David Olusoga Illness: What Disease Does David Olusoga Have?
by Aishwarya R | Updated May 15, 2023
Who is David Olusoga?
David Adetayo Olusoga OBE, a passionate British historian, writer, broadcaster, presenter, and filmmaker, is a name that resonates with knowledge, enlightenment, and a powerful voice for change. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, in January 1970, Olusoga's life journey began with a blend of Nigerian heritage and British roots.
At a tender age of five, he embarked on a life-altering migration to the United Kingdom alongside his mother, settling in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. Growing up on a council estate, Olusoga stood out as one of the few non-white individuals in his community. Sadly, racial prejudice and discrimination became all too familiar to him.
By the time he reached his early teenage years, the venom of hatred manifested itself in the form of multiple attacks on his family's home by the National Front, a far-right extremist group. Such distressing experiences led to police protection for Olusoga and his loved ones. Eventually, the weight of racism became unbearable, forcing them to leave their home behind.
Despite the challenges and hardships he faced, Olusoga's indomitable spirit was fueled by a passion for history and an unwavering determination to make a difference. He pursued his higher education at the University of Liverpool, immersing himself in the captivating narratives of slavery's past. In 1994, he proudly emerged with a BA (Hons) degree in History, setting the stage for a remarkable journey of knowledge dissemination and social impact.
With a thirst for conveying historical truths to the masses, Olusoga embarked on a postgraduate course in broadcast journalism at Leeds Trinity University. Equipped with the power of storytelling, he embarked on a career that would bring historical narratives to life and challenge the status quo. The BBC, renowned for its commitment to quality programming, became a platform where Olusoga's compelling voice resonated.
His contributions to The One Show and The Guardian further amplified his influence, reaching diverse audiences hungry for knowledge and enlightenment. Passionate, eloquent, and unafraid to confront uncomfortable truths, Olusoga's presentations and documentaries on the BBC captured the hearts and minds of viewers.
His fervent exploration of history, particularly the often-neglected aspects of slavery, shed light on the complexities of the past while illuminating the present. Through his work, he became a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change, urging society to confront its deep-rooted inequalities. Beyond his broadcasting career, Olusoga's commitment to education and the pursuit of truth led him to assume the esteemed role of Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester.
This position, coupled with his continued research and writing endeavors, allows him to inspire future generations of historians, instilling in them a passion for unearthing hidden narratives and advocating for social justice. David Adetayo Olusoga OBE, a historian who transcends boundaries, challenges prejudice, and unlocks the doors of the past, stands as an inspirational figure in the realm of historical exploration and societal transformation. His passionate journey continues to shape minds, enlighten hearts, and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable world.
David Olusoga Illness
In 2020, a BBC historian expressed his perception of being a "survivor" rather than a success story within the industry. During the MacTaggart lecture delivered at the Edinburgh TV Festival, he opened up about feelings of loneliness, being patronized, and marginalized. He believed that his current position was largely attributable to the support he received from a select few individuals who used their power and privilege to assist him.
The historian faced a challenging period that led to him experiencing depression and seeking professional help. Being the only black person involved in many productions, he highlighted the difficulties of being the sole individual to raise certain questions and feeling discomfort when images or sequences reinforced stereotypes.
He shared his frustration, along with other black professionals in the industry, regarding scripts or rough cuts that predominantly featured interviews with white experts, while black contributors were limited to sharing their personal experiences rather than their expertise. Throughout his career, the historian experienced both moments of high demand and periods of being overlooked and disregarded.
He acknowledged feeling inspired and convinced that his job of creating television and telling stories was the best in the world. However, there were times when he felt crushed by his experiences, enduring a sense of isolation and disempowerment resulting from the prevailing industry culture. These circumstances eventually led him to seek medical treatment for clinical depression.
He admitted that he had come close to leaving the industry on multiple occasions, a sentiment shared by many black and brown individuals who encountered similar obstacles. In his speech, the presenter also addressed the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, noting that it had compelled society to engage in conversations that had been avoided or postponed for decades.
What Disease Does David Olusoga have?
He has not suffered from any Disease physically but faced many struggles mentally. "In all my years in this industry, one glaring truth has remained: the creators and commissioners of UK television programs do not reflect the diversity of our audience, nor the wider population," Olusoga passionately declared. Reflecting on an incident during the filming of a drama-documentary set on a reconstructed slave plantation in Jamaica, Olusoga recounted a troubling encounter.
As they filmed in a remote location, the crew organized their own catering, and on the first day, a decision was made, unbeknownst to him, that the actors and crew would eat first, with the extras receiving their meals afterwards. While this may have seemed like standard procedure, the unintended consequence was that white individuals ate before their black counterparts.
The true shock, as Olusoga expressed, lay in the fact that his well-intentioned white colleagues, who were undoubtedly talented and compassionate, failed to recognize the inherent problem. Meanwhile, the black actors and extras had no difficulty perceiving the inequality that had transpired.
Class privilege also became a topic of discussion during Olusoga's impassioned address. He shed light on his early years in television, revealing that certain sectors of the industry defined diversity as merely ensuring a fair balance of individuals from prestigious institutions like Oxford and Cambridge. This emphasis on class background further exacerbated the lack of genuine inclusivity within the industry.
Through his words, Olusoga unveiled a sobering truth about the need for genuine diversity and understanding in television. It is not enough to merely pay lip service to the concept; true progress requires a deep-seated shift in perspective and a commitment to dismantling the systemic biases that perpetuate inequality. By sharing his experiences, he called upon the industry to confront its shortcomings and strive for a future where equality and representation become the norm, not exceptions.
David Olusoga Career
David Olusoga embarked on his television career as a researcher for the BBC series Western Front in 1999. Following his university studies, he transitioned to producing history programs. From 2005 onwards, he contributed to notable productions such as Namibia: Genocide and the Second Reich, The Lost Pictures of Eugene Smith, and Abraham Lincoln: Saint or Sinner?.
In 2014, Olusoga took on the role of television presenter, commencing with The World's War: Forgotten Soldiers of Empire, which explored the experiences of Indian, African, and Asian troops in World War I. This marked the beginning of numerous documentaries and appearances on The One Show, a BBC One television program.
In 2015, it was announced that he would co-present Civilisations, a sequel to Kenneth Clark's renowned documentary series, alongside historians Mary Beard and Simon Schama. His recent TV series include Black and British: A Forgotten History, The World's War, A House Through Time, and the BAFTA award-winning Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners.
Beyond his television work, Olusoga has authored standalone history books as well as companion books for his TV series. His notable publications include Black and British: A Forgotten History (2016), which received the Longman–History Today Trustees Award 2017 and the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize 2017. Other books include The World's War (2015), which won the First World War Book of the Year award, The Kaiser's Holocaust: Germany's Forgotten Genocide and the Colonial Roots of Nazism (2011) co-authored with Casper Erichsen, and Civilisations (2018).
He has also contributed to the Oxford Companion to Black British History and written for publications such as The Guardian, The Observer, New Statesman, and BBC History magazine. In June 2018, he joined the board of the Scott Trust, the entity that publishes The Guardian. Recognized for his influence and contributions, Olusoga has been featured in the Powerlist, a ranking of the 100 most influential Black Britons, in the editions of 2019, 2020, and 2021, where he ranked eighth.
In the 2019 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to history and community integration. He received the OBE from King Charles III in February 2023. The University of Manchester appointed him as a professor in 2019, describing him as an expert in military history, empire, race, and slavery.
In response to the global Black Lives Matter movement and protests following George Floyd's murder, Olusoga's Black and British: A Forgotten History and Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners were rebroadcast. He continued to make significant contributions, such as hosting the special program Barack Obama Talks To David Olusoga, in which he discussed Barack Obama's presidential memoirs, A Promised Land. Olusoga also appeared on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in January 2021.
Recognizing his contributions to the humanities and social sciences, Olusoga was awarded the President's Medal by the British Academy in December 2021. This esteemed accolade has been granted to notable figures such as Margaret Atwood, Jimmy Wales, and Hilary Mantel.
David Olusoga Net Worth
David Olusoga's primary source of income comes from his work as a historian, writer, broadcaster, presenter, and filmmaker. He earns income through various channels, including television programs and documentaries that he presents, produces, or contributes to, such as his work for the BBC. Olusoga has written several books, both standalone history books and companion books to his television series, which generate revenue through book sales. He also receives income from speaking engagements, public appearances, and lectures. Additionally, as a professor at the University of Manchester, he likely receives a salary for his academic role. Olusoga may have other sources of income, such as royalties from his publications and participation in related events or projects.
Name
David Olusoga
Profession
Historian, writer, broadcaster, filmmaker
Age
53
Source of Income
Though his Media Career
Networth
$1 million to $5 Million
David Olusoga Networth
David Olusoga Illness - FAQs
David Olusoga is a British historian, writer, broadcaster, presenter, and filmmaker. He is known for his work on television programs, documentaries, and books that explore topics such as history, race, empire, and social justice.
David Olusoga has presented and contributed to several notable TV programs, including "Civilisations," "Black and British: A Forgotten History," "The World's War: Forgotten Soldiers of Empire," "A House Through Time," and "Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners."
David Olusoga has written several books, both as standalone works and accompanying his television series. Some of his notable books include "Black and British: A Forgotten History," "The World's War," "The Kaiser’s Holocaust: Germany’s Forgotten Genocide and the Colonial Roots of Nazism," and "Civilisations."
Yes, David Olusoga has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to history and broadcasting. He was awarded the Longman–History Today Trustees Award and the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize for his book "Black and British: A Forgotten History." He was also included in the Powerlist of the 100 most influential Black Britons and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to history and community integration.
David Olusoga is currently a Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester. He is considered one of the UK's foremost historians and specializes in military history, empire, race, and slavery. In addition to his academic role, he continues to work on television programs, write books, and engage in public speaking engagements related to history and social issues.