Catch Up

Hello there, 

Gosh I've missed a couple of weekly round ups so my apologies for that. I actually really like doing 'em but trying to meet my deadline for What White People Can Do Next (the end of this month eeeek), being in this second lockdown while looking after two nippers and juggling all my other work, well ITS A LOT! Anyway I've been promised the final edit of the cover for WWPCDN this week, so will share it here first and would ABSOLUTELY love and value your feedback on it. 

How you all doing? I can't lie the US election result has certainly made a huge difference to how I'm feeling. I don't think I had realised the extent to which Trumps toxicity permeated the atmosphere EVERYWHERE but the molecular relief I experienced when he lost felt truly monumental. We are surely seeing the ripple effects of his defeat here in the UK  in Dominic Cummings resignation (or whatever the fuck happened there). And the whole UK lurch to the Far Right energy seems to have stalled somewhat at top level, although it remains to be seen  where the potent forces they have been stirring up in other sections of society will now find their expression. Biden's stated commitment to Ireland also presents a huge stumbling block to the UK governments existing Brexit plans so its gonna be very interesting ( we can substitute interesting for deeply painful) to see where Bo-jo and co. go from here! 

Did anyone catch Steve McQueen's first of five Small Axe films last night?  WOW  stellar television! Exceptional storytelling, beautifully shot and bringing little known (Black) British history to the mainstream. Last night's film was the story of the Mangrove 9,  Britain's most influential black power trial  and the lives of some of the key figures in the British Black Panthers Movement.  I can't wait to see what McQueen has in store for us next week with the story of Lovers Rock. Speaking of TV and film, I rarely have time to watch much, but something I saw last week that I have have have to recommend is last years The Last Black Man in San Francisco - a beautiful, odd offbeat story of gentrification, black masculinity and friendship in San Fran: HIGHLY RECOMMEND! (I also tried to watch The Crown cos I saw everyone gassing it on Twitter but I just couldn't vibe with it. Am I missing out?) 

Also wanted to let you know that I'll be in conversation with NYT bestselling author of The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennet at the Dingle Literary Festival, so please do join us on Sunday if you fancy it https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/brit-bennett-and-emma-dabiri-tickets-118816560531. 

This event is deffo one of those ones where I can't help but think if it wasn't for goddamn covid, I'd be in  Dingle this weekend  (if you don't know it google it, its stunninggggg, Kerry is an unspeakably beautiful part of Ireland - omg I might cry)
talking di tings with Brit in person.  Slightly gutted but sure apparently the auld vaccine is on the way, so hopefully the zoomification of life is coming to an end ( no shade to zoom, we are homies frfr) we shall see. 

I'm also allowed to say today that I'm the 2020 ambassador for the Archives and Records Association of Ireland which I'm super excited about, prepare yourselves for lotsa archival chat in the coming year. I do love an archive !!!

There is another disobedient bodies bookclub coming up again will be in touch with deets on that soonest

Much love my Gs xxx