The open and honest blog about race, equality, diversity and inclusion.
The second read for my ‘Are You Read-Y for This’ book club, chosen by an inspirational friend and colleague, was Dominicana, by Angie Cruz. Thank goodness for book club, because I’m ashamed to say I would never have known about it otherwise.
I have never read this author before – but I suspect I would have picked it off a shelf if I’d seen it, purely because the woman on the front cover looks like me. (I’m a narcissist, clearly.)
When I started reading and learning more about racial inequalities and the issues that need to be addressed across society, I purposely started reading more novels and non-fiction books by Black authors. I committed to a Summer of authors of colour. That soon extended to a year because I’m getting so much out of it. Maybe I’ll never stop!
Hi. I’m Claire Bale. Welcome to my blog.
A space for openness, honesty, discussion and learning. A space where no subject is taboo and no question’s a stupid question. Where I, as a British, mixed race woman in her 40s, explore some of the subjects whizzing around my head, at a time when I’ve never known so much discourse and discovery about race.
Continue reading “Me, Myself and My Blog”
A review of Girl, Woman, Other. By Bernadine Evaristo.
Loved, loved, loved this book. I honestly didn’t want to finish it. I wanted to meet more characters – more fascinating women, each with a different experience, a different point of view, a different past and different future waiting for them. If it was a film, I’d be looking out for the sequel.
Continue reading “Oh Bernadine! I’m so glad I found you!”
My first book club meet, “Are You Read-y for This?” and why I loved it
A good friend of mine, someone I met through work, and who I’ve never met in person, but who I hugely admire and respect because of our shared passion for racial equality and self-education, attended a virtual book club to discuss Candice Carty-Williams’ Booker Prize Winner, Queenie. Follow this fantastic author here https://twitter.com/CandiceC_W.
Continue reading “Are You Read-Y for This?”
Families.
Mixed race families. The best thing in the world. Diverse, vibrant, never dull.
But what happens when you can’t talk about the “B” word (Black) or the “R” word (Racism) because it’s just so damn awkward to be white, middle class, British and discussing such unsavoury things?
Continue reading “The F Word”