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dom_jones's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this - very accessible breakdown on a black experience of the UK, with wider cultural patterns noted.
Powerful mix of the biography and non-fiction.
I think at times, the author leans too far onto accessibility, with snappy shutdowns to arguments, a particular example being in the final chapter where he puts down great replacement theory as white inflexibility to get on with other cultures.
I think while this put down has some merit, great replacement theory is something far more complex than white concerns about racial coexistence - often more nativist cultural supremacism is at play here, along with supposed fear of erasure.
Also the author’s thesis seems a little vague - while it’s obviously anti racist, I find his points about the black middle class a little confusing at times- I think the author is advocating for more social mobility, but seems to view a black middle class aspirational? While it’s obvious that in the short term, an expanding black middle class is a good thing, the author seems to forgo the working class a bit in this respect; it’s not realistic for all members of the working class to ascend to the wealthy middle class he’s situated in, and he doesn’t advocate for loads of solutions for them.
Overall though, a great book, ahead of its time in quite a few ways.
Powerful mix of the biography and non-fiction.
I think at times, the author leans too far onto accessibility, with snappy shutdowns to arguments, a particular example being in the final chapter where he puts down great replacement theory as white inflexibility to get on with other cultures.
I think while this put down has some merit, great replacement theory is something far more complex than white concerns about racial coexistence - often more nativist cultural supremacism is at play here, along with supposed fear of erasure.
Also the author’s thesis seems a little vague - while it’s obviously anti racist, I find his points about the black middle class a little confusing at times- I think the author is advocating for more social mobility, but seems to view a black middle class aspirational? While it’s obvious that in the short term, an expanding black middle class is a good thing, the author seems to forgo the working class a bit in this respect; it’s not realistic for all members of the working class to ascend to the wealthy middle class he’s situated in, and he doesn’t advocate for loads of solutions for them.
Overall though, a great book, ahead of its time in quite a few ways.
emi_dilli's review against another edition
5.0
Eye-opening and witty. This should be compulsory reading for U.K. teachers and should be on the school curriculum. Akala explains things so well and uses such powerful examples. He weaves from childhood memories to trips abroad to lectures he has delivered, all the while citing shocking and pertinent statistics. I love a book that gives me further reading. ‘Natives’ certainly does that!
the_kizzlah's review against another edition
5.0
3rd read through, incredibly articulate and really a must-read for the working class to really open the eyes to the systems in place around us.
edlea24's review against another edition
3.5
A tough read, which hit hard and made me think. I preferred the autobiographical sections, which brought his points to life.
In many ways it’s difficult to fairly review this as a privileged white male- at times I inevitably felt attacked and arguably the tone and style is counterproductive (e.g. phrases like “…if you bother to read …” ) however there’s no denying he’s a well informed writer with excellent points to make.
Preferred “Black and British” for the historical side of his arguments, and “Why I’m No Longer Talking (to white people) About Race” for its analysis of structural racism. More well written books and more clear in their aims, in my opinion!
In many ways it’s difficult to fairly review this as a privileged white male- at times I inevitably felt attacked and arguably the tone and style is counterproductive (e.g. phrases like “…if you bother to read …” ) however there’s no denying he’s a well informed writer with excellent points to make.
Preferred “Black and British” for the historical side of his arguments, and “Why I’m No Longer Talking (to white people) About Race” for its analysis of structural racism. More well written books and more clear in their aims, in my opinion!