**Writer Who Led the Charge to Cancel Fellow Author Over Racism Row Shares Emotional Video Pleading for the Past Not to Be Dragged Up**
*UK Daily Mail | November 6, 2025 | Lettice Bromovsky*
A writer who spearheaded criticism against a fellow author amid claims of racism has shared an emotional video of herself sobbing, pleading with people not to dredge up the “past.”
Monisha Rajesh, now an established author, was one of the earliest and most vocal critics of Kate Clanchy’s 2020 memoir *Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me*, which received the prestigious Orwell Prize for political writing.
Clanchy’s memoir, based on her 30 years teaching in state schools, came under intense scrutiny a year after its release. Readers accused her of including what they described as “racist” and “dehumanising” portrayals of her pupils’ physical appearances.
In response to the backlash, Rajesh emerged as a leading figure in challenging Clanchy’s work. However, the recent video reveals a deeply personal side to Rajesh, as she emotionally urges the public and critics alike to move on and not continue to bring up controversies from the past.
The incident has sparked ongoing debate about cancel culture, accountability, and the complexities of discussing race and representation in literature.
*Excerpted from UK Daily Mail. Read more at dailymail.co.uk.*
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**Topics:** Books/Literature, Society
**Keywords:** cancel, woke, racism, memoir, Orwell Prize
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*Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of this website or its management.*
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