Akala spoke in such a genuine and accessible way. He made huge theoretical frameworks and sociological theory become simple for everyone, from no matter what degree or social background they came from, so that they could understand it too.
25 October 2019
Celebrating Black History Month with Akala
The School of Politics & Economics, the Race Equality Network and the History Department teamed up to bring Akala to King’s last week in celebration of Black History Month.
Akala is a historian, author, social entrepreneur, poet, BAFTA and MOBO award-winning hip-hop artist and co-founder of the Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company.
Over 200 students and staff attended his talk where he covered a range of topics from his Sunday Times best-seller book – Natives: Race & Class in the Ruins of Empire. Some of these themes included structural racism, the UK’s education system and disturbing truths about British history.
Akala connected with the audience by sharing stories about his childhood and how he went from a wannabe scientist, to a wannabe gangster. He reflected on falling into stereotypes and the injustice of race, class, privilege and where that lies in Britain today.
After his talk, Q&A’s were welcomed from the audience.
English Literature student, Michaela Tranfield, who attended the event said everyone in the room could connect with Akala’s points.