The more sensitive souls in my generation have a new Netflix obsession: ‘My Oxford Year’. An American Rhodes scholar goes to Oxford to study Victorian poetry for a year, during which time she meets a handsome professor with whom she shares a turbulent, passionate romance which invariably ends in tragedy. Shots of ancient Oxford colleges, quaint pubs and varsity rowers abound. All is twee in the world.
Yet recent revelations about one of our premier universities suggest that viewers would be well-advised to take this depiction of Oxford with a pinch of salt. In reality, the chances are that the female protagonist would’ve shacked up with a tediously woke student union bore after a night on the Madris at the JCR. I have just the chap in mind.
In the wake of the murder of Charlie Kirk last week, the incoming President of the Oxford Union – George Abaraonye – was thrust into the limelight for two reasons.
The first, which admittedly as a vengeful Oxford reject I found most galling, was that he was granted a place to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics after only achieving ABB at A-level.
The second, and genuinely most shocking, was the now widely circulated reaction he gave on hearing about Kirk’s shooting. In a WhatsApp group chat, Abaraonye wrote ‘Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f—— go’. For those unfamiliar with braindead Gen Z slang, the latter part of his message is celebratory. On Instagram, he added ‘Charlie Kirk got shot loool’.
It should also be mentioned that he has in fact met Kirk before, when they debated each other at the Oxford Union earlier this year, during which Abaraonye, like a depressed teenage girl, donned tracksuit bottoms and Uggs.
The reaction to his bile has been explosive. Abaraonye has been roundly pilloried on social media – not only for what he said in the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination, but also for the nauseating pseudo-apology he wrote after his comments were exposed. The most sanctimonious line was this:
My words were no less insensitive than his – arguably less so; the difference is that I had the humility to recognise when I strayed from my core values, and I addressed it immediately upon reflection.
When you’re confronted with an individual who typifies so much that is wrong with both higher education and our political discourse, it’s easy to lose one’s head. Some high-profile figures, including Laura Trott, the Shadow Education Secretary, have suggested that Abaraonye be removed as President of the Union. Others have gone further. Liz Truss (who got into Oxford with AABC at A-level – at least I’m balanced) called on the controversial student to be expelled from university entirely.
Truss will not get her wish. Valerie Amos, the master of University College, Oxford, said that no disciplinary action would be taken against Abaraonye by the college he attends. The Union, which is independent of the university, will however take disciplinary action against him.
But should we really cross our fingers that a young man’s life be derailed by comments made in the heat of anger? Don’t get me wrong, it would be satisfying to make him rue being such a vicious twerp, but think about what we’d actually be supporting.
To ruin someone’s life as punishment for merely saying something is to stoop to the sort of conduct we’d expect from the likes of Abaraonye.
Just a fortnight ago, comedy writer Graham Linehan was apparently set upon by five armed police officers who arrested him at Heathrow airport for tongue-in-cheek comments he made on X about trans rights protestors. I was quick to jump to his aid.
To see the outpouring of support for the rights of Linehan was a spiriting reminder that there are many in this great country who still care for free speech. But speech is only truly free if it is protected consistently regardless of political leaning. Yet this is rarely the case.
I didn’t see those same people, for example, extending a hand to Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – of the Irish republican rap trio Kneecap – who may soon stand trial on terror charges for appearing to wave a Hezbollah flag at a gig. Similarly, the notes of support for Abaraonye, with some exceptions, have been few and far between.
This will not be the last time an arrogant Lefty gets under your skin. But when you’re typing your social media post demanding they be hung, drawn and quartered in the middle of Wembley stadium, consider what it would justify happening to you in the same circumstances.
