Where You From?

Global Originals
Where You From?

“Where you from?” I get asked this all the time, and when I reply ‘London’ they say: “No, where you really from?” What are people really asking here? And why are they asking this? Join me, Lillie Almond on my new podcast “Where you from?” to explore how this question makes people feel, what it means to them… and what people really mean when asking it. Listen and subscribe now on Global Player.

  1. Benjamin Alexander: “The Producer walked over to me and said, ‘You’re not Jamaican.’”

    07/08/2022

    Benjamin Alexander: “The Producer walked over to me and said, ‘You’re not Jamaican.’”

    This conversation carries threads that are not in the rest of this series. Notably, Benjamin touches on the evolving meaning of, “Where you from?” That is, he explores the idea of our cultural influences - and as to if they could in some ways be more topical than our heritage. And that’s an immeasurably poignant question. Many of us are quite attached to our upbringing, so have an instinctive response - but then I have also been really shaped by my time living in different countries, so I do feel Benjamin’s forward thinking perspective. Can you hear how this conversation hits different notes to others in the series? We carry the same themes of identity, what it means to us internally and to others when almost assessing us - but it carries some stand-out different ideas too. What stood out most to you? I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts - drop me a message on Insta, I’m @almondsweetness - or hit me up on Twitter, where I’m @lilliealmond. And thanks for listening to #whereyoufrompod. Definitely leave us a review x

    52min
  2. Shannon Singh: “Don’t tell me that I’m not good enough to have Singh in my name.”

    31/07/2022

    Shannon Singh: “Don’t tell me that I’m not good enough to have Singh in my name.”

    Imagine receiving messages from people you’ve never met before - telling you that you’re not good enough for your surname. That you don’t deserve it. Some of the things that Shannon Singh shares with me in this chat are pretty mind-blowing. And yet she is absolutely brilliant while talking with me in the studio. Shannon is super honest and candid to me about the highs and lows of her life before and after Love Island. She tells me about how people respond to her accent, to the colour of her skin and to her name - and how critiqued all parts of her life, down to her teeth, are in the modelling industry. We talk fetishisation and the commercial interest in people’s ethnicities. And Shannon is super real with me throughout, I’m so looking forward to you hearing this chat. We also talk exploitation in the industry – honestly, all these strands are so important that it has been close to impossible to cut or edit this. So you get the real deal instead! Finally, my gosh - can we all take a moment please? Shannon’s answer to how she feels about the question, “Where you from?” Wow. That answer makes me urge you from the bottom of my heart to listen to this chat through to the end; I promise you, it’s worth it. Let us know what you think of #whereyoufrompod! I’m @lilliealmond on Twitter and @almondsweetness on Insta. And I will be thrilled if you leave us a review - thanks for listening x

    1h1min
  3. Fazer: “I feel like the justice system is still very dated, in that sense.”

    24/07/2022

    Fazer: “I feel like the justice system is still very dated, in that sense.”

    Cool, so I went totally off-script, okay? Because how could I not? This is a chat with Fazer - about music and where we’re at today - at a time of huge significance for this scene. I think it’s wicked in this chat how Fazer is so positive about the growth of UK music. Listen to his answer when I ask what he thinks about those who might be entering a scene for their own gain, without being personally invested: “It’s been happening since Elvis, mate.” Classic. And I get the vibe that this is because it’s all love. I feel like Fazer’s upbringing showed him that, while where we’re from is foundation and formative - it shouldn’t define what we can and can’t do - and where we can and can’t go in life, you know? Like, he’s seen and lived two sides of this - and that’s seen him manifest positivity. What are you manifesting after listening to this chat? Let me know - I’m @lilliealmond on Twitter and @almondsweetness on Insta. And we’d love you to leave us a review! Thanks for listening x

    44min
  4. Sacha Brooks: “Diversity is okay, but we need to be included in the conversation.”

    17/07/2022

    Sacha Brooks: “Diversity is okay, but we need to be included in the conversation.”

    I found myself smiling from ear to ear in this chat, when Sacha talked about music, music and music being her surroundings during her younger years. How STUNNING a surrounding to grow up in. This chat is a rainbow of dynamics, because Sacha is candid about both the good and not so easy parts of her life. I hope people can draw from this - and find energy from her inspirational strength of character. Sacha is not gonna be told to stay in any lane - for anyone. It’s almost ridiculous that a question in this interview was about if she needed to code-switch, because that just ain’t her. And we love to see it. There’s some exclusive content in this convo which you won’t hear here - where we chat body types and ALL that good stuff, so keep tuned for when we release that! But in the meantime, enjoy this conversation - and remember: diversity is nothing without inclusion. I’ll let Sacha explain the rest in this chat. There are loads of strands here, which one stands out to you? Let me know: I’m @lilliealmond on Twitter and @almondsweetness on Insta. And as always, thanks for listening x

    48min
  5. Jaspreet Kaur: “Don’t feel you need to come closer to whiteness to be more accepted.”

    10/07/2022

    Jaspreet Kaur: “Don’t feel you need to come closer to whiteness to be more accepted.”

    It feels like I forgot that Jaspreet was a guest in this conversation, because her words hit like those of a close friend. A lot of the things she talks about in this chat are things that my friends and I have spoken about for years. And, I’ve probably said it a lot by this stage, but so much of this chat is totally in keeping with the essence of this series! I’m really pained by the racism that Jaspreet unpacks from her school years - and much of it, especially that about appropriation, resonates deeply today. But listen to how Jaspreet speaks about the young people she works with. Listen to how she describes the way they won’t take all this bull. Remember, Lammy said he was inspired by young people today, too. It’s uplifting. Gosh, there are too many moments in the chat where I’m slapping my thigh because Jaspreet hits the nail on the head so poignantly. But - I’ll hold off on spoiler alerts and leave this conversation with you, your ears and your mind. One of Jaspreet’s final questions to me is, “What is meaningful change?” What do you think? Let me know: I’m @lilliealmond on Twitter and @almondsweetness on Insta. Thanks for listening.

    54min
  6. Patrick Hutchinson: “We need to be the change we wanna see in the world.”

    03/07/2022

    Patrick Hutchinson: “We need to be the change we wanna see in the world.”

    Patrick Hutchinson flew into the world’s spotlight without meaning to. He wants to see change - but he isn’t going to spend time worrying about this. He is instead taking action. The murder of George Floyd sparked reactions all over the world. Patrick speaks in this conversation about these reactions - and about what happened at the demo where he was photographed carrying a counter-protestor over his shoulder to safety. He talks with me about the instinct and empathy that were woven into this moment, which captured the attention of people far and wide. We learn in this chat how Patrick has brought this instinct and empathy into the work he’s building on for the future. He really highlights the poignancy of education, early years and learning - when it comes to understanding in the future. And that’s something we’ve heard consistently through this series. That protest where that now-infamous photo of Patrick was taken - it feels like so long ago. Have things changed? Have we kept the momentum? Drop me a line and let me know what you think: I’m @lilliealmond on Twitter and @almondsweetness on Insta. Thanks for listening.

    45min
  7. Nazir Afzal OBE: “People told me that I only got the job ‘cause I was brown.”

    26/06/2022

    Nazir Afzal OBE: “People told me that I only got the job ‘cause I was brown.”

    Nazir Afzal has turned racism on its head. He’s faced both violent and insidious abuse - both physical and verbal - but has built resilience. His experiences have catalysed his fight for justice. And what a fight it has been. All of the brazen racism that Nazir has faced is disgraceful; one thing which resonates with me right now - and it’s something which really stings - is Nazir telling me that some people said he only got to where he is, because of the colour of his skin. This totally strips away the hard work, the dedication, the hours and the soul that an individual puts into their work and their hard-earned position. I have come across this. I am very aware of people who say these things. You may have come across them too. In this chat, Nazir and I explore themes of justice, culture, background, racism and law. Nazir’s career has been rich; his personal experience has fed into this. I think that when we face adversity, we channel this into seeking equality - through what we do in our daily work and life. This could be on the smallest or the largest levels, but it gives me hope that maybe we can turn raw negativity into a journey towards change. Let me know how you feel about this chat, do you share any of these experiences? I’m @lilliealmond on Twitter, and @almondsweetness on Insta. Thanks for listening.

    53min
  8. Kwajo Tweneboa: “People are dying in poor living conditions and poor housing.”

    19/06/2022

    Kwajo Tweneboa: “People are dying in poor living conditions and poor housing.”

    Those who use and exploit others must be held to account. I really hope that the receipts that Kwajo is airing, bring about the accountability and change that we need to see across the board. There is pride and strength in what “Where you from?” means to Kwajo - yet the concept has also seen him fight for drastic improvements to social housing. It’s cutting to hear Kwajo talk candidly about what he has seen both in his own life - and while out visiting people who are being mistreated by their housing associations. “Where you from?” isn’t solely about the location of where Kwajo grew up, or the places where he and his family have lived. And the idea of where we’re from isn’t solely about global geography, either. It’s about our background amongst other people - and how society responds to that. It’s about how society perceives that background, how it treats us as a result… and how ‘authority’ and a sense of hierarchy is built around all of this. Kwajo has witnessed first-hand, learned about, and held to account - the parts of society that are using others’ “where you from?” to their own advantage. He is addressing those who have been looking down on the people they are meant to be serving. It’s eye-opening to see Kwajo taking on the generic PR responses from some of the biggest corporations in social housing. Words are not good enough excuses anymore - they never were. So, I look forward to seeing real accountability across the sector - and across other spaces which use and abuse people because of where they are from. Let me know what you think of all of this - what stood out to you, what connected with you? I’m @lilliealmond on Twitter and @almondsweetness on Insta - see you there.

    46min
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“Where you from?” I get asked this all the time, and when I reply ‘London’ they say: “No, where you really from?” What are people really asking here? And why are they asking this? Join me, Lillie Almond on my new podcast “Where you from?” to explore how this question makes people feel, what it means to them… and what people really mean when asking it. Listen and subscribe now on Global Player.

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