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Maybe I Don't Belong Here David Harewood

Maybe I Don't Belong Here By David Harewood

Maybe I Don't Belong Here by David Harewood


£9.00
New RRP £20.00
Condition - Very Good
<20 in stock

Summary

A groundbreaking account of the effects of everyday racism on the identity and mental health of Black British men, explored through the lens of Homeland and Supergirl actor David Harewood's personal experience.

Maybe I Don't Belong Here Summary

Maybe I Don't Belong Here: A Memoir of Race, Identity, Breakdown and Recovery by David Harewood

'As a Black British man I believe it is vital that I tell this story. It may be just one account from the perspective of a person of colour who has experienced this system, but it may be enough to potentially change an opinion or, more importantly, stop someone else from spinning completely out of control.' - David Harewood

Is it possible to be Black and British and feel welcome and whole?



Maybe I Don't Belong Here is a deeply personal exploration of the duality of growing up both Black and British, recovery from crisis and a rallying cry to examine the systems and biases that continue to shape our society.

In this powerful and provocative account of a life lived after psychosis, critically acclaimed actor, David Harewood, uncovers devastating family history and investigates the very real impact of racism on Black mental health.

When David Harewood was twenty-three, his acting career beginning to take flight, he had what he now understands to be a psychotic breakdown and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. He was physically restrained by six police officers, sedated, then hospitalized and transferred to a locked ward. Only now, thirty years later, has he been able to process what he went through.

What was it that caused this breakdown and how did David recover to become a successful and critically acclaimed actor? How did his experiences growing up Black and British contribute to a rupture in his sense of his place in the world?

Maybe I Don't Belong Here Reviews

I feel like I gained a friend in these these pages. It's a book that is written with honesty and humanity. I struggled to let the pages close - that's how invested I felt in David's story. I learned a little more about what it means to be black, a black man, a black British man who has struggled with mental health and grown as a result. It's a testament to his resilience, vulnerability and humility that we can all learn from. -- Jeffrey Boakye
David Harewood writes with rare honesty and fearless self-analysis about his experiences of racism and what ultimately led to his descent into psychosis at the age of twenty-three. With equal candour, David plots the story of his recovery. This book is, in itself, a physical manifestation of that hopeful journey. -- David Olusoga
Heartwarming, eye-opening, gut-wrenching. David Harewood's brutally honest account of his experiences in the mental health system should force us all to examine the impact that our past has on our lives. Maybe I Don't Belong Here shines a light on the interplay between race, identity and mental well-being with tremendous moral courage. -- David Lammy
Anyone who has experienced racism will want to read this book. Anyone who hasn't, really ought to -- Hugh Quarshie
This is an amazing book. Only an actor could capture the double-consciousness of being Black and British so beautifully. Playing a role while simultaneously trying to be true to yourself. For me this held both lessons and affirmations of what it means to be a Black British man and the struggles to reconcile our inherent contradictions. Maybe I Don't Belong Here is also absolutely brilliant in illustrating the importance of RADA and what we need to do to prepare RADA students to not just be the best actors and technicians they can be, but the best human beings -- Marcus Ryder
Brutally honest, brave and enlightening, David Harewood's memoir and account of his breakdown is a fascinating read. Well-written and researched, this is a book that makes you wonder about our mental health system, about othering and racism in Britain and all the other black men who haven't made it through to the other side. But it's also a love letter to Harewood's friends, parents and a tribute to his determination to succeed against the odds. -- Kit de Waal
Unflinching. David Harewood's book traces the effects of racial bigotry to a young boy growing up in 1970s Birmingham. Brave and incredibly honest. -- Adrian Lester
Demonstrates how those in the public eye can use their profiles to try and lever positive change . . . Immensely powerful. -- The Bookseller

About David Harewood

David Harewood was born in Birmingham, England. His parents are originally from Barbados and they moved to England in the 50s and 60s. He grew up in Small Heath. He trained as an actor at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He is best known for his roles in Homeland and Supergirl. His critically acclaimed BBC documentary Psychosis and Me received a BAFTA nomination for best documentary. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II appointed David a 'Member of The Most Excellent Order' of the British Empire for his services to acting in 2012, giving him the title David Harewood MBE. David is married, has two daughters and is an avid Birmingham City FC fan. Maybe I Don't Belong Here is his first book.

Additional information

GOR011670692
9781529064131
1529064139
Maybe I Don't Belong Here: A Memoir of Race, Identity, Breakdown and Recovery by David Harewood
Used - Very Good
Hardback
Pan Macmillan
20210902
256
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Maybe I Don't Belong Here