Reviews

Still Breathing: 100 Black Voices on Racism--100 Ways to Change the Narrative by Suzette Llewellyn

Only show reviews with written explanations

pamelausai's review

4.0

"Still Breathing: 100 Voices Black Voices on a Racism" is a collection of stark and unapologetic stories on what it means to a Black person in Britain. In response to George Floyd's murder in 2020, these individuals share their stories to show how despite the racism they have faced in their childhood, school years and eventual careers, they are 'still breathing'. From NHS nurses, to university students, to journalists, to artists and activists, 100 solutions are offered to readers, to not only break barriers and shift paradigms in the uncomfortable discussions surrounding prejudice and bigotry against People of Color, but to also inspire change. Two of the stories that stuck with me after reading were both by NHS nurses, who on separate occasions were asked by patients whether the color of their skin would 'bleed' onto those of the white people under their care - infuriating initially, then exasperating once realising these comments were borne out of ignorance, and a broken system.

When it comes to hearing compelling life accounts, this is the kind of anthology that I want to read: one that shows the "other" side, the side that is often silenced or overlooked or dismissed. As a High School Literature teacher, the number of times I have seen the essays of George Orwell studied as a prime nonfiction piece, or James Joyces' semi-autobiographical novel "Portrait of the Young Man as an Artist" reminds me that diversification of the lives we consciously share in educational settings still needs work.

Thank you Harper Inspire from an early review copy in exchange for an honest review.

the_literarylinguist's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Content Warnings

More...