The founder of a racial equality charity has been dropped from her role at Leeds Beckett University after the charity’s Twitter account sent a vile racist slur at a black Tory commentator.
Aysha Khanom, founder of The Race Trust and an RE teacher at Manchester Academy School, was let go from her role as adviser to the university after a post from her charity’s Twitter account branded mixed-race political pundit Calvin Robinson, who is of Afro-Caribbean descent, a ‘house n***o’.
Mr Robinson, who works as a political advisor and commentator, had appeared on BBC’s The Big Questions to discuss race and racism in the UK before a furious row broke out.
Following the heated discussion, a tweet appeared from The Race Trust’s account directed at the pundit which read: ‘Calvin Robinson does it not shame you that most people see you as a house n***o?’
Aysha Khanom, an Religious Education teacher at Manchester Academy who founded the The Race Trust and worked as an advisor to Leeds Beckett University
The Race Trust faced a furious backlash after the post which branded the mixed-race political pundit, who is of Afro-Caribbean descent, a ‘n***o’
Speaking on Sunday’s programme, Mr Robinson explained how he personally had seen a rise in racist attacks this year from some people who considered his Black identity to be incompatible with his Conservative views.
He said: ‘There has been increasing racism this year, I personally have experienced more racism this year than I have in my entire adult life.
‘That’s because of Black Lives Matter and critical race theory being pushed. This idea that there’s an appropriate way to be black.
‘For example I have been called bounty, uncle Tom, house n***o for not having the right opinion.’
Following his appearance on BBC’s The Big Questions Ms Khanom tweeted from her personal account: ‘Calvin Robinson and Kehinde Andrews on BBC big question this morning. Please somebody deal with this man!’
Conservative political advisor and commentator Calvin Robinson, who was branded a ‘house n***o’ by a racial equality charity who tweeted the racial slur at him
![A spokesperson for Leeds Beckett University said: 'we have terminated all association [with Aysha Khanom] with immediate effect'](https://i1.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/18/09/39438738-9273427-image-a-2_1613639273640.jpg?resize=634%2C323&ssl=1)
A spokesperson for Leeds Beckett University said: ‘we have terminated all association [with Aysha Khanom] with immediate effect’
Several social media users accused Ms Khanom of sending the ‘house n***o’ tweet from The Race Trust’s twitter account herself.
However, The Race Trust denies this and their Twitter account has been deleted.
A spokesperson for The Race Trust said: ‘We have investigated the tweet and subsequently the employee who sent out the tweet is no longer part of our organisation. We accept this was an ill informed tweet and have taken the appropriate steps to deal with it hence the delay in our response.
‘The tweet was deleted when it came to our attention and therefore has been removed and the account has been temporarily removed.
‘This was not posted by Aysha Khanom or the current employees and we do not share the same view as the one post. We have apologised as has Aysha Khanom.’
Ms Khanom tweeted from her personal account, which has since been deleted. Writing ‘somebody deal with this man!’
Mr Robinson told the MailOnline today: ‘I’m not in favour of cancel culture, but I do think what Aysha and the Race Trust said was wrong.
‘It worries me, what is she teaching in schools and universities under the banner of ‘racial equity’.
‘I’m all about forgiveness, but I haven’t seen any remorse from Aysha or the Race Trust.
‘It’s hurtful, but I’m glad these divisive ideas are being exposed for what they are: bigoted.’
Social media users flocked to the young activist’s defence following the tweet.
One person wrote: ‘That is a disgusting tweet. As Calvin said on TV yesterday.
Mr Robinson explained how he personally had seen a rise in vile racist attacks this year from some people who considered his Black identity to be incompatible with Conservative views
(left to right) Calvin Robinson with Michael Gove, Nicky Morgan and Justine Greening
‘He experienced more racism and hatred in the last year than he has all his life. These people are trying to divide not unite!!’
Another added: ‘Shocking behaviour. Truly despicable.’
One social media user wrote: ‘This insult actually makes my stomach flip. I could weep, I really could.’
The Race Trust vows to ‘change the language and understanding of the social construct of race’, its website claims: ‘We only believe there is only one Human Race.’
Twitter users hit back at the tweet from The Race Trust, writing ‘This insult actually makes my stomach flip’
The Trust’s ‘mission’ section adds: ‘We hope to facilitate and aid schools and organisations in increasing racial literacy of staff and students.
‘We hope to provide young people with the confidence to achieve their potential in the comfort of their own skin.’
Responding to the slur, Mr Robinson said: ‘There seem to be elements in our society that want to divide us.
‘It’s sad because in this country people have equal opportunities, we can become anything we wish if we work hard and focus.
A spokesperson for The Race Trust said: ‘We have investigated the tweet and subsequently the employee who sent out the tweet is no longer part of our organisation.’
The about page of The Race Trust’s website reads: ‘We believe there is only one Race, the Human Race’
‘It’s very telling that every time I share a message of unity, these divisive forces attack me for it. Every time I say we’re stronger together, they try harder to split us up.’
A spokesperson for Leeds Beckett University stressed that Ms Khanom has never been employed by them.
The spokesperson said: ‘Aysha Khanom is not an employee of Leeds Beckett University and we have terminated all association with immediate effect.
‘The university strongly condemns the use of racist language.
‘We stand united against racism and in our support for anyone who experiences racism.’