Book Club
The Book Club aims to promote valuable texts to inform our practice, comment on the thread for each text and submit your own reviews.
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Ash Sarkar
Minority Rules
Adventures in The Culture War
Book Review: Minority Rules: Adventures in The Culture War
Ask Sarkar (2025)
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Minority Rules explore how individuals from minority backgrounds can navigate majority dominated spaces and connect to lead. The book looks at the complexities of representation, identity and systemic barriers. There are ideas for developing strategies for empowerment, practice consideration and importantly collective action. The media and various forms of social media (statementing and commenting as oppose to dialogue) alongside the mass production of media (politics, ownership and control) are all represented to inform the unfortunate disconnect between various group that historically have sourced their power through connection - in this way the culture war and identity politics are a distraction from what is true and what is needed.
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Drawing on a mix of research and lived experience (and Marxist theory!) The book consider the ways in which minority voices can drive change, particularly when dominant voices and environments that are resistant to diversity and change.
The central theme of the book is that of network and connection and the importance of self awareness. There is challenge to traditional ideas around leadership by promoting the value of alternative perspectives and using strategic influence and not assimilation. I captured a relevance to youth work and the importance of inclusive and equitable spaces and this is where informal education can be a valuable to re-consider topics such as empowerment and leadership to promote young people as change-makers.
The importance of challenging structural barriers, enabling young people to develop confidence and skills to lead, recognising their potential within their community to address social issues.
Using storytelling in youth work practice as a tool for change and the book refers to the powerful means of influence and connection. Encouraging young people to share their experiences, using storytelling as a 'method' for personal development, engagement and advocacy.
The excellent text relates to the importance of fostering inclusive, transformative and space for young people to explore their values and principles, opens a door to connection and does not shy away from reality.
I found it on Amazon this LINK will take you to it, the library will have it too
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let me know what you think once you have had opportunity to read it!
Leave comments in the public group via this LINK
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Steve Walker (2025) Ash Sarkar : Minority Rules
