Take It Back Reader Playlist
I was recently at a literary festival when a fellow author told me he had just finished reading Take It Back. ‘It’s dark,’ he said, … Read more
Tribe
I’m still waiting for our Crazy Rich Asians moment
Years ago, during my time at Asian Woman magazine, the editorial team received a disgruntled letter from a would-be reader. The writers on the team … Read more
The thing I miss most about London
When people ask me where I’m from, I tell them I’m from London. It’s always been London and, in some ways, it always will – … Read more
Let’s stop lying about class diversity
My most embarrassing work-related mistake happened not long after graduation. While working on a presentation with eminent epidemiologist Professor Nicholas Wald, I paused on an … Read more
Tribe talk
Once in a while – perhaps five or six times a year – I’ll find myself standing next to an Asian girl on the train … Read more
All animals are equal
A couple of weeks ago, as A-level students began their scramble for the last university places, I read a statistic that made me want to … Read more
Nothing gold can stay
Things change after you lose someone close to you. For a while, the change is big and dramatic. You wake up every day and you … Read more
The small things
I watched Crash (Matt Dillon, not James Spader) for the first time the other day. It’s a film about racial tensions in LA, and was touching, … Read more
BBC Gaza appeal
Up until Monday evening, I was comfortable in the assumption that the BBC’s decision not to air the DEC’s Gaza appeal was being sufficiently fought … Read more
Free (free) Palestine
Right, this’ll be a quick one because The Untouchables is on Film4 in seven minutes. Exactly one week ago, I added ‘Attend a protest’ to … Read more
Blind faith?
A friend, writer Ariane Sherine, is launching the Atheist Bus Campaign on 21 October 2008. The short explanation: The campaign has the slogan ‘There’s probably … Read more
A brick in the wall?
This week I was given the formidable task of convincing kids in Tower Hamlets that reading actually is quite important. Those of you have read … Read more
Educated fleas
A friend of mine is going through the arranged marriage process and experiencing all the trials and tribulations I went through when searching for a … Read more
N*****s, p***s and c****s
I was on the train listening to Nothing by N.O.R.E (yes, I listen to such classy music) and as you can see from the lyrics, … Read more
What happens when you cross an Islamist with a Mac?
Firstly, what the hell kind of word is “Islamist” anyway? What does it mean? Is it a person that follows Islam? We are not “Islamists”, … Read more
Leaving Tower Hamlets
I’m leaving Tower Hamlets. After my wedding at the end of October I shall be moving to the borough of Redbridge. Many people I know … Read more
Stragging and haggling
A half-decent weekend overall. Sunday was spent exulting over Schumacher equalising with Alonso in the F1 Championship standings (so I’m a geek, shoot me). Saturday … Read more
It’s good to talk
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I say to my sister. “No, seriously. Ask dad. He’ll tell you,” she replies. She has just told me … Read more