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Black, Listed: Black British Culture Explored
GUARDIAN MUST READ BOOKS OF 2019 FINANCIAL TIMES BOOKS TO READ 2019 NEW STATESMAN MUST READS 2019 'A truly radical book, which manages to be unflinching and constantly entertaining'
CAROLINE SANDERSON, THE BOOKSELLER BOOK OF THE MONTH APRIL 2019 AFRICAN BOOKS ADDICT MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2019 *
*
* Who is a roadman really? What's wrong with calling someone a 'lighty'? Why do people think black guys are cool? These are just some of the questions being wrestled with in Black, Listed , an exploration of 21st century black identity told through a list of insults, insights and everything in-between. Taking a panoramic look at global black history, interrogating both contemporary and historical culture, Black, Listed investigates the ways in which black communities (and individuals) have been represented, oppressed, mimicked, celebrated, and othered. Part historical study, part autobiographical musing, part pop culture vivisection, it's a comprehensive attempt to make sense of blackness from the vantage point of the hilarious and insightful psyche of Jeffrey Boakye. Along the way, it explores a far reaching range of social and cultural contexts, including but not limited to, sport, art, entertainment, politics, literature, history, music, theatre, cinema, education and criminal justice, sometimes at the same time.
CAROLINE SANDERSON, THE BOOKSELLER BOOK OF THE MONTH APRIL 2019 AFRICAN BOOKS ADDICT MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2019 *
*
* Who is a roadman really? What's wrong with calling someone a 'lighty'? Why do people think black guys are cool? These are just some of the questions being wrestled with in Black, Listed , an exploration of 21st century black identity told through a list of insults, insights and everything in-between. Taking a panoramic look at global black history, interrogating both contemporary and historical culture, Black, Listed investigates the ways in which black communities (and individuals) have been represented, oppressed, mimicked, celebrated, and othered. Part historical study, part autobiographical musing, part pop culture vivisection, it's a comprehensive attempt to make sense of blackness from the vantage point of the hilarious and insightful psyche of Jeffrey Boakye. Along the way, it explores a far reaching range of social and cultural contexts, including but not limited to, sport, art, entertainment, politics, literature, history, music, theatre, cinema, education and criminal justice, sometimes at the same time.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 2, 2019
At first, the tone of the book was irritating. I really did not like the jocular forms of address, as if I was sitting in a lecture room listening to a power-point presentation on race issues. "Hello friend. We meet again" and "Stay with me" are a few small examples. Rather than build a link with me as the reader, they grated: because each informal nudge reminded me that this author knew what he was talking about and maybe I was struggling to keep up. After a time, however, I began to realise what Boakye was doing-- keeping a light and level tone so as the book did not collapse into pedantry and despair. Many books on race and racism can be Jeremiads, but not this. In Black, Listed , Boakye has done a remarkable job. He has written a compelling analysis of race issues without falling into dark holes of theory and incomprehension.
With wit and sensitivity, Boakye lists words that occur in Black British culture: Black, BAME, negro, monkey, chocolate, lunchbox, facety, pengting, coconut, gangsta etc. The book imagines these as elements that have to be split into atoms and analysed. At one point, he observes that the book was rejected for being too African-Caribbean in terminology, insufficiently African for those wanting to place it within African Studies. Of course, Boakye can see the idiocy of this (though he is generous) for African terms have not influenced British culture: much of the vocabulary of liberation comes from the Caribbean and much of the UK's racist ideologies are anti-Caribbean. There is something of a Structuralist methodology in the book-- the concept of listing and cracking open is reminiscent of Barthes, but this is a million miles away from a book of terms that speaks to an elite. Black, Listed was a book, after initial pick ups and put downs, that I read in one sitting with total absorption. Many years ago, in exasperation with wooly talk by liberals on racism, bel hooks stated what racism is: talk by White suprematist, Capitalist Patriarchy. Boakye writes with that kind of verve and truth-telling
My only regret was the realisation that I was not the book's target audience. This is the book that every every "Black" (dubious term) teenager in the UK should read for Boakye, as Principal of a progressive new school, The Big Picture, has written a book that speaks about their experiences in life-- a book of humour, understanding, rage and brilliance.
With wit and sensitivity, Boakye lists words that occur in Black British culture: Black, BAME, negro, monkey, chocolate, lunchbox, facety, pengting, coconut, gangsta etc. The book imagines these as elements that have to be split into atoms and analysed. At one point, he observes that the book was rejected for being too African-Caribbean in terminology, insufficiently African for those wanting to place it within African Studies. Of course, Boakye can see the idiocy of this (though he is generous) for African terms have not influenced British culture: much of the vocabulary of liberation comes from the Caribbean and much of the UK's racist ideologies are anti-Caribbean. There is something of a Structuralist methodology in the book-- the concept of listing and cracking open is reminiscent of Barthes, but this is a million miles away from a book of terms that speaks to an elite. Black, Listed was a book, after initial pick ups and put downs, that I read in one sitting with total absorption. Many years ago, in exasperation with wooly talk by liberals on racism, bel hooks stated what racism is: talk by White suprematist, Capitalist Patriarchy. Boakye writes with that kind of verve and truth-telling
My only regret was the realisation that I was not the book's target audience. This is the book that every every "Black" (dubious term) teenager in the UK should read for Boakye, as Principal of a progressive new school, The Big Picture, has written a book that speaks about their experiences in life-- a book of humour, understanding, rage and brilliance.
September 26, 2020
I enjoyed this book - an account on what it means to be Black in Britain today, explored via language. Boakye is both engaging and entertaining and he makes you think whilst also making you smile. Recommended.
April 4, 2020
From page 1, I knew I would thoroughly enjoy this book. So much of what Boakye had to say resonated deeply with me. So often, I feel like I have to ignore my blackness. After all, we are living in post-racial Britain right? We don't see colour right? Except, that is not my reality. I am often the only black person in the room and I can't pretend that doesn't wear on me; the micro aggressions I bear every day can be exhausting.
In his book, Boakye uncovers the insidious nature of the kind of racism most prevalent in Britain - the racism that exists in how things are said rather than what is said. It is important for black and non-black Brits alike not to become complacent and think racism is extinct. It is not. It has simply evolved and in its current form is perhaps harder than ever to stamp out.
Boakye just gets it and what is even better is that he has a fantastic sense of humour about it too. That's not to say he doesn't recognise there is work to do but he'll make you laugh along the way to that realisation.
In his book, Boakye uncovers the insidious nature of the kind of racism most prevalent in Britain - the racism that exists in how things are said rather than what is said. It is important for black and non-black Brits alike not to become complacent and think racism is extinct. It is not. It has simply evolved and in its current form is perhaps harder than ever to stamp out.
Boakye just gets it and what is even better is that he has a fantastic sense of humour about it too. That's not to say he doesn't recognise there is work to do but he'll make you laugh along the way to that realisation.
June 10, 2020
This book tells very personal, human stories about black identity, culture and history. It made me want to read more about language and race, particularly from the perspective of black women or black queer people. In the end Boakye calls readers to action, to make sure that his lighthearted tone throughout is not mistaken for a lack of fear, but in order to ease (presumably white) people into the idea that white supremacy is a very real and present crisis. I would read this again.
July 20, 2022
Whilst I found this very educational and insightful, I think the dictionary style of writing sometimes went on tangents that lost me. I think it’s very important to understand how certain words exist in a racial context and this book certainly covered that!
October 14, 2023
A genuinely brilliant book. It packs so many ideas into its pages but does so in this loose, offhand and almost conversational way that means you don’t really realise how many ideas it’s expressed until you’ve already started thinking about them. You can tell Boakye is a great teacher because he does that thing where he quietly leads you to conclusions rather than just throwing them at you. There’s anger and justifiable frustration and indignation here, but again he leads you to those views organically. And it’s the sort of book you can keep rereading and know you’ll get more out of each time (and also worthy of updating - I’d be particularly fascinated by his views on Ncuti Gatwa as an openly queer, proudly black Doctor which feels like a big shift in public perception if he’s as widely accepted as I think he’s going to be)
March 11, 2022
Such a necessary read. I found the exploration of every single word to be so well-researched and informative yet also incredibly personable and insightful. Engaging throughout. Please read if you get the chance.
August 4, 2025
i loved this book. it was so easily digestible whilst being incredibly informative. boakye drew back the curtain on a supposed ‘post-racial’ and ‘multicultural’ britain and drew a big red line under all the ways that black people have been failed by a country that initially welcomed them with open arms just to essentially stab them in the chest.
you can just tell the effort that the author put into making sure that his words were well researched but yet easily understood by a wide audience. usually non fiction books can often feel like a lecture but because the tone of this book was jovial yet firm, i found that i didn’t struggle to digest it in large chunks. i loved the references to pop culture and it made so many concepts so much easier and relatable. i literally underlined a sentence MINIMUM in every single section.
you can just tell the effort that the author put into making sure that his words were well researched but yet easily understood by a wide audience. usually non fiction books can often feel like a lecture but because the tone of this book was jovial yet firm, i found that i didn’t struggle to digest it in large chunks. i loved the references to pop culture and it made so many concepts so much easier and relatable. i literally underlined a sentence MINIMUM in every single section.
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December 11, 2020I’ve tried really hard to persist with this book for months. The writing style is not to my taste, but the content is interesting and personal so I thought I’d try and finish it. However, I’ve got to the 50% mark and have just read the term “economically retarded” and I have given up. He might not mean this offensively, but I cannot be bothered to read something by an author who is too lazy to find an alternative, non-offensive word to describe economics. I mean, really??
April 19, 2025
this was great, a bit too informally written in places but he does explain himself as to why this was a deliberate choice. there are also plenty of footnotes (over 300) throughout the book that help to formalise and elaborate upon certain terms
particularly interesting terms explored were the terms 'man', 'soul', 'god' and the archetype of the 'angry black woman' as well as the label 'black' in general
particularly interesting terms explored were the terms 'man', 'soul', 'god' and the archetype of the 'angry black woman' as well as the label 'black' in general
February 24, 2021
There was a lot to this book - a lot to learn and digest. Unfortunately, like with other reviewers, I just couldn’t get on board with the colloquial writing style, it also felt like 700 pages instead of 400 which made it a slog to get through at points. Still, very interesting and a lot of notable reflections throughout. 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
October 25, 2020
Absolutely brilliant book. The ability to take such a difficult topic and make it clear, engaging and personal. The context creation with music, popular culture and modern history really makes all the information accessible. A lot of things that are tough to read but important.
September 4, 2023
Quite a few terms I didn't know - unsurprising, since I'm American. A very interesting read with both humor and wit in equal measure.
November 8, 2025
If Jeffrey Boayke was my secondary school teacher he would have been my favourite teacher
September 22, 2020
Fantastic!
November 24, 2025
So good!
September 26, 2020
I listened to this book, and I'm curious as to how that might be a different experience from reading it. Many of the terms in the lists were familiar to me, but as an outsider, an observer, viewing "Black culture" through the eyes of my husband and my students. And as I've not taught for nine years now, and we have the Blues playing rather than MTV Base these days, I was perhaps a little "out of date". I think it would have been particularly helpful if I was still teaching today, so would certainly recommend it to any white teachers teaching in schools with many Black students.
I laughed a lot at the asides Jeffrey made, particularly when reflecting on his youth, growing up as a young boy with an African background in Brixton, surrounded by "cooler" Caribbean young people - and having listened to the book, I'm aware that there is a lot to unpack in the terms I'm using in this review! And I was reminded a lot of the young people I used to teach, in all their Black diversity, faces and names coming to mind in different ways as Jeffrey Boakye mused on different terms.
However, the main thrust of the book is, perhaps, that such a book is needed at all. The "othering" of Black people, the violence meted against those who are Black, the violence of the language and embracing of such terms that also may be seen to accept or glorify criminality, that are used as terms of respected or even endearment; the author lays all this bare with what seems like a sadness that this should be the case.
The book ends though on a more hopeful note, giving examples of the rise of Black excellence. I've recently seen a display in an English classroom responding to this book, with the subtitle, "Me, Listed", which I think is a great next step. Representation matters.
One of the phrases listed is "Black Lives Matter"; this was written before this summer's protests. I hope the recent events will mean more people read this book, reflect on our language, and that the current moment is not simply that, but remains and becomes a movement for change, for racial justice; and perhaps the way we speak about and to reach other will become more positive too.
It's hard to write a review about an audiobook, from memory of listening over a long period of time; and to write about Black language from my white perspective. Basically, I've enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.
I laughed a lot at the asides Jeffrey made, particularly when reflecting on his youth, growing up as a young boy with an African background in Brixton, surrounded by "cooler" Caribbean young people - and having listened to the book, I'm aware that there is a lot to unpack in the terms I'm using in this review! And I was reminded a lot of the young people I used to teach, in all their Black diversity, faces and names coming to mind in different ways as Jeffrey Boakye mused on different terms.
However, the main thrust of the book is, perhaps, that such a book is needed at all. The "othering" of Black people, the violence meted against those who are Black, the violence of the language and embracing of such terms that also may be seen to accept or glorify criminality, that are used as terms of respected or even endearment; the author lays all this bare with what seems like a sadness that this should be the case.
The book ends though on a more hopeful note, giving examples of the rise of Black excellence. I've recently seen a display in an English classroom responding to this book, with the subtitle, "Me, Listed", which I think is a great next step. Representation matters.
One of the phrases listed is "Black Lives Matter"; this was written before this summer's protests. I hope the recent events will mean more people read this book, reflect on our language, and that the current moment is not simply that, but remains and becomes a movement for change, for racial justice; and perhaps the way we speak about and to reach other will become more positive too.
It's hard to write a review about an audiobook, from memory of listening over a long period of time; and to write about Black language from my white perspective. Basically, I've enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.
December 20, 2019
Russell Group Universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, are elitist institutions whose studentship mainly comprise; rich, white, heterosexual, Cis, men. Taking up space is written by a group of Black women who have bucked that trend by attending these Elite Universities. It takes the form of letters written to; Black girls who wish to follow in the footsteps of the authors, and those individuals who wish to help them accomplish that goal. The letters take the reader through every step of the process; applying to the university, arriving at the university, Fresher’s week, leaving university, and finding a job. It gives advice on; how to tackle Fresher’s week, finding your tribe, socialising, balancing work and personal time, issues around mental health, and dealing with institutions that are imbued with hidden and not so hidden Racism. It clearly outlines the barriers faced by this group of students. It’s a condemnation of these institutions and an inspiration for those students wishing to survive and thrive in institutions that are hostile to their very existence. This book was aimed at Black women. However, many of the issues raised in the text resonated with my experience of being; a working class, queer, state educated woman who attended a Russell group University. It is a thought-provoking work. That inspires and reproves in equal measure
March 26, 2025
This exploration of perceptions of and the labelling of Black Britons is just so well written it's virtually unputdownable. Jeffrey Boakye is super-smart, searingly-honest and has a wicked but gentle sense of humour that will make you laugh out loud just as surely as it will make you look at the schism in Britain's skewed attitudes to, and second-class treatment of, its black citizens with fresh eyes, no matter how many of the previous excellent analyses of the situation you've read (Akala and David Olusoga, you stand out in an excellent field). I loved the organisation of terms applied to British people of colour as a twist on the periodic table at the beginning of the book and Boakye translated this to a clear structure and well-argued narrative that takes into account the influence of the massive stateside influences as well as home-grown tragedies such as the Stephen Lawrence murder. Hold Tight, Boakye's book on Grime, has been sitting on my to-read pile for too long. (I'd just finished Dan Hancox's Inner City Pressure when I was gifted it.) Will be turning my attention to that as soon as...
September 29, 2020
I loved this book - it's written so warmly and so well that it feels like the author is sitting beside you while you're having a cup of tea together. Jeffrey Boakye is a schoolteacher in London, and he has put this book together as a list of words, a list of names, used for and about and by Black people, and Black culture.
He talks through his own experiences and preferences, always carefully explaining what it means for him and how it makes him feel.
In this time of BLM, of a raised awareness of being respectful and acknowledging the personal preferences in pronouns, this is an excellent read. As a white woman, I found it really insightful. It doesn't just cover insults, but terms of affection too. The insults chapter is a tough read.
Boakye, as well as weaving in his own experience, draws on the news and historical events in what must have been carefully researched - it really helped me to understand and brought the list to life.
He talks through his own experiences and preferences, always carefully explaining what it means for him and how it makes him feel.
In this time of BLM, of a raised awareness of being respectful and acknowledging the personal preferences in pronouns, this is an excellent read. As a white woman, I found it really insightful. It doesn't just cover insults, but terms of affection too. The insults chapter is a tough read.
Boakye, as well as weaving in his own experience, draws on the news and historical events in what must have been carefully researched - it really helped me to understand and brought the list to life.
November 7, 2019
I enjoyed this book, and I did find a lot of the content enlightening.
I've read some books by other PoC authors before, and have been trying to make more effort to educate myself with others' lived experiences. Especially as I make the effort to promote social justice and equity in general, but am trying be as un-ignorant as possible and not exclude people unwittingly.
The musings on different terms and experiences were both interesting and scholarly, but also humourous at times, which helps when covering what is often an intense topic.
There were some things highlighted that I'd never considered before, such as the term 'mixed race' and the connotations or implications of this. It made me want to do a DNA test to understand my heritage!
Overall I enjoyed this book. I would probably read it again/refer to it again for inclusion purposes, and would recommend others read it too.
I've read some books by other PoC authors before, and have been trying to make more effort to educate myself with others' lived experiences. Especially as I make the effort to promote social justice and equity in general, but am trying be as un-ignorant as possible and not exclude people unwittingly.
The musings on different terms and experiences were both interesting and scholarly, but also humourous at times, which helps when covering what is often an intense topic.
There were some things highlighted that I'd never considered before, such as the term 'mixed race' and the connotations or implications of this. It made me want to do a DNA test to understand my heritage!
Overall I enjoyed this book. I would probably read it again/refer to it again for inclusion purposes, and would recommend others read it too.
May 11, 2020
Black, Listed is a compelling, entertaining and important read.
The structure is a list of words used to describe black people grouped into themes such as: official, personal, historical, derogatory, loaded, terms of endearment (and more). This is no mere dictionary of terms however, and Jeffrey Boakye uses it to shape his narrative about black British culture and the power of words.
His writing style is personal and witty, which stops it feeling too heavy, despite his having some serious points to make and being extremely educational, especially for a non-black reader.
I have one minor quibble though - I disagree that calling ones parents' friends Auntie x and Uncle y is "Very Black" as it's how I was brought up too. I think it's more a generational thing (or maybe even a church thing) and even now, at fifty years old, it's still how I would address them if I met them in the street. That aside, it's a very interesting, well-written, informative book that I highly recommend.
The structure is a list of words used to describe black people grouped into themes such as: official, personal, historical, derogatory, loaded, terms of endearment (and more). This is no mere dictionary of terms however, and Jeffrey Boakye uses it to shape his narrative about black British culture and the power of words.
His writing style is personal and witty, which stops it feeling too heavy, despite his having some serious points to make and being extremely educational, especially for a non-black reader.
I have one minor quibble though - I disagree that calling ones parents' friends Auntie x and Uncle y is "Very Black" as it's how I was brought up too. I think it's more a generational thing (or maybe even a church thing) and even now, at fifty years old, it's still how I would address them if I met them in the street. That aside, it's a very interesting, well-written, informative book that I highly recommend.
September 2, 2020
Clever and funny lexicon of terms relating to Black British culture. Jeffrey Boakye deftly steers the reader from the bland terms of the white institutional gaze, through the offensive and insulting terms used in both the past and the present to describe Black people, to the language used by Black Brits to define themselves and their culture outside the white gaze. Whilst in places Boakye's tone is light, the book grapples with heavy issues - racism being ever present but also misogeny and homophobia. And hanging over all over the sections is the heaviness of living life in the full beam of the white gaze and as a visible other. A thought-provoking and ultimately challenging read.
September 6, 2020
I was deeply moved and educated by this book.
Jeffrey uses the etymology of labels given to Black people and breaks down (in very personal and political ways), how language has been a great creator of anti-Blackness and how it has oppressed Black people for centuries.
From pre-1500s England to current day hashtags, the reader is able to bear witness to the constant denial of being that was and still is violently imposed on Black people from the constant white supremacist-led institutional racism.
This book is compelling, enlightening and necessary.
I couldn't put it down.
Jeffrey uses the etymology of labels given to Black people and breaks down (in very personal and political ways), how language has been a great creator of anti-Blackness and how it has oppressed Black people for centuries.
From pre-1500s England to current day hashtags, the reader is able to bear witness to the constant denial of being that was and still is violently imposed on Black people from the constant white supremacist-led institutional racism.
This book is compelling, enlightening and necessary.
I couldn't put it down.
December 23, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book to read and review.
Started out a little slowly - I was initially attracted to this book by the title. But I have to say, I slowly came around. Even though I'm wasn't born in Britain - I was able to identify with most of the book - I laughed, I learned a lot, and I saw myself, my son, my friends - in every single definition.
Great book - ended up buying a copy to finish reading it, worth every penny.
Started out a little slowly - I was initially attracted to this book by the title. But I have to say, I slowly came around. Even though I'm wasn't born in Britain - I was able to identify with most of the book - I laughed, I learned a lot, and I saw myself, my son, my friends - in every single definition.
Great book - ended up buying a copy to finish reading it, worth every penny.
June 19, 2020
This is a brilliant book: illuminating, thought-provoking and accessible. It’s really entertaining while also being educational. (The author is a teacher and I’d imagine he’s a huge inspiration to his students.) I learnt a huge amount from reading this, both factually and emotionally. Highly recommended for anyone wanting some background and insight into Black British life now and in the recent past.
July 17, 2019
Official descriptors = ✔ enlightening "all those countries whose original names derive from concepts of blackness"
Periodic table = ✔because of the colour coded key.
Some descriptors I've heard, others not and many that I hadn't heard in years. Surely this book can be incorporated into the curriculum.
Periodic table = ✔because of the colour coded key.
Some descriptors I've heard, others not and many that I hadn't heard in years. Surely this book can be incorporated into the curriculum.
May 20, 2020
As per the book cover, Boakye takes us through an exploration of 21st century (British) black identity through a list of insults, insights and 'everything in between'. Boakye writes very well - it's a bit less historical/acedemic than 'Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race', more personal.
August 8, 2020
This book is essential reading. As usual Boakye’s laid back style guides the reader through some essential and bone shattering issues. His personal anecdotes, self deprecating style and unflinching honesty make this book a brilliant guide to the Black experience. Read it, buy it for people, tell your friends about it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews