are racist as hell too.’
The Union’s website had promised to take students to four different chicken shops in New Cross including PFC, Morleys, Gateway and Chick Chicken
Goldsmiths in south east London took freshers to four ‘infamous’ fast food establishments in New Cross as part of its annual Chicken Run
The Union’s website had promised to take students to four different chicken shops in New Cross including PFC, Morleys, Gateway and Chick Chicken.
The area where the tour was held is one of England’s most deprived and poverty among local residents is rife.
The event description said: ‘South East London has a reputation for its chicken shops for a reason!
‘We show you our favourite spots and you get free fried chicken samples so you can decide for yourself!’
Student Che Scott-Heron Newton, the daughter of late American jazz poet Gil Scott-Heron, slammed the tour as a ‘disgraceful joke’.
Complaining to a lecturer, she wrote: ‘This is the blatant and gross exotification of local working-class culture.
‘Today I became aware that the student union is offering ‘chicken shop tours’ and I can honestly say that this is one of the most pretentious messes that I have ever seen in my entire life.
Urging those behind the event to apologise, student Billie Paul (pictured) wrote on Twitter : ‘Why must you always exotify ‘local culture’ for middle class students to consume?’
A spokesman for the Goldsmiths University Students’ Union told MailOnline that the event was created ‘as a response to gentrification’ in a bid to encourage students to ‘engage’ with local businesses owned by black people.
‘I am beyond disgusted and appalled that the student union would think it appropriate to parade its new (typically non POC typically middle class) students through Lewisham as if it is a safari tour.
‘This is an issue that needs to be addressed with urgency, as I’ve seen the SU mess up situations like this before and this is the type of nonsense that leads to diverse students not wanting to attend Goldsmiths.’
Chicken shops are a popular staple in London and some areas are lined with dozens of the establishments – selling everything from hot wings to fillets, often for just a few pounds each.
They are fiercely defended by locals who argue that so-called hipsters are hijacking the trend by creating upmarket eateries selling expensive versions of the battered food.
A vegan fried chicken shop that opened in Hackney, east London, was met with ridicule for its relatively high prices and minimalist branding – a stark contrast to the bright reds and blues adorning classic local fast food establishments.
A spokesman for the Goldsmiths University Students’ Union told MailOnline that the event was created in a bid to encourage students to ‘engage’ with local businesses owned by black people.
The Students’ Union added: ‘A huge diversity of students attended the event, from international students to commuter students from other parts of London, and it was extremely encouraging to see so many different students keen to engage with and support BME-owned businesses in the area’
They said: ‘The ‘Chicken Run’ event was created as a response to gentrification in the local area and wider London, encouraging our students to engage with and support the local community and local businesses.
‘With a raft of local BME-owned businesses recently shutting down, we want to encourage our students to engage with these companies rather than the growing number of chains that are changing the face of South East London.
‘A huge diversity of students attended the event, from international students to commuter students from other parts of London, and it was extremely encouraging to see so many different students keen to engage with and support BME-owned businesses in the area.
‘The event was led by our full time officers who are black and minority ethnic, whose major projects this year include the ‘Black Businesses of Lewisham’ scheme, working to promote local community ventures run by black business owners.
‘This scheme and others will continue work with these businesses and the community, to showcase, support and signpost Goldsmiths students to them.’