Eton, UK's most elite school, apologises to former pupil for racism

* Note: offensive language in paragraph 7

LONDON, June 23 (Reuters) - The headmaster of Eton said he
wants to apologise in person to Nigerian author Dillibe Onyeama,
one of the first black students to complete his studies at
Britain's most elite school, for the racism he experienced there
which he detailed in a book.
Eton's current headmaster Simon Henderson said he was
appalled by the racism Onyeama, who left in 1969, encountered at
the school, which was founded in 1440 and has educated 20
British prime ministers, including Boris Johnson.
The school is the latest British institution to apologise
for historical racism, after the death of George Floyd in the
United States prompted protests worldwide and a sweeping global
reassessment of racism.
Henderson said racism had no place in civilised society,
then or now, adding that Eton, where fees are 42,000 pounds
($52,000) per year, had made strides since Onyeama attended but
there was still further to go.
"We have to have the institutional and personal humility to
acknowledge that we still have more to do," he said in a
statement sent to Reuters on Tuesday.
"I will be inviting Mr Onyeama to meet so as to apologise to
him in person, on behalf of the school, and to make clear that
he will always be welcome at Eton."
Onyeama published "Nigger at Eton" in 1972.
The death of Floyd has prompted a number of British
institutions to re-examine their pasts and issue apologies,
mainly in connection with slavery. The Lloyd's of London
insurance market and the Bank of England have both
apologised. Onyeama told the BBC that Eton's apology was not necessary.
He was reported on the BBC website as saying that people at
school asked him "how many maggots are there in your hair?" and
when he passed his exams, said "how did you do it?"
Reuters could not immediately contact Onyeama for comment.
Henderson said the current moment of protests should be
seized as "a catalyst for real and sustained change for the
better".