Prompt: What are you reading right now?

There are several great lists of material circulating right now as another facet of the Black Lives Matter movement and ongoing protests. One I wanted to share is An Antiracist Reading List by Ibram X. Kendi. The other is a list of books, resources, and suggestions put together by H. Crane that was passed on to me from a fellow artist at RedLine. I have included Crane's lists below. 

Personally, I’m currently reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and slowly working my way through Peter Sloterdijk’s Rage and Time: A Psychopolitical Investigation.

-Trey

From H. Crane:

Books:

Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad

Fatal Invention; How Science, Politics, and Big Business Re-create Race in the 21st Century, by Dorothy Roberts

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, by Ibram X. Kendi

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin DiAngelo

Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson

Citizen: An American Lyric, by Claudia Rankine

So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo

Killing Rage: Ending Racism, by bell hooks

Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice, by Paul Kivel

Towards the Other America: Anti-Racist Resources for White People Taking Action for Black Lives Matter, by Chris Crass

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race, by Beverly Daniel Tatum

{This list is intentionally not linked to a specific retailer. Research who you want to support when purchasing any of the above. -Trey}

Understanding Your Role in White Supremacy:

The Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture - This resource comes from SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice). SURJ is a national organization that has chapters in every state. This resource is simple and informative and I suggest it’s the first thing you read. Also, find your local SURJ chapter for other ways to get involved!

The Great Unlearn, by Rachel Cargle - This resource has its home on Patreon, which is a membership platform that allows content creators to be paid for their work. Rachel provides monthly content, for a fee, to help us engage with the history of race, racism, and America. The platform takes a little getting used to, but Rachel provides some really helpful and engaging content. 

Me and White Supremacy, by Layla Saad - This book has its origins in a month-long Instagram challenge in which Layla Saad challenged white participants to confront their privilege and their biases. In workbook form, it encourages reflection and ownership.

#DoTheWork, by Rachel Cargle - Another resource from Rachel Cargle. This is a free 30 day course with daily readings/course work. To access the course, simply add your name and email address in the link provided.

A description from Rachel: "This course is one designed to be an eye opener and a call to action for those who seek to be allies to black women. To #DoTheWork one must be intentional in breaking down the systems that continue to oppress and disenfranchise the black community with black women being the most affected. Going through these daily prompts you will be called to think critically and act tangibly in solidarity. Participating in this will be your first small step in working towards dissolving these systems, institutions and ideologies that continue to negatively affect black women and their communities yet benefit white people in this country.”

Using Your Wallet

Donate to organizations that fight racial injustice, police brutality, medical racism, etc. I’ve listed a few. In addition, think about where your money goes on a daily basis. How many black owned businesses do you frequent? Black Wall Street is a fantastic resource for locating black businesses in your area. Check it out!

Organizations:

Black Visions Collective - A black, trans, and queer-led organization that is committed to dismantling systems of oppression and violence, and shifting the public narrative to create transformative, long-term change. Based out of Minnesota

Reclaim the Block - Coalition that advocates for and invests in community-led safety initiatives in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Affiliate of Black Visions Collective. 

Campaign Zero - Online platform and organization that utilizes research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America. 

Unicorn Riot - Non-profit organization that is dedicated to exposing root causes of dynamic social and environmental issues. Based out of Minnesota.

Bail Funds - From a friend: "This is a site that allows you to donate to over 30 different community bail funds across the country. You can split your donation among all of them or donate to specific ones. These funds are especially important right now, not only because of the influx of arrests due to protests, but because prisons and jails are coronavirus hotspots."

Do research in your local areas. Call or visit your local SURJ chapter to determine where it is best to put your money!

Instagram Accounts to Follow:

-Erika Hart - @ihartericka

-Rachel Cargle - @rachel.cargle

-Sonalee - @thefatsextherapist

-Ijeoma Oluo - @IjeomaOluo

-Alishia McCullough - @blackandembodied

-Ibram X. Kendi - @ibramxk