How the University of Edinburgh helped create scientific racism

The Guardian's "Today in Focus" podcast delves into a shocking report from the University of Edinburgh that reveals its historical connections to slavery, colonialism, and the development of scientific racism. The report, prompted by the Black Lives Matter movement, exposes how the university produced doctors and administrators for the slave trade and plantation economies, while also highlighting the racist theories taught by prominent moral philosophers like Dougal Stewart, despite their public opposition to slavery. The university also benefited financially from donors who made their wealth through the slave trade. The podcast further explores the implications of these findings, including discussions with local teenagers, the perspective of Professor Tommy Curry, and the university's proposed reparative justice measures, such as establishing a new research center and providing scholarships for black students. The discussion also touches on the university's connections to the creation of the state of Israel through Arthur Balfour and the challenges of addressing these historical issues in contemporary society.