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sophieink's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
"Britain has no ‘white history’. British history is the multiracial, interracial story of a nation interdependent on trade, cultural influence and immigration from Africa, India, Central and East Asia, and other regions and continents populated by people who are not white, and before that, invasion by successive waves of European tribes most of whom, had the concept of whiteness existed at the time, would not have fitted into it either.”
Obviously as the title indicates this is a focus on Britain as it talks through what it can mean to be British and the struggles faced as a Black member of society.
This was a really good read, I think Hirsch touched on so many different things that are really relevant to Britain’s society such as the ‘I don’t see colour’ standpoint which is strongly evident and why it is bad thing, the British empire and how it is viewed by society in the damaging way it is, the ignorance of British past and constant denial of certain things to modern day situations like Brexit, media, appearances and sex, immigrants and even to the way Muslims are treated.
I think it was important to talk about the past as Britain really does paint a different picture of the past and that has been very evident in my upbringing from the things I’ve believed to things I never knew (I would definitely like to read more about so I have a true picture instead of the one I’ve been given) and it talked about the present just as much making it feel like a modern book. I also appreciated the way the two was linked as makes you think more deeply in a way.
Another thing this book did well was it stuck to facts and information when necessary, but it also had a lot of personal experiences drawn from Hirsch’s childhood to adulthood. It was a personal touch that could allow you to see the real-life repercussions of this behaviour and the different ways it can affect people. Hirsch also spoke about friends and family’s situations so you could see how difference in lives have affected certain aspects yet still see similarities.
I thought this was a well written, comprehensive look into Britain from past, present and identity. It examined a lot of problems in a lot of depth but still easily accessible. It is a book I think everyone in Britain would truly benefit from reading (and else where but it is tailored to Britain of course). I felt like it tackled so much, so well. It was thoughtful-provoking, educational read which still had a personal touch from all of Hirsch's array of experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Minor: Death, Violence, Police brutality, and Islamophobia
tqlikesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
4.0
"In Britain, we are taught not to see race. We are told that race does not matter. We have convinced ourselves that if we can contort ourselves into a form of blindness, then issues of identity will quietly disappear."
An important look at racism in Britain- with a focus on the very visible history and the insidious refusal of many white British people to acknowledge a deep history of institutional racism . Brit(ish) is partially a memoir and partially a critical look at racism in British culture. As such, Afua Hirsch draws on her experience of being mixed race in Britain and her experiences as a journalist.
I found the writing to be very appealing and introspective. I particularly enjoyed Hirsch's reflections on identity and that she was always transparent about her own privilege, such as her middle-class upbringing and education.
I would recommend this to anyone interested in how a nation responsible for acts of slavery, colonialism and brutal imperialism has become the proud and self-congratulating ‘colour blind’ one it is today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
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