Re-posting this updated list from three weeks ago right now because it’s really important…
Working on Becoming an Anti-Racist
As a white woman, I’m on an ongoing journey to understand my white privilege. It started when I was in graduate school, my degree in Multicultural Counseling included several classes the last semester about race, racial identity and privilege. It ROCKED me to the core. Truly, it was the hardest semester emotionally of my academic career. I still refer back to those books and articles we read frequently.
Seeing how racism and white privilege has affected who I am, my opportunities, how I behave, how I treat others, how I’m helping and how I’m hurting is a hard, hard thing to do. And really, really important. I still am learning, I’m still making mistakes and causing pain. I’m committed to keep doing this work.
Ahmaud Arbery’s murder and thousands more are all examples of this pattern of violence and terrorism towards our BIPOC communities. He was a black man killed while jogging by two white men following him in a truck. It took two months to arrest the white men. It’s tragic, but sadly not surprising. Black people have been victims of hate crimes for centuries. They can’t exist in America without being harassed, discriminated against, seen as less-than. But more than that, systems have perpetrated the problem through discrimination in housing, banking, education, and employment.
We have a lot to learn, I’m still just uncovering it myself, and I think it’s important for our kids to start early on to see the racism currently happening in our country (it wasn’t just ‘back then’), and understand the WHY behind the disparities they see.
There’s a lot more I want to say on this, but for now…
A few things I’ve found helpful and important in this conversation if you’re wanting to learn more. I’ll continue to update and add * to new resources I’ve found helpful.
LINKS FOR EXPLORING RACE + PRIVILEGE
THINGS TO DO NOW:
LEARN about the real history of systemic racism and the internalization of white supremacy in our country.
Here are some recourses that have been helpful for me:
What’s wrong with “I Don’t See Color”
The podcast season “Seeing White” from Scene on Radio is fantastic if you feel like you need a rundown on the history of white supremacy, structural racism in the US.
I also love the podcast Code Switch which is ongoing discussions of race and racial justice issues
For a quick “Educate me QUICK on this stuff, I want to learn the basics”, here are a couple under 10 min videos: Systemic Racism from Act.Tv, Housing segregation and Redlining
*Great interview with Robin DiAngleo of White Fragility from The Conscious Kid.
This is also a great quick one which answers some questions you may have
For longer pieces specifically about the criminal justice system, I’d recommend 13th Amendment on Netflix and Just Mercy on Amazon Prime (free right now to rent). We’ve watched both with Henry. I would say ages 12+ and be aware there is graphic images and language. More ideas here
An excellent book I found really insightful for myself as a white woman and have re-read twice now is White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
Another great one is How to be an AntiRacist by Ibram X. Kendi. I’m halfway through but great so far
I’m also reading Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad which is great because it encourages journaling and specific challenges to think about your own personal contribution to internalized white supremacy
Also, Too Heavy a Yoke by Chanequa Walker-Barnes is a beautiful and important book in understanding the burden of strength on our Black women in the US
(PS A reminder to buy from local bookshops and possibly even Black-owned. I’d recommend Marcus Books here in the bay area)
A quick illustrated guide to white privilege (featured image above from this same talented illustrator)
And idea of what racial identity growth looks like for a white person (how to unpack that invisible knapsack of white supremacy).
This piece on lynching. Really powerful and important. “Centuries of examples in which white people can destroy black bodies for any infraction they deem important enough…They had seen no crime, but if the person you’re arresting is Black, who needs an actual crime? An actual crime has never been necessary; all white people need is a story.”
Social distancing is a white privilege
COVID is disproportionally affecting black people
LISTEN to Black voices, diversity your feed. Amplify their voices. But don’t expect them to respond or teach you. Now is NOT the time to make new Black friends. We’ve caused them enough pain and it’s our job to listen, learn, support them through protesting, sharing their work, and speaking out.
*This one is particularly powerful and important. LISTEN.
I’m sharing some voices I found insightful and important in our Instagram Highlights, Anti-Racism feature
DONATE AND GET INVOLVED with a local grassroots organization like Anti Police-Terror Project in here Oakland, your local Black Lives Matter chapter. Color for Change. Local Bail Out Funds.
Join your local Showing up for Racial Justice chapter. There are weekly calls on what actions smaller grassroots organizations are asking us to do. I’m posting them each week in my stories as well.
Other local bay area local ideas: East Bay Collective, People’s Breakfast Oakland, Small Business Repair Fund, and a growing list of Black-owned Oakland restaurants to order take-out from this week. I’d recommend It’s all Good Bakery (the original Black Panther headquarters) and get the sweet potato pie, Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland (amazing fried chicken and biscuits), Marcus books, and Brown Estate for the only black female owned winery and tasting room in Napa valley.
PROTEST safely in your city. Important reminder before taking action. Donating and being on the mailing list for your local organizations will keep you in the loop as to what’s going on each day
TALK to your kids, your racist uncle. Have the scary and hard conversations after you educate yourself. Embracing difference and celebrating it. Not making race and skin color a taboo topic.
Remember:
Talking about race isn’t racist.
Not ‘seeing’ race is racist.
White silence is racist.
So, talk to your kids about it.
Here are some books to explore that with young children
*Another great resource list here for talking to kids
Chapter books for older kids: Henry loved: One Crazy Summer about sisters during the Black Panther Party’s height here in Oakland, March about the Civil Rights Movements (a series of historical graphic novels). I’ve also heard good things about Something Happened in Our Town, Ghost Boys and New Kid. Henry’s currently reading How to be an AntiRacist
although I think might be a better read for him. Other ideas?
I’m still looking for great anti-racist curriculum for kids. Here’s an ok resource
But also, why talking to kids about race isn’t enough
I’ll continue to update this list with helpful resources as I learn more too.
XOXO, Liz
Graphic here by Courtney Ahn Design
Thank you. Yes, this will be very amazing to check the new content. People are used to using previous signs and those signs are embedded in their minds and students can read more at https://www.extra-life.org/participant/421773 to get quality material. They will not perceive these signs in a quick time and there will be chaos. Keep doing better for the community.
Although I have read many similar roundups, I have come back to your list several times. Thank you for careful selection. I am learning and growing from it.
This is really good – thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this list of resources Liz!