Spoken word artist and teacher Jaspreet Kaur says her new book  ‘Brown Girl Like Me' is 'a letter to her younger self'.

‘Brown Girl Like Me’ is billed as a ‘toolkit’ and ‘call to arms’ for brown women of all ages, to help them 'unpick and navigate a complex life journey that has to bridge multiple often conflicting  cultures, generations, expectations and aspiration's'. 

Jaspreet asks: How can you be a brown feminist without rejecting your own culture, and fitting into what Western feminist standards dictate? How do you remain true to who you are while trying to navigate a white male-dominated workspace? Why are Asian girls the second highest performing group of students in the country, yet this isn’t reflected in wider institutions?

The answers to these questions come from personal interviews with Asian women who have thrived despite the odds set against them. 

Jaspreet said: “I always wished there was a guidebook on how to deal with growing up brown, female, marginalised and opinionated, but there was no blueprint at the time. 

"This book is a letter to my younger self, and to every brown girl fighting to grasp our own narrative of history and identity. 

"It explores and challenges existing narratives in a way that has not been done before. I hope this book will give brown women the tools and support to be in the driving seat of their lives and not a mere passenger having their journey decided for them. 

"By hearing the stories of inspirational Asian women from across the UK, this book will empower brown women to take the wheel.”

Carole Tonkinson, Publisher at Bluebird said: “Jaspreet is a powerful writer and a charismatic speaker and performer.

"In her book, Jaspreet weaves together a myriad of voices by starting each chapter with a personal poem that points to a larger concerns around brown feminism and then she incorporates interviews with others on this theme. 

"The text is rich, layered and bursting with insights and invites dialogue around the themes in the book. We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Jaspreet on this hugely important and necessary book.”

Brown Girl Like Me will be published on 17 February 2022.

Jaspreet will be celebrating the launch of her book with a virtual ‘in conversation on the Fane platform with’ leading British-Muslim comedian, Shazia Mirza at 6.30pm on Thursday 17 February, 

To book a ticket for ‘A Night in with Jaspreet Kaur, hosted by Shazia Mirza’ click here: