Maybe I Don't Belong Here: A Memoir of Race, Identity, Breakdown and Recovery

A Book of the Year in The Observer and The Times and winner at the Visionary Honours Awards. 'David Harewood writes with rare honesty and fearless self-analysis about his experiences of racism and what ultimately led to his descent into psychosis . . . This book is, in itself, a physical manifestation of that hopeful journey.' - David Olusoga, author of Black and British Is it possible to be Black and British and feel welcome and whole? In this powerful and provocative memoir, critically acclaimed actor David Harewood, charts his journey from working class Birmingham to the bright lights of Hollywood. He uncovers devastating family history and shares an insight into a life lived after the an experience of psychosis. Maybe I Don't Belong Here is a rallying cry to examine the systems and biases that shape our society and a groundbreaking account of the impact of everyday racism on Black mental health. As a young actor, David had what he now understands to be a psychotic breakdown and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. He was physically restrained by six police officers, sedated, then hospitalized and transferred to a locked ward. Only now, thirty years later, has he been able to process what he went through. What was it that caused this breakdown and how did David recover to become a successful and critically acclaimed actor? How did his experiences growing up Black and British contribute to a rupture in his sense of his place in the world?

About the Author :
David Harewood was born in Birmingham, England. His parents are originally from Barbados and they moved to England in the 50s and 60s. He grew up in Small Heath. He trained as an actor at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He is best known for his roles in Homeland and Supergirl. His critically acclaimed BBC documentary Psychosis and Me received a BAFTA nomination for best documentary. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II appointed David a 'Member of The Most Excellent Order' of the British Empire for his services to acting in 2012, giving him the title David Harewood MBE. David is married, has two daughters and is an avid Birmingham City FC fan. Maybe I Don't Belong Here is his first book.

Review :
One of the best books on mental health, race, Britain and the thrill of acting I have ever read. You will fall in love with the miraculous David Harewood as he grows up, stumbles, falls and rises in triumph. This incredible, touching and inspiring story will change lives. David Harewood writes with rare honesty and fearless self-analysis about his experiences of racism and what ultimately led to his descent into psychosis at the age of twenty-three. With equal candour, David plots the story of his recovery. This book is, in itself, a physical manifestation of that hopeful journey. Heartwarming, eye-opening, gut-wrenching... Maybe I Don’t Belong Here shines a light on the interplay between race, identity and mental well-being with tremendous moral courage. I feel like I gained a friend in these pages. It’s a book that is written with honesty and humanity... I learned a little more about what it means to be black, a black man, a black British man who has struggled with mental health and grown as a result. It’s a testament to his resilience, vulnerability and humility that we can all learn from. Staggering . . . a harrowing read and one I’ll never forget. Startling and thought-provoking Such a powerful and necessary read...Don't wait until Black History Month to pick up this book, it's a must-read just now. [Maybe I Don’t Belong Here ] is captivating... His fortitude and the courage to revisit that period and all it entailed are quietly heroic; hearing him tell his own story with such generosity makes this a memorable listen. Anyone who has experienced racism will want to read this book. Anyone who hasn’t, really ought to Brutally honest, brave and enlightening, David Harewood’s memoir and account of his breakdown is a fascinating read. Well-written and researched, this is a book that makes you wonder about our mental health system, about othering and racism in Britain and all the other black men who haven’t made it through to the other side. But it's also a love letter to Harewood’s friends, parents and a tribute to his determination to succeed against the odds. This is an amazing book. Only an actor could capture the double-consciousness of being Black and British so beautifully. Playing a role while simultaneously trying to be true to yourself. For me this held both lessons and affirmations of what it means to be a Black British man and the struggles to reconcile our inherent contradictions. Illuminating and essential. Unflinching. David Harewood’s book traces the effects of racial bigotry to a young boy growing up in 1970s Birmingham. Brave and incredibly honest. One of the most powerful testimonies to the impact of racism I have ever read. In this deeply moving memoir, actor David Harewood examines the episodes of psychosis in his past. You feel his pain as he uncovers how he was treated not just as a mentally ill patient but also as a black man . . . As a black, working-class man with British and Caribbean heritage, Harewood often feels he doesn’t have a place. This book shows he very much does A powerful memoir in which....Harewood recounts the psychotic episode he suffered in his 20s, what he learned from the experience and how he made the journey to recovery. In particular, Harewood came to understand the extent to which his psychosis and treatment were rooted in race, racism, and his sense of identity. Demonstrates how those in the public eye can use their profiles to try and lever positive change . . . Immensely powerful.