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Natives

Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire

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About this listen

SHORTLISTED FOR THE JAMES TAIT BLACK PRIZE | THE JHALAK PRIZE | THE BREAD AND ROSES AWARD & LONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING

From the first time he was stopped and searched as a child, to the day he realised his mum was white, to his first encounters with racist teachers - race and class have shaped Akala's life and outlook. In this unique book he takes his own experiences and widens them out to look at the social, historical and political factors that have left us where we are today.

Covering everything from the police, education and identity to politics, sexual objectification and the far right, Nativesspeaks directly to British denial and squeamishness when it comes to confronting issues of race and class that are at the heart of the legacy of Britain's racialised empire.

Natives is the searing modern polemic and Sunday Times bestseller from the BAFTA and MOBO award-winning musician and political commentator, Akala.

©2018 Akala (P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Great Britain Political Science Politics & Government Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Discrimination England Inspiring Social justice Thought-Provoking Africa

Critic reviews

"My book of the year. It's personal, historical, political, and it speaks to where we are now. This is the book I've been waiting for - for years." (Benjamin Zephaniah)

"A history lesson of the kind you should get in school, but don't...This is a searing, thought-provoking book." (Stylist)

"A potent combination of autobiography and political history which holds up a mirror to contemporary Britain." (Independent)
All stars
Most relevant
I am a 25 year old white male who has a mixed raced fiance. this has really opened my eyes and helped me understand black history. also how the media and government controls what they want you to know and how much of an impact they have on the every day persons thoughts. I recommend this book to everyone no matter what race or age.

a real eye opener

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I was enthralled and educated in areas of human nature and experience that I haven't consciously been exposed to in my 33 years pottering around this ball of rock. The perspective that this book brings is captivating, with humour, sadness and irony dotting the narrative. From start to finish you'll hoping that there's more to come. The only downside of this book is that it wasn't 10 hours longer. Thank you for writing it.

I couldn't stop listening. Eye-opening and honest.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could relate to a lot of the things mentioned. Extremely informative, I will doing some further reading around some of the topics.

Fantastic book,

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I found the book raised some very interesting points and as a person of colour, could relate to alot of how to the systems in play affect us on daily basis. But if it doesn't affect you don't see it. !

Great to spread the truth

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History lesson you won't learn in school, it's a good read and a welcome departure from the usual politically correct books

The book simply says Let's stop pretending must

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