So I took a little time these past few days to really educate myself as much as I could on racism and the Black Lives Matter movement. I have been trying to share some resources on my Instagram story, but it’s important to share stuff that doesn’t disappear after 24 hours. I may not have been posting everyday, but I was doing things in support of Black Lives Matter off of social media. I might not be the most educated, but I’m trying and will continue to do so everyday moving forward. I recognize my privilege and always have, but I know I will never fully understand what it is like to be considered a minority. I hope that by taking the initiative to continue to educate myself, I will grow as a better person and help change the world. It’s so important that we continue to educate ourselves on this topic and never stop. So because of that, I wanted to share a list of books that’s I think will be super beneficial for you to read to help educate yourself. These books have great reviews and they are on my “To-Read” list for this next month. Please feel free to comment any book recommendations you have on these topics. I would love to hear any recommendations for anything that you would recommend for me to look into in order to learn more.
1. So You Want To Talk About Race – Ijeoma Oluo
“So You Want To Talk About Race” strikes the perfect balance of direct and brutally honest without being peachy or worse, condescending. Regardless of your comfort level, educational background, or experience when it comes to talking about race, Ijeoma has created a wonderful tool to help broach these conversations and help us work toward a better world for people of color from all walks of live” -Franchesca Ramsey
2. Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria – Beverly Daniel Tatum
“I hope every college student reads this book no matter their race or ethnicity. I wish I had this book as a racial minority at a predominantly white undergraduate institution. The framework Dr. Tatum utilized to explain racial identity development would have helped me immensely by giving me a language for what I expierenced” – Amazon Reviewer
3. Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People – Mazarin R. Banaji & Anthony G. Greenwald
“Conversational… Easy to read, and best of all, it has the potential, at least, to change the way you think about yourself.” – Leonard Mlodinow
“This book was great! It is geared towards young adults but is a great start for anyone seeking to learn about about racism and changing their mindset. . . The language was very easy to understand and comprehend. – Amazon Reviewer
“A call to action for everyone concerned with racial injustice and an important tool for anyone concerned with understanding and dismantling this oppressive system.” – Sojourners
6. How To Be An Antiracist – Ibram X. Kendi
“Kendi dissects why in a society where so few people consider themselves to be racist the divisions and inequalities of racism remain so prevalent. How to be an Antiracist punctures the myths of a post-racial America, examine what racism really is– and what we should do about it.” – Time
7. I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness – Austin Channing Brown
“I read Austin Channing Brown’s incredible book in one sitting. This is one that every black woman needs to read to be validated and every white person needs to read to receive some perspective… Brown has concisely articulated the burdens, questions, and frustrations that I find myself experiencing daily as a black woman.” – Sojourners
“Rothstein’s comprehensive and engrossing book reveals just how the U.S. arrived at the ‘systematic’ racial segregation we find in metropolitan areas today, focusing in particular on the role of government… This compassionate and scholarly diagnosis of past policies and prescription for our current racial maladies shines a bright light on some shadowy spaces” – Publishers Weekly
9. Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor – Layla Saad
“A rallying call for those humble enough to answer, to stop and examine how dominant systems shape how white people see themselves, see others, and how they move through the world… Me and White Supremacy summons forth a new type of leadership and accountability that this time so desperately calls for and is the pathway to a greater healing that generations of people and communities so desperately need.” – Latham Thomas
10. Between the World and Me – Ta-Nehisi Coates
“Brilliant… a riveting mediation on the state of race in America.. Coates is firing on all cylinders, and it is something to behold: a mature writer entirely consumed by a momentous subject and working at the extreme of his considerable powers at the very moment national events most conform to his vision.” – The Washington Post.
As always, feel free to message me any other additional resources you would want me to share or look into myself. I am planning on reading a couple of these books and would love to know if you guys decide to read one too. To be transparent with you, I tend to use affiliate links where I make a small comission. However, I am not using affiliate links on this post so if you decide to make a purchase through one of my links, I will not recieve a commission.
I hope that this list can help you start or continue your journey of educating yourself on racism and diversity issues.
XO, Lauren Trythall
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