Meet the Writers AC Grayling and making peace in the culture wars
Apr 20, 2025
A.C. Grayling, a renowned philosopher and author known for his works on ethics and human rights, dives into his latest book, which tackles discrimination as a fundamental human rights issue. He shares personal insights from his upbringing in Africa, highlighting early awareness of racial inequality. Grayling also discusses founding New College of the Humanities to blend humanities with professional skills. He defines 'woke' as a noble movement rooted in civil rights and emphasizes the importance of ongoing vigilance in the culture wars and human rights advocacy.
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Remote Childhood In African Expat Bubble
- A.C. Grayling describes feeling like a stranger in Africa due to his parents' disengagement and Edwardian expat bubble.
- He was raised mainly by servants who became his emotional family and shaped his childhood experience.
Servants Became His Family
- Grayling recounts being comforted by a long-serving servant, Johnny Penzer, who slept by his bed during night terrors.
- He credits those servants as his real family during childhood rather than his remote parents.
Family Tragedy And Lasting Burden
- Grayling shares the tragedy of his sister's birth injury, later murder, and his mother's death after identifying the body.
- He describes the profound and lasting emotional burden his father bore afterwards.
