Welcome to Litsy!

A book that‘s ‘just‘ a list of definitions of terms, some positive but many derogatory, used to refer to Black people doesn‘t sound that interesting but the author is insightful, warm and witty, drawing from his own experiences.

At one point, near the end, the author claims that his own book is ‘terrifying‘ and it is, because I have so much still to learn, but this book is a great insight into Black British culture.

#booked2021 #antiracismbook

Happy Martin Luther King day littens! We don‘t celebrate it in the UK but I can get behind any day that honours someone so one-in-a-century and his legacy of resistance.

Tagging a book related to Black communities in Britain. Slightly odd format of a book but bear with me - a list of every name the word could think of that describes Black British people and a short essay inspired by each one. Taught me so much about Black British identity as...

I was surprised when I found that this book was going to be all definitions, I had no idea how to read a 400 page book of definitions, then once I started reading I was astonished by how essential it felt. Jeffrey Boakye is so insightful, witty, thoughtful, compassionate, and straight up clever. One of the best books I‘ve ever read about blackness in the UK covering SO much in history, pop culture, sociology, memoir, music, everything.

TIL about Ozwald Boateng from the tagged book. That‘s him top left - the first black tailor on Savile Row! I don‘t think I‘ve ever said “wow!” About a menswear designer before, the way he combines this incredible tailoring with a bright colours and fabrics, I basically drooled as I scrolled through his website. It‘s a travesty I‘d never heard of him before! Look at these suits!

#nfn2020 @Clwojick

Jeffrey Boakye takes a list of terms used to describe Black people, official, derogatory, personal, stereotypes, endearments etc, and breaks them down in the context of Black British culture. He has a really informal writing style, and can be very funny, while still packing a punch. I‘m left with plenty to think about - it‘s helped me understand why certain seemingly innocuous terms could cause offense - and given me an even longer reading list.

I was doing so well. I‘d reached day 3 of my reduced ‘currently reading‘ heap & hadn‘t been tempted by anything new. Then I got talking to @wicdiv and this was #99ponkindle (Also: The Windrush Betrayal) -so I‘m reading this now!

It‘s a look at the terminology around race in Britain, and the fact that it‘s all... complicated, at least. If not actually problematic.

It‘s also surprisingly funny, a little uncomfortable, and well-worth reading.

Fascinating, enlightening and more than a little bit uncomfortable to read as a white woman. This takes a look at the words surrounding the black British experience, using academic research and the author's personal experiences to analyse and explain. It has a light tone which the author explains at the end is to keep it from becoming bleak and depressing. I found it a very worthwhile read and learnt a lot and had to have a think about even more.

Love this bookmark - my friend brought it back from the top of the Shanghai Tower for me last year. Black, Listed is a really thought-challenging book that isn‘t challenging to read but does make you take the measure of the language you have been accustomed to hearing throughout your life.

Today is sponsored by the book pile & all the tissues available to humanity. ‘Tis the season 🤧

A really thought-provoking book that sits at the boundary of identity, language and race. I‘d say recommended reading for anyone interested in challenging themselves to be better at recognising the multiple implications of the words and labels we use today. It‘s written well with real humour on occasion, without detracting from the seriousness.

October is black history month here in the UK and I‘m trying to add a few things into my reading list accordingly.