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A review by notthatcosta
Mother Country: Real Stories of the Windrush Children by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff
4.5
This book is outstanding. If you live in the UK you're probably aware of the large West Indian communities that can be found across the country, but you may not be aware of the diversity of cultures, struggles and experiences they hold. This book shines a light on the history of the Caribbean in relation to Britain, and their generation-spanning fight to provide for their own despite structural racism and systemic oppression. Being from an area with significant West Indian communities, I particularly enjoyed stories of community hubs developing outside of London.
The mix between interviews with elders and essays from second- and third-generation community leaders and creatives from the diaspora makes this a dynamic and provocative read. It decentralises the narrative of Windrush away from the mainstream media and instead focuses on correcting common mis-truths and humanising these stories.
Regardless of your knowledge of West Indian cultures and communities, Mother Country is about humanity and is grounded in ideas of community and family, both biological and chosen. There are messages here that can resonate with everyone.
The mix between interviews with elders and essays from second- and third-generation community leaders and creatives from the diaspora makes this a dynamic and provocative read. It decentralises the narrative of Windrush away from the mainstream media and instead focuses on correcting common mis-truths and humanising these stories.
Regardless of your knowledge of West Indian cultures and communities, Mother Country is about humanity and is grounded in ideas of community and family, both biological and chosen. There are messages here that can resonate with everyone.