A STUDENT from Bradford who took part in a recreation of a famous photograph featuring Boris Johnson and David Cameron hopes the powerful image will inspire other young people to follow their dreams.
Joshua Chima, who was grew up in the city, was among a group of young black Oxford undergraduates who posed to create an image similar to that taken in 1987 of white male members of the university’s infamous Bullingdon Club.
The prime ministers were members of the club, which achieved notoriety for its elitism and unruly behaviour.
The ten students staged the image to encourage youngsters from all cultures and backgrounds to ignore stereotypes and believe in themselves.
Joshua, 18, who studied at St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College followed by St Benedict’s Sixth Form, said: “Our message is that although people often think of stereotypes when they think of the typical Oxford student, it is not actually true.
"You do not have to be a particular type of person or demographic, you can come from all backgrounds and any part of the world.”
He admits he was a little worried before he arrived at Mansfield College in early October to study law, but need not have been.
“I have met people from completely different backgrounds to myself and also from similar backgrounds and everyone is really nice."
He added: "We all love our subject - the quality of the teaching is so good and I feel very proud and humbled to be here.”
This year a fifth of first-year Oxbridge students come from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds - more than ever before. Last year in Oxford 22.1 per cent of undergraduates were from BME backgrounds.
Joshua’s Oxbridge journey began in year nine when he sang in Bradford Catholic Youth Choir. “As part of a tour we sang in Downing College and in King’s College, Cambridge. I thought I would like to apply to Downing College but as I grew up I began to think that Oxford was the one for me. I like the structure of the course I have chosen.”
He added: “I applied with the mindset that there is no harm in trying. I knew that I would do everything in my power to get accepted and I am glad it worked out.”
He secured a fully funded scholarship, sponsored by the global law practice Eversheds Sutherland, covering the cost of his tuition fees.
Joshua's family in Bradford are proud of his success. “My mum is especially proud,” he says. “She did her very best for us with the resources available.”
The picture - which has met with a huge response - was set up by history undergraduate Miles King who was educated at a state school in south-west London and who hopes that young people seeing it will ‘empower themselves’
Joshua said the group did not expect so much publicity to arise from the photograph, which has been reproduced in the national press.
“It is receiving so much attention. It has now gone to such a big platform - I hope it will encourage people not to judge themselves based on preconceived ideas.”Responding to the photograph, one Twitter user commented: 'I'm sure there are some real future leaders in this picture.'
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