Overview

We Were There is a captivating account of a Black Britain that for too long has been unknown and unexplored - the one that exists beyond London. We Were There is about a Black Britain that for too long has been unknown and unexplored - the one that exists beyond London. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s Britain was in tumult- rocked by Margaret Thatcher's radical economic policy, the rise of the National Front, widespread civil unrest. With anti-immigration policies in the political mainstream, Black lives were on the frontline of a racial reckoning. But it was also a time of unrivalled Black cultural creation, organising and resistance. This was the crucible in which modern Britain came into existence. We Were There brings into the spotlight for the first time extraordinary Black lives in once-rich cities now home to failing industries- the foundries of Birmingham, the docks of Liverpool and Cardiff, the mills of Bradford. We are in Wigan, Wolverhampton, Manchester and the green expanse of the British countryside. We meet feminists and Rastafarians, academics and rugby-league superstars; witness landmark campaigns and encounter radical artists and thinkers; tread dancefloors that hosted Northern Soul all-nighters and the birth of Acid House. London was only ever part of the picture - We Were There is about incorporating a vastly broader range of Black Britons into the fabric of our national story. Alive with energy and purpose, We Were There decisively expands our sense of who we are. Confronting, joyful and thrilling, this is a profoundly important new portrait of modern Britain.

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9781847927477

Table of Contents

Reviews

We Were There is a vital corrective that enhances our understanding of Black British history in the 20th century by moving the narrative outside of London -- Steve McQueen We Were There is an essential, unique and joyful contribution to the full understanding of Black Britain. It broadens our story and ensures that the scale of our influence across the UK is fully recognised and appreciated. Utterly brilliant -- Dipo Faloyin, author of Africa Is Not A Country An urgent conversation about Britishness and the breadth of Black British experience [that] will take us on affecting and insightful journeys -- Arifa Akbar, author of Consumed A revelation of a black history almost lost, a chronicling of a rich black British life outside of London told with such love and tender, evocative prose that it immediately colourises the present. In tracing this history, Bakare offers not just a homage to Black British identity, but a reinforcement of it -- Nesrine Malik, author of We Need New Stories This is an important and ambitious book, and Bakare has found the right stories and language to do it justice -- Andy Beckett, author of Promised You A Miracle An exquisitely cathartic and powerful journey though some of the most important, but untold chapters of our recent history. If you lived it, you will love it - if you didn't, brace, this is a tough but ultimately uplifting story that, in Lanre's caring hands, we can all live and love -- Gus Casely-Hayford, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum Fascinating. Lanre Bakare's story is told with pace, wit, scholarship, and nuance. It taught me so much about the city and the country where I live -- Ed Caesar This book is full of energy and purpose, determined to tell the stories of those who have always been here and made Britain what it is today, but whose stories have been suppressed. This book is full of pain, but also so much joy, and love for community and history. I found this book so moving and so energising, and Lanre's writing captivated me from the first page. The research is extensive and is woven together effortlessly, challenging and over-turning the anti-migration rhetoric that we see in our media and politics today. This book is urgent and timely, and will help you see Britain with completely fresh new eyes, one which extends far beyond London, one which has always been beautifully multi-cultural -- Pragya Agarwal, author of Sway

An urgent conversation about Britishness and the breadth of Black British experience [that] will take us on affecting and insightful journeys * Arifa Akbar, author of Consumed * A revelation of a black history almost lost, a chronicling of a rich black British life outside of London told with such love and tender, evocative prose that it immediately colourises the present. In tracing this history, Bakare offers not just a homage to Black British identity, but a reinforcement of it * Nesrine Malik, author of We Need New Stories * This is an important and ambitious book, and Bakare has found the right stories and language to do it justice * Andy Beckett, author of Promised You A Miracle *

Author Information

Lanre Bakare was born and grew up in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He is a correspondent covering arts and culture for the Guardian, where his writing focuses on the intersection of art, race and culture across multiple disciplines. He was senior correspondent on the award-winning Cotton Capital project and has worked in New York and Los Angeles as part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Guardian US team.

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