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Safe: 20 Ways to be a Black Man in Britain Today
'It's brave and honest, and not a moment too soon.' Afua Hirsch, Brit(ish)'[An] outstanding myth-busting book. Everyone should read it.' Bernardine EvaristoWhat is the experience of Black men in Britain today? Never has the conversation about racism and inclusion been more important; there is no better time to explore this question and give Black British men a platform to answer it. 20 Ways to be a Black Man in Britain Today is that platform. Including essays from top poets, writers, musicians, actors and journalists, this timely and accessible book is in equal parts a celebration, a protest, a call to arms, and a dismantling of the stereotypes surrounding being a Black man. What does it really mean to reclaim and hold space in the landscape of our society? Where do Black men belong in school, in the media, in their own families, in the conversation about mental health, in the LGBTQ+ community, in grime music - and how can these voices inspire, educate and add to the dialogue of diversity already taking place? Following on from discussions raised by Natives and Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race, this collection takes readers on a rich and varied path to confront and question the position of Black men in Britain today, and shines a light on the way forward. Alex Holmes, Alex Wheatle, Aniefiok 'Neef' Ekpoudom, Courttia Newland, Derek Oppong, Derek Owusu, Gbontwi Anyetei; Jesse Bernard, JJ Bola; Joseph Harker; Jude Yawson; Kenechukwu Obienu; Kobna Holdbrook-Smith; Nels Abbey; Okechukwu Nzelu; Robyn Travis; Stephen Morrison-Burke; Suli Breaks; Symeon Brown; Yomi Sode
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2019
14 people are currently reading
545 people want to read
About the author
Derek Owusu
11 books245 followersDerek Owusu is an award-winning writer and poet from North London.
He has written for the BBC, ITV, Granta, Esquire, GQ and Tate Britain.
In 2019, Owusu collated, edited and contributed to SAFE: On Black British Men Reclaiming Space, an anthology exploring the experiences of Black men in Britain.
His first novel, That Reminds Me, and the first work of fiction to be published by Stormzy’s Merky Books imprint, won the Desmond Elliott Prize for best debut novel published in the UK and Ireland.
His second novel, Losing the Plot, was published in 2022 and was Longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize and Jhalak Prize.
In 2023 he was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Novelists.
His third novel, Borderline Fiction, will be published by Canongate in 2025
He has written for the BBC, ITV, Granta, Esquire, GQ and Tate Britain.
In 2019, Owusu collated, edited and contributed to SAFE: On Black British Men Reclaiming Space, an anthology exploring the experiences of Black men in Britain.
His first novel, That Reminds Me, and the first work of fiction to be published by Stormzy’s Merky Books imprint, won the Desmond Elliott Prize for best debut novel published in the UK and Ireland.
His second novel, Losing the Plot, was published in 2022 and was Longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize and Jhalak Prize.
In 2023 he was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Novelists.
His third novel, Borderline Fiction, will be published by Canongate in 2025
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 20, 2019
Twenty writers share their truths and perspectives on being a black male in Britain. The anthology is varied, it shined a light on depression caused by a struggle for males to see who they are, forgiveness, father figures, education and sexuality.
The experiences shared hit my core, challenged my own views on black males and demonstrated the anthology was a much needed platform for males to challenge how they are portrayed in the media.
The experiences shared hit my core, challenged my own views on black males and demonstrated the anthology was a much needed platform for males to challenge how they are portrayed in the media.
June 8, 2019
I loved some essays more than others and the ones I did love are the reason I’m bumping this up to four stars. It’s hard to rate an entire book when voices are so different.
This is one of those books that is there to educate those who do not know and there to provide support and representation for those who need it. Not a lot of Black British voices are put on the forefront and this is one those books that does that. It features essays by different Black British men discussing space, identity, classism, pop culture...etc.
One of the spaces that always gets mentioned when the topic of men or masculinity is brought up is barbershops and how that space is important to them. I have yet to read or hear enough stories to fully understand why it is important but I find it interesting.
This is one of those books that is there to educate those who do not know and there to provide support and representation for those who need it. Not a lot of Black British voices are put on the forefront and this is one those books that does that. It features essays by different Black British men discussing space, identity, classism, pop culture...etc.
One of the spaces that always gets mentioned when the topic of men or masculinity is brought up is barbershops and how that space is important to them. I have yet to read or hear enough stories to fully understand why it is important but I find it interesting.
September 20, 2021
A lot of very poignant, well-written and moving essays in here. Stars deducted for me because I felt a lot weren’t nuanced in their analysis, quite generalised and teetering towards patriarchal. Would probably have given it more stars if I didn’t spend 90% of my life reading extensively-researched, academic, and rigorous essays by female authors. Hate to say that I was left a little “women do twice the work for half the accolades” but if the shoe fits…
Don’t want that to detract from the undoubtedly VERY pressing and urgent concerns raised in most of these essays about the experience of the Black British man. Eye-opening and necessary.
Don’t want that to detract from the undoubtedly VERY pressing and urgent concerns raised in most of these essays about the experience of the Black British man. Eye-opening and necessary.
June 2, 2020
The book covers a range of topics and so naturally I enjoyed some essays more than others.
I enjoyed reading the essays from different African backgrounds, this allowed me to gain a perspective on African heritaged people whilst growing up in the UK. I also enjoyed the piece on being a melanated person in a traditional English private school too. Overall, It was engaging, it’s awesome to hear more Black British voices.
One contributor wrote about topics they have already covered extensively elsewhere which I had already come across, so I didn’t think he utilised the opportunity to contribute to this book to its fullest. Some essays didn’t "hit me" because as a Caribbean-British born black male, these are familiar stories in the black community in the area I grew up in (smethwick). Others may gain an insight if they haven’t lived it. Somebody put-down Derrick Rose (prominent black NBA basketball player), not really a fan of slighting our own people even if it is just "banter".
A large proportion of the contributors are based in London and so doesn’t catch the full breadth of England. The book does deliver what the title promised and so it is a good start for going forward. More black voices are beginning to be heard and its brilliant, I am truly happy a book of this sort has hit the shelves. For a long time, positive black men have struggled to be heard.
Personal standouts include:
Alex Holmes
Stephen Morrison-Burke
Nels Abbey
Jude Yawson
Kenechukwu Obienu
JJ Bola
Alex Wheatle
3.5* Would recommend.
I enjoyed reading the essays from different African backgrounds, this allowed me to gain a perspective on African heritaged people whilst growing up in the UK. I also enjoyed the piece on being a melanated person in a traditional English private school too. Overall, It was engaging, it’s awesome to hear more Black British voices.
One contributor wrote about topics they have already covered extensively elsewhere which I had already come across, so I didn’t think he utilised the opportunity to contribute to this book to its fullest. Some essays didn’t "hit me" because as a Caribbean-British born black male, these are familiar stories in the black community in the area I grew up in (smethwick). Others may gain an insight if they haven’t lived it. Somebody put-down Derrick Rose (prominent black NBA basketball player), not really a fan of slighting our own people even if it is just "banter".
A large proportion of the contributors are based in London and so doesn’t catch the full breadth of England. The book does deliver what the title promised and so it is a good start for going forward. More black voices are beginning to be heard and its brilliant, I am truly happy a book of this sort has hit the shelves. For a long time, positive black men have struggled to be heard.
Personal standouts include:
Alex Holmes
Stephen Morrison-Burke
Nels Abbey
Jude Yawson
Kenechukwu Obienu
JJ Bola
Alex Wheatle
3.5* Would recommend.
September 5, 2020
Important book
June 1, 2019
Candid and honest, this is a necessary and timely collection of essays focusing on a wide array of subjects unique to the Black British male experience.
Reading these varying accounts from childhood to adulthood and everything in between, it is very clear that this book is not meant to spoon feed. Each essay speaks to you as though you understand and there is little by the way of placing the onus on black British men to teach and convince you otherwise. Simply pondering and bearing witness their own lived experiences.
Standout essay - What's In A Name, by Mostly Lit co-host - Alex Reads.
Reading these varying accounts from childhood to adulthood and everything in between, it is very clear that this book is not meant to spoon feed. Each essay speaks to you as though you understand and there is little by the way of placing the onus on black British men to teach and convince you otherwise. Simply pondering and bearing witness their own lived experiences.
Standout essay - What's In A Name, by Mostly Lit co-host - Alex Reads.
December 20, 2020
I’m very glad I read this book. It’s a deeper dive into men who are familiar to me yet at the same time distant. Masculinity is something I rarely turn my attention to (almost deliberately shunning it in annoyance actually) because it so easily becomes toxic. However, the essays here present a beautiful vulnerability that is sadly so rare from men, Black men especially. I hope more space can be made for such stories.
September 4, 2019
Some honest essays on the experience of Black Men in Britain. Recommended reading.
November 5, 2020
great way at offering a space to multiple black british writers and covers a wide range of topics on experience
July 3, 2019
Recommended reading for all
I wanted to read this book as a way of research for a book I'm writing on race. It's on black peoples experiences, both make and female. I read this book thinking it was about one person's sole experiences, but was surprised to read various experiences of young black makes who have grown up in Britain. - the first chapter was awesome, and I would be been happy to continue reading his story.
I wanted to read this book as a way of research for a book I'm writing on race. It's on black peoples experiences, both make and female. I read this book thinking it was about one person's sole experiences, but was surprised to read various experiences of young black makes who have grown up in Britain. - the first chapter was awesome, and I would be been happy to continue reading his story.
November 19, 2021
'Safe' is a collection of essays walking us through the experiences of Black men in Britain in recent times. It's an array of different experiences, perspectives and voices, and it is refreshing seeing the diversity within this community and learning more about a community that I may only peripherally be involved with. I will never be able to fully absorb the strength of these emotions, but I would like to start to understand.
Naturally, it being an anthology means that some stories will resonate with each reader more than others. And some are also written more to my taste than others. My partner read some of the essays too and it was interesting to compare our notes. While many of the stories do have an emphasis on being Black as a cause for things happening, some of these events might still be things that you go through no matter where you are coming from, but for different reasons and might in turn also impact you differently.
Some of the themes that particularly resonated with me:
- Black men and White women: I had never heard of Emmett Till before reading this book. He was a 14 year old boy, tortured and murdered in Mississippi after flirting with a woman. The woman was a cashier in a grocery shop, and her husband and his half-brother were the ones who went for this course of action. Decades later, the woman also said that she lied under oath. She said that the teen verbally offended her and touched her waist, yet this didn't happen, and she said that no one deserved this treatment for whatever they did. An author also mentioned being fetishised by White women, including speaking of the myth of big penises which comes from colonial times when Black men were sexually harassed. I've thought about events when I might have been responsible for such prejudices, and I really hope that I haven't done anything to hurt those around me.
- Names: I've always hated my name and how it screams where I'm from, it gives away too much. I don't associate with it, I consider myself more 'European' than pertaining to a particular country. And I'm a private person, I want to choose what I share. So I see the importance of names in establishing an identity, and conversely, can see why someone would want that bond. One of the authors mentioned how even in Jamaica, where their family is from and they feel most at home, their name 'Alexander' would immediately label them as a foreigner. In Britain, it would be the colour of their skin. Names carry meaning as to the events when someone was born, or the emotion of the parent, or an intent for their destiny too.
- Broken families: One of the first stories in the book speaks about a boy whose 25 year old single mother put him in foster care. He grew up with a White mother, and at some point his birth mum plucked him away. He was now living in poverty, with violence his mother would apply in frustration, not knowing who his carer was and how to share his affections. Another story talked about the beatings a child would receive from his mum and his stepdad. This is something I am firmly against, and it touched me very deeply. It is clear that this man was shaped by these experiences and this has bred a level of distance from his family, understandably.
- Social life: This is a theme that is reflected on in different ways, Black quotas in entering clubs, where you sit in the bus, how you wait at an ATM. It's heartbreaking to read about being avoided, ignored, run from, when you haven't done anything. No wonder that we are still such a segregated society, especially outside of London.
For me personally, essays that did not work quite as well were those that were trying to do a tad too much, explain the whole life of a person in 10 pages. I would like to think I am aware of racial injustice, and so essays that mentioned all the topics in one without going into detail did little for me. I knew about these aspects, and a lot of my call to action is the level of empathy that these stories bring through diving deeply.
Would highly recommend to everyone, please pick this book up, read it quietly, reflect, and take action.
Naturally, it being an anthology means that some stories will resonate with each reader more than others. And some are also written more to my taste than others. My partner read some of the essays too and it was interesting to compare our notes. While many of the stories do have an emphasis on being Black as a cause for things happening, some of these events might still be things that you go through no matter where you are coming from, but for different reasons and might in turn also impact you differently.
Some of the themes that particularly resonated with me:
- Black men and White women: I had never heard of Emmett Till before reading this book. He was a 14 year old boy, tortured and murdered in Mississippi after flirting with a woman. The woman was a cashier in a grocery shop, and her husband and his half-brother were the ones who went for this course of action. Decades later, the woman also said that she lied under oath. She said that the teen verbally offended her and touched her waist, yet this didn't happen, and she said that no one deserved this treatment for whatever they did. An author also mentioned being fetishised by White women, including speaking of the myth of big penises which comes from colonial times when Black men were sexually harassed. I've thought about events when I might have been responsible for such prejudices, and I really hope that I haven't done anything to hurt those around me.
- Names: I've always hated my name and how it screams where I'm from, it gives away too much. I don't associate with it, I consider myself more 'European' than pertaining to a particular country. And I'm a private person, I want to choose what I share. So I see the importance of names in establishing an identity, and conversely, can see why someone would want that bond. One of the authors mentioned how even in Jamaica, where their family is from and they feel most at home, their name 'Alexander' would immediately label them as a foreigner. In Britain, it would be the colour of their skin. Names carry meaning as to the events when someone was born, or the emotion of the parent, or an intent for their destiny too.
- Broken families: One of the first stories in the book speaks about a boy whose 25 year old single mother put him in foster care. He grew up with a White mother, and at some point his birth mum plucked him away. He was now living in poverty, with violence his mother would apply in frustration, not knowing who his carer was and how to share his affections. Another story talked about the beatings a child would receive from his mum and his stepdad. This is something I am firmly against, and it touched me very deeply. It is clear that this man was shaped by these experiences and this has bred a level of distance from his family, understandably.
- Social life: This is a theme that is reflected on in different ways, Black quotas in entering clubs, where you sit in the bus, how you wait at an ATM. It's heartbreaking to read about being avoided, ignored, run from, when you haven't done anything. No wonder that we are still such a segregated society, especially outside of London.
For me personally, essays that did not work quite as well were those that were trying to do a tad too much, explain the whole life of a person in 10 pages. I would like to think I am aware of racial injustice, and so essays that mentioned all the topics in one without going into detail did little for me. I knew about these aspects, and a lot of my call to action is the level of empathy that these stories bring through diving deeply.
Would highly recommend to everyone, please pick this book up, read it quietly, reflect, and take action.
November 29, 2019
I have one difficulty with this book. I have not experienced what it is like to grow up as a black man in Britain. I can only rely on what others tell me because, although I am a man, I am not black. These twenty essays are all about what it is like to grow up as a black man in Britain in the last half of the 20th century. It is quite noticeable that some of these men are much more privileged than me. They went to private fee-paying schools, although most of them did not. All of them had one great disadvantage. They were other. They were black. They were growing up in England (and it is England that is being discussed) and they were not white.
I do have some understanding of this experience because I grew up in north-east London in the 1950s and I am not English. I am Welsh. This is nothing like growing up Jewish in 1950s London because they were still the main targets of chauvinism and dislike. My grammar school thought nothing of using John Buchan’s “The 39 Steps” as a set text in English literature, despite its rampant antisemitism and talk of the “World Jewish Conspiracy”. I experienced nothing like that, although I did have to listen to a teacher in class say “I don’t like the Welsh”. This kind of thing was par for the course. I shudder to think what it was like growing up black in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s with the talk of “rivers of blood” (Enoch Powell), “swamping” (Margaret Thatcher) and the National Front running riot in the streets. People died because of the encouragement given to racists, and many of us can be very proud of the fact that we took a stand against them.
What comes through these essays is that growing up as a black male child in England (and none of these essays are by people who grew up in Wales or Scotland) must have been terrifying. They could not hide. They were obviously different, and there were not that many of them, despite Margaret Thatcher’s talk of “swamping”. In the schools, they faced aggression from some of their classmates and some of their teachers. They were on their own.
These essays are remarkable. No matter what their geographical and class origins, these boys were under attack. And they survived. They emerged as the men they are now – confident, articulate and courageous. If it is safe to grow up as a black male in the UK today (and I do not think it is), it is because of men such as these authors. The difficulty is that we appear to need boys like these authors in every generation to assert themselves against the racists in our society. It will only really be safe to grow up as a black boy in the UK when this is no longer necessary.
I do have some understanding of this experience because I grew up in north-east London in the 1950s and I am not English. I am Welsh. This is nothing like growing up Jewish in 1950s London because they were still the main targets of chauvinism and dislike. My grammar school thought nothing of using John Buchan’s “The 39 Steps” as a set text in English literature, despite its rampant antisemitism and talk of the “World Jewish Conspiracy”. I experienced nothing like that, although I did have to listen to a teacher in class say “I don’t like the Welsh”. This kind of thing was par for the course. I shudder to think what it was like growing up black in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s with the talk of “rivers of blood” (Enoch Powell), “swamping” (Margaret Thatcher) and the National Front running riot in the streets. People died because of the encouragement given to racists, and many of us can be very proud of the fact that we took a stand against them.
What comes through these essays is that growing up as a black male child in England (and none of these essays are by people who grew up in Wales or Scotland) must have been terrifying. They could not hide. They were obviously different, and there were not that many of them, despite Margaret Thatcher’s talk of “swamping”. In the schools, they faced aggression from some of their classmates and some of their teachers. They were on their own.
These essays are remarkable. No matter what their geographical and class origins, these boys were under attack. And they survived. They emerged as the men they are now – confident, articulate and courageous. If it is safe to grow up as a black male in the UK today (and I do not think it is), it is because of men such as these authors. The difficulty is that we appear to need boys like these authors in every generation to assert themselves against the racists in our society. It will only really be safe to grow up as a black boy in the UK when this is no longer necessary.
March 6, 2020
I loved the feeling of intimacy. As if the writers are in direct conversation with me, trusting me with the inner workings of their mind. An array of voices - yet all pieces of the same puzzle.
I didn't give it a full five stars because I would have loved to read more of a range of topics. I felt that the main areas focused on was race, and fitting into society.
I would have loved to get an insight into how men think and feel about different areas of their personal lives such as: black men as father's, black men finding committed relationships, black men navigating their marriage, black men dealing with break ups and co parenting, black men's relationship to women in contrast to or as a result of their mother, black mens perspective on colourism and preference, black men and mental health etc.
I didn't give it a full five stars because I would have loved to read more of a range of topics. I felt that the main areas focused on was race, and fitting into society.
I would have loved to get an insight into how men think and feel about different areas of their personal lives such as: black men as father's, black men finding committed relationships, black men navigating their marriage, black men dealing with break ups and co parenting, black men's relationship to women in contrast to or as a result of their mother, black mens perspective on colourism and preference, black men and mental health etc.
August 1, 2020
This is a selection of non-fiction essays written by black British men about themselves and their lives. Some were born in the UK and some came to live here later. Some are from an African background, while others from an Afro-Carribean background; very few of them conform to or identify with lazy stereotypes based mainly on perceptions of African-Americans.
July 20, 2021
A good but uneven compendium of stories written by Black Londoners. There was hardly anything about the West Indian population which was a major weakness here. There were a ton of typos and grammatical errors but I'm not going grammar police on the writers- the editors however were clearly asleep at the wheel.
January 18, 2025
Just WOW
This piece of art took me on a much needed journey from writer to writer I was mesmerised by your story. Anyone that will listen I am telling them about this book it is a must read for our black men. But also for the wider population, irrespective of your race or gender everyone should read this book.
This piece of art took me on a much needed journey from writer to writer I was mesmerised by your story. Anyone that will listen I am telling them about this book it is a must read for our black men. But also for the wider population, irrespective of your race or gender everyone should read this book.
February 12, 2020
Some Good essays, some okay, some boring. didn't finish it because I felt I got all I could out of it. I flcked to the essays I felt like reading and thought would be interesting.
Favs:
Suli Breaks
Alex Wheatle
Owusu
Yomi Sode
Stephen Morrison-Burke
3.5*
Favs:
Suli Breaks
Alex Wheatle
Owusu
Yomi Sode
Stephen Morrison-Burke
3.5*
January 29, 2021
As usual with anthologies, enjoyed some essays more than others - Owusu's own was incredible and a complete sucker punch, alongside Musa Okwonga, JJ Bola and Courttia Newland's. A great addition from a far underrepresented group in literature.
November 4, 2019
Great read some stories more interesting than others but great to know and here how men are feeling and thinking .
December 31, 2021
Absolutely love this book of essays. One to keep and share with friends.
March 27, 2022
I enjoyed the essays by Derek Owusu, Joseph Harker and Suli Breaks. Symeon Brown offered an interesting insight into clubs and raves.
July 16, 2022
so so good!!
ovb not all chapters r as good as others
such a beautiful, poetic & varied chorus of black british men
loved
ovb not all chapters r as good as others
such a beautiful, poetic & varied chorus of black british men
loved
February 20, 2024
Inspiring.
August 14, 2025
Loved everything about this.
Wish I could read more books like this.
Wish I could read more books like this.
November 17, 2020
Safe: On Black British Men Reclaiming Space is by far one of the best essay collections I’ve ever read.
This collection features essays from 20 different writers discuss what it means to be a black British man in today’s society trying to occupy space and what this means.
The essays cover a huge breadth of topics spanning every from mental health, sexual harassment, familial relationships, colonialism, representation of black men in the media, the education system and grime music.
One essay that has particularly stuck with me is surrounding the popularity of Big Narstie in ‘mainstream’ British media, and how a significant reason for this is how his persona is an exaggerated version of how suburban white Britain believe black men act. Again, something I hadn’t even considered but seems so blatant now.
There are so many issues and points raised in this collection I hadn’t even thought about and periods of history spoken about that’s been completely glazed over in our education system. Even if you’re someone who considers themselves well informed, you will definitely learn something new in this collection.
This book needs to be required reading for EVERYONE, especially if you live in the UK.
July 3, 2019
A varied and honest selection of essays shedding light on what it means to be a black man in modern Britain. A vital collection and a must-read.
July 24, 2020
Interesting to read the different perspectives from men raised in Black Britain.
Good discussion points from many men I have been privileged to meet in my literary journey.
Good discussion points from many men I have been privileged to meet in my literary journey.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews