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A cast of 100 voices across Britain and gathering strength from the wider Pan African community, this book reveals both hopes and frustrations. Whether actress, poet, shopkeeper, Member of Parliament, Dame, or doctor, each shares about racism and adds to a colorful tapestry of optimism so future generations can pause, take stock and keep breathing.
About the author
Suzette Llewellyn is an English actress, known for her roles as Sister Cheryl Patching on ITV sitcom Surgical Spirit from 1989 to 1995, Estelle Vere on BBC soap opera Doctors and Sheree Trueman on EastEnders one of the UK’s most watched television shows.
Llewellyn made her television acting debut as Sharon in the 1984 television film Stars of the Roller State Disco. She then made guest appearances in television series such as Black Silk, The New Statesman, and Runaway Bay. From 2014 to 2015, Llewellyn starred in the CBBC series Rocket’s Island as Wendy Sparks. She played Doria Ragland (Meghan Markle’s mother) in the Channel 4 comedy The Windsors. In 2018, she began appearing in the BBC medical drama Holby City as Nanette Duval.
Suzanne Packer is a Welsh actress, known for playing the role of Josie Johnson in C4’s Brookside from 1990 to 2000 and Tess Bateman in the BBC medical drama Casualty from September 2003 to August 2015. In 2006 she was awarded the Screen Nation Award for Female Performance in television.
Since departing from Casualty, she has appeared in various television series including Bang, In My Skin, The Pembrokeshire Murders, and Keeping Faith.
Suzanne is a co presenter of Sunday Morning radio show for BBC Radio Wales.
Summary
‘A timely book and a conversation starter on race in Britain.’ Rachel Edwards, Author of Darling and Lucky
‘A timely book in a year that has made clear that Britain still has a very long way to go towards becoming the model of racial equality it aims to be.’ Kenya Hunt
‘Powerful and sometimes painful testimonies but they also provide uplifting and enriching experiences.’ Stephen Bourne
‘I'm so proud to hold this book in my hand. We are here in all our richness.’ Adjoa Andoh, Actor, Director
‘This book is such a moving read for everyone of all ages and races.’ Colin Jackson, CBE
‘A reinforcement of evocative truths that hurt and sting deeply but also empower tremendously.’ Sharon Duncan-Brewster
The whole world is watching.
25 May, 2020. George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, is killed in Minneapolis while being arrested. His death, witnessed by horrified bystanders, is captured on camera – and within hours has spread far and wide across social media.
We’re all bystanders now.
The protests that follow express shock, sorrow, and outrage. Because what’s happened, has happened before – away from witnesses and cameras. The story didn’t begin here, and this is not where it ends…
STILL BREATHING assembles a cast of 100 black voices to talk about their experiences of racism in Britain. Actresses Suzette Llewellyn (Eastenders) and Suzanne Packer (Holby City) are joined by musicians, Members of Parliament, poets, artists, athletes, civil servants, doctors, lawyers, and more.
Touching on Windrush and the workplace, race riots and reforms, these essays seek to educate, to bear witness – and to offer hope for a better future, in Britain and around the world.
Additional text
'A reinforcement of evocative truths that hurt and sting deeply but also empower tremendously.' Sharon Duncan-Brewster
