Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

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

17 reviews

thesinginglights's review

medium-paced

5.0

Akala is one of my favourite thinkers. Clear-eyed, well-informed, and just overall interesting. This is a brilliant blend of Akala's life and the socio-political context that informs him: he being a mixed-race man growing up in London, a fact that made his white mother be disowned by her family.

His story informs aspects of race in the UK from history and concurrently with his life, argued with accessible prose, similar to how he speaks in public. That's part of the draw: it's informative without being overwhelming and speaks deeply and broadly on topics. The one thing I would have liked a bit more of is his reflections on his adult life, of his music career and where he is currently. We get glimpses of it (especially for racial profiling) but the bulk of his personal stuff is from his childhood, especially when he was being a "roadman" in his teens.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery

britgirlreading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Police brutality, Murder, and Classism

pollyflorence's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Police brutality

rubyhosh's review

challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, and Police brutality

Moderate: Slavery

Minor: Rape

zulliekinz's review against another edition

hopeful informative sad medium-paced

5.0

An excellent look at the dynamics often ignored but always at play in British and European society. I learn a lot that I didn't know before and understood so much more about Britain's history as a white power. Akala manages to weave in humour to an incredible array of dark subjects and his storytelling is so warm and powerful because of this. 

I listened to the audible version of this book and it was read by the man himself - he lands the tone of his words so well and it made for an even more thoughtful authentic and somehow enjoyable read. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Gun violence, Slavery, and Violence

paleghosty's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

I read this as part of the Decolonise UoM Radical Readers Book Club and I'm so glad I got the chance!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, and Mass/school shootings

Minor: Rape, Antisemitism, and Islamophobia

achingallover's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, and Islamophobia