Scan barcode
A review by nightshift_mum
Black Voices on Britain: Selected Writings by Hakim Adi
5.0
Black Voices on Britain is an anthology of extracts, letters and articles edited by Hakim Adi, Professor of the History of Africa and the African Diaspora at the University of Chichester. Unlike other books on this subject, Adi brings together the voices of Black people from England, America, Africa and the Caribbean, who share their experiences of Britain from the 18th century to the 20th century. Adi also introduces each individual author with a brief biography, which gives us context about the text that follows.
The extracts are taken from a variety of published works, which include memoirs, fictional pieces of writing, newspaper articles and letters. Through these we get a wonderful insight into Britain from the point of view of a person of colour, during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.
Black Voices on Britain, was such a fascinating read, the experiences from each author varied depending on their background or the time that they were visiting Britain. I particularly enjoyed the narratives where the authors had a certain expectation of Britain before they arrived and then compared it to the reality. I also liked that many of the extracts were not just centred on London, many of the authors travelled around Britain and shared their experiences of different cities.
The extract that stood out the most for me was Sarah Parker Remond's, Letter to the Editor of the London Daily News, which was written in response to the 1865 Morant Bay rebellion in Jamaica. Remond's letter is a passionate defence of the 'most hated race in the world', which highlights how unjust the world is when it comes to skin colour.
Black Voices on Britain is the perfect read, for anyone wanting to expand their perspective on British history and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
The extracts are taken from a variety of published works, which include memoirs, fictional pieces of writing, newspaper articles and letters. Through these we get a wonderful insight into Britain from the point of view of a person of colour, during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.
Black Voices on Britain, was such a fascinating read, the experiences from each author varied depending on their background or the time that they were visiting Britain. I particularly enjoyed the narratives where the authors had a certain expectation of Britain before they arrived and then compared it to the reality. I also liked that many of the extracts were not just centred on London, many of the authors travelled around Britain and shared their experiences of different cities.
The extract that stood out the most for me was Sarah Parker Remond's, Letter to the Editor of the London Daily News, which was written in response to the 1865 Morant Bay rebellion in Jamaica. Remond's letter is a passionate defence of the 'most hated race in the world', which highlights how unjust the world is when it comes to skin colour.
Black Voices on Britain is the perfect read, for anyone wanting to expand their perspective on British history and I wholeheartedly recommend it.