Author’s fight for inclusivity

Striving For Inclusion

Liverpool-born poet, writer, actor and By ANNISHA MARAJ fThe Liverpool author initiating workshop facilitator Patrick Graham believes that Black History should be celebrated all year round but change through writingthat October is a culmination of the year’s celebrations.

So he was more than happy to be involved in this all took place in Toxteth, Liverpool 8 - an area so I suppose I’ve got to love him. I love the way year’s events with a special reading of his book where racial unrest was constant. he uses his imagination and fond memories to deal ‘The Three Little Jamaicans’. The 1981 Toxteth riots were the aftermath of with situations that he finds difficult.”

Patrick has performed in educational and histor- what had been a time of turmoil after a young man Patrick also spoke of his plans to write more ical plays at both the Everyman and Unity theatres called Leroy Cooper was arrested for assault but adventures for The Three Little Jamaicans, adding in Liverpool as well as community centers. was a victim of police brutality. Patrick spoke of that he is writing another book which is based on a

The Scouse author is a member of Liverpool his family’s racist experience in Liverpool 8 when play he wrote and performed some time ago. Black History Research Group and has a working he was only three years old. ‘The Three Little Jamaicans: English Adventure’ background in immigration advice and advocacy The poet remembers his mother telling him how is available from New from Nowhere, 96 Bold in Liverpool and Manchester as well as youth and the next door neighbours would call the family Street, Liverpool or Amazon Books. community support work in Liverpool and Wirral. names, and even vandalise their home.

‘The Three Little Jamaicans’ was originally Patrick said: “My mum knew how to written as a radio play by Patrick, who conquer hate with love and, one day, later changed it to a story. The book is inspired by his oldest brother and two sisters when they came to the UK when they, too, were little Jamaicans. “ for my third birthday party invited some of the neighbours’ younger children into the party.” Soon after, the family did not experience any more trouble and We are in a world made up of many Picture credits: Annisha Maraj

Reading his book for WOW people, and story-telling grew to become friends with Fest’s Black History Month event, Patrick told Liverpool Life: “It’s an honour and a pleasure to be reading my book as this is something which I feel is needed for writers who are black to the neighbours. As a child Patrick describes never seeing a book with black children or people on the front cover, nor were they the main characters. The Three Little is as old as humankind itself ” Pictured to the left: Patrick Graham Top Image: The book cover have a voice”. Jamaicans is a book to which young black

Although Patrick does not wish to undermine children and adults can relate. Despite this, his talent by labelling himself purely as a ‘black the book also displays inclusion, showing writer’ as he sees this as unfair. “I consider myself children and people of all colours and backas a writer. Is J K Rowling called a white writer? In grounds can be featured on book covers and a word, NO!” he exclaimed. be the main characters in books.

Liverpool Life asked the 52-year-old if he had Patrick said: “We are in a world made up ever experienced racism growing up in Liverpool. of many people and storytelling is as old as He said it was a regular occurrence. humankind itself so all peoples need to

“Despite having many fond childhood memories be represented in stories.” these were blighted by many racist encounters, When asked who his favorite too,” he recalled. character in the book was, Patrick

Patrick remembers his street being racially di- said it was Lenky. vided and having to run to a certain point to avoid He said: “There are little bits of having abuse hurled or even being attacked. This myself in the character of Lenky,