I Heard What You Said

As a white middle-class British male, with children in the education system in England, I found this book to be an eye-opening and enlightening read. The book is written in a conversational way from lived experience that brings you on a journey of the authors life and work, and how the smallest throw away comments (to the deliberate ones) have an impact on people of black and ethnic minorities, and communities every day, and throughout their lives. It brings the reader alive to the way the whole education system is built through a white focal lens, and how this is accepted as the norm and anything else is not. The author constructively and non-confrontational gives clear guidance for change, so that we can understand difference and culture as part of a healthy society, and ensure we are all ally’s for change. A fantastic read.

This book is essential reading for anyone working in education. It explores racism with clarity and it offers some excellent thinking points on a range of issues.The book has an engaging, conversational style and it makes things tick along at a lovely pace. That's not to say there aren't moments that hit hard and leave you frustrated by such embedded inequality.Essential for anyone looking to become more inclusive.

Thoughtful and well-written. 5*