Welcome To The Element Of Inclusion
Dec. 10, 2019

Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging [Book Review]

Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging [Book Review]

What does it mean to be British in 21st century? Find out about a unique book that takes a contemporary look at British Identity through an intersectional lens. Here are some key messages from this episode The complexity of British identity The...

What does it mean to be British in 21st century?

Find out about a unique book that takes a contemporary look at British Identity through an intersectional lens.

Here are some key messages from this episode

  • The complexity of British identity
  • The contradictory nature of British identity
  • Why British Identity is not what you think

Play the episode for more.

Here are some key takeaways from this episode

Diversity refers to differences within groups as well as differences between groups

The author makes reference to her husband Sam and his experience as a contrast to her own, despite their shared heritage, and ongoing experience, what I like is the way their differing experience of being Black British is discussed and explored”

British identity is often misrepresented

“Stereotypes of cricket, fish and chips. Mary Poppins and drinking tea are still strong but they are constructed. Mary Poppins wasn’t mentioned in the book but the point is focusing on these constructed identities often mean that other legitimate forms of being British get overlooked.”

British identity is going to continue to change

“100 years ago, Britain was a colonial power now it’s different and in the future it’s going to be change even more. This isn’t a British thing, this applies to every country, every state, every group of people. Ignoring it, isn’t going to make it go away. ”

Here are some resources so you can go deeper

Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging

Afua Hirsch Wikipedia

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