This Is Why I Resist

This Is Why I Resist by Dr Sola Mrs-Shogbamimu

We fell in love with Dr Sola with her consistently inspiring performances on the international news media defending Megan and Harry or calling out the UK government with how they have dealt with the Coronavirus pandemic.

In this book, she passionately argues for the need for Black people to continue to raise our voices to end racism and, where other books take White people by the hand to help them negotiate issues of race, This Is Why I Resist offers no sugar-coated comfort, instead it challenges and asks when will White people progress on race inclusion.

'With This Is Why I Resist, Dr Shola is shaking a nation out of its slumber.' Annie Lennox OBE

'Written with fearless articulacy, this book recalibrates the conversation on race to ignite transformational change.' David Lammy MP

'This book is a passionate call to arms for anyone who wishes to look the other way. It is a must read.' Professor Kate Williams

'Inclusive, exciting and focused, This Is Why I Resist is a fantastic point of reference for intersectional anti-racism work, no matter who you are.' Munroe Bergdorf.

In 2020 we have seen clearer than ever that Black people are still fighting for the right to be judged by the content of their character and not the colour of their skin. In the words of the author, "there is no freedom without rights and no rights without the freedom to exercise those rights." This book demands change, because Black people are done waiting.

In This Is Why I Resist, activist and political commentator, Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu digs down into the deep roots of racism and anti-blackness in the UK and the US. Using real life examples from the modern day, Dr Shola shows us the different forms racism takes in our day-to-day lives and asks us to raise our voice to end the oppression. She delves into subjects not often explored such as racial gatekeepers, white ingratitude, performative allyship (those black squares on Instagram), current identity politics and abuse of the Black trans community.

Why it's on The Cornrow?

The recent explosion in interest in books on race and anti-racism is wonderful, although we know that reading is only part of the work. We are curating the best of them here for our anti-racism edit.  All of us can benefit from reading from these incredible books and taking the tools they provide to challenge racial prejudice in our own spheres of influence.