Resources for learning about and elevating antiracism efforts in the US right now

Important to keep in mind: 

The movement we are observing across our nation and world today demonstrates the need for recognition, institutional change, equity and justice on behalf of black individuals and communities. As we each seek to find our place in this movement, now is a time for us to each reflect upon our own individual and collective positionality, and for many of us this means examining our privilege. The resources included here, while not exhaustive, provide opportunities for us to each educate ourselves, learn from others who are willingly sharing their experiences, and to amplify the voices of people of color. Ultimately, these resources serve as a reminder that now, and everyday forward, is the time to move our efforts beyond posts on social media and to translate our intentions into tangible, meaningful impact to contribute in dismantling the historic, systems of racism that have existed for the entirety of our lives and which continue to exist today.

Start here: cornerstone information on the topic

The history of racism in the US

Books, movies, podcasts & more about racism

Books:

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
You Can’t Touch My Hair (and other things I still have to explain) by Phoebe Robinson
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
The Bridge Called My Back edited by Cherrie Morga and Gloria Anzaldúa
How to be Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Blood In My Eye by George L. Jackson
 
Podcasts: 
 
1619 – NY Times
About Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge & Renay Rich
Seeing White – Scene on Radio, John Biewen
Momentum – Race Forward
Code Switch – NPR
The Diversity Gap – Bethaney Wilkinson 
Intersectionality Matters! – Kimberlé Crenshaw
Pod for the Cause – Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
Pod Save the People – Crooked Media
The Power of Inclusive Design – Benjamin Evans (AirBnB) on Design Better Podcast
 
Movies: 
 
13th – Ava DuVernay 
Dear White People – Justin Simien
The Hate U Give – George Tillman Jr. 
When They See Us – Ava DuVernay
Just Mercy – Destin Daniel Cretton
I Am Not Your Negro – James Baldwin/Raoul Peck
Black KkKlansman – Spike Lee

Follow along with and engage with the conversation:

Important terms to understand:

What is performative activism? – University of Birmingham (UK)

What is gaslighting? – Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D – Psychology Today

Understanding Implicit Bias – RacialEquityTools.org

@ogorchukwuu (Instagram)- how to spot racial gaslighting

Some important documents with history, resources & actionable steps

More pages, posts & accounts you can follow on social media:

Instagram:

Rachel Cargle- @rachel.cargle
Equal Justice Initiative- @eji_org
NAACP- @naacp
Ibram X Kendi- @ibramxk
Antiracism Center- @antiracismctr
No White Saviors- @nowhitesaviors
Adrienne Maree- @adriennemareebrown
Cleo Wade- @cleowade
Tanisha Jae Newtown- @nishajaenewtown
ACLU Nationwide- @aclu_nationwide
Color of Change- @colorofchange
The Great Unlearn- @thegreatunlearn
The Conscious Kid- @theconsciouskid
 
@campaignzero8 can’t wait – 8 uses of police violence that if abolished, could reduce violence by 72%
 
 
Info for white folx that you may relate to:
 
@parentingforrevolution – Protest etiquette for white folx
 
 
 
Twitter:
 
@emanisblzed – Mega thread for resources
@gwsjuli – Thread for petitions 

Action that you can take right now:

Protests & Direct Action

Petitions you can sign

Justice for Regis – Regis Korchinski-Panquet was murdered by Toronto Police who tried to cover up the murder as a suicide. This petition request an investigation into the incident. 

Raise the Degree – Derek M Chauvin was charged with the 3rd degree murder of George Floyd. This petition is requesting the charge be changed to 1st degree murder.

Justice for George Floyd – On May 25th, 2020 George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis Police. This petition is requesting that the officers involved be fired and appropriately charged for their actions. 

Justice for Breonna Taylor – Breonna Taylor was murdered in her home by Louisbille Police after they raided her home, unannounced. This petition is requesting that the officers involved face appropriate charges, her family be paid retribution, the governor of Kentucky acknowledge the event,  and the “no-knock” warrant the police used be banned.

National Action Against Police Brutality – This petition is requesting that the Attorney General of the United States act on behalf of the people of the US to take action against police brutality and injustice. 

Funds that you can donate to:

List of funds and direct donation options from Crooked Media

Funds in the list: 

Black Lives Matter Global Network
Reclaim the Block
National Bail Out
Black Visions Collective
NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
The National Police Accountability Project
Color of Change Education Fund
Unicorn Riot
Campaign Zero
Advancement Project
The Marshall Project

Other funds:

National Bail Out Fund

Dream Defenders

Black businesses you can support from anywhere:

A disclaimer:

This is by no means a definitive list. Consider this a starting point to get you started. Please be aware that there are far more informed voices on this subject (for instance, pay attention to the “Some important documents” section of this page, as well as look to voices of color speaking on these issues). And remember: your actions are greater than your words, or your social media posts. Work to actively engage with and follow these leaders and movements. Make a plan of how you will change your day-to-day routines, biases, beliefs, etc. to translate your intentions into actionable difference. If you find any of this information is inaccurate or incomplete, or to provide additions to this list, please contact us.