Dillibe Onyeama: Black Eton student says headmaster’s apology over past racism ‘not necessary’

A black former pupil of Eton College who was subjected to racism during his studies has said a recent apology from the school’s headmaster “wasn’t necessary”.

Nigerian-born Dillibe Onyeama was the first black student to complete studies at the prestigious British school in the 1960s.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Onyeama said he “felt appreciative but it wasn’t necessary” for the school to an offer an apology, which he described as a “gesture of goodwill”.

Mr Onyeama earlier detailed his experiences of racism in an interview with the BBC, prompting a response from the college’s current headmaster.

Simon Henderson, who took up the role at Eton in 2015, said he was “appalled” by the racism Mr Onyeama experienced.

In a statement, he said: “We have made significant strides since Mr Onyeama was at Eton but – as millions of people around the world rightly raise their voices in protest against racial discrimination and inequality – we have to have the institutional and personal humility to acknowledge that we still have more to do.

“We must all speak out and commit to doing better – permanently – and I am determined that we seize this moment as a catalyst for real and sustained change for the better.”

But Mr Onyeama said: “I did not solicit an apology and did not expect an apology or look for an apology.”

He said he had a “good experience” at the school and it was a “privilege” to be there – but it “came at a price”.

“I encountered what can definitely be described as supremacist attitudes,” he said.

Mr Onyeama said there were some at the college who “suggested black Africans were inferior”, and at times he had “reacted violently”.

The former student wrote about his experiences in a book, published in 1972 after he left Eton.

Following the book’s publication, he received a letter from Eton informing him he was banned from visiting the school.

The current headmaster has now invited Mr Onyeama to meet so that he can apologise in person and on behalf of the school, adding he wishes to show the writer will always be welcome.

Mr Onyeama said he had “no regrets” studying at the college and “learnt a lot”, but added that it had not helped him to find opportunities in Africa.

Still, he praised the changes which have taken place in recent years, both in Eton College and in wider society in Britain.

Recent weeks have seen many educational institutions come under increased pressure to decolonise the curriculum, tackle racism and increase diversity on campus.

It comes amid ongoing Black Lives Matter protests around the world, sparked by the death of George Floyd.

Mr Onyeama said the death of George Floyd in police custody was a “serious warning of what could happen” if society is allowed to devolve.

Referring to the Black Lives Matter protests, he said: “People have been incited and you can’t blame them.”

(c) Sky News 2020: Dillibe Onyeama: Black Eton student says headmaster’s apology over past racism ‘not necessary’