Edinburgh University's appointment of Professor Tommy J Curry as its first Black philosophy professor shines a stark light on the institution's historical lack of diversity, with far-reaching implications for the future. With a 440-year history that has long been marked by a woeful absence of engagement with Black academics in philosophy, Professor Curry's arrival represents a significant milestone – but also a painful reminder of what has been missing.
Professor Curry's journey to Edinburgh began in Louisiana, where he played a pivotal role in leading the university's comprehensive inquiry into its ties to transatlantic slavery and scientific racism. This self-critical examination aimed to uncover and acknowledge the institution's past contributions to these historical injustices – a vital step towards confronting its legacy and understanding how it continues to shape its present.
But, Professor Curry warns, acknowledging history is only the starting point. The true challenge lies in implementing meaningful change, and ensuring that reviews like this one translate into concrete actions that dismantle institutional racism and address the long-standing debts accumulated through historical involvement with slavery and scientific racism. Without tangible reform, these inquiries risk becoming symbolic gestures rather than catalysts for genuine progress.
His perspective places the current discourse around institutional racism and historical reparations within a broader context of systemic change. For Professor Curry, the 'real issue is change' – a commitment to altering structures and practices that have historically excluded and marginalised Black individuals and communities. This sentiment resonates with wider calls for decolonisation and diversification across academic institutions in the UK.
The university's review and Professor Curry's insights are part of an ongoing national conversation within the UK's higher education sector regarding its historical links to slavery and empire. Many institutions are grappling with how to acknowledge, atone for, and address these legacies – often leading to debates about curriculum reform, renaming buildings, and increasing representation among staff and students. Professor Curry's unique position as the first Black philosophy professor at Edinburgh adds a crucial voice to this vital discussion.