NATIVES – Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire - Akala

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ISBN: 978-1-473-66121-9 
Verdict: 👍👍👍

What a fantastic read and I appreciate why it was on the Sunday Times Best Seller. Not only does it tell his story but comes through with some great historical facts e.g. the aid Cuba provided the Africans for freedom from apartheid (P277+) and the global medical aid it provides (more than the West).

The book is very well written and has some snippets of his life growing up in Britain and the shock of many afro Caribbean’s "coming to Britain and discovering most white Britons were actually poor"(p7).

He refers to some classic quotes from others e.g. James Baldwin who famously observed “segregation has allowed white people to create only the Negro they wish to see”

He informs us why Samuel L Jackson is not a big fan of British Black Actors – because "they come to America and take their jobs" – really Samuel?

The quote on page 228 resonates well with me as I remember saying a similar thing to my daughters A ‘Level History teacher several years ago ; 
“It is one of history’s great ironies that the most extreme incarnation of white supremacy. The Nazis, did more to undermine white dominance, damage Western prestige and make space for ‘third world’ freedom struggles than any other force in the previous three centuries”

Despite saying 'Hot Yoga' makes one officially middle class (p199) 🤔  found this book full of facts and enjoyed the read – I walked away thinking great we know the problem and its history and we should learn and evolve from it.


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