The Race to the Top: Structural Racism and How to Fight It

by Nazir Afzal

‘Compelling.’ David Lammy MP ‘Refreshing,’ Pragya Agarwal A powerful intervention roundly debunking the myth of progress in racial equality ― particularly in the workplace ― and offering a blueprint for the future. Have you ever wondered why, as Britain becomes more diverse, so many of our leaders come from the same narrow pool? Can it be acceptable in 2023 that there are no ethnic minority chief constables, only one CEO in the top 50 NHS Trusts and no permanent secretaries in the civil service? Nazir Afzal knows what it’s like to break the glass ceiling, challenge prejudice and shake up predominantly white institutions. Born in Birmingham to first generation Pakistani immigrants, he was the first Muslim to be appointed as a Chief Crown Prosecutor and the most senior Muslim lawyer in the Crown Prosecution Service. His insights into the UK’s relationship with race and power have driven him to demand answers to an age old question around Britain’s diversity why does ethnic minority talent continue to be side-lined? Deploying bristling polemic and presenting an ambitious blueprint to unlock Britain’s hidden potential, this book hears from high-profile ethnic minority leaders to discover the hurdles they had to overcome and what changes are needed to make a difference. Containing interviews with leaders across all sectors, Nazir provides the most detailed examination to date of the prejudice holding our leading institutions and industries back. In doing so it forcefully confronts stale leadership orthodoxies and argues that power in Britain does not have to look exactly the same as it always has done. It’s time to welcome the new wave of diverse leadership talent that Britain is crying out for

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published December 27, 2022

Reviews

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I follow Nazir Afzal on Twitter and was excited to see that he had a book out. Unfortunately UK politics has been engulfed in yet another controversy over race and Islamophobia so it seemed like this was a going to be a good read. Afzal talks about his life and his experiences with racism, plus how we see this manifest itself in various parts of UK life: politics, sports, entertainment, news media, etc.

That is pretty much it. Once you realize the general format of the book after his introduction and thoughts about what he experienced, then you get the sense of what the book will be like. He takes one aspect of UK life and talks about what people (politicians, staffers in political life, journalists in media, etc.) all experience.

It was frustrating because of course in 2024 this is still a problem and that points to how deep rooted and systemic it is. It was also overall a dull read. As a solicitor and former prosecutor within the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the writing is dry and unsurprising for a legal eagle type. Which is not the worst, but not everyone would be for this style of writing.

Of course I would recommend this book but will acknowledge that if you are not specifically interested in this topic of racism in the US or his POV, this may be skippable. If you are, though, you may find it useful to compare to the US or elsewhere.

Borrowed this from the library and would recommend this as a bargain buy if you need it and it's not available to you. Unless you need it for a reference I would not make an effort to find or buy a copy.

[Michael Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful, important, and urgent work that balances the bleakness of its contributors' testimonies with genuine optimism.
Some chapters are more burdened by citation and statistics that, whilst important, interrupt the narrative flow, and occasionally lessen the impact of the arguments presented.
Nonetheless, a vital read for everybody.

[Michał · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very eye opening read about structural racism in the UK. Surely not only for the white British but also for any other white immigrants to the UK who may not be aware of the structural disadvantages of the wanna-be-melting-pot-Britain.

[Marcus Renshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply a must read.

[Mark Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reaffirms a lot of views I already held, but in a way that I could not previously communicate.