In Black and White
A Young Barrister's Story of Race and Class in a Broken Justice System
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In Black and White
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Narrated by:
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Jessica Hayles
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By:
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Alexandra Wilson
About this listen
Now with new afterword and reading group questions.
Alexandra Wilson was a teenager when her dear family friend Ayo was stabbed on his way home from football. Ayo's death changed Alexandra. She felt compelled to enter the legal profession in search of answers.
As a junior criminal and family law barrister, Alexandra finds herself navigating a world and a set of rules designed by a privileged few. A world in which fellow barristers sigh with relief when a racist judge retires: 'I've got a Black kid today and he would have had no hope'.
In her debut book, In Black and White, Alexandra re-creates the tense courtroom scenes, the heart-breaking meetings with teenage clients, and the moments of frustration and triumph that make up a young barrister's life.
Alexandra shows us how it feels to defend someone who hates the colour of your skin, or someone you suspect is guilty. We see what it is like for children coerced into county line drug deals and the damage that can be caused when we criminalise teenagers.
Alexandra's account of what she has witnessed as a young mixed-race barrister is in equal parts shocking, compelling, confounding and powerful.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2020 Alexandra Wilson (P)2020 Octopus Publishing GroupListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"An absolute triumph; a compelling and courageous memoir forcing the legal profession to confront uncomfortable truths about race and class. Alexandra Wilson is a bold and vital voice. This is a book that urgently needs to be read by everyone inside, and outside, the justice system." (The Secret Barrister)
"This is the story of a young woman who overcame all the obstacles a very old profession could throw at her, and she survived, with her integrity intact." (Benjamin Zephaniah)
What listeners say about In Black and White
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ROSALIND BUCK
- 01-10-20
interesting book, shame about the editing
Really interesting book but a real shame insufficient attention was paid to rehearsing and reviewing the recording. It is full of little reading, intonation and pronunciation errors, which are distracting. Why didn't the author read it herself?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jitterbug
- 23-06-22
Brilliant. You will learn loads!
I really enjoyed this book.
Written very candidly, it was both poignant and informative. I learned so much about the British legal system and what’s involved
The book highlights many relevant issues surrounding race, class and gender in a predominantly upper/middle-class white male profession. It is at once thought-provoking, relatable and brain-stretching.
Alexandra Wilson writes in such a compelling way and she explains things clearly.
This is a book about human beings. It gives a fascinating glimpse into the world of courts and cases through the eyes of a young professional black woman.
I like the honesty, the humour, the empathy and the openness of this book. I hope it inspires and encourages people to go for their goals no matter what challenges and prejudices they’re up against. I also hope it fuels people to keep fighting for equality.
A must-read for all human beings, particularly those considering a career in law but equally for anyone who wants to broaden their minds.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- cnwo
- 14-08-24
Brilliant
Great insight into criminal justice system, the good, bad and ugly for marginalised communities. This book is very well done
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Joanna
- 20-11-20
Excellent read
Alexandra is such an inspiration, such a well written and insightful book from such young and well accomplished author. A book all should read if considering a career in law.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jennifer R.
- 09-12-20
Fascinating
Alex gives a really practical and honest look into the British court system and trainee barristers part in it. And great insight into how diversity can make the courts better and more accessible to everyone. The case stories are told with compassion and thoughtfulness. Excellent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Alice Brighouse
- 05-10-20
Highly recommend
Great book and very accessible. There's a lot the Bar needs to learn from Wilson's experiences.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- paul-michael
- 02-06-22
Thank you!!!
Brilliant !!!
When I was 17 I had an experience with the police and the magistrates. It was assumed I was guilty and I was innocent.
This book is the truth and in many ways mirrors my life experiences. I'm glad the book is out there and I'm sad this is still going on in 2022. Thank you Alexandra Wilson and Jessica Hayles
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Becky
- 13-02-21
Thought provoking brilliant
Loved it, full of knowledge too of laws we take for granted, Its important to keep yourself abrest of the law.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Leaf
- 14-04-21
Honestly couldn’t stop, was so gripping and insightful
I consumed this incredible audiobook within 24 hours. it was like stepping into her world and seeing the depth of her experiences to get where she has, her cases and experiences navigating the justice system while in a white elitist world. Her cases show compassion and empathy, some one who genuinely gives her all when fighting for her clients. The learning curves as she encounters people from various walks of life. A book I will be gladly recommending to my friends and family
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Lesoz
- 17-12-21
insightful experience of a young black UK lawyer
Started off really well, the book is full of clear and articulate stories concerning the UK legal system.The middle did become a little dull. Where the book excels is in its clarity on how a black lawyer sees the legal system, its speaks to the obvious and implicit discrimination faced.
The arch from trying to get into the profession, noting the author studied at Oxford, applying and eventually obtaining pupillage to becoming a qualified barrister. The stories were impactful and ultimately showed how extremely white and upper class the legal.system remains.
Great audible listen but ultimately shows how much work UK system still requires and how only exponential diversity within the industry can look to change things.
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