The United Kingdom has gone a long way to
eradicate racism in the work place, but
unfortunately Africans know too well, that it is still
there. Your accent, the colour of your skin stand
you out and in certain cases, make it hard for you
to fit in. Laws cannot prevent work place cynicism
and the silent slurs targeted at you for being the
colour you are.
A Fly Girl is Amanda Epe’s debut book, an
inspirational memoir of her days working with
British Airways; travel tales through the lens of a
black African woman. Her readers’ journey with her
from Las Vegas to India, as she explores the world
whilst working for possibly the best airline in the
world.
Epe’s well documented and interesting book is the
first narrative of its kind as she is the first seminal
storyteller on the narrative of being black Cabin
crew with British Airways. Amanda Epe writes
articles, essays, poetry, fiction and self help; her
work has been featured in publications and
anthologies in the United Kingdom, United States
and in Nigeria. She spoke recently in an interview.
Why did you write this book?
I was obliged to write this for my spirit and I didn't
want to take this story unpublished to the grave.
What is your favourite part of your story?
If I had to put a bookmark in one place it would be
the active, funny, bright and sunny story in Miami.
At what time or point did you feel the need to
write this story? It was strongly felt in 2013, a time
of writing in my serene state and being fully
inspired. It was the starting point anyway, at least I
put a pen to paper and wrote the first paragraph,
most of the work continued the following year.
Racism occurs in different ways to different
people, and many people talk about this every
day. What more are you adding to the
conversation? My angle has some insight into the
in-depth thoughts of being black and wearing the
union jack.
Is there a place for the woman in the business
community? During my life in the air, I worked
with business savvy women and I reflect on one in
particular that endeavoured to become a grand
entrepreneur through trade and travel, she was an
inspiration. Woman are not just in business but are
on top. I admired a recent report of a Black British
woman Karen Blackett who is the first
businesswoman to top the Powerlist 100, and also
Folorunsho Alakija on the billionaire list, the latter
an example of how times have advanced with
women working and trading in oil.
When you talk to women across the world,
what is the one thing they tell you? We are all
singing the same song but with various tunes, in
the western world equality is still sought, and
across the globe we are coming out, stepping up or
striving to make our mark.
Is it a question really that black people are not
well integrated into the community? In
comparison to other western nations I feel that
black community are somewhat integrated, until
we are fully empowered economically there will
always be marginalisation
You have a very British accent, is this book
personal then? How can you suffer racism when
you are British? My Britishness has a prefix,
readers can learn more about this concept in
reading some chapters in the book.
Returning home to Nigeria… is that an option?
Good question, and to run from racism is just
running, if I had ran away as a new recruit I
wouldn't be telling this story, how long must one
fight is another story. In the play Pandora's Box by
playwright Ade Solanke this issue of returning to
Nigeria was discussed, one of the characters the
uncle was telling the diaspora his niece and her
friend to "stay there" (U.K) and fight. The friend
who had decided to make a new life in Nigeria (the
character Bev whose parents migrated to Britain
from the Caribbean) argued against him speaking
about England saying " Uncle, I'd love to contribute
to my country. I've tried to. But do they want my
contribution? Well, I refuse to be wasted!" She goes
on to say that we are more than English and
wanting to discover another part of her. I agree
with the character, and Nigeria is certainly an
option. Look at the statistics of Black British actors
and entertainers who cross the pond heading to
USA.
You are a very busy woman campaigning for
women and their issues, is this another
empowering tool? It is simply my writing journey
although it is part of empowering if a woman
reader feels inspired in her journey by relating to
my writing/storytelling, then that is a success for
me.
What next? The mission continues, I must follow
the call to write and to work, to do the things that
give me joy, the works that are creative and that
can be shared.
Why should I buy your book? Two words, I
guarantee you'll engage and enjoy it.
What will our readers hear about your book
that they haven’t heard elsewhere? This author
shares her experiences and thoughts from her
travels, and discusses taboo topics and issues not
easily for conversation in our and the wider
community.
If you were me right now, what sort of
questions should you I be asking? O.K I would
like to tell you about the euphoric feeling of
delivering my debut, and that it was created for
people like me, but also beyond that target group.
If you ask about my readership I feel that outside
of Black women in diaspora and at home, this book
relates and can be read by an international
audience of men and women.
How long did it take you to write this book?
About nine months flat
Is there a part 2 coming on? My journey and travels
continue, a travel series perhaps.
Two thoughts before you go. Many people are
afraid to fly, my thoughts on this analogy is to feel
the fear and still take off. I have overcome that fear
of writing and sharing so please do share your
stuff!
Where can we find more about your book?
A Fly Girl, the kindle version is now available on
Amazon. A Fly Girl will be available in print from
Amazon, Waterstones and all good retailers by
January 2015.
For deluxe and author signed copies for people in
the UK, you may order from Blossom Books at
mail@msroseblossom.org
Connect with her on social media facebook.com/
msroseblossom and twitter@msroseblossom