Newspapers, journalists, MPs rushed to make comments such as “proper Brits get out and help those in need” and that Sikh people are “the best of Britain”. In an act of goodwill, long routed in Sikhism, members of the Sikh community rallied together and delivered food to these drivers. But one can only dream, as the harsh realities of navigating life in the UK as an ethnic minority, namely South Asians is present in day-to-day life.ĭecember 2020 saw thousands of lorries stuck in Dover, due to an EU imposed travel ban on the UK. This right to live includes a right to exist in a society free of hate.

The book ‘ The Good Immigrant’ explores the idea of what it means to be a “good” immigrant (doctors, athletes, actors) against the idea of a “bad’ immigrant (“job-stealers', “benefit-scroungers”, refugees), and consistently having to justify your right to live as an ethnic minority citizen in the UK. Inspired by discussion around why society appears to deem people of colour as bad immigrants – job stealers, benefit scroungers, undeserving refugees – until, by winning Olympic races or baking good cakes, or being conscientious doctors, they cross over and become good immigrants, editor Nikesh Shukla has compiled a collection of essays that are poignant, challenging, angry, humorous, heartbreaking, polemic, weary and – most importantly – real.What does it mean to be a “good minority?” Is it award winning actors from the likes of Riz Ahmed? Perhaps it is baking stars such as Nadiya Hussain winner of the Great British Bake Off in 2015.

Or be told that, as an actress, the part you're most fitted to play is 'wife of a terrorist'? How does it feel to have words from your native language misused, misappropriated and used aggressively towards you? How does it feel to hear a child of colour say in a classroom that stories can only be about white people? How does it feel to go 'home' to India when your home is really London? What is it like to feel you always have to be an ambassador for your race? How does it feel to always tick 'Other'?īringing together 21 exciting black, Asian and minority ethnic voices emerging in Britain today, The Good Immigrant explores why immigrants come to the UK, why they stay and what it means to be 'other' in a country that doesn't seem to want you, doesn't truly accept you – however many generations you've been here – but still needs you for its diversity monitoring forms. How does it feel to be constantly regarded as a potential threat, strip-searched at every airport? Random House presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of The Good Immigrant, read by the authors.

The good immigrant book