Natives Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

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‘Why don't you just go back to where you came from?' This one is so unimaginative I hardly know how to respond. Their assumption is that anyone who is not racialised as white is not really a citizen, echoing the old white-supremacist adage 'Race and Nation are one‘ and the 'blood and soil' logic of the Nazis.

A must read, I‘ll be recommending this to everyone

LiseWorks That was said to me a lot when I was young from English kids because I was French Canadian. I thought, well, France disowned us when the British took over, so why would I go there? Plus, I was born here. It is such a racist thing to say from ignorance. 2y

LiseWorks It is not just said to people of color. I am white! 2y

TrishB This was a good read 👍🏻 2y

Cazxxx @TrishB So good 😊 2y

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jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

Well worth the #99p! #99ponkindle #ukkindledeal

TrishB Agree 👍🏻 3y

52 likes1 comment

bekakins

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

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Loved this! So interesting, and amazing how much of British history is neglected both in formal education and general life.

#bookspin for April complete!

TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y

9 likes1 comment

smccallum

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

Hey guys, I‘ve been running a zoom book club for the past few months specifically for Anti-Racism, we read fiction and nonfiction, alternating month to month and this month we are reading ‘Natives‘ feel free to sign up in my bio and join us 18th November 19.00 BST. We‘ll pick the next book at the meeting and you can suggest your own favourites. It‘s a lovely group so I wanted to share it with you!

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jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

#99ponkindle #ukkindledeal #Kindledeal #integrateyourshelf

It made my #19in2019 list last year!

51 likes

Garliteral

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

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Fascinating and rich insight of the legacy of colonialism in contemporary British society, told through a blend of biography, history and contemporary socio-political criticism. Relayed in an engaging and thoughtful way in the author‘s authentic voice. Definitely worth a look.

1 like

Moll

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

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Finished! Got a lot out of this one - I loved the balance between Akala's own experiences and the historical/political and learnt so much. I'm not embarrassed to say that I also found parts of this uncomfortable - it was a very positive experience to examine why that might be.

Also proud of myself for managing to finish it despite my GAD making it difficult to concentrate🌺

Next up: Anita Hill's Speaking Truth To Power! #truthtopowerbuddyread

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wicdiv

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

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A book that is part memoir, part non-fiction, Natives is somewhat lyrical in discussing race and class (no surprise really considering Akala is a musician). Taking from his own personal experiences, British society, politics and the general Western world, Akala unpacks how he views the world and his fears on the future.

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Moll

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

I am currently reading Akala's Natives which is the first book I have read to do w anti-racism this year and next up is Black and British! As for how many on my to be read: good lord, VERY MANY!

#integrateyourshelf @Emilymdxn @ChasingOm

ChasingOm Oh, that looks good! I‘ll need to branch out past US centric anti-racism at some point. 🙃 5y

Moll @ChasingOm And I need to start on tackling the US eventually!😂 5y

jenniferw88 Natives made my #19in2019 list last year, as well as this one:

Why I�m No Longer Talking to White People About Race

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rockpools I thought Black and British was excellent- Olusoga‘s such a good storyteller. And I was shocked how little UK black history I knew of. 5y

Moll @jenniferw88 Ooo nice! I will add that one to my to read list!! 5y

Moll @RachelO Fab!! Really looking forward to reading! 5y

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Moll

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

So excited that these have arrived today!! Very useful for #integrateyourshelf 😊 Going to finish At The Existentialist Café first and then get cracking with one of these🌻

Mariposa_Bookworm Ooooo I want to read both of these!!!! 5y

Moll @Mariposa_Bookworm They look good don't they?!👌😍 5y

ChasingOm Perfect timing! 5y

Moll @ChasingOm Truly!! 5y

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TrishB

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

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All the history they didn‘t teach my generation in school. There‘s nothing nice about this book, made me feel incredibly sad. Well written and informative and gave me a lot of answers for the fb racists.

MsMelissa I‘ve been reading up on Indigenous issues here in Canada and am amazed that the historical context for many of these issues failed to be taught when I was in school! Even when I was in university and took Canadian history courses they failed to be brought up! I take some heart from the fact my daughter is learning about them though. 5y

TrishB @Book_Fiend_Melissa yes, my kids are way ahead of me and I take some comfort in that too! 5y

quietlycuriouskate Thank you for reminding me I have this on my Kindle. 5y

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jenniferw88 I enjoyed this too! One of my favourites from last year. 5y

TrishB @kathedron been on my kindle a while and felt now was the time. (edited) 5y

TrishB @jenniferw88 it‘s a good read 👍🏻 5y

JaclynW @Book_Fiend_Melissa @TrishB Same here! I'm learning so much history now that wasn't taught to me in school. I'm so glad the school system is doing a better job (not perfect but better) with my kids now. 5y

TrishB @JaclynW but at least we also know how we can supplement their learning. 5y

Itchyfeetreader I have a history degree and there was so I had of this I had never found or come across before. A powerful read. He‘s a great speaker as well 5y

TrishB @Itchyfeetreader I‘ve seen him on the telly a couple of times recently and that made me pick the book up. My son said he came into their school to give a history class and he was really good, so some schools are obviously making sure students get the full picture! (edited) 5y

arlenefinnigan I still can't believe I didn't know he's Ms Dynamite's little brother. 5y

TrishB @arlenefinnigan I didn‘t know until I read the book! 5y

JaclynW @TrishB Yes! And I do! 5y

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TrishB

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

So true.

Cinfhen 😢 5y

ScrappyMags They don‘t even know who the poor people are. 😢 5y

Cathythoughts ❤️💔 5y

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Patchshank Well it's their own fault they're poor! Need to pull themselves up by their boot straps! I'm being sarcastic of course. It's easier to place blame than it is to deal with the actual issues, so that's the route people take. As long as I get mine fuck everyone else. 5y

TrishB @ScrappyMags so heart breakingly true 💔 5y

TrishB @Patchshank that boot straps comment was literally next in the book! 5y

GingerAntics This is absolutely, 100% true. 5y

Bookwomble “Nowadays there really is no primary poverty left in this country. In Western countries we are left with the problems which aren't poverty. All right, there may be poverty because people don't know how to budget, don't know how to spend their earnings, but now you are left with the really hard fundamental character—personality defect.” Margaret Thatcher in an interview with, I think, The Church Times. Still the attitude of the Tory party 😡 5y

TrishB @Bookwomble the steam has literally just come out of my ears seeing that quote off her.....😡🥵 Nothing has changed. 5y

TrishB @GingerAntics sadly, yes ☹️ 5y

GingerAntics @Bookwomble that‘s the mentality of conservatives/republicans in the states, too. It‘s disgusting. Anything to make it poor people‘s problem and something you just can‘t do anything about. 🙄🤬 Pisses me off. 5y

TrishB @GingerAntics they choose not to do anything, that‘s very different ☹️😡 5y

GingerAntics @TrishB we ended up below the poverty line, suddenly, after a sudden illness in the household. It was amazing to see these people we thought were our friends suddenly “I‘ll pray for you. I‘ll pray God sees you‘ve been punished enough for whatever you‘ve done to offend him. That‘s the only reason people are poor these days!” 🙄 Oh my god, I wanted to punch people in the face so bad. 5y

GingerAntics @TrishB You and I know that. People with brains know that. Sadly, not everyone can see past the hatred in their hearts. 5y

TrishB @GingerAntics I was below the poverty line for most of my 20s. I‘ve blocked most of that decade out. I try to ensure it influences my decisions, my voting and my upbringing of my kids. 5y

GingerAntics @TrishB exactly! Luckily I was always taught that people in poverty didn‘t choose to be that way and deserve love, compassion, and whatever help we can give them. I will certainly be passing that world view along to my children one day. It really does influence so many choices made, from voting to what products I buy and probably everything in between. 5y

Bookwomble @GingerAntics @TrishB Hopefully not getting too far into a Monty Python sketch, but I grew up not realising how poor we were, and I don't think it really sunk in until I told my wife about my childhood and saw the disbelief on her face. ... The affluent rulers of our nations hate the poor because when they are forced to look at that deprivation, it assuages their guilt to convince themselves that the poor deserve their poverty. 5y

GingerAntics @Bookwomble I didn‘t know how poor we were growing up either. It seemed we were just like every other family we knew...at least until I became a teenager. Then I started noticing more. It‘s sad but true that politicians just want to sleep better at night instead of doing something about it. 🙄 Nothing wrong with a Monty Python sketch!!! 5y

TrishB @Bookwomble @GingerAntics so true ☹️ 5y

95 likes19 comments

TrishB

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

Reading All Fall Down and the rest of the weeks reading will come from the others. I will either read Natives or Just Mercy as I definitely won‘t read two non fiction in a week. Both seem important reads at the moment.
#weeklyforecast

Cinfhen

MinnieTimperley Natives is excellent. 5y

TrishB @MrsWatsonReads I‘ve seen him a few times on telly this week and I‘ve had the book for a while so thought it was about time to read! 5y

Cinfhen I loved Just Mercy....it read like fiction ~ such terrible injustice 5y

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KarenUK My hubby LOVED Just Mercy too... 5y

MsMelissa I‘m making my way through Just Mercy this week. It‘s excellent, but so maddening! 5y

Megabooks Great choices! 5y

Caroline2 Oh hey! I just started Just Mercy last night!!! How weird is that?! 5y

TrishB @Caroline2 I didn‘t get to it yet!! I can‘t do too many non fiction at once! 5y

Caroline2 I know what you mean. I love nonfiction but I don‘t get the same warm, relaxing escapism that I get with a good fiction book. I have to alternate! 😆 5y

93 likes9 comments

naylormatthew

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

"I often look at the world and just think fuck it, why bother, but I know that's how we are supposed to feel, that's why the corruption is so naked and freely visible - to wear down people who have the conviction that things could be better."

6 likes

Kateri

Natives Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala, Kingslee Daley

Engaging writing on an interesting and challenging topic. Well worth picking up. #blackhistorymonth

4 likes

jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

1. Done
2. Jampot (parents)
3. Crisps
4. Reading, auction & tablets
5. 3 - English, French and Spanish

#Friyayintro @howjessreads

63 likes

jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

#junestats Tagged book has to be the best this month, worst is No Innocent Bystanders. It didn't appeal to me as I'm not religious, however if you are Christian and want to help fight racism/lgbt equality it may help you.

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego You sure had a great month! 💖📖💖 6y

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jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

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5 🌟

I'll be very surprised if this book doesn't make my top 10 of the year!

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jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

Bookwormjillk Wow 6y

Soubhiville *facepalm 6y

Godpants Yikes! 6y

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Lindy 😳🤯😭 6y

Prairiegirl_reading I watched the HBO documentary on Bryan Stevenson just last night and I had never heard this sentiment before but people do think this way. It‘s shocking. The racism involved in the “justice” system runs deep. 6y

youneverarrived 😧 6y

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jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

Prairiegirl_reading Your posts are really selling this book to me! 6y

AmberWB Me too. 6y

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jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

OK, I'm actually laughing at the absurdity of this common sense fact!

53 likes

jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

Yay! New school and teacher sounds better!

(You may be able to guess that I absolutely loved school! 🤣🤣🤣)

68 likes

jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

😡😡😡 This was in his final year of infant school...

64 likes

jenniferw88

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

Expect quite a few quotes from me from this book...

wanderinglynn Great quote. 👍🏻 6y

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Itchyfeetreader

Natives Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala, Kingslee Daley

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It‘s taken me some time to finish this but really glad Indod. The author does a great job weaving his personal story and perspective into an impeccably researches historical and social review of race and class in the UK. I found the chapter putting the abolition of the slave trade into broader context particularly interesting although his thoughts on education were also excellent ⬇️ #bfc @wanderinglynn

Itchyfeetreader #bookfitnesschallenge hit packed lunch and book goals And managed to get for 1 swim. Missed my step count BUT did also forget my Fitbit last Friday so pretty close 6y

wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌🏻 6y

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rockpools

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

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Akala writes about being a black, British man, born in the 1980s, along with the political, colonial, race and class roots that built his experience. It‘s a nuanced, thought-provoking, sometimes challenging, book, particularly where he‘s criticising ‘icons‘. His thoughts on education are particularly powerful. Loads to unpack in here, lots of jumping off points to learn more. Expect to disagree or have your thinking challenged on some points!

rockpools This is my #writtenbyaPOC for #nonfiction2019 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa 6y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I have not heard about this one, but it sounds fantastic! Stacking! 6y

rockpools @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘d be interested to hear a US perspective on this one, if you do get to it. 6y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @RachelO If I get to it, I‘ll try to remember to tag you.... but it might be awhile. 6y

Reggie This sounds great. Stacked. 6y

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rockpools

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

This book is really quite thought-provoking - I‘m not sure I agree with everything he says, but I don‘t think he‘d want me to (big proponent of critical thinking!). His experience of the British education system, in particular, is sadly eye-opening. Interesting writer and good narrator!

And a view of Shaldon Bridge from the supermarket carpark for this morning‘s glamorous #litsywalkers pic. I walked to the gym and back 😇 2.5 miles all told.

Kaye

julesG 👏👏👏 6y

Kaye Gosh, you‘re doing great ! Good numbers. Thanks for the pic. 6y

rockpools @julesG 😘 6y

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rockpools @kaye To be fair, I‘m not having to tackle your ❄️☃️🌨 at the moment. Or @julesG ‘s 💦☔️🌧. Or @cinfhen ‘s 💨🌪🏜Dry weather helps a lot. 6y

Kaye You‘re still doing it so that‘s what counts. 6y

Chrissyreadit Great pic and stacking book! 6y

Bklover Good for you!!!! Hopefully someday I‘ll make it that far! 6y

julesG Dry weather would be nice, for a change. Today we had drizzle and lots of icecold wind. 6y

rockpools @Chrissyreadit Thanks 👍 6y

rockpools @Bklover You can do it 💪! Step by step. (Mine was in 2 shifts, with a cuppa in the middle 🤫) 6y

rockpools @julesG Ugh! It‘s weird weather here, Jules. We‘re expecting cold later in the week, but we‘ve really not had much rain this winter. Although when it has rained, it‘s RAINED💧💦💧! Hope tomorrow‘s sunny for you! 6y

Cinfhen Whoa!!! You go💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 6y

DarcysMom Good for you, walking to the gym! That is awesome! 6y

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rockpools

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

It just occurred to me that what I‘m often missing with audiobooks are the contents page, notes, etc etc - especially when the book is as wide-ranging as this one. Then I remembered that GoogleBooks existed (which I knew as a librarian & quote-chaser, but hadn‘t twigged as an audiobook listener).

A huge amount of content & food-for-thought in this one. His experiences/memories of everyday racism from young childhood are just jaw-dropping.

julesG Right! Google books is quite good for quotes, especially when listening to an #audiobook. 6y

rockpools @julesG I tend to forget to go looking for print material once I‘ve got my audiobook, and I think I probably lose a lot through not using both. 6y

Birdsong28 You can see the contents/chapters as there is an option on Audible 6y

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rockpools @Birdsong28 Really? That would be so useful! Can you tell me where I‘m looking? When I click on Chapters it just says Chapter 1, Chapter 2 etc - no actual headings/contents. Not sure if I‘m looking in the wrong place, or if it‘s not available on all books. Thanks everso! 6y

Birdsong28 @RachelO That's the option I mean sorry 😔 I know on the Outlander series it does show the chapter headings but it might just be that series sorry again 📚📖 6y

rockpools @Birdsong28 Never mind - thank you for looking. I‘ve never seen headings there, so hadn‘t thought to look - will check in future, now! 6y

50 likes6 comments

rockpools

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

Current audiobook. Akala looks at the intersection of race/racism and class in Britain, both in his lifetime/experience and giving historical context. Intelligent analysis, matter-of-fact and and quietly angry, with excellent audio by the author.

Itchyfeetreader I have this after seeing him speak at Cheltenham literary festival but have not got to it yet ! 6y

rockpools @Itchyfeetreader Too many books...! 😉 It‘s a very thoughtful, uncomfortable look at things. 6y

Emilymdxn I loved this book! So pleased Britain is getting more books examining racism like this, it‘s overdue after so many being published in America 6y

rockpools @Emilymdxn I think I bought it after your review. 😊 I‘ve just finished the education chapter, and the research he highlights is just shocking. He‘s a really interesting writer. 6y

Emilymdxn Oh wow! I don‘t think anyone online has ever bought a book because of me before 🥰 I had a ticket to see him af a literary festival then couldn‘t go last minute, really disappointing as I‘ve heard he‘s a great speaker 6y

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Itchyfeetreader

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

Been looking forward to starting this one since I heard the author speak at the Cheltenham literary festival a few weeks ago ... it‘s not one off the tube so may take a bit of time to read at home

jenniferheidi It‘s in my To Read pile from the Chelt Lit Fest too. Looking forward to it! 6y

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Emilymdxn

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire | Akala

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Great book I‘d recommend it to any British person who feels like all the books on racism in our bookshops are about the USA! I loved how many topics it covered so confidently and in just the right amount of detail. Great audiobook recording by the author too

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