Babygirl, You've Got This!

Pennant has provided this generation of black girls and women with tools for understanding and tools for action and for self-affirmation as they participate in the transformation of their world and, commensurately, of the schooling and education system. She holds up a mirror to that system and to the mandarins that maintain its structures, so that they could see how wasteful, destructive and discriminatory the current structural, curricular, epistemological and awarding arrangements actually are. Babygirl deserves the widest readership among policymakers, education practitioners and learners across the nation. * Professor Gus John, Education and Human Rights Campaigner * Too often we hear about Black Girls and Women and not from them. The women whose articulate voices are showcased here show why we all need to listen to them. Successful in English education, they have important things to say about it. * Sara Delamont, Cardiff University, UK * In this ultimate Black girl’s survival bible Pennant is babygirl - tenacious, smart, courageously calling out the endemic anti-Black sexualised racism that threatens to limit the life chances of her beautiful Black Sistas as they navigate the still racially unreconstructed hostile White world of school and university. Pennant has gifted us a classic in this intellectually robust, brave, brilliant tour de force! * Heidi Safia Mirza, Author of Young Female and Black, Professor Equalities Studies in Education UCL * April-Louise’s book not only resonates with the reader but also ignites a profound understanding of the intricate educational journeys experienced by herself and other Black girls and women. Skillfully navigating through the complexities of struggles, triumphs, and the nuances in between. The trajectories of Black womanhood and their educational experiences are cleverly mapped. April-Louise seamlessly intertwines the broader context of global politics, popular culture trends, and economic dynamics within the narrative. Her work stands as a testament to the foremothers paying homage to the profound contributions of Black feminist scholars such as Crenshaw and Hill Collins. By artfully weaving the insights of scholars like Mirza, Bailey, and Boylorn, the book adeptly captures Misogynoir and embeds Black Girl Auto Ethnography. Through this compelling and much needed text, April-Louise shines a spotlight on the voices and experiences of Black girls and women, ensuring that we are not just acknowledged but genuinely seen and heard. * Dr Dionne Taylor, Associate Professor in Sociology, Birmingham City University, UK * Babygirl, You’ve Got This! Experiences of Black Girls and Women in the English Education System, by Dr. April-Louise Pennant is a powerful, much needed contribution to the literature around ethnicity and educational experience in the UK. There are so many areas that Dr. Pennant covers, and which are key facets of our lives within schools, colleges and universities, but are reflected in society. For instance, our experiences of low expectations from educators, which are rooted in longstanding ideas about our supposedly limited intelligence, but how we reject the narratives through our outcomes. Another key element here is the role of our mothers and female forebears in utilising their aspirational capital to instil self-belief and ‘can do attitudes’ in us. This does not just apply to academic and professional outcomes, but to life more broadly. She also reflects on our travels between ‘sticky floors’ and glass ceilings and the emotional impacts this has on us. There is also acknowledgement of overemphasis on grades as an ‘indicator’ of ability/intelligence, and the impact this has on young Black women’s sense of selfhood, and overall wellbeing. It is also wonderful to see how Dr. Pennant’s research does not treat Black women as homogenous groups. There are differences within and between us, and this is captured beautifully in the accounts of the females’ stories, and Dr. Pennant’s discussions and reflections. This speaks to Fanon’s view that ‘to lump all Black people together deprives them of all individuality of expression. It puts them under the obligation of matching the idea that people have of them’ (Fanon 1952:17). With that said, Dr. Pennant’s work also illustrates the power of multiple stories, and that despite the differences between us, there are many commonalities in our experiences. While this book has multiple, multiple strengths, for me, the fact that it is written in a way that is extremely accessible and engaging is one of the best aspects of it. Most importantly, however, it tells Black young women that their experiences are seen and heard, but also offers lots of encouragement. The title captures this brilliantly. I will certainly be using this book in my module next year, and will recommend it to other Black women. Thank you, Dr. Pennant for seeing and hearing us. * Professor Louise Owusu-Kwarteng, Professor of Applied Sociology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences Associate Dean, Student Success, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Greenwich *