CELEBRATING IMPACT: Afua Hirsch

When I first saw Afua Hirsch speaking on television a couple years ago, I was mesmerised by her cool confidence, knowledge and sheer eloquence in voicing her subject. She seemed quietly well-versed and assured in what she had to say, which gave her words an authoritative power that couldn't be ignored. She knew how to get her point across, and she did it with an expertise that was formidable. It left quite an impression on me.

A British writer, former barrister, broadcaster, and best-selling author, Hirsch was born in London to Ghanaian parents, growing up in both Britain and Senegal. She studied law at the University of Oxford, then worked as a barrister before becoming a journalist, first as a legal correspondent for The Guardian newspaper, and then Social Affairs and Education Editor for Sky News for three years. She is the author of the groundbreaking 2018 book Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging, which received a Jerwood Award while she was actually writing it!

A passionate advocate for social justice and equality, Hirsch is a frequent commentator on race, identity, and politics. She has written extensively about the legacy of colonialism, racism in the UK, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Hirsch is a vocal critic of racism, often calling for a more just and equitable society. A regular speaker on these issues, she has appeared on a number of television and radio programmes.

Hirsch's work often explores the complex and often contradictory nature of British identity, and the legacy of people of colour trying to deal with a Eurocentric legacy in how they perceive beauty as applied to themselves. In 'Brit(ish)', she argues that Britain is a country that is still grappling with its colonial past and its legacy of racism, and also challenges the idea that Britain is a post-racial society. Her work has helped to raise awareness of racism in British society by demonstrating the ways in which race and identity continue to shape us. In effect, she challenges others to think more deeply about what it means to be British, and how colonialism might have affected that perception.

She is not afraid to explore uncomfortable topics relating to the colonial past. For example, in the Channel 4 television programme The Battle for Britain's Heroes, in May 2018, Hirsch raised lesser-known aspects of the career of former British prime minister Winston Churchill, such as his attitude to Indians and advocacy of tear gassing "uncivilised tribes" (in modern-day Iraq) after the First World War. Many people have had difficulty aligning the achievements of Churchill with some of his racist acts.

In addition to her writing and broadcasting work, Hirsch is a highly respected and influential figure in the UK, being a powerful and important voice in the conversation about race and identity. She is a member of the advisory board of the Runnymede Trust, a British think tank that works on race and equality issues, and is also a consultant and advisor, on race and diversity issues, to other key organisations like the BBC, the Home Office, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Hirsch's work has been praised for its intelligence, clarity, and passion - being a much needed voice in the fight against racism and discrimination. Her notable works include:

• * Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging (2018)
• * What Does It Mean to Be African? (2019)
• * Chosen People: The Rise of Modern Anti-Semitism (2022)

Afua Hirsch is a significant trailblazer because she realises the importance of the effect of the past on our perception and actions, as well as its need to be addressed before we can actually be sure of our real identity, and be confident and comfortable in whom we wish to be.

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