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Student’s complaint about 'chav' club night backfires after peers brand her a 'social justice warrior' with no sense of humour

The club night, called BUDS Sports Night, describes its theme as “Sportswear / Jenny from the Block” - Andy Butterton
The club night, called BUDS Sports Night, describes its theme as “Sportswear / Jenny from the Block” - Andy Butterton

A student’s complaint about a “sickening” club night with a “chav” theme backfired after her peers branded her a “social justice warrior” with no sense of humour.

An English undergraduate at Birmingham University, posted her complaint about the club night on social media, urging fellow students to follow suit and contact the university’s Guild of Students about the event. 

“If you agree that it’s rude and shameful to make fun of a demonised and marginalised area of society then I would strongly encourage you to write a complaint to the guild like I have,” Ms Murfin wrote on the Facebook group Fab N Fresh, which has over 22,000 members.

Her complaint stated: “The 'chav' theme is so blatantly classist and distasteful it's difficult to know even know where to begin.”

Birmingham University - Credit: Andrew Fox / Alamy
Birmingham University Credit: Andrew Fox / Alamy

She went on to explain that: “The mere thought of a group of privileged, middle class kids, who have never had to worry about financial instability in their lives, never even mind even acknowledge their privilege, dress up as their less privileged counterparts for fun is frankly sickening.”

But rather than following her lead, students ridiculed Ms Murfin, claiming that she was “virtue signalling”. 

James Saxon said: “I think you need to acquire a sense of humour” while Max Waterfall added “this complaint is quite honestly ridiculous” and Harry Hall said “universities are being taken over by social justice warriors”.

The club night, called BUDS Sports Night, in question was due to take place on Wednesday night, with the event describing  its theme as “Sportswear / Jenny from the Block”.  

Ellie Keiller, president of the Birmingham Guild said: “We will absolutely look into this complaint though but just wanted to clear up the confusion.

"We do have a zero tolerance policy that can be found on the Guild website and that prevents people from entering the building if they breach it."