The Work Starts Now

The Haps by lisaandiesopko

Living in 2020, it might be hard to comprehend that America is still operating on a system of inequality, racism and bigotry. It can hard to comprehend that your BIPOC (Black, Indigenous People of Color) friends, neighbors and colleagues are still facing over 400 years of continued oppression and silencing when they have the same job title as you, attend the same church as you, go to the same school as you, or play on the same team as you. I challenge you to ask yourself why? How is it that after slavery was seemingly abolished and the Jim Crow era of segregation has ended that the BIPOC around you are still fighting to have equal rights in present day America? I challenge you to sit with yourself and reflect on the civil unrest going on around you. It is simply not enough to retweet the tweets, to copy a picture to your Instagram story, or to be a keyboard warrior among Facebook feeds. It is simply not enough to only care about an issue because it is trending all around you. It is time, way past time, to do the work; the work that many have done before us and the work that is tirelessly being done now in the present. As the murder of George Floyd has stirred unrest among the American people, it is imperative that we, white people, check our privilege and take the time to intentionally educate ourselves beyond our Eurocentric education and unlearn the racist tendencies that have been engrained among our society. It is imperative that we truly do the lifelong work that it takes to become anti-racist and stand with our loved ones in solidarity as we fight to eradicate racism. The work starts now.   

This article will serve as a combination of useful anti-racism resources that have been given to me by friends and strangers alike. While it is okay to feel angered, saddened and troubled by your racial injustice awakening, it is more important to put your feelings aside and use these resources as a powerful tool for change and reform within our society. This is NOT about you! This is about the countless people who have lost their lives to the system on which America is ran, the families who have lost loved ones, the cases that aren’t being investigated, the children who are growing up in oppression, and the senseless police brutality going on around you-to name a few reasons. Take the you out of it, because this work has no place for your feelings of shame or guilt. Whether you have been engaged in and doing anti-racism work for the past few years, months or days, welcome. The journey doesn’t end when you feel you have learned “enough”, read “enough”, listened “enough”, or have done “enough”. The truth of the matter is, there can never be, and will never be enough done until every man, woman and child are truly free and equal in America. 

To begin, it is important to know what being anti-racist looks like and why it is required for us to uphold the values and actions of an anti-racist in our every day lives. An article from the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s website entitled “Being Antiracist” can be an extremely helpful tool for those wanting to deepen their understanding of the different forms of racism there are in America so that you can intentionally identify the racism that goes on around you and stand up to it. The article has an embedded Youtube video entitled “How To Be Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi”- if you want to listen to the video (his book will be in the reading selections portion of this article for anyone interested). 

We’ve put together a visual on Ten Ways To Be Anti-Racist from Kwame Agyemang, PhD that has been circulating the internet as of late.  It is important to hear these words and understand them:

1. This is not about you and your feelings. A focus on your guilt and shame takes attention away from the issues. 

2. Hold yourself and other white people accountable. Your black friends and colleagues who are people of color should NOT have to check your racist ideas, behavior, and speech. 

3. Reflect upon and understand your white privilege. Acknowledge that meanings and systems in our society are built around the color of our skin. 

4. Don’t have a white savior complex. Refrain from imperial undertakings that attempt to “save” black people and other people of color.

5. Be empathetic. Do not dismiss fear or pain or accuse black people and other people of color “playing the race card.”

6. Speak up. Act out. Challenge systems of oppression (e.g. schools and work) and acknowledge your unconscious biases. 

7. Authentically pursue and cultivate relationships with black people and people of color. Do NOT wait for them to come to you. Put in the effort to gain their trust.

8. Partner with black people and organizations fighting against systemic racism. Support the work that they do and ask them how you can help.  

9. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Be prepared for hurt and pain as people may disassociate with you because of your anti-racism. 

10. Don’t seek congratulations. You do this work out of conviction and love. NOT for accolades. 

*This guide is by no means a comprehensive list and will be updated frequently to add more information and resources to those who are seeking it*.

Raise Them To Be Anti-Racist: Resources for Parents

Books: 

Podcasts:

Articles:

Accounts to Follow:

Resources for Adults below:

Articles to Read

Books to Read

Podcasts to Subscribe to

Things to Watch 

  • 13th – Netflix
  • American Son- Netflix
  • If Beale Street Could Talk– Hulu
  • The Hate You Give- Hulu *with cinemax
  • Dear White People-Netflix
  • See You Yesterday-Netflix
  • When They See Us-Netflix
  • Time: The Kalief Browder Story-Netflix
  • Fruitvale Station-Netflix
  • Strong Island-Netflix
  • The Uncomfortable Truth-Amazon Prime
  • Trial by Media: Amadou Diallo/41 shots- Netflix
  • Do the Right Thing-Amazon Prime
  • Moonlight-Amazon Prime
  • Sorry to Bother You-Amazon Prime
  • A Black Lady Sketch Show-HBO
  • Atlanta-Amazon Prime
  • 2 Dope Queens-HBO
  • Black Lightening-Netflix
  • A Different World-Amazon Prime
  • I Am Not Your Negro- James Baldwin Documentary-Available to Rent
  • Just Mercy– Now Streaming Free 
  • Selma- By Ava Duvernay- Available to Rent
  • Freedom Writers Diary– Available to Rent
  • Who Killed Malcolm X-Netflix Docuseries 
  • Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975-Available to Rent
  • The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution-Available to Rent 

Accounts to Follow 

*these links are for Instagram unless otherwise noted & are not a comprehensive list- includes influencers as well as organizations  

Links to Donate

Resources:

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