The second public event in the Black History Month series welcomed guest speakers Hashi Mohamed (Author, Barrister and Broadcaster) and Zubeda Limbada (Director of ConnectFutures) to the panel hosted by Robin Macpherson.

Robin welcomed and introduced the panel to the live virtual audience where Zubeda started the discussion highlighting the impact of accents which opened a wider discussion around race and class. Hashi highlighted the significance of the Sir William Macpherson Report into the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. The live Q&A attracted observations and questions around class and social mobility as well as the impact on young people and education.

Robin Macpherson, Head of College said: “It was great to see so many attendees from a variety of areas log in for the event including pupils, former pupils, staff, parents, governors and teachers from other schools. The debate was fascinating. We also spoke with Hashi about his new book and I thoroughly recommend listening to his Radio 4 Book of the Week episodes which were aired last week. Hashi’s goal is to deliver a copy of his book ‘People Like Us’ into every secondary school in the UK within the next 4 years. We are delighted to be helping him work towards this goal by sending three signed copies to every secondary school throughout Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. This month has introduced a number of events as part of our wider Diversity Strategy in Robert Gordon’s College where we look forward to hosting further events in the future.”

Watch or listen again:

• Event: People Like Us
• Radio 4 Book of the Week: Hashi Mohamed reading from People Like Us
• Event: The Legacy of Slavery in Scotland
• Documentary: Macpherson - What Happened Next