Equality and Diversity UK Anti-Racism Book Club
What is the Anti-Racism Book Club?
Welcome to the Anti-Racism Leadership Book Club! Our mission is to explore and discuss literature that enriches our understanding of race equality, diversity, and inclusion. Through thought-provoking discussions, we aim to create a space for open dialogue and shared learning.
The next meeting is Wednesday 4th February 2026: 6 pm to 7 pm
We invite you to read one of the following four books in advance of our discussion. Each offers a unique and educational perspective on race, identity, and leadership:
Join us for an engaging discussion!
At this meeting, we will be discussing
Off The Beat by Nusrit Mehtab
If you can’t change a system from the inside, you have no choice but to try and change it from the outside.
That act starts with telling my own story as a brown Muslim woman in the Met.
“Nusrit Mehtab has gone through the Met like a force of nature. Her story is one worth reading.”
“Off The Beat lifts the filthy carpets at the Met Police and shines a light on the darkness below.”
“Gripping, fascinating and crucial to the future of UK policing.”
“A disturbing account of institutionalised sexism and racism in the Metropolitan police told from the perspective of a tough and fiercely ambitious officer who strove to rise up through the ranks”
When Nusrit Mehtab joined the Metropolitan Police, the organisation was rife with racism and misogyny.
Officers refused to patrol with her or even call her by her name.
Her attempts to get promoted were met with hostility and ridicule, and she was subjected to cruel pranks. As the years passed and her seniority grew, Nusrit was dismayed to find that these problems got worse, not better.
In this searing memoir, she recounts her thirty years in the Met and the appalling treatment she endured.
Now lecturing young recruits in criminology and mentoring ethnically diverse officers, Nusrit is confident that we can mould the next generation to create a more inclusive police force, safer for both the officers and the public.
Full of deeply shocking stories from the heart of the organisation, Off the Beat shines a light on an institution that has lost sight of its mission to protect us and pleads the case for a brighter and safer future.
In the groundbreaking I Heard What You Said, he recounts how it feels to be on the margins of the British education system. As a black, male teacher – an English teacher who has had to teach problematic texts – his very existence is a provocation to the status quo, giving him a unique perspective on the UK’s classrooms.
Told through a series of eye-opening encounters based on the often challenging and sometimes outrageous things people have said to him or about him – from ‘Can you rap?‘ and ‘Have you been in prison?‘ to ‘Stephen who?‘ – Boakye reflects with passion and wit on what he has found out about the presumptions, silences and distortions that underpin the experience of black students and teachers.
About Nusrit Mehtab
Nusrit Mehtab is a former police officer, at one point the most senior female Asian officer in the Metropolitan Police. In 2017 Mehtab instigated an employment tribunal against them for racism and misogyny, and soon after left the police force after 30 years of service. She is now a lecturer in criminology and criminal justice at the University of East London and also mentors many young recruits and BAME officers. She hopes to change the force from the inside.
Play sample
Book Club Feedback
Book Club Feedback October 2022
Book Club Feedback October 2021
Book Club Podcasts
White Privilege by Kalwant Bhopal
I Belong Here, by Anita Sethi
Conversation, by Robert Livingstone
Windrush Betrayal review: Rick Walker
Future Book CLub Selections: Stay tuned for our upcoming book selections!
We aim to cover a wide range of genres, authors, and topics to ensure diverse representation.
Why Join?
- Fostering Understanding: Join us to delve into books that challenge perspectives and deepen our understanding of diverse cultures, identities, and experiences. Whether you're passionate about social justice or simply love good literature, this club offers a meaningful way to engage with these important topics.
- Community Engagement: Connect with like-minded individuals who are committed to promoting equality and diversity. Share your thoughts, learn from others, and be part of a community that values inclusivity and respect.
How It Works
- Six weekly Reads: Each month, we select a book that reflects themes of race equality and diversity. We then gather to discuss the book in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
- Discussion Format: Discussions are typically held online to accommodate everyone's schedules, ensuring that all voices are heard. Each session is moderated to encourage respectful and constructive conversations.
How to Join
- Sign-Up Information: Interested in joining? Sign up [here] to receive updates on our book selections and meeting times. All are welcome, regardless of prior knowledge or background.
Feedback and Suggestions
- Have a Book in Mind? We value your input! If you have a book recommendation or an anti-racism topic you'd like to explore, please let us know. Our goal is to make the club as inclusive and reflective of our members' interests as possible.
Contact Information
- Get in Touch: For more information, feel free to contact us. We look forward to reading with you!
If you are not already registered, please complete the registration form below
Equality and Diversity UK Book Club Podcasts
White Privilege
We discuss “White privilege: The myth of a post-racial society” by Kalwant Bhopal
I Belong Here
We discuss “I Belong Here: A Journey Along the Backbone of Britain”, by Anita Sethi
Conversation
We discuss “Conversation”, by Robert Livingstone
Windrush Betrayal
Review of Windrush Betrayal, by Rick Walker
Anti Racism Leadership Book Club Registration Form
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