We are sharing these resources with the greatest sensitivity. We come from a position of hope that we can be better, rather than from a position of wishing to lecture. Our community is incredibly resourceful and most probably better read up than us. So please do not view this as us telling you what to read.

It’s more to hold ourselves accountable and share the resources we’ve been educating ourselves with; in part, for you to check us and ensure we are using the most diverse resource library as possible.

We would love for our community to continue to add to these – please do share if you have any further reading, and as ever, please call us out if we can do better.

In order to even try to understand we must educate ourselves. Before we share and have proper conversations it is important to read about black lives and historical events. We must also understand our own role in society. Working to unlearn anything harmful in relation to racism, while learning how we can become better, to be actively anti-racist. 

Articles:

“Where do I donate? Why is the uprising violent? Should I go protest?” – Answering a series of questions commonly asked by white and/or privileged people.

“The Combahee River Collective Statement” – A key document in the history of contemporary black feminism, and the development of the concepts of identity as used among political organisers and social theorists.

“America’s Racial Contract Is Killing Us” – Looking into how the coronavirus pandemic has exposed racial contract, which deems certain lives of greater value than others.

“The Intersectionality Wars” – “Intersectionality” was coined in 1989 by professor Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe how race, class, gender, and other individual characteristics “intersect” with one another, and overlap. 

”White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” – A piece looking at white privilege from a personal level of American feminist and anti-racism activist Peggy McIntosh.

“Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” – Cases of seeing black males as criminals and the embodiment of danger.

“Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race” – Reni-Eddo-Lodge is a London based author and journalist who focuses her work on racism. She wrote the book ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race. 

Books:

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo – Addressing the racial landscape in America today, talking about issues such as: police brutality; intersectionality; micro-aggressions; and the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad – This book challenges you to unpack your biases, and helps white people take action and dismantle the privilege within themselves.

How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi – Dismantling our society that believes it is not racist while racism still continues. 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – The book about a 16 year old girl who has been raised in a poor neighbourhood but attends a posh high school in the suburbs. It tells the story of how she was the only witness in the shooting of her unarmed friend by a police officer. 

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo and Michael Eric Dyson – This free downloadable literature explores the reactions of white people when discussing the topic of racism.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo – The stories of twelve characters on their personal journeys living in the UK over the past 100 years.

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo – Discussing white supremacy and making us work to dismantle it through learning about what it means. Robin’s other literature, podcasts, articles and more can be found here.

Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni-Eddo-Lodge – Described as an essential handbook for anyone who wants to understand race relations in the UK today. Reni is asking people who buy her book to purchase from small independent sellers, or better yet borrow from a friend and spend the money on donating. Some of her writing is also available here.

There are many TV shows, documentaries and films that explore racism and help tell stories of those who suffer from racism, both past and present. These creatively talk about these situations and topics in ways that may be easier to understand. Some of the visuals shown can be hard to watch, but it is important to see footage and empathise in order to truly understand.

Netflix:

13th – A 2016 American documentary that explores race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. Its title comes from the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, adopted in 1865, which abolished slavery throughout the United States.

Fruitvale Station – A 2013 American biographical drama film based on the events leading to the killing of Oscar Grant, a young man who was murdered in 2009 by police officer Johannes Mehserle at the Fruitvale district station.

American Son –  An American drama film based on the Broadway play of the same name, that follows a black mother in the waiting room of a police station as she tries to find out what the authorities have done with her son.

When They See Us – A four part series that is based on events from 1989 where five male suspects were falsely accused and prosecuted on charges relating to the rape and assult of the female jogger in Central Park, NY.

Dear White People – A Netflix-original series that follows a group of students of colour at a predominantly white Ivy League University, where they are faced with cultural bias, social injustice and misguided activism.

To Rent:

Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 – A 2011 documentary film that examines the evolution of the Black Power movement in America from 1967 to 1975.

Selma – A historical film based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, Martin Luther King Jr., and John Lewis.

I Am Not Your Negro – A 2016 documentary film narrated by Samuel L. Jackson. This film explores the history of racism in the United States.

Just Mercy – The story of how civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson worked to free a man who was a wrongly condemned death row prisoner.

Available Online:

What happens when I try to talk race with white people –  A short, easy to understand, video featuring Renni Eddo-Lodge (author of Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race) that sums up the issues at play when discussing racism with white people.

Let’s get to the root of racial injustice | TEDxRainier – Megan Francis traces the root causes of our current racial climate to their core causes, debunking common misconceptions and calling out “fix-all” cures to a complex social problem.

Series of Lectures by Yale on African American History: From Emancipation to the Present

Listen to friends, family and co-workers. Listen but don’t expect them to educate you. It is our own job to teach ourselves through the resources available. It is also important to listen to advice. We may make mistakes, at the end of the day we are trying to learn. But it is when we learn from these mistakes, adapt and change we become better. 

Here is a list of podcasts that talk about race and racism:

Code: Switch NPR – A series of podcasts hosted by journalists of colour that talk about the subject of race. Exploring topics from pop culture, to politics, to sport.

Momentum: A Race Forward – Voices, stories, and strategies for racial justice.

Intersectionality Matters! – A podcast hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate, leading scholar of critical race theory and author of “The Intersectionality Wars”.

About Race – Hosted by Reni Eddo-Lodge, writer of “Why I am no longer talking to white people about Race”.

Nova Reid and Vicki & Selina from loveprojectlove – A conversation about race, racism and white privilege with Nova Reid.

We must not be silent anymore. Use our voices. We may not have spoken up in the past but now is the time. Make sure we stand up for others and any injustices we have felt personally or seen.

It is important not to speak for black people or share any content that may offend or upset. But do show support, tell people what is wrong and share resources to allow others to understand and learn. 

If you feel that you have witnessed an injustice or feel like something is happening that shouldn’t be, speak out. Question others when you feel they have said or done something unacceptable. It may be difficult to do this in certain circumstances. If this is the case, confide in someone you feel safe with or use one of the resources that is available online or in your community.

Continue to speak. When the media and others begin to stop talking, continue. This needs to be continued in order to make a permanent change. 

Protests have broken out all over the world following the death of George Floyd. This is a way to physically show you support black lives, and are expressing your disgust on police brutality. Uprisings have been a way to create change for hundreds of years. If you do wish to make your stand then please be careful by researching protests before attending. Make sure you have essential items, don’t go alone and have emergency contacts on you. Don’t share pictures or videos including protester’s faces or identifying features. If you are in the US here is a list of vital information if you are protesting. But if you cannot protest or there isn’t one happening near you, use your voice in other ways. 

It is important to let those in power, such as your MP,  know what is happening and what you want to be done. Write to Them allows you to find out who the MP is in your local area. Or you can use the Find My MP tool on the UK Government’s website to find MP’s direct email address’. You are able to find many templates online which can help you write your email, such as this one that is currently calling out for the UK to have an immediate suspension of sales of teargas, riot shields and rubber bullets to the US. But, wherever you are in the world please do let your opinions and demands be known by those who can create change.

It is important to use our voices, and our platforms. You may feel like what you say is insignificant. But if just one person reads or listens to what you have to say and share, it could create an impact. Be sure that what you are sharing is helpful and educational. Share resources that can support and inform. Also, be educated in what you are sharing.

Instagram is becoming a place to share resources. Many activists, artists, charities and organisations are creating things for you to share. Important resources, what you can do and information about what is currently happening. You can share these yourself by putting them on your story or on your feed. But be careful what you are sharing. Make sure it is helpful and does not clog up any important hashtags where people are looking for vital information. We have listed a few accounts that have produced some of these shareable graphics.

@goodgoodgoodco

@usc_sjmc

@courtneyahndesign

Some people are not on social media, so may not know the extent of what is happening. Therefore, you should talk with those around you. Speak with your friends and family. Let them know what is going on and what they can do to help. Also, reach out to your black friends. Make sure they are ok and let them know that you are there to support them. Don’t ask them for information on what you can do unless they have said they are willing to give it to you. Instead, just let them know you are there.

Access to information is easier than ever due to the internet. Social media is a way for us to connect with one another, and learn from people who use their platform to spread their message and information. Support black voices and creators. Support black run businesses. And support organisations that fight for black people.

Here is a list of some instagram accounts you can follow:

@Novareidoffical – Nova Reid runs in depth anti racism courses, but also shares information on her account. 

@Munroebergdorf – Munroe Bergdorf is a model and activist.

@Dontecolley – Donté Colley is a dancer who creates a safe space on social media through self expression and self love.

@StephanieYeboah – Stephanie Yeboah is a writer and Body Image & Self Love Advocate. 

@Rachel.cargle – Rachel Elizabeth Cargle uses her platform for teaching, storytelling & critical discourse.

@Laylafsaad – Layla F. Saad is the author of Me and White Supremacy.

@theconsciouskid – The Conscious Kid is a parenting education account that helps teach children about race issues. 

@Janayathefuture –  Janaya Future Khan is an International Ambassador for Black Lives Matter.

@galdemzine – Gal-Dem Magazine shares perspectives from women and non binary people of colour.

@Blklivesmatter – Black Lives Matter is a call to action and response to anti-Black racism.

@colorofchange – Color Of Change creates campaigns to end injustices, and are champions of solutions that move us forward.

Donating can directly help the cause. Whether it be in relation to the current protests happening worldwide, contributing to community based schemes or helping the families that are impacted. These donations should be considered not just now, but in the future. We must search for causes we feel passionate about and want to help. You may not be able to part with any money, and that is okay. But if you can raise awareness then others may be able to donate.

One way you can donate without parting with any money is through watching certain Youtube videos. A number of creators have created videos where all the ad revenue is given to charities. Be sure to leave the ads running, repeat the video and share. Below we have listed some videos where 100% of the ad profit is going to charities and organisations.

Click Here

Click Here

Here are some places you can donate:

National Bail Fund Network – This network is made up of over sixty community bail and bond funds who help those in US local and county jails as well as immigration jails. They are also helping support those who have been arrested due to protesting. 

Black Lives Matter UK – This UK based BLM is raising money to work along-side anti-racist organisations and to strengthen the BLM movement in the UK. It is also working to provide emergency Covis-19 relief for those in black communities.

Stop Hate UK – By donating to Stop Hate UK you will be helping to tackle all forms of Hate Crime. This organisation supports victims of racial harassment.

Black Minds Matter – This GoFundMe is raising money to support black people struggling with mental health. Especially during a time that may be difficult. This money will pay for free sessions with black therapists for those in need. 

Show Racism The Red Card – This anti-racist educational charity provides workshops, training sessions, multimedia packages and other resources to tackle racism throughout society. 

George Floyd Memorial Fund – This fund is established to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist George’s family. A portion of these funds will also go to the estate of George Floyd for the benefit and care of his children and their educational fund.

Justice for Breonna Taylor – Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman who was shot at least eight times by police officers. This fund was set up by her family, supporting their fight for justice.

It is important that the scale of this conversation does not slow. We must hold those in charge accountable. And we must better ourselves. To do all of these things we must be proactive at all levels. Worldwide, countrywide, community wide, within close circles and on a personal level.

The current conversations that are happening are important. Shedding light to those who are in the dark about the racial injustices and prejudices is a way in which we can create change. Everything that is happening at this moment contributes to the change. But we must not let this fade, and for things to go back to how they were before 2020. The horrific deaths of people such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor were the final straw. This fight has been fought by people for a long time, but now we must create a turning point. By coming together to become better, and support those in the black community. 

Speaking to young people from a young age can help them become anti-racist. Children as young as three start to use racial cues. Therefore, talking with young children about diversity will help to develop positive attitudes about themselves and people who are different to themselves. This creates a value in their differences and rejects prejudice. There are resources available to help you start talking to your children about race, such as Pretty Good’s list of resources. Having conversations about race in schools is a way for young people to talk about racism and diversity. This petition proposes adding books “The Good Immigrant” by Nikesh Shukla, and “Why I am no longer talking to white people about Race” by Reni Eddo-Lodge to the GCSE curriculum. 

Looking at how you spend your money now and in the future is important. Shopping at black run businesses is a way to bring in revenue and support them, allowing those with BAME backgrounds to have a greater presence within their sectors. It also will help to change the racial wealth gap which is apparent not only in the US but in the UK too. There are resources online that enable you to research what companies in your area are run by black people. One list by Marie Claire highlights 54 black run businesses with their instagram accounts. When making a purchase from any brand it is also good to do your research. Look at the company’s standpoint against racism, and try to find how they work with/will work with the black community. 

To finish we wanted to share a list of some incredible black based beauty brands who we want to support, curated by Cosmopolitan Magazine.