By Megan Evans, News Subeditor
The accommodation hall has been renamed ‘No. 33’ as part of the University’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
The renaming of the halls is the first official change as part of the University’s initiative to review the names of buildings linked to the city’s historical connections to the slave trade.
The name change was revealed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Judith Squires in a blog post titled ‘Celebrating Black History Month’, which describes the efforts being made to ‘promote Black history and help bring about positive change.’
The post revealed that further research is also underway, led by Professor Olivette Otele, ‘to inform our review of the names of other University buildings.’
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This research is being conducted as part of the Anti-Racism Steering Group, created this summer, which ‘aims to address the effects of Britain’s colonial past on our institution.’
The toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol’s city centre during a Black Lives Matter protest in June sparked further debate around the memorialisation of the 17th century slave trader across the city.
Following the demonstrations, the University pledged its determination to become an ‘anti-racist organisation’ in a letter addressed to students from the Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Hugh Brady and the Pro Vice-Chancellor for student experience, Sarah Purdy.
Bristol’s largest concert hall has also already been renamed, from Colston Hall to Bristol Beacon.
Featured Image: University of Bristol
What do you think of the new name of the accommodation, ‘No. 33’?
