Maybe I Don’t Belong Here By David Harewood

David Harewood MBE is a British actor and presenter. He is best known for his roles as CIA Counterterrorism Director David Estes in Homeland, and as J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter and Hank Henshaw / Cyborg Superman in Supergirl.

David Harewood writes a epic memoir of his life and times, and unlike most memoirs of the famous, David’s memoir is based around his mental health. David speaks openly of having psychosis, being sectioned, having mental breakdowns, race and belonging, support from friends an family, smoking weed and the lasting effectings of everything that happened to him. As a young Black male reading this I felt so seen and heard, in ways that I didnt believe words could articulate, despite David and I not sharing profession or experience we share feelings and thoughts that I believe at times we all need validation to ensure ourselves we aren’t crazy in our experiences.

Maybe I Don’t Belong Here - David Harewood

‘As a Black British man, I believe it is vital that I tell this story. It may be just one account from the perspective of a person of color who has experienced this system, but it may be enough to potentially change an opinion or, more importantly, stop someone else from spinning completely out of control.' – David Harewood.

When David Harewood was twenty-three, his acting career beginning to take flight, he had what he now understands to be a psychotic breakdown and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. He was physically restrained by six police officers, sedated, then hospitalized, and transferred to a locked ward. Only now, thirty years later, has he been able to process what he went through.

David goes into depth, he gives us a first-hand look into the symptoms of his psychosis, he talks us through his hallucinations, his memory loss, his lack of awareness, and how they felt and drove him, in hindsight. The book is an easy read, and very relatable and understandable to all, I must give out trigger warnings as he does speak on his use of drugs, a run-in with the police, and his stay in hospital. 

This is a must-read for any young (Black) men to help them with the first steps of really looking into and taking care of their mental health. This story shows a Black man - who was sectioned twice, had multiple mental breakdowns, and still rebuild his life and take control to destiny and continually rise to success. And I believe if more than anything, this book is a testimony that regardless of circumstance and situation, sometimes it’s a personal choice to just be, do, and get better above all else first. 

Thank you David for the memoir Black British boys didn’t know we needed.

Dopereaders. 

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