Alex Wheatle’s life is one of trials and tribulations. A heartbreaking journey through unjust governmental systems that could have left him at a point of wanting to give up completely. Instead, the British author and Manchester Met lecturer stands today with an MBE and 14 critically acclaimed novels behind him, as well as multiple literary awards. Writing for a new BBC series, Wheatle found his own story at the centre of acclaimed director Steve McQueen’s latest project, Small Axe.

The British anthology film series telling the stories of West Indian immigrants in living in London, features a short film based on Wheatle’s early life. It shows his experiences with the care system during the 1960s, life as a black man in South London during the 70s and 80s, as well as his short stint in prison as a result of his involvement in the Brixton riots.

aAh! Magazine speaks to Wheatle via Zoom to pick his brain about Small Axe and how the episode came to fruition, his latest novel Cane Warriors, as well as his traumatic life experiences and journey into adulthood.

“Coming into Small Axe, I was part of the creative team anyway. We sat in a room after three months discussing themes that should be employed in the Small Axe series,” says Wheatle. “Halfway through the process, Steve said to the group he was thinking of a story of a young black man who experienced going through institutions. One of the other writers pointed at me and said – ‘Alex! That’s you!’ From there, Steve wanted to hear my life journey.”

Initially, Wheatle was asked to write the episode himself, but after he thought it would be too traumatic to delve into these experiences.

“I felt it would be too overwhelming for me, because there’s certain triggers in my childhood that could affect my mental health,” says Wheatle. “I didn’t want to keep on revisiting those parts of my life. So it was agreed that Steve and Alastair [Siddons] would write it and consult me every step of the way.”

A common goal within the Small Axe team was to project the stories of people who otherwise may have stayed unheard; the public response has shown that goal has been achieved. Wheatle says, “The messages of support have been absolutely amazing, especially from people who went through the same care experience that I had. They feel that the programme makes their lives valued and worthy and that is so important.” 

“I felt it would be too overwhelming for me, because there’s certain triggers in my childhood that could affect my mental health.”

In Small Axe, we see government institutions repeatedly fail Wheatle throughout his early life. With constant reminders that institutional racism  is still very much apparent, we reflect on how much faith Wheatle has in state systems now.

Wheatle found himself moving from the now infamous, abusive Shirley Oaks Carehome at the age of 15 in the predominantly white county of Surrey, then to Brixton, at the time a majority-black area of South London. In the film, it’s interesting to see Wheatle’s growth as he finds out more about his culture – his love for reggae emerges, as well as changes in his style and identity.

“I don’t trust governments and that doesn’t matter what shade they come in, because I’ve been disappointed so many times.” He adds, “I still speak to people in care homes that have been moved halfway across the country, where they have no support networks and struggle to find a footing or a place where they feel comfortable in.”

Wheatle says, “Brixton was a place where you heard music everywhere, in the markets and in the shops… There were four or five record shops at the time and I loved the vibe and the energy.”

“I don’t trust governments and that doesn’t matter what shade they come in.”

Here, Wheatle became involved with the music and dance scene that was being birthed in the area, amongst the many other MCs and lyricists who would also take the stage on a Friday night.

“When you have so many people who are talented, that really elevates the level. Other people would make up lyrics on the spot and I would be there pouring over a lyric that I started to write two or three weeks ago, so I wasn’t as prolific as they were. It taught me a fantastic discipline that I still have today,” he says.

Brixton has undoubtedly had a huge influence on Wheatle’s development as a person, but it’s also an area that has been widely taken over by gentrification. It was one of the first pockets of working-class London to change so rapidly and drastically.

Wheatle says of the changes: “It’s a crying shame that the young people who grew up there, who are coming into the world of work and maybe want to start families, can’t stay there because it’s so expensive. It’s losing the kind of culture that’s always been Brixton. That working-class vibe is being eradicated by the middle class coming in as they are the only ones who can afford the properties. Brixton is going to be changed forever unless new legislation comes in that ensures affordable housing.”

Small Axe also covers Wheatle’s involvement in the Brixton riots, which led to his four month stint in prison. His cellmate introduced him to The Black Jacobins, a book covering the Haitian Revolution. The book, written by Trinidadian historian C L R James, influenced Wheatle to begin his literary career. From the moment Wheatle turned the first page, he knew that one day he too would write a novel highlighting a part of forgotten history.

Cane Warriors, the most recent of Wheatle’s novels, is set in 1760, and is told from the eyes of fourteen-year-old Moa. Moa, a slave on a Jamaican plantation, is enlisted amongst others to join a revolt led by fellow slave Tacky.

Wheatle’s previous novels have largely been set in modern cities; an 18th century slave uprising in Jamaica is a stark difference. There were several reasons Wheatle chose to base the novel around this revolt; the event was such a prominent moment in world history that he wanted to highlight it in order to honor his ancestors. “It kicked off the revolutionary, rebellious spirit,” says Wheatle.

Wheatle’s birth mother grew up in the parish of St Mary in Jamaica, moments away from where Tacky began the uprising years before. “She remembers some of the elders of her family speaking in hushed tones about Tacky. She wasn’t sure who he was or what he represented, but later on when I undertook my research I thought, ‘My God, that really deserves a story of it’s own.'”

Small Axe and Cane Warriors are a part of a monumental movement, in a time for education, empowerment and enlightenment. These pockets of the past are events that have shaped the country we live in today, and Wheatle is determined to give this important history the recognition it deserves.

To celebrate Alex Wheatle’s involvement in the Small Axe series, Manchester Children’s Book Festival and the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies have produced an education resource. For more information visit the MCBF Blog and follow @MCBFestival.