A Bristol University student's 21st birthday party has received a lot of backlash for being culturally insensitive.
Jack Prosser's 21st birthday party, billed as "Indian glamour meets Colonial chic," was held at an exclusive Belgravia club and pictures from the bash show guests dressed in traditional Indian outfits. On Facebook, the part was described as "a luxurious yet debauched throwback to the glory days of the early 20th century, where Britain and India lived side by side."
The Facebook description promised "the finest cuisine, the best grape and most beautiful subjects the palace has to offer, at a banquet in honour of the Maharajah’s coming of age."
Bristol University's Black and Minority Ethnic Committee took offence to the event, tell The Tab: "We are deeply deeply saddened and disappointed in this student's actions. Considering the long and painful history of colonisation and how its legacy still impacts the lives of many individuals to this day, putting on this event is seen as a blatant disrespect. We are here to support students affected by this event.'
Prosser, meanwhile, told the publication that although "Indian Glamour" was the theme of the bash, he did not mean to include "colonial connotations."
Sadly, this is not the first time a colonial-themed party has drawn flak for being culturally insensitive. In 2012, Australia's St Paul's college, affiliated to the University of Sydney, drew criticism when it organised a party that had Indians wearing traditional attire served guests.
The college had organised its yearly "upscale" dinner with an "end of the British raj" theme, and asked guests to come dressed in "white tie of colonial uniform." Indian food was served to these guests.
