What Jason and the Technicoloured Dreamcoat of Academia reveal about othering

The passing of Professor Jason Arday has sparked discussions about the issue of othering, inclusion, and the responsibilities of universities in addressing prejudice. South Africa's own struggles with xenophobia and exclusion make this a highly pertinent issue. Professor Arday's own experiences as a migrant from Britain to South Africa highlight the complexities of belonging and inclusion in multicultural societies.

The death of Professor Arday serves as a stark reminder of how fear can turn difference into division, a sentiment echoed by the othering and exclusion experienced by foreign nationals in South Africa. This issue is not unique to South Africa; similar patterns of othering are present in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, where the author of this account has firsthand experience.

The University of the Western Cape, where Professor Arday served as Vice-Chancellor, has a history of serving an apartheid idea of racial hierarchy and entitlement before committing to equality and inclusion. As a white male leader, the author is acutely aware of the privileges and potential for transformation that come with such positions.

Inclusivity in academia is crucial, as universities should not merely aim to be neutral spaces but actively strive to be inclusive environments. The author emphasizes the need to acknowledge the racialized and gendered nature of othering, as well as the impact it has on universities, which cannot claim to be neutral spaces. Furthermore, universities must recognize their role in fostering and promoting diversity, as diversity in its full expression cannot exist without inclusion.

The author concludes by calling for a reevaluation of the privileging of narrow identities and a renewed commitment to creating more inclusive and equitable spaces for all.