In 2017 I read the book, ‘Americanah’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and almost immediately fell in love with one of her main characters; Ifemelu. She was strong headed, independent and with a love for books. She battled against the common thirst of women seeking, and holding as their only pedestal; marriage, and in a traditional African home.
The book was a love story but the character stayed with me; she had a blog and on WordPress too, she spoke about her experiences; emigrating to the States, her natural hair journey, her experiences with racism, dating a white guy and so on (let me not spoil the story too much). As I read the book, a blog that could alternate hers came to mind. The Black British blog came to mind. And its been simmering in my mind until I decided to make it a New Year’s resolution and make this blog no longer a fiction of mind but reality.
Ifemelu was and still is a relatable character. An awe-inspiring character. And so with this blog I aim to draw parallels with her fictional life and with my own life experiences as Black, African, and living in Britain.
Witness the shade, twice a month, as I compliment and diss my own people, express my mutual British love-hate relationship with the Americans, my anger at racism and talk about all things Black British in 2018 and onwards.
^^^
Wishing you a Happy New Year.
Love,
TheBlackBritish
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