65. Divergent Histories
Matthew Syed explores the story of two people overcoming a shared trauma, discovering the joy of learning and the power of a diagnosis to change their sense of self.
In the 1960s and 70s, Maisie Barrett and Noel Gordon were two black British children wrongly labelled as βeducationally subnormalβ. They were sent to schools where children were never taught to read or write.
Theyβre just two examples of a scandal that affected hundreds of children in the UK, one that has never been officially acknowledged.
As adults, Noel and Maisie made a surprising discovery - they were both dyslexic. And with that diagnosis came a profound reimagining of themselves and what had happened to them.
Matthew Syed considers the relationship between ableism, racism and eugenics - concepts with roots that stretch back centuries and which continue to have a profound impact on society today.
With Maisie Barrett, Noel Gordon, sociologist Dr Chantelle Jessica Lewis, Assistant Professor Dr Robert Chapman, and occupational therapist Jenny Okolo.
Presenter: Matthew Syed
Producer: Tej Adeleye & Tom Wright
Series Editor: Katherine Godfrey
Sound Design and Mix: Rob Speight
Theme music by Ioana Selaru
A Novel production for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Last on
Broadcasts
- Wed 21 Aug 2024 09:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Fri 23 Aug 2024 16:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
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Podcast
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Sideways
Matthew Syed explores the ideas that shape our lives, making us see the world differently.
