To think this is chilling?

[Gorgeouslilgirl]

Students in an Oxford college did what students do - questioned the status quo and decided to replace a picture that is political, ie a head of state. A measured and inclusive message accompanied this.

And the education secretary has waded in to criticise a student body for actions within their own space? And DM is publishing the student’s photo and family home and much his dad earns! Wtf?!

It reminds me of the Middle East or North Korea or perhaps Thailand where people have a photo of their beloved unelected leader as a sign of patriotism or else they are viewed unfavourably.

I mean, really?!!!

@ThePlantsitter

This government is sticking its nose in all over the place where it shouldn't - museum boards, arts funding decisions, and now what is a private space in an institution of learning. If you don't find it chilling that they're trying to control the agenda everywhere then you're not paying attention.

Well said!

Now that Brexit's done, the govt seem to trying to find another cause that will make them popular with the hard of thinking imo, and trying to make out that anyone who isn't pro-monarchy is some sort of traitor is one of those attempts.

As a republican, I totally agree with the students here.

Not necessarily chilling, but the government is loving these manufactured 'culture wars'. Those in power are bleating like acknowledging that black lives matter, or that slavery happened, or removing pictures of the queen, or adding labels about multicultural history to items in museums is 'a threat to our culture' but must be laughing their Ralph Lauren pants off behind the scenes. Because, of course, they're still completely in charge and in power, and all this distracts from the fact that they are the root of this country's problems - not footballers taking the knee, not students who are indifferent to the queen.

I also noticed the DM made sure to insert Barack and Malia Obama a few times to whip up some more blind froth and accusations of 'woke' once some people see their names. Who cares who he went to school with?

They're paying to use it and are staying there, but actually I think you'll find that space belongs to the college

Said college gives them the right as a student body to take decisions such as this one.

Honestly, so many people with squat all knowledge and big opinions on here.

I’d be very interested to know if Gavin Williamson has a photo of the Queen in his front room.
I very much suspect he does.

It's the dead cat of the day as the government, Gove this time, has been found guilty of acting unlawfully. Yes, agreed.

To me it's just a publicity stund on the same lines as "... will the monarchy go when the Queen dies?"

But then I have no attachment to the monarchy, so probably a bit ignorant.

Said college gives them the right as a student body to take decisions such as this one

I'm aware of that, but having the right to do something and that action being sensible aren't necessarily the same thing, which is why I referred to it as a silly and attention-seeking stunt

I'm aware of that, but having the right to do something and that action being sensible

They voted for what they wanted/didn’t want in their wall. How on earth is that ‘not sensible’?

Do you take decisions about what you put on your own walls?

@Puzzledandpissedoff So it's your opinion that every student union must have a picture of the queen in their personal space? Are you angry at the ones who don't follow this mandate?

All the while the left hand misses the right…

I have a couple of nephews who are historians, several relatives working in the diplomatic service, foreign office, police, government, army, education. All Thai, living in Thailand. Still, I suppose I shouldn't pay any attention to them as some others on here are much better informed. Still, I am reminded to go back to the interesting book my nephew published last year. Today is a lovely day to sit outside and read.

I can see the discussion in my head:
-Should we have wallpaper or paint? Gawd, no wallpaper, too expensive. Stick with Dulux.

• Carpet? Lino? Lino easier to clean. Carpets are a pain.
• Curtains or blinds? errr blinds are a bit 80s. Curtains it is.
• Art work from students on the wall or image of the Queen? Not sure, Queen is a bit, you know, 90s. We don't want to look like Hancock's living room walls. Let's have some artwork from the students instead.

British Press: AAAAARRRRRRRRR Cancel Culture Gone Marrrd!

I actually think the article is relevant, this cancel culture isn’t being led by the people they are “cancelling” for, his background is supremely privileged and wealthy, therefore relevant to the point.

Seriously think it was for attention and he’ll be loving it not scared, he’s not a kid and chose to stand for office holder.

The whole movement is hugely damaging to those actually wanting to live their lives in peace, and is driving the rise of the far right when we were trotting along quite happily. Ultimately it’s mixed heritage kids like mine that get the backlash of this bullshit, not gilded cage “kids” like him.

I'm aware of that, but having the right to do something and that action being sensible

Why? Was it more or less sensible than when students decided to put the picture up a few years ago? Was it more or less sensible than any of the thousands of decisions about pictures in MCRs and JCRs over the years?

Students get to decide what goes on the walls of the JCR or MCR (within bounds of legality, obviously), not the College fellows.

this cancel culture isn’t being led by the people they are “cancelling” for, his background is supremely privileged and wealthy, therefore relevant to the point.

I read an interesting article the other day, that it is a privilege of time to be able to fight for things that don't actually affect your directly. Everyone else is floundering around trying to keep their heads above water, and don't have the energy to expend on it. That said, of course many people have genuine motives to push for change which is to be commended, but a lot of it is superficial at the end of the day; how is the removal of a picture of the queen in a university largely full of those from wealthy backgrounds going to make life any better for those struggling? Its not, but it's being seen to be doing something without having to do much. A bit off topic though as guessing the point OP is making is more about censorship/gov involvement.

It's a brilliant story:- Royal family being disrespected ✅ glamorous privileged location ✅ an American involved ✅ students getting uppity ✅

No wonder the Government want to stick their oars in - good deflection.

Reality - small group of youngish people remove poster. Nobody cares least of all the Queen.

The most surprising thing about this story is that there was a picture of the queen on an MCR wall in the first place. Have never seen a picture of the queen in any JCR, MCR or Student Union.

his background is supremely privileged and wealthy, therefore relevant to the point.

Ffs, he tabled a motion, which is is job. He didn’t propose it. The majority voted for it which is why it was removed.

This guys certainly getting an education. Coming to Oxford, a bastion of learning, only to find out how irredeemably dim British tabloid readers are.

@UnFringed

I actually think the article is relevant, this cancel culture isn’t being led by the people they are “cancelling” for, his background is supremely privileged and wealthy, therefore relevant to the point.

Seriously think it was for attention and he’ll be loving it not scared, he’s not a kid and chose to stand for office holder.

The whole movement is hugely damaging to those actually wanting to live their lives in peace, and is driving the rise of the far right when we were trotting along quite happily. Ultimately it’s mixed heritage kids like mine that get the backlash of this bullshit, not gilded cage “kids” like him.

I rather doubt he expected this sort of frothing nonsense when he ran for office or when he tabled, what any sane person would assume to be, a run of the mill motion.

I'm aware of that, but having the right to do something and that action being sensible aren't necessarily the same thing, which is why I referred to it as a silly and attention-seeking stunt

It was a private decision taken in a private meeting which doesn't affect anyone except that small group of students and is really no one else's business at all.

I think people are really confused and think if something is in the press, it's been released on purpose, or if someone is quoted in a paper, it means they directly spoke to the paper.

Seriously read the actual Times article in full. They admit they got the entire story via reading the minutes of the student group meeting, which for some bizarre reason Guido Fawkes got his grubby mitts on and decided to put on his website.

The only reason it's in the press is because someone tipped the press off about the existence of the "minutes" document.

How can a private conversation and vote in a private meeting be a "attention seeking stunt"?

I don't know who tipped off the Times, but I'd bet anything it wasn't the American student who's being subject to a hateful and intrusive smear campaign.

[quote Letsallscreamatthesistene]@everybodysang I totally agree. I think the cancel culture is chilling too.[/quote]
what are you talking about? I don't think this is 'cancel culture'?

@junipertree2

It's the reasons why the portrait was removed that need scrutinising. Presumably the same reasons why Imperial College London was lambasted recently for sending an internal email expressing sympathy with the Q on the loss of her husband as he was a hateful racist, sexist, literal Nazi etc.

THe DM is a piece of crap obsessed with class and earning power etc, but this is a serious story that has been reported elsewhere.

The Queen is the Head of State, not a dead slave trader , and as far as I'm aware she has never consciously offended anyone. These students are morons.

The Queen is the Head of State, not a dead slave trader , and as far as I'm aware she has never consciously offended anyone. These students are morons.

The same queen that used the queen's consent to get an exemption from race discrimination laws and who banned "coloured immigrants or foreigners" from taking office roles in the royal household? The same queen whose organisation has refused to answer the question as to when that ban was lifter?

@Puzzledandpissedoff

Said college gives them the right as a student body to take decisions such as this one

I'm aware of that, but having the right to do something and that action being sensible aren't necessarily the same thing, which is why I referred to it as a silly and attention-seeking stunt

In your opinion.

We live in a democracy... apparently..... and whilst you might consider it silly etc, they have every right to say what they like about the Royal Family (within the law)

Personally, i can think of nothing worse than having a picture of someone who is only there through an accident of birth and has done nothing worthwhile since becoming Queen.