People Like Us: What it Takes to Make it in Modern Britain

by Hashi Mohamed

A New Statesman Book of the YearAS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4'S BOOK OF THE WEEK'Hashi Mohamed powerfully exposes the alienating and segregating effect of social immobility in this country.' David Lammy 'A moving, shocking and clear-eyed account of the increasingly rare phenomenon of social mobility. Using his own extraordinary story as a spine [Hashi Mohamed] has written an analysis, how-to-guide and polemic on getting on and up in Britain today.' - Grayson Perry 'Beautifully written and powerfully argued, People Like Us is essential reading' The Secret BarristerWhat does it take to make it in modern Britain? Ask a politician, and they'll tell you it's hard work. Ask a millionaire, and they'll tell you it's talent. Ask a CEO and they'll tell you it's dedication. But what if none of those things is enough?Raised on benefits and having attended some of the lowest-performing schools in the country, barrister Hashi Mohamed knows something about social mobility. In People Like Us, he shares what he has from the stark statistics that reveal the depth of the problem to the failures of imagination, education and confidence that compound it. We live in a society where the single greatest indicator of what your job will be is the job of your parents. Where power and privilege are concentrated among the 7 per cent of the population who were privately educated. Where, if your name sounds black or Asian, you'll need to send out twice as many job applications as your white neighbour. Wherever you are on the social spectrum, this is an essential investigation into our society's most intractable problem. We have more power than we realise to change things for the better.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Sociology, Memoir, Race, Class, Autobiography

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2020

Reviews

[Anthony Weir]

I heard Hashi Mohamed's excellent readings from this book on the BBC, and have not actually read the entire text.
But I think I am justified in pointing out its basic naivety.

Capitalism, especially modern consumer-turbo-capitalism, depends on not just one but several underclasses, the lowest one being farthest away and out of sight - possibly surrounded by razor-wire.

Mr Mohamed's passionate urging of members of a particular underclass to which he belonged to 'rise' and 'succeed' does not take account of the increasing and insane necessity to compete - in everything: status, employment, income, sport, fashion, virtue-signalling...
Competitive societies are unfair societies and generate vast amounts of human - let alone environmental - misery.

He also talks glibly of 'the middle class', not realising that the gap between the 'upper', 'middle' and 'lower' middle classes is as large as that between the 'upper' middle class and the upper class.

[Michelle]

I saw Hashi Muhammed speak about this book and read extracts from it and I instantly wanted to read this book: a book by a Black barrister with an upper-class diction from a working-class background who had come to the UK as a refugee which explored the intersection of all of his identities, his life, how he had found his journey to his current social position and the discrimination he had faced (and still faces) getting (and staying) there.

I found this book to be an odd mishmash of memoir and exploration of the effect of race, background and other factors on social mobility mixed with a sort of self-help rhetoric wherein the author acknowledges that some elements won't work for everyone whilst seeming to despair at others not having the same knowledge or employing the same tactics. He takes the line of "some people may think that opportunities would be given to anyone willing to work for them, but it's not as simple as that", but then appears to form the same conclusions or display the same negative reactions to those who don't do as he expects within the second half of the book. As a result, it was quite an uneven and rarely emotive read. To hear in the afterword that the author frequently had to pause, due to the emotional toll of writing the book, is surprising, due to the unempassioned tone of the writing throughout. However, given that this was the case, I'm glad that he pushed through to produce a book that is a worthwhile read covering important topics, despite the issues I myself had with its execution.

[Anna]

Thoughtful and full of proactive ideas for how to improve things for a fairer society.

[Lily]

I don’t remember when I started this book (I’ve assumed the day I travelled up to the homeless link conference, where HM was a fellow panellist), but I picked up around page 75 a couple of weeks ago and motored through.

My mind is elsewhere so I didn’t give this book what I wanted, but it felt deeply meaningful to read it at this juncture. I’d probably give it 3.5 stars but feel unsure of that given my absentmindedness. The depth of vulnerability (especially in the conclusion) also feels deserving of at least a standalone additional 0.5 stars.

I also think this book should be required reading for every UK profession and senior leadership position, especially policymaking.

[Milli]

Incredible!!

[David Steele]

One of the better books on social mobility - in fact, on social science in general. I was particularly impressed by the wealth of references to other authors and the relevant insights that could be found in their work. In using such a wide range of written material to put this book together, Mohamed has provided a compendium of relevant reading.
Nowhere near as scathing as Owen Jones, and nothing like as bitter as Darren McGarvey (although he does quote both authors) the author looks at a wide spectrum of factors facing people from disadvantaged backgrounds when entering the world of work and management.
It was a refreshing change to encounter somebody who was able to equally acknowledge the difficulties faced by people of colour and whites of lower working class backgrounds (as well of those whose backgrounds intersect). It feels like I’ve waited a long time to hear somebody acknowledge that being white and male doesn’t automatically equate to being privileged, but the author was able to do so in a way that helped me to recognise just how lucky I’d been to claim this identity as my own.
Mohamed has great advice for young job seekers who might not fit the corporate mould. He also does a fine job of dismantling the concepts of meritocracy, as well as well-meaning attempts at tokenism. Much of his advice is practical, aimed at people who’ve succeeded in life, to encourage them to take responsibility for mentoring and guiding those who need a hand getting off the blocks, as well as pointing out what employers can do to level up the employment market for those who might not otherwise get as much as a chance to prove themselves.
I’ve got loads of notes from this book, which I always take to be a positive indicator of time well spent.

[Ruihan]

I found myself agreeing with almost all of the "controversial" advice that the author gave for those who want to move up in society - for example, it may not be the best to be your authentic self in professional settings, or that it is perfectly acceptable to "code switch", i.e. to sound like an old Etonian even though you grew up in the inner city. I also agree with his general outlook: you have to deal with the world as it is, not as it should be.

The author's story - at any rate - is an extraordinary one, from a child refugee from Somalia and Kenya to a respected barrister. But as he said in the book (and I'm paraphrasing here) the moral of the story is not that if you work hard enough you will make it; rather it highlights the barriers to social mobility in British society.

This is a good read for those who want to move up in society and for those committed to improving social mobility in Britain. I would also recommend Fiona Hill's There's Nothing For You Here for a different perspective, i.e the perspective of someone who grew up in rural poverty in the North of England and who only escaped being judged by her socio-economic class once she moved from Britain to the US.

[Ciaran Monaghan]

This is really a book of two halves. The first is a well researched examination of social mobility in the UK and gives a good explanation as to why it's largely failing (education disparities, language (and accent) barriers, hiring practices, etc.). The second is more like a self-help guide and it is here that I had some problems. Mohamed advocates for confidence and adaptability among those hoping to become more socially mobile. Although he admits that the system needs to change, I felt these recommendations placed the failings back on individuals e.g. if you didn't succeed then you just didn't display sufficient self-confidence. The advice is clearly good as it comes from his lived experience, but I am not sure how widely applicable it can be to other people. He seems like quite a driven and ambitious individual from his writing. I'm not sure I could've succeeded where he did and feel others will be the same. With that being said, it's possible that Mohamed is just being realistic with the book e.g. the system needs to change, but until it does, this is what you have to do.

[Jason Walker]

An inspiring story, compelling you to look within yourself at your privilege, upbringing and luck.
This book has inspired me to think hard about my own imposter syndrome, how I can tell it to “politely fuck off” and also how I can be a force for change at work in terms of diversity.
A wonderful story and a must read for anyone who has ever been unsure of their own sense of self.

[Elizabeth]

After chapter 1 I thought this is a book every politician and policy maker should read. By chapter 2 I considered it a book everyone should read. By the end I was sure if that. Thank you Sky book club.

[Claire (Book Blog Bird)]

DNF at 15% I had high hopes for this one but it turned out to be a bit of a slog. Maybe I’ll go back to it later.

[Ceciliaashu]

This is an essential read for those trying to understand a perspective on the class divide in this country and the important changes needed to increase social mobility

[David Cutler]

Hashi Mohammed has a powerful story to tell both regarding the huge challenges he has faced and overcome as a young Somali refugee arriving in Britain to being a barrister today and he interweaves this with the dismal truth of the level of racism and inequality in Britain. He is keen to inspire others as he surely will and lays great store in the usefulness of mentoring.

My problem with the book though is that it rarely catches fire. The sources he uses for a more analytical look at racism in British society are both limited and obvious. It doesn’t claim to be a work of scholarship or original research. Towards the end of the book he says how painful it has been to write and how often he has cried writing it, This really surprised me. His tone is so controlled throughout. I would have loved it to have been an angrier book like How To Be An Antiracist or Why I am no Longer Talking to White People about Race. What it becomes is a solid workman like telling of a quite extraordinary life.

Perhaps that is why it feels so apolitical. It is up to Black people to adopt the appropriate codes to fit in he counsels. Anything else is being sold a crock by white liberals that know no better. Quite possibly true and good advice while being deeply depressing.

[Annkathrin]

This book is well written, thoughtfully laid out, and contains truths that are difficult to hear, for all the right reasons.

We have to take time to internally confront the systemic, institutional barriers and privileges that divide people based on inherited circumstances beyond their control, and then begin to value individuals based on what they can offer and contribute, rather than on what we perceive their backgrounds to be.

If you think you already do this 100% of the time, you are likely unaware of the depth of unconscious bias that influences your views on, and participation in, the work needed to improve social mobility in the context of modern Britain.
I learned a lot from Hashi's book. I hope I keep on learning.

[Denise]

This book is gripping! Not only is it informative in describing what social mobility is and is not, it's also incredibly transparent about what needs to be done practically on an individual level by those who seek to be beneficiaries of social mobility schemes/opportunities. Further, it challenges those in the higher echelons (the government, employers etc.) Mohamed himself is really down to earth, and his story is emotive and hard-hitting - his is a story which embodies the idea of starting from the bottom, and kudos, he tells it so well.

[Louise]

This book combines Hashi's personal story of social mobility with stats, facts and figures to describe this in relation to wider society.
I could relate to this book and agreed with most of Hashi's points. I am an individual who is trying to 'socially mobilise'. As well as proving me with perspective, it was refreshing to read a book which addressed something so prevalent in my own life but is rarely discussed.
His own story is inspiring and provokes hope as well as food for thought.
Have recommended this to various readers I know. A great read!

[Siddeek]

Definitely an important read

[Bernadette]

I loved People Like Us because so much of what the author says about making it in Britain felt true to me.

As an immigrant, there are things about British society that you have to learn consciously. The discussion about accent and speaking clearly particularly resonated with me—not because you should be ashamed of where you come from, but because how you communicate and present yourself matters. There was also something powerful in the idea of behaving as though you are worth hiring. You may have the education, experience and ability, but you also have to walk into the room believing that you deserve to be there.

The book also reinforced for me the value of a good education. Education is not simply about qualifications or earning more money. It can be a means of social mobility, and that mobility does not necessarily benefit only the person who achieves it. I was struck by the author’s reflections on how moving up the social ladder enabled him to help his family prosper too. When one person creates opportunities for themselves, the effects can extend to the people around them and even to the next generation.

Perhaps the part that affected me most was the author’s perspective as a lawyer. There can be a sense of guilt attached to ambition, particularly when you care about social justice and believe in using the law to help others. The book challenged the idea that having good values means you must spend your entire professional life saving the world. You can care about human rights and justice while also choosing a more lucrative area of practice. Wanting financial security, professional success and a better life does not mean abandoning your principles.

That was one of the most liberating messages I took from the book: doing good and doing well are not mutually exclusive.

For me, People Like Us is ultimately about much more than social mobility. It is about understanding the unwritten rules, investing in yourself, having the confidence to take opportunities when they come, and recognising that improving your own circumstances can also improve the lives of those around you.

Most importantly, it reminded me of something that can be surprisingly difficult to admit without qualification or apology:

It’s okay to want more.

[Sum]

An important book for those of us born into social disadvantage covering many aspects of breaking through the barriers to reach social mobility. The authors background is fascinating as one of a number of children of his mother and a Somalian background (he provides a very interesting insight into the Somalian language which he describes as both fierce and poetic in nature).

At times the book felt quite long and sometimes part of it could be abridged - which might put off the very people who need to read this book! There are insights I still think about from this book especially around language and code switching depending on who you talk to. But also the fears around code switching by some people and speaking with better vocabulary (rather than the slang of your local area) in a corporate setting for example, being perceived as inauthentic. Speaking with better vocabulary and expressing yourself well can be ostracising from your home group who feel you have changed (but I loved his point that you can still speak differently to match your “work” persona without sacrificing your identity). All of this will sound trivial and obvious to someone who doesn’t come from a disadvantaged background. However it’s critical advice as these feelings can be so ingrained.

Nevertheless - a useful read exploring how one can seek to fit into the corporate world, how opportunities should be sought, how we can mentor students/ young people from lower socio economic backgrounds (one of my favourites was the persistence of the mentor to get interactions from the young people as they may not feel worthy), and all of which is wrapped around the authors own biography and experience.

I will give this book 3 stars because I’ve been reading this book in bits over the last year, and I might have got through it quicker if the book was more punchy. Nonetheless an important account, that I enjoyed at times but found very repetitive at others.

[Anne Tucker]

My book of 2022 - I read and absorbed every page, engrossed and fascinated.
It is the human experience of a successful Black barrister in London - in which he takes the reader thr0ugh his struggles from childhood to succeed in today's Britain.
His analyses of how the cards are stacked so unfairly against minorities (he is almost more aware of class than race, although they run parallel in much of his writing.
He rips into shreds the liberal concepts of social mobility, and statememnts that we live in a meritocracy. Much of his analysis is levelled against 'New Labour' thinking, which he feel is more dangerous than Conservatism because it claims to not show any prejudice - Mohamed's own story has so much to say about the falseness of these claims.
There is so much in this book about his struggles, how he gets round the hardest stubling blocks - a mix of GOOD LUCK, IMAGINATION AND THINKING AHEAD - his advice as to how to play the games right , plan where you want to go, be clear about the climb needed and the setbacks that will abound, is excellent and fascinating and should be read by all.
Mostly he argues for a massive change in society and our priorities - since, as long as there is a small elite at the top, those with massive advantages (education, wealth, class inheritance) are almost bound to remain the elite - and greatly resent upstarts whose success means their childrens failure.

I would so love to be in a meeting where he is talking to Black or White workng class youngsters labelled (including self-labelled) 'no-hopers' - the experience might be electric ....

[Michele Attias]

Brilliant read! I listened to the author speak at the Sky Arts Book Club and was incredibly impressed by his story and the way he related it; I decided to buy the book and it was a true eye opener. His story as a young boy from Somalia trying to navigate the British system reminded me of the kids I worked with in schools who were refugees arriving unsettled and traumatised, yet having to integrate into the British schooling system when they came from deprived backgrounds.
In addition to this, the book allowed me to reflect on my own journey as an immigrant to the U.K., the prejudices I might have experienced and the way I tried to ‘blend in’ as much as possible. It also allowed me to reflect on how I might have unconsciously been influenced by someone’s external appearance/language and race.
The fact that some children start the education journey far better prepared through their middle class starting point as opposed to a working class background is further explored. The book often reads like an academic essay as many stats and figures are revealed, which backs up Hashi’s statements, it is really informative, and there is also a reference section at the end of the book for further reading on specific topics.
I loved the authors personal story and although this can feel like an academic read, it is also punctuated with so much humanity and soul, and this sets it apart and makes it incredibly engaging as well as informative. Highly recommended read for everyone, not just for those sharing Hashi’s journey through the British system.

[Furqan Sattar]

Beautifully written, thoroughly enjoyable memoire by a barrister, who makes it from an immigrant Somali family with disadvantages that are not easily visible to the common eye.
As this was my first read on the topic of social mobility, it introduced me to phrases and concepts which I did not know before. The books appeared very thoroughly researched and extensively referenced for all the figures and statistics provided.
It also helps you think about the forces that are in play in your day to day life, and also what kind of challenges exist for working class and immigrant families in a diverse post-modern western society. If you are a parent, it gives you an insight into how in addition to education, factors like connections, confidence and privilege lead to better future prospects in almost all the high-end careers.
That being said, Hashi has little to offer in terms of solutions to the problem of the glass ceiling that prevents social mobility of the disadvantaged in the Modern Britain. What he offers, for example things like trying to accept change (accent being one example given in the book), seem quite simplistic for this complex problem. Towards the end the book just ends up sounding like an Ode to the personal journey with some redundant ideas that add little value to the whole book.

[Awo]

Wow. Just wow. Such a brilliantly written book. Hashi explains society and it's challenges in such an interesting way. It's not depressingly negative nor does he come across as unrealistically optimistic. He manages to explain in a way that gets to the core of things. Hashi - a Somali refugee, grew up in Brent, attended Wembley High, went to Oxford, and became a successful Barrister - tackles issues with identity, class and the reality of social mobility within the UK.

He explains his story and his struggles, but not to gain sympathy, instead to educate and inspire.The tone of the book matches his message, and his attitude towards life - we don't spend enough time focusing on the world we live in and too much time on the world we would like to live in. All in all, an amazing read - would definitely recommend!

[Vinka Maharani]

It's my first book in social mobility topic in a form of memoir (sort of). While critiquing the system, the memoir 'approach' makes the book concentrated more on the practical things you could do as individual.

I love how the argument constructed & the explanation conveyed. The words are strong and convincing, a well-expected one as it's written by barrister. But at the last third of the books, the repetitive patterns of "I'm aware this thing not work; that thing neither" are too much. Perhaps it's how the writer describing the problematic part of the topic by explaining it as a spectrum, and not in polarity.

Anyhow, it's powerful & enjoyable reading. It's also triggering so many ideas for writing about social mobility in another perspective. I like it.

[Anita McKelvey]

Heard Hashi talk recently and got book after. It reinforced my own thinking about social mobility and how we need to look at the communication needs of children at an early age to equip them with the tools to build on their skills. I loved that he discussed innate issues that have an impact on people and that it is not simply a matter of making sure everyone keeps trying their best and that through effort anyone can achieve. This is a very simplistic view of how lives are shaped and does not reflect circumstances beyond people and children control especially. It has inspired me to look at myself and to consider how I might do more.

[Amy Collins]

I often recommend this book to colleagues wanting to know more about social mobility, equality and the importance of mentorship for minority groups. What Hashi has overcome and achieved is amazing and his story is so important to read - especially important for those in positions of power and influence in our society. One small thing - his soul focus in the book seems to talk about success in terms of money and power - there didn't seem to be much recognition of the fact that 'success' means different things to different people. But I suppose this wasn't the point of the book. A great read anyway.

[Rachel]

Excellent insight into the barriers to success for those in society who get all the qualifications but still can't break into a profession or career. Hashi came to the UK aged 9, attended a comprehensive in Wembly and then eventually became a barrister by learning the societal etiquette unknown to him as a child who grew up in different circumstances. He changed his accent, learnt rules like 'no brown in town' and what the question ' what school did you attend' really meant plus lots more. Inspiring story and a great read.

[Matt Cooper]

Fantastic book. A really punchy account of his life, and what other actors (people and employers) can do to improve the situation in the UK. Much-needed too, after the dissolution of the Social Mobility Commission last year. Makes me proud I do what I do. Whilst I don't agree with everything Hashi says, it's a much needed shot in the arm. I strongly urge anyone interested in civic justice to read.

[Sjp]

Hugely Researched piece on social mobility in the UK from the perspective of a successful, high earning, British Somali.

Topics of Unconscious bias, challenging meritocracy, language & educations role in upward mobility, the rise of AI over manufacturing, policy making, class, aspirations and integration, diversifying recruitment... , all broaden the readers perspective regardless of where u stand on the social spectrum.

[Melissa Angel]

This book has really stayed with me. I am a teacher in the Haringey area and work with many different ethnicities. Coming from Australia I have not known or understood much about England’s diversity and incredible multiculturalism especially in London. I learned so much about the experience of families coming here from another country and the challenges they face. It is also an uplifting story of beating the odds. Great to know you a little bit, Hashing. Thank you