Lessons from Unspoken by Guvna B

Hello Queen,

I know Guvna is a male but his book definitely deserves a feature  on TWC. Unspoken definitely struck a variety of chords within me as I journeyed through its pages.

Firstly, I have to say that Guvna is a legend. His lyrical prowess is second to none. I love the unapologetic, London (urban) flair that he brings to his work - infusing it with himself (Can you tell that we were born in the same generation yet?)

Guvna addresses another challenging issue among the streets of London. Families, Mums, sons navigating the gang violence that plague the streets of London (and beyond). I say London because it’s where Guvna was raised. It’s where I was born and bred. When you’re in the really rough areas you learn to put your head down and keep moving. It doesn’t feel like that’s enough anymore. 

Even though Guvna never professes to have all the answers - He definitely is a voice crying out in the wilderness of our indifference. When we act like it doesn’t matter that children are killing each other. When we look the other way whilst young men rot in prison - we add to the chaos. Change always starts with us. I am putting pen to paper in the hope that we can become strategic enough to instigate change. 

Can we help a mother thrive so that she can change her son’s life/take him off the streets? Can we sponsor an inmate? What can we do to turn the tide? Somewhere, some way, somehow we can make the difference that truly brings healing. So let’s keep the conversation going… let’s get this book into our book clubs and our communities so that true healing can begin. 

Love,

Sal x