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claire_michelle18's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating collection of essays covering a hugely diverse range of topics and representing so many exciting Black British women writers. I really enjoyed reading this, to the extent that I was deliberately slowing down to savour the individual essays.
rachelemm's review against another edition
5.0
As a black British woman, this anthology of essays from black women really spoke to me. The essays address what the future might hold for black women in a post-Trump, post-Brexit era. There is frustration expressed in this collection, yes, but there is also a huge amount of hope and optimism in what could have been a depressing read. Seeing the voices of black women uplifted in this way, in a book that exists purely to celebrate black womanhood, made me feel proud of my black sisters and of myself.
If you are a black woman who has ever been dismissed or overlooked because of the colour of your skin then this book is for you; reading these essays will validate and uplift you in a world which often makes us feel that we are either too much or not enough. My favourite quote from the book encapsulates its empowering message, Toni-Blaze Ibekwe writes, "As we (black women) excel in every industry possible, the phrase 'the first black woman to' will become redundant and I cannot wait."
If you are a black woman who has ever been dismissed or overlooked because of the colour of your skin then this book is for you; reading these essays will validate and uplift you in a world which often makes us feel that we are either too much or not enough. My favourite quote from the book encapsulates its empowering message, Toni-Blaze Ibekwe writes, "As we (black women) excel in every industry possible, the phrase 'the first black woman to' will become redundant and I cannot wait."
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
5.0
A collection of essays by British black women , including Candice Brathwaite, Fiona Rutherford and Eunice Olumide,along with many others. As a white woman I am not the target audience for this as it’s a book for young black women, that’s not to say I or white women shouldn’t be reading this, it definitely should be read as part of our ongoing anti racism journey, just more that it’s written for Loud Black Girls and they will benefit from this most. This covers the positivity they have to share, their stories and the not so positive in the discrimination they faced, how much harder they had to work to succeed and ‘fit in’ and while their is frustration, discrimination this is filled with so much more hope. An essential read.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
5.0
What a great essay collection. I felt like I could connect so much to what was being said.
I enjoyed the variety of topics covered in this anthology and favourites included:
-To be seen and heard, that is where the power is by Candice Braithwaite.
-The 'Shuri' Effect: the age of #blackexcellence, the falsehood of black mediocrity and the absence of the Black Middle by Elisabeth Fapuro. This was amazing. I shared some of this with my boss as the day before we had a BLM workshop for some students and it highlighted a lot of the things I was trying to say.
-Eating Britain's Rascim by Kuba Shand-Baptiste. This really brought to light how many black kids try to westernised themselves, even in the simple things of food and the acceptance (or lack thereof) of their culture in comparison to their white friends, and what is seen as "normal" and what "should" be eaten, which often times is from the white perspective.
-The Meghan Markle Effect made mixed race identity a hot topic, but are we any futher forward? By Phoebe Parke
-As loud as Lagos Traffic by Princess Peace. I especially liked the poetry sprinkled within this essay.
-A crocus ruminates: 30 thoughts on turning 30 by Selina Thompson
-What happens next? By Sheila Atim
-Who built it and with what wood? : a black feminist 10-point (ish) programme for transformation by Siana Bangura.
Homecoming by Yemisi Adegoke. This was a strong final essay, courtesy of one of the creators of the anthology's sister, talking about an interesting experience of being a returnee in Nigeria.
This was such a great collection and I'll have to go back and read the first book.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
I enjoyed the variety of topics covered in this anthology and favourites included:
-To be seen and heard, that is where the power is by Candice Braithwaite.
-The 'Shuri' Effect: the age of #blackexcellence, the falsehood of black mediocrity and the absence of the Black Middle by Elisabeth Fapuro. This was amazing. I shared some of this with my boss as the day before we had a BLM workshop for some students and it highlighted a lot of the things I was trying to say.
-Eating Britain's Rascim by Kuba Shand-Baptiste. This really brought to light how many black kids try to westernised themselves, even in the simple things of food and the acceptance (or lack thereof) of their culture in comparison to their white friends, and what is seen as "normal" and what "should" be eaten, which often times is from the white perspective.
-The Meghan Markle Effect made mixed race identity a hot topic, but are we any futher forward? By Phoebe Parke
-As loud as Lagos Traffic by Princess Peace. I especially liked the poetry sprinkled within this essay.
-A crocus ruminates: 30 thoughts on turning 30 by Selina Thompson
-What happens next? By Sheila Atim
-Who built it and with what wood? : a black feminist 10-point (ish) programme for transformation by Siana Bangura.
Homecoming by Yemisi Adegoke. This was a strong final essay, courtesy of one of the creators of the anthology's sister, talking about an interesting experience of being a returnee in Nigeria.
This was such a great collection and I'll have to go back and read the first book.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
afilmfatale's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
An ambitious collection of essays. It’s very outside my comfort zone and I definitely struggled to stay focused but that’s not a reflection of content at all.
verityw's review against another edition
4.0
********Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review*******
Powerful, timely and relevant collection of essays about the black female experience in the UK. Written for young black women, it’s also an important read for white people, to help understand the truths of other people’s experiences in the UK.
Powerful, timely and relevant collection of essays about the black female experience in the UK. Written for young black women, it’s also an important read for white people, to help understand the truths of other people’s experiences in the UK.
zita_p's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0