People Like Us: What it Takes to Make it in Modern Britain

(Paperback, Main)

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'Hashi Mohamed powerfully exposes the alienating and segregating effect of social immobility in this country. Beautifully written, People Like Us makes a deeply personal case for a world in which anybody can reach success, but doesn't have to leave a part of themselves behind to achieve it.' - David Lammy MP

What does it take to make it in modern Britain

Ask a politician, and they'll tell you it's hard work. Ask a millionaire, and they'll tell you it's talent. Ask a CEO and they'll tell you it's dedication. But what if none of those things is enough

Raised on benefits and having attended some of the lowest-performing schools in the country, barrister Hashi Mohamed knows something about social mobility. In People Like Us, he shares what he has learned: from the stark statistics that reveal the depth of the problem to the failures of imagination, education and confidence that compound it.

We live in a society where the single greatest indicator of what your job will be is the job of your parents. Where power and privilege are concentrated among the 7 per cent of the population who were privately educated. Where, if your name sounds black or Asian, you'll need to send out twice as many job applications as your white neighbour.

Wherever you are on the social spectrum, this is an essential investigation into our society's most intractable problem. We have more power than we realise to change things for the better.

Reviews

Hashi Mohamed powerfully exposes the alienating and segregating effect of social immobility in this country. Beautifully written, People Like Us makes a deeply personal case for a world in which anybody can reach success, but doesn't have to leave a part of themselves behind to achieve it. -- David Lammy
A vital work of courage and hope, by a truly remarkable individual. -- Philippe Sands
Mohamed's is an impressive tale, but he turns it into something much larger and far more resonant in his finely written memoir ... a rather ambitious and far-ranging attempt to rethink the whole stalled project of social mobility. A careful and affecting study of personal struggle, social mobility and international migration that brings a fresh and well-informed voice to the debate. * Observer *
This rags-to-riches tale is related with humility and humour. * The Times *
He is an unconventional figure, and a key strength of his book is his refreshing willingness to address controversial issues with candour. * Sunday Times *
I found myself nodding in agreement with every word of People Like Us. Hashi Mohamed has written a moving, shocking and clear-eyed account of the increasingly rare phenomenon of social mobility. Using his own extraordinary story as a spine he has written an analysis, how-to-guide and polemic on getting on and up in Britain today. * Grayson Perry *
A brilliant book that should be read and celebrated at any time, but especially now -- Elif Shafak * New Statesman *

Author Bio

Hashi Mohamed arrived in Britain as a child refugee, and is now a Barrister at No5 Chambers in London. A contributor to the Guardian, The Times and Prospect, he has explored class and mobility for the BBC. He presented Adventures in Social Mobility (April 2017) and Macpherson: What Happened Next (2019).