Things We Should Talk About: Conversations on Identity, Belonging and Being British

'I realised that time is precious, and what we do with it matters, especially if we want to create change. And that begins with conversation.' Growing up the son of a Black father and white mother in 1980s Britain, Alex Beresford has always known that identity isn't straightforward. From the school playground to the newsroom and through to his advocacy work, the ever-evolving complexities of race and belonging have shaped Alex's life. But it wasn't until an unexpected phone call, interrupting a once-in-a-lifetime trip to connect with his Guyanese roots, that Alex began to truly look inward. Coming to terms with a devastating loss, Alex made a decision: now, more than ever, it was time to learn. To get uncomfortable. To break the silence. In Things We Should Talk About, Alex sensitively explores the intricate intersections of race, class and politics. With incisive insight, he offers profound reflections on mixed-heritage identity, mental health, masculinity, parenthood, knife crime, and so much more. Drawing upon his Bristolian upbringing and twenty-year media career - as well as interviews with leading cultural commentators and extraordinary individuals who share their lived experiences - this book is a powerful investigation into selfhood and community in modern day Britain. Above all, it is a rallying call to tackle the conversations we too often avoid. There are some things we should talk about - we just need to be brave enough to start.