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Many would be shocked by the sheer volume of correspondence I get from people all over the world, deeply moved simply by seeing their experiences as working class people reflected authentically in culture. The accent shaming stuff is one aspect of a much wider issue.
On an almost daily basis people write to me just to tell me that by simply being myself I give them hope. They tell me about wonderful things they embarked on after reading my book - going to uni, applying for a job they were told they could never do, getting sober...
The thing about that is it was the same for me. People like @DaftLimmy and @frankieboyle gave me a model of how to turn what I already was into my livelihood, rather than changing to meet others expectations. Without examples to follow we just drift and forget what we want.
I& #39;ve had people tweeting all day telling me I need to work on my communication. Speculating that my inability to speak & #39;proper& #39; may be a result of alcohol and drug abuse from my past. It& #39;s mental because I spoke with such precision. Took my time to speak so I was very clear.
I& #39;ve dealt with this all my life. In the arts I was dismissed as angry aggressive person w/mental health issues. That& #39;s how people dismiss class analysis. What& #39;s even more mad is that I am very successful. Earn good money. Am juggling multiple careers - but still looked down on
Its easier for media to refer to me as a rapper or a recovering addict than it is to call me a critically acclaimed commercially successful author and broadcaster. Some say & #39;don& #39;t let it bother you& #39; but that& #39;s just more pressure to be what I& #39;m not.
The truth is it does bother me. I will react to it. I wont let people walk over me. I will keep being me because this is who I am. In Pollok they say I speak too posh. Toffs say I& #39;m too rough. I& #39;ll keep being me. Learning, growing and standing my ground when I need to.
So basically if you want me to shut up about class then you can fuck off x
