A group of Capoeira performers who re-enacted a slave auction through the medium of dance for an after-dinner engagement have sparked outrage.
The performance, described by attendees as ‘ill-judged’ and ‘unexpected’, took place at a clinical psychology conference at the University of Liverpool.
One distressed attendee slammed the performance of the Afro-Brazilian martial art and asked ‘is clinical psychology a safe place to be for black people? Are we even seen? Does anyone actually care?’
![A group of Capoeira performers who re-enacted a slave auction through the medium of dance for an after-dinner engagement have sparked outrage. The performers, part of a troop called Capoeira for All, hit back and said they are of 'African decent', their dance intended to 'highlight the tragedy of colonial slavery' and was taken 'out of context [online]'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/15/18/21064696-7690555-image-a-8_1573841696027.jpg)
A group of Capoeira performers who re-enacted a slave auction through the medium of dance for an after-dinner engagement have sparked outrage. The performers, part of a troop called Capoeira for All, hit back and said they are of ‘African decent’, their dance intended to ‘highlight the tragedy of colonial slavery’ and was taken ‘out of context [online]’
One distressed attendee slammed the performance of the Afro-Brazilian martial art and asked ‘is clinical psychology a safe place to be for black people? Are we even seen? Does anyone actually care?’
Dr Kat Alcock, a clinical psychologist in attendance tweeted: ‘There was an unexpected re-enactment of a slave auction, by two white-presenting actors, over dinner’
The performers, part of a troop called Capoeira for All, hit back and said they are of ‘African decent’, their dance intended to ‘highlight the tragedy of colonial slavery’ and was taken ‘out of context [online].’
Organisers at the Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology Annual Conference gave no warning the performance would be taking place.
Dr Kat Alcock, a clinical psychologist in attendance tweeted: ‘There was an unexpected re-enactment of a slave auction, by two white-presenting actors, over dinner.
‘It caused enormous distress on the part of Black trainees and EBE’s, which was not appropriately responded to by the large group of white trainers present.’
Dr Samantha Rennalls, a third year trainee clinical psychologist, wrote: ‘I haven’t been able to find the energy or words to fully bring this to twitter so thanks to those who are breaking the deafening silence.
‘I still have so many questions.
‘Is clinical psychology a safe place to be for black people? Are we even seen? Does anyone actually care?’
Another clinical psychologist Chris Jones said: ‘The re-enactments of the slave auction at #GTiCP2019 was a shameful day in the history of British Clinical Psychology.’
As a result of the backlash, the British Psychological Society have apologised and admitted they had not ‘thought sufficiently’ about how the re-enactment would affect those who watched it.
BPS said in a statement online: ‘There was not a mock slave auction at the conference, but a themed performance from a theatre group. We have published an apology and an explanation of what took place here.’
As a result of the backlash, the British Psychological Society have apologised and admitted they had not ‘thought sufficiently’ about how the re-enactment would affect those who watched it (the performance took place at the University of Liverpool, above)
It then followed with a longer explanation, which said: ‘On the Tuesday evening, ‘Capoeira for All’ were invited to demonstrate capoeira as a form of anti-racist, anti-oppressive resistance.
‘Capoeira for All’ are an ethnically diverse, Toxteth-based, not-for-profit CIC working with schools, colleges, youth clubs, universities and the NHS, among other organisations, to explore the psychological and physical benefits of capoeira.
‘They are well-respected and trusted within the city of Liverpool and have been commended for their work promoting mental health with ethnically diverse young people across the city.
‘The group were commissioned by the International Slavery Museum in 2017 to devise a performance for Slavery Remembrance Day.
‘It was called ‘Remembering Slavery’ and combined theatre, Capoeira, music and Afro Brazilian dance. The story followed two indigenous African tribes on their journey through the transatlantic slave trade.
‘With some considerable regret, we acknowledge that we had not thought sufficiently about how the ‘Capoeira for All’ performance would be received, particularly given the focus allocated in the conference on discrimination in selection and pervasive issues with racism and Whiteness in clinical psychology in general.’
Capoeira is a martial art developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil at the beginning of the 16th century. It is known for its acrobatic and complex maneuvers often involving hands on the ground and inverted kicks.