DeRay Mckesson at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

In 2014 DeRay Mckesson quit his job and moved to Ferguson, Missouri to protest against the police shooting of Michael Brown Jr, an unarmed African-American teenager. He spent the next 400 days on the streets as an activist and helped bring the Black Lives Matter movement into existence. Filmed live at the 2019 Edinburgh International Book Festival, DeRay Mckesson talks to Lauretta Charlton, Race/Related editor of The New York Times, discussing his deeply-moving book, On the Other Side of Freedom, in which he inspires the hope and belief that together we must imagine – and build – a more equal world.

Book Festival News

Communities Programme participants celebrate success of 2024 Communities Programme participants celebrate success of 2024
Friday 13 December

Enjoying this event? You can help us produce more like it.

Donate

Share

Watch more

Norman Scott: The Establishment (Almost) Always Wins Norman Scott: The Establishment (Almost) Always Wins This is the story of a man who took on the establishment – and it seemed he’d lost. But Norman Scott’s own perspective on his secret affair with politician Jeremy Thorpe in the 1970s has gained credence thanks to the TV drama, A Very English Scandal. Now… Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie (2103 event) Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie (2103 event) Long-time collaborators Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie shed light on the processes behind their critically acclaimed Young Avengers series… Neil Oliver at the Edinburgh International Book Festival Neil Oliver at the Edinburgh International Book Festival With Britain considering its future, who better to turn to for historical perspective than Neil Oliver. His latest book is part history lesson, part travel guide and part love letter to the British Isles. From ancient woodlands to blood-soaked… Olga Ravn & Martin Aitken with Heather Parry Olga Ravn & Martin Aitken with Heather Parry Since she published her debut novel Celestine in 2015, Olga Ravn has come to be regarded as one of the most influential writers in contemporary Danish literature. In her new book, The Employees, she has crafted a small masterpiece; brilliantly translated… Susan Calman (2018 Event) Susan Calman (2018 Event) The popular broadcaster, talented comedian and, as she recently demonstrated on Strictly, very nifty ballroom dancer is on a mission. With a culture of hatred and vitriol brewing in public and on social media, how can we stimulate more kindness in… Liz Lochhead (2015 Event) Liz Lochhead (2015 Event) A hugely accomplished playwright, as well as Scotland’s current Makar (National Poet), watch as Liz Lochhead discusses her new play, Thon Man Molière, her fascination with the great French comic dramatist and his oeuvre, Greek tragedy… John Burnside and Jon Kalman Stefansson (2015 Event) John Burnside and Jon Kalman Stefansson (2015 Event) Award-winning poet and novelist John Burnside and acclaimed Icelandic novelist Jón Kalman Stefánsson got together with interviewer Daniel Hahn to talk about their new books and explore why contemporary writers turn to the stuff of legend for… Matt Haig (2017 Event) Matt Haig (2017 Event) Acclaimed writer of novels and screenplays for adults and children, Matt Haig’s new book, How to Stop Time, was so heavily anticipated that Benedict Cumberbatch signed up to play the key role in the movie adaptation well before its actual publication date… Ciaran Martin with Tom Devine: Where Next for the United Kingdom? Ciaran Martin with Tom Devine: Where Next for the United Kingdom? Currently a professor at Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government, Ciaran Martin played a key role as a senior civil servant for David Cameron’s government in negotiating the terms of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. Seven years on… Lucy Hawking Lucy Hawking A young audience plays Who Wants to be a Cosmic Billionaire?, is showered by an asteroid storm and learns about the solar system with Lucy Hawking and her father Professor Stephen Hawking (via live audio link-up) in video highlights from this thrilling 200…