Totally Booked with Zibby: Episode Summary Featuring Gina Yashere’s "Crack Handed: A Memoir"

In the January 28, 2025 episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens engages in a profound and heartfelt conversation with comedian and actress Gina Yashere about her latest work, "Crack Handed: A Memoir." This in-depth discussion delves into Gina's upbringing, the challenges she faced, and the cathartic journey of writing her memoir. The episode offers listeners a deep dive into themes of racism, personal trauma, resilience, and the healing power of storytelling.

1. Introducing Gina Yashere

Zibby Owens begins by providing an extensive background on Gina Yashere, highlighting her successful career in comedy and acting. Gina's impressive resume includes appearances on renowned shows like "Live at the Apollo," "Mock the Week," and "Last Comic Standing," as well as her contributions to animations such as "Bromwell High" and "The Rubbish World of Dave Spud." Her international acclaim and multiple awards, including four consecutive Black Entertainment and Comedy Awards for Best Comedian in the UK, set the stage for a compelling conversation about her personal and professional life.

2. The Genesis of "Crack Handed: A Memoir"

[03:30] Zibby Owens: "Would you mind telling listeners a little bit about your memoir and why you even decided to write one?"

Gina articulates that her memoir chronicles her early life, beginning with her Nigerian heritage and her parents' journey to England. She shares insights into growing up in London during the 1970s, a period marked by intense racism and social unrest.

[03:37] Gina Yashere: "The memoir covers my parents' history, their journey to England, and my first 25 years living in London. It addresses being chased by skinheads, enduring racism, and my experiences as the first woman engineer at Otis in the UK."

3. Understanding the Title: "Crack Handed"

Gina explains the significance of the memoir's title, drawing a parallel between being left-handed and navigating a predominantly right-handed world.

[04:20] Gina Yashere: "Crack Handed is a play on being left-handed—a term often associated with awkwardness and clumsiness. It serves as a metaphor for my life's journey, filled with obstacles and the need to adapt in a world not designed for me."

This analogy underscores the challenges Gina faced as a black woman in male-dominated fields and a society rife with prejudice.

4. Confronting Racism and Personal Trauma

A pivotal moment in the memoir, and the podcast discussion, revolves around a traumatic incident during Gina's school years.

[05:47] Zibby Owens: "One scene that really stood out to me was when a girl in a classroom screamed racist slurs at you, leading to a physical altercation and nearly getting arrested."

Gina recounts how systemic racism and daily abuse culminated in a fierce confrontation that drastically altered her life trajectory.

[06:38] Gina Yashere: "I was tired of being bullied and decided to fight back. This led to a physical fight with a peer, which resulted in me being expelled from school just as I was preparing for my A-levels."

This confrontation not only expelled her from the school but also strained her relationship with her mother, who opposed her desire to transfer to another institution.

5. The Struggle with Mental Health

Following the expulsion, Gina shares a deeply personal and harrowing experience of attempting to take her own life.

[10:53] Gina Yashere: "I took a tub of aspirin mixed with Coke, hoping to pass out and escape the pain. It was less about wanting to die and more about a cry for help."

She describes the physical and emotional ordeal of being rushed to the hospital, the invasive procedure of gastric lavage (stomach pumping), and her realization of the severity of her actions.

[15:44] Gina Yashere: "The experience taught me that surviving such a traumatic event doesn't erase the pain, but it does underscore the importance of seeking help."

6. Navigating Family Dynamics

A significant portion of the memoir, as discussed in the podcast, focuses on Gina's relationship with her mother and stepfather.

[19:37] Gina Yashere: "Writing the book was cathartic. It allowed me to process years of anger and resentment, especially towards my stepfather, whom I describe as a 'step bastard.'"

Gina delves into the complexities of her mother's overprotectiveness, rooted in fear and the trauma of abandonment by her father. She reflects on the lack of support systems available to her mother in 1970s England, which influenced her parenting style.

[23:34] Gina Yashere: "Understanding my mother's fears and the context in which she raised us has been essential in forgiving her, even though the resentment remained."

7. The Therapeutic Power of Writing

Discussing the process of writing her memoir, Gina emphasizes the therapeutic benefits she experienced.

[25:31] Gina Yashere: "You may not think you could write a book, but you will find the time and strength to do it. Writing allowed me to unleash years of pent-up emotions and begin the healing process."

She shares her initial struggles with ghostwriting and how the pandemic-induced quarantine became a turning point, providing her with the necessary space and motivation to complete her memoir.

8. Advice for Aspiring Authors

Gina offers heartfelt advice to those considering writing their own stories.

[25:31] Gina Yashere: "Give yourself the opportunity to try it and learn. If it works, great. If it doesn't, at least you tried."

Her candid reflection underscores the importance of perseverance and self-discovery through the writing process.

9. Reflections and Moving Forward

As the conversation wraps up, Zibby acknowledges the transformative journey Gina has undertaken both personally and professionally.

[28:14] Zibby Owens: "Congratulations, Gina. I will now be watching your show and your comedy with even greater appreciation."

Gina encourages her listeners, especially mothers pressed for time, to read her fast-paced and emotionally resonant memoir.

[28:25] Gina Yashere: "I hope all the mothers out there who haven't got time to read books read this book because you'll get through it pretty quickly."

Conclusion

This episode of Totally Booked with Zibby offers a poignant exploration of Gina Yashere's "Crack Handed: A Memoir." Through her storytelling, Gina sheds light on the pervasive impacts of racism, the struggles of immigrant families, and the resilience required to overcome personal trauma. Her candidness about mental health and the healing process through writing provides listeners with both inspiration and a deeper understanding of the human experience. Zibby Owens effectively facilitates this meaningful dialogue, making the episode a must-listen for anyone interested in personal growth, storytelling, and the power of memoirs.

Notable Quotes:

• Gina Yashere [03:37]: "The memoir covers my parents' history, their journey to England, and my first 25 years living in London. It addresses being chased by skinheads, enduring racism, and my experiences as the first woman engineer at Otis in the UK."

• Gina Yashere [04:20]: "Crack Handed is a play on being left-handed—a term often associated with awkwardness and clumsiness. It serves as a metaphor for my life's journey, filled with obstacles and the need to adapt in a world not designed for me."

• Gina Yashere [10:53]: "I took a tub of aspirin mixed with Coke, hoping to pass out and escape the pain. It was less about wanting to die and more about a cry for help."

• Gina Yashere [25:31]: "You may not think you could write a book, but you will find the time and strength to do it. Writing allowed me to unleash years of pent-up emotions and begin the healing process."

This episode not only highlights Gina Yashere's impressive career but also offers a raw and honest look into her personal life, making "Crack Handed: A Memoir" a significant contribution to contemporary memoir literature.