Rhodes Scholarship Controversies: Gender, Race, and Colonial Legacy
The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most prestigious academic awards in the world, yet its history is inextricably linked to the complex and often troubling legacy of its founder, Cecil Rhodes. While the scholarship provides unparalleled opportunities at the University of Oxford, it has faced decades of scrutiny regarding its exclusionary origins, the colonialist views of its benefactor, and the professional trajectories of its recipients.
Key Facts
- Gender Exclusion: Women were barred from the full scholarship until 1977.
- Racial Barriers: Black South Africans did not begin winning scholarships until 1991.
- Legal Control: Since 1916, the British Parliament has held legal control over the will.
- Colonial Legacy: Ongoing campaigns seek to remove statues of Cecil Rhodes and reform the curriculum at Oxford.
- Career Shift: There is a noted trend of scholars moving into high-paying private sectors rather than the intended public service.
The Struggle for Gender Equality
For decades, the Rhodes Scholarship was restricted to "male students," a stipulation explicitly written into Cecil Rhodes's will. Despite early suggestions from William Thomas Stead—a confidant and former executor of the will—that the scholarship be opened to women, Rhodes refused.
The path to inclusivity was slow. In 1970, the trustees created Rhodes Visiting Fellowships, which required a doctorate and funded independent research; only 33 of these were ever awarded. The real turning point came with the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975, a piece of British legislation that banned sex-based discrimination in education. Following this act, the trustees received permission to admit women in 1976.
In 1977, the first cohort of women was selected, with 24 women out of 72 total scholars worldwide. In the United States, the female share of the scholarship has since averaged approximately 35 percent. However, exclusion persisted longer in South Africa, where the will allocated scholarships to four all-male private schools. It was not until 2012 that all four of these schools partnered with girls' schools to allow female applicants.
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Racial Exclusion and the South African Context
The exclusion of non-white scholars, particularly from southern Africa, became a flashpoint for protest starting in 1970. At the time, a petition signed by 120 Oxford dons and 80 resident scholars called for the election of non-white scholars.
Resolving this was legally complex. Rhodes's will specifically allocated four scholarships to alumni of four white-only secondary schools, while simultaneously stating that no student should be disqualified based on race or religious opinions. This contradiction led to a stalemate between scholars demanding change and trustees who claimed they were powerless to alter the will. It was only in 1991, coinciding with the rise of the African National Congress, that black South Africans began to receive the scholarship.
| Year | Event/Milestone | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 | Parliamentary Intervention | Legal control of the will shifted to Parliament; German scholarships revoked. |
| 1975 | Sex Discrimination Act | Legally mandated the end of gender-based exclusion in education. |
| 1977 | First Female Scholars | 24 women selected worldwide for the full scholarship. |
| 1991 | Integration in South Africa | Black South Africans began winning scholarships. |
| 2012 | SA School Partnerships | All four designated South African private schools allowed female applicants. |
Criticism of Colonialism and White Supremacy
Beyond who receives the award, the scholarship is frequently criticized due to Cecil Rhodes's history as a white supremacist and colonialist. In 2015, scholar Ntokozo Qwabe launched a campaign to dismantle the "open glorification of colonial genocide" in public spaces, specifically calling for the removal of the Rhodes statue at Oriel College and changes to the Oxford curriculum.
This movement led to the formation of Redress Rhodes, a group seeking a more honest reflection of Rhodes's legacy. Their demands include ending the ceremonial toast to the founder and shifting scholarships away from the exclusively white South African schools. While some, like academic Mary Beard, have questioned the hypocrisy of accepting funds from a colonialist while criticizing him, others argue that the funds are essentially "looted" resources that belong to the people of Africa.
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The Shift from Public Service to Private Profit
A recurring criticism of the program is the professional direction of its scholars. The scholarship was originally intended to foster leaders dedicated to public service. However, there has been a marked increase in scholars entering private law and high-finance sectors.
The Secretary of the Rhodes Trust noted in 2009 that the number of scholars entering business in a single year had surpassed the total for the entire 1970s, citing "grotesque" remuneration in the private sector as a primary driver. This trend is evidenced by the high number of Rhodes Scholars who have become partners at firms like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were women first allowed to hold the Rhodes Scholarship?
Women were first admitted to the full scholarship in 1977, following the passage of the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975.
Why did it take so long for black South Africans to receive the scholarship?
The delay was due to the specific allocation of scholarships to white-only secondary schools in Rhodes's will and a legal dispute over whether the trustees had the power to change those stipulations.
What is the goal of the "Redress Rhodes" group?
Redress Rhodes aims for a more critical and inclusive reflection of Cecil Rhodes's legacy, advocating for reparative justice and the removal of colonialist veneration within the scholarship's traditions.
Is there a requirement for scholars to enter public service?
While the scholarship was intended for those pursuing public service, there is no strict enforcement, leading to a growing number of recipients pursuing careers in private business and corporate law.
Who currently controls the legal terms of the Rhodes will?
Since 1916, legal control over the will has resided with the British Parliament.