Between Starshine and Clay: Conversations from the African Diaspora

A collection of insightful and intimate conversations with Black thinkers, covering topics such as race, decolonization, systemic inequalities, and the climate crisis. The book features Nobel Laureates, civic leaders, and poets, exploring themes of identity and belonging.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Footnote Press Ltd

A captivating and thought-provoking book that delves into the profound and complex issues of race, decolonization, systemic inequalities, and the climate crisis. Through a series of insightful and intimate conversations, Sarah Ladipo Manyika introduces some of the most distinguished Black thinkers of our times, including Nobel Laureates Toni Morrison and Wole Soyinka, as well as civic leaders such as Michelle Obama and Senator Cory Booker. With a foreword by Bernardine Evaristo, this book offers a unique perspective on these pressing matters.

In her quest for truth, Sarah Ladipo Manyika engages in profound dialogues with poet Claudia Rankine and historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr. She explores the intersections of race and gender with South African filmmaker Xoliswa Sithole and American actor and playwright Anna Deavere Smith. She also interrogates the world around us with pioneering publisher Margaret Busby, parliamentarian Lord Michael Hastings, and civil rights activist Pastor Evan Mawarire, who have dared to challenge powerful figures and lived to tell their tales.

What sets this book apart is its personal touch. Sarah Ladipo Manyika reflects on her own experiences of being seen as "oyinbo" in Nigeria, African in England, Arab in France, colored in Southern Africa, and Black in America, while feeling the least Black and most human among her fellow travelers, explorers all, against the stark white relief of the South Pole. Her journeys serve as a backdrop to the collection, providing a deeper understanding of the multifaceted identities and experiences that shape our world.

Overall, "Conversations with Some of the Most Extraordinary Black Minds of Our Age" is a must-read for anyone seeking to expand their understanding of these critical issues and gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable contributions of Black thinkers and activists. It is a testament to the power of dialogue, empathy, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 146 x 222 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804440087