I Heard What You Said

by Jeffrey Boakye
I Heard What You Said cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Essays / Essay Collections
Technical:
  • ID: 1884
  • Added: 2025-10-10
  • Updated: 2025-10-10
  • ISBN: 9781529063769
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2022-06-09
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99

I Heard What You Said is a thought-provoking and candid account of the challenges faced by black students and teachers in the UK's education system. Jeffrey Boakye, a black English teacher, shares his experiences and reflections on the presumptions, silences, and distortions that underpin the experiences of black individuals in predominantly white educational settings. Through a series of eye-opening encounters, he highlights the often problematic and sometimes outrageous things said to him or about him, offering a unique perspective on the need for change. Boakye's journey from being a black student to a black teacher provides him with a distinctive vantage point to critique the status quo. His book is not just a personal narrative but a call to action, urging educators and policymakers to dismantle systemic racism and create more inclusive learning environments. With sharp wit and startling candor, Boakye makes a compelling case for why it's essential to address these issues head-on.

Reviews
Schools Week · 2022-10-16
revealing 4.50

The reviewer finds the book to be a clinical and revealing exploration of the futility of certain utterances in the education system. They appreciate the author's candid approach to discussing structural issues.

Schools Week's review delves into the author's clinical dissection of the education system's shortcomings. The reviewer is particularly struck by the author's ability to highlight the self-defeating nature of certain statements made within the system. They find the book to be a revealing and necessary read, shedding light on the systemic issues that often go unnoticed. The author's experiences and observations are presented in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it a valuable resource for educators and policymakers alike.

Quick quotes

    It's an utterance so completely self-defeating and futile it's a wonder it ever leaves anyone's lips, and I revelled in Boakye's clinical dissection of it.

    The book is a revealing and necessary read, shedding light on the systemic issues that often go unnoticed.

    The author's experiences and observations are presented in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

UK Black Writers' Forum · 2022-06-27
powerful 4.75

The book is praised for its timely exploration of racism in the classroom and its call for change. The reviewer finds the author's insights to be both thought-provoking and unafraid.

The UK Black Writers' Forum review commends the author for tackling the pressing issue of racism in education. They appreciate the book's timely exploration of how racism manifests in the classroom and the author's unafraid approach to addressing it. The reviewer finds the book to be a powerful call to action, urging readers to recognize and dismantle systemic racism in education. The author's personal experiences and insights provide a unique and valuable perspective, making the book a must-read for anyone interested in social justice and education reform.

Quick quotes

    Thought-provoking, witty and completely unafraid, I Heard What You Said is a timely exploration of how we can dismantle racism in the classroom and do better.

    The book is a powerful call to action, urging readers to recognize and dismantle systemic racism in education.

    The author's personal experiences and insights provide a unique and valuable perspective.

The Guardian · 2022-06-19
insightful 4.00

The author's chatty and humorous tone effectively addresses serious issues of race, class, and cultural supremacy in UK schools. The reviewer appreciates the balance of light-heartedness and depth in discussing these complex topics.

The Guardian's review highlights the author's ability to tackle heavy subjects with a light touch. They particularly enjoy how the author weaves in issues of race, class, and cultural supremacy without losing the reader's attention. The reviewer finds the book to be both insightful and entertaining, making it a compelling read for those interested in education and social issues. The author's personal experiences and humorous anecdotes make the book relatable and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on the challenges faced in UK schools.

Quick quotes

    Boakye's tone is pleasantly chatty and lightly humorous; quite a feat while slipping issues of race, class, sex and cultural supremacy into the conversation.

    The book is both insightful and entertaining, making it a compelling read for those interested in education and social issues.

    The author's personal experiences and humorous anecdotes make the book relatable and thought-provoking.

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