Sir Lenny Henry: Truth telling, support networks, and bad handwriting
Oct 23, 2023
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Sir Lenny Henry, a British comedian and actor, discusses his community's collective culture of overcoming big life events and the importance of documenting family stories. He shares how humor helped him deal with bullying and reflects on tackling racism in the UK. The podcast also explores the themes of empathy, support networks, and the challenges faced in the entertainment industry.
Documenting personal history and sharing stories can educate younger generations and build resilience.
Humor can serve as a defense mechanism and unite allies in the face of bullying.
Having diverse skills and a support network is crucial for success in the entertainment industry.
Deep dives
Lenny Henry discusses his personal connection to immigration and the importance of storytelling
Lenny Henry reflects on the significance of his TV series Three Little Birds, which celebrates immigration, community, and the strength of black womanhood. Inspired by the stories of his own mother and others who migrated to Britain, the series explores the challenges faced by immigrants in the 1950s and the resilience required to overcome them. Lenny emphasizes the importance of documenting and sharing personal stories, urging younger generations to learn from the experiences of their elders. He also touches on the power of humor as a means of coping and the need for support networks in the entertainment industry.
Lenny Henry discusses the role of humor and the impact of personal experiences
Lenny Henry shares how humor served as both a defense mechanism and a means of fighting back during his childhood. He highlights the importance of having a support network and the positive impact of having friends who stand up for you. Lenny also discusses the challenges and lessons learned from his own personal journey, including the discovery of his birth father and the importance of telling one's own story. He emphasizes the power of speaking one's truth and the freedom that comes with confronting and overcoming hardships.
Lenny Henry reflects on the importance of work and the need for resilience
Lenny Henry discusses the importance of work and having a side hustle, drawing from his own experiences and the value of diverse skills. He emphasizes the need for resilience and the ability to overcome challenges that arise in the entertainment industry. Lenny also emphasizes the significance of mentorship and passing down wisdom to younger generations. He underscores the importance of supporting one another, both personally and professionally, in the pursuit of success and personal growth.
Lenny Henry discusses the significance of documenting personal history and sharing stories
Lenny Henry emphasizes the importance of documenting personal history and sharing stories, particularly those of migration and the black experience. He highlights the need to have open conversations about history, racism, and traumatic experiences, encouraging individuals to share their stories and learn from one another. Lenny also touches on the impact of mental health and the need for support networks, expressing gratitude for the friends and allies who have provided support throughout his life.
Lenny Henry discusses his involvement in the TV series Three Little Birds and the impact of representation
Lenny Henry discusses his role as an executive producer and writer for the TV series Three Little Birds, which explores the themes of immigration, community, and black womanhood. He discusses the need for diverse representation in the entertainment industry and the power of storytelling to educate and enlighten audiences. Lenny reflects on the importance of personal connection to the characters and stories, noting the positive impact it can have on viewers. He highlights the importance of allyship in overcoming adversity and creating positive change.
Have you spoken to your parents and grandparents about their own life experiences? For Sir Lenny Henry, it’s been important to document his family’s stories.
In this chat with Fearne, Lenny talks about his community’s culture of overcoming big life events as a collective, explains how his humour won him allies when he was being bullied, and thinks about what still needs to be done to tackle racism in the UK.
You can catch episode one of Three Little Birds on ITVX now, and episode two will be on ITV on Sunday 29 October. Lenny’s latest children’s book, The Boy With Wings: Clash of the Superkids, is out now.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode frankly discusses incidents of racism.