Blending Families single work   autobiography  
Issue Details: First known date: 2019... 2019 Blending Families
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'Ben is racist. That's not unusual — lots of people are. In fact, globally, racists are having a bit of a moment. I first became conscious to racism at eight years old. I wanted to be a gymnast then. I'd been looking forward to the final session of gymnastics training all week because after watching all my teammates win 'gymnast of the week', I knew it was my turn (everyone will win an award by the end of the year). Showing off, I spent most of the session teaching Ma how to do a handstand. I was gutted when I lost the final award of the year to her (for her amazing hand-stands). She was the only one among us to win twice. I looked around, and for the first time I realised everyone else was white, including Coach Norris. It wasn't that he didn't see me; it was that he did.' (Introduction)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Growing Up African in Australia Maxine Beneba Clarke (editor), Collingwood : Black Inc. , 2019 15503976 2019 anthology autobiography poetry

    'Learning to kick a football in a suburban schoolyard. Finding your feet as a young black dancer. Discovering your grandfather’s poetry. Meeting Nelson Mandela at your local church. Facing racism from those who should protect you. Dreading a visit to the hairdresser. House-hopping across the suburbs. Being too black. Not being black enough. Singing to find your soul, and then losing yourself.

    'Welcome to African Australia. Compiled by award-winning author Maxine Beneba Clarke, with curatorial assistance from writers Ahmed Yussuf and Magan Magan, this anthology brings together the regions of Africa, and the African diaspora, from the Caribbean to the Americas. Told with passion, power, and poise, these are the stories of African-diaspora Australians: diverse, engaging, hopeful and heartfelt.'

    Source: Publisher's blurb.

    Collingwood : Black Inc. , 2019
    pg. 27-32
Last amended 20 May 2019 13:23:02
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