Disclaimer: The goal of this post is not to whitesplain racism and why it’s a problem. We live in a digital age where the information is available to you via Google. We need to be accountable of educating ourselves.
Some of you are friends with me on Facebook, so you know the extent to which I am passionate about the current fight for systemic reform to combat racism in the United States. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to acknowledge it on my blog as well, without speaking over people of color who face racism first-hand. I decided creating a list of resources might be the best way to proceed.
All of the resources below are only those that I have explored myself - I am only sharing the materials I have read and watched, but there are so many more out there if you want more. I only wanted to share the ones I personally found helpful thus far in my antiracism education because, well, I cannot speak for those that I have not yet dedicated time to… yet.
I also want to note that all of these resources vary in ratings, which is something to think about if you are considering sharing them with children. I will use an asterisk (*) to indicate which materials are least suitable for young audiences (under the age of 12).
That being said, it is important to note the privilege that comes with this discretion, as many black children (and other children of color) are not given the option to choose what violence they do and do not experience or witness. Tamir Rice was just 12 years old when he was shot by police for playing with a toy gun in a park. The asterisk is simply an indication that you should consider watching or reading these resources first before sharing them with children.
Below, you will find that these resources are divided up by categories I felt were most fitting. (Yes, there are enough resources out there that white people can tailor their research to genres of their liking!) Please, do your part and invest some time in these:
Books
Young Adult Novels
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - this is one of my favorites. I just read it, and I could not put it down. It tells the story of Starr, a high school student who witnessed police brutality in the shooting of her childhood friend. This novel provides insight from the perspective of a witness to violence in their community, while also commenting on dynamics of class, race, and wealth.
Dear Martin by Nic Stone - this book tells the story of a teenage boy who struggles with black boyhood and the universality of discrimination based upon the blackness of one’s skin. In trying to navigate encounters with police, the main character, Justyce, begins writing letters to the deceased Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as a means of coping with the injustices he faces. (I’m not done reading this one, so no spoilers!)
Memoirs about the Black Experience
Becoming by Michelle Obama - it’s truly inspirational. While the obvious appeal to her book for anyone is curiosity about what it is like to be the first black First Lady of the United States, her story goes much deeper than Barack Obama’s successes. This memoir explores the experiences of black women, as well as the hardships she faced because of the intersectionality of her race and gender, both in and out of the spotlight.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin - this book is simply a classic must-read. I read it for my Intro to Black American Literature class three years ago, but it still sticks with me. In a series of letters to his nephew and his mind, Baldwin tells a personal story of racism he experienced as a black American man, while critiquing the systemic practices in the United States that fuel prejudice and racism. The book was published in 1963, and its relevance today is something noteworthy in terms of our lack of progression as a nation.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates - this is an intellectual critique of racist systems. Similar to The Fire Next Time, Coates’s letter to his son describes the differences between the world he grew up in versus the world he raises his son in. He focuses on a comparison between the types of racism he faced and the types his son is facing, noting many similarities that illustrate a desperation for change. It was written after the murder of Eric Garner and tells the audience what it is like to grow up as a black man in the United States.
Psychology
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji & Anthony G. Greenwald - I read this for a Psychology of Racism course, and it’s so valuable. This resource explains unconscious biases and includes activities for the reader to conduct themselves to learn hands-on. If you are struggling to grapple with questions surrounding human behavior, this is a book for you. It will teach you about yourself more than others.
Poetry
Citizen* by Claudia Rankine - this was the first book that changed my perspective of racism from a thing of history to a continuing phenomenon. It is made up of visuals, poetry, and micro essays that are significant in understanding racism in a more visceral sense. The fast-paced nature of the book simulates the experience of constantly facing microaggressions. It is truly powerful.
History
Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen - this exposes real American history. The purpose of this book is both to tell students the real history of the United States of America while also acknowledging the lies incorporated into the current curriculum. In other words, it tells you how educators whitewashed history to make white people more comfortable, as well as the hard truth of what actually happened.
Films and Videos
Documentaries
13th* - this is the documentary of all documentaries to learn more about mass incarceration of black Americans and the history of our criminal justice system. It explains the deception of the 13th amendment - which is said to be the amendment that abolished slavery - as actually allowing labor to continue as part of the prison system. It also explores the war on drugs as a racially charged political stunt, among other aspects of politics to be aware of in regards to racism.
Becoming - this film shows Michelle Obama’s book tour and gives insight that can also be found in her memoir. It imitates her book in many of the stories she shares, so the film adaptation provides a visual to her storytelling. However, it also includes interviews from her book tour, as she reflects on her past and begins to navigate what she will do next.
Films Based on a True Story
Just Mercy - this movie tells the story of Walter “Johnny D.” McMillan, who was falsely convicted of a crime and sentenced to death in Alabama. It explores the injustices within our criminal justice system - that still exist today - and shines light on the faults within various aspects of the system, including courts, jails, and police departments. (Warner Brothers made the film free for the month of June, so watch it now!)
Selma - it is the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the continued racism after the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The film shows the continued fight for the right to vote, after voter registration was made difficult for black Americans in the United States. It depicts the organization of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, and it details the experience of black Americans during 1965.
12 Years A Slave* - this movie is the graphic truth of slavery in the United States. I watched it in high school, and my class was the only one to do so. The film depicts what history books will not show you, and it does not sugarcoat or whitewash the reality of oppression and violence experienced by African Americans. It may be difficult to watch, but it is worth it from an educational standpoint. (The difficulty of watching it does not match the difficulty of experiencing it - keep that in mind.)
Television Shows
Dear White People* - this Netflix original series tells the story of black college students on a prestigious campus, fighting for change. It addresses topics like variations of privilege, such as light skin versus dark skin privileges, as well as the faults in higher education institutions and the education system more generally.
Black-ish - it is a sitcom that focuses around a black family, showing some of the difficult conversations had in black households that are not held in other homes. The show itself is like a typical sitcom, but it tackles important issues as the characters deal with racism in their daily lives.
TED Talks
“The Urgency of Intersectionality” by Kimbrelé Crenshaw - it is a powerful speech that acknowledges black women. If you’ve heard the name Kimbrelé Crenshaw before, it is likely because she coined the term “intersectionality” to describe the intersections of experiences various people face based upon the makeup of their social identity. She acknowledges the unique hardships for black women because of their intersectionality and shares the names and photos of black women killed by police brutality. It is just the start of an important conversation.
“How We Can Make Racism a Solvable Problem - and Improve Policing” by Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff - it solves racism in policing on the surface. A new perspective of the systemic issue that is racism in policing if formed through the lens of social psychology. Goff explains how using data tracking and patterns - that are already used by most police departments - can help us tackle racial disparities in policing nationwide; the next step is actually using it to make a difference.
“The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - I have watched this video in four college classes, which goes to show its significance. Adichie explains the stereotypes that emerge from the single story pertaining to a group of people. She encourages us to expand our representation of various cultures across a variety of mediums and platforms, in order to correct this false understanding of the world.
“What it Takes to be Racially Literate” by Priya Vulchi and Winona Guo - this video is for anyone who thinks they know everything about being antiracist. In this speech by two high school graduates, they tackle the need for both knowledge of hard facts and empathy from storytelling, in order to understand racism. It acknowledges a wide array of cultures and topics, which allows for the viewers to address areas where they need to conduct more research.
Youtube Clips
“A Class Divided: Frontline"- this Frontline documentary shows Jane Elliot’s controversial social psychology experiment using third graders. Known widely as the blue eyes versus brown eyes experiment, Jane Elliot teaches her class about racism by allowing them to experience discrimination themselves based on their eye colors. Jane Elliot’s work as an antiracist continues still, so I encourage you to explore more clips and readings that include her.
Bettering yourself as a white ally does not mean you need to dedicate all of your waking moments to educating yourself about antiracism. The goal is to do something, though. It is not enough to sit back and watch the news or share a post on social media condemning the murder of George Floyd.
Another thing: know these few points below before embarking on this educational journey.
You cannot expect people of color to further your education for you. You need to do the work yourself.
In forming your own opinions, consider all sides of the situation, and research that too.
Do not expect a pat on the back for being antiracist and dedicating your time to bettering yourself. Do it for you and the greater good. White people educating themselves on these topics is long overdue.
I am prepared for conversations with any reader who is interested, but please explore these resources too. On a final note, I want to leave you with this quote I have seen plastered all over social media and need to emphasize:
“It is a privilege to educate yourself about racism instead of experiencing it yourself.”
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